All articles in: Baselworld 2017

The brand has recently celebrated its 20th anniversary. The age of reason can wait. And yet, the brand – established in Switzerland since 2013 – masters vintage codes and measuring instruments in a way that speaks of age-old skills.

Established in Geneva, where it has its historical roots, the Emile Chouriet brand has taken an interest in aerial ballets. We had to find out for ourselves, so we rapidly scheduled a Baselworld meeting with dance moves on the agenda…

We recently enjoyed a long weekend in Vegas with approximately 50 collectors of Rolex and Tudor. Highlights included the first showing of Tudor’s Baselworld 2017 novelties, a great dinner, and giveaways of Tudor and Rolex watches!

Independent brands are so varied that it would be impossible to cover them all. We have chosen three which in 2017 have been examplary of the strength driving this important hub of creativity for the whole industry. They are Hysek, Akrivia and Lebeau-Coullary.

Moritz Grossmann is a model of German watchmaking excellence that blends technical skills, accuracy and ingenuity. In 2017, the brand has added a feminine touch to its collection, which is rare but welcome in this part of the world.

They all have a connection with La Chaux-de-Fonds, they are all collectively grouped under the 'IMetAWatch' hashtag, and all three timepieces were recently rolled out at Basel. Simple, round… yet highly desirable!

In this centenary year – and in spite of the difficult economic situation – Baselworld, that great window on the luxury industry, revealed its ability to bring together all the trends in watchmaking and jewelry around vigorous and intangible values.

The Palace, that gauzy meeting place for watchmakers of the latest generation and small brands in the process of growing, has vanished. But the idea of it is still there, in an evolved form…. Discovering the  incubator of talent on a higher floor.

For a while now, watchmakers seem to have been drawing inspiration from timepieces referred to as memento mori, originally watches from the 16th century with cases that were shaped like skulls. The works of today, whether done up in an artistic or humorous style, continue to remind us that each second of life to be a blessing. Amen !

At this year’s Baselworld fair, Longines added two new pieces to their Heritage line.

With the Mobilis model, Maison Louis Moinet has produced a fine piece of haute chronometrie, a fusion "in mobile" of two masterly talents: watchmaking and the graphical arts.

In a market that everyone would like to see stabilizing slowly, the most important thing is to offer products that have both a great identity and an unbeatable price-quality ratio. Here's a little selection of timepieces that fit the bill.

In a world in which 90% of watches are round, what options do brands have to rise out of the mass and let their models achieve a breakthrough with the public. Between associations with history and stylistic research, some brands have managed to give their creations durable success.

This year, many of the brands seem to have a strategy that focuses on commemoration. This allows them to connect with their history and to sensitize fans about what makes a brand’s strength and identity.  It's one way, like any other, to draw attention to the fundamentals.

The market is in a restructuring phase. New protagonists are emerging in the media, new longings among consumers. Watchmaking must find ways to recharge itself again.It’s a guiding thought, it’s obvious, it’s a necessity…

Successor to the famous El Primero, the first automatic chronograph movement in history capable of measuring tenths of a second, the Defy El Primero 21 goes further in terms of time-keeping and gains a decimal place of precision in the process.

An old hand at perceived value, the Saignelégier Manufacture in the Swiss Jura continues to surprise and astonish with the appropriateness of its offerings and the consistent quality of its collections. A flawless career and the promise of great things ahead…

For just over a year now, the watch market has been on a quest to find itself. In terms of clientele as well as its communication style, Baselworld 2017 seems to be an event not to be missed. Everyone in the starting blocks!

At last night's pre-Baselworld kick-off dinner, Tudor surprised all of their press partners (including us) with their new New Black Bay Chronograph.

Follow the WATCHONISTA team with our special page to discover exclusive articles, live pictures, videos and all the novelties from Baselworld 2017.