2017 Favorites

We have reached that time of year that excites watch fans everywhere. It is the Comic-Con of watches. It is the center ring in a circus. Welcome to Baselworld.  We now live in an age when we don't really need watches. Anyone can pull out their phone to check the time, and these phones can do much more than just that. Watchmakers have to meet this challenge. Baselworld means more now then ever as these companies work harder and harder to deliver elegantly-designed and efficient watches for consumers. Watches have been elevated to a luxury item, with exquisite features and designs to match. Let's take a look at some of the hottest watches to hit Baselworld 2017.

The Rolex Cosmograph Daytona

While Rolex came out with quite a few new watches this Baselworld, our favorite was the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona. This is different enough to be new, but similar enough to existing designs to be a classic. The watch is fitted on the innovative Oysterflex bracelet in elastomer reinforced with a metal blade, and is equipped with a monobloc Cerachrom bezel. 

The Omega Speedmaster 60th Anniversary

In the last few years, it seems that heritage watches are the way to go. The Omega Speedmaster 60th Anniversary personifies this. Take a beautiful, classic design and upgrade it by modernizing the movement and you will have one cool watch. The watch is powered by Omega's 1861 Calibre.

Patek Philippe 5320 Perpetual Calendar

Whenever Patek comes out with a new watch, you better pay attention. Instead of innovating and making a futuristic watch, Patek Philippe does what it does best. Patek Philippe went back and created a new watch based on some of their historical designs from the 40s and 50s. This elegant watch uses a Calibre 324 to run the watch. The watch measures 40mm in white gold and it is 30m water resistant.

Oris Big Crown 1917

When looking at this watch, you can really see how it was originally designed as a pocket watch with a strap. The design was one of the company's first wristwatches. This vintage re-issue continues with the success of Oris Heritage watches like the Diver's 65. To add to the history of this watch, Oris added a pin-lever movement.

Bell & Ross BR-X1 Tourbillion Sapphire

A watch unlike any other. The Bell & Ross BR-X1 is one futuristic piece of hardware. The watch does not simply have a sapphire crystal, but the watch itself is made from sapphire. This skeleton watch is also made with grade 5 titanium. The power reserve on the watch is 100 hours and it has a water resistance of 300 meters. Perhaps this is what watches will look like in the future.

Seiko SLA017

Seiko, the brand that refused to quit, has been on a recent tear at the past few Baselworld's. Seiko had a lot going on this year, but this watch says it all. Seiko dives back into the past with a re-issue of the company's first dive watch. Check out our in-depth article.

 Watches

Watches are a symbol of the past. We see this with every re-issue that watch companies come out with. Perhaps they are looking at the past fondly, or perhaps we are finally now starting to appreciate the vintage watch. Watches are no longer a necessity, but this has only forced watchmakers to truly innovate and impress. Watches have become pieces of wearable art and design that speak volumes about the wearer--a person with an appreciation for the aesthetics of the past but with an eye toward the engineering of the future.