Baselworld: Thursday, March 27, 2014

Today was the opening day of Baselworld 2014, the world’s largest watch fair. Here is a glimpse of some of the new introductions I saw today.

Chanel J12 Blue Light, in high-tech white ceramic bracelet and case. It is like last year’s all-white version, except that this year Chanel has applied blue numerals and tips on the hands. The special light blue color is fully luminescent, so it glows in the dark. It contains a self-winding movement with a 42-hour power reserve, and is water resistant to 200 meters.

Dior Grand Soir, a one-of-a-kind piece with pink sapphires custom cut in triangular baguettes by Bunter for Dior, set into the bezel and lugs. The design is inspired by Japanese Origami, with mother-of-pearl cut and arranged in a 3D pattern to appear as if it is folded. More than 50 pieces of mother-of-pearl were used to create this design. Diamonds are set into the mother-of-pearl. The strap is dual textured, including patent leather.

Omega Apollo 11 Limited Edition 45^th Anniversary Edition, which marks Omega’s flight to the moon in 1969 on the wrists of Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin. The commemorative version has a titanium case with an18k Omega Sedna gold bezel. The indexes and hour, minute, seconds and subdial hands are made of 18k gold. A highlight is the NATO-inspired fabric strap, which is fully adjustable. With manual-wound Caliber 1861.

Arnold & Son Instrument DSTB (Dial Side True Beat) celebrates the brand’s 250-years anniversary. It pays tribute to early marine chronometers and showcases the true beat seconds mechanism entirely on the dial side, including the hands, lever, wheels and rose-gold treated bridges. The true beat seconds lever is shaped like an anchor in homage to the marine heritage. With self-winding caliber A&S6003, with 229 components. 

Hermès Dressage L’heure Masquée, with an hour hand that remains hidden under the minute hand, appearing only when the crown is pressed. Hermès has determined that most people look at a watch to read the minutes, rather than the hours. There is also a GMT function, which appears when the pusher on the left side of the case is pushed. The brand’s self-winding Caliber H1925 is equipped with a patented mechanism.