Materials Masterclass: the Best New Carbon Watches

This year the world’s leading manufactures really outdid themselves at Baselworld, with incredibly inventive new pieces. One of our favorite trends from the show was the use of carbon, especially all-carbon pieces with cases and bezels made from this cutting-edge new material. Here are a few of our favorites:

Graham Chronofighter Oversize Superlight Carbon

This chronograph features a 47mm carbon case, with the Chronofighter collection’s signature fast-action start/stop trigger on the left-hand side of the case. The dial features Arabic numerals (with an oversized 12 at the top of the dial) and several red highlights, which echo the red rubber strap. Functions include hours and minutes, a central seconds hand, a tachymeter, a 60-second counter at 3 o’clock, a 30-minute counter at 6 o’clock and a date window at 8 o’clock.

Zenith El Primero Lightweight

Housed in a 45mm aluminum and carbon case, this piece features the lightest chronograph caliber on the market. The El Primero 400B Titanium automatic movement, which boasts a 50-hour power reserve, weighs just 15.9 g. The dial of this chronograph features hours and minutes, a central seconds hand, and a date aperture at 6 o’clock. The openworked dial also features three skeletonized and colored counters: a blue 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock, a dark grey 12-hour counter at 6 o’clock and a light silver 60-second counter at 9 o’clock. It is completed by a Nomex-coated black rubber strap with a black PVD triple folding clasp. Only 250 pieces will be produced.

Bell & Ross BR 03-94 Carbon Orange

Housed in a 42mm case, this piece is the latest addition to Bell & Ross’ Aviation collection, but also features elements from the manufacture’s Vintage collection. The matte black dial was designed to be highly legible, with touches of orange highlighting all the indications relating to the chronograph function. Functions include hours, minutes and seconds, as well as a 60-second counter at 3 o’clock, a date aperture at 4 o’clock, and a 30-minute counter at 9 o’clock. It is completed by an orange canvas and black rubber strap with a pin buckle. Only 500 pieces will be produced.

King Power Unico All Carbon

This piece features a 48mm carbon fiber case, as well as a carbon bezel, which features Hublot’s six signature H-shaped screws in black PVD titanium. The grey carbon is contrasted by touches of red on the openworked dial, including on the hour and minute hands and the seconds chapter ring. However, the top aesthetic highlight is no doubt the skeletonized date disc, which features a red-highlighted aperture at 4:30. The HUB1240 flyback chronograph movement, which is visible on the dial and through the sapphire crystal caseback, boasts a 72-hour power reserve.

Photo credit: Haute Time.