
Executive Editor Charmaine Ho reports live from Baselworld 2018 with a selection of highlights from Tudor, Longines, Corum, Rolex, Graff Diamonds, Omega and Chanel.
The roof of Messeplatz is a familiar sight that greets all visitors arriving at Baselworld.
A sight guaranteed to make fans smile, Tudor has updated its Black Bay GMT collection with a beloved Pepsi bezel that delivers a much loved colourway at a more affordable price.
Another piece of good news? Tudor has released its first women’s watch into the flagship collection; and it’s the most price accessible Black Bay to boot.
At Longines, it’s all about reinforcing existing collections with wrist-worthy editions. Its new Conquest V.H.P. Chronograph now sports a Perpetual Calendar function and extended battery life, while its HydroConquest bears a ceramic bezel and a a chronograph model.
The brand has also revealed an intriguing Milanese patterned rubber strap for its Legend Diver, which now comes in black PVD. As for ladies, look out for a 36mm Legend Diver (with coloured leather straps or a steel bracelet) that will be launched later this year.
Corum continues is collaboration with French photographer Juliette Jourdain for its Bubble watch, featuring a real feather – made all the more prominent by the magnifiying effect of its curved sapphire crystal.
Here, artist engraver Aleksey Saburov is seen working on a Hobo Coin watch at Corum’s booth. Corum’s collaboration with Saburov means that fans of the engraver’s style are able to make requests can for personalised Hobo Coin watch designs.
and unleashes a new fleet of Admirals and Golden Bridges into the world.
Continuing the thread of last year’s Golden Bridge Lady with hesalite is a new model with multi-cut diamonds. There’s also bejewelled Tourbillon to look forward too – all of which can be found on the brand’s newly launched e-boutique.
Making a return is Rolex’s ever-popular GMT Master II with a Pepsi bezel. This time round, however, it’s found in Oystersteel (the 2014 edition was in white gold) and with a Jubilee bracelet.
Or if you’re already a proud owner of the red and blue Cerachrome version, Rolex has also released Everose and Everose Rolesor editions with an equally attractive brown and black bezel.
Sporting the graduated D-blue dial (which first made an appearance in 2014), this deep dive watch bears redesigned proportions, including a broader bracelet and resized Oysterlock, and Rolex’s automatic calibre 3235 for the first time.
Rolex’s cult Cosmograph Daytona with a “Rainbow” bezel – comprising 36 baguette-cut sapphires in graduated hues – makes a return in Everose this year for a truly stunning effect.
It’s near impossible to walk past this magnificent number without doing a double take. White diamonds in a myriad of cuts and sizes set the stage for an emerald-cut yellow diamond that weighs in at almost 54 carats.
This watch’s multi-levelled dial bears enamel painting and micro-painting alongside expert gem-setting. Available in four different colours, women will fall in love with the rotating blooms at eight and 10 o’clock positions.
A bold yet feminine number, this jewellery watch’s single strand bracelet of sizeable multi-cut yellow diamonds makes it for keeps.
Four years after it introduced the De Ville Trésor collection for men, Omega turns its sights to expanding its female repertoire with Trésors of a more feminine size and nature. It’s available in 36mm and 39mm versions in steel and Sedna gold with diamond options.
Omega celebrates the 25th anniversary of its Seamaster Diver 300M with 14 new designs, including a Titanium and Tantalum Limited Edition (of 2,500 pieces). The wave patterned dial also makes a return in laser-cut ceramic this time round.
In homage to the first humans to see the dark side of the moon in 1968, this skeletonised black ceramic number bears laser-ablated patterns that recreate the moon’s surface on its front and back.
Completely stackable and utterly chic, Chanel’s Code COCO sees a new black ceramic edition being introduced. Choose from a plain or diamond lined bezel to accompany its 2.55-inspired clasp.
This year also sees Chanel aerating its Boy.Friend watch collection with a selection of coloured straps that seem to change the look of the timepiece completely.
The Mademoiselle Privé collection has, thus far, been a canvas on which Chanel has showcased a host of metiers d’art – from enamelling to engraving to gem-sculpting. This year sees it taking a decidedly technical, yet no less beautiful turn. This is the first Mademoiselle Privé to be equipped with an in-house movement: The Calibre 2.1 Camélia Skeleton. Stay tuned for updates on its Boy.Friend Skeleton.
Related articles:
The History Of The Most Coveted And Collected Rolex Watches
10 Diamond Watches From Baselworld to Covet Right Now
15 Gorgeous Watches Inspired by the Season’s Biggest Fashion Trends