Baselworld 2018: For him

Breitling Navitimer 1 Automatic 38

The Swiss watchmaker’s iconic and much-loved Navitimer pilot’s watch has been launched in a new 38-mm, three-hand automatic interpretation for this year’s Baselworld. It’s the first Breitling timepiece for both men and women to be introduced under the leadership of watch world’s superstar Georges Kern. Harking back to the 1950s when the brand launched the Ref 66, the new watch is a three-hander without Navitimer’s quintessential chronograph complication. However, with the chronograph function gone, the dial wears a much cleaner and appealing look. The watch is available in steel and gold with a silver dial and steel with blue or black dials, both paired with alligator leather strap featuring a pin buckle.

Price: US$4,300 to $5,820

Tag Heuer Carrera ‘Tête de Vipère’ Chronograph Tourbillon Chronometer

Tag Heuer is commemorating the 55th anniversary of its iconic Carrera watch line with the new ‘Tête de Vipère’ Chronograph Tourbillon Chronometer.

Tag Heuer Carrera ‘Tête de Vipère’ Chronograph Tourbillon Chronometer

 What’s special about the watch is its tourbillon chronograph chronometer-certified by the Besançon Observatory in France. Translating to ‘viper’s head’ in English, the certification is extremely rare, and has been applied to only 500 watches till date. The 45 mm blue ceramic case houses the Heuer-02T movement offering 65 hours of power reserve. The new timepiece comes with a black alligator strap and is limited to only 155 examples.

Price: To be announced

Bvlgari Octo Finissimo Tourbillon Automatic

The latest offering by Bvlgari is another incredible timepiece by the Italian brand that perfectly demonstrates the extremes of engineering attainable in the watchmaking craft.

Bvlgari Octo Finissimo Tourbillon Automatic

The Octo Finissimo Tourbillon Automatic, in the perfect Bvlgari tradition, has simultaneously broken three records. The race between Bvlgari and Piaget to prove who can manufacture the thinnest watch has resulted in the creation of this stunner. The new timepiece is the world’s thinnest automatic watch as well as the world’s thinnest automatic tourbillon. It is powered by the new calibre BVL 288, a self-winding flying tourbillon movement only 1.95 mm thick, while the entire watch measures a mere 3.95 mm thick overall. The watch will be available in a limited number of just 50 pieces.

Price: US$128,000

Rolex GMT-Master II ‘Pepsi’ in Stainless Steel

The Rolex GMT-Master II Pepsi watch with red-and-blue bezel was launched four years back and was only available in white gold.

Rolex GMT-Master II ‘Pepsi’ in Stainless Steel

For this year, the watchmaker has introduced a new version of the Pepsi watch, which comes with quite a few updates, but, more importantly, is now available in stainless steel; something that a lot of Rolex afficionados have been waiting for. This version features a new-generation Rolex 3285 movement with extended 70-hour power reserve, new five-link Jubilee bracelet, and a total of 10 patented technical solutions.

Price: US$ 9,300

Jacob & Co. Twin Turbo Furious

Back in 2016, Jacob & Co. Twin launched the original Twin Turbo timepiece — a highly sophisticated watch that became the world’s first to combine two triple axis tourbillons and a decimal minute repeater.

Jacob & Co. Twin Turbo Furious

The New York-based watchmaker has now come with a new version that makes the incredible watch even more special by adding a monopusher chronograph and accelerated twin triple axis tourbillons. The new twin tourbillons are a significant evolution from its predecessor. It is the monopusher chronograph function with reference time that separates it from the original model. Inspired by the timekeeping panels once used in motor racing, this horological wonder is limited to just 15 examples.

Price: On request

Dhiram Shah is the Mumbai-based founder of Luxurylaunches.com

COMMENT NOW