Basel 2012 “The Best of…”

Kristian Haagen (TimeGeeks.dk) Urban Jürgensen & Sønner Chronometre P8 Automatique

This year was a bit more quiet, in terms of new models. That is not a bad thing at all. Au contraire. It actually felt rather good visiting the watch brands and learning more about improved and precision even instead of listening to long and odd explanations about exotic materials from outer space. Breguet and Chopard went all in with 10 and 8 hz movements, Banting to improve precision with high speed movement. I quite liked that. You know, embracing and cultivating the one function that many other watch companies seem to have forgotten all about; Precision.

Tudor owned this years relaunch with a wonderful 41-mm diver’s watch inspired by a similar model from 1954. Especially the dial work on the Heritage Black Bay is amazing and clearly made with a respect for both the brand’s history as well as demanding collectors of the brand (and Rolex).

But if I should pin down a single favorite from Basel World 2012 it Gould have to be the Urban Jürgensen & Sønner Chronometre P8 Automatique. It May still be a work in progress, but I am patient about this launch, knowing that Kari Voutilainen is the man behind the movement. Oh, did I menton that the precision of this new inhouse movement from UJ&S supposedly is 40 percent more precise than the COSC regulations allow? That is impressive!

Elizabeth Doerr (WorldTempus.com) Speake-Marin Serpent Calnedar

For me the best watch of this year’s Baselworld was the Serpent Calendar by Peter Speake-Marin. It simply combines the best elements of watchmaking and puts them together in one fantastically aesthetic timepiece with reliable and beautiful automatic mechanics. Like every Speake-Marin, it is customizable as the client wishes. For me, however, the very best part is the fact that it is an “affordable” Speake-Marin: while up to now this boutique brand’s watches have been very collectible and rare—and thus expensive—the new Serpent Calendar, which comes in stainless steel or rose gold, has become attainable for “average Joe” even though it will remain rare in number.

Louis Nardin (WorldTempus.com) Glashütte Original Grand Cosmopolitan Tourbillon

The Grand Cosmopolite Tourbillon by Glashütte Original has been a great revelation due to its functions specifically chosen for travellers with a good taste. Actually, the watch offers 37 world time zones taking into account Daylight saving and Standard time. Easy to read, including a flying tourbillon, a big date and a perpetual calendar, this masterpiece is also easy to set. Finally, it’s a great realisation for the saxonian manufacture that shows, after six years of research and development, how important and large its craftsmanship is.

Miguel Seabra (Espiral do Tempo) VULCAIN 50s Presidents’ Watch „Herbie Hancock”

This year I wasn’t too inclined towards what I call “technorology” or conceptual watchmaking; overall I was more attracted to pure lines on affordable timepieces that are rather wearable than to obscenely expensive watches that look freakish on one’s wrist. With that in mind, I’d pick the Vulcain 50s Presidents’ Watch ‘Herbie Hancock’ – because I’m a big fan of the 50s design, it’s a respectable niche brand, it features the emblematic (and useful) Cricket alarm function, it is a limited edition, the blue dial is stunning, the 42mm case proportions are ideal and it’s under 5.000 euro! At the top, I’d choose the architectural DB28 ST from De Bethune and the classic Patek Philippe Ref 5204 Perpetual Calendar with Split-Seconds Chronograph. Honorable mentions: the Tudor Heritage Black Bay with some sort of artificial patina on the dial is a good pick for 2.500 euro; the pure design of the Badollet Ivresse.

Tomasz Kiełtyka (CH24.PL) Bell & Ross WW1 Chronographe Monopoussoir

My absolute favourite time piece of this year’s Basel is a Peter’s Speake-Marin Serepnt Calendar. However, since it is also the choice made by Elizabeth, mine goes to something on the other end of watchmaking characteristic – sporty pieces. Two of them to be precise. One is the perfect bland of chronograph, alarm and world-time complication in Zenith Doublematic. Second is a vintage-styled mono-pusher chronograph with ivory-colour dial – Bell & Ross WW1 Chronograph Moonopoussoir.

Łukasz Doskocz (CH24.PL) ZENITH Pilot Doublematic

Since we decided to honour 6 different timepieces in our little “The Best of…” list, my job as the last one to chose, was the hardest. On my way back from Basel, already thinking about this list, two particular watches came to my mind. As Krisitan mentioned, this year was, let’s say, less spectacular in breathtaking novelties, however among hundreds of new pieces there were some at least worth noticing (hence our “Best of…”) with two very special. First one, already honoured by Elizabeth, was Speake-Marin Serpent Calendar – phenomenal bland of classic, character (Piccadilly case), independent-watchmaking high quality for truly very reasonable price.

The second one, my pick for “The Best off…”, was also mentioned above. When I first saw the new Zenith Doublematic on the brand’s both display picture, I thought – WOW! Examining the watch hands-on just increased this excitement. Why Doublematic? – for its great (stylistically and mechanically) merger of El Primero chronograph, big date, 30-second alarm and World-Time complication in one, absolutely great watch for less than 10.000Euro – brilliant offer!