Imran Jalal rounds up the must-know pieces and lets you in on the trends to follow.
Smart watches, a fluctuating Swiss franc and the slowdown of the Chinese economy were the buzzwords heard aplenty at Baselworld this year. True enough, there were brands that jumped on the smart watch bandwagon – from the high end like Frederique Constant to the more mainstream like Guess.
Others like Rolex and Omega took an understated and simpler route, building on well-loved classics. But the event, which ends on March 26, is largely about putting on a show. And brands did not disappoint with some pieces that truly wow’ed.
This is possibly the best time to own a Rolex. The most famous – and most basic – model by the brand, the Oyster Perpetual, now comes in sizes that range from 26mm to 39mm. The dials come in a cool colour scheme that includes grape purple and army green with prices averaging $7,000.
If you already own a Cara Delevingne-designed bag and apparel, then you’d probably want this ticker she designed with Tag Heuer as well. The model, who is the brand’s poster girl, did quite a mean job with the Carrera. It’s the brand’s first all-black ladies’ timepiece and comes with a quilted strap and a lion (she’s a Leo) engraved on the case back.
Brands go smart with their watches. For a commercial take, there is the Guess Connect timepiece which lets you make calls, read mails and text messages and more.
Frederique Constant’s rendition of the smart watch comes with tracking capabilites and is the most classic-looking one around.
Chocolate’s hot, be it on dials, straps, or both. Cue Rado’s newly-developed brown ceramic, seen here on the Hyperchrome model.
Or how about Harry Winston’s Midnight Diamond Stalactites model, which now comes in an automatic version?
There is also these Terrascope models by Jeanrichard.
Your indexes aren’t the only ones that glow in the dark. Chopard’s Happy Fish glowing bluefish comes to live at night as the creature is coated with luminescent materials.
Just glowing with it, the Berlin-DNA by RJ-Romaine Jerome also shines. The glowing blue line represents the Spree River which courses through a unified Germany.
