Baselworld, One Of The World's Biggest Watch Shows - My Favorites

On my recent travels I visited Switzerland and was lucky enough to be able to attend Baselworld, 2014 one of the worlds biggest watch shows. This amazing watch exhibit is held in Switzerland, the home of watch making every year.  For avid watch lovers this exhibit is the ultimate of joy, with thousands of watches on display. The watches on display are made up from all types of brands and all types of designs. The exhibit is great because it showcases timepieces of haute horology as well is those with fashionable aesthetics.

 

Most of the new timepieces on display were functional, fun colored watches  for daily wear. This appealed to those who are lovers of functional watches. But even though there were also a number of novelty watches from independent watchmakers, if it is the fun and innovation you are looking for the leading brands this year may not have meet your needs. Although the classics were available in the traditional gold, silver and platinum, steel seems to have become the latest trend for most brands these days.

Some of the notable watches on display which appealed to me and took my fancy were:

• Chanel J12 Flying Tourbillon

A perfect example of horological excellence mixed with aesthetic perfection 

• Chanel Premiere  Flying Tourbillon

A perfect example of horological excellence mixed with aesthetic perfection for women

• Rolex Oyster Perpetual GMT-Master II

Rolex is aways a must see and this watch is a technical and aesthetic masterpiece meeting the near  impossible task of creating a watch with an amazing  two tome ceramic bezel.

• Grand Seiko Hi- beat GMT

This limited edition watch specially launched for the occasion is highly accurate and has a power reserve of 55 hours

•  Seiko Astron GPS Solar

This second generation watch links to the GPS network and tells the time with atomic precision and has a light-penetrating blue dial.

• Enicar CH350 Ceramic Self winding Automatic Watch

This watch blends classic charm and contemporary style with its black ceramic bezel and cloistered pattern It speaks of the boldness in creativity by Enicar

•  Enicar CH128 Goddess Ladies Watch

This watch inspired by the Roman Goddess Venus it is exquisite from design to quality

•  Ball Watch Engineer Master II Slide Chronograph  

The attention to fine detail, this watch offers a novel approach to the normal watch complications. It uses a mechanical slide, rather than the traditional pushers, to start, stop and reset the stopwatch

•  Ball Watch Trainmaster Kelvin Celsius Watch

This watch is equipped with a mechanical thermometer able to measure ambient temperature between  minus 35 and 45 degree centigrade with 97 % accuracy 

• Swarovski Citra Chrono

With its 40 clear crystals displaying its fabulous rose gold case, this beautiful sparkling watch blends sports chic with elegance

• Tissot T-Complication Squelette Chronometer

This watch features a see through case back to show off the intricacies of it mechanics and the talents of Tissot as an expert watchmaker.

• Breguet 5377 PT Classique Tourbillon Extra-Plat Automatique

This is an extremely flat ultra slim watch made in 950 platinum. It has an off-center, automatic tourbillon with a titanium cage delivering a phenomenal 90 hours of power reserve. The design of this watch shows exception sophistication and craftsmanship and is still protected by patent.

• Jaquet Droz the Pocket Watch Paillonnee

This gorgeous Pallonnee blue enamel pocket watch is designed by artists and perfected by craftsmen. Paillonnee enameling is an intricate art design which has been practiced by this company since the 18^th century. It involves delicate work with gold and azure dies fired at high temperatures.

• Patek Philippe Nautilus Travel time Chronograph

A fascinating watch with the dual time and chronologic functions added to one timepiece, allowing you to see time in two different time zones at once.

• Carl F. Bucherer Pathos Diva

This high fashion but functional women’s watch combines elegance with technical advances in horology., including a 38 hour power reserve.

• Glashutte Original Senator Chronograph Panorama Date

Together with its specific chrongraph movement, this watch has unique combination of features such as a small seconds counter with a power reserve indicator (70 hours) which make it an interesting watch to research. It comes in two styles one with  platinum case and the other with a 18 carat red gold case

• Bulgari Octo Finissimo Tourbillon

This Bulgari watch set a new record for the world’s thinnest tourbillon. The details on this watch are exceptional right down to the very last detail such as the alligator strap with the platinum buckle.

The exhibition hall itself had been redesigned with a new booth plan which was received very well. According to the statistics the number of visitors had increased in 2014 but there was a notable drop in Chinese visitors This may be due to the fact that most brands launch their new products in China shortly after Baselworld, negating the need for Chinese business people to travel to Switzerland. 

The international watch market has entered a cycle of adjustment this year with prices continuing to drop. This is of course good news for watch lovers but may not be such good news for investors.

The Different Types of Rolex Watches

The Rolex company produces two brands of watches

– The Rolex and the Tudor brands. 

Tudor watches offer the precision, reliability and the dependability of the Rolex but at a cheaper price.  All Rolex watches are the symbols of excellence, performance, prestige and innovation. Rolex offers two lines of Rolex watches for both MEN and WOMEN :

• the Oyster Perpetual 
•  the Cellini

Ladies President Watch with Mother of Pearl Dial

 The Oyster Perpetual Line

This range shows the best in elegance and prestige. Like all Rolex watches they are crafted from the finest raw materials and assembled with Rolex's cutting-edge technology. The Oyster Perpetual watch is a symbol of a way of life and a benchmark for fashion and style.

Ladies  Datejust

Except for the 36mm Oyster Perpetual model, the Rolex Oyster and the Rolex Oyster Perpetual are generic names and not specific products lines. Watch models are named Rolex Oyster Perpetual..........  or Rolex Oyster.......... or Rolex............ etc. Some of the   Rolex models in this line are the:

–        Air- king

–        The Date

–        The Datejust

–        Oyster Perpetual

–        Explorer

–        Daytona

–        GMT-Master

–        Lady Datejust

–        Submariner

–        Yachtmaster

–        Day-Date

–        Sea dweller

–        Sky Dweller

–        Oyster Quartz

–        Milgauss

–        Masterpiece

The Professional range includes Rolex watches designed for extreme conditions such as the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Submariner which is a line of watches designed for diving. These Rolex watched are resistant to water and corrosion.

Rolex Submariner

The Air- king is the least expensive model designed for its understated simplicity and elegance. A variant pf the Air King is the Date but has a date display added. It has a 34 mm case and a 19 mm bracelet.

Rolex Air-King

The Datejust models have a larger 36 mm case and a 20 mm bracelet but are otherwise similar to the Date. It is also available in a greater range of metals. It can adjust the date forward one day at a time without affecting the time.

 Rolex Datejust

 The Rolex Cosmograph Daytona is a mechanical, self-winding chronograph watch.

Rolex Daytona Watch

 Cellini Line

The Cellini is Rolex’s line of dressy watches. They were named after Benvenuto Cellini who was a sculptor and goldsmith to Renaissance popes and kings. Every Rolex Cellini watch is a model of precision and artistry. Some of the Cellini models include:

–        Quartz Ladies

–        Quartz Mens

–        Cellinium

–        Cestello Ladies

–        Cestello Mens

–        Danaos Mensuj

–        Prince

Bracelets and Clasps

The Bracelets and clasps fitted to Rolex watches are unique. The Oyster Perpetual Line also has a choice of three different bracelets, the Jublilee, Oyster and President. The clasps on the bracelets are called the Oysterlock, the Oysterclasp and the Crownclasp and are fitted to provide security. The Glidelock has been specially designed for diving Rolex watches. 

 Jubilee Bracelet

 

Oyster Bracelet

President Bracelet

The Rolex bracelets and clasps are designed for ultimate comfort, reliability and security as well as their aesthetic elegance. Many also include the easylink comfort link extension system.

Pricing

Rolex watches are obviously prices according to the model, the type of metals used and whether or not they have diamonds, mother of pearl or other precious gems. Metals used are stainless steel, gold or platinum. Rolex watches can range from a few thousand dollars to tens of thousands of dollars, with the most expensive Rolex ever being valued at around half a million dollars. Tudor brands are considerably less at between a few hundred dollars to around $9000.

What Makes Rolex Watches So Desirable?

Rolex are a desirable brand of watch, and are considered to be a status symbol by most people. 

Rolex was founded in 1905 by a young man called Hans Wilsdorf who had a vision of producing a wristwatch that was precise, elegant and reliable. And that is exactly what he did and Rolex watches are now one of the world’s largest producers of luxury watches which are renowned for their performance and reliability as well as their luxury look and feel. Rolex are a grand example of workmanship, exquisite clockwork design and horological excellence.

Rolex Daytona

What makes a Rolex watch so special is the mix of precise mechanical engineering coupled with its remarkable aesthetic appeal. The excellence of the Rolex relates to it’s “Oyster” casing which is strong, robust and waterproof. Made from 904L steel, 18 ct gold or 950 platinum, the Oyster casing is the symbol of excellence. The mechanism of the Rolex watch is well know for its chronometric performance and the excellence of it perpetual movements. The Swiss movements fit neatly into the top quality Oyster casing.

Rolex Yachtmaster

 It is the dial of the watch which gives the Rolex its many unique faces and aesthetic appeal. The numbers on the watch face may be in numerals, Roman numerals or in Arabic and may have diamonds, mother of pearl or other precious gemstones as decoration. The bracelet and clasps of the Rolex are reliable, elegant and comfortable to wear and give the watch its uniqueness.

Rolex Ladies Datejust

Located in Geneva, Rolex is owned by the  Hans Wilsdorf Foundation, which is registered as a charity and therefore does not pay corporate tax. According to Wikipedia the company’s main innovations are:

• It was the first to develop the waterproof wristwatch "Oyster", 1926
• Rolex produced automatic winding watches in 1932 which were based on a patented design by Harwood
• It was the  first to develop a  wristwatch with an automatically changing date on the dial, 1945
• It was the first to develop a wristwatch casing waterproof to 100 m (330 ft) – the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Submariner, 1953
• It was the first wristwatch to show two time zones at once 1954 courageous
• It was the  first to develop a wristwatch with an automatically changing day and date on the dial,  1956
• In the late 60’s and early 70’s Rolex was at the forefront of the development of quartz movements and produced their first quartz movement watch in 1968
• In recent years Rolex introduced ceramic bezels which are UV and scratch resistant in their sports watches.

Rolex Submariner

As early as 1914 Rolex was awarded a Class A precision certificate by the Kew Observatory. This was a distinction reserved exclusively for marine chronometers. Rolex was also the first watchmaker to achieve chronometer certification by the Swiss Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres (COSC) for a wristwatch. This means the watch had to meet specific precisions standards when tested. Only timepieces that meet the strict criteria are eligible to use the term chronometer on the device.

Rolex Men;s Datejust II

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Because of all these firsts in development, Rolex watches became sought after as the in thing in watches. A bit like apple products today I guess, people would eagerly await the next update from Rolex. It was the innovative approach that Rolex had which made their watches so desirable and valued. Rolex watches are very valuable and timeless (excuse the pun!) They maintain their value and are a good investment. 

Both MEN and WOMEN alike wear a Rolex when they want to dress to impress.

Rolex Ladies President Watch

Other than being well know for its precision and reliability Rolex became well known for its humanitarian considerations. For example during World War II pilots adopted Rolex watches because of the precision they required. However if the were unfortunate enough to become prisoners of war their watches were confiscated. When Hans Wilsdorf heard of this he offered to replace all the watches and not require payment until the end of the war. This simple act of kindness had a role to play in the popularization of Rolex watches. It is also of important to note that the company is run as a charity although it seems unclear where the charitable donations are made.

Rolex Day-Date President Watch

But buyer beware! Unfortunately Rolex watches are frequently counterfeited and sold illegally especially in Asian countries and online. Always get a Rolex checked out by an expert to ensure its authenticity prior to spending a lot of money on it.

Rolex Diamond Datejust Watch

Things to Consider if Buying A Luxury Second Hand Watch

Buying a luxury second hand watch?

 

Luxury second hand watches can be quite a huge investment. These watches can be worth  tens of thousands of dollars, so you must be very careful about your purchase and look into the details properly. There are many things to consider such as:

• Is it genuine? 
• Is it legitimate? 
• Does it really belong to the seller? 
• Is it in good working condition?
• Is it reasonably priced?
• Has the seller got a good reputation? 

These things are often difficult to determine. If you are new to this game and inexperienced and really do not know a Citizen watch from a Rolex or a fake from a genuine item then it is important to take to time to find out before investing large sums of money.
 
I was lucky enough to come across a company called Watchfacts which appears to be the first global company and independent watch inspection and verification agency, focusing exclusively on the pre-owned watch market. I have no affliation with this company but liked the idea that there was someone available you could ask for advice. Your local jeweler is probably also a font of knowledge on this topic.

Are second hand luxury watches a good investment?

According to the successful auction house Fellows in the UK, luxury watches are a good investment.  They say that there  is an ever increasing market in second hand watch sales. Writer David Malins, recently went to the auction house Fellows in the U.K. - an auction house founded in 1976 - and wrote about the experience for Watchpro.

“. . .Vintage watches in general have proved themselves to be very sound and safe investments. Watches tend to stand the test of time in terms of holding investment and although a watch generally won’t sell for quite as much as it would if brand new, you can still expect a very fair price for your old timepiece, which serves to encourage members of the public and watch professionals alike to sell watches at auction.”

 Luxury watches do tend to hold their value or increase in value so if you love the idea of wearing a great watch - go for it!!

What is the Science of Horology?

The Science of Horology

The science of measuring time or the art of making instruments for indicating time is called HOROLOGY.   

Horology relates to all types of time pieces including  clocks, grandfather clocks, wristwatches, pocket watches, sundials, timers, clockworks, time recorders, marine chronometers, water clocks or clepsydra, atomic clocks and any other instrument designed to measure time. 

Technically speaking horology refers mainly to the study of mechanical time-keeping devices, whereas chronometry usually refers to the electronic devices that have replaced mechanical clocks for improved accuracy and precision in time-keeping.

People who work with time pieces such as watchmakers, clockmakers, academics and other professionals who specialize in horology, as well as any one with a keen interest in the subject are called Horologists. 

Like my Horological Enthusiasts I got to know so well at my cafe in the majestic Queen Victoria Building in Sydney, there  are many organizations, both professional associations and more scholarly societies which deal with the science of horology. There are also many museums and libraries around the world dedicated to the science of horology. Checkout the one nearest to you and you may also be converted into a horological fanatic.

The science of horology has been around for centuries refer my article on writstwatches to find out more about the historical development of clocks and watches.

Horology Enthusiasts

Horology Enthusiasts

I owned an iconic café in the magnificent Queen Victoria Building for many years. One of the group of people who regularly frequented my café was a watch club, a group of watch lovers or Horology Enthusiasts. This group of dedicated men and women would religiously turn up every Thursday night and order coffee and cakes and then sit there together discussing this watch and that watch. Usually one of the members would bring along a watch of some significance which would become the topic of discussion for the rest of the evening. 

This group were just ordinary men and women with a love of watches – all brands and all ages, ranging from antique time pieces through to wristwatches which were the latest in technology and fashion.The one thing these people had in common was that they were all luxury watch enthusiasts eager to find watches they loved and share them with the group. They talked about the brands we laymen all commonly know, as well as new brands and watch concepts so that they were always up to date with the latest developments.

Enjoying watches is typically not a solo activity. Watch lovers or horological enthusiasts like the members of this group feel compelled to constantly discuss or mention watches, much to the intrigue of non-watch lovers like myself. When they meet together, the conversation quickly becomes very animated as this shared interest unfolds.

In my experience as an onlooker, I realized that certain types of people tend to appreciate watches more than others. The permanent members of this group belong to several professions – a lawyer, a doctor, an IT professional, a nurse, a pilot, a retiree and several business men. So it just goes to show any one can become a watch enthusiast, or fanatic.

 Because it is difficult to find a group like this one you can meet with in person I decided to see what Forums and Blogs were available for budding horologists to join, and came up with this list:

Forums 

http://forums.timezone.com/

http://www.watchfacts.com/consumers/BLOG.html

http://watchlovers.blogspot.com.au/

http://www.watchgeeks.net/

http://www.photography-forum.org/showthread.php/112255-The-Watch-Lovers-Thread?p=1334024

http://www.pinoyexchange.com/forums/showthread.php?t=289183

 

Organisations (As listed in wikipedia) 

 

  American Watch Guild - AWG

American Watchmakers-Clockmakers Institute - AWCI (United States of America)

Antiquarian Horological Society - AHS (United Kingdom)

Association Française des Amateurs d'Horlogerie Ancienne - AFAHA (France)

British Horological Institute - BHI (United Kingdom)

Chronometrophilia (Switzerland)

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Chronometrie - DGC (Germany)

Hora Associazione Italiana Cultori di Orologeria Antica (Italy)

National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors - NAWCC (United States of America)

Find out more about the Science of Horology on my next post