Baselworld 2013…

This is one of Hublot’s “specialty” pieces for 2013.  With Hublot now in the driver’s seat as sponsor of the Tour Auto race, Audemars Piguet fans must step aside for this year’s Tour Auto watch has the “H” on it.  I am glad Hublot used the Classic Fusion, it fits with the nature of the Tour Auto race (as compared to a King Power or Big Bang).  The racing stripes look great, and the carryover to the finely perforated strap is an excellent touch.  Good job Hublot.

Click through for more looks at the Tour Auto 2013 Sponsor Watch

 Baselworld 2013…

As part of Tudor’s partnership as official timing partner for Ducati, the latest addition to the Fastrider collection is the Black Shield.  The Black Shield has a stealthy-looking injected matte black ceramic case, with nice red appliques and lettering on the dial.  This is Tudor’s first “all ceramic” watch — it is monobloc injection ceramic construction; this includes the bezel (i.e. it is part of the case, not a separately created piece).

Powered by the Tudor calibre 7753 (based on an ETA 7753), the in-house automatic movement offers full chronograph functionality as well as a rapid date corrector.  It comes on a rubber or leather strap.  The crown and chrono pushers are in PVD finished steel.  Notice also the red chapter ring which sits just inside the bezel.

A tan-accented model is also available.

Baselworld 2013…

TechnoMarine’s new Steel Evolution Carbon is a nice fusion of carbon, steel and silicone (strap).  The 45mm steel case is covered with carbon fiber and has a raw, masculine look to it.  It’s a certifiably cool piece, and for under $1,000 bucks ($950).  Though with this comes what I would call a couple of “tradeoffs”, namely a quartz movement (Ronda) and also carbon “look-alike” insert in the strap.    Haute horlogerie, no, but I do like TechnoMarine and find its product offering to be youthful, hip, & edgy rolled into one — there’s a place in my wallet for watches such as this.

Shop it now if you want>>>

Baselworld 2013…

Another nice new — and simple — piece from Arnold & Son.  The case is 40mm rose gold; the dial has a wavy guilloché pattern overlaid by translucent deep blue lacquer.

And as with every new A&S model comes a new caliber — the HMS1 Royal Blue houses the hand-wound A&S1001 calibre with two barrels and 80 hrs power reserve, nicely finished including hand-chamfered bridges with polished edges, fine circular graining and blued screws.

Is it just me or have “skull” watches carved out a permanent design niche in watchmaking?  Many a brand has done one — Bell & Ross comes to mind, as does Richard Mille very recently.  This one-of-a-kind piece from Finnish independent Sarpanava, however, takes it to the next level.  In a twist on his moon face, this Woodoo piece will give you chills up the spine.  Or maybe without the lead-in photos of Stepan Sarpaneva, it’s not so scary.

Check them out at http://www.sarpanevawatches.com/en/home.php

Baselworld 2013…

Tudor (the Rolex sister brand that isn’t afraid to introduce new and exciting watches), has announced its second vintage style chronograph, the Heritage Chrono Blue (Ref. 70330B).  Like the last Tudor Heritage Chrono in black and orange from 2010, this piece will be a big hit.  In blue, orange and grey, the new Tudor Heritage Chrono Blue with 42mm steel case looks great and is inspired by the 1973 Tudor “Monte Carlo” chronograph (also pictured below).   It again has the ETA 2892-chronograph base movement in it.  Pricing probabl in the $4,000 – $5,000 range, but TBD.

Tudor is coming to the USA this year, by the way!
Click through for more looks

And on the wonderful 50th anniversary of the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona, Rolex fans are treated to….*ZIP* *ZILCH* *NADA*!      Well, I guess there is a Cosmograph Daytona in platinum case and a Cerachrome ceramic bezel.   But the real story here is that 2013 for Rolex it looks to be all about….wait for it…COLOR!  Yes, Master Watchmakers at Rolex have labored over this color and that, skillfully introducing a variety of smooth colors into existing Rolex models.   Clearly they have put Photoshop to the task this past year, pushing the limits of the color matching tool like never before.  Innovation at its finest.
Click through to see the 2013 Rolex Collection

Baselworld 2013…

A new co-axial chronograph from Omega pays tribute to the origins of the now iconic Speedmaster collection.  Speedy historians (can’t say that I am one), will surely appreciate design elements from the first ’57 Speedmaster model like the straight lugs and the flat bracelet, brought forward to today’s model which is combined with the latest in mechanical timekeeping i.e. a co-axial chronograph caliber 9300/9301 series with Si balance spring.

Perhaps (or perhaps not) borrowing a page from IWC, the column-wheel chronograph offers an intuitive reading of the chronograph hours/minute via two-hands on the 3 o’clock sub.  There is also a central chronograph seconds hand, a small seconds hand on the sub-dial at 9 o’clock and a date window at the 6 o’clock.

Several variations will be offered.

Early looks bode well for Omega fans this year which is going to be facing a lot of headline competition from Rolex and the 50th anniversary of the Daytona.

More to come, stay tuned to Perpetuelle and you won’t miss a beat.

New for 2013 from Bulgari is this classically styled piece, though with the “Roma” bezel notation rather than BVLGARI BVLGARI.  39mm rose gold case with black lacquered dial.  Limited edition 250 pieces.  Priced at 22,000 EUR.

Baselworld 2013 preview…

44mm black ceramic case, automatic mechanical Omega coaxial caliber 9300 (bicompax chrono)

Now as you know Baselworld starts this week.  Of course Perpetuelle’s coverage of the show will be second to none.  As you know and have come to expect.

If you want to see what’s new and you want to see it now, then you know where to come.  The action starts about 48 hours from now — see you back again soon!