Just back from Basel, my selection of wristshots!

May 01, 2013,01:53 AM
 

More than 40 appointments... so you will find at least one wristshot per brand!

It was a very interesting Basel fair full of surprises.

In a few words, I was disappointed by the offer coming from well established brands and especially from the 2 locomotives, Rolex and Patek. I can understand Patek because next year will be an anniversary year. But I would be happy to see more novelties in terms of caliber development. Rolex? At least last year, we had a technical impressive annual calendar. This year was for me a very quiet Rolex year.

Hopefully, there was the Palace, the AHCI... and some big brands like UN, Omega which were more enthralling!

I propose to browse some pics I took during all these encounters...

This strange watch is the project from Arnaud Tellier. I'm not sure that he was inspired by what he saw at the Patek Philippe Museum! The brand name is 2LMX. Time displayed is 21:42.




The most interesting view of this watch is on the back... I will propose you a movie!




Ready for a jam session?




With this Artya, you have the bullets but you are also at the center of the target!




New colours for Ivresse! Blue remains my fav but I appreciated a lot this Burgundy Ivresse.




Blancpain proposes us a very educational watch. You understand what is the difference between a carrousel and a tourbillon!




A steampunk watch from Bell & Ross!




So, here is comes, the 10hz chronometer from Breguet with its final outfit!




One of the most interesting watches of the fair was proposed by Breva and its meteorological complication!




The tourbillon of this Bucherer watch was provided by Renaud&Papi:




This is one of my top 5 watches of the fair. Cinema by Chaykin... a meeting point between different worlds. Konstantin Chaykin is a very gifted watchmaker and also a very creative person.




Christophe Claret proposes us to use the sound as an additional feature for his chronograph. Something very logical... but never seen before!




This evolution of the golden Bridge Automatic seduces me by the way it hides the wrist hair...




The Classica 1548 is for me the most convincing Julien Coudray watch. I love the purety of its dial and the beauty of its movement:




Of course... I couldn't miss De Bethune!

What a gorgeous salmon dial:




We change the style but the work done on the dial remains impressive:




I was happy to quickly meet Peter Thum of Fonderie 47. Of course, the project behind the watch is very seducing but the watch by itself has also some strong arguments:




My fav GO of this year:




GP was introducing its new handwind integrated chronograph mouvement with a jumping minutes counter:




A picture can't describe the fascinating animation on the dial of the Constant Echappement watch from GP. I will post the movie:




It is always a pleasure to meet the Grönefeld brothers especially with this beauty:




I was hypnotized by the dial of the  Gustafsson & Sjögren Winter Nights:




Haldimann is back with the purest watch of the Fair and one of the most beautiful:




Hautlence has a new strategy and the upcoming years are promising:




New design for the Key of Time!




But the most achieved MasterPiece is without any doubt the Anticythère:




Of course, I couldn't miss the opportunity to put the Ferrari on the wrist!




I will come back to Opus XIII in Hary Winston forum:




What a relief! This time, I could shoot much better pics of Histoire de Tourbillon 4!




H2 is a convincing evolution of H1. The movement looks much more subtle and delicate.




Back to a more classic watch with this J*D. Blue was a very trendy colour this year!




Louis Moinet and its Nelson Piquet chronograph:




Longines launched the Heritage Military line with 3 models. My fav being this one:




Megawind! The huge battle-axe has a totally different behaviour from the rotor of the "classic" HM3:




I was happy to have news from John McGonigle and this dial highlights better IMHO the work done around and on the regulating organ:




Have you ever dreamed to wear a swiss railroads clock on your wrist?




This is a prototype of the watch which will be created to celebrate the partnership between Manufacture Royale and Wiesmann:




BullHead is back!




It is always difficult to modify an icon but this black Speedmaster was really attractive:




3 time displays, the 3 periods of your life... this Speake-Marin watch is Peter's most philosophical watch!




Rado is exploring something unusual for them with this watch based on an Unitas:




The young brand Ralf Tech was presenting this diving watch powered by an ETA2824-2 featuring a nice case:




The Type 3 "Scaphandrier" from Ressence seduced me a lot. I love the concept of the watch and the clever use of the oil.




Romain Jerome, after the Spacecraft, keeps proposing watches with a daring design and stronger horological contents. This is the Flying Tourbillon:




Stepan is becoming elegant with this fin K1!




But sometimes, the true nature is back very quickly!




These Grand Seiko are very refined watches:




Another project by Yvan Arpa. You have persons who love to create watches. Yvan Arpa loves to create brands!




For me, this Swatch Revolution 51 is the most important watch of the Fair. I will also come back to it. I had a meeting with the project manager who explained me a lot of details. It is a very impressive industrial process which deserves a post.




Tissot was one of the most active brands!












The enamel dial of this Urban Jurgensen watch is pure beauty. Sometimes, enamel dials are too white, this one is almost ivory.




Ulysse Nardin has a very solid collection this year:




Ready to sing?




This watch gives another proof of the skills of the Ulysse Nardin Manufacture:




New colours for this UR-110 which is not my fav version:




Kari proposed me true fireworks!












And Zenith was flying in the sky with its new Pilot watches inspired by the Type 20 unveiled last year:








Well, that's all for the moment!

smile

My first report will be dedicated to Harry Winston.

And I'm very quickly back with movies!

Fx
This message has been edited by foversta on 2013-05-01 06:43:19 This message has been edited by AnthonyTsai on 2013-05-01 14:20:35 This message has been edited by AndrewD on 2013-05-03 14:31:43


More posts: Ballon BleuBullheadChristophe ClaretDe BethuneFlying TourbillonGrand SeikoHaldimannKonstantin ChaykinMcGonigleSeamasterSpeake-MarinUR-110Urban JurgensenUrwerk

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Comments: view entire thread

 

Many watches I didn't see yet!

 
 By: Mark in Paris : May 1st, 2013-02:40
It is a very nice summary your show us here. What can I say ... there are many watches I'm very interested by this year: - The Claret chrono and the Opus 13 are maybe my fav - The Julien Coudray has now got this simplicity it needed - The haldimann seems ... 

Thanks Mark!

 
 By: foversta : May 1st, 2013-14:35
The reports will come later... Fx

Fantastic report.

 
 By: VMM : May 1st, 2013-02:59
Many nice watches to love. Thanks for sharing, FX. Vte :)

I didn't see you in the Basel corridors this year!

 
 By: foversta : May 1st, 2013-14:35
Thanks for your comments. Fx

Family affairs.

 
 By: VMM : May 2nd, 2013-01:25
I was supposed to be at Basel on sunday (flight tickets bought), but I had more important things to do here, so I stayed. Many nice watches I've missed, but thank to this, and other places, and people like you, it's been almost like being there. cheers Vt... 

Merci beaucoup FX! Wrist shots are so much more....

 
 By: Sandgroper : May 1st, 2013-04:38
demonstrative, thank you for taking the time and effort to give us pics of all these watches. Many of the watches shown have little to do with my taste, nevertheless many do have. In no order of preference my pics are, in alphabetical order as was present... 

Thanks a lot François!

 
 By: foversta : May 1st, 2013-14:34
Thanks for your detailed first impressions! Fx

Swatch Revolution 51, Haldimann H11 and Girard Perregaux in that order

 
 By: cisco : May 1st, 2013-04:52
These are for me from what you show the 3 most interesting novelties. Swatch because it seems a real technical and construction development. A true and useful research and development for this watch, which is rarely seen. Haldimann because it is my favori... 

Winter Nights

 
 By: Spellbound : May 1st, 2013-05:05
What an amazing post. I have bookmarked this post and am sure I will return a number of times over the course of a year as I formulate my decisions. So many works of art, mechanical masterpieces. I never took to the Winter Nights pictures I had seen befor... 

Thanks Spellbound!

 
 By: foversta : May 1st, 2013-14:25
The GS watches have something special... they are on my wish list now... Fx

Thanks François for your always fair comments!

 
 By: foversta : May 1st, 2013-14:27
But you will have to wait for the detailed reports due to my agenda! Fx

Hopefully, I'm much too biased to be fair ;)

 
 By: cisco : May 2nd, 2013-00:58
We all will wait, this is a lot of report to come and again thank you for the time taken, especially with a 2014 fair that wasn't that impressive. cheers Francois

Thank you FX

 
 By: Dje : May 1st, 2013-05:15
Hi, Thank you FX for your report. Many beautiful watches brought by you. Do you if the Tissot Banana is mechanical? Best Dje

Thanks Jérôme.

 
 By: foversta : May 1st, 2013-14:24
About the Banana, they told me that it is a handwind movement which is a very positive surprise for me because the other Bananas from Tissot are quartz powered. Sadly, they were not able to tell me what is the movement. 7001? 2801? I don't know for the mo... 

If you are a superhero in Avengers, you will be Wristshot Man!!

 
 By: Hororgasm : May 1st, 2013-06:32
Fantastic ...my appetite is all worked up now...await your report... For me...I agree the Swatch revo51 is arguably the most significant watch. Best, Horo

Thanks Kevin!

 
 By: foversta : May 1st, 2013-14:23
BTW, Stepan asked me if you were coming to Basel and I replied that sadly no. Fx

tell him its the airfare to Basel, or one of his watches :)-

 
 By: Hororgasm : May 2nd, 2013-11:18
still saving, still saving best, Horo

Yes I have. Here it comes.

 
 By: foversta : May 1st, 2013-08:33
My fav Zenith is the "small" Type 20... this one will be a blockbuster! Fx ...  

thanks

 
 By: Bruno.M1 : May 1st, 2013-12:08
I prefer the 48 Imo these pilot watches need to be a bit bigger than the average watch. A big pilot from IWC in a 40 mm case would look strange. But I agree the 40 mm is Nice too

Thank you !

 
 By: WatchFred : May 1st, 2013-08:40
wonderful shots of many of the most beautiful watches of Basel 2013. the Swatch might be of huge relevenace indeed. thanks again, enjoyed this immensely; Fred

Thanks Fred!

 
 By: foversta : May 1st, 2013-14:21
About the Swatch and its Vianney Halter rotor ;), I will come back to it of course! Fx

On this special day for the workers,you really have worked too much.

 
 By: bulentvural93 : May 1st, 2013-09:12
Hi, It's not easy to pay the hard work with words but we appreciate your post. Regards...

Words are the best reward believe me!

 
 By: foversta : May 1st, 2013-14:20
Even the 1st of May! ;) Fx

Superb pictures FX,

 
 By: Hulk : May 1st, 2013-09:18
Really liked the white dial Omega, I assume from your comment it is a revamp of an original from years ago. The rest of the watches are impressive and the Hublot Key of time looks more legible and stunning in this version. Look forward to the next posts. ... 

Thanks Steve!

 
 By: foversta : May 1st, 2013-14:20
Actually, I saw 3 different Bullheads from Omega and I shot two of them. I will come back later to them. Fx

Phenomenal Post!

 
 By: dpj17 : May 1st, 2013-09:49
Thank you for posting pics that are otherwise hard to find, some spectacular models in there!

Wow FX

 
 By: Bill : May 1st, 2013-09:54
How can your heart handle so much joy in one place. Your pictures are outrageously beautiful. No words to describe them just simple perfection. Thanks you very much. I going back in for second look....

Thanks Bill!

 
 By: foversta : May 1st, 2013-14:17
Second look? Actually, I did the same at Basel with some brands... Fx

My top 3- Breguet, Halidman, Urwerk. GP honorable mention.

 
 By: Ophiuchus : May 1st, 2013-12:47
I cannot stand that first watch. I know it had to come, but I absolutely HATE these gigantic, strangely shaped watches. I don't want a UFO on my wrist, some people do. I want something elegant, but not so classic, it's stodgy. My first choice of wear- the... 

wonderful post!

 
 By: ztirual : May 1st, 2013-13:10
more than 40 appointments! I can't even imagine how you must have felt wearing those magnificent watches, not to say how tired you must have been at the end of your grand tour! Thank you for presenting so many watches that we wouldn't have seen even if we... 

Thanks Ztirual for your comments!

 
 By: foversta : May 1st, 2013-14:16
Exhausted? Yes I am! Fx

impressive number of watches. awaiting the reports with. .

 
 By: Ronald Held : May 1st, 2013-14:38
A modicum of impatience.

How long until Basel 2014?

 
 By: aardvarkbark : May 1st, 2013-19:54
Excellent report but massive fail by the industry IMO. WTF are they smoking?

I don't see fail here but diversity!

 
 By: foversta : May 2nd, 2013-14:59
Good news for 2014: the Basel Fair will come sooner! ;) Fx

You have made my day!

 
 By: fernando : May 1st, 2013-20:41
Thanks for the great WS Fx. As close as we can get to the real thing. Much appreciated. Best Fernando

I think this is my favorite post each year....

 
 By: Darren : May 1st, 2013-20:48
You always seem to include watches which are not shown anywhere else (at least anywhere I'm looking). And seeing them on the wrist really puts them "in context". Not sure which is my favorite. Love the Haldimann. Thanks for taking the time to make this po... 

PuristS GoS watch at Baselworld 2013

 
 By: MTF : May 1st, 2013-21:05
Thanks FrX !!! Your Quick-Look post included this watch. I wanted to emphasise that GoS designed the Winter Nights as a PuristS Selection , being their first own movement in collaboration with Martin Braun. Previously, they used off-the-shelf movements th...  

Here are 3 additional pics.

 
 By: foversta : May 2nd, 2013-15:06
I have more if you want. Fx ...  

Wow, that's a lot of hard work!

 
 By: ling5hk : May 1st, 2013-23:33
Thank you, Fx. Regards Ling

you dont have time to...

 
 By: G99 : May 3rd, 2013-01:12
you dont have time to be exhausted FX. you are a french moderator so by definition should only need 2 minutes sleep a week ;) On 2 May 2013 23:02, "www watchprosite" *Alert from:* www:watchprosite > *Posted By:* foversta (registered) on May 2nd, 2013 - 14... 

Thanks FX

 
 By: Quan : May 2nd, 2013-01:56
wonder if you have the video to play "Stranger" UN

No sorry but Markus did one.

 
 By: foversta : May 2nd, 2013-14:56
Thanks! Fx

WOW!

 
 By: yesjb : May 2nd, 2013-07:45
Fantastic set of photos. Lots of watches, some interesting, some beautiful and some downright wacky! But it looks like you has a great time with them all. THe Omega Speedy really looks interesting and stunning...finally a new take on a traditional design ... 

Thanks Joseph!

 
 By: foversta : May 2nd, 2013-14:56
About the GP chrono, I think that my fav version is the slate dial one. Fx

Wow, thanks for sharing!

 
 By: RahulR : May 2nd, 2013-08:14
Hi Fx, it must have been such a pleasure to try on those fantastic looking watches first hand! Thank you for sharing it with us :) May I just ask, what are the 2 Voutilainen pieces you tried on after the Vingt-8R? Thanks :)

One is a GMT, the other is a Decimal Repeater Piece Unique.

 
 By: foversta : May 2nd, 2013-14:48
I can understand that the proud owner of the Decimal Repeater is a bit excited to get his watch! Fx

lots of lovely avantgarde pieces from small designers and new brands

 
 By: G99 : May 2nd, 2013-11:23
there are too many to name seperately, but i love them all. very good year for off the wall , avantgarde designs. quite impressed with tissot and rado, the skeleton tissot very nice indeed. thanks FX Graham

It was a bit the purpose of this selection

 
 By: foversta : May 2nd, 2013-14:47
to have a wide range of complications... and of prices. Thanks Graham! Fx

Some stunning pieces in there...

 
 By: Andy : May 2nd, 2013-11:26
Thank you very much for this pictoral pleasure I think we are all going to get that swatch but I wish it had a better looking face.! Yours, Andy.

I'm sure that many of us will buy it!

 
 By: foversta : May 2nd, 2013-14:46
A Vianney Halter winding rotor for around 100 GBP is a bargain! Fx

i've got release date in...

 
 By: G99 : May 2nd, 2013-14:52
i've got release date in my calendar so i'll get one, but whats the connection to Vianney Halter? we need to know more, much more about a plastic watch :) On 2 May 2013 22:47, "www watchprosite" *Alert from:* www:watchprosite > *Posted By:* foversta (regi... 

It is a circular winding rotor like a Vianney Halter watch.

 
 By: foversta : May 2nd, 2013-15:15
Sorry for the lame pic: Fx ...  

or you could say like...

 
 By: G99 : May 3rd, 2013-01:14
or you could say like Citizen in the 60's :) all in the best humour G On 2 May 2013 23:15, "www watchprosite" *Alert from:* www:watchprosite > *Posted By:* foversta (registered) on May 2nd, 2013 - 15:15 > > *Title: It is a circular winding rotor like a Vi...  

This could be a great Purists watch....

 
 By: Andy : May 3rd, 2013-07:23
and certainly one we can all afford. When do you think it will hit the shops..? There is a Swatch boutique in Manchester so I'll keep checking when I'm there/on line. Yours, Andy.

have you asked them when...

 
 By: G99 : May 3rd, 2013-07:25
have you asked them when its coming in and see if you can reserve one. i tried on squiggly, but they said no so i will try the boutiques. cheers dude G On 3 May 2013 15:23, "www watchprosite" *Alert from:* www:watchprosite > *Posted By:* Andy (registered)... 

I'll be in Manchester soon but may give them a call....

 
 By: Andy : May 3rd, 2013-07:27
when I know you'll know my friend..!! Moi.

hokely dokely...

 
 By: G99 : May 3rd, 2013-07:50
hokely dokely On 3 May 2013 15:28, "www watchprosite" *Alert from:* www:watchprosite > *Posted By:* Andy (registered) on May 3rd, 2013 - 07:27 > > *Title: I'll be in Manchester soon but may give them a call.... > * > > *

Just called Manchester and they haven't heard of it..!!

 
 By: Andy : May 3rd, 2013-08:27
LOL... all he could say was to follow the Swatch website. Moi.

i'll email you dude....

 
 By: G99 : May 3rd, 2013-08:38
i'll email you dude. On 3 May 2013 16:27, "www watchprosite" *Alert from:* www:watchprosite > *Posted By:* Andy (registered) on May 3rd, 2013 - 08:27 > > *Title: Just called Manchester and they haven't heard of it..!! > * > > *

Sistem 51 availability: October 2013

 
 By: WatchFred : May 3rd, 2013-12:57
source is an article in the Neue Zürcher Zeitung, based on an interview with Nick Hajek. Fred

Wow! I know how much work it is ...

 
 By: small-luxury-world : May 2nd, 2013-12:33
and you have my full respect. To visit 40 brands in only a few days is crazy and most won´t survive :-) Thanks! Oliver

Thanks Oliver!

 
 By: foversta : May 2nd, 2013-14:45
I slept in the train back to Paris... Fx

Don't call me conservative but ...

 
 By: nilomis : May 2nd, 2013-14:51
The GS and the GP chronograph are the ones that "sing" to me. Excellent pictures, thank you very much. Cheers, Nilo

Eye feast...but above all..

 
 By: moc : May 3rd, 2013-03:21
De Bethune,Kari,Gronefeld,Stepan......... Great to see you as usual FX. Mo

Your wrist shot of the GS . . .

 
 By: Dr No : May 3rd, 2013-14:22
. . . seals the deal, FX. It's now at the very top of my list. Salivating, Art

I'm tired

 
 By: sybelite : May 19th, 2013-16:48
Of the same stuff from mb&f just slightly changed and rebranded. Though I do like the latest car themed watch.

Any Strehler or Arnold & Son?

 
 By: Goldenlutin : May 20th, 2013-05:59
Any picture of the last "force constante" watch from Andreas Strehler or any Arnold & Son? Thanks