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Throwing it Back with Our Favorite Vintage-Inspired Watches from Baselworld 2018

Breitling Super 8 Watch from Baselworld 2018

The floor of Baselworld 2018 ticked and tocked with some of the most advanced, futuristic watches that money can buy, but there was also no shortage of the tried-and-true workhorses inspired by styles and models that have been serving their wearers for decades. Designers showcased the best of their best of their new creations at this industry-imperative event. Here are some of the vintage-inspired timepieces from Baselworld 2018 that caught our eye:

Breitling Super 8 Watch from Baselworld 2018

Breitling Navitimer Super 8

Many vintage timepieces are inspired by a similar, or even nearly identical piece from the designer’s history – not the Navitimer Super 8. This bold watch is based on the World War II-era Reference 637 stopwatch, which bombers and pilots would strap to their legs. This stopwatch featured a top crown for easy activation and was developed by Breitling’s Huit Aviation Department. It’s updated, wrist-worn counterpart features a 46mm case, the option of titanium or stainless steel, and the model pictured appropriately includes a brown NATO strap.

BR V1-92 Racing Bird Watch from Baselworld 2018

Bell & Ross Vintage BRV1-92 Racing Bird

Bell & Ross, known for their bold mix of practical and simplistic timepieces, takes us back with their new BRV1-92 Racing Bird. Switching it up from their usual absence of white faces, B&R’s limited 999-piece BRV1-92 Racing Bird Made a statement on the floor of Baselworld 2018 with its bold numerals, bare face and trendy 60s-inspired calfskin strap in navy blue with orange sides.

Omega Seamaster Small Seconds from Baselworld 2018

Omega Seamaster 1948 Small Seconds

Taken from their original Seamaster line manufactured for the servicemen of the British Ministry of Defense, the new Seamaster 1948 Small Seconds watch was a showcase of both Omega’s traditional styling and their futuristic technology. The 38mm case of this 70th-anniversary piece contains a Swiss-made, METAS-certified Omega movement with anti-magnetic properties for lasting, pinpoint accuracy. The Seamaster 1948 Small Seconds features a secondary dial at the six o’clock and a mix of bold numeral and greek key indicators.

Patek Philippe Golden Ellipse Rose Gold from Baselworld 2018

Patek Philippe Golden Ellipse in Rose Gold

Manufactured to commemorate their original 1968 Golden Ellipse, this larger-format version touts an elegant design that made it a standout piece at 2018’s Baselworld convention. With 18K gold stylings, hand-stitched alligator belt and a crown with an onset Onyx, Patek Philippe celebrated this heritage timepiece’s 50th birthday with understated luxury.

For more updates on the latest trends and designer updates, visit our Fashion File.

All photographs courtesy of designers.

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Fashion Featured Technology

New Line of Luxury Watches Come to NYC World Trade Center in Longines Boutique

Longines Luxury Watch Boutique Storefront
NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 07: Longines launches the Conquest V.H.P. at the Longines Boutique at Westfield World Trade Center on November 7, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Rob Kim/Getty Images for Longines)

The NYC World Trade Center’s Oculus, designed by famed architect Santiago Calatrava, is home to a cornucopia of upscale brands, including the likes of Dior and John Varvatos. Joining these and other fashion and upscale staples are a very special handful of luxury watches from the heritage timepiece manufacturer Longines.

Longines, who has been in business since 1832, has become one of the most prominent names in the luxury timepiece market by producing classic, Swiss technology-driven timepieces that deserve a place in every collection. Let’s take a look at some of Longines’ distinct luxury watches and collections that are now available in their NYC Westfield World Trade Center boutique:


Longines Luxury Watch Heritage 1940

Heritage Chronograph 1940

With some handy identifiers built right into the name, this historic, reissued luxury watch takes its inspiration from one of the Longines originals and features pink indices, a silver-tone dial and a timeless black alligator strap.

Longines Luxury Watch Master Collection

Master Collection

The Longines Master Collection is characterized by its elegance and approachable price point. Introducing new, blue-hued additions to their collection, Longines is bringing bold straps and faces to their already striking assortment of luxury watches.

Longines Luxury Watch VHP Collection

Conquest VHP Collection

In the midst of the heritage and tradition that comes along with the Longines’ name, a sporty model may seem miles away – but that couldn’t be further from the truth. With their Conquest VHP (Very High Precision) models, Longines offer a more athletic silhouette, which is accompanied by some of the sharpest timepiece tech out there, with a stunning accuracy of +/- 5 seconds per year.

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Fashion Featured Technology

Four Mid-Range Watches Your Collection Needs

When you’re ready to step up your watch game, but aren’t quite ready for the Rolex, the solution is our good friend: the mid-range watch. Mid-range watches grant us the style, craftsmanship and high-quality movements associated with high-dollar watches without the out-of-this-world price tag. Whether you’re upgrading from your tried-and-true Casio or simply want a nice watch and can’t justify the cost of a top-shelf timepiece, here are four of our favorite mid-range watches on the market right now:


Longines Men's Mid-Range Watch

  1. Longines – L2.128.4.78.3

Heritage watchmaker Longines offers stylish, high-quality Swiss watches at approachable price points. They boast several collections, including the Master Collection, in which this model finds its home. This watch features painted Arabic numerals, blued steel hands and an elegant alligator strap that you can wear just as easily to the office as to a charity dinner. With automatic movement, water resistance to 30 meters and a scratch-resistant sapphire-crystal case, this is a timepiece that has plenty in the form and function departments.

SEVENFRIDAY Men's Mid-Range Watch

  1. SEVENFRIDAY – M1/03

Launched in 2012, Swiss brand SEVENFRIDAY is catching up to its big brothers in the industry by offering unique timepieces that offer modern style with a retro feel. Their M1/03, strutting with its square shape and rounded, radial face, equates to a watch that stands out from the crowd. Rotating display discs, powder-printed numerals and subtle gold highlights set this watch apart, making it a timepiece to remember.

Rado Men's Mid-Range Watch

  1. Rado – HyperChrome Automatic

Another young gun from Switzerland, Rado, launched in 2010 and features some of the most high-tech watchmaking processes out there. From their use of hardmetal to their unique process for refining and polishing ceramic, Rado is quickly making a name for itself among watch connoisseurs. Their HyperChrome Automatic watch combines some Rado’s greatest achievements, utilizing their high-tech ceramic finish and anti-reflective sapphire crystal to create a sleek mid-range watch that’s unmistakably modern.

Hamilton Men's Mid-Range Watch

  1. Hamilton – Khaki Field Officer Auto

Take a Swiss heart and put it into one of the Hell’s Angels – that’s Hamilton in a nutshell. This brand, boasting “American Spirit + Swiss Precision,” is taking the mid-range watch market by storm with its combination of classics, rugged military-inspired throwbacks and out-there designs. The Khaki Field Officer Auto features similar tech specs as the other watches on the list, with the exception of a heightened water resistance depth of up to 100 meters, in case you have to eject over water during a dogfight. This tough-looking classic, featuring the high-tech movements Switzerland is known for, embodies its brand entirely.

Photos courtesy of manufacturers

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Business Fashion NYC

The New York Times Talks Baselworld 2017

Photo: Georgios Kefalas/European Pressphoto Agency

An excellent piece from Alex Williams of the New York Times looks at this year’s Baselworld. In the words of Williams:

“Since the 2008-9 economic meltdown, the watch industry has soared to heady highs (thanks, China) and hit pockets of turbulence (thanks, China), with numerous unforeseen detours along the way. While the wild ride is anything but over, the titans of timepieces did their best to stave off motion sickness and enjoy the biggest, brassiest watch show on earth.”

Furthermore, as noted by Williams:

“More than 100,000 nattily-attired watch lovers, retailers and journalists (yes, even the journalists dress up) representing more than 100 countries stroll a shopping mall-size exhibition hall to check out the latest glimmering wares from hundreds of brands in lavishly appointed booths (that is, “booths,” since some could double as upscale boutique hotels outfitted with Ginza-worthy lounges).”

Notably, Depeche Mode performed at Hublot’s event.

More information can be found at http://nyti.ms/2nApKVb.

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Fashion

Accessory Spotlight: Versace

Palazzo Empire is the new Versace watches icon. The Palazzo Empire collection has the same unique design and style of the Versace accessories collection. The bold 3D raised Medusa head seems to float above the center of the dial. It is positioned between two watch glasses, embellishing and enhancing the sunray guilloché dial. The top ring is adorned by an enameled Greek key design in colors that match the fine supple calfskin strap. It comes in dynamic colors, total white, resolute black, vibrant pink and an elegant total black version.

These are truly feminine, exquisite, luxurious and essential for your Spring wardrobe.

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Business Events

Baselworld Celebrates its 100th Anniversary

Photo courtesy of Baselworld

As Spring approaches, so does the anticipation for watch and jewelry brands worldwide. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the infamous Baselworld. The leading watch and jewelry show where key players in the industry showcase their new products. This year, the show will run from March 23-30.

The city of Basel, located west of Switzerland, is once again hosting this annual event. Brands such a Blancpain, Hamilton and Raymond Weil have prepared months in advance for this trade show; planning their booth and getting their pieces ready for the event.

Consumers attend year after year, making this a not-to-miss event. The luxury market for watches and jewelry has proven itself over the years, selling products now considered timeless pieces. However, one could wonder if in today’s world, overcome by technology and innovation, traditional, luxury pieces are still as popular as they used to be. Thankfully for Baselworld and its exhibitors, Lucrezia Buccellati, co-creative designer of Buccellati, confirms, “High-end inspirational watches are still performing well.”

Although these brands thrive on staying traditional, it is also important to stay current and grow the brand whenever possible. Every new collection showcases different and innovative designs to please customers and stay on top of the competition.

As the industry constantly evolves, Downtown were hoping to get an idea of what this year’s exhibitors have in store.

The following brands shared their latest designs with us.

Andersen Geneve showcases The Tempus Terrae, “a very sober and classy watch case in gold with aesthetic simplicity.”

Available for personalization, this updated version of one of the brand’s classic models is complete with a Red Gold case, 17 jewels, and a hand-stitched band. While speaking about this piece, the brand reiterated its high-end craftsmanship and confirmed that, “No compromise is made on quality.”

Blancpain revealed the Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe, a vintage-inspired, 38 mm addition to the 2013 version of the model.

Having launched its Bathyscaphe diving watches in the late 1950s, Blancpain has since expanded the family. Water-resistant and powered by Caliber 1150, this new model has been improved with higher stability, precision, shock resistance, and a luminescent dot on the bezel, making it a perfect watch for any diver.

As 2017 began, Czapek & Cie introduced three new models to the market, including the Quai des Bergues N. 33s. Supposedly inspired by the original Francois Czapek pocket watch, this new model has been “adapted for finer wrists and to the taste of collectors seeking models that have journeyed through time and retained their elegance and can surprise the wearer by their harmoniousness.”

With a 5N Rose Gold case, this 38.5 diameter watch includes a Curved Sapphire Crystal, and an alligator strap with a 5N Red Gold buckle.

Eberhard & Co. showed us the Scafograf GMT, “an automatic steel model that maintains the same lines as its predecessor, the Scafograf 300, but has different technical features.”

Available in black or blue with a water-resistant feature, this new model is innovative and complete with its rotating, bidirectional bezel featuring luminescent applied indices.

Hamilton presented the Intra-Matic 68. CEO Sylvain Dolla spoke to us about this watch and explained why this particular model happens to be his favorite at the moment. “The Intra-Matic 68 has all the Hamilton ingredients: Heritage – inspired by the 1968 Chronograph B – and Strong Character – its design is sure to delight Hamilton aficionados and collectors alike,” he explained.

Raymond Weil stepped outside the norm with the Freelancer, a tribute to the infamous Les Paul Gibson guitar. This unconventional watch, inscribed with the Gibson logo, demonstrates the brand’s creativity and shows the importance of innovation within the company. When talking about his love for music and his inspiration for this special timepiece, Elie Ternheim, CEO of Raymond Weil declared, “Today, Gibson leads us into the best that rock has to offer and makes our watches hum to this legendary beat,”