The “B”‘s Knees from Baselworld ’16
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Additional Images Baselworld 2016
We kept a close eye on the watch and jewellery tradeshow that took place last month in Basel, Switzerland, and narrowed down the ones that put the “B” in Baselworld ‘16 (the brands that start with the initial “B”, that is, if you’re a bit slow on the uptake).
Boucheron Epure D’Art Lierre de Lumiere
The Lierre de Lumiere collection offers a new take on nature and Paris, both strong and traditional sources of inspiration for Maison Boucheron, reflecting the savoir-faire and the iconic motifs of the Jeweller of Lights.
For the Epure D’Art timepiece, it’s a commemoration of Federic Boucheron’s boutique in Place Vendome. The iconic cobblestones in the square are symbols of the capital that embody Parisian elegance and style, whereas the contrasting wild ivy that flourishes between the cut stones depicts how the untameable, triumphant, and true-to-life nature further enhances the beauty of the city.
The three ivy leaves decorate with openwork veins and diamonds that flourish within a mosaic of rough diamonds – a feat of technical prowess, enhanced by a flying tourbillion, where time comes to a halt in its extraordinary brilliance.
Breguet Tradition Dame 7038
The latest self-winding timepiece to the Breguet ‘Tradition’ collection is for women with a penchant for prestigious watchmaking.
It features an ultra-modern, graphic structure that proudly exhibits almost all the movement components on either side of the mainplate: a central barrel, a subdial at 12 o’clock bearing hands directly driven by the barrel, and a balance-wheel and intermediate wheels forming an arc stretching from 4 to 8 o’clock. Not to mention, the hours and the minutes are displayed on a finely engine-turned Tahitian mother-of-pearl dial, as well as the bridge that bears the escapement reinforced by a hand-chamfered pare-chute – a Breguet invention that serves to protect the balance-staff from shocks.
The NAC treatment – typical of the ‘Tradition’ collection and usually appears in grey, anthracite, or golden rose tones – is now replaced by a frosted white movement, admirably complemented by a case of 18-carat white gold, all brilliant-cut diamonds delicately set on the bezel, and with an unorthodox placement on the crown.
Bell & Ross BR03 AeroGT
Following the successful B-Rocket timepiece from 2014, Bell & Ross will be firmly focussing on the motoring world this year with the AeroGT model as the starting point. An avant-garde concept car and GT grand sport, with a bodywork streamlined as a fighter jet, the BR03 AeroGT models after the automobile in two variants; a chronograph that embodies the very essence of the “automotive watch” (BR03-94 AeroGT), and a more classical three-handed watch (BR03-92 AeroGT).
The watches feature a steel case that recalls the fuselage-style body of the AeroGT project, with a sportier and more streamlined look for even greater strength – the crowns are made using red aluminium, an extremely light alloy often used in sports cars; the open-worked dials are formed from layers to give off an intriguing impression of depth; the skeletonised mechanism not only makes the timepieces lighter, but are also designed to allow a glimpse through the movement under a smoked glass window.
These two versions feature black quilted leather straps, reminiscent of luxury car interiors, while the micro-perforations and red top-stitching recalls the seats of the best sports cars out there. Both models are limited to 500 pieces each.
Bremont SOLO-32 Ladies Chronometer Collection
Despite Bremont’s proud history in producing beautifully engineered and manufactured British mechanical watches geared towards the adventurous male, the forthcoming SOLO-32 collection comprises of ladies mechanical chronometers that are catered to their apparent female followers.
The new collection sees the introduction of a new 32mm case and new dial designs. The SOLO-32 AJ model (see picture) is named in honour of one of the English brothers’ childhood heroes, Amy Johnson, who flew her DH-60 Gypsy Moth from England to Australia in 1930. The model comes with a more modern aesthetic with applied index markers, whereas the complementing SOLO-32 LC timepiece has a more classic and timeless look. This timepiece is named after Lettice Curtis, arguably the most remarkable female pilot of the Second World War, who flew a wide range of military combat aircrafts with the Air Transport Auxiliary. Not to mention, the first woman qualified to fly a four-engine bomber!
The polished SOLO-32 steel cases underwent a hardening treatment of 2,000 Vickers, providing high impact resistance while retaining its polished surface finish. The signature coating, used widely in the aerospace industry, gives the three-part Trip-Tick watch case extreme hardness, excellent toughness, good wear, and high impact fatigue resistance.
Breitling Avenger Bandit
This new Avenger timepiece from Breitling is the embodiment of the entire spirit of naval aviation. It features a light and ultra-sturdy titanium case, a favourite metal in the aviation field, displaying a generous 45mm diameter dial enhanced by protective lateral reinforcements.
The dial is distinguished by its grey colour with tone-on-tone counters, accentuated by a finely snailed raised motif, as well as vigorous aviation-inspired stencil-type numerals, with a luminescent coating that ensures excellent visibility, further enhanced by the thick sapphire crystal glare-proofed on both sides. Besides that, the bezel stands out with its four rider tabs that serve to memorise times – a classic Breitling signature feature; the non-slip grip of the screw-locked crown and the chronograph push pieces ensure optimal handling and the titanium caseback is adorned with a conversion scale for the main units.
An authentic instrument for professionals, the Avenger Bandit is equipped with a brand new strap, secured by a titanium folding clasp, and combined with a sophisticated rubber tread on the wrist side with an anthracite high-tech Military textile fibre exterior, giving a result of impeccable resistance teamed with maximum comfort and flexibility.
Baselworld ’16 took place from Thursday 17 to Thursday 24 March ’16 at Basel, Switzerland.