The 8 Most Exciting Announcements

BASELWORLD 2016

It’s that time of year again. Baselworld, the world’s biggest watch and jewelry trade fair is nearly upon us. From the 17th to the 24th of March, many of the branch’s biggest names convene on this Swiss city to show off the industry’s latest trends. While the show is intended mostly as a venue for buyers to meet retailers, it’s an event that generates a lot of media and watch aficionado buzz. 

The by-product of all its publicity is the large amount of information that trickles out about the very newest and upcoming wrist gadgets. We’ve had our ears perked up for quite some time now, paying attention and taking notes, and now we’d like to present you with the most exciting pre-Baselworld announcements. Let’s begin.

1. Junghans Meister Driver Handaufzug

Since 1936, this German manufacturer continues to carry its Meister collection and its Bauhaus traditions to the present day. Right before Baselworld 2016 commences, it has decided to add a new addition to the collection with the Driver Handaufzug (manual winding in English). It’s a 37.7 mm stainless steel, vintage drivers’ watch that’s inspired by the Maybach DS 8 Zepplin. The Driver Handaufzug is going to be offered in two versions that have a very intriguing mixture of colours on their dials: either an attractive combination of cream, light gray, and anthracite or a mixture of black, cream, and grey. 

Its hands have been treated with Superluminova and Junghans has chosen numerals that dip into the past and are very nostalgic of old-timer speedometers. A domed Plexiglas protects the face of the watch and it comes incorporated with a j815.1 hand winding calibre that is reflected in its German surname. It’s a very affordable priced watch between 900.- and 950.- GBP.

2. Hamilton Broadway Boogie (The Broadway Series)

Once a company based in the United States, today the Swiss brand Hamilton has created an entirely new addition to its line-up of watches, called the Broadway series. Inspired by the very street from New York it’s named for, it’s a series that offers hybrid dress and sport watches. The hands and hour markers have been formed in the likeness of sky-scrapers from lower Manhattan. Some of them have a faceted case design: more on the measurements in just a bit. 

These timepieces have a very upscale, urbanite feel and some versions come with a pin-striped dial and a polished bezel like the photo shown above. Besides the date/weekday display the dials of this watch series have been kept fairly clean. Hamilton is going to launch the Broadway Boogie in three different versions. Firstly, a 40 mm day/date quartz powered piece for 360.- GBP. Secondly, a 42 millimetre day/date automatic for 690.- GBP. Lastly, a 43 millimetre automatic chronograph fitted with a tachymeter bezel for 1,300.- GBP.

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3. Frederique Constant Horological Smartwatch

From the Swiss manufacturer Frederique Constant comes a new upgrade to its horological smartwatch. While we’re generally mechanical watch enthusiasts at Montredo, we still wanted to give a nod to this newest upgrade in the Swiss brand’s portfolio. Smartwatches, love them or not, are slowly gaining in traction in the watch industry and Frederique Constant’s latest enhancement is an interesting upgrade. 

It’s a horological smartwatch powered by MotionX that seamlessly interconnects with both iPhone and android based apps. It has a stainless steel case that measures in at 42 millimetres. Its blue face displays the hour on its main dial, while the minute is depicted on the outer and the date on the inner disc. A blue alligator watch strap is a nice complement to its appearance. The 2015 version originally provided both activity and sleep based functionality, but this newest version offers a new feature known as the Worldtimer. 

The Worldtimer syncs with smartphones and configures the time and date, which provides the wearer with total control over the time zone. As soon as a preference has been chosen, simply pressing the pusher three times displays the current time of any number of different locations e.g. cities. Frederique Constant has priced this timepiece economically at 820.- GBP. An added bonus for all those that still own last year’s version: The Worldtimer capability can be upgraded over the MotionX-365 app.

4. Breitling Avenger Bandit

For all the haute horlogerie enthusiasts among us who appreciate large case dimensions, a military-style theme, and genuine mechanical performance on the wrist, we’ve got just the right announcement for you: Breitling has revealed its Avenger Bandit. It’s a timekeeper with a very tactical feel in a line-up that will consist of versions with three hands, GMT, as well as chronograph functionality. Pictured here is the chronograph and as per modus operandi at Breitling, it clocks in with a larger case measurement of 45 millimetres. Its case is composed from indestructible titanium and it has a rotating, ratcheted bezel with good grip rider tabs and a 0-60 count up scale.

A COSC certified, self-winding Breitling 13 calibre has been incorporated into the Avenger Bandit and it oscillates at a frequency of 28,800 vph. A 12 hour sub dial has been placed at 6, a running seconds at 9, and a quarter second counter at 12. A standard date complication is also located at the 3 position. The face of the watch is protected by a cambered sapphire glass with anti-reflective treatment and comes furnished with an appropriate rubber strap. It’s not a water shy piece either, providing a respectable resistance of up to 300 metres. Breitling has set the price for the Avenger Bandit at about 3,400.- GBP.

5. TAG Heuer Carrera Heuer – 02T

TAG Heuer, a Swiss brand famed for both its Monaco, the Calibre 11, and its significant repertoire of racing and diving watches has revealed a new addition to its numbers with the Carrera Heuer 02-T. It’s a timepiece that stands for technology and it genuinely looks the part. It’s a COSC certified automatic chronograph with an in-house tourbillon complication and 65 hours of power reserve. It has an unbreakable titanium case with stainless steel and rubber aspects, while its skeletonized dials display the minute and hour counters respectively at the 3 and 9 positions.

The new manufacture movement Heuer 02-T beats at 28,800 vph and it has a power reserve of 65 hours. However, the real showpiece of this watch is its carbon flying tourbillon located at the 9 position. TAG Heuer is going to launch two versions of this watch. It will be released in a non-limited version for just under 11,500.- GBP and also a more premium Black Phantom limited edition item (250 pieces) for about 15,350.- GBP (yes, you read that correctly). 

This price positioning has made this new timepiece into the most affordable Swiss made chronograph with a tourbillon complication available on the market. At Montredo, we also offer a wide variety of TAG Heuer Carrera models in our store, which you can have a look at right here.

6. Breguet Classique Phase de Lune

Here’s one for the ladies in this roster of pre-Baselworld announcements: an elegant timepiece designed just for her. It’s an astronomical themed watch with a very prominent and refined moon phase display. Visually, it’s a very beautiful enhancement to Breguet’s collection of ladies watches. 

It’s a graceful, white gold timepiece measuring at 30 mm with a grand feu enamel dial and black Arabic numerals. It also has elegant, blue steeled hours and minutes hands that really add to the air of sophistication this timepiece emanates. Its minute track consists of tiny stars with stylish lilies placed at 5 minute increments. The small seconds hand is located at the 6 position along with its very cultivated, rich blue moon phase complication that has been cut into the dial enamel.

Its bezel and lugs have been decorated with luxury, numbering a total of 66 diamonds. The engine in this refined timepiece is a Breguet 537L calibre, which is a self-winding movement with a power reserve of 45 hours. Different versions will be available when it hits the market e.g. a rose gold version and also one without the extravagant diamond decoration. Breguet has yet to release a price for this timepiece but we’re assuming that it will be placed somewhere in the lower five figure range.

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7. Omega Speedmaster Moonphase Chronograph Master Chronometer

Some feats simply can’t ever be matched. When a watch journeys all the way to the surface of the moon, it becomes a legend. Enter: Omega’s newly announced Speedmaster Moonphase Chronograph Master Chronometer. With a very rich, liquid blue dial it is the newest iteration of the historic timepiece, which once traversed the moon’s dusty surface. 

The diameter measuring 44 millimetres makes it one of the larger sized of its brethren. It has a tachymeter scale on its ceramic bezel so you can calculate any rate of speed, even in the remote eventuality that you’re piloting a space capsule. It has a brand new in-house 9904 movement that builds upon the 9300 series of calibres by adding a moon phase complication and a different date indicator. This timekeeper comes with a co-axial escapement that aims to be maintenance friendly as well as boost its accuracy.

The moon phase display shows a high resolution image of the moon and its lunar cycle display really looks like it has always belonged there. The number “29.5” has been printed on its disc and depicts a full moon phase. All the parts made by the manufacturer are anti-magnetic and, as if a COSC certification isn’t enough, Omega also has this Speedmaster certified as a Master Chronometer by the Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology (METAS). 

The price will be 6,700.- GBP and going just off the photos, it’s a very attractive timepiece. Especially when you appreciate how much history a Speedmaster has in compact form, strapped to your wrist.

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8. Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra Pyeongchang 2018 LE

Rounding out our list of the top 8 new announcements before this year’s Baselworld is another watch from Omega: a Seamaster Aqua Terra Pyeongchang 2018 Limited Edition. Even though its name might be a mouthful, it’s a reissued Aqua Terra timepiece that commemorates both the upcoming 2018 Olympic Games in Korea, as well as Omega’s historic role as its official timekeeper. 

Its anti-magnetic, stainless steel case measures in at 41 mm and it has a blue dial with a simple date complication located at the 3 position. Omega has placed the year of the games in Olympic colours on the lower portion of its dial, which also align with the 18 and 20 minute markers. It’s a timepiece that has incorporated a Calibre 8500, which is a Master Co-axial automatic movement. 

Omega has opted to only release it in a very limited edition of just 2,018 pieces. If you want to call this watch your own in time for the Olympic games, it will cost just a bit over 4,600.- GBP.

Do you have any questions about this brand?