Roundup: Best Real World Watches of Basel 2016

If you're a dedicated reader of this blog you'll know I have a big thing for watches, specifically well made and beautifully designed timepieces that both look great and stand the test of time. I like to keep my eye on whats happening in the high-end watch market and a great way to do that is by checking out whats happening at Baselworld. This annual event is the focal point of the watch industry and every year, all the big players come together to showcase their latest creations and innovations. The show attracts everyone from designers and buyers, to the global press and watch enthusiasts keen to keep their finger on the horological pulse. 

The watches I've selected aren't the most complicated, expensive or rare watches available at Basel but they are solid, dependable, innovative and handsome - I've picked watches that I feel the readers of the Listening Post will appreciate and that I can see my self owning and wearing. I'm not a watch nerd who fawns over complications and rare precious metals, I appreciate form and function equally and tend to favour tool watches built to be used, so be warned; there are no safe-queens on this list.

1. Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 2016

Image: www.ablogtowatch.com

The stainless steel Rolex Daytona may be one of the most iconic sports watches of all time and it has finally received a long anticipated facelift this year with the addition of Rolex's Cerachrom bezel. The new version is available with both black and white faces and offers a 40mm case, 72 hour power reserve and 100m water resistance.  A lot of people have been waiting a long time for this so be prepared for a very, very long waiting list.

2. The Omega Speedster CK2998 Limited Edition

Image: www.omega.com

The original CK2998 was released in 1959 and has since become one of the most sought-after vintage watches in the world. At Basel 2016, Omega introduced an updated model of their classic Speedmaster. Inspired by the original, the watch retains its classic alpha hands and symmetrical stainless steel case, with three deep blue sub-dials contrasting against the dial. Featuring the Omega cal.1861 movement, 50 meters water resistance and a 39.7mm case the CK2998 is limited to 2998 individual pieces so get in quick!

3. 2016 Tudor Black Bay Black

Image: www.salonqp.com

Tudor has taken the game changing step of putting their own in-house movements into their heritage models, this started with the North Flag last year and at Basel 2016 they debuted the updated Black Bay featuring the MT5602, a high performance COSC certified Chronometer movement offering 70hrs of power reserve and unparalleled robustness. The gold applied markers and gilt dial text pay homage to tudor's history as part of the Rolex group and the vintage feel of the watch makes for a very handsome diver that offers a 41mm case and 200m water resistance.

4. Bremont MBII White

Image: www.bremont.com

British watch manufacturer Bremont have been working with ejection seat manufacturer Martin Baker for some time now, their most famous collaboration being the MBI, a watch that is only available to those who have punched out of a fighter jet on one of Martin Baker's seats. They have just released a new edition of their famed MBII, featuring a with a white dial and a distinctive knurled effect on the 43mm aluminium barrel inspired by components on the ejection seats themselves. Equally the yellow and black loop at the end of the second hand is a direct reference to the ejection pull handle. This watch is tested to the extreme - ejected from a plane, subjected to temperatures of -40c, subjected to a helicopter crash and sunk to the bottom of the salty sea - its built to last and perform under pressure.

5. Sinn 910 Anniversary Split-Seconds Chronograph

Image: www.sinn.de

Since 1961, German watch manufactures Sinn Spezialuhren have been manufacturing unique watches for some of the World’s most challenging environments from the depths of the ocean to the vastness of space. To celebrate 55 years in the industry Sinn have released this limited edition Split Second Chronograph that that incorporates a very rare column wheel lever for its actuation. Presented with a cream-colored dial and red accents housed in a 41.5mm stainless steel case the 910 is limited to 300 pieces.


If you've been following #Basel2016, I'd love to hear what your favourite pieces were.


For more information on Baselworld, you should check out the upcoming edition of The Grey Nato Podcast.