Ferdinand, Berthoud, Breguet, Blancpain, Zenith, Jaquet Droz

01: Ferdinand Berthoud Chronometre FB 1R – Edition 1785

The latest edition of the regulator-style watch can almost convince one that it was lifted right out of the 18th century. There are five unique pieces, each with a bead-blasted bronze case treated with a different coloured chemical finish to achieve its aged look. The inspiration came from a 217-year-old sextant unearthed from a shipwreck off Vanikoro.

 

 

02: Breguet Marine Alarme Musicale 5547

Breguet’s Marine line gets a redesign this year with new central integrated lugs and a wave guilloche pattern on the dial for its white and rose gold models. Pictured here is the Ref. 5547, an alarm watch with a date and second time zone. When the striking mechanism is activated, a ship’s bell icon appears in a window at 12 o’clock – a further nod to the collection’s maritime roots.

 

03: Blancpain Flying Tourbillon Jumping Hours Retrograde Minutes

This flying tourbillon achieves its suspended appearance by replacing the lower bridge with a sapphire disc. The watch continues with this pure aesthetic with a small jumping hour window set in a retrograde minutes sub dial, all laid out on an unembellished creamy champleve enamel dial. It is presented here in a 44mm red gold case, though a 20-piece limited edition in platinum is also available.

 

04: Zenith X Swizz Beatz

Zenith opted for a little flash last year when it teamed up with Grammy award-winning hip hop artist and producer Swizz Beatz for a three-piece box set of specially designed Defy watches. The first is a titanium Defy Zero G in brushed titanium with an open-worked dial, while the other two are the musician’s take on the Defy El Primero – one in white ceramic and one in white gold with diamonds. All feature straps and accents in orange (Swizz Beatz’ favourite colour).

 

 

05: Jaquet Droz Parrot Repeater Pocket Watch

It’s Jaquet Droz’s 280th anniversary this year and only a pocket watch could serve as a big enough canvas to showcase all the artistic skills the brand has honed over more than two centuries. On the dial you’ll find two adult macaws watching over its chicks and an egg – all of them capable of animation – set against a vivid backdrop that used everything from miniature painting to engraving to bring to life. The watch is protected by two covers, each one just as elaborately decorated as the dial.

 

(RELATED: Check out top offerings from day 2 of Baselworld 2018)

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