Baselworld 2019: Rolex, Bvlgari, Patek Philippe, and NOMOS Glashütte

Rolex celebrated its history in yachting with the release of its new “Oyster Perpetual” collection. With our favorite model, the 42mm Yacht-Master timepiece, seasoned sailors will find everything they could ask for in a boater’s watch. The Yacht-Master’s 18k white gold and black ceramic case is held in place by a black Oysterflex bracelet, which is easily adjustable to the wearer’s wrist measurements. A softly-rounded design ensures the watch will avoid snags on rigging, while the timer function makes tracking your sail time easier than ever. And of course, like all other Rolex watches, the Yacht-Master’s top-of-the-line chronometer has been Superlative Chronometer certified.

Bvlgari presented the Octo Finissimo Chronograph GMT Automatic, measuring in at a thickness of 3.3mm. Today, the new timepiece is the world’s thinnest mechanical chronograph to date. Imagined in smooth sandblasted titanium, the timepiece features a 55-hour power reserve, a uniform titanium bracelet with folding clasp, and an ultra-thin body with a modern case that is both round and square.

Patek Philippe’s World Time display features a beautifully hand-crafted enamel dial depicting a globe view of the Americas, Africa, and Europe. In addition to the hour and minutes hands, a list of 24 worldwide locations encircle the dial’s map, each representing a different time zone—a mechanism invented in the 1930s by Louis Cottier. The watch is encased in yellow gold and accompanied by a chocolate brown alligator leather strap, and features easily adjustable time zones controlled by a pusher situated at ten o’clock.

NOMOS Glashütte added three new additions to its “Campus” collection—a series of watches designed for graduates and those in the early stages of their professional career. Sleek, youthful, and ever-so-slightly sporty, this year’s debuts include the Club Campus neomatik, the neomatik 39, and the neomatik 39 midnight blue. Details we love are the combination of Arabic and Roman numerals on the dial of each style, as well as the intermingling of rhodium plating, rose gold, and white gold details.