Day 3 sees more independent watch manufactures releasing some fantastic timepieces. What has been thoroughly enjoyable for us this year has been the ability to work very closely with a number of watch makers and artisans who have made it their life's work to tell time in the most obscure yet innovative way possible. So with that in mind let's get cracking on what stood out for us today.
Peter Speake-Marin is a real master of the dark arts when it comes to Haute Horlogerie and his experience has seen him work with a number of manufactures including Harry Winston, MB&F and Maîtres du Temps. After focusing his efforts more recently on his own brand, Speake-Marin, he has seen the introduction of a number of beautiful timepieces and at this years Baselworld, we saw one first hand that really stood out. The Velsheda, named after the famous "J Class" yacht that was built in the 1930's and is still racing today. Featuring a single blued steel hand that extends across its entire diameter, it is the backdrop for the fascinating optical effect of two superimposed topping tool motifs, the Speake-Marin logo, rotating at different speeds. Counter-balanced at one end by a pointer and at the other by an arc, this hand creates a compass aesthetic that is accentuated by the fine, five-minute graduations around the peripheral chapter ring... an invitation to take to the seas.
Zenith is celebrating their 150th anniversary and to celebrate such a milestone meant one thing, a number of new novelties for us to get our hands on. For all the new releases that has come from Zenith at Baselworld 2015, the Zenith Academy Georges Favre-Jacot with its distinct and crazy chain drive system is by the far the craziest and most innovative. For those who don't know Georges Favre-Jacot was the founder of Zenith so it was only fitting he be the center of attention with his very own homage. Why is it such a crazy cool piece. Well, this highly complex device serves to compensate for the progressive reduction in the force of the barrel as the power reserve is discharged, and to maintain the perfect stability of the force with no loss of amplitude. In other words, the mainspring transmits its energy to the helicoidal fusée devised by Zenith via a 18-cm chain that wraps itself around the barrel. By adjusting variations in tension, the fusée ensures the regularity of the force distributed to the gear train and then to the silicon escape wheel. An absolute marvel and beautiful to watch in motion.
Romain Jerome is by far one of the coolest and retro manufactures you will find in the world of horology. Why is that you ask? Because they make some of the most retro inspired timepieces you will ever see including the likes of Pacman, Space Invaders, Batman and even a Delorean timepiece inspired by yes you guessed it, the Delorean from Back to the Future. At Baselworld we saw another new addition to the family, this time for the Steampunk family. The new Steampunk Tourbillon comes in a brushed and black PVD 50mm case with retro cool written all over it. At 12 o'clock you will see the off-centered minute and hour hands, at 6 o'clock you can find an anchor themed tourbillon while between 6 and 9 o'clock is the coolest of the cool. To keep track of the small seconds, Romain Jerome has opted to use a titanium piston in true steampunk form. It takes 30 seconds to go up and 30 seconds to come back down so its not just there to look pretty but will actually keep accurate track of the seconds, albeit in a very unique way. It really is a standout piece from Baselworld 2015 even if it isn't everyone's cup of tea.
Linde Werdelin is quite a young brand but is one that has come in leaps and bounds recently so we were really looking forward to seeing what they had in store for Baselworld. Although the brand is young they certainly don't shy away from a challenge and are always willing and able to step up to the plate and knock it out of the park and that's exactly what they did. The new Spidolite Gold is the fourth generation of the SpidoLite family and marks an evolution in weight-optimised construction and reveals the first ever Linde Werdelin power reserve indicator. If you can imagine taking a wrist watch, then meticulously stripping down the case and movement inch by inch, millimeter by millimeter to provide an ultra-modern look that is extremely light and very durable while still maintaining a wicked appearance, then that's exactly what you have here. Ultra modern, ultra cool, highlight of Baselworld 2015, enough said.
That's it for Day 3 folks. Check back again soon for our Wrap-Up of Day 4 direct from Baselworld 2015.
