Innovation and technology shone at this year’s Baselworld show

De Bethune’s Dream Watch Meteorite sports a case made from a piece of a meteorite that fell more than 4,000 years ago in Argentina. 

Co-founders David Zanetta Denis Flageollet had to come up with an inventive process to carve the case out of the meteorite, whose hard structure has no similarity to the conventional materials.  Finished by hand, the case retains its original anthracite colour that was then flame-blued by hand. 

The manually wound movement houses a high-speed tourbillon. The time is displayed digitally while a spherical moon-phase only needs to be adjusted by one lunar day every 1,112 years. Shaped like a rocket to travel through time, the watch is priced at $464,000.


Chopard’s new Happy Diamonds watch for women is a precious jewellery model exuding a charm that is both vintage and contemporary. 

The prong-set diamonds encircling the dial emphasise its gentle curves, while new mobile diamonds whirl freely across a textured white mother-of-pearl background. There are more of them than ever and they are also larger as well as in different sizes, thereby accentuating their whirling dance and the sense of diamond-studded profusion. Inside this playground, a mini subdial, also ringed with diamonds, bears the watch hands.


Inspired by the fifties fashions, the two new versions of de Grisogono’s New Retro Lady Taille Baguette glow with a retro-chic look and come with either baguette-cut diamonds or rubies. The wide rectangular-shaped pink gold case is paved with two rows of baguette-cut gems and adorned with a crown at 12 o’clock. 

The dainty gemsetting in the dial centre is a radiant expression of de Grisogono’s jewellery expertise. Finally, the gaze lingers on the famous galuchat strap, a brand classic. The New Retro S24D and the New Retro S24R models cost between CHF50,000-150,000 ($52,000-156,000).


Patek Philippe’s new World Time Chronograph Ref. 5930 presents a combination of two long-standing Patek Philippe specialties – a world time indication and a chronograph – into one watch. The manufacture says it was a challenge to integrate two functions into one movement.

Powered by the calibre CH 28-520 HU, the watch has a white gold case and a blue hand-guilloched dial centre. It is worn on a matt navy blue alligator strap with large square scales to match the dial. It is priced at $73,000.


The Astronomia Clarity is a sapphire case variation of Jacob & Co’s iconic Gravitational Triple Axis Tourbillon tridimensional movement which captures the heart of watch-lovers through a mesmerising ballet of the four satellites in constant motion. Extreme care was taken and unique tools were specially developed to shape the sapphire. Completed with a double anti-reflective treatment, the dome-shaped crystal top, back and barrel bridge offer a 360-degree panorama of the movement. The watch comes in two versions – a rose gold, and a white gold set with baguette diamonds – and is said to be priced in the region of $600,000.


French luxury brand Hermès’s Slim d’Hermès collection now comes in vibrant colours and a new size, and pay tribute to the saddlery and leather-crafting expertise of the maison.

The Slim d’Hermès Manufacture driven by an ultra-thin H1950 movement is now available in a 39.5 mm ladies version, enlivened by alligator straps in sapphire blue, elephant grey, geranium, cassis or black, as well as a gemset version with 66 white diamonds. 

The men’s model is enhanced by new shades with a slate grey dial and matching elephant grey alligator strap, while a matt indigo strap complements the hue of the Slim d’Hermès midnight blue. The men’s model costs around $7,650.


A Louis Moinet limited edition Memoris celebrates the 200th anniversary of the invention of the chronograph by Louis Moinet, the firm’s founder. Using an unprecedented engraving technique, the Memorised 200th Anniversary features a series of individual stars scattered across the night sky, each one worked on individually by craft smen to imbue a natural sparkle. 

The anniversary edition features an hour dial made in enamel, a main plate painted and decorated with star constellations, and a translucent flange and counter bridge. The new edition is limited to just 20 watches and priced at $70,000.


Bulgari’s Octo Finissimo Minute Repeater sets a new world record for the thinnest repeater.  

A striking watch requires a distinctive set of skills to achieve an intense, crystal-clear chime from a sealed watch. The movement, BVL Calibre 362, measures just 3.12 mm while the overall case thickness totals 6.85 mm. The case is made of titanium whose low-density ensures the best possible sound diffusion. The hour-markers are also made from titanium and feature a cut-out design, as too does the small seconds counter. These openings serve to amplify resonance and optimise the sound.

The extreme miniaturisation of the 362 components within the case is illustrated in the centrifugal strike governor, featuring a total diameter of just 3.3 mm including its two inertia-blocks. Limited to 50 pieces, the watch costs $171,000.