Baselworld: Betting and predicting
Questions and more questions are starting to reveal the anxiety that is waiting for BaselWorld 2018.
Two weeks away from this yearly event and at DAILY.DIOGOCOSTA we decided to finally round up our top 5 predictions that, if released, are certain to bring happiness to the worldwide community of watch enthusiasts.
The most popular predictions are still the ones concerning Rolex, the Swiss colossus is arguably the brand that fewer changes have presented during this fair. Mostly by only changing caliber or case sizes.
Although last year they introduced the new Cellini Moon-Phase, Sea-Dweller w/ cyclops and Sky-Dweller in SS. (That wasn't so bad!)
1. Rolex GMT-Master II "Pepsi" in Steel.
It has been a while since Rolex discontinued both Pepsi and Coke in SS, although there's still a Pepsi on their list of current models, the ref. 116719 BLRO. But due to its white gold casing and bracelet, it's still a watch that only some "pockets" can own.
This release would be based on the same strategy has the Sky-Dweller released last year, that also featured the novelty of being now available in stainless steel.
There are two major factors to understand the initiative of using a rather common material such as stainless steel in a watch that's currently being produced in white gold.
The first and obvious is that the target group that buys this watch may lose interest in owning such model, not only due to the model now being available to a wider range of social classes but also due to the fact that the model will lose status.
The second factor happens to be better for Rolex itself, there's a chance that a new GMT will boost an already colossal brand, bringing, once again the big lights to Rolex, since this model is one of the most popular models from the GMT line.
My opinion?
I'm betting on this model to be released this year and I think it's their best option regarding current needs. But you know what? Rolex is Rolex, and they got us used to the unexpected.
2. Tudor Black Bay Chrono w/ ceramic bezel
Tudor lastest major novelty was it quite certainty the new Tudor Black Bay Chrono with steel bezel.
Not only for renewing their chronograph personality and design but it ended up being the perfect "big brother" to the regular Black Bay models.
Let me remind you that Tudor once had chronos with a colored insert bezel, like the Tudor Oyster Prince or the Tudor Blue “Montecarlo” that was recently re-introduced.
It's fair to say that TUDOR is no stranger to this colored insert aluminum bezels, and since we've been seeing quite a big increment of the BB (black bay) ) popularity it would be more than logical to predict this new Tudor Heritage BB Chrono with this new kind of bezel, that would get its influence on the BB bezels.
Pros and cons
The benefits of introducing this new bezel would definitely be the new visual that this model would get, much more appealing to modern trends regarding watches and chronos.
(Daytona Ceramic or Paul Newman Daytona for example)
The cons of this new addition would be the fact that it would lose its color neutrality, I think that with this new volume of color would play a big part on the way we see the whole watch.
And that could affect not only the selling of this model but also the acceptance of their audience.
My opinion?
I would prefer not see this new prediction actually becoming reality due to the fact that I love how Tudor did their dial layout and color placement on this model. The whole design feels vintage and solid, makes the watch more versatile as a chronograph that it is.
3. Independent brands
I can only expect great things coming from brands like MB&F who always makes my jaw drop, it's insane how they provide innovation and design, constantly.
Kudoke is expected to release their new in-house caliber.
Garrick is finally releasing their new model, which I'm excited to see.
This is the beauty of independents, in my opinion, they bring a breath of fresh air to the industry.
Oh and by the way! If you want to meet in Basel and talk watches feel free to contact me, as not only will I be there but I know several other groups who are meeting there too, and I'd be more than happy to connect you guys!
Hope you enjoyed this brief sum up of the possible novelties!
Accurately yours,
Diogo Costa
