I am really looking forward to the Europa Star 80th anniversary party tonight. It will be nice to see everyone from BaselWorld in a relaxed setting and to just blow off steam before the show closes down.
In the meantime, here is more of what I have been seeing at Basel:
Hamilton is one of the watch industry's modern day success stories. A historical American brand, Hamilton was wallowing a little bit, focusing on its heritage and introducing updated versions of its vintage pieces, with really nothing special. About four years ago, however, the brand took a different tact and now the fruits of that effort are really paying off.

It's all about being different, President and worldwide CEO of Hamilton, Matthias Breschan, says. “When you walk around here at BaselWorld, there are too many watch brands doing similar things,” he notes. “The only way Hamilton can grow and position itself is in being different. With Hamilton, we have the huge advantage of history to build on and we have the perfect credibility to do what we are doing. If you buy a Hamilton, you need a strong character and a strong personality. I prefer that people love our watches or hate them. I don't want our watches to just be nice - there are twenty or thirty other brands to choose from. If they love it, they have to buy it.”

Another limited edition is the Jazzmaster Chronograph Rattrapante, which is limited to 366 pieces for the world. At US$3,995, it could be the least expensive rattrapante on the market.



Hamilton Jazzmaster Chronograph Rattrapante

Two other great new watches from Hamilton are the Khaki Action and the new X-Wind, which comes in a limited edition of 2,000 pieces, one version of red gold and black PVD, is particularly striking.


Hamilton JX-Wind

Oakley's Time Tank (on a titanium bracelet), introduced at last year's BaselWorld, has become the brand's best selling model, which is a testament to the company's design boldness and its sense of the needs of the market. This year, Oakley introduces the Holeshot in two sizes, a Swiss Quartz tachymeter scale chronograph and a smaller three hand version. These watches are very attractive and they round out a line that many retailers would do well to consider.


Oakley Holeshot

I was fortunate enough to be able to spend some time with Stephen Forsey from Greubel Forsey. A brilliant watchmaker, Forsey explained to me about the new products from the brand and they are truly exceptional: Tourbillon 24 Second Incline, the Double Tourbillon 30 Degrees Secret and the Invention Piece #1.


Greubel Forsey Tourbillon 24 Second Incline