Complications and High-Tech
As technology and Nano-technology continues to evolve, watch brands are becoming ever more adept at making more precise components for watches and at finding new and different ways to put components together for incredibly advanced timing. This leads to a host of new developments and the ones we expect to see shine brightly at this year’s show are tourbillons, skeletonized watches, calendars and multi-timers. With such great thrust forward into new technical aspects, we have also witnessed a resurgence in the use of new materials and we expect to see a host of cool high-tech materials emerge, as well as a small foray into some beloved not-much-used watch materials such as bronze.
Sports Diversity
In the past we knew we would see some great pilot watches and dive watches making their debut at Baselworld. This year is no exception. However, we expect to see a lot more diversity of sports inspiration this year. Easily one of the most prevalent themes will be in the auto-inspired world, where so many watch brands are getting involved in sponsorships of cars, races, drivers and more. Additionally. Let’s face it, cars are a universal thing and simply offering motorsports-inspired designs touches a lot of hearts along the way. Also this year, we expect to see more designs influenced by ball-sports such as soccer, football and tennis.
Thinning Down
With a return to our roots and classic elegance being an important direction over the past year, we expect to see at thinning and trimming down of watches. While there will still be big and bold, we expect smaller sizes for both men and women, as well as some thinner, more elegant watches that fit nicely under suit jackets a making an appearance.
Women’s Watches
For the past couple of years, the trend toward satisfying the female sect has been high on the radar fro most brands. This trend continues, with many brands unveiling stunning new women’s watches that run the gamut from mechanicals to quartz. It is no longer enough, though, to offer a pretty face, women want substance, too, and the brands deliver. We expect to see more chronographs for women, more calendars and multi-timers and more stunning moonphase indicators than ever before.
Art and Diamonds
Another important trend that will shimmer in the limelight this year is the use of diamonds, gemstones and special materials to create stunning after-eight watches. In many instances, watch brands will turn to classic brilliant- and baguette-cut diamonds and gems to adorn watches, while we expect to see some more creative settings on display, as well. Additionally, this year we will continue to see brands turn to unusual substances such as feathers, eggshells, stone, meteorites and mosaic mother-of-pearl to design dials that are artistic masterpieces.
Color
Yes, color is always an important staple at Baselworld. This year we know we will see some really alluring pinks and neutral tones such as taupe and beige for women. Not only is it part of the Pantone color craze, but also, these hues have been neglected for a few years and so their time is ripe. They are sexy colors that offer a natural glow to the wrist. We can also expect to see shimmering blues for women and bolder shades for men, as many brands will turn to the baby blue skies and azure seas for inspiration. Let’s not forget the other primaries – in the sporty watch world, red and yellow will be key.
