Take a look at what the faces behind the brands decide to wear on their wrists...
It probably comes as no surprise to here, Baselworld is a prime location for watch spotting. No, I’m not talking about meetings with brands to see new releases or looking through the window at the stands, but the people at the show. Glancing at wrists as you walk around the show will yield watch spotting results from every brand you could think of. Brand new, vintage, very affordable or lottery winning money expensive, you get it all.
Behind the scenes of Baselworld - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
It’s not just the people attending the show that wear some incredible watches, but also the people behind the brands. Whether its a brand representative or the CEO of the brand, we quickly learnt this year they wear some pretty cool watches. So today, we want to share with you the watch of choice for a few of the people behind the Baselworld stand…
Rexhep Rexhepi from AkriviA
Rexhep from AkriviA Baselworld 2019 - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
Watch: Prototype Chronometre Contemporain in Stainless Steel
If you don’t know about Rexhep and AkriviA I suggest you get to know asap. Rexhep started AkriviA after an apprenticeship at Patek Philippe and further experience at FP Journe. Last year, AkriviA announced the Chronometre Contemporain. This release came out of nowhere, resulting in a huge amount of press and a now two-year-long waiting list.
AkriviA Prototype Chronometre Contemporain in Stainless Steel - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
Here Rexhep wears a prototype Chronometre Contemporain in stainless steel. Seeing as this watch is only available in rose gold and platinum, it’s a pretty cool watch to see in steel. An insight into the development process in the form of a prototype.
Nicolas from Breitling Watches
Nicolas from Breitling Baselworld 2019 - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
Watch: Vintage Breitling 806 Navitimer
Breitling has been busy this year. With updates to the Superocean, Premier line and of course the Navitimer line up. And for Nicolas, his choice of watch sits in the Navitimer family. However, rather than going for one of the new 806 re-issues, Nicolas goes for a genuine original model.
Vintage Breitling 806 Navitimer - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
This not only looks great on the wrist but is also a fantastic choice, as being able to compare the new watch with an original side by side was made a lot easier.
Fabrizio Buonamassa Stigliani of Bulgari
Fabrizio from Bulgari Baselworld 2019 - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
Watch: Bvlgari Octo Finissimo Chronograph GMT
It may come as no surprise to hear the head designer at Bulgari goes for the companies latest world record holder. At less than 7mm thick, the Octo Finissimo Chronograph GMT is remarkable to wear on the wrist.
Bulgari Octo Finissimo Chronograph GMT - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
The bracelet compliments the watches dimensions perfectly, shining light onto the incredible job Fabrizio and the design team at Bulgari have done with this watch. We will be hearing more from Fabrizio soon on the Online Magazine, stay tuned!
Pierre of Czapek & Cie
Pierre from Czapek & Cie Baselworld 2019 - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
Watch: Czapek Guai Des Bergues in Black Enamel
Czapek is an example of a brand name that up until 2012 lived in the history book of watchmaking. The brand originally existed around the 19th century creating incredible pieces of horology. In 2012 the name was revived, and, looking at the watch on the wrist of Pierre it's clear the original DNA of the Czapek company remains.
Czapek Guai Des Bergues in Black Enamel - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
It does more than just remain actually, it flourishes. Here the Guai Des Bergues with black enamel sits in a 38.5mm case, a fantastic size on the wrist.
Bart from Grönefeld
Bart from Grönefeld Baselworld 2019 - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
Watch: Grönefeld Parallax Tourbillon
Grönefeld continues this year to offer watch created with a real passion. It runs in their blood. They are the third generation of watchmakers. This passion for their craft is obvious after meeting and chatting to them at the show.
The Grönefeld Parallax Tourbillon - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
Here Bart wears one of their Parallax Tourbillon pieces. It’s clear that this watch has seen some serious wrist time. And, after checking out Grönefeld at Baselworld it makes total sense.
Arnaud from MB&F
Arnaud from MB&F Baselworld 2019 - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
Watch: MB&F Legacy Machine N°1 in White Gold
‘A creative adult is a child who survived’ these were the words surrounding the MB&F stand at Baselworld this year. Creativity is the name of the game with MB&F this year (well, and every year to be honest).
MB&F Legacy Machine N°1 in White Gold - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
During our meeting with Arnaud, we saw some truly exceptional pieces of watchmaking art. Taking a look at the creative journey the brand goes on to end up with a watch is compelling. Arnaud personally goes for the MB&F Legacy Machine N°1 in the white gold case. A mesmerising piece on any wrist. Great choice!
Mark from NOMOS Glashütte
Mark from NOMOS Glashütte Baselworld 2019 - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
Watch: NOMOS Glashütte Tangente 38
NOMOS have a huge selection of absolute winners in their line up. Deciding on just one to own isn’t easy (we gave it a go here…) however Mark has made a great choice. The Tangente is NOMOS’ most successful model they offer, and rightly so.
The NOMOS Glashütte Tangente 38 - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
Mark has paired it with their textile woven strap, a slimmer strong nylon strap in blue. Perfect for everyday wear to sportswear without any worries. I love how the blued hands match the colour perfectly.
Romain from Romain Gauthier
Romain from Romain Gauthier Baselworld 2019 - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
Watch: Insight Micro-Rotor in Black Titanium
In our recent interview with Romain (it’s coming very soon!), he talked about the benefits of titanium over stainless steel and why he prefers it. He clearly practises what he preaches as at the show his watch of choice was the Insight Micro-Rotor in Black Titanium.
The Insight Micro-Rotor in Black Titanium - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
The titanium version of this watch makes for a perfect everyday watch down to its size. If it was me I’d take a red gold version any day of the week!
Sabine from Sinn Spezialuhren
Sabine from Sinn Spezialuhren Baselworld 2019 - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
Watch: Sinn EZM 12
As discussed here, Sinn is (and has been) well known for their tool / purposeful watches ever since they were founded. This year at Baselworld they focused on developing their more dressier models with a new rose gold watch and moonphases being added to the range.
The Sinn EZM 12 - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
However, Sabine from Sinn watch of choice is their EZM 12. This model combines a bright orange strap with a chunky bead-blasted case.
Kari from Voutilainen
Kari from Voulitainen Baselworld 2019 - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
Watch: The Voutilainen Observatoire
Staying in the independent hall for a moment and we have Voutilainen. Kari is a Finnish born watchmaker whos love and passion of watchmaking spans over 30 years. He’s an incredibly modest watchmaker who makes some truly stunning watches with unique flare in abundance.
The Voulitainen Observatoire - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
Interpretations of teardrop lugs are something Kari features on all of his watches including his watch of choice for the day. One key feature of independent brands is their ability to design and create truly special cases. Most case sizes are under 40mm and feel so perfect on the wrist. It’s the Voutilainen Observatoire spotted here embodies exactly that.
Vittoria of Zenith Watches
Vittoria from Zenith Watches Baselworld 2019 - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
Watch: Defy Classic in White Ceramic
As already discussed here, Zenith had a fantastic 2019. We saw the Pilot 20 Adventure and Extra Special Silver, of course, the A386 El Primero 50th Anniversary Revival, Defy Inventor and of course the Defy El Primero Double Tourbillon.
For our brand representatives watch of choice, we’re staying with the Defy range and the classic in white ceramic. This watch really shows off the versatility of the Defy range, easily able to be enjoyed by both male and female wrists.
And finally, just because…
You know I said earlier about Baselworld being a prime watch spotting location? Out of everything we saw at the show, I don’t think anyone was expecting this.
Danar from Chronondo
Danar from Chronondo Baselworld 2019 - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
Watch: Basically every watch you can think of...
Chronondo is a German blog and online location for watch talk. Danar made quite a few headlines at the show for wearing a jacket with watches sewn into it. The Tudor Black Bay GMT, the JLC Reverso, an AP Royal Oak and NOMOS all featured on his jacket both front and back.
The Spinnaker Dumas - Image Credit: WatchGecko Online Magazine
Danar’s wrist had a Spinnaker on it, although he has brought a whole new meaning ‘wearing a watch’...
It’s fair to say, once again Baselworld and its people brought the heat this 2019!
Want more Baselworld 2019? click here to check out the rest of our 2019 coverage.
