After posting this am before I headed back to the show, I was thinking I could maybe get out of another one til I returned to the States...but alas, I realized part of the reason I'm here is the good fortune I have to be in the Mecca of Independent Watchmaking show's, at Baselworld. So I have a duty to report and send pictures to share what it is I get so excited about and why.
Now for a superb movement:
Today I got to see some truly extra-ordinary items, both horological and non. The non was one of, if not the rarest gemstone I have ever seen had the fortune of laying eyes on. An exquisite Demantoid Garnet from Russia, in a size I didn't think existed, over 10cts! Getting back to the watchmaking front, I was shown a truly splendid Tourbillon by an un-named (I have discretion when asked) Independent, over two years in development, it will thrill the soon to be new owner.
Peter Baumberger, the owner, designer and maker of certain parts of the superlative Urban Jurgensen mini brand (NOT to be confused with Jules Jurgensen, which is low end very commercial $%@), showed off the next generation of products, an inhouse movement, that I was previewed last year, but now was shown 7 incredible examples. Talk about a classic design ad execution, I don't think classical guilloche dials get any better. They are in another league above Breguet, and theirs are not bad by any means.
Romain Gauthier's main watchmaker, who was one of the watchmakers in a previous position at Blancpain responsible for assembling the wonderful 1735 Grand Complication, delivered today the first WG prototype of the Prestige Collection 2nd series. I got some much better images, and this piece to be made in 10 examples each of RG, WG & Plat, was stunning. Quite a technical looking watch, and an interesting variation on the theme. For those of you who found the first series of the Prestige Collection too plain and classic, this will get you excited. Romain has added a small seconds at 5 o'clock, driven off the 2nd wheel of the train. He has also opened up the movement with new plates and bridges to reveal the oscillating balance wheel and the 2nd wheel. A new finish for Romain is to be found on the movement of both of these lovely watches.
Stepan has branched into a Ti cased watch with his dive watch. Utilizing the second position of the crown to operate the dive bezel inside the case under the crystal. A neat, tidy job. I like it a lot and sporting the rubber strap, will offer a true sports watch by a leading Independent tiny production watchmaker like Stepan. His rather whimsical Man in the Moon hour only watch, which has garnered very great responses from everyone who has seen it, much to Stepan's surprise. Essentially the Moon from the K3 has been enlarged to almost cover the whole of the dial, while still revealing a window at 6 o'clock where the hour wheel passes by to indicate the current hour. No separate minute indication, one has to not worry about being somewhere at a specific time to wear and enjoy this killer piece. If only I could get to a place in life like that!
That is all for now, got to rest a bit before my 12hr flight back to the West Coast.
I have over 500 images to sort through on my return to select the best for a more comprehensive report.
Til then, enjoy and I'll be back with more in a few days time.
Cheers,
Tim