Each spring around 2,000 companies from the watch and jewellery world get together in Basel, Switzerland, to show their latest wares at a trade exhibition called Baselworld. This is where the world’s top brands unveil their latest offerings, so get your chequebook out ...
Crocodile rock
Top Swiss watchmaker Chupardy has supported the Elton John AIDS Foundation for ten years now, and a collection designed by Caroline Gruosi-Scheufele with Sir Elton is both distinctly Eltonish and contributes a percentage of profits to the fight against AIDS. It’s an imposing large-diameter timepiece with precious stones a-plenty. The versions in the pic feature black diamonds and a strap in black alligator leather for him, baguette diamonds and pink crocodile for her.
Elton John Watches by Chopard Al Manara Jewellery, Abu Dhabi Mall (02 627 2222)
Insights
You won’t see many of these around: Perrelet’s automatic Tourbillon is somewhere near the pinnacle of the art of watchmaking, a limited and numbered edition of just 20, set in a modern case of satin-brushed titanium and polished 18-carat rose gold.
Perrelet Tourbillon Al Sayegh Jewellery, Al Nasr Street (02 633 9900)
Breakfast cocktail
The Tiffany Watch Co debuted earlier this year, a partnership between Tiffany and Swatch that has produced some very good-looking watches. Here’s the Atlas Cocktail including 197 full cut diamonds that reflect light in all directions and guaranteeing a high voltage dose of glamour. It’s available in white, yellow and red gold with white mother-of-pearl dials and white straps.
Atlas Cocktail Tiffany, Marina Mall (02 681 4477)
Go faster
Porsche Design watches define timeless appeal, functionality and a purist approach. The Flat Six collection has recently acquired this Chronograph model, with fresh colour combinations and a PVD coating on the cases. As you might expect, the dials are crisp and highly legible; cases, crafted in stainless steel, feature four machined grooves reminiscent of the compression and wiper rings of the 6-cylinder engine in the 911.
Porsche Design Chronograph Al Fardan Jewellery, Hamdan Street (02 674 5000
Monaco
Tag Heuer has unveiled a ‘re-edition’ of the iconic Monaco Calibre 11 Automatic Chronograph that Steve McQueen wore in the classic movie Le Mans back in 1970. It’s still one of the best-looking men’s watches on the market, and inside it has the classic Calibre 11 movement for accuracy and robustness.
Tag Heuer 1969 Original Re-Edition Al Manara Jewellery, Abu Dhabi Mall (02 627 2222)
[Originally published in Abu Dhabi Week vol 2 issue 17]
