Timepieces

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PINNACLE timepiece writer Elisabeth King identifies the 2008 star performers at Baselworld and Salon Internationale de la Haute Horlogerie, Geneva.

1. Omega De Ville Hour Vision (Shown above)
Annual Calendar - Limited Series

At Baselworld, Omega, which celebrates its 160th anniversary this year, will debut in Australia in September the Omega De Ville Hour Vision Annual Calendar – Limited Series, featuring an advanced co-axial technology, exclusive to Omega. A limited series of 160 pieces. Rrp $33,000

2. Jaeger-LeCoultre AMVOX 3

Tourbillon GMT

The 44mm case is crafted from a combination of high-tech ceramic and 18-carat pink gold. A first from the AMVOX series is the sapphire case back. The tourbillon movement drives the two time zone displays, in addition to the patented date indicator. A limited edition of 300 pieces worldwide.

Rrp $105,000

3. Oris BC4 Flight Timer

A definitive pilots watch, the huge vertical crown looks like it is pitched above a mini-cockpit packed into the 42.7mm stainless steel case. Although there are no fluorescent markings, the second time zone is clearly visible at 3 o’ clock and the compass markings on the bezel makes the Flight Timer look as if it would be invaluable if you were ever lost at sea.

Rrp $3675

4. TAG Heuer Grand Carrera Calibre 17 RS2 - Limited edition in grade 2 titanium

For anyone who fancies themself as a terror behind the wheel, the revolutionary display mode of this manly timepiece enables intuitive reading of elapsed time, since the index remains fixed while the time indications rotate. The exterior is fashioned from pure, ultra-resistant titanium and inside you’ll find a COSC-certified chronograph movement, complete with the famous Rotating Systems that single out the Grand Carrera collection. A limited series of 1000.

Rrp $9000

5. Vacheron Constantin

Overseas Dual Time

The 10th anniversary of the Vacheron Constantin Overseas watch was marked with the release of the Dual Time with a second time zone and a yellow-gold chronograph. This year, the new Overseas Dual Time models sport an 18-carat 5N pink or white gold case, 88 brilliant-cut diamonds, white straps, and a 42mm diameter.

Rrp $49,600 (pink gold with diamonds);

Rrp $55,100 (white gold with diamonds)

6. Ebel 1911 Tekton FG Bayern Munich

Ebel is pitching itself as the leading watch brand for the world game. Two new watches were launched at Baselworld - this model and its English counterpart, representing Arsenal, as the first dedicated watches in Ebel’s partnership program with some of the world’s top soccer clubs. The Gunners watch is not slated for release in Australia, but in October the timepiece of Germany’s foremost football club, the Bundesliga club, reaches our shores. A limited edition of 250.

Rrp $14,995

7. Bulgari Precious Timepieces

If you think that the line between timepieces and jewellery in women’s watches was blurred enough already, Bulgari has redefined the genre with its exclusive pieces from the Bulgari High Jewellery Collection. One of the cynosures of Baselworld, the 17 watches of the Assioma, Astrale, Assioma DP and Parentesi Collections are POA for such lust-after items as the two Astrale versions, thick with diamonds and emeralds or rubies. Contact Bulgari boutiques in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

8. IWC Portofino Hand-Wound

The Portofino Hand-Wound is a very tony addition to the IWC Vintage Collection and available in both platinum and stainless steel with a black crocodile leather strap. Featuring sapphire crystal for the display back and dial covering, the case spans 46mm. IWC has incorporated its calibre 98800 movement which produces 18,800 vibrations per hour.

Rrp $16,000 (stainless steel)

9. IWC Big Ingenieur

The Big Ingenieur is the flagship of IWC’s Ingenieur collection and to celebrate the company’s 140th anniversary this year IWC has released a rose-gold version. A 45.5mm case with Pellaton automatic winding system, seven-day power reserve, sapphire-crystal back and screw-in crown adds up to a watch weighing over 200grams with the world’s best driving mechanism for wristwatches. Not for small wrists.

Rrp $31,000

10. Raymond Weil Nabucco Cuore Caldo

A double chronograph with power reserve indicator is a first in the history of the independent watchmaker. It has the same compelling design of the Nabucco Collection - 46mm, water-resistant to 200 metres, an ETA bi-compax 7750 mechanical movement and a split-second hand. It’s a classy blend of steel, titanium and 18-carat pink gold. A limited edition of 50.

Rrp $19,995