BaselWorld is opening its doors to the press tomorrow and general public the day after. While most brands still keep their releases a well-guarded secret, Breitling already put its 2018 novelties online earlier today.

There have been so many articles on Breitling and its CEO Georges Kern over the past few months that there was very little left unsaid anyway. Or was there? For the biggest part the new models are not surprising, being slight updates with the newer logo of existing watches, like with this Navitimer;

(Breitling Navitimer AB012121.BG75.450A)

Some also got a new case size like this SuperOcean Heritage II, which is now also available in 44mm – and also a B01-powered Chronograph!

(Breitling SuperOcean Heritage 44 AB203016.C955.281S)

… though with that being said, some hidden gems remain to be found among the 2018 novelties, like this funky little 38mm Navitimer – which looks particularly good in black;

(Breitling Navitimer 1 38 A1732524.BG87.1014P)

Keep an eye on our home page to see all the BaselWorld 2018 novelties being added over the next week!

Press Release: This is WatchBase: the ultimate database for wristwatches and movements

Amsterdam, March 1^st 2018 – WatchBase is an online database that offers detailed information on over 20.000+ unique high-end watches and 2.000+ movements, which is available to collectors, journalists and trade professionals on a clear and easy to navigate website.

Visit WatchBase.com here: http://watchbase.com

WatchBase: The Beginning
WatchBase was founded in 2015 by Alwin Hoogerdijk and Alon Ben Joseph in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Alwin has a background in database software, while Alon is a life-long professional in the jewelers trade. Between the two of them they noticed a lack of a proper database on their shared passion: high-end wristwatches.

“Since I started working in eCommerce in 2007, I have been dreaming of building THE ultimate database for watches. After meeting Alwin, all the pieces fell into place. I got to work with a friend & fellow watch geek – one that is specialized in database software nonetheless” says Alon Ben Joseph.

“Being a watch collector of mainly Speedmaster and Panerai Ferrari, WatchBase is the perfect way to apply my experience in database software on my favorite subject matter” adds Alwin Hoogerdijk.

While numerous efforts had been made before, none of them provided the user experience, quality of information, and quantity of watches that that they felt was needed.  Existing databases with a larger number of watches often featured just the bare essentials, offering little more than what’s available on the manufacturer’s websites. On the other hand, collectors and scholars had created highly detailed pages, yet these focused on one specific brand, series or even model only – and often lacked a proper technological frame. The WatchBase team set out to unite the best of both worlds by offering in-depth data on a wide range of watches via a dedicated, made-to-measure database structure. WatchBase is open, easy to navigate, and well-informed.

WatchBase: Today
After three years of painstaking work and research, WatchBase now features over 20.000 unique watches and over 2.000 unique movements from both current as well as past collections. New watches are added on a daily basis and existing entries are updated where needed.

A team of watch experts led by Dale Vito gathers information through all resources available and necessary, including manufacturers websites, catalogues, books and press releases. The collected data is edited to cut through the marketing speak, distilled to the essence, and enriched where needed. This information is then presented in a clear template that features as much detail as possible. So, ever wanted to know on which movement Breitling’s caliber B13 is based and which watches use this movement? What size strap fits a NOMOS Club 36? How many limited edition Speedmasters Omega has made? Which versions of the Lange 1 feature a blue dial? It’s all available on WatchBase.

WatchBase for Professionals
Data entry is a tedious and time-consuming job. With this in mind, WatchBase created the WatchBase Data Feed, which allows professionals like jewelers, appraisers, auctioneers and insurers to use the provided data for their own website, shop or app through an API feed.  This drastically reduces  the time and thus money spent on manually entering all details. More information is available on https://datafeed.watchbase.com/.

WatchBase for Journalists
Information and data supplied in press releases is often vague, incomplete, and filled with hyperboles. Using  WatchBase journalists and bloggers can fact check their articles, see the larger picture, and put new releases in their historical context.  The search function is especially useful: https://watchbase.com/search.

WatchBase for Manufacturers
In this digital age consumers are better informed than ever.  WatchBase thus invites those brands brave enough to share their data, and break the culture of secrecy that frustrates the advancement of knowledge among collectors. Your brand on WatchBase? Don’t hesitate to contact us.

WatchBase for Collectors
WatchBase features a dedicated section for collectors called MyWatchBase. Here users can keep track of their collection, favorites and wish list. Custom fields allow them to include private details such as when a watch was bought, for which price, and what accessories came with it. A Report missing watch button is integrated in case a watch is not yet in the database.  It is completely free of charge and available through http://app.watchbase.com/.

IWC celebrates its 150th anniversary this year. At SIHH 2018 the Schaffhausen-based brand launched a collection of 27 watches to mark the occasion. They’re now live on WatchBase, including prices in Euro. Links to their entries below!

IW505001 Pallweber Tribute to Pallweber Edition “150 Years”

25 pieces, platinum case, white lacquered dial.

IW505002 Pallweber Tribute to Pallweber Edition “150 Years”

250 pieces, red gold case, white lacquered dial.

IW505003 Pallweber Tribute to Pallweber Edition “150 Years”

250 pieces, stainless steel case, blue lacquered dial.

IW505101 Pallweber Tribute to Pallweber Pocket Watch Edition “150 Years”

50 pieces, red gold case, white dial.

IW590203 Portugieser Constant-Force Tourbillon Edition “150 Years”

15 pieces, platinum case, blue lacquered dial.

IW590202 Portugieser Constant-Force Tourbillon Edition “150 Years”

15 pieces, platinum case, white lacquered dial.

IW504501 Portugieser Perpetual Calendar Tourbillon Edition “150 Years”

50 pieces, red gold case, white lacquered dial.

IW503405 Portugieser Perpetual Calendar Double Moon “150 Years”

250 pieces, red gold case, white lacquered dial.

IW371601 Portugieser Chronograph “150 Years”

2000 pieces, stainless steel case, blue lacquered dial.

IW371602 Portugieser Chronograph “150 Years”

2000 pieces, stainless steel case, white lacquered dial.

IW510211 Portugieser Hand-Wound Eight Days “150 Years”

250 pieces, red gold case, white lacquered dial.

IW510212 Portugieser Hand-Wound Eight Days “150 Years”

1000 pieces, stainless steel case, white lacquered dial.

IW516407 Portofino Hand-Wound Eight Days Moonphase “150 Years”

150 pieces, red gold case, blue lacquered dial.

IW516405 Portofino Hand-Wound Eight Days Moonphase “150 Years”

350 pieces, stainless steel case, blue lacquered dial.

IW516406 Portofino Hand-Wound Eight Days Moonphase “150 Years”

350 pieces, stainless steel case, white lacquered dial.

IW391023 Portofino Chronograph “150 Years”

2000 pieces, stainless steel case, blue lacquered dial.

IW391024 Portofino Chronograph “150 Years”

2000 pieces, stainless steel case, white lacquered dial.

IW356518 Portofino Automatic”150 Years”

2000 pieces, stainless steel case, blue lacquered dial.

IW356519 Portofino Automatic”150 Years”

2000 pieces, stainless steel case, white lacquered dial.

IW459309 Da Vinci 36 Moonphase “150 Years”

50 pieces, white gold diamond-set case, white lacquered dial.

IW459304 Da Vinci 36 Moonphase “150 Years”

50 pieces, red gold diamond-set case, white lacquered dial.

IW358103 Da Vinci Automatic Edition “150 Years”

250 pieces, red gold case, white lacquered dial.

IW358102 Da Vinci Automatic Edition “150 Years”

500 pieces, stainless steel case, blue lacquered dial.

IW358101 Da Vinci Automatic Edition “150 Years”

500 pieces, stainless steel case, white lacquered dial.

IW502708 Big Pilot’s Watch Annual Calendar “150 Years”

100 pieces, stainless steel case, blue lacquered dial.

IW510503 Big Pilot’s Watch Big Date “150 Years”

100 pieces, stainless steel case, blue lacquered dial.

IW510504 Big Pilot’s Watch Big Date “150 Years”

100 pieces, stainless steel case, white lacquered dial.

IW377725 Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition “150 Years”

1000 pieces, stainless steel case, white lacquered dial.

Total number of pieces: 17605.

Introduced TODAY, the Omega Speedmaster Grey Side of the Moon ‘PCA’ is a limited edition of only 99 pieces created for members of the Porsche Club of America.

Notwithstanding the small number of units produced, Omega went all-out for the Porsche Club of America and this limited edition. It’s based on the Grey Side of the Moon platform, but everything save for the mid-case seems to have been either altered or completely new.

Taking cues from ceramic disc brakes and their yellow calipers found on high-performance Porsche cars, it’s all grey and yellow. The bezel features the word Tachymeter in yellow; the hour, minute and seconds hand as well as the tip of the seconds counter are yellow too. On the [titanium!] dial the Speedmaster signature and five minute markers are done in the same bright color. To finish off the look, the #SpeedyPCA is fitted with a driver style grey calfskin strap with yellow stitching and a yellow rubber backside.

The Omega Speedmaster Grey Side of the Moon Porsche Club of America is only available through the PCATime shop.

Find more details including price in our database.

Currently, the WatchBase database spans some over 15.000 watches, 2120 movements, almost 150 brands, and a little over 550 families. New watches are uploaded on a daily basis, and existing entries are enriched and refined at an equal pace.

All this watch data is available through our DataFeed API, in either XML or JSON format, to be used for your website, online watch store, auction site, watch collecting app, etc…

NEW: as of today, you can try our Datafeed API free for 30 days, with $5 worth of data credits.

Pricing for the API is as follows:

• US $50,- per month subscription fee for usage of the API
• US $0.25 for each call to the Watch API call (for retrieving full watch details)
• US $0.05 for each call to the Search API call
• US $0.01 for all other API calls

Do you run a watch related site, shop or app and need detailed watch information?
Then sign up for our free Datafeed trial here.

One my favorite BaselWorld 2017 releases is the Longines Avigation Big Eye L2.816.4.53.2 – a column-wheel operated chronograph inspired by a 1971 watch from the Longines archives.

The Longines Avigation Big Eye has received very little attention yet – I think it was not shown to press but only presented to retailers during their sales meetings. But I’m positive this will change soon once it’s properly introduced, as Longines got it right with this one. Like, VERY right.

The Avigation Big Eye is inspired by a 1971 military / pilot’s watch from the Longines archives. The brushed stainless steel case measures a reasonable 41mm across and features oversized pushers and a historically correct closed caseback. The black dial is instrumental, with the larger 30-minute counter adding a touch of style – again inspired by the 1971 original. Inside is ticking the L688.2 movement, which is a self-winding, column-wheel operated chronograph. It is listed in our database as having a date, yet this function is thankfully omitted for this watch.

More info, including the price, in our database.

The ‘1957 Trilogy’ is not the only anniversary Omega has planned for 2017, as the DeVille, one of the brand’s most popular collections, is celebrating its 50th anniversary. Omega created three watches to celebrate.

I’m not sure how I missed this release, but then again I can’t remember having read about them on any of the big blogs. So while everybody’s getting all excited for the 60th anniversary of the 1957 Trilogy (Seamaster, Railmaster, Speedmaster), it appears that Omega’s poor little De Ville is actually celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. To celebrate, Omega has created three special editions sporting enamel dials and a special case back depicting the Greek god Chronos and a text commemorating the occasion of the release. They’re powered by caliber 2500.

You’ll find these in our ‘Base at;

De Ville Prestige Co-Axial 39.5 Yellow Gold / 50th Anniversary (424.53.40.20.04.005)

De Ville Prestige Co-Axial 39.5 White Gold / 50th Anniversary (424.53.40.20.04.002)

De Ville Prestige Co-Axial 39.5 Red Gold / 50th Anniversary (424.53.40.20.04.004)

The result of the 2016 Autavia Cup, the Autavia Heuer 02 is set to become one of TAG Heuer’s hottest releases for 2017. It is now uploaded to our database with leather strap as well as on the bracelet – including prices in EURO.

In 2016 TAG Heuer organized the ‘Autavia Cup’, allowing fans of the brand to vote for their favorite source of inspiration for a reissue through a number of elimination rounds. The winner, announced in April of 2018, was a reference 2446 from the late 1960’s often nicknamed ‘Jochen Rindt’, featuring an inverted panda dial with 3 subdials, and a bezel inlay calibrated for 12 hours.

TAG Heuer went straight to work and was able to show a protoype during its November 2016 Collectors Summit, and a final production model during the 2017 SIHH Geneva Watch Week, where I finally had the chance to handle it. And I love it. It’s by no means a perfect replica, but much rather a modern interpretation of a classic whose star is on the rise, with decisively modern dimensions and a state-of-the-art movement.

I just uploaded it, both with the stunning bracelet as well as the leather strap, to our database – including prices in EURO, all sizes, and movement info. Check them out using the links below;

TAG Heuer Autavia Heuer 02 CBE2110.BA0687

TAG Heuer Autavia Heuer 02 CBE2110.FC8226

Pre-BaselWorld 2017: Omega releases the Speedmaster Speedmaster Moonwatch Master Co-Axial 304.32.44.51.01.001 with vintage-inspired ‘Racing’ dial!

In an early BaselWorld 2017 release, Omega just introduced the latest version of its 44.25mm co-axial Speedmaster, featuring a stainless steel case, a ceramic bezel insert with LiquidMetal tachymeter scale, and a bold ‘Racing’ dial inspired by the 1969-1975 Speedmaster Mark II Racing. It is the first Speedmaster to be equipped with caliber 9900, the Master Chronometer-certified version of caliber 9300.  Attached to it is a leather strap with orange rubber mid layer – the latter shining subtly visible through the racing-style perforations.

Compared to the earlier models like the 311.33.44.51.01.001, the profile is said to be slightly slimmer due to a redesign of the sapphire crystals. The size of the sub-dials is increased, enhancing readability – and perhaps even offering a more balanced look.

Check out more details of the Omega Speedmaster Speedmaster Moonwatch Master Co-Axial Stainless Steel Racing 304.32.44.51.01.001 in our database. I’ll update with pricing info as soon as possible.

Stay tuned for more BaselWorld 2017 news!

2017 marks the 60th anniversary of one of my favorite watches: the Omega Speedmaster – and its Railmaster & Seamaster siblings. After yesterday’s release of the wonderful #SpeedyTuesday limited edition, this now has me wondering what’s left in store for BaselWorld…

For now, I’ve gathered the following info;

Omega Speedmaster Professional 60th Anniversary 31110393001001 will be a limited edition of 1957 pieces. The case is stainless steel. It is powered by caliber 1861. It comes with a bracelet, brown strap, and grey NATO strap.

Omega Speedmaster Professional 60th Anniversary 31110393001002 will be a limited edition of 180 pieces. The case is stainless steel. It is powered by caliber 1861. It comes with a bracelet, brown strap, and grey NATO strap. The difference with the -001 I’m sure will present itself in time.

Additionally, there will be the Omega Speedmaster Professional ‘Loyalty’ 31130423001008. Both case and bracelet are stainless steel; it is powered by caliber 1863. It looks pretty standard from the front – I guess we’ll see what the ‘Loyalty’ bit will come to mean?

I’m sorry – this is it. No pictures, nothing. Keep an eye to our database as I will upload more info as soon as possible.