5 Top Wrist Watch Trends From Baselworld 2019

The biggest Baselworld Watch Trends Seen in 2019.

1. Vintage Inspired

Retro-styled Bulova

With so many brands taking a closer look at their roots and rich heritage for inspiration, the trend toward retro- and vintage-inspired watches has grown by leaps and bounds.

This year, not only are we witnessing the advent of watches inspired by the 1930’s, 40’s, 50’s, 60’s and even 70’s, but also we are finding re-editions of watches that are exact replicas except for the movement inside.

This re-interpretation and re-edition phase generates a host of big, bold pilot watches with highly legible dials, classically elegant watches with case shapes such as tonneau and rectangular and more. It also results in a new generation of watches that is somewhat smaller in case sizes as the brands emulate the past.

The vintage-inspired watches are often scaled thinner and smaller, with 45mm refining to 42mm, 42mm shrinking to 40mm, 40mm to 39mm, and so on down the line. Slimmer cases also emerge, and the race for the ultra-thin watch continues.

Cuervo y Sobrinos

Other vintage design elements include retro-inspired typeface fonts for numerals and logos, old-is-new dial colors such as parchment, silver, salmon, cocoa and lacquered white, sometimes with beige Super-LumiNova coatings, especially on sportier looks.

Retro Green Zenith Pilot Watch

2. 3D Innovation

Jacob & Co 3D Sapphire-Cased Astronomia

Easily the opposite of vintage-inspired is the trend toward three-dimensional almost space-age-looking watches.

Today’s independent watch brands – not governed by the red tape of large conglomerates and groups – are able to act on their creative ideas and are more willing to not take “no” for an answer when it comes to innovation.

3-D Cyrus Vertical Tourbillon

Don’t get me wrong, there are some large companies also offering invention and dimension – just not as dramatically as the independents.

Much of this new direction stems from the simple fact that today’s micro-technology. Furthermore, incredibly precise CNC and other cutting machines have made it possible to do things watchmakers could only dream about in the past.

Essentially, the move toward three-dimensional timepieces results in bold half-sphere domed sapphire crystals or entire sapphire cases that are completely see-through.

Hublot Sapphire Case

These larger, more open-worked cases are the result of the vertical architecture of the movement in most cases and of the multi-level and often skeletonized movements that showcase the art of the technology inside.

This think-outside-of-the-box concept brings us such innovative horological works of art as multi-axis tourbillons, gyro-tourbillons, watches with jaquemarts and automatons that move, and so much more.

If you’re unfamiliar with tourbillons, refer to our dedicated tourbillon guide, which will explain their history, what they do and how they work.

3. Infusion Of Color

Every year we witness color leaders in the watch world, where certain hues steal the limelight. Over the past few years, blue has been the all-out lead, with dial colors ranging from pale sky blue to azure, laps, aventurine and midnight blue – often with color-coordinated straps.

While blue is still a clear leader, this year green is the new blue. Green dials and strap emerge in tones from muted moss gray/green to statement-making khaki and army green to rich forest green and more.

Colorful Vintage Inspired Grand Seiko

Following green, red has become a second runner-up for attention this year. Men’s red watches run the gamut from racing red to rich burgundies and deep maroon.

Tutima Saxon One Chronograph

In classic and every day watches, gray and anthracite hues are important this year, and even chocolate browns. For sport watches, we are witnessing an infusion of bright yellow and even bright orange.

4. Useful Functions

Graff Gyrograff Tourbillon

Without abandoning the creation of high-complications, many watch brands are also answering the call by today’s consumers for more useful functions in a watch. Thanks to the fast-paced lives we lead, having a watch with multiple time zones on it, or a GMT or world timer offers a great advantage.

Similarly, calendar watches that show the day and date are becoming more prevalent. In fact, in addition to simple calendar watches that offer day/date and sometimes a little more, perpetual calendars watches that offer day, date, month, moonphase, leap year and more are also in high demand.

Chronoswiss

Alarm watches that can remind us of meetings, medication times and more are also incredible useful. A handful of brands this year unveiled the complex alarm watch- offering timepieces with distinctive alarms and higher decibels.

Additionally, the chronograph – which acts as a stopwatch – is a useful function for those who live a sportier lifestyle and engage in running, swimming laps and more.

Breitling

5. High-Tech Materials

Zenith Defy Inventor

Another important focus this year is on the use of new materials. To achieve offer something nobody else has yet on the market for a watchcase – many brands are vying for attention.

They are turning to realms outside of the watch industry – such as aviation and automobile racing fields – to find different and unusual materials that they can lay claim to as a first in the watch industry.

Rolex GMT Master II With Meteorite Dial

From Carbon Thin Ply to Aeronith, boldly colored ceramics and a host of other materials the watch industry has never heard of, new alloys are coming into play in a very big way. Some brands are even investing heavily in their own R&D to develop materials unique to them.

Of course it is not a race just to be first. It is a race to offer materials that have a real reason for being: materials render a watch much lighter in weight, or much more resistant to scratching, etc.

Further Reading

Now that you have read about the latest trends of Baselworld 2019, check out some more of our watch resources:

• Bespoke Unit’s Other Watch Reviews
• Watch Brand & History Guides
• What Is A Watch Tourbillon?
• Different Bezel Scales & How To Use Them
• Watches Homepage