HAUTE OFF THE PRESS

Baselworld wouldn’t be complete without these magnificent complications.

All things considered, this is not the best year for Baselworld. The world’s largest watch and jewellery show has reduced in number of days from nine to six as it faced an exhibitors’ exodus, where more than 200 brands had reportedly exited the show due to high costs and decreased footfall. This came at a time when the Swiss watch industry was still trying to pull itself out of the financial crisis wrought by shrinking market demand and unstable global economies. For that, the majority of the Swiss watch brands have responded with conservative stances, eschewing high-risk novelties in favour of tried-and-tested classics.

Yet there wasn’t a complete dearth of excitement. Bright sparks and breathtaking feats continued at some of the most venerated houses such as Patek Philippe, Breguet, Jaquet Droz, Bulgari, Zenith and Chopard. Whether it’s the evolution of a time-honoured classic, or the complete reinvention of a traditional high complication, or the awesome preservation of an age-old handcraft, these manufactures are the torchbearers of 2018, keeping the entire industry and end consumers inspired with their unrelenting commitment to fine watchmaking.

Interestingly, what drew most people to the Patek Philippe Ref 5270P-001 Grand Complication wasn’t its in-house manufactured chronograph with perpetual calendar movement. Neither was it the presence of a diamond at six o’clock on the case band which symbolises a case made of precious platinum – and we all know how wildly popular all platinum Patek Philippes are.

No, it wasn’t either of those but rather the salmon pink opaline dial that reminds connoisseurs instantaneously of the salmon pink dial Patek Philippe Ref 5970 Grand Complication that was at one time owned by singer Eric Clapton. In fact, to say that this beautiful dial which is paired with equally gorgeous blackened gold applied numerals and leaf-shaped hands drew people was quite an understatement; it literally stopped them in their tracks. Scores of visitors who strolled past the Patek Philippe booth did a double take when they laid eyes on this flawlessly elegant grand complication model.

Salmon pink dial Patek Philippes are exceedingly rare and