High-octane and high-precision sport watches at Baselworld 2018
  

Precision and performance, second after second: these ideals define both motorsport and time measurement. Like the automobile, the wristwatch is a characteristic product of the 20th century and simultaneously also a machine that has consistently spurred engineers and technicians to strive for ever-greater achievements. Furthermore, cars and watches both spark emotions more strongly than perhaps any other genre of product. It’s not surprising that the fascination of high performance and unique aesthetics has repeatedly inspired creative watchmakers to devise cutting-edge technological solutions. Here is a collection of functional and superbly engineered automotive-inspired sport watches that crossed the finish line at Baselworld 2018.


Rolex
 

Created in 1963, the Cosmograph Daytona has established an extraordinary track record in the world of motorsport, rising to the rank of an icon. In lieu of the emblematic tachymeter scale, the bezel on this new 18 karat Everose gold version is set with a gradation of sapphires in rainbow hues. The case is adorned with 56 brilliant-cut diamonds set into the lugs and crown guard, and the dial features eleven baguette-cut sapphire hour markers, each of which matches the colour of the corresponding point on the bezel. The Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona is equipped with Calibre 4130, a self-winding mechanical chronograph movement entirely developed and manufactured by Rolex.


Chopard
 

Thirty years of passion for “la corsa la più bella del mondo”: Chopard appropriately celebrated this landmark anniversary by launching a COSC-certified limited edition of the Mille Miglia 2018 Race Edition. In the most beautiful vintage manner, the tap-ground dial is patterned after the finishing on dashboards. The dial hosts the red Mille Miglia logo, a date display at “4 o’clock,” and counters inspired by dashboard instruments. To match the 1,000 miles of the rally for classic motorcars, exactly 1,000 specimens of this watch are built with stainless steel cases. The version with a stainless steel and rosé gold case is limited to 100 timepieces. The phrase “Chopard & Mille Miglia 30 anni di passione” is printed on the sapphire crystal in the back of each variant.


Hublot
 

Famous for developing and introducing its own innovative materials, the Swiss luxury brand premiered the Big Bang MP-11 in 2018 with an unprecedented case made of 3D carbon, which offers spectacular views of equally spectacular mechanisms. This extremely lightweight material is reinforced with three-dimensional resin and appears here in a new form inspired by a motor. Skeletonised hand-wound Calibre HUB9011 is equipped with seven serially arranged barrels that collaborate to amass a two-week power reserve, the current status of which is shown on a corresponding indicator. The Big Bang MP-11 is an impressive 45 mm in diameter and a stately 14.4 mm in height.
  

TAG Heuer
 

The 39- x 39-mm size, the crown on the left side, the legendary petroleum blue dial with two white counters, the date window at “6 o’clock”, the diamond-polished horizontal hour indices, the inscribed vintage Heuer logo and the Calibre 11 automatic chronograph: the Monaco Calibre 11 Gulf Special Edition is an authentic descendant of the famous square chronograph first introduced in 1969 and worn by Steve McQueen in the movie “Le Mans”. As a reminder of its origins and sporting pedigree, the light blue and orange stripes of Gulf’s renowned racing colours have been added to the dial. The Gulf logo also appears at “6 o’clock”.


Porsche Design
 

As official timing partner of the Porsche Motorsport GT team, Porsche Design presented a new variant of the innovative Monobloc Actuator in a limited series of 251 watches. The Monobloc Actuator Chronotimer Flyback Limited Edition is a manufacture chronograph that visually and technically reflects its maker’s profound affiliation with motorsport. Like a high-performance automobile engine, this watch’s mechanism is controlled by a multiply borne rocker switch that’s integrated into the case and replaces the usual push-piece. The matte-black carbon dial references the colour scheme of the Porsche 911 RSR: black, red, grey and white. Furthermore, the function indicator at “9 o’clock” alludes to the red-and-white colours of the Porsche GT Works team. Porsche Design’s own chronometer-certified Calibre Werk 01.200 serves as the high-tech motor inside the 45.5-mm titanium case.
 

Oris

The new Oris TT1 Engine Date has been redesigned to be slimmer and bolder. The watch that celebrates the power of Formula 1 and the achievements of the Williams Formula 1 Team features a partly skeletonised dial revealing a section of the underlying anthracite-coloured movement (Oris Cal. 733, based on Sellita SW 200-1). The fluted grooves on the crown perfectly match the outer ring on the dial. The stainless-steel case, which measures 42 mm in diameter, is water-resistant down to 100 metres.

Edox

This Swiss boutique watchmaker’s timepieces have long been in the thick of motorsport action: from the classic races of the 1960s and 1970s, through the World Rally Championship, to extreme endurance events such as the Dakar Rally and Formula 1. The striking new Chronorally-S automatic chronograph is geared not solely for motorsport fans, but also for lovers of great sport watches in general. Housed inside a tough stainless steel 316L case, it is powered by automatic Edox Calibre 08, a self-winding chronograph movement. The whiteon-blue dial ensures supreme legibility and features an outer tachymeter scale to measure average speeds.
 

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