The best of Baselworld: iconic watches through the ages | CNN

CNN values your feedback

1. How relevant is this ad to you?
2. Did you encounter any technical issues?
Thank You!
Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much appreciated.
Close
Ad Feedback
Arts
Design
Fashion
Architecture
Luxury
Beauty
Video
More
Arts Design Fashion Architecture Luxury Beauty Video
Watch Listen Live TV
My Account
  • Settings
  • Newsletters
  • Topics you follow
  • Sign out
Your CNN account Sign in to your CNN account

My Account
  • Settings
  • Newsletters
  • Topics you follow
  • Sign out
Your CNN account Sign in to your CNN account

Live TV Listen Watch
Edition
US
International
Arabic
Español
Edition
  • US
  • International
  • Arabic
  • Español

Arts
Design
Fashion
Architecture
Luxury
Beauty
Video

Follow CNN Style
Download the CNN App

  • World
    • Africa
    • Americas
    • Asia
    • Australia
    • China
    • Europe
    • India
    • Middle East
    • United Kingdom
  • US Politics
    • Elections 2026
    • Trump
    • Facts First
    • CNN Polls
    • Redistricting Tracker
    • Epstein Files
  • Business
    • Tech
    • Media
    • Calculators
    • Videos
  • Markets
    • Pre-markets
    • After-Hours
    • Fear & Greed
    • Investing
    • Markets Now
    • Nightcap
  • Health
    • Life, But Better
    • Fitness
    • Food
    • Sleep
    • Mindfulness
    • Relationships
  • Entertainment
    • Movies
    • Television
    • Celebrity
  • Tech
    • Innovate
  • Style
    • Arts
    • Design
    • Fashion
    • Architecture
    • Luxury
    • Beauty
    • Video
  • Travel
    • Destinations
    • Food & Drink
    • Stay
    • News
    • Videos
  • Sports
    • Football
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • Motorsport
    • US Sports
    • Olympics
  • Science
    • Space
    • Life
    • Unearthed
  • Climate
    • Solutions
    • Weather
  • Weather
    • Video
    • Climate
  • World Cup 2026
  • Ukraine-Russia War
  • Israel-Hamas War
  • Features
    • As Equals
    • Call to Earth
    • Freedom Project
    • Impact Your World
    • Inside Africa
    • CNN Heroes
  • Watch
    • Live TV
    • Featured
    • CNN Fast
    • Shows A-Z
    • CNN 10
    • CNN TV Schedule
  • Listen
    • All There Is with Anderson Cooper
    • Chasing Life with Dr. Sanjay Gupta
    • The Assignment with Audie Cornish
    • Terms of Service with Clare Duffy
    • CNN 5 Things
    • All CNN Podcasts
  • Games
    • Daily Crossword
    • Jumble Crossword
    • Photo Shuffle
    • Sudoblock
    • Sudoku
    • 5 Things Quiz
  • About CNN
    • Photos
    • Investigations
    • CNN Profiles
    • CNN Leadership
    • CNN Newsletters
    • Work for CNN

Download the CNN App
Ad Feedback

The best of Baselworld: iconic watches through the ages

by Josh Sims, for CNN
Updated 10:26 AM EST, Wed March 9, 2016
Link Copied!
Omega Seamaster Diver 300m coaxial --Launched in 1957, this is unarguably one of Omega's design icons. The latest model comes with George Daniels' benchmark co-axial escapement.
Watch expert and author of "Icons of Style" Josh Sims, shares his personal selection of the most notable watches at Baselworld over the years. —
Omega Seamaster Diver 300m coaxial --Launched in 1957, this is unarguably one of Omega's design icons. The latest model comes with George Daniels' benchmark co-axial escapement.
courtesy Omega
This young Belgian company's watch breaks all the rules. The first oil-filled mechanical watch, an all glass case and signature orbital discs display. This model, the Type 3, was launched in 2013 -
Ressence Type 3 —
This young Belgian company's watch breaks all the rules. The first oil-filled mechanical watch, an all glass case and signature orbital discs display. This model, the Type 3, was launched in 2013 -
Courtesy Ressence
Large, square and an homage to cockpit instrumentation, with the BR01, young company Bell & Ross struck gold in 2005 with a counter-intuitive watch that became widely copied.
Bell and Ross BR01 —
Large, square and an homage to cockpit instrumentation, with the BR01, young company Bell & Ross struck gold in 2005 with a counter-intuitive watch that became widely copied.
courtesy Bell & Ross
This design classic dates back to 1953. This version in green ushered in a new interest in bolder colour in watch design.
Rolex Submariner Green Bezel —
This design classic dates back to 1953. This version in green ushered in a new interest in bolder colour in watch design.
courtesy Rolex
This 2015 edition, of the only watch to have gone to the moon in 1969 on the Apollo 11, makes an obvious joke into a sophisticated watch.
Omega Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon —
This 2015 edition, of the only watch to have gone to the moon in 1969 on the Apollo 11, makes an obvious joke into a sophisticated watch.
Courtesy Omega
Take two separate watch movements and make them share a regulating organ. The result? A ground-breaking movement for a dual-time display piece, first seen in 2007.
Jaeger-LeCoultre Duometre —
Take two separate watch movements and make them share a regulating organ. The result? A ground-breaking movement for a dual-time display piece, first seen in 2007.
Courtesy Jaeger Le Coultre
Seiko's pioneering spring drive provided 72 hours of reserve power, then 1998's Grand Seiko line reminded everyone that not all Japanese watches are cheap digitals.
Grand Seiko Spring Drive —
Seiko's pioneering spring drive provided 72 hours of reserve power, then 1998's Grand Seiko line reminded everyone that not all Japanese watches are cheap digitals.
Courtesy Seiko
I would choose the signature 1911 piece from a brand that disappeared into the wilderness following the Soviet control of East Germany, only to return triumphant again in recent decades.
Glashutte Senator —
I would choose the signature 1911 piece from a brand that disappeared into the wilderness following the Soviet control of East Germany, only to return triumphant again in recent decades.
Courtesy Glashutte
Often called the most beautiful of pilot's watches, this piece, with its flyback minute totalizer, follows the Type XX, designed for the French airforce in the 1950s.
Breguet Type XXI —
Often called the most beautiful of pilot's watches, this piece, with its flyback minute totalizer, follows the Type XX, designed for the French airforce in the 1950s.
Courtesy Breguet
Introduced in 2001, the model put forward the use of titanium and re-defined the technical extremities of performance. And they called it the Avenger. It doesn't get more macho.
Breitling Chrono Avenger —
Introduced in 2001, the model put forward the use of titanium and re-defined the technical extremities of performance. And they called it the Avenger. It doesn't get more macho.
Courtesy Breitling
Originally produced in 1969, famously worn by Steve McQueen, Tag Heuer kickstarted a trend for re-issues when it brought the blue dial model back from the archives.
Tag Heuer Monaco —
Originally produced in 1969, famously worn by Steve McQueen, Tag Heuer kickstarted a trend for re-issues when it brought the blue dial model back from the archives.
courtesy Tag Heuer
A revolutionary idea in 1995, a quartz watch that never needs a battery. The Eco-drive pioneered the use of solar tech to power a performance timepiece.
Citizen Eco-Drive Satellite Wave F900 —
A revolutionary idea in 1995, a quartz watch that never needs a battery. The Eco-drive pioneered the use of solar tech to power a performance timepiece.
Courtesy Citizen
The watch that, in 2012, relaunched Tudor as arguably the coolest watch company bar none. Often cited as the best investment piece around at the moment.
Tudor Black Bay —
The watch that, in 2012, relaunched Tudor as arguably the coolest watch company bar none. Often cited as the best investment piece around at the moment.
Courtesy Tudor
Think smart watches are new? Tissot introduced the first watch with a touch sensitive dial in 1999.
Tissot T Touch Classic —
Think smart watches are new? Tissot introduced the first watch with a touch sensitive dial in 1999.
Courtesy Tissot
Introduced in 1969, the El Primero mechanical movement was the first to measure time to 1/10th of a second and became a watchmaking legend in its own right.
Zenith El Primero chronograph —
Introduced in 1969, the El Primero mechanical movement was the first to measure time to 1/10th of a second and became a watchmaking legend in its own right.
Courtesy Zenith
Casio famously tested this digital - first launched in 1983 -by throwing it from the top story of its Japanese HQ. Probably the toughest watch ever made.
Casio G-Shock —
Casio famously tested this digital - first launched in 1983 -by throwing it from the top story of its Japanese HQ. Probably the toughest watch ever made.
The 1985 3919 model may be the most popular, but the Patek Philippe Calatrava dates back to 1932.
Patek Philippe Calatrava —
The 1985 3919 model may be the most popular, but the Patek Philippe Calatrava dates back to 1932.
Courtesy Patek Philippe
Introduced in 2015, this was the first watch to employ a graphic designer outside of the watch industry to devise the numerals.
Hermes Slim d'Hermes —
Introduced in 2015, this was the first watch to employ a graphic designer outside of the watch industry to devise the numerals.
Courtesy Hermes
The most basic of all watches - utmost clarity and a simple quartz movement - yet totally ground-breaking. Having originally launched in 1983, Swatch has become more of a culture than a timepiece.
Swatch, 'Black and white' —
The most basic of all watches - utmost clarity and a simple quartz movement - yet totally ground-breaking. Having originally launched in 1983, Swatch has become more of a culture than a timepiece.
Courtesy Swatch

My Account
  • Settings
  • Newsletters
  • Topics you follow
  • Sign out
Your CNN account Sign in to your CNN account

Live TV Listen Watch
  • World
    • Africa
    • Americas
    • Asia
    • Australia
    • China
    • Europe
    • India
    • Middle East
    • United Kingdom
  • US Politics
    • Trump
    • Facts First
    • CNN Polls
    • Elections 2026
    • Redistricting Tracker
    • Epstein Files
  • Business
    • Tech
    • Media
    • Calculators
    • Videos
  • Markets
    • Pre-markets
    • After-Hours
    • Fear & Greed
    • Investing
    • Markets Now
    • Nightcap
  • Health
    • Life, But Better
    • Fitness
    • Food
    • Sleep
    • Mindfulness
    • Relationships
  • Entertainment
    • Movies
    • Television
    • Celebrity
  • Tech
    • Innovate
  • Style
    • Arts
    • Design
    • Fashion
    • Architecture
    • Luxury
    • Beauty
    • Video
  • Travel
    • Destinations
    • Food & Drink
    • Stay
    • News
    • Videos
  • Sports
    • Football
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • Motorsport
    • US Sports
    • Olympics
  • Science
    • Space
    • Life
    • Unearthed
  • Climate
    • Solutions
    • Weather
  • Weather
    • Video
    • Climate
  • World Cup 2026
  • Ukraine-Russia War
  • Israel-Hamas War
  • Features
    • As Equals
    • Call to Earth
    • Freedom Project
    • Impact Your World
    • Inside Africa
    • CNN Heroes
  • Watch
    • Live TV
    • Featured
    • CNN Headlines
    • Shows A-Z
    • CNN 10
    • CNN TV Schedule
  • Listen
    • All There Is with Anderson Cooper
    • Chasing Life with Dr. Sanjay Gupta
    • The Assignment with Audie Cornish
    • Terms of Service with Clare Duffy
    • CNN 5 Things
    • All CNN Podcasts
  • Games
    • Daily Crossword
    • Jumble Crossword
    • Photo Shuffle
    • Sudoblock
    • Sudoku
    • 5 Things Quiz
  • About CNN
    • Photos
    • Investigations
    • CNN Profiles
    • CNN Leadership
    • CNN Newsletters
    • Work for CNN

Watch Listen Live TV
My Account
  • Settings
  • Newsletters
  • Topics you follow
  • Sign out
Your CNN account Sign in to your CNN account
Follow CNN Style

Download the CNN app
Download the CNN app

Terms of Use Privacy Policy Ad Choices Accessibility & CC About Newsletters Transcripts

© 2026 Cable News Network. A Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All Rights Reserved.
CNN Sans ™ & © 2016 Cable News Network.

Download the CNN app

Scan the QR code to download the CNN app on Google Play.

Scan the QR code to download the CNN app from Google Play.

Download the CNN app

Scan the QR code to download the CNN app from the Apple Store.

Scan the QR code to download the CNN app from the Apple Store.