2018 basel review
OMEGA
SEAMASTER DIVER 300M
TITANIUM TANTALUM LIMITED EDITION
In a tribute to the 1993 tantalum Seamaster release Omega adds this
42mm model with tantalum, limited to 2,500 pieces. New here are the
conical helium escape valve, wave-edged caseback and the integrated
bracelet. Also in this version, tantalum has been used for the base of the
Sedna gold bezel, as well as in the middle links of the bracelet. Inside is
Omega’s automatic Master Chronometer movement 8806, certified anti-
magnetic by the Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology. Price: $13,000.
RADO
HYPERCHROME CHRONOGRAPH AUTOMATIC
This 45mm debut contrasts bronze and high-tech ceramic construction
in a limited edition of 999 pieces. You’ll find bronze side inserts, an
engraved and polished black ceramic case back and a bronze crown and
pushers. The result is a nicely balanced layout with a clearly brushed
dial. The lightweight ceramic case won’t scratch and will always look
new while the bronze accents will age, personalizing the watch with
patina over time. Sure, I’d like to see a upgraded chronograph here
rather than the just-fine ETA 2894-2, but the watch does arrive on
sharp-looking vintage-like brown leather strap. Price: $4,950.
TAG HEUER
CALIBER HEUER 02 GMT
TAG Heuer has added a GMT function to its Calibre Heuer 02
manufacture movement in this 2018 debut. This marks the first time that
TAG Heuer has added this complication to this movement. Read the
second time zone using the lacquered red hand and the black and blue
ceramic bezel, which has a 24-hour GMT scale. The GMT hand has been
placed between the hour and minute hands, which means it will pass
over the indexes and skim the GMT scale.
ROLEX
GMT- MASTER I I
Rolex adds three new versions of the 40mm GMT-Master II, all with a black
lacquer dial and a brand new movement (the new-generation caliber 3285).
The first new version, in steel, combines an Oyster case and Jubilee
bracelet with a bidirectional rotatable bezel and a 24-hour graduated
two-color ceramic (Cerachrom) insert in red and blue ceramic (reviving the
so-called Pepsi design). Two additional models include one with 18-karat
Everose gold case and bracelet and brown and black ceramic bezel (known
as the root beer design) and the other (pictured) with the same bezel plus
a two-tone bracelet. Prices start at about $9,250.
78 | INTERNATIONAL WATCH | SUMMER 2018