Absolutely dazzling Chopard Imperiale Joaillerie

Give Me Five! Righteous Rainbows From Kari Voutilainen, De Grisogono, Chopard, Ulysse Nardin, And Fabergé At Baselworld 2016

The prevailing financial atmosphere may be pointing toward Spartan classicism in some areas of life, but fortunately for us the worlds of art and beauty – which include haute horlogerie – still express joyful color. Enjoy the bursts of vivid hue in these five time-telling rainbows we found at Baselworld 2016 from Kari Voutilainen, de Grisogono, Chopard, Ulysse Nardin, and Fabergé.

Korona K3 Northern Stars Black Enamel from Stepan Sarpaneva

Objects Of Desire: Independent Watches At Baselworld 2016

It is with a bit of trepidation that I turn my attention to independent watches from Baselworld 2016 that are now on my “desire” list; we’ll see whether any of these watches from Sarpaneva, Grönefeld, Voutilainen, Akriva or even Renaud & Papi make it onto my wrist as a result! In the meantime, enjoy these gorgeous timepieces.

RM 011 Felipe Massa on the wrist of Richard Mille ambassador and world rally champion Sébastien Ogier

A Richard Mille Boutique In Germany? Yes, And It’s About Time

I recently went to a boutique opening thrown by Richard Mille in Munich. Sounds like fun, but think about it for a minute: who opens a standalone boutique in a country filled with really, really traditionally minded collectors – in this financial atmosphere? And, there was a surprise in store, in this case it was a new ambassador. Meet world rally champion Sébastien Ogier.

Piaget Emperador Coussin XL 700P

Piaget Emperador Coussin XL 700P: Hybrid Performance, Piaget Perfection

Hybrids in the watch world are rare, but in general perform the same way as hybrid automobiles, with chronometric performance improved significantly thanks to the quartz. For many it was a bit unexpected for Piaget, the “king of ultra-thin watches,” to introduce the Emperador Coussin XL 700P in 2016, but it did not emerge from thin air; it is the latest in a 40-year legacy of quartz innovation.

Belier Reverse by Kim Djapri

Clockwise, Sunwise, & Reverse: Introducing The Bélier Reverse By Kim Djapri

Kim Djapri, a watchmaker with Lang & Heyne and boutique manager at Tempus Arte in Dresden, exhibited at the A.H.C.I.’s Baselworld 2016 booth a micro-brand and a timepiece all his own. His new brand Bélier is the banner under which his new watch, christened Reverse, has been built. This watch is perfect allegory for reflection in a timepiece.

What looks like a De Bethune inspired dial of the Styljoux Le Calibre pen with the blue hand indicating the center of balance

The Styljoux Le Calibre Pen With Watch Technology And A Real Dial

Styljoux unveiled another twist on writing instruments with the new Le Calibre collection, whose sleek look belies what’s going on inside the barrel. The limited-edition pens with sapphire crystal barrels incorporate a weight adjustment mechanism that engages by simply twisting the ring on top of the barrel and effectively changing the center of gravity to the taste of the pen user. Wow!

Photo Caption Competition No. 18: Boat In Snow

Again, if every picture tells a story, this one is likely to be interesting. It was taken on the shores of the solidly frozen Torneträsk (Lake Träsk). What fun, funny, or sarcastic caption can you suggest for this image? Let us know in the comments.

Urwerk UR-105 Dark Knight (left) and black Cabestan Winch on the wrist

17-Year-Old Watch Collector Already Has Incredibly Serious Timepiece Collection Including Urwerk and MB&F

André Kusni is only 17 years old, yet the teenager already owns several horological masterpieces and plans on collecting many more. Kusni first came in contact with fine watches when his grandmother gifted him a Rolex Submariner Deepsea Sea-Dweller. Since then, the fortunate teenager lives his passion, now mostly attracted to rather rare watches made by independent boutique brands.

This Rolex Cosmograph Daytona Musketeer Paul Newman Ref. 6264 is Lot 44 at the Phillips Start-Stop-Reset auction of stainless steel chronographs

Phillips’ Start-Stop-Reset Auction: 14 Epic Wristshots Of Stainless Steel Chronographs

Watches from the upcoming Phillips Start-Stop-Reset auction of 88 stainless steel chronographs made a stop in the auction house’s London Mayfair location for several days, which gave me the opportunity to view them in the metal and even try some on. The auction, due to take place at La Reserve in Geneva on May 14, 2016, is sure to be a spectacular event not only for the picturesque location, but for the amazing timepieces for sale.

Hermès Arceau Tigre

Roaring Into Life At Full Gallop: Hermès Arceau Tigre Email Ombrant

Hermès has set the bar extremely high with the exquisite artistry in the enamel work of Arceau Tigre Email Ombrant, whose name refers to a new enamel-and-engraving approach inspired by an old lithographic technique used in the Limoges region of France.