The Blue Dials of Baselworld
If there is one place to scope out new trends in watches, it is Baselworld! Sometimes you see a specific complication emerge with different brands at the same time. At other times cases or movement designs seem to follow a similar trend. This year there were surprisingly many watches with a blue dial!
Blue seems to be the new black, as a while ago many brands featured black ton-sur-ton watches. While those could sometimes be challenging to tell time, many of the new blue dialed watches don’t share that problem.
Chopard introduced a blue dialed version of their LUC Lunar One. This watch combines a perpetual calendar with a chronograph, powered by one of Chopard’s manufacture movements. The case is made from platinum, and there is a long-standing tradition in the Swiss watch industry to fit platinum watches with either a blue dial or a blue strap. This Chopard has both!
Chopard wasn’t the only one that felt that their perpetual calendar could use a touch of blue. Also, Hermès introduced a blue dialed version of their Slim d’Hermès Quantième Perpétuel. This integrated the moon phase indicator in an even more subtle way than before. Just like the LUC Lunar One, does also this Hermès feature a platinum case.
Patek Philippe introduced several watches with a blue dial, but it was the new Aquanaut that especially grabbed my attention. Made for the 20th birthday of the model, it now features a white gold case in a new 42mm “Jumbo” size case. Combine this with a stunning dial that goes from ocean blue in the center to deep dark blue at the edges, as well as a matching blue strap, and you know that we have a winner at our hands, or rather on our wrist.
Rolex has done blue dials since decades. They always have this velvet look to them which gives them a very regal look. It is therefore not surprising that one of the most talked about watches at Baselworld was the new Sky-Dweller in steel, with exactly that color dial. Not only did it bring this unique complication in reach of more enthusiasts, but it also made it look exceptionally good while doing so!
Of course, do a blue dial, and an Omega Seamaster go together like fish and water, but for their latest Seamaster GMT, the brand even went a step further. Named Seamaster Planet Ocean “Big Blue,” it features a blue ceramic case, which is particular striking with the orange details that Omega incorporated in the design of this watch. Its credentials run more than skin deep, as the “Big Blue” is powered by Omega Master Chronometer caliber 8906.
