Carol Besler

Carol Besler has written about watches for more than 20 years. From 1990 to 2005 she was editor and publisher of Canadian Jeweller magazine, while contributing regularly to several other publications, including International Watch, Robb Report, Patek Philippe Magazine, Financial Post and Worth. From 2006 to 2009 she was editor of the ladies edition of International Watch and remains a regular contributor to International Watch, Journal Haute Horlogerie, Haute Living, Watch Journal, Robb Report, Fashion Magazine, The New York Times (Watch Your Time), Sharp For Men, The Book For Men, Nuvo, Experience (for Bombardier) and the custom magazines about watches and jewelry published by Tufts Communications.

More About Carol Besler

POSTS BY Carol Besler

Throwback Thursday: Girard-Perregaux Makes History With Tri-Bridge Tourbillon

By Carol Besler

Tagged: , , , ,

Throwback Thursday: Girard-Perregaux Makes History With Tri-Bridge Tourbillon

Girard-Perregaux founder Constant Girard (who married Marie Perregaux, the daughter and sister of well-known chronometer makers) devoted many years to designing and redesigning various escapement systems. He was particularly obsessed with the tourbillon. The fruit of this labor was a new invention: a tourbillon with three arrow-shaped parallel bridges holding the movement in place, making it possible to align the barrel, wheel train and tourbillon cage all on the same axis. Why did he do it ? He thought it looked cool; and thus, the tourbillon became an aesthetic rather than just a functional element of the watch movement. Girard patented READ MORE

Jaquet Decorates Dials Like No Other

By Carol Besler

Tagged: , , , ,

Jaquet Decorates Dials Like No Other

Jaquet Droz has built a reputation for its exquisitely finished dials, and those dials were on full display at Baselworld this year. As a Swatch Group brand – the largest maker of movements in Switzerland – Jaquet Droz has also introduced its share of complicated timepieces, but it is the display of those functions and overall dial decor that really sets Jaquet apart. The Eclipse Perpetual Calendar, for example, has a wonderfully unusual moonphase display. Against a black or ivory grand feu enamel dial, an 18k gold moon face is gradually eclipsed by an ivory or onyx-colored disc that is READ MORE

Bulgari Sets the Scene with Theatrical Dials and High Complications

By Carol Besler

Tagged: , , ,

Bulgari Sets the Scene with Theatrical Dials and High Complications

Bulgari not only had one of the most spectacular stands at Baselworld, but also some of the most impressive introductions. On the high watchmaking side, the brand resumes its fascination with repeater watches, introducing the Commedia Dell’Arte, a tribute to the traditional theatre of 16th century Italy that uses masked characters. The three most iconic of these characters, Brighella, Pulcinella and Harlequin are depicted on the dial as jaquemarts, where they come alive when the cathedral gong is activated. The movement is based on a Christophe Claret caliber, with a striking mechanism developed by Bulgari that uses two gongs wrapped READ MORE

Throwback Thursday: 50 years of the TAG Heuer Carrera

By Carol Besler

Tagged: , , ,

Throwback Thursday: 50 years of the TAG Heuer Carrera

Authenticity – the ability to claim a heritage in one area of specialty – is the secret weapon of today’s top watch brands. For TAG Heuer, the substance behind its position as a leading brand lies in its heritage as a sports watch company. This year, it celebrates 50 years of the TAG Carrera, the first sports chronograph designed specifically for professional drivers. In the 1960s and ’70s, Jack Heuer, grandson of the founder and now honorary chairman, decided to reinvigorate the brand by developing precision sport timers. In 1963, he created the Carrera, naming it after the Carrera Pan READ MORE

Omega Embraces New Materials, Saves the Planet

By Carol Besler

Tagged: , , , , ,

Omega Embraces New Materials, Saves the Planet

Omega’s lineup of new watches at Baselworld reflects the brand’s dedication both to technical innovation and environmental awareness. Technically, the brand displayed its new anti-magnetic Seamaster Aqua Terra 15,000 Gauss, which was given a soft launch in the fall. The watch, with the Co-Axial caliber 8508, takes magnetic resistance to levels far beyond those previously achieved by any other movement. Developed by Swatch in partnership with Nivarox, it doesn’t rely on a protective container inside the case, as most anti-magnetic watches do, but on the use of non-ferrous materials in the movement itself. This is crucial, as normally an inner READ MORE

Breitling Saves Lives

By Carol Besler

Tagged: , , , , , , ,

Breitling Saves Lives

Among Breitling’s introductions at this year’s Baselworld is the Emergency II, the second in a series of watches that saves lives. The Emergency was first launched in 1995 and is the only watch with an antenna, sending messages through an international satellite alert system to search and rescue stations. So far, the watch has been instrumental in saving at least 20 lives, according to Breitling marketing director Lisa Roman. The Emergency II is an updated version that sends messages on two frequencies (the second, new frequency offering more comprehensive data) rather than one, making it the world’s first wristwatch with READ MORE

Load More
Luxury Watch Trends 2018 - Baselworld SIHH Watch News

Subscribe With Haute Time

×