Every Baselworld is packed full of new releases from a ton of brands. It can be overwhelming to keep up with all the announcements, let alone trying to find your potential next watch that won’t break the bank. That’s why we’ve put together a list of our favorite watches under $6,000 introduced at Baselworld 2019.
TAG Heuer Autavia Isograph
The Style
The TAG Heuer Autavia Isograph is the latest addition to the legendary Autavia collection. With this new 42-mm three-hand watch, TAG Heuer has adjusted their sights from the racetrack to the open skies. Its retro-inspired pilot’s design fits the watch well. Perhaps the most special aspect of this new series is the wide array in materials and colors.
TAG Heuer offers the Autavia Isograph with a steel or bronze case, the latter of which lends a very nice vintage feel. Each timepiece features a bidirectional bezel in steel or polished ceramic. The ceramic bezel and dial are available in your choice of black, brown, blue, or green. Lastly, you have to decide between a leather strap with off-white stitching or a steel bracelet.
The Technology
The new Autavia Isograph is the second watch TAG Heuer has outfitted with a carbon-composite hairspring. The term “Isograph” refers to this component and its anti-magnetic and shock-resistant properties. For the Autavia Isograph, they’ve integrated the carbon-composite hairspring into the TAG Heuer Caliber 5. In addition to changing the hairspring, this updated movement now meets the standards for chronometer certification.
Prices
Prices range from $3,500 for the steel version with a steel bezel and leather strap to $4,300 for the bronze model with a ceramic bezel on a leather strap
Why should you buy it?
The combination of cool vintage looks (the bronze case paired with a green dial and ceramic bezel is a true stunner), Isograph technology, and a chronometer-certified movement make this a watch with outstanding value for money.
Tudor Black Bay Chrono S&G
The Style
The Tudor Black Bay Chrono S&G is the newest member of the Black Bay family. This exciting Black Bay model is 41 mm in diameter and a proper fashion statement. People were quick to spot this Tudor’s resemblance to the “John Player Special” from the 1970s. This timepiece is sure to capture plenty of attention with its steel case, gold-capped pushers, black dial, and black bezel with gold accents. This watch is anything but an understatement.
The Technology
The Black Bay Chrono S&G is powered by the caliber MT5813. This movement is actually a Breitling B01 that has been modified in-house. The two biggest modifications are its free-sprung adjustable mass balance and silicon balance spring. This movement had already proven its reliability in the regular Black Bay Chrono, making it the logical choice for the Black Bay Chrono S&G.
Prices
The version with a steel and yellow gold bracelet comes in at $6,800, $800 above our stated budget. However, you can purchase this timepiece with a brown leather strap and folding clasp or a black fabric strap and buckle for $5,600.
Why should you buy it?
It’s worth the investment for its looks alone. The steel and gold case and contrasting black dial and bezel make it a stylish point of entry into the realm of two-tone watches.
Bell & Ross BR 03-92 MA-1
The Style
The Bell & Ross BR 03-92 is already an icon within the watch industry. Already the largest Bell & Ross collection, the BR 03-92 MA-1 is another fashionable addition to the BR 03 family. This watch pays tribute to the famous MA-1 bomber (or flight) jacket with its khaki and orange color scheme.
It starts with the 42-mm matte ceramic case and dial, both in dark khaki green. Cutouts in the dial reveal bright orange numerals and indices. The hands also feature this striking hue, which contrasts beautifully with the rest of the timepiece.
The khaki leather strap is reversible, with dark khaki on one side and bright orange on the other. The final watch works surprisingly well and is a classy nod to the legendary MA-1 bomber jacket.
The Technology
The Bell & Ross BR 03-92 MA-1 houses the well-known caliber BR-CAL.302. This automatic movement comes with a date display and can be found in many BR-03 watches.
Prices
The Bell & Ross BR 03-92 MA-1 sells for $3,900.
Why should you buy it?
If you’re looking to stand out from the crowd, this should be your next timepiece. Only true fashion connoisseurs will recognize this watch as a salute to one of fashion’s most iconic jackets of all time.
Breitling Navitimer 1 Automatic 41
The Style
The most talked about Breitling at Baselworld 2019 was the beautiful Navitimer Ref. 806 1959 Re-Edition. However, their biggest announcement was the Breitling Navitimer 1 Automatic 41. Breitling has taken the iconic Navitimer – the epitome of a pilot’s tool watch – and reimagined it in as a diverse series of elegant time-and-date pieces.
The Navitimer Automatic 41 comes with a pure steel or steel and red gold case. You can also choose from four different dial colors – blue, black, silver, or carbon – and a leather strap or steel bracelet. The options are almost endless. One of our favorites is the model that pairs a steel and red gold case with a carbon dial and brown alligator leather strap. We also enjoyed the all-steel version with a silver dial and brown alligator leather strap. Both versions are classy and reflect the Navitimer’s heritage.
The Technology
The Breitling caliber 17 movement powers the Navitimer 1 Automatic 41. This movement is based on the renowned ETA 2824-2 movement.
Prices
A steel Navitimer 1 Automatic 41 on a leather strap sells for $4,310. At $6,750, the steel and red gold edition is the most expensive and exceeds our budget.
Why should you buy it?
If you want a true icon of the watch industry built to modern standards, look no further than the Breitling Navitimer 1 Automatic 41. This timepiece is a true statement of class and heritage.
NOMOS Club Sport Neomatik 42 Date Black
The Style
NOMOS Glashütte is synonymous with Bauhaus watches. At Baselworld 2019, this German company gave their iconic Bauhaus-inspired designs a sporty twist with the Club Sport Neomatik 42 Date Black. This watch sees a diving watch added to the NOMOS Club collection. While the overall look is still distinctly NOMOS, many other features cue a departure from the status quo. Perhaps the most noticeable difference is its steel bracelet, which is made with 145 individual parts and looks like an old stretch bracelet. Another change is its larger, 42-mm steel case. However, the simple yet stylish black dial feels familiar and makes this the perfect choice for anyone looking for understated elegance.
The Technology
The in-house automatic DUW 6101 movement ticks away inside the Club Sport Neomatik 42. NOMOS equips this movement with their patented quick-set date. This mechanism has a built-in slipping clutch that prevents damage to the movement should you accidentally try to set it between 11 PM and 1 AM. Another functional yet stylish feature is the red warning ring that is fitted to the screw-down crown. If you can see this ring, that means the crown is not screwed down tight.
Prices
The Nomos Club Sport Neomatik is available for $4,060.
Why should you buy it?
If you like your watches to blend sophisticated, simple design with a sporty touch, the NOMOS Club Sport Neomatik 42 Date Black is right for you. You can style this watch up with a suit or use it as a sporty companion on dives. No matter the occasion, this timepiece is sure to make an elegant impression.
Seiko Prospex LX SNR033
The Style
At Baselworld 2019, Seiko released a brand-new line of Prospex LX watches. These timepieces put a modern spin on the timeless design of the Seiko 1968 Professional Diver’s. For this list, we’ve chosen the Prospex LX SNR033, also known as the “sky” edition. It features a GMT hand and a bidirectional bezel for showing the time in a third time zone.
At 44.8 mm, the Prospex LX SNR033 is a serious piece of hardware. Titanium, a black and blue color palette, and a red GMT hand define this timepiece. If you find the SNR033 too colorful, you may enjoy the all-black version. This model, the SNR035, has a stealthy look and feels completely different from its sister model.
The Technology
The Seiko Prospex LX SNR 033 gets its power from the Seiko Spring Drive GMT 5R66 movement. This in-house caliber features a date display and GMT hand for displaying the time in a third time zone.
Prices
The Seiko Prospex LX SNR033 costs $5,500.
Why should you buy it?
Seiko is famous for its high-quality watches, and the Prospex LX is no different. The line’s true diving watch (the SNR029) just barely sneaks into our price range at $6,000. Prices for the new Prospex LX may be steep, but Seiko outperforms a lot of other watch brands when it comes to technology and quality in this price range.
