Collections

24 on-trend watches from Baselworld

CollectionsAug 09, 2016

24 on-trend watches from Baselworld

Watches crafted in rose gold with gray straps and dials and the introduction of timepieces that are priced to sell--keeping in mind in today’s still-price-conscious consumer--are just two of the trends from Baselworld 2014.


TAG Heuer’s new men’s Carerra watch has a gray strap and dial with an 18-karat rose gold case, embodying two of the trends seen at the 2014 edition of Baselworld.
Basel--While many parts of the world undoubtedly are in a better place financially than they were at during the recession, very few industries are experiencing record-breaking growth.

The watch industry finds itself sitting squarely in this space. Statistics presented by Baselworld show organizers at the event’s opening press conference showed that the Swiss watch industry has seen demand normalize since recovering from the recession.

In 2013, Swiss watch exports were up 2 percent year-over-year in value terms but dropped 4 percent in volume terms. Demand fell in the all-important Chinese and Hong Kong markets and was up only very slightly--2 percent--in the United States.

Consumers remain cautious and watchmakers are taking this into account, making watches that are price-point friendly one of the main trends seen at the 2014 Baselworld show, alongside an aesthetic preference for rose gold and gray and the use of titanium.

The grandsons of the late watchmaker Raymond Weil started 88 Rue du Rhone in 2012 to fill what they saw as a need in the market for Swiss-made watches that retail between $375 and $1,000. American-made Shinola, which launched last year and crafts belts, bikes and wallets alongside watches at its factory in Detroit, sells its timepieces for $475 to about $850.  

Claude Bernard, which is made entirely in-house in the brand’s facility in Les Genevez, Switzerland, came under new U.S. distributorship last February and is now in 35 doors across the country. The entry point for the brand’s quartz watches is $200 while its automatic models range in price from $595 to $1,795.

Japanese brand Seiko introduced Recraft at the show, a new line of mostly quartz watches priced for younger consumers that range from $195 to $395, while Swarovski lowered prices on its Octea Sport models and Zenith made price a focal point in creating its new Port Royal watches.

Baselworld 2014 also included a number of timepieces inspired by decades gone by, which is not unusual. Both watch and jewelry brands often turn to their archives when looking for future inspiration.

Swatch Group-owned Longines leaned heavily on the past in creating models for 2014. The Swatch Group-owned brand introduced a limited-edition Conquest to mark the model’s 60th anniversary

and used watches from 1935 and 1973 as the inspiration for creating two new timepieces for men.

Omega, another Swatch Group-owned brand, also took a cue from history in creating a limited-edition Omega Speedmaster that marks the 45th anniversary of the first man on the moon. The brand is making 1,969 of these watches, a nod to the year of the lunar landing.

Astronauts Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong both wore Omega watches for their historic spacewalk. Aldrin had an Omega Speedmaster Professional chronograph strapped around his spacesuit while Armstrong left his Speedmaster aboard the Lunar Landing Module as a backup.

A new collection from Rolex, Cellini, consists of 12 “classically inspired” models powered by in-house movements divided into three collections, Cellini Time; Cellini Date, which adds a date function via a subdial; and Cellini Dual Time, which keeps time in two time zones simultaneously. The watches all come on alligator straps and are available in 18-karat white or the brand’s “Everose” gold.

All prices given in the slideshow (link above) are retail.
Michelle Graffis the editor-in-chief at National Jeweler, directing the publication’s coverage both online and in print.

The Latest

Casio America CEO Yusuke Suzuki
MajorsAug 14, 2025
Casio America Names New CEO

Longtime Casio executive Yusuke Suzuki is the new president and CEO of Casio’s U.S. subsidiary.

LA Trading Day
SourcingAug 14, 2025
West Coast Orgs to Host Trading Event, Mixer in LA

The full-day sourcing and networking event, slated for Aug. 18, will be followed by the fifth annual Mega Mixer Summer Soirée.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Stephanie Gottlieb Ring
TrendsAug 13, 2025
Cristiano Ronaldo Proposes With Gigantic Oval-Cut Diamond

Model Georgina Rodríguez received a rock of an engagement ring, with her diamond estimated to be 35 carats, experts say.

rio-article photo-diamond.jpg
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine Jewelry

As a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.

International Colored Gemstone Association logo
SourcingAug 13, 2025
ICA Names 2025 Board of Directors

The board elected 9 new directors at its recent ICA Congress in Brazil.

Weekly QuizAug 08, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Whiskey Barrel Ring
TrendsAug 13, 2025
Colorado Jeweler, Whiskey Maker Collab on Ring Giveaway

Three winners will receive a custom ring from Honest Hands Ring Co. inlaid with a piece of history from Denver-based distillery Stranahan’s.

People shopping in a mall
SurveysAug 13, 2025
These Are The 25 Hottest Retailers, Says NRF

JD Sports and Wawa were among the fastest-growing retail companies in the U.S. last year.

an instructor and a student in a bench jewelry classroom
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench Jewelers

The Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.

Columbia Gem House Winza sapphires and rubies
SourcingAug 13, 2025
Columbia Gem House Launches Winza Sapphires, Rubies

The new inventory, all untreated, features vibrant hues and unique bicolor combinations.

Gemfields Faberge
SourcingAug 12, 2025
Gemfields Sells Fabergé for $50M

Acquired by a tech investor, the historic brand will continue to focus on jewelry, accessories, and timepieces.

Shipping containers on a ship
Policies & IssuesAug 12, 2025
Higher Tariff on Chinese Imports Paused for 90 Days, Trump Says

President Donald Trump issued an executive order extending the pause on higher tariffs to November as negotiations with China continue.

Duvall O’Steen and Jen Cullen Williams
ColumnistsAug 12, 2025
Creative Connecting: How to Take a Better Headshot

Columnists Jen Cullen Williams and Duvall O’Steen share tips on how to elevate your professional image.

Vigil for slain Wheat Ridge, Colorado jeweler Peter Damian Arguello
CrimeAug 11, 2025
Man Convicted of First-Degree Murder in Death of Colorado Jeweler

Peter Damian Arguello, a jeweler in the Denver suburb of Wheat Ridge, was found dead inside his store in November 2023.

Lisa Bridge
IndependentsAug 11, 2025
Lisa Bridge to Depart Ben Bridge Jeweler

The retailer, owned by Berkshire Hathaway, is becoming part of the Berkshire Hathaway Jewelry Group with Helzberg.

Bethenny Frankel
Events & AwardsAug 11, 2025
Bethenny Frankel to Give Keynote at CBG’s Experience Show

The Continental Buying Group’s 2025 Tampa Experience Show is slated for Sept. 8-10.

Nora Kühner fashion design consulting trend forecast colors 2027
EditorsAug 11, 2025
The Colors Expected to Be On-Trend in a Couple Years

Associate Editor Lauren McLemore recently attended a fabrics trade show where a trend forecaster shared her predictions for summer 2027.

Brilliant Earth Jolie Mosaics engagement ring
FinancialsAug 08, 2025
Brilliant Earth’s Q2 Sales Up 3% as Engagement Ring Sales Rise

The company raised its full-year sales guidance while noting it has not yet assessed the potential impact of the latest tariff news.

Jewellers for Hope charity event
Events & AwardsAug 08, 2025
GJEPC’s Jewellers for Hope Celebrates 10 Years of Fundraising

The organization has raised more than $1.3 million for charity since its inception.

Rahaminov Diamonds Emerald-Cut Diamond Bezel Bangle
TrendsAug 08, 2025
Piece of the Week: Rahaminov Diamonds’ Bezel Bangle

The brand’s latest iteration of a bezel-set diamond bangle features clean lines and a timeless design for a new modern silhouette.

Black and white photo of Tony Bennett near a microphone
WatchesAug 07, 2025
Bulova’s New Collection Honors Tony Bennett

The first watch in the series commemorates his participation in the Civil Rights movement, marching from Selma to Montgomery in 1965.

Sapphire page in Chatham’s “Ultimate Lab-Grown Catalog”
Lab-GrownAug 07, 2025
Chatham Releases Catalog for Loose Lab-Grown Gemstones

The catalog contains a complete listing of all the loose gemstones in stock, as well as information about the properties of each stone.

Rembrandt Blue Jay, Hummingbird, Cardinal Bird Charms
TechnologyAug 07, 2025
Rembrandt Charms Debuts New Website, Bird Charms

The company added a retailer dashboard to its site and three new birds to its charm collection, the cardinal, blue jay, and hummingbird.

Shipping containers on a ship
Policies & IssuesAug 06, 2025
Tariff on India to Rise to 50%, Trump Says

An additional 25 percent tariff has been added to the previously announced 25 percent.

Claire’s storefront
MajorsAug 06, 2025
Claire’s Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Again

The jewelry and accessories retailer plans to close 18 stores as part of the proceedings.

Smith & Son Jewelers storefront Springfield Massachusetts
IndependentsAug 06, 2025
Smith & Son Jewelers to Close 107-Year-Old Location

Its Springfield, Massachusetts, store is set to close as owner Andrew Smith heads into retirement.

Zahn-Z Beluga Spout Grey Spinel Ring and Beluga Spout Mandarin Garnet Ring
CollectionsAug 06, 2025
Zahn-Z Swims With Whales in ‘Beluga’ Collection

Designer Hiba Husayni looked to the whale’s melon shaped-head, blowhole, and fluke for her new chunky gold offerings.

Paola De Luca presenting Trendbook 2026+ at Vicenzaoro
TrendsAug 06, 2025
Paola De Luca to Release Trendbook 2027+

She will present the 23rd edition of the trend forecasting book at Vicenzaoro on Sept. 7.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy