Bulgari Announces Withdrawal From Baselworld Show for 2020

The past several months have seen a host of major watchmakers abandoning the industry standby Baselworld trade show for 2020. While the decision for most of these brands has come down to scheduling, Bulgari became the latest marque to announce its departure from the embattled show this week with an explanation that cites current concerns around international travel. While the mounting global Coronavirus epidemic is not directly mentioned in Bulgari’s statement, it seems to be the implied reason behind the decision. Interestingly, other brands in the LVMH lineup including TAG Heuer, Hublot, and Zenith have reconfirmed their commitment to the 2020 show, scheduled for April 3 through May 6 in Basel, Switzerland. Unlike several other brands that have recently announced their departures as well, Bulgari has announced its intention to return to Baselworld in 2021.

Grand Seiko Cancels Grand Seiko Summit Due To Mounting Coronavirus Concerns

In further Coronavirus related news, Grand Seiko abruptly announced the cancellation of its Grand Seiko Summit brand event scheduled for March 4th and 5th in Tokyo due to the ongoing epidemic. While the event was intended to debut the brand’s 2020 novelties, Grand Seiko has announced it will announce an alternate plan to unveil these new pieces in the next several weeks. aBlogtoWatch will continue watching this story as it develops.

Frederique Constant Debuts Two New Colorways Of Its Flyback Chronograph Manufacture

Frederique Constant has expanded its flagship Flyback Chronograph Manufacture line with two new models in stainless steel and rose gold plate. While both of these models maintain the clean, sporting lines and rectangular pushers of  the 42 mm case, but add new stylistic touches to the dial. The stainless steel model contrasts the midcentury flair of its sharp alpha hands, slightly oversized subdials, and pointed indices with a decidedly sporty reverse panda treatment. The main dial is rendered in a deep midnight blue, contrasted sharply with snailed silver chronograph subdials and a matching tachymeter ring. The overall effect feels ’60s sporty with dressier notes, without feeling too much like any one watch from that era. The rose gold version takes a suitably more luxe approach, complementing the warm tones of the case with a chocolate brown sunburst main dial. Against this earthy backdrop, the silver of the subdials and chapter ring stands out stark and brilliant, although the contrast may be a touch too harsh for some. Inside both of these models is Frederique Constant’s innovative in-house FC-760 Manufacture automatic flyback chronograph movement. Thanks to a star-shaped wheel system replacing the traditional column wheel, this movement is both mechanically streamlined and elegantly thin for a flyback, allowing the Flyback Chronograph Manufacture a much dressier profile on the wrist. Both the stainless steel and rose gold plated iterations are fitted with signed alligator leather straps matching their respective dial colors. These two new models are a fresh and sporty addition to one of Frederique Constant’s most prestigious model lines, and are available now at an MSRP of approximately $4220 for the stainless steel version and $4,545 for the rose gold plated variant.

Bell & Ross Introduces The BR03-92 GREY LUM

First launched in 2017, the Bell & Ross LUM series takes the iconic square BR03-92 case shape and adds adjustments for maximum low-light visibility. The latest of these, the BR03-92 GREY LUM, takes this high visual impact concept and renders it with a cool new monochromatic look. The 42 mm square stainless steel case receives a soft satin finish here to add to the all gray appeal, while still offering 100 meters of water resistance. The dial is where the GREY LUM comes into its own, with a gunmetal gray sunburst finish that readds significantly more dressy than the usual aviation instrument inspired BR03-92. This is paired with a hefty dose of the namesake Super-LumiNova C3 lume, applied liberally over both the sword hands and the blend of line indices and oversized, rounded Arabic numerals at 12, 3, 6, and 9 o’clock. These large, soft numerals, coupled with the sunburst dial finish, almost give the feel of some of Panerai’s dressier offerings more so than Bell & Ross. Like most BR03-92 models, the GREY LUM is powered by the BR-CAL.302 automatic movement. Bell & Ross finishes this piece with a wide, tapering strap in either gray calfskin leather or durable black synthetic fabric. This new model is available now from authorized retailers at a suggested price of $3,400.

Longines Adds Fresh Color To The Hydroconquest Diver With New Green Model

Longines has debuted a new iteration of its popular Hydroconquest diver, taking the distinctive design in a muted new direction with an olive drab bezel and dial. The masculine 43 mm case remains unchanged from previous Hydroconquest models, as does the L888 automatic movement with its 64 hour power reserve, but the dial receives a new lease on life here. Although the signature oversized applied Arabic numerals and stylized baton hands remain, the new green dial color changes the feel of these elements themselves to something much more purposeful, serious, and militaristic. The dial surface itself deserves honorable mention as well, appearing matte at certain angles before revealing a dramatic vertical graining pattern. Like its stablemates, Longines offers this new Hydroconquest on both an oyster style bracelet and a fitted textured rubber strap in matching dial color. The watch is available from authorized retailers now at an MSRP of $1,600.