Even if you can’t afford a super inflated hotel bedroom at Baselworld 2013, there are actually one or two watches you probably can afford on show there. So You Probably Can Afford It has tracked them down for you.
Seiko Premier Big Date Chronograph
Seiko is celebrating 100 years of watchmaking this year and they have what they call the Seiko Pavilion at Baselworld. In recent years Seiko have started releasing high-end watches such as the Grand Seiko series internationally, and these definitely fall under the You Probably Can’t Afford It banner as they are upwards of £6,000.
However the the Premier men’s collection includes quartz and mechanical calibres, but at its centre is a range of Kinetic watches, including the remarkable Kinetic Perpetual, a motion powered watch with a four-year power reserve. Seiko have brought a clutch of the Premier range watches to Baselworld including this Seiko Big Date Chronograph. It comes with the promised big date at 12 o’clock and also three subdials. The watch can measure split times in up to 1/5th second increments so it’s perfect for that photo finish in sports stadiums and race tracks. This particular model – and there is a wide range – retails for around £350.00
Casio Edifice EMA100-1AV
Casio has just introduced its first marine-inspired timepiece to its popular EDIFICE collection. The EMA100-1AV adds a new twist to the line with a stylish blue and black design that is reminiscent of water, as well as a powerful feature set including water resistance up to 200 metres, a tide indicator and a moon graph.
“The EMA100-1AV’s enhanced features are designed for a seamless transition from the beach to the boardroom,” said Shigenori Itoh, Chairman and CEO of Casio America, Inc. “This timepiece is unlike any EDIFICE we have released thus far and symbolises our commitment to providing consumers with stylish, yet versatile timepieces. The EMA100-1AV features advanced technological functions for water lovers and is perfect for those who want to sport an elegant and sophisticated timepiece.” This watch will retail for just £160.00 which is excellent value for money for a watch with a 1/100-second stopwatch, world time and 5 alarms.
It’s also an undoubtedly good looking watch, so much so that I went in search of it at my local Casio store, couldn’t find it but instantly fell in love with and bought another Casio Edifice model number EQ5 500C 1A1DR, of which more later.
Ritmo Mundo Quantum I
Sylvester Stallone, looking dapper if not a little post-Expendable, has already tried on the new Ritmo Mundo Quantum I, released at Baselworld just a day or so ago. The new watches run on a Ronda Quartz movement in a stainless steel case. The dials are carbon fibre in matte black – black is definitely the new black at Baselworld this year. There is a day date at 3 o’clock and eye catching luminous hands. The outer casings come in a range of bright colours, and here Sylvester has opted for red. The watches also sport matching pushers to alter the sub dials as well as fully integrated silicone straps a la G-Shock. Ritmo Mundo, an American fashion brand popular with several celebrities, has also changed the signature style to a sporty script logo. These watches are likely to retail for around $1000 – roughly £644.00
Ham and cheese sandwich, Baselworld
Speaking of ham and cheese, now here’s something to file under you probably can’t afford it. Even Sylvester would feel a little rocky at the asking price for on the go re-fuelling at Baselworld. For example, a Baselworld ham and cheese demi-baguette retails for close to £10.00. Everybody likes to take advantage of the world’s biggest watch and jewellery fair, from the world’s biggest watch brands to the fair’s lowliest sandwich makers. Wash it down with a soft drink and you are looking at £12.00 for a basic meal. Even the most unremarkable hotel rooms tend to start at around £200 per night during the Fair, so many opt to train it from Zurich which is precisely one hour and four minutes away. The cost of a ham sandwich on board is not known.
