It’s always a pleasure to stumble upon a previously unknown watch brand. There are dozens that have been established for just the proverbial five minutes, but Francesco Basile has been making quality watches since 1870 in the romantic surrounds of Venice.

The passion for watch making within the family has been handed down from father to son in the Basile family. Today, the fourth generation, Francesco and his sons Tommaso and Michele, run the laboratory in Venice. They combine goldsmith skills and state-of-the-art technologies, to produce watches with plenty of Italian flair and elegance.

Founder Francesco Basile loved Venice to the point of setting the arches of Piazza San Marco in his logo. The watches feature Swiss movements throughout, be they quartz, automatic or manually wound movements with complications for some of the more costly models.

Key ranges within the collection are based on suitably Italian legends including Casanova, Marco Polo and of course Leonardo. But, unlike most watchmakers, Francesco Basile also have a bespoke watchmaking service. A simple sketch is sufficient to obtain an even more personal design and clients are given the opportunity to design the style of their watch.

Inscriptions and engravings can also be added to special timepieces. With a little shopping around you can pick up a Francesco Basile creation for around £1,350.00. Prices for more expensive models are upon request. All watches are available for purchase online.

Cà Foscari Automatic

An entry level model, this 42mm stainless steel watch runs on an automatic mechanical winding movement based on calibre ETA 2892-1, with a 42 hour power reserve. A revolving date disc is visible through an aperture at 3 o’ clock.

Marco Polo Automatic Chronograph

42mm watch with central hours and minutes, small seconds at 3 o’clock. Chronograph 60 seconds, 30 minutes. Automatic mechanical winding movement ETA 2892-1 A2 integrated with Dubois-Dépraz chronographic module, personalised Francesco Basile Venezia with a power reserve of 42 hours.

Leonardo Automatic Power Reserve

Central hours, minutes, seconds,  retrograde calendar with a 120 hour power reserve. This 18k gold watch features a visible balance 9 o’clock, the power reserve indicator at 5 o’clock,  and the retrograde date indicator at 1:30 o’clock.

Leonardo Tourbillon

The movement is mechanical manual winding with a tourbillon device,  double mainspring, 37 rubies and a power reserve exceeding 120 hours. The watch features hours, minutes, small seconds, a retrograde calendar, and a power reserve indicator, all encased in a 4smm 18k rose gold case.

Casanova Skeleton Dial

The watch runs on calibre ETA 6497-1 modified according to exclusive FRANCESCO BASILE VENEZIA specifics with a power reserve of  46 hours. The watch case is 18k rose gold.