Baselworld 2019: Five Of Our Favorite Chronographs

While much of the news out of Baselworld was doom and gloom – the brands exhibiting at this year's fair certainly didn't rest on their laurels. Up and down Baselworld's renowned Hall 1.0, we saw innovations as far fetched as a US Navy Prototype reissue (read HERE) to today's selection of cool chronographs. 

Baselworld 2019 marked the 50th anniversary of the El Primero. Originally introduced in 1969, this landmark chronograph set a new benchmark in watchmaking. Over the years, Zenith has introduced a litany of refinements and updates to its El Primero collection (read HERE and HERE), yet we've never seen the brand revisit its original classic. That all changed with the Baselworld 2019 introduction of the El Primero 386 Revival. For the El Primero's 50th, Zenith will be producing a trio of precious metal A386 reissues. 
 

Sized at 38mm and available in white, yellow, and rose gold. The watches are available in a standalone limited edition of 50 pieces per metal or in a box set (production volume of the box set not available as of press time). Even more remarkable, is the warranty on the new El Primero 386 Revival, since each piece will receive a shocking 50-year guarantee. While the price tag of 19,900 CHF is nothing to scoff at, the warranty and limited nature of this release makes this a timepiece to be desired for years (and decades) to come.
 

At Baselworld 2019, Bulgari smashed a remarkable fifth world record! The new Octo Finissimo Chronograph GMT (read HERE). With this piece, Bulgari appeals to purists from all walks of life with a remarkably thin chronograph (just 6.90mm thin) with an intuitive GMT feature. Originally unveiled at the B-Dinner (read HERE) this was one of my clear favorites of Baselworld.

Made of sandblasted titanium and sized at 42mm, the new Octo Finissimo Chronograph GMT is remarkably svelte on the wrist. Even more remarkable is the price, at $17,600 USD, this piece is sure to bring new collectors to Bulgari, or perhaps prompt more than a few Octo lovers to add a second Octo to their rotation.
 

Another notable allegiance change was Norton motorcycles shifting away from Bremont to Breitling! The end result of this departure is the new Breitling Premier Chronograph 42 'Norton'. A stunning reverse panda dial Breitling Premier Chronograph which includes all the best of Norton with a splash of Breitling's new look.
 

Sized at 42mm and powered by the Breitling Manufacture Calibre 01, the Premier Chronograph 42 'Norton' was a crowd pleaser at Baselworld 2019 (read HERE). Gold Arabic numerals and contrasting matte black dial make the newest Norton a necessary piece for any serious Breitling collector. The piece is finished with the Norton logo on the sapphire crystal caseback. A top chrono at a pretty decent price, 8,000 CHF.