Baselworld is barely more than a week away, and it’s about that time to throw out a few watches on my Baselworld 2016 Wishlist. I’m not going to ask for much, really, just a few watches that would make me smile as funds disappear from my bank account. I don’t hide my love for vintage watches, and part of that love is due to modern watches not doing a whole lot for me. Wanna make a guy happy, watch brands? Well, listen up.
Blancpain Fifty Fathoms 41mm
Blancpain Fifty Fathoms — photo credit to European Watch Co.
First up, I want an updated Fifty Fathoms that doesn’t wear like a tethered flying saucer. WHY IS THIS THING 45MM!? Here you have the other most legendary dive watch of all time, and it’s unwearable for pretty much everyone but those with a 7.5” wrist or bigger. That’s unacceptable. Blancpain is depriving so many watch lovers of an incredibly cool dive watch because they chased the “big watch” trend. I know they made a 40mm anniversary series some time ago, but those are almost impossible to find. So, it’s time Blancpain steps up and reboots the Fifty Fathoms at a reasonable 41mm. Is that too much to ask?
Omega Railmaster Master Chronometer
I covered the original Railmaster not too long ago, so this one has been on my mind a lot lately. As we all know, the Railmaster was introduced to compete with the Milgauss and Ingenieur in terms of anti-magnetic capabilities and accuracy, largely due to its target market of scientists, engineers, and railroad workers. Well, it’s no secret Omega has pushed the limits of anti-magnetic capabilities with their >15,000 gauss movements, and their recent introduction of rigorous testing standards. To me, this creates the perfect conditions to re-release the Railmaster. The FOIS Speedy and SM300 Master Co-Axial have done well for Omega, and it’s time to re-unite the Holy Trinity of sports watches. Of the three watches on my wishlist, this has the strongest chance. However, if I really had it my way, the new Railmaster would be a hand wound movement. My fingers are crossed!
NOMOS Hand Wound Chronograph
We really love NOMOS around here at W4L. They provide by far one of the best bang-for-your-buck values on the market. They’ve accomplished so much in their short history, that each year I expect major news. A couple years ago was their own escapement, and this year I’m hoping for an in-house chronograph. This wish is probably a major leap. However, that doesn’t mean I want it any less. Hand wound chronographs under $5K are practically gone these days (Speedmaster retail price is what?!), and I think NOMOS would be the perfect brand to change that. Designing a new movement – and a chronograph movement at that – is no easy task, so I won’t be totally heartbroken if it doesn’t happen a year after creating a new escapement. If nothing else, I’ll chalk this one up as a long-term wish.
See? Nothing too big there. Okay, maybe the in-house chrono, but maybe NOMOS is willing to negotiate with a minimalist annual calendar. At any rate, we’re excited for what’s to come next week, and only time will tell what the brands are going to do. I can tell you one thing, if any of the three ideas above happen, I’m going to be a happy camper.
by 
Chris
All would be amazing. I’m fairly certain we’re not getting any of those things.
What we’re actually going to get is probably a spate of cynically presented “special” editions and disappointing updated models jammed with crummy Sellitas to replace the previous models’ ETA guts. Expect more wildly oversized butched-up models.
Vittal
I would love to see a Nomos annual calendar – more minimalist and Bauhaus the better. And if they deliver this for under 10k, I would be in front of the line.