Patek Philippe World Time Watches

It’s finally here! Another year has gone by and we’ve got Baselworld fever once again. The Swatch Group’s absence may have left a glaring hole in this year’s show, but that doesn’t mean we aren’t still pleased, confused and outright surprised once again. This is part one of our two part special—keep an eye out for part two coming up soon.

Forty-two years is a long time. It’s long enough to go from enjoying a carefree childhood to having a serious need to make a will, and for those who’ve spent that time hoping Patek Philippe would fit a grand complication into the quirky Nautilus, the wait was a long one. But now the wait is over.

The hand wound chronograph is perhaps the foundation of a high-end watch company’s ability to demonstrate its prowess, a complex, intricate assembly unencumbered by a rotor weight hiding the mechanical wizardry going on inside. There’s no better palette upon which to exhibit the art of fine watchmaking—but can you tell the difference between one that’s more affordable and one that’s very expensive?

This is it. This is the big one. In one corner, you’ve got Patek Philippe, king of the watchmaking trifecta, and in the other, you’ve got A. Lange & Söhne, the crisp, clinical perfectionist. It’s Switzerland versus Germany, classic watchmaking versus polished efficiency, and what better way to fight this fight than with some flagship watches from each brand. This is going to be good.