Rolex has just unveiled a new and improved its top of the line dive watch, giving the Deepsea Sea-Dweller, including the version with the “D-Blue” graduated dial, a new-generation calibre and a redesigned case.

While the stainless steel case remains 44mm with a titanium case back – and the patented Ringlock construction for unparalleled pressure resistance – the new Deepsea is now fitted with a wider Oyster bracelet and a resized Oysterlock spring-loaded safety clasp, giving the large case a bracelet that is suitably substantial.

And for the first time, the Deepsea is equipped with the calibre 3235 – the same movement found in the Sea-Dweller 4000 ref. 126600 launched last year. It is equipped with a Chronergy escapement and Parachrom hairspring. In contrast, the original Deepsea was powered by the calibre 3135, which lacked the various technology bells and whistles.

All else otherwise remains unchanged. The “D-Blue” version features the same dial with a dark blue to black graduated finish, a reference to the pitch black depths of the ocean.

As before, the new Deepsea boasts extreme water resistance up to 12,800ft, or 3900m. And to that end, the watch features bright blue Chromalight luminescence for optimal visibility in darkness, the patented Ringlock System, the helium escape valve as well as the “Triplock” winding crown.

Price and availability 

The new Deepsea (ref. 126660) with “D-Blue” dial costs US$12,550, and with the all-black dial it is US$12,250.

Previously available only in white gold, the Rolex GMT-Master II “Pepsi” has returned to its utilitarian roots at Baselworld 2018, with a stainless-steel case as well as a host of other improvements.

Just as with some vintage GMT-Master models, the watch has been fitted with a new, five-link Jubilee bracelet – but with a spring-loaded Oysterclasp found only on Rolex sports watches.

Like most recent Rolex launches, the new GMT-Master II is powered by a new-generation movement, the calibre 3285, with some 10 patents filed during its development.

It has a Parachrom hairspring, Chronergy escapement, 70-hour power reserve as well as the Superlative Chronometer certification. The movement replaces the long in tooth calibre 3186, which was lacking the Chronergy escapement.

The Cerachrom, bi-directional “BLRO” bezel – which is actually two-colour ceramic – and black dial remains unchanged, and what we have is a wholly irresistible version of a GMT-Master II “Pepsi”.

Price and Availability

The GMT-Master II “Pepsi” in stainless steel (ref. 126710 BLRO) is priced at US$9250.

Like the Nautilus Perpetual Calendar the subject of speculation before Baselworld 2018, the Aquanaut Chronograph Ref. 5968A is a reality.

Priced at under US$45,000, it’s steel and equipped with the CH 28-520 C automatic movement.

The dial features the Aquanaut’s traditional chequerboard motif, but with a touch of orange.

The case is 42.2mm in diameter, and is accompanied by two rubber straps: one in black and a spare in orange.

Price and availability 

The Aquanaut Chronograph Ref. 5968A is priced at US$43,700.

The subject of rumours before Baselworld 2018, the Nautilus Perpetual Calendar ref. 5740/1G is now here, becoming the first perpetual calendar in Patek Philippe’s line of sports watches.

Powered by the tried and tested cal. 240 Q movement, the Nautilus Perpetual Calendar is in 18k white gold with a matching bracelet.

Rated to 60m, the case is 40mm in diameter, the same as the base model Nautilus ref. 5711, and 8.42mm high. Notably, the corrector pushers for the calendar are symmetrically located on the lugs and one of the “ears” of the case.

The dial is a pale metallic blue with the signature horizontal motif that’s a trademark of the Nautilus.

Price and availability 

The Nautilus Perpetual Calendar ref. 5740/1G is priced at US$119,070.

Styled by German furniture designer Werner Aisslinger, the Nomos Autobahn is a sports watch that takes its cues from a speedometer, with a bowl-shaped dial that is modelled on racetracks.

The Autobahn is the result of a four-year collaboration between Nomos and Mr Aisslinger, who with his partner Tina Bunyaprasit run the design agency aisslinger.

Wide bands of glow in the dark Super-Luminova circle the dial, which is raised and curved at its edges, just like the subsidiary seconds. At six o’clock sits an enlarged date window.

Rated to 100m, the case is 41mm, large for a Nomos, and with integrated lugs. Though minimalist like most Nomos case designs, the Autobahn has a distinct case profile, and no bezel on the front.

It’s powered by the in-house neomatik DUW 6101, a newly launched automatic movement with 42-hour power reserve, and a quickset date that can be set in both directions.

Werner Aisslinger and Tina Bunyaprasit

Price and availability 

The Autobahn is available in three dial styles, and will be available starting March 22. Pricing has yet to be announced.

Long synonymous with the Breitling Navitimer, the circular slide rule on a watch was conceived to help pilots do calculations on the wrist. And despite being distinct from the chronograph, the slide has always gone together with the complication on Breitling’s watches, first on the Chronomat and then on the Navitimer. Until now.

Another of the major new launches (after the Navitimer 8) under the aegis of newly installed Breitling chief executive Georges Kern – who has big plans for the brand – the Navitimer 1 Automatic 38 takes two key features found on the original Navitimer – the “beads of rice” bezel and slide rule – while doing away with the chronograph. And it is also smaller than most Navitimers to date, measuring just 38mm in diameter.

Notably, while earlier Navitimers featured freely rotating bezels, the Navitimer 1 has a ratcheted, bidirectional bezel, which makes operating the slide rule easier by lining up its hash marks against the dial.

It’s powered by the COSC-certified Breitling Caliber 17, which is actually an ETA 2824 automatic.

Price and availability 

Available in steel, or steel with a 18k red gold bezel, the Navitimer 1 Automatic 38 will cost US$4310 in steel and US$5820 in steel and gold.

A selection of watches from Phillips twin Geneva auctions – Daytona Ultimatum and the Geneva Watch Auction: Seven – will be on show in Singapore in early April, accompanied by Aurel Bacs and Livia Russo, the auctioneers behind Phillips’ record-setting watch department.

Taking place at Malmaison, the flagship store of retailer The Hour Glass, the exhibition will include significant timepieces like the unique Rolex Daytona ref. 6265 in white gold, the A. Lange & Söhne 1815 ‘Homage to Walter Lange’ in stainless steel, and also a Patek Philippe ref. 2499 with a custom champagne dial.

But the exhibition is not just about big ticket headliners, but also the unusually interesting, like a vintage Breguet Type XX in yellow gold from 1956.

The yellow gold Type XX and its certificate from the Breguet Museum

The exhibition takes place from April 4 to 8 at Malmaison, located at 270 Orchard Road. It is open to the public from 11:30am to 8:30pm daily.