Baselworld 2017 officially runs from March 23 to March 30 in the Swiss city of Basel.
You may not have heard about the Baselworld or Basel Fair, the world’s largest watch and jewellery trade show. This year, the show runs March 23 to 30. The trade show is held each year in the Swiss city of Basel, and it attracts top watchmakers from around the world. Think about the CES or MWC, however, the focus is largely on the watch and jewellery market. From Rolex to Tag Heuer to Omega, some of the leading watch makers and fashion houses descend on Basel to unveil their latest luxury timepieces.
This year, in particular, we saw the dominance of American luxury brands at the Baselworld watch and jewellery show. A slew of notable traditional watch brands showcased new smartwatches in Basel. Movado, for example, went ahead with its plans and released a new Android Wear 2.0 smartwatch, the Connect, at the Baselworld 2017 watch show. Fossil Group was not far behind in the race, as it announced 300 hybrid and touchscreen styles across 13 brands. Surprisingly, the South Korean giant Samsung drew everyone’s interest by showcasing a Gear S3 hybrid pocket watch concept.
Though the show continues to go on for a few more days, there’s plenty that’s already been announced and showcased. Here’s a breakdown on some of the most exciting smartwatches revealed, so far.
The Connect is a sleek looking Android Wear 2.0 watch, with an edge-to-edge display.
Movado Connect
Luxury smartwatch houses are getting on the smartwatch bandwagon, and Movado is no different. The Connect is a sleek looking Android Wear 2.0 watch, with an edge-to-edge display. Movado is yet to share many details about the watch, but it says the company will offer 5 different Men’s styles of the watch that include both strap and bracelet options. The watch will launch this fall starting at $495 (or approx Rs. 32,632).
These concept watches and the devices are based on Samsung Gear S3.
Samsung Gear G3 concept watches
At Baselworld 2017, Samsung has shown off some concept watches and the devices are based on the Gear S3, The three concept watches were designed by well-known watch designer Yvan Arpa. The three concepts include a watch which may look like the Gear S3 at first glance, but is a traditional watch with Swiss-made movement; there’s an updated version of the Gear S3 with premium finishes, and last but not the least, a hybrid pocket watch concept. The latter concept blends the modern with the traditional.
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Misfit Vapor is a fitness-centric smartwatch and is running Android Wear 2.0.
Misfit Vapor
Misfit Vapor features a 1.39-inch AMOLED display, a Snapdragon Wear 2100 processor, a touch-enabled bezel and a 44mm satin-finished stainless steel casing, and comes with a built-in GPS. This is essentially a fitness-focused smartwatch, having an optical heart rate scanner and water resistance up to 50 meters. It’s worth noting that there isn’t NFC on board, which means you won’t be able to use Android Pay. The Vapor will be available in late summer in Jet Black and Rose Gold for $199 (or approx Rs. 13,010).
Both Fossil Q Venture and Explorist promises to be better than the company’s previous Q models. (Image credit: Wearable.com)
Fossil Q Venture/Explorist
Both Fossil Q Venture and Explorist promises to be better than the company’s previous Q models. And, they are described as ” the brand’s slimmest, most feature-packed touchscreen smartwatches to date”. Both smartwatches are running Android Wear 2.0, pack bright AMOLED displays, and feature a digital crown for easier navigation and. The watches will go on sale in Fall.
Hugo Boss Touch is a connected smartwatch, running Android Wear 2.0. According to Wearable, the watch appears to be constructed of carbon black IP stainless steel and there will be a range of interchangeable straps. The Touch will offer NFC but no heart rate sensor. The smartwatch will go on sale in August for $395 (or approx Rs. 25,824).
Anuj Bhatia is a seasoned personal technology writer at indianexpress.com with a career spanning over a decade. Active in the domain since 2011, he has established himself as a distinct voice in tech journalism, specializing in long-form narratives that bridge the gap between complex innovation and consumer lifestyle.
Experience & Career: Anuj has been a key contributor to The Indian Express since late 2016. Prior to his current tenure, he served as a Senior Tech Writer at My Mobile magazine and held a role as a reviewer and tech writer at Gizbot. His professional trajectory reflects a rigorous commitment to technology reporting, backed by a postgraduate degree from Banaras Hindu University.
Expertise & Focus Areas: Anuj’s reporting covers the spectrum of personal technology, characterized by a unique blend of modern analysis and historical context. His key focus areas include:
Core Technology: Comprehensive coverage of smartphones, personal computers, apps, and lifestyle tech.
Deep-Dive Narratives: Specializes in composing longer-form feature articles and explainers that explore the intersection of history, technology, and popular culture.
Global & Local Scope: Reports extensively on major international product launches from industry titans like Apple and Google, while simultaneously covering the ecosystem of indie and home-grown tech startups.
Niche Interests: A dedicated focus on vintage technology and retro gaming, offering readers a nostalgic yet analytical perspective on the evolution of tech.
Authoritativeness & Trust
Anuj is a trusted voice in the industry, recognized for his ability to de-jargonize trending topics and provide context to rapid technological advancements. His authority is reinforced by his on-ground presence at major international tech conferences and his nuanced approach to product reviews. By balancing coverage of the world's most valuable tech brands with emerging startups, he offers a holistic and objective view of the global technology landscape.
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4 min read
Baselworld 2017 officially runs from March 23 to March 30 in the Swiss city of Basel.
The Connect is a sleek looking Android Wear 2.0 watch, with an edge-to-edge display.
These concept watches and the devices are based on Samsung Gear S3.
Misfit Vapor is a fitness-centric smartwatch and is running Android Wear 2.0.
Both Fossil Q Venture and Explorist promises to be better than the company’s previous Q models. (Image credit: Wearable.com)
