Back from Basel...pics Rolex & non

[mks4]

Well, thanks for the nice words related to my post yesterday. Now, it's time for some pictures. A couple words about the pics...I used a macro lens which was ok but boy do things look different on the big screen!

I took some shots of our drive from Frankfurt (watch pic of my fiance and I...she has the oyster)...we stayed the Friday night before in St. Blasien in the Black Forest which was amazing. However, leaving Frankfurt at 2:30 pm on a very rainy Friday was a bad idea. What should have taken 3 1/2 hours took almost 6!!!! Anyhow, you'll see a stunning car that we followed in the Black Forest...he had his hands full. :) My company car Audi was a much safer ride that day...sure wish they'd offer it in the US.

Basel was amazing and worthwhile on Saturday (we did another watch shot and my fiance sported my Tudor Big Block just to get into the groove!); I highly recommend attending. I did not really hobnob with anyone...we just walked around and looked at watches and seeing everything though displays was never so crowded that it was annoying. The worst part was carrying all the heavy catalogs, but I simply could not say no! Funny, photos are "not allowed" but no one cared and everyone was snapping away. The only sign for "no photos" was at the Momo Design watches booth...a bit sad as no one was even looking at them.

After the show on Saturday, it was a quick drive up North to a quiet spot in the Alsace...a stay in Guebwiller which was great and relaxing after the bright, hot lights of the show. On Sunday, we hit the Cite de L'Automobile in Mulhouse...this is a MUST do if you love cars. It so close to Basel and one of the best car museums I've ever seen. Then, back to Frankfurt averaging 160 km/h...much better than Friday!

Lastly, I threw in some non-Rolex shots that I felt were highlights. I spoke with the owner of a small Belgian firm, Radillon, that makes racing inspired chronos. He was really friendly and showed us lots of models; the little watchmakers make Basel fun!

Sorry for the non Rolex content, but thought some might like it! By the way, the Breitling area had a huge fish tank with loads of little tiger nurse sharks inside...their booth was designed like the inside of an old cruise ship...unbelievable.

Enjoy the GMT!!! I liked the Black Shield too..4700 CHF for those who are interested which seems fair. Blue Chrono is same price as the THC...4200 CHF.

Mike

[Wllnv19]

Thank you for sharing pictures, I think the Daytona looks really nice

[FremStar]

Keep those pictures flowing!!!

[The Joker]

Thanks for the pics. The seamaster is interesting.

[JP Chestnut]

Your photos are superb - thank you for posting them! So good in fact, that the Pt Daytona doesn't look bad, and the BLNR GMT2 looks rather nice. Unfortunately, no photographer could be skilled enough to make me like that ceramic Tudor!

[HL65]

Very cool! Keep em' coming...Cheers,

[kxux]

Very nice. Great pics.

[kxux]

Very nice. Great pics. I was leaving Frankfurt at the same time. Only I was heading West back home. The weather on Friday was not all that great. But it looks you made it down safely and had great time.

[Trouble15]

Very nice, thanks for sharing!

[teqp]

Nice pics and thanks for sharing. Hope you have more for those of us that can't attend.

[mks4]

Here are a few more non-Rolex shots and a bad Tudor shot (frustrating when the watches are far away from the glass)...sadly, my Day-Date shots did not come out at all. Brutal glare and they were much further back from the glass, but they were beautiful.

I hear the complaints on the Fastrider and the indices do look soft and a bit like globs of gold paint, but the case from the side is neat...great Oyster shape. There's potential there somewhere.

I was taken with this new Sinn 104. 950 Euro with sapphire front and back looked nice. It's basically a 103 w/o chrono.

Glycine had a nice history display...still love the original and it's on my bucket list!

Blancpain had an amazing display with a guy enameling a dial and they showed it live on a screen.

Enjoy...I'm out of shots sadly...probably should have canvassed TAG and Zenith better, but I was hot, tired, my "dogs were barking" and I was weighed down by too many catalogs!

Mike

[SohAIS]

Man I don't like the new GMT Blue/Black

[Director EDTF]

Thanks for sharing!

[KBM]

Thanks a lot for the pictures!

[Rags]

Nice shots. Thanks for sharing.

[Annan]

Nice pics! Maybe it's your superior photography skills but that blue hand on the new GMT really pops!! I thought it might be difficult to see.

[SUBversive]

Very nice thanks

[pokpok]

Thanks for the pics! That new GMT lookin really good.

[yessir69]

Great insider pics. Thanks for posting.

[adamlea]

Sounds like you had an amazing trip. Great pics - thanks for sharing!

[FremStar]

Mike, how the heck were you able to snap pics of the new THC? I tried and tried and could not get it right with the lighting! Anyway keep those pics coming! Fun Times!!!

[mjclark32]

Great pics, thanks for sharing

[Vincent65]

love those Omega bull-head chronos!

[Nycturbovr6]

Great pics!

[RTFM]

Thanks for taking these photos at BaselWorld 2013. What is the diameter of the new GMT-Master II? Has it been enlarged to 42 mm?

TIA,

RTFM

[77T]

Thanks much for the wide array of makes & models.

Did you get the name/number of that Vulcain?
Maybe someone could share how you use that complex dial? (I hope)

[RTFM]

EDIT: I apologize. I found it on the Rolex Website. The new GMT-Master II is still 40 mm.

Regards,
RTFM

Originally Posted by RTFM

Thanks for taking these photos at BaselWorld 2013. What is the diameter of the new GMT-Master II? Has it been enlarged to 42 mm?

TIA,

RTFM

[mks4]

Originally Posted by FremStar

Mike, how the heck were you able to snap pics of the new THC? I tried and tried and could not get it right with the lighting! Anyway keep those pics coming! Fun Times!!!

Ha...I took a lot and this was the one that sort of came out. I had to endure some snooty sneers while I tried, though!

I bought a macro lens for my Olympus EP-3 and it did well overall...it's a decently powerful little camera.

Next year, I will take lots more and pick up less catalogs (or grab them all at the end!). Things you learn for the next time!

Mike

[mks4]

Originally Posted by 77T

Thanks much for the wide array of makes & models.

Did you get the name/number of that Vulcain?
Maybe someone could share how you use that complex dial? (I hope)

I saw it here and knew to look for it...had to see it in the flesh and it was nice!!!

http://www.hodinkee.com/blog/pre-bas...imited-edition

[FremStar]

Originally Posted by mks4

Ha...I took a lot and this was the one that sort of came out. I had to endure some snooty sneers while I tried, though!

I bought a macro lens for my Olympus EP-3 and it did well overall...it's a decently powerful little camera.

Next year, I will take lots more and pick up less catalogs (or grab them all at the end!). Things you learn for the next time!

Mike

Very interesting! I am going back to Basel tomorrow and will try your tip! It is an AMAZING experience I believe every fan of horology should get to experience at least once! Thank you for your pics... Keep them coming, I will add mine when I get back to the Americas this week!