Baselworld Takes a Licking & Keeps on Ticking

What takes a licking and keeps on ticking? Baselworld.

Next month in Switzerland, the long-running annual watch confab will once again take place in the scenic Swiss city of Basel and registrations are up this year, perhaps signaling the global recession is officially over (was there ever really a recession for the moneyed hordes that can afford a $60,000 watch?).

Nearly 2000 brands from all over the world will attempt to woo industry buyers of timepieces at the trade show, which is also open to the public (tickets can be purchased here).

So what can you expect to see should you be in Switzerland March 8^th to the 15^th? Only some of the most dazzling, desirous watches on the market today for those who actively covet and collect expensive watches.

Take, for example, Icelink’s limited edition, five-time zone collection of men’s timepieces set to launch at Baselworld 2012. The collection is inspired by the world famous peaks and stunning views of Swiss winter destination, Zermatt. Previewed last year at the conference/trade show, the Zermatt features six functioning zones – five displaying the hour and minutes of New York, London, Dubai, Hong Kong, home zone, and one with the iconic IceLink logo with rotating seconds.

Forget looking at a cell phone, real global nomads with money need only a quick glance at a stylish watch to know what time it is. But like many watches at Baselworld, style comes at a price: the titanium Icelink watch starts at $44,000 and goes up to $49,000 (though to be fair Icelink has a number of more recession-friendly priced watches that can be had for much less).

Other highlights to look out for this year include the re-launch of Alpina’s stylish Heritage Pilot watch, a rumored new Bvlgari’s new men’s watch, the wild-looking Hublot Big Bang Boa Bang and Chronomat’s new 44 mm diameter (vs. prior models only available at 47mm case).

Around 100,000 people are expected to marvel at the craftsmanship on display at Baselworld this year.