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Baselworld 2012 Highlights

This year's BaselWorld is the place to see what is new in the wide world of watches, and in 2012 both women and men have plenty to look forward to with a wide range of choices as the biggest names in the horological world will be descending on Basel with their finest timepieces yet.

Baselworld is the world's biggest watch and jewellery show. Vast halls that stretch as far as the eye can see house a world of watch and jewellery wonders. The big brands erect entire buildings of marble, glass and even wood to showcase the new arrivals in the most opulent settings. This is also to come and buy loose stones and pearls as an entire hall is given over to an Aladdin's treasure trove of all the sparkles, shimmers and shines.

Almost every big name in both watches and jewellery is here and to mark the tone, Rolex and Patek Philippe flank the entrance to the main hall. The Swatch Group straddles the hub of the vast hall with its brands that include Omega, Breguet, Longines, Blancpain, Rado and Tissot to name a few. The hundreds of other booths are filled with names we know such as Hublot, Chanel, Dior, Harry Winston and Chopard. In an adjacent hall are clustered jewellery brands from big names such as Mikimoto to small producers.

For those looking for a bit of added extravagance to their timekeeping you'll see the Graff Master Graff Tourbillion with a dial incorporating 15cts of diamonds cut down from 45ct sourced diamonds, for the more discerning there is the Maurice Lacroix Lune Rétrograde, or the classic masculinity that TAG Heuer bring to each design every year, such as their latest Microgirder, that this year comes with a 1/2000th of a second timing from the new concept that TAG Heuer are proud to have at this year's BaselWorld, beating at 7.2 milltion beats every hour. De Bethune are also unveiling their new Titan Hawk to celebrate their 10th anniversary and the first in their new DB27 collection.

There are countless others, such as Bremont and this year a limited edition Breitling for Bentley GMT V8 Watch. Set to be unveiled exclusively at Baselworld, Breitling's timepiece was made to mark the launch of the Bentley Continental GT V8. With so many of the biggest icons of the horological world in one place, BaselWorld 2012 is full of many more marvels and no doubt some world first glimpses too. 

But all are here with the same aim: to sell to retailers and tell the press all about their new creations. So if watches are your thing, then make sure you follow the news from the biggest watch event on the planet, or head to Basel as the event is open to the public.

  • Bulgari.18 ct pink gold watch with brilliant cut diamonds and white eggshell enamelling. Double wrap-around coils. White mother of pearl face set with brilliant cut diamonds. Swiss quartz movement personalized for Bulgari. Price from £48.400
  • Omega. Constellation Star watch in red gold, diamonds and mother of pearl. POA

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The second part of the Jewellery Editor's BaselWorld 2012 coverage, we look at some of the jewellery highlights at the world's biggest watch and jewellery show.

In the first part of the Jewellery Editor's BaselWorld 2012 coverage, we look at some of the horological highlights at the world's biggest watch and jewellery show.

Bulgari.18 ct pink gold watch with brilliant cut diamonds and white eggshell enamelling. Double wrap-around coils. White mother of pearl face set with brilliant cut diamonds. Swiss quartz movement personalized for Bulgari. Price from £48.400

Bulgari.18 ct pink gold watch with brilliant cut diamonds and white eggshell enamelling. Double wrap-around coils. White mother of pearl face set with brilliant cut diamonds. Swiss quartz movement personalized for Bulgari. Price from £48.400

Omega. Constellation Star watch in red gold, diamonds and mother of pearl. POA

Omega. Constellation Star watch in red gold, diamonds and mother of pearl. POA

Maurice Lacroix. Miros Date watch. Stainless steel and diamonds. POA.

Maurice Lacroix. Miros Date watch. Stainless steel and diamonds. POA.

Graff. LadyGraff 16mm watch in white gold and diamonds. POA

Graff. LadyGraff 16mm watch in white gold and diamonds. POA

Chanel. The Premiere Flying Tourbillon watch in white gold and diamonds. POA

Chanel. The Premiere Flying Tourbillon watch in white gold and diamonds. POA

Chanel. J12 GMT white ceramic watch. POA

Chanel. J12 GMT white ceramic watch. POA

De Bethune Titan Hawk

De Bethune Titan Hawk

De Bethune Titan Hawk (back)

De Bethune Titan Hawk (back)

Chopard. Lunar One watch in 18 ct rose gold and matt black hand-sewn alligator leather strap. POA

Chopard. Lunar One watch in 18 ct rose gold and matt black hand-sewn alligator leather strap. POA

Linde Werdelin. SpidoSpeed watch in rose gold with DLC titanium and calfskin strap. POA

Linde Werdelin. SpidoSpeed watch in rose gold with DLC titanium and calfskin strap. POA

GRAFF. MasterGraff Double Tourbillon GMT 48mm with a double tourbillon GMT set with over 30 carats of diamonds limited in 10 pieces in both rose and white gold. POA

GRAFF. MasterGraff Double Tourbillon GMT 48mm with a double tourbillon GMT set with over 30 carats of diamonds limited in 10 pieces in both rose and white gold. POA

OMEGA. Seamaster Aqua Terra GMT watch stainless steel and black leather strap. POA

OMEGA. Seamaster Aqua Terra GMT watch stainless steel and black leather strap. POA

Tag Heuer. MICROGIRDER 1/2,000th. POA

Tag Heuer. MICROGIRDER 1/2,000th. POA

Bremont. ALT1-WT World Timer watch. Price from £3,995

Bremont. ALT1-WT World Timer watch. Price from £3,995

Breitling for Bentley Supersports ISR limted edition watch. POA

Breitling for Bentley Supersports ISR limted edition watch. POA