Baselworld: Classics With A Bright Future

IF THERE WAS one common beef among those who attended the recent Baselworld watch fair, it was this: the luxury timepieces launched were nothing but rehashes of the same old classics.

It's not a new criticism. The same complaint is heard almost every year, not just at Baselworld, but also at the other annual mega watch fair, the Salon International De La Horlogerie (SIHH).

Bringing back old popular models in new guises is a staple offering, if not among the highlights, at Baselworld and SIHH, but critics say it's increasing in recent years, with the improvements and updates made shown to be largely cosmetic.

There are good reasons for reviving old classics. Many of them are still…