Here’s what caught our eye at last month’s international watch fair in Switzerland .

Last month’s Baselworld unveiled the watch industry’s most desirable offerings for the 12 months ahead. All the big brands were represented, and most of the small ones, too, so whether you’re a fan of horological giants like Rolex and Omega, or a connoisseur of niche names such as Ressence and Nomos, these events demand the attention of anyone thinking about buying a watch over the course of the next year. We went along so you didn’t have to. Here are some of the best timepieces worth investing in.

Heritage Black Bay 36

Rolex’s “little brother” brand continues its renaissance this year by introducing in-house MT5602 movements to its existing Black Bay range (and a big new bronze model). However, the biggest surprise was the introduction of its smallest watch – the Black Bay 36 – which is vintage sized at 36mm, as well as vintage inspired. The movement is a bombproof ETA 2824, and with the rare size, the “snowflake” hour hand, the French-made jacquard camo NATO strap and the restrained dial, all at an affordable price, this is a tempting proposition.

From £1,730, US$2,525; available from early summer

Regatta America’s Cup

Having created powerful partnerships on land (with Jaguar) and in the air (with Boeing) Bremont is now conquering the sea with its eye-catching association with the America’s Cup and Oracle Team USA. At root, this is an automatic chronograph with a five-minute “regatta” countdown subdial at 12 o’clock. It’s replete with Bremont’s usual virtues of clarity and simplicity, and despite the intensity of the contemporary yachting scene is elegant enough to work as well with a lounge suit as it will with a wetsuit (although you may want to switch to a rubber strap while on deck).

£4,995, $6,895; available from July

BR-X1 Hyperstellar

Thanks to its relative youth (the company was founded in 1992), Bell & Ross is free to explore the wilder end of watch design – one of few brands doing so at prices that put them in the mainstream. That said, there’s little that is mainstream about the BR-X1 Hyperstellar. Omega’s Speedmaster might recall the golden age of space exploration, but this watch anticipates the next one. In essence a skeleton chronograph, the Hyperstellar is as much a design statement as it is an horological one.

£14,000, $19,900; available from mid July

Monsieur de Chanel

Chanel might be France’s preeminent womenswear brand, but it’s been increasingly serious about watches for some years – mainly as works of stunningly intricate jewellery. But now Chanel has created a watch that, unlike its more unisex J12 range, is most definitely a man’s model, and it’s grabbed the attention of horophiles. This is partly down to the unusual dial, with its bespoke font, jumping hour and retrograde minute-hand, and partly it’s down to the anthracite “Calibre 1” movement that’s been made with assistance from revered watchmaker Mr Romain Gauthier. For some guys, the brand name may be challenging, but taken on its own merits this watch is compelling.

From £23,250, US$34,500; available from June

Superocean Heritage Chronoworks

Even at a Basel show well supplied with updated classics, Breitling’s Superocean Heritage Chronoworks stood out. The Superocean is the brand’s classic diver range, and the new version gives the timeless form a badass contemporary makeover with a ceramic case that has a sapphire back (the better to admire the black rotor that drives the 100-hour power reserve Breitling movement). The rubber strap may recall the classic metal “grains of rice” bracelets long associated with the Superocean, but the overall mood is defiantly modern.

£30,410, $39,295; available TBC