With the rise of clock-equipped cellular phones, wristwatches were projected to fall into obscurity alongside portable CD players and VHS machines. Not only has this not come to pass, watches - particularly in the luxury category - are setting records at auction.

Let’s face it. Most people don’t wear luxury sports watches for practical reasons. They buy them because they look cool. The best chronographs on the market are like wearable versions of a luxury sports car.

But if you happen to be an outdoor enthusiast who actually needs a watch that will stand up to the rigors of your adventures and even offer some useful benefits, there are myriad timepieces for sports enthusiasts of all means and athletic persuasions.

Time has run out on this year’s Baselworld but watch enthusiasts are still buzzing about the innovative and creative luxury timepieces unveiled during the show’s week-long run.

For those new to the high-end watch scene, Baselworld is the premier trade show for the international watch and jewelry industry. Every year, over 1,400 of the world’s most dedicated watchmakers and jewelers descend upon Basel, Switzerland to display their latest creations and designs to more than 122,000 chronometer experts, retailers and devotees.

When watchmakers want to promote their brands, they turn to the celebrities their male customers admire most: star athletes. Luxury and sports watch brands are gearing up for this years big sports seasons to begin, after a winter spent targeting the Olympic Games, watched by millions of sports fanatics (and watch collectors) worldwide.