Baselworld, the annual trade show held in the Swiss watch-making mecca, brings out the biggest names showing off their best new timepieces. This year's show brought new styles and updates on the classics. Here our friends at GQ.com share a look at 2012's best and biggest trends. Aviator Nation These watches, taking inspiration from vintage pilots' timepieces, are a cool evolution on the military styles that have taken over in recent years. Taking the ruggedness of the pilot style, with its signature heft and complex dials, but producing it in sleek style grounded in a black color scheme, elevates the standard piece. (Top, left to right): Hamilton Pioneer $1,095; Victorinox Swiss Army Chrono Classic $625. (Bottom, left to right): Nautica BFD 102 Date Watch $115; Movado Datron $1,695.

Blue State Last season's big color statement is still in play with new takes on the tint once again presented this year. New propositions have the color shifting from the background of your favorite timepieces to the front, being used as an accent on dials and hands as well as bezels. (Left to right): Omega Speedmaster Racing Co-Axial $4,000; Hublot Vendome 2012 Classic Fusion All Black Blue Chronograph $13,000; Rado D-Star 200 $1,795.

Flying High Another crop of pilot-inspired watches turned up, but what separates these timepieces from their dark counterparts is the contrast-stitched bands rendered in vegetable-tanned leather that will wear in like your favorite baseball mitt. (Left to right): Omega Moonwatch "First Omega in Space" $4,400; Victorinox Swiss Army Infantry Mechanical $650; Zenith Pilot Big Date Special $7,200.

Gentlemen's Club These timepieces dial down the bells and whistles, but amp up the style with clean lines and luxe finishes. The absence of numbers, replaced with slick markers, help create a refinement that would be as appropriate at your black-tie wedding as sitting courtside at a game. (Top row, left to right): Hamilton Intramatic $845; Rolex Date Just II - Price upon request; Patek Philippe Calatrava $26,800. (Bottom row, left to right): Nixon The Automatic Chrono $4,750; Hermès Dressage $10,600; Citizen Signature Grand Classic $995.

Gray Matters This is one time where monotony is a good thing. The biggest trend at Basel was gray, in every shade and fabrication, brought together in a single timepiece. It's a cool, contemporary update available at any price point. (Top row, left to right): Bell & Ross WW1-Argentium $5,900; Gucci G-Timeless Automatic Chronograph $1,950; Oris Big Crown Date $1,750. (Bottom row, left to right): Timex Modern Originals Easy Reader $65; Hermès Cape Cod $5,100; Victorinox Swiss Army Original Chronograph $450.

The Midas Touch The marriage of gold bezels and batons with rich brown watch faces is what makes these an exciting spin on the classic gold timepiece. It's a subtle change from traditional hues, but one that brings these gilded watches into modern territory. (Left to right): Omega Aqua Terra 150M GMT $18,050; Zenith Captain Central Second $14,300; Rolex Oyster Perpetual Sky-Dweller - Price upon request.