In keeping with The Watch Pages, 993 new watches hit the market this 12 months. That’s so much in a difficult economic system, so somebody should be spending.
2024 noticed huge releases from the annual Watches and Wonders in Geneva, along with smaller but impactful releases scattered all through the year- there was definitely no scarcity of buzz-worthy horological moments to get enthusiastic about.
Whereas some manufacturers, like Jaeger-LeCoultre, OMEGA and IWC, emerged stronger with revolutionary designs and spectacular advertising, others appeared to stumble, unable to seize the creativeness of collectors and lovers. On this roundup, we’ll take a look at the winners, the losers, and different noteworthy releases that outlined one other 12 months in watchmaking.
Associated Tales
Who Have been the Winners?
2024 introduced us some actually spectacular timepieces, with sure manufacturers standing out in a aggressive market.
IWC Portugieser Everlasting Calendar was Greatest In Present
Arguably one of many 12 months’s greatest winners, the IWC Portugieser Everlasting Calendar dazzled with its extraordinary celestial calendar performance, promising accuracy for an astonishing 45 million years.
We had been fortunate sufficient to attend this 12 months’s unveiling to talk with physicist Brian Cox, tying the watch to themes of house exploration and scientific frontiers. It was a stellar launch and rightly recognised on the 2024 Le Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève.
Regardless of its groundbreaking complexity, IWC managed to deal with it in a 44mm case – giant however not overbearing. It struck an ideal stability between innovation and wearability, and its success in markets like Australia exhibits simply how common this watch’s broad enchantment is.
Cartier Santos-Dumont Rewind Was Bizarre However Oh So Cool
Cartier is really having fun with a renaissance; the French luxurious Maison was flexing its horological muscle tissue with the discharge of the Santos-Dumont Rewind at this 12 months’s Watches & Wonders and proof of its inventive prowess.
With its vibrant carnelian dial and contrasting Roman numerals, this ultra-thin, limited-edition timepiece was grabbing the eye in Geneva. It was solely while you seemed nearer that you just noticed this piece’s hidden abilities: an inverted manual-winding 230 MC Calibre that enables the hours and minutes to run backwards.
Cartier’s broader successes with the Santos vary and the growing reputation of the Tank amongst males sign a model on a powerful upward trajectory.
OMEGA White Speedmaster Was Simply What the Physician Ordered
The OMEGA White Speedmaster continued the model’s dominance within the chronograph class and jumped on the favored development of white dials that we’ve seen in 2024.
Whereas some would possibly argue the Speedmaster vary is oversaturated, this clear, vivid design stood out this 12 months; Its mix of timeless aesthetics and collectability ensures it’s a watch destined to turn into a staple for lovers, myself included.
Breitling Chronomat 41 was a shock for the Australian market.
Celebrating its a hundred and fortieth anniversary, Breitling had a strong 12 months, with the Chronomat B01 42 specifically standing out. Its matte white dial, black subdials, and rubber Rouleaux strap lent it a playful but refined Snoopy-esque vibe. This piece didn’t rewrite the principles of watchmaking however exemplified Breitling’s knack for producing extremely wearable, fascinating chronographs.
Berneron Mirage was the weirdness we wanted
Though overshadowed by controversy – founder Sylvain Berneron’s fiery altercation with journalists in Geneva, which you’ll be able to learn extra about right here – the Berneron Mirage was undeniably a winner.
To say Berneron’s story is exclusive, can be an understatement. After spending 5 years with Breitling, he determined to enterprise out and launch his personal model, remortgaging his house and pouring all the things into an impartial watch model that bears his title.
It wasn’t lengthy earlier than the Mirage, Berneron’s first watch, would win the Audacity Prize on the 2024 GPHG. It was a risk-taker that reportedly value Berneron near 1,000,000 Swiss Francs to develop. However the result’s beautiful: a chunk fused distinctive craftsmanship with daring design parts, incomes it a spot on the radar of discerning collectors. Generally, a little bit of drama solely provides to the attract of a standout timepiece.
Who Have been the Losers?
Not each model struck gold in 2024. A couple of stumbled, both with underwhelming releases or questionable strategic choices.
Patek Philippe Cubitus exhibits a scarcity of creativeness
Whereas Patek not often misses the mark, the Cubitus left many scratching their heads. Its outsized design – sporting extra like a 43-44mm regardless of its 41mm spec – felt out of contact with market preferences, particularly given its audience in China, the place smaller sizes are favoured.
Whereas we had been trying ahead to being proved incorrect once we managed to get a hands-on final month, in addition to high-profile purchases from A-Lister celebrities like Mark Wahlberg, the watch did not resonate with core collectors in search of a Nautilus different for his or her rotation.
Audemars Piguet’s popular culture play is a snore
Audemars Piguet’s deal with popular culture collaborations, together with its partnership with artist KAWS, felt uninspired. The model’s limited-edition technique more and more caters to solely the ultra-rich, alienating mainstream lovers.
With a Sydney boutique rumoured to open close to Round Quay in 2025, AP will little question proceed to baffle collectors and shoppers.
Bremont bins its founders
Bremont had a difficult 12 months, with the departure of founders Giles and Nick English signalling the lack of the model’s beating coronary heart.
Whereas technically competent, the ensuing releases lacked the distinctive appeal that when made Bremont stand out. This strategic misstep might need long-term repercussions for the model.
Will they make an look at Watches & Wonders in 2025? Unlikely however the boys are integral to the model’s success.
Different releases value mentioning
Past the winners and losers, a number of different releases captured our consideration in 2024:
Hublot Pink Sapphire Huge Bang: Whereas primarily a girls’s piece, this daring, vibrant launch was a dialog starter and a industrial success for the model.TAG Heuer: Regardless of a comparatively quiet 12 months for TAG Heuer, their partnership with Method 1 will set the stage for a large 2025.
Grand Seiko maintained its standing as a collector favorite, providing a number of the most fascinating dials out there (particular point out to the Silver Birch dial sported earlier this 12 months).
On the decline, Panerai struggled to remain related with 4 new releases to the Submersible assortment. We loved them on the time, because of the America’s Cup and their partnership with Luna Rossa. However in a busy horological 12 months, maintaining with the opposite manufacturers within the fleet can typically be more difficult.
As we sit up for Watches and Wonders 2025 in Geneva, the stage is ready for brand spanking new surprises, daring strikes, and even perhaps just a few redemptions. Till then, hold your eye on the wrist—there’s at all times extra to find.
