While we wait for Watches and Wonders Geneva 2025, it seems watchmakers can’t sit still either, keep themselves busy with releases of new models anyway. Some might argue the market is oversaturated and we don’t need more editions, but these releases prove otherwise: from a model, we’ve been waiting impatiently for, and fresh new colourways, to a new vintage-inspired Olympic timekeeper and a well-known fashion house making bold moves to establish themselves as a serious watchmaker.
Take your time, as there are plenty of things to talk about.
Vacheron Constantin Historiques 222
It was love at first sight when the Historiques 222 was reintroduced a few years ago. And then Brad Pitt casually flexed it? Oh, come on. Back then, it was only available in gold, and in limited numbers but now things have changed: Vacheron Constantin is kicking off the year with a steel version of the iconic model. Originally launched in 1977 to mark the brand’s 222nd anniversary, the Jorg Hysek-designed 222 was something different to what people were used to from the brand. Now, as the company celebrates 270 years, the Swiss watchmaker makes it available to all of us. The 2025 Historiques 222 doesn’t have exactly the same proportions but still stays true to the original model. What makes this model even more special is its ultra-thin movement, housed in a 37mm case that’s less than 8mm thick. This might just be the best-looking sports watch with an integrated bracelet on the market right now and without a doubt, it’s at the top of our wishlist. We hope we will get a chance to spend some time with the watch soon and bring you our full review. For now, more info is on the brand’s website.
Tudor Black Bay Chrono Flamingo Blue
If you’re a watch nerd or just a big David Beckham fan, you might have spotted him wearing this model a few weeks before its official release. First, we got the pink edition (which we featured here), and now Tudor continues to use the Black Bay Chrono as a playground to offer a wider spectrum of colours. And we love that! The latest release adds a fresh contrast to the usual black, white, or navy dials. Apart from the colour, nothing else has changed. It still carries the same solid specs: a 70-hour power reserve, a 41mm case and 200m water resistance. Like the Pink and Ceramic Blue editions, the Black Bay Chrono Flamingo Blue comes on a five-link jubilee steel bracelet. This is the dive watch we want to spend the summer with. For more, visit Tudor’s website.
Omega Seamaster 37mm ‘Milano Cortina 2026’
In just about a year, one of the greatest sporting events in modern history kicks off again. The 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics will bring athletes from around the world to six different locations across Italy. And as the Games’ longtime timekeeping partner, Omega will, of course, be there once more. To celebrate this occasion, the Swiss watchmaker has looked to their archives and introduced the Omega Seamaster 37mm Milano Cortina 2026, a beautiful, vintage-looking watch. Most of its design inspiration comes from the Omega Seamaster made for the Olympics in 1956 (also known as the ‘Cross of Merit’), as well as a reissued model from 2008. The case is spot-on, with the touch of the hexagonal crown included. This is a watch we can see even Graham enjoying on his wrist, an ideal go-to option for those who want a modern watch, with a dressier feeling. You can find more details here.
Louis Vuitton Tambour Convergence
A couple of weeks ago, LVMH Watch Week brought a wave of new releases from the French Maison but the one that caught our attention is the new Tambour Convergence. Inspired by 1920s watchmaking, this piece displays time through a window at the top, which draws inspiration from the gilded edges of clouds, under which two rotating discs for hours and minutes slowly rotate throughout the day, showing the actual time. The only thing that could have made it even better? A jumping hour mechanism, like the original vintage models. The case of 37mmm is produced with hand-polished detailing in LV’s new watchmaking workshop in Geneva and comes in two options – solid rose gold or a platinum version set with 795 diamonds. We would stick with the gold unless you are a rapper from the noughties planning its comeback. While we’re a bit sceptical of this fashion house trying to do all things possible these days, this is different. We can see how seriously they take the watchmaking. Want to find out more about this watch? Continue here.
Oris ProPilot X Miss Piggy edition
Two years ago, Swiss watchmaker Oris surprised us by dropping the ProPilot X in a vibrant green, featuring none other than Kermit the Frog. A playful move, especially for such a model. Naturally, after that release, we wondered: would there be another edition of this Muppet collaboration? And here we are now, with the Miss Piggy Edition. This time, it comes in a smaller 34mm case and, for the first time, in stainless steel instead of the titanium used in previous versions. The design keeps the same silhouette and industrial finish as Kermit’s case, but there’s a key difference, no date window. So where do we see Miss Piggy as we can Kermit on its edition? You’ll need to flip the watch over to find her on the case back. While we loved the Kermit Edition and we love the smaller size, we’re not entirely convinced here. A smaller case, pink details, a diamond.. ‘ta-da’ a women’s watch… Let’s just leave it here. How much more fun would it have been to see the Statler and Waldorf edition instead? Let’s see what’s next from Oris. We are waiting. For more, visit Oris’ website.
Becoming a watch nerd?
- Vacheron Constantin – Founded in 1755, Vacheron Constantin is the world’s oldest watchmaker in continuous operation. From early decorative engravings to ultra-thin movements and complex complications, the brand has always pushed boundaries. The 222 in the ‘70s, now with its rerelease and the Overseas today prove its ability to evolve while staying true to refined craftsmanship that remains a benchmark of high watchmaking.
- Integrated bracelet – is designed as a seamless extension of the watch case, creating a more streamlined, sleek look. First popularised in the 1970s with luxury sports watches, it became a signature of high-end design. Today, it’s all about comfort and style and as a showcase of precision craftsmanship.
- Complication – is any function on a watch that goes beyond telling the time (from calendars and alarms to tourbillons and time zones).
- Movement – can be automatic/self-winding, manual winding or quartz and is what keeps the watch going.
- Watches and Wonders / W&W – is the luxury watch industry’s preeminent annual event, a watch fair, showcasing new releases from over 50 top brands.
- Diver – diving or dive watch – is a watch designed for underwater diving to record elapsed time that features, as a minimum, a water resistance greater than 100m (typically around 200 to 300m). Another important feature is a bezel, which must have uni-directional rotation. If the bezel is bi-directional, any knock could rotate and the diver can lose the tracking.
- Water resistance – refers to a watch’s ability to withstand exposure to water without damage. It is measured in meters (m), atmospheres (ATM), or bars, indicating the depth or pressure the watch can endure. However, these measurements are theoretical and don’t always equate to actual diving depths. 30m (3 ATM): Splash-proof, suitable for everyday use but not for swimming. 50m (5 ATM): Safe for showering or light swimming. 100m (10 ATM): Suitable for swimming and snorkelling. 200m+ (20 ATM or more): Ideal for professional diving or water sports.
- Power reserve – how long the watch can show you the time when it’s not on your wrist.
- Date Window – most mechanical watches with a date window have a date wheel that increments every 24 hours and runs from 1-31. That means that if the month has fewer than 31 days, you need to manually correct the date after.
- Cross of Merit (dial) – In 1952, following the Olympic Games of Helsinki, Omega was awarded the ‘Cross of Merit’ for contributing to 20 years of timekeeping for the Olympics. As a result, in 1956 to celebrate the Melbourne Olympics, Omega introduced the Seamaster with its highly distinctive lugs (also known as (‘dog leg’ lugs as per their shape), a 34mm gold case and a dial decorated with faceted triangular markers and an applied XVI logo at 6 o’clock.
- Crown – is the small knob typically located on the side of the watch case. It allows the wearer to adjust the time, date and other functions. In mechanical watches, it’s also used to wind the movement. Crowns come in different designs, such as screw-down crowns, which create a watertight seal for improved water resistance (dive watches). The crown is both a functional and aesthetic feature, often bearing the watch brand’s logo.
- Lugs – A watch lug (or horn) is where a watch strap, band, or bracelet attaches to the watch case -> |__|
- Marker – on a watch refers to the symbols or lines on the dial that indicate the hours or minutes—whether it’s a simple tick, number, or Roman numeral. These markers make it easy to read the time.
