Our Top 10 Watches of 2025
Daniel Wickstone explores the best releases this year from the world of watchmaking.
Editor’s Note:
As much as we love our Top 5s, it was time to let them breath as a more comprehensive selection. Here’s our extended Top 10 list of horological picks to go alongside our video on social.
10. Land-Dweller 36
Ref. 127234
Whether it’s the waves of an Omega Seamaster or the faded hue of something vintage, a unique face is often what hooks me into a watch. The controversial honeycomb dial of the new Land-Dweller is no exception, delivered in near-perfect vintage-style sizing (37mm is the sweet spot, IMO) with a familiar jubilee bracelet to match. It’s the perfect remedy to the ever-present – and often misguided – Rolex hype, giving you just enough to cut through the noise at a reasonable $14,450 (pending “supply”).
9. Louis Vuitton Monterey
Ref. W0YG11
I remember when, for the less taste-inclined, Daniel Wellington was all the rage, riding the wave of minimalist dials that pair decently with everything. What those watches were attempting to reference were some of the earlier pieces from brands like, say, Cartier, but also Louis Vuitton. This highly anticipated release from the French house does the same, dipping back into their archives to revive the original 1988 design – complete with a distinct pop of colour and respectable in-house movement that bucks the trend of the usual fashion house watches. Swiss-made at LV’s La Fabrique du Temps, the very-limited piece comes in at a hefty $53,000.
8. Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Self-Winding Perpetual Calendar 41 in Rose Gold
26674SG.OO.1320SG.01
What do we reckon on rose gold? I’ve always been a silver man, myself (admittedly, my pale British genes forced my hand here), but I find a little pinkness can be the perfect blend between two worlds – providing, when done right, the chance to mix metals in a way that’s not entirely sacrilegious. Trust AP to find the balance, this year delivering a result crafted in the perfect, almost ‘dusty’ rose hue that might even entice the least secure macho men. Designed with an ‘ergonomic’ fit that’ll stand the test of time, it’s an excellent edition of the legendary (a title not used lightly, in this case) sports watch. Price upon request.
7. A. Lange & Söhne Richard Lange Jumping Seconds
Ref. 252.056
We’re getting a little niche now, and a Jumping Seconds complication is perhaps the best representation of that. On first pass, the dial is hard to read – but that’s part of the charm, and with a price on request, you’re not buying this for utility. Crafted from pink gold and limited to 100 pieces, the interwoven subdials, reminiscent of a Venn diagram, give you context on the hour, minute, and second. Beyond the dial, this is really just a good-looking bit of kit, and between the salmon dial, platinum bezel, and brown leather strap, it shares a striking resemblance to the next piece on our list.
6. Patek Philippe Calatrava Platinum
Ref. 6196P-001
Despite this, in terms of complications, being about as simple as it gets, Patek’s latest and greatest Calatrava was a big deal for the watch nerds upon release at Geneva’s Watches and Wonders in April. As alluded to above, salmon dials have been a hit this year, and I’m here for it, especially against the textured browns of the leather strap, *chef’s kiss*. And, as annoying as it can be if you’re burdened with too many watches to keep on time, the manual movement on this gives you that extra bonding time, every crank reminding you that you are, indeed, the man. Price upon request.
5. Vacheron Constantin Overseas Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin
Ref. 4300V/220G-H151
With perhaps the most striking dial of the year, and one of the longest names, this white gold beauty will run perfectly until the end of the century, swapping effortlessly between the metal and (included) rubber bracelet. I just can’t get enough of the proportioning here, and with the pops of blue to contrast, it’s my favourite red dial of the year, and honestly, the only one I’ve ever been properly entranced by. Slim, precise, and quietly confident – unmistakably Vacheron, as is the price: $145,000. If not for the price, this would sit higher, no doubt.
4. Chopard Mille Miglia Classic Chronograph Tribute to Sir Stirling Moss
Ref. 168619-3012
Limited to only 70 pieces (as a nod to the anniversary year), this is Chopard tipping their hat to one of the greatest drives in history: Sir Stirling Moss and Denis Jenkinson’s 1955 Mille Miglia record victory, behind the wheel of a Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR. An ever-tasteful steel chronograph, the opaline dial, Arabic numerals, blue details, and rugged suede strap on this create the perfect symphony of vintage motoring. It just looks pretty, to me, and sometimes that’s all you need to love a watch. For $12,000, the often-overlooked brand gives us a lot here.
3. IWC Ingenieur Perpetual Calendar 41
Ref. IW344903
This is the first time IWC has combined its iconic, timeless Genta design with a perpetual calendar. The result? A steel watch that is technically impressive, aesthetically balanced, and perfectly wearable. With a well-balanced, textured dial, it offers day, date, month, leap year, and moonphase all in one neat layout. At $38,900, it’s one properly engineered daily, as we’ve come to expect from Switzerland’s most German watchmaker. An underrated option in a world of competing steel sports watches.
2. Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Geographic
Ref. Q714845J
I am but a boy at heart, and there’s nothing better than a good map – well, other than a JLC Reverso – but thanks to the brilliant minds in Le Sentier, the two are no longer mutually exclusive. For $25,000, this work of art, on one side, offers a blue lacquered dial with a grande date, but flip it over and you get a world time complication, complete with engraved city names and a hand-lacquered map. Also available in a rose gold variant, JLC knocked it out of the park this year. I’ve always had an affinity for the Reverso, and if you were to ask me the perfect flipside dial, a map would have come straight to mind. All I need now is for a few of you (give or take) lovely readers to become paying members…
1. Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Extra-Thin Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon Chronograph (RD#5)
Ref. 26545XT.OO.1240XT.01
Just when it felt like the Royal Oak had maybe run its course – one too many dropshippers having acquired one – AP slapped me back to my senses with this 150-piece special project. Titanium, a flying tourbillon, a flyback chronograph, and a brand-new movement – all in a package just 8.1 millimetres thick. It’s the pinnacle (and finale) of their Research and Development line, and a celebratory piece to mark AP’s 150th anniversary. For $350,000, it’s everything a Royal Oak should be, and aesthetically, every bit as drool-worthy as the spec sheet. I mean, just look at it. Wow.
The jeager ❤️