Our Favourite Watches From 2025
2026 is finally here and we could not be more excited about what it holds, especially in terms of watches. Before 2025 slips out of sight completely, we thought it would be good to give our favourite watches from the year one final curtain call. We have really seen it all this year, from heavy-hitting releases from the big brands, to superstars from the ever disruptive independents, and everything in between. In this article, we are going to cover our stand-out watches across a range of prices, categories, and complications, as well as look at some brands that we think have really stood out to the industry this year. We will also preface this article with a small disclaimer: we are shamelessly proud of the latest releases from Wren, so you are definitely going to see a few of their watches in this guide. Without further ado, let’s jump straight into our first watch…
Best Watch Under $1,000 -Furlan Marri CLE Gallery Saudi Arabia Edition
The Furlan Marri CLE Gallery Saudi Arabia Edition is the strongest sub-$1,000 release of 2025 because it does everything with intent. If you have ever held a Furlan Marri before, you will know that the watches are leagues above their price point and this one is no different. The case finishing punches well above its weight, with crisp transitions and elegant proportions that wear effortlessly. Dial execution is the real win: balanced typography, refined textures, and thoughtful Saudi Gallery details that feel meaningful, not just a decorative afterthought. It’s rare to see this level of coherence, finishing, and cultural specificity executed so confidently at this price point in an increasingly crowded microbrand landscape today.
Find out more about this watch here.
Best Watch Under $5,000 - Wren Diver 38 Mad
The Wren Diver 38 ‘Mad’ is the best watch under $5,000 USD, in our slightly biased opinion. The Diver 38 was already a huge upgrade on the original Diver One, with a slim and svelte 38mm case, and this variant is pushing the concept to the maximum. Originally designed as a piece unique for Craig’s niece, this watch was just too cool to not share it. Aside from the crisp lines and clinical dial that give this watch that ice-cool feel, what is so special about it? Well, turn the lights out and you’ll see…the bezel is compeltely lumed, giving it maximal legibility in the dark. The lume was already pretty powerful, but this has really launched it into another universe. For around $1,600 USD, you are getting a watch that has more features and story behind it than 99% of watches under 5K: it’s unbeatable. I would definitely be picking this watch up if I was you…
Buy your Wren Diver 38 right here.
Best Watch Under $10,000 - Grand Seiko SLGW007 Blue Birch Bark
The Grand Seiko SLGW007 Blue Birch Bark stands as the best release under $10,000 because it delivers substance on every level. At first the subdued tones of the silver and blue might indicate a relatively boring watch but that could not be further from the truth. The new manual-wind high-beat movement reintroduces mechanical intimacy, offering exceptional accuracy paired with a deeply satisfying winding feel. The Blue Birch Bark dial is exactly what you would expect from a Grand Seiko dial: nuanced and restrained, revealing depth and movement without relying on excess. Case finishing remains benchmark-setting, with almost unbeatable finishing and disciplined proportions that elevate daily wear. There are no superfluous details and nothing feels added for effect. In this current watch market defined by spectacle, the SLGW007 wins through refinement, technical credibility, and quiet confidence. It is by far the best in its class.
Find out more about this watch here.
Best Watch Under $20,000 - Rolex Land-Dweller
Would this article really be a proper ‘best of 2025’ if we did not at some point talk about the Rolex Land-Dweller. In the last twelve months, the Land-Dweller has arguably been one of the hottest watches we have seen. No one could really believe that it was leaked so early ahead of Watches & Wonders. At first, I was sceptical about the watch, struggling to understand what the watch was trying to achieve especially as the integrated sports watch trend has passed its peak. Going hands on with the watch changed everything. The 36mm case is supremely comfortable and the bracelet is on another level, breathing a new life into the iconic Jubilee design. Compared to everything on the market, Rolex watches can often seem a little bit safe, but the Land-Dweller has changed that: the Crown is exciting again. If I had $20,000 (and a Rolex allocation), I would definitely be spending it on the 36mm Land-Dweller in steel.
Find out more about this watch here.
Best Luxury Watch Over $20,000 - A. Lange & Sohne Lange 1 Daymatic Honeygold
The $20,000 and up range is a difficult category to judge, but this latecomer is definitely the one: The A. Lange & Söhne Lange 1 Daymatic Honeygold is a definitive expression of modern haute horlogerie. The earthy tones of the ‘Honeygold’ dial adds warmth to a design that I feel can come across as a bit clinical, but without being pompous: a perfect complement to the asymmetric Lange 1 layout. Lange have added a slight twist: it is now equipped with a retrograde day of the week indicator instead of the power reserve. In my opinion, this is all the Lange 1 needs to take the top step in the haute horology segment. Whilst the technical prowess of this is impressive, the watch isn’t about novelty, volume, or showboating. It’s all about refinement pushed to its logical extreme. This watch is the proof that a late release can steal the show.
Find out more about this watch here.
Best Everyday Watch of 2025- Oris ProPilot Date
The Oris ProPilot Date, one of my all time favourite watches, has received an incredibly powerful and a compelling upgrade. This overhauled design is a blend of traditional Oris design and aviation-inspired cues, reimagined for the everyday adventurer. At 41 mm in stainless steel with a matching bracelet, it may not be a watch for every wrist but it does have a fabulous presence and versatility that means you can wear it comfortably on any adventure. Its textured black dial, clear Arabic markers, and bold hands ensure excellent legibility: it is a true to its pilot-watch roots, but with some character courtesy of the textured dial. Legibility is, in my humble opinion, the most underrated point in an everyday watch: if you cannot read it in a glance, then you will just get frustrated. This is probably why pilot’s watches frequently make some of the best all-rounders. The subtle fluted bezel, the element that first drew me to the design, is a really nice touch and gives the watch a slightly dressy feel. Powered by the automatic Calibre 733 with about 41 hours of power reserve and an instantaneous date at 6 o’clock, it combines functional readiness with a refined, unpretentious aesthetic.
Find out more about this watch here.
Best Dress Watch of 2025 - Cartier Privé Tank à Guichets Jump Hour
When you ask someone to picture a dress watch, I can guarantee that they will visualise one of two watches, either something ultra-thin and round with a white dial, or a Cartier Tank. Based on that, I think it would be rude and foolish to overlook the Cartier Privé Tank à Guichets Jump Hour as the best dress watch of 2025. I feel like I have said this a million times, but 2025 is the year of the jump hour and the Tank à Guichets was the start of the cascade (though Nico Leonard will claim that he was first, but the jury is still out on that one…). Radically different to all the other Tank models and other dress watches, this Jump Hour is a stark reminder that exciting complications can be dressed up beautifully. Novelty aside, the Tank à Guichets is an absolutely beautiful watch, that emphasises on two things: firstly, the rarity of an alternative time display, and secondly, the elegance of the Tank case. After all, it is an icon for a reason, and I fully expect this model to become a significant marker in Cartier’s modern history.
Find out more about this watch here.
Best Sports Watch of 2025 - Vacheron Constantin Historiques 222 in Steel
Celebrating their 270th anniversary, it would be hard to expect anything less than an excellent year from Vacheron-Constantin, and they have certainly delivered. There are about a million new references, patterns, and models that were released to commemorate the occasion. However, the one that really stands out to me is the Vacheron Constantin Historiques 222 in steel. The 222 has got to be one of the most slept on integrated sports watch designs. Originally released around the same time as the Royal Oak and Nautilus, the 222 had some tough competition, and it was only recently that the vintage models started seeing the love that they truly deserve. When we talk about integrated bracelet steel sports watches, there is inevitably some form of comparison or similarity with the aforementioned Genta designs, and that’s what I love about the 222: there is just no room for that. It is completely unique.
Find out more about this watch here.
Best Dive Watch of 2025 - New Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean 600m
The Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean 600m is easily one of the most overlooked dive watch models ever produced. The Seamaster 300m, made famous by 007, steals a lot of the hype and attention. I spent many of my formative years watching Jeremy Clarkson (Top Gear & Grand Tour presenter) take his Seamaster Planet Ocean 600m on some hair raising adventures. Whilst the nostalgia has always made the watch appeal to me, I have never been able to get over the sizing. The latest generation was 16.1mm thick, which was about 2mm too much for a 42mm watch. Omega have clearly recognised this issue and delivered what is possibly the greatest upgrade: the case now measures a svelte 13.8mm thick. By most people’s standards, that is not a slim case, but considering the 600m of water resistance I think it is more than thin enough. If this change wasn’t enough, Omega have delivered one of the most compelling facelifts I have seen in a while: this should be a killer and is definitely our champion in the dive watch category.
Find out more about this watch here.
Best Chronograph of 2025- Omega Speedmaster ‘Dark/Grey Side of the Moon’
We are continuing the Omega trend here with the brand new Speedmaster “Dark/Grey Side of the Moon” novelties, which have really sharpened the concept. They definitely stand out as the strongest chronograph releases of the 2025. Omega has really upped their game, as they continue to lean into ceramic as the defining material. The case finishing, bezel transitions, and dial textures have been refined for a more cohesive, and less experimental feel. Obviously, the ceramic cases offer excellent scratch resistance and a lighter wrist presence, which helps differentiate themselves from the more traditional Speedmasters. I have found the dials on previous models to be busy and tricky to read, but cleaner and more structured layouts with more nuanced color tones and surface treatments noticeably improve legibility and depth. Beating inside the watch is the infallible the Master Chronometer chronograph movement that I believe to be one of the most compelling arguments for purchasing this watch, or any Omega for that matter. Overall, the novelty and refinement of this new collection as well as the high-performance spec sheet propel these releases to the top of the leaderboard: I do not think that there is a better combination of aesthetic, function, and price, and for this reason it takes the top step in 2025.
Find out more about this watch here.
Best GMT or Worldtime of 2025 - MicroMilspec Worldtimer
There are so many fabulous GMT/Worldtimer watches out there on the market, with many contenders for the title, often retailing in the high-five figures. However, there are some gems at the complete opposite end of the spectrum, which is where you will find our champion: the Micromilspec Worldtimer. Micromilspec is an independent Norwegian brand specialising in limited-run watches built for real military use, often developed in close collaboration with elite units. These are tools first, aesthetics second, and in my opinion that’s exactly what makes them work so well. Their latest release, the Worldtimer, is a standout. Swiss-made, it combines a chronograph, world-time complication, 200 metres of water resistance, and a grade 5 titanium case. Designed with the Royal Norwegian Air Force, legibility and toughness are non-negotiable. On paper, a design entirely purpose-driven and free of excess might sound a bit bland, but that could not be further from the truth. The price tag, which is just shy of $4,000, and the limited run of just 150 pieces, seal the deal for me: run, don’t walk, to go and get your hands on one of these before they sell out.
Find out more about this watch here.
Best Microbrand Release of 2025 - Haim Annum
This year, more than others, the microbrand space has been fiercely competitive: brands are under pressure to bring out something incredible to cut through the noise. Discovering the Haim Annum earlier this year, I was immediately blown away. At first glance, I genuinely mistook it for a high-end Vacheron Constantin perpetual calendar, which makes the reality even more impressive. The annual calendar is massively underrated in my opinion, very few traditional manufacturers produce them well and at a microbrand level it is even rarer. The standout feature is the fumé dial that offers a subtle glimpse of the movement without the visual noise of full skeletonization. It feels refined, balanced, and far more expensive than it is. Few watches deliver this level of sophistication at the price (approximately $2,000 USD), making it well worth a closer look.
Find out more about this watch here.
Most Improved Brand of 2025 - Bremont
In the last couple of years, Bremont have come under a lot of fire from a lot of people, with many claiming that the recent rebrand was leading the British manufacturer away from its heritage. It would be safe to say that 2025 has well and truly silenced those critics. The Altitude collection, released at Watches & Wonders, has reaffirmed the brand’s commitment to their utilitarian nature. For me, the standout is definitely the MB Meteor, a strong statement of the brand’s capabilities and intentions. The Altitude collection caters to every taste, with pieces available in 39, 42, and in a variety of complications, including a Perpetual Calendar GMT. If Bremont weren’t already having a good year, the release of their extremely cool Terra Nova jump hour has sealed the deal for us: Bremont has undoubtedly turned the tides.
Find out more about this watch here.
Best Collaboration - TAG Heuer X Fragment (Hiroshi Fujiwara)
The TAG Heuer x Fragment collaboration works because it understands restraint. Fragment, led by Hiroshi Fujiwara (often known as the godfather of Japanese streetwear) is less about logos and more about cultural credibility, subtle signals, and obsessive detail. That philosophy translates cleanly here. The Carrera base is stripped back, monochromatic, and sharply proportioned, with Fragment’s lightning bolt acting as punctuation rather than decoration. Typography, dial spacing, and finishes feel intentional, not collaborative-for-the-sake-of-it. It bridges watchmaking and street culture without forcing the conversation. The result is a modern TAG Heuer that feels genuinely cool and fashionable, and not just a piece that appeals to hardline watch nerds: this is something far harder to achieve than hype alone.
Find out more about this watch here.
Most Overhyped / Overpriced Watch of 2025 – Audemars Piguet Perpetual Calendar Self-Winding Cal. 7138
Whilst planning this article, I realised that I have barely covered Audemars Piguet this year. Questioning my own sanity, I rushed to check what they had done this year and quickly realised that AP have had a relatively quiet 2025. Yes, they released a new Perpetual Calendar calibre that eliminates the need for extra pushers to set the time, date, etc. The watch retails in and around the $120-130,000 USD which is huge, and yet the difference with its predecessors is minimal. Whilst this new calibre is technically impressive, I would argue that compared to its Holy Trinity colleagues, Patek and Vacheron, AP has really left a lot to be desired. The other big news from the brand is that they will be joining Watches & Wonders for the first time. This is momentous and it has me wondering whether 2025 was strategically a quiet year, in preparation for some major announcements in 2026.
Find out more about this watch here.
Brand to Watch in 2026 – Wren
Am I being a little biased (again) when I nominate Wren as our brand to watch? Yes. Do I have more than enough evidence to back this nomination? Absolutely. Can I share all of that evidence with you? Not all of it. In the last 2 years Wren has gone from strength to strength: the brand has now got two incredibly popular models in its quiver, with a ton more stuff in the pipeline. Gaining recognition from major publications and personalities, such as Kevin O’Leary, the value for money remains unbeatable. If a Wren Watch was a car, it would have an insane power to weight ratio: something that every enthusiast wants to get their hands on. If I was you, I would be paying a lot of attention to what comes next, because its nothing like you have ever seen from them before, and not like anything else other brands are making.. stay tuned!
Find out more about Wren here.
