Blog I - Watches & Wonders 2024 - our top five picks
Watches & Wonders 2024 has come and gone. Weeks of building excitement for us watch nerds, over in a flash. I think it is safe to say that this year's releases were somewhat lackluster when we compare them to previous years. That being said, there were undoubtedly some standouts.
In no particular order, below are our top 5. You all know the specs already, so these are just our honest thoughts.
Tudor Black Bay 58 GMT
Is it cliché to pick this one? Probably. But we love it. I have owned Black Bays in pretty much every guise they come in. The 58's 39mm is the sweet spot in terms of case size and adding a GMT movement to this model is the move we've all been waiting for Tudor to make. The Black Bay Pro was undeniably thick when it housed the GMT movement, but Tudor have been able to lop nearly 2mm off in this iteration. Couple that with the red and black bezel and the guilt accents, as well as the T-Fit clasp, and here's a watch we can't wait to see in the flesh.
Rolex GMT MASTER II - GRNR Steel
I know, boring pick for the top 5 right. But let's not pretend we all wouldn't snap an AD's hand off if they offered us one. Rolex are infamous for releases that fly in the face of what enthusiasts wanted or expected, but this one seemed a shoe in. The GRNR (Grey/Noir) bezel was a hit on the two-tone 126713 and full gold 126718, so was bound for steel stardom. And who can question the addition of the green GMT hand, nodding to the now discontinued 116710LN. The Jubilee is my pick of the bracelets.
TAG Heuer Chronograph Skipper Rose Gold
Sorry, had to do it. It's gratuitous I know, but doesn't it look good! The Skipper is a great looking model anyway and in rose gold, with the colourway they have chosen for the dial, it looks incredible. But don't let the looks distract from the mechanics of this piece. Inside is TAG Heuer's in-house regatta-focused chronograph movement. Sound good? Then take a look at it through the sapphire case back. Front and back, this watch is an eye-catcher and if I ever see one in the wild I will have to try it on.
Vacheron Constantin Overseas Chronograph
And now for a true big-hitter. The Overseas is a grail for many watch enthusiasts and this combination of yellow gold and the green dial is absolutely stunning. Vacheron also released this combination in the time/date and dual time formats, but the chronograph is the one for me. Who needs this functionality in a solid precious metal piece? Probably no one. But when was the last time we bought a watch with zero input from the heart. This is rhetorical, of course, because I will never be able to afford one, but why not dream.
Tudor Black Bay Monochrome
Is this the closest we will ever get to a new Tudor Submariner? I think so, so let's enjoy it. And what's not to like. This updated, largest in the Black Bay line-up model was first introduced last year with a burgundy bezel and 2024 brings a new black bezel. Again, the slimmer case, option of a 5-link (let's call a spade a spade, 'Jubilee') bracelet and the new crown style makes this watch not only more wearable, but slicker looking on the wrist. However, I think this watch's most impressive feature is the METAS certified movement. At under £4000, it's a heck of a package and looks great in the flesh.
So there we have it - our top five picks from a packed Watches & Wonders 2024. Let us know in the comments what you think of our picks and what your favourite launch was.
