The year 2023 has been a remarkable one for the watch industry, with many brands showcasing their creativity, innovation, and craftsmanship in their latest releases. From dazzling high jewelry pieces to sophisticated mechanical marvels, these are some of the most impressive and daring watches that have caught our attention this year.
Patek Philippe 6300GR Grandmaster Chime One of the most complicated wristwatches ever made by Patek Philippe, the Grandmaster Chime is a masterpiece of horological engineering and artistry. It features 20 complications, including five acoustic functions, two of which are patented world exclusives: an alarm that sounds the programmed time and a date repeater that strikes the date on demand. The reversible double-sided case is made of white gold and rose gold, with brown opaline dials and hand-guilloched hobnail patterns. The watch is powered by the manually wound caliber 200 GS AL 36-750 QIS FUS IRM, which has a 72-hour power reserve for the movement and a 30-hour power reserve for the strike work. This watch is limited to 200 pieces in each metal combination.
Ludo Secret Watch by Van Cleef & Arpels Inspired by the couture world and the Maison's heritage, the Ludo Secret Watch is a stunning jewelry creation that conceals a guilloche white mother-of-pearl dial. The watch is composed of an articulated ribbon of 18k gold with hexagon or briquette motifs, embellished with diamonds, sapphires, rubies, or coral. The ribbon can be worn as a bracelet or transformed into a watch by sliding a precious flower that reveals the dial. The flower itself holds a beautiful cabochon gemstone surrounded by marquise-cut diamonds. The watch is equipped with a quartz movement and is available in four variations.
Coloured Dreams by Chopard Haute Joaillerie Chopard celebrates its expertise in gem-setting and colour combination with the Coloured Dreams collection, which offers new interpretations of the eternity ring theme. The rings feature vibrant gemstones such as emeralds, rubies, sapphires, amethysts, and tsavorites, arranged in harmonious or contrasting hues. The gemstones are set in 18K white or rose gold using different techniques such as prong setting, bezel setting, or invisible setting. The result is a dazzling display of colours and shapes that evoke joy and vitality.
Square Bang Unico Sapphire 42mm by Hublot pushes the boundaries of sapphire technology with the Square Bang Unico Sapphire, a transparent watch that reveals its complex mechanism from both sides. The watch has a square case made of polished sapphire crystal, which is extremely hard and scratch-resistant. The bezel is also made of sapphire crystal with a chestnut brown colour and a tachymetric scale. The dial is made of sapphire crystal as well, with gold-applied hour markers and hands. The watch is powered by the HUB1280 UNICO manufacture self-winding chronograph flyback movement with a column wheel, which has a 72-hour power reserve. This was is limited to 250 pieces.
The Rolex Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona is the ultimate chronograph for racing drivers and enthusiasts, combining performance, precision and style. The watch has an Oyster case made of platinum, yellow gold or Everose gold, with a Cerachrom bezel in ceramic that is corrosion-resistant, scratch-proof and unaffected by UV rays. The bezel also features a tachymetric scale for measuring average speeds of up to 400 km/h or mph. The dial has three snailed counters for displaying elapsed time in hours, minutes, and seconds, as well as a date window at 3 o’clock. The watch is powered by the caliber 4130 or 4131 (for models with moon phases), a self-winding mechanical chronograph movement with a Perpetual rotor and a Parachrom hairspring that offers high stability and resistance to shocks and temperature variations
Tank Normale Prive by Cartier . Cartier pays tribute to its iconic Tank model with the Tank Normale Prive, a limited edition watch that reinterprets the original design from 1917. The watch has an elongated rectangular case made of yellow gold or platinum, with satin-brushed finishes and polished chamfers. The case also features a bevelled sapphire crystal that enhances the elegance of the watch. The dial has Roman numerals, an inner railroad track and a hidden date at 7 o’clock. The winding crown has a blue sapphire or ruby cabochon that adds a touch of colour to the watch. The watch is powered by the calibre 1917 MC or MC2 (for skeletonized models), a manually wound mechanical movement that has a 38-hour power reserve. The watch is available with a leather strap or a matching metal bracelet.
Royal Oak Automatic 37mm by Audemars Piguet. Audemars Piguet presents a new version of its legendary Royal Oak model, the Royal Oak Automatic 37mm, which combines the collection’s signature design with a refined size and a feminine touch. The watch has an octagonal bezel made of stainless steel or 18K pink gold, with eight hexagonal screws and a satin-brushed finish. The dial has the emblematic "Tapisserie" pattern, which is manufactured with rare expertise, and applied hour markers and hands with a luminescent coating. The watch is powered by the calibre 3120, a self-winding mechanical movement that has a 60-hour power reserve and a 22K gold oscillating weight. The watch is available with a leather strap or an integrated metal bracelet.
The 7 best and boldest new watches of 2023 are not only remarkable timepieces, but also expressions of creativity, innovation and craftsmanship. They showcase the diversity and excellence of the watch industry, as well as the passion and vision of the brands that created them. Whether they are inspired by history, art, nature or technology, these watches are designed to impress, delight and inspire. They are more than just watches, they are works of art.
