Tom's Top Five New Watches from Watches and Wonders 2026

After a flurry of new releases and excitement, Watches and Wonders 2026 comes to a close. But after all that noise, which were the watches that stood out to me?

I've compiled five of the most captivating releases to me that were announced at the show. Now, I'll preface this by saying that this is not a list of watches I would actually go out and buy because they're all, bar one, incredibly expensive. This is however a list of the watches that truly captured and held my attention above the noise and hype. 

Make sure to read through all of our other Watches and Wonders 2026 content on our online magazine.

A direct descendant of the Overseas Everest created in 2019 and now almost unattainable, this new collection reminds us that integrated sports watches aren’t just for flexing in Knightsbridge.

The 41mm titanium case is going to have presence, but from experience I know that the overseas in this size will most likely surprise many wearers by how ergonomic its wearing experience is. So, here we have the perfect balance of size and durability with the functionality of a dual timezone. Four dial colours were produced to mark each of the cardinal points on the compass, again solidifying this watch as a global explorer’s timepiece.

Something else to consider is that Vacheron are now the only brand of the ‘holy trinity’ that have retained the Geneva Seal. A mark of the quality and artistry of their watchmaking, arguably setting them apart from the likes of Patek Philippe and Audemars Piguet.

Jeager-LeCoultre have always been a very dress-oriented brand to my eyes. Apart from the Polaris they don’t really have any through and through sports watches. That is until just last week when they unveiled the Master Control in its shiny new armour.

Being the watchmakers’ watchmaker, JLC movements powered the integrated bracelet design watches from the 1970s, so it seems only fitting that the brand themselves make their own. The bracelet design is intriguing and somewhat differs from the likes of AP and Patek. The case is slim thanks to the excellent movement manufacturing skills at JLC. And there are complications available for this new timepiece. It all comes together to make an extremely attractive sports watch with my personal favourite being the power reserve-date model in steel.

In my opinion, this is a far stronger integrated sports watch than what Patek came out with this year for an anniversary of the Nautilus!

Let’s bring things back down to earth for just a minute (ironic considering the name of this watch), we need some relatively attainable watches on this list as well as high horology. My favourite new release in this attainable category is not from TAG or Tudor, but ORIS.

The Star was a model that ORIS launched in the 1960s and this ‘reissue’ is entirely faithful to the original design and proportions of that watch. It has the feel of an authentic vintage watch while being brand new. The 35mm case, sector dial design and minimal text, all the hallmarks of a quality vintage reissue. And it’s good value, for £2,300 you’re getting a lot of vintage charm and a high specification.

Alright, now that I’ve filled my quota for sensible watches, let’s kick things up to the opposite end of the spectrum. When the Ulysse Nardin Freak launched it was extreme. Watchmaking pushed to the limit and a new way of telling time was conceived. For 2026 Ulysse Nardin have decided that simply reinventing the wheel wasn’t enough, their new watch needs everything thrown at it. So, they created what is now the most complicated time-only watch ever made. 511 parts, two flying tourbillons, silicon balance wheels, 42 jewels in a 42mm case. There’s more to the movement than that but it gives you a flavour of the complexity of this watch.

It costs CHF320,000 but even for that price I’m not sure I could own this watch because I can’t read the name of it without singing it like Rick James!

Parmigiani Fleurier do one thing better than any other brand. Making incredibly complex things look very straightforward. They did it with their Rattrapante GMT and now they’ve gone and done it with a chronograph. I haven’t seen many people talking about this watch and think part of the reason for that is the very thing I mentioned when introducing this watch. It looks so simple which must mean that it is. If people truly understood how much of a watchmaking marvel this was, they’d be jumping all over it, but because it doesn’t have two flying tourbillons visible on the dial and 511 parts, they haven’t.

The Tonda is first and foremost a watch designed to be elegant. This chronograph watch is 40mm in diameter and 13mm thick. They managed to package all of that phenomenal watchmaking into a steel and platinum case that would fit the majority of wrist sizes.

The monopusher at 7:30 starts the chronograph function, revealing the gold hands from beneath the hour and minute hands. A second push stops the chronograph, and a third resets the function and hides the hands beneath the time displaying handset meaning that when the chronograph is not in use the watch appears as a three-hander. It’s genius and ultra complex but still elegant, refined and downright gorgeous. It’s arguably my favourite new watch from the show this year, but I’m not going to pick a favourite just yet. Not until I can see these watches in person.

Price - CHF 36'900