The Best Watches Released in July 2024

Not to be outdone, Baltic presented some fresh additions to their lineup, continuing to charm with their vintage-inspired designs. Ulysse Nardin also made waves with their latest dive offerings, reaffirming their reputation for pushing the boundaries of horological artistry and technology. And, of course, as July was the month the Olympic Games Paris 2024 got underway, we also saw new novelties from Official Timekeeper OMEGA as well as their affordable younger sibling, Swatch.

These highlights are just the tip of the iceberg. Read on as we delve into each hot release and trends from the past month, exploring the unique features and stories behind each new timepiece.

For fans of the MoonSwatch who haven't yet become exhausted by the seemingly never-ending parade of MoonSwatch variants, July brought us yet another take on the iconic collaboration between Swatch and OMEGA. This time, in celebration of the summer season and the blue moon (upcoming on August 19th), a blue Bioceramic MoonSwatch was unveiled. Presented with blue and white opaline panda dial, moonphase complication and secret detailing which can be unveiled under UV light. For the first time this MoonSwatch also features a pulsometer scale with white markers, setting it apart from its otherwise identical brothers and sisters.

Next up, something a little more serious as Seiko treat watch enthusiasts to a blast from the Japanese brand’s past. This modern recreation of the 1969 5 Sports Speed-Timer pays tribute to the legacy of astronaut Colonel William Pogue, hence the name. Pogue was originally assigned to Apollo missions 7, 11 and 14 as a member of the support crew but was diverted to the Skylab program. Having bought, and become rather fond of, his own 5 Sports Speed-Timer, his reluctancy to remove the watch when the time came to embark upon his expedition to Skylab 4 led him to instead take two watches with him. Pogue took to the skies with the official NASA approved watch we’re all familiar with on his right wrist, and his beloved Seiko on his left. And that, is the story of how the Seiko 5 Sports Speed-Timer became the first automatic chronograph in space.

Mirroring elements of its predecessor, the newly reinterpreted Seiko Prospex ‘Pogue’ Solar Chronograph 1969 appears under sapphire crystal glass with a vivid yellow dial and contrasting bright red second hand and subdial minute hand at 6 o’clock. The modern variation is equipped with a V192 solar chronograph calibre with a power reserve of 6 months from a full charge.

Launched at this year's WindUp Watch Fair Chicago, Christopher Ward revealed a treat tasty enough to cool down even the hottest summer. The new rendition of their beloved The Twelve model expanded to include new, sickeningly sweet 'Ice Cream' references. The Ice Cream Collection is comprised of four limited-edition pieces, with 200 being made available of each. The tantalising flavours are as follows; Biel-Berry, Mint 38, Made in Mangohead and Peach Sellita. Newly equipped with the same innovative clasp system that was first debuted on the Twelve X (Ti), the sweet new additions allow for 3mm of on-the-fly micro adjustment from a seamless, butterfly clasp and are also available with alternative, fun, colour matching rubber straps. The new Twelve Ice Cream references are exclusively available in a 38mm case.

Panerai seem to make it into our recurring highlights feature without fail every month. This time, they’ve released the Luminor Quaranta BiTempo Goldtech, which sets out to – the modern wearer with its smaller case dimension, GMT function and exclusive brushed Panerai Goldtech™ case. Perfectly capturing the classic aesthetic of the core models in the collection, the new variation boasts the reliable P.900/GMT calibre under the hood with 3-day power reserve, stop-seconds function and 12-hour GMT display. 

Into Dutch territory now with a collaboration from Ace Jewelers and Nivada Grenchen. The limited-edition fifty-piece sports watch is a new version of the beloved original Nivada Grenchen F77 and marks a third collaboration between the two brands. Gone is the regular edition’s traditional basket weave dial which has instead been replaced with a sophisticated matte black offering and this time around, as is only right with a watch called the ‘Amsterdam’, a red ‘XXX’ sits in pride of place alongside a red seconds hand, representative of the Dutch capital’s shield. 

There’s something of a trend emerging this month with several brands trotting out relics of the past. Nivada Grenchen’s Chronosport is a previously unreleased vintage chronograph prototype that is due to be released for the first time with a re-designed contemporary twist. As it happens, the revival of the rare 70’s Chronosport is thanks to a pretty viral Instagram post after Guillaume Laident came across the model at auction. Fans immediately took to Instagram to demand the watch be reissued for the sake of the community. Roughly 20 protypes were produced in the 70s but the re-issue is the first time they have ever been commercialised.

Equipped with the Valjoux-7750-ETA automatic, the revamped Chronosport features date window at 3 o’clock, tachymeter scale surrounding the dial, a striking fluted unidirectional rotating aluminium bezel as well as 200m of water resistance. 

Introducing two new limited-edition references to the popular Classics Runabout collection, Frederique Cosntant unveiled two offerings in collaboration with the Riva Historical Society. Appearing in 42mm and 36mm formats, the new references bring a vibrant electric blue to the collection for the first time, as inspired by the iconic Riva motorboats, a physical manifestation of the Italian dolce vita.

As is tradition for the Classics Runabout collection, the new limited-edition pieces are powered by the tried and tested FC-303 movement which offers a 38-hour power reserve and can be seen through the sapphire crystal caseback.

The Skindiver Decompression MN90 automatic watch is a real standout. It has a black dial with MN90 Decompression Tables, complete with colored markings that show you the depth reached. For visibility, it uses C3 Super-LumiNova® and white baton-shaped hands that pop against the black background. The watch also features a double dome sapphire glass and a sturdy steel case that’s water-resistant up to 150 meters. Plus, it comes with a screw-down crown and caseback for added durability.

The MN90 Decompression Tables, first introduced by the French Navy back in 1990, tell you exactly when to take decompression stops after diving at certain depths and durations. Equipped with the reliable Japanese Citizen/Miyota 8315 automatic movement, you can choose between a black, sky blue, or yellow Tropic rubber strap, or go for the classic 316L stainless steel beads-of-rice bracelet.