Sameera Gamage 
From groundbreaking materials to elegant refinements and jaw-dropping complications, Watches & Wonders 2025 had no shortage of showstoppers. Here’s my personal selection of standout pieces that truly captured the spirit of this year’s fair.
Watches & Wonders 2025 has wrapped up, and once again, the world of horology has delivered a spectacular showcase of innovation, design and craftsmanship. Every year, I come away from this fair inspired and amazed by how brands continue to push the limits of what is possible, whether it’s through world record-breaking timepieces (such as Vacheron Constantin’s Solaria), ground-breaking materials, high complications or even subtle evolutions of iconic timepieces.
This year was certainly no different. Going into Watches & Wonders 2025, we knew quite a few brands were celebrating big anniversaries, which meant big things were expected from the fair, and it did not disappoint! With new collections introduced and familiar names coming back with bold new twists, there was plenty to absorb this year.
As always, I approached the Watches & Wonders 2025 not just as a writer, but as an enthusiast, someone who genuinely gets excited seeing a watch that makes your jaw drop or catches you off guard in the best way. Some pieces demand attention instantly with their technical brilliance or aesthetic flair, while others quietly grow on you with understated elegance and charm.
Mario and I were back in Brisbane, frantically writing, editing, and reacting to the daily drops as they came through and yes, maybe refreshing Instagram and WhatsApp every few minutes just to keep up with the action. Despite being halfway across the world, that electric buzz of the fair was still palpable. From sapphire mastery and ceramic evolution to vintage proportions and mind-blowing complications, here’s my personal selection of the standout timepieces from Watches & Wonders 2025!
Hublot Water Blue Sapphire Big Bang Unico
Sapphire watchmaking has always held a special place in my heart in the world of horology; it’s the pinnacle of material engineering when it comes to case construction. The complexity involved in machining such a hard, brittle material into a perfectly polished, transparent case speaks volumes about a brand’s technical mastery and commitment to pushing the boundaries of modern watchmaking, something that Hublot is well-versed in.
This latest Big Bang Unico may simply be just another colour in sapphire on the surface, but it’s so much more than that. Creating a new colour or shape in sapphire can be notoriously difficult due to the material’s properties, such as its hardness, which is only surpassed by that of diamond. This makes it incredibly resistant to shaping, cutting and polishing. Regarding the creation of a new colour for an existing shape, such as the Big Bang Unico case, introducing pigments or chemical elements during the crystallisation process can compromise the clarity and structural integrity of the sapphire, making consistent colouration a significant challenge. This is why this new Hublot Water Blue Sapphire Big Bang Unico is more than just a case colour change that we see in traditional watchmaking, and for me, one of the standout picks in this year’s Watches & Wonders 2025.
Related Reading: Hublot Unveils New Big Bang Unico In Water Blue Sapphire
TAG Heuer Formula 1 Solargraph Collection
This is a big year for TAG Heuer, with the brand making a return to Formula 1 as the official timekeeper. What better way to celebrate this momentous occasion than with an update to the brand’s Formula 1 line, bringing back vintage-inspired looks with a modern twist. TAG Heuer presented a total of nine timepieces for this latest Formula 1 Solargraph collection. The new colours of the Formula 1 collection weren’t chosen simply for aesthetic reasons, but as a reference to the past – the original Formula 1 collection of 1986.
The fun colourful theme of the 1986 Formula 1 collection is portrayed through these watches, presented in a steel or bio-polyamide case. The introduction of TH-Polylight for the case material marks a milestone step for TAG Heuer, showcasing the brand’s commitment to innovation while adding a contemporary look to these vintage-inspired timepieces. I love that these timepieces are accessible, yet still packed with design flair that makes them feel special on the wrist. This refresh injects new life into a collection that’s always been about excitement and performance. There’s a real sense of fun and freedom here, where the watches that aren’t afraid to be loud, proud, and unapologetically sporty. The new models are clearly designed for the next generation of watch lovers and F1 fans.
Related Reading: TAG Heuer Brings Fresh Energy To The Formula 1 Collection
Zenith DEFY Skyline Chronograph Blue Ceramic
Zenith is no stranger to creating ceramic timepieces. The brand has been mastering the art of ceramic timepieces over the years, and this is shown through the brand’s DEFY Skyline collection, where we are treated to models in white and black ceramic. This year is Zenith’s 160th anniversary, and what better way to celebrate than releasing a brand new colour in ceramic for three of their most popular timepieces: the DEFY Skyline Chronograph, Chronomaster Sport and Pilot Big Date Flyback.
While all three watches look stunning in this beautiful blue ceramic, the DEFY Skyline Chronograph just stood out to me immediately. This is in part due to me having the Hublot Big Bang Integrated Blue Ceramic for review last year and falling in love with the piece. This is reminiscent of that, but with the character of the DEFY Skyline Chronograph bringing a sporty edge and mechanical complexity to the mix. The ceramic case and bracelet are brilliantly executed, lightweight, scratch-resistant, and ultra-comfortable on the wrist, all the while emitting a rich, deep blue tone that shifts beautifully under the light. It’s a modern take on an iconic timepiece, offering a bold new look that makes it appear effortlessly cool.
Related Reading: A New Trio Of Ceramic Watches For Zenith’s 160th
Louis Moinet – Time To Race
As a fan of motorsports and sports cars, alongside a fascination with skeletonised timepieces, the Louis Moinet Time To Race collection is the perfect watch that combines all three. There’s something beautifully rebellious about the Louis Moinet Time To Race. It doesn’t follow conventional design codes; instead, it embraces boldness, energy, and a clear passion for motorsport. Shown boldly on the dial, the timepieces also offer personalisation, a design feature that very few brands have ventured into. The personalisation of this timepiece involves the wearer selecting their own personal number to display proudly on the offset time dial, framed within a metallic ring reminiscent of a racing car bore, a nod to the motorsport spirit that drives the collection.
Louis Moinet is one of my favourite brands when it comes to skeletonised watches, and these latest releases in the Time To Race collection are a clear reminder of why. One of the main appeals of this collection is the fact that you can see the chronograph mechanism working from the dial side, unlike traditional chronographs, where the mechanism is working on the caseback when engaged. Louis Moinet has deliberately reversed the architecture of the movement to give centre stage to the chronograph’s choreography. From the instant the start pusher is engaged, you witness the levers snap into action, the wheels lock and release, and the chronograph hand glide into motion, all from the dial side. For Louis Moinet, it’s never just about removing material to reveal a movement; it’s about celebrating mechanical artistry, capturing the energy of motion, and showcasing the beating heart of horology in a way that feels alive and thrilling!
Related Reading: Louis Moinet Presents Two New Models For Time To Race
IWC Schaffhausen Ingenieur 35mm
IWC Schaffhausen have released several updates to its Ingenieur collection this year. The 40mm models received two new additions with a stunning black dial paired with 18ct 5N gold case and bracelet, alongside the appealing green dial model that is worn by Sonny Hayes in the upcoming Formula 1 movie. The 42mm version received the “all-black” treatment, this time, however, in full ceramic. Another standout piece was the 41mm model receiving the Perpetual Calendar complication, a first for the Ingenieur since Gérald Genta’s redesign of the timepiece. However, despite all of this, what stood out the most for me was the new 35mm collection.
While I’m a sucker for high complication timepieces due to their technical complexity, the Ingenieur models in 35mm were something else. The 18k 5N gold model with the gold dial, when I first tried it on, I could not put the watch down! While the 40mm version, with its black dial, offers contrasting looks and stands out significantly, this 35mm gold dial variant (that looks white on certain angles!) was aesthetically pleasing and fit superbly on my wrist. The signature Ingenieur styling, now slimmed down, makes for the perfect modern update! There’s a quiet confidence about it; it doesn’t shout for attention, but every detail, from the polished bezel to the integrated bracelet, feels intentional and refined. It’s the kind of watch that grows on you more and more each time you glance down at your wrist. I can certainly see myself wearing the 35mm Ingenieur models daily!
Related Reading: IWC Schaffhausen Launches The All New Ingenieur Automatic 35
Honourable Mention – Vacheron Constantin Les Cabinotiers Solaria Ultra Grand Complication
A surprising release that took the limelight during Watches & Wonders 2025 was Vacheron Constantin’s Les Cabinotiers Solaria Ultra Grand Complication. I love complicated timepieces, so seeing this unexpected marvel being unveiled during the fair was a significant talking point. As we know, Vacheron Constantin is celebrating their 270th anniversary this year, so what better time to take the throne of “Most Complicated Wristwatch Ever Made”?
Vacheron Constantin gave the timepiece the name “Solaria” as it pays tribute to the watch’s astronomical prowess, specifically its ability to track solar time with exceptional precision. Drawing from the Latin word ‘Sol’, which translates to Sun, the name reflects the timepiece’s central complication: a fully mechanical equation of time mechanism, which showcases the difference between solar and civil time. Among Vacheron Constantin Solaria’s 41 complications are five rare astronomical functions along with an innovative Westminster minute-repeater. Aside from this incredible achievement in micro-engineering, one of the standout factors for me was the fact that there are 1521 components in this piece, all in a wearable 45mm x 14.99mm thick case. This is not just a timepiece, it’s a summation of Vacheron Constantin’s spectacular 270-year history, as well as being a poetic ode to the cosmos.
Watches & Wonders proved once again why it’s such an exciting time of the year for watch enthusiasts. From the bold material innovations to the refined technical achievements and the stunning aesthetic designs, the novelties in this year’s fair reminded us why we fell in love with horology in the first place. Whether you’re into cutting-edge sapphire engineering, downsized sports icons, or the poetic complexity of grand complications, 2025 delivered something truly special for every kind of collector!
