2020 has been an unprecedented year of ups and downs. A global pandemic saw the shut down of entire industries and caused millions of people to go into various stages of lockdown. The watch industry saw its fair share of turbulence, with the cancellation of Baselworld and some of the industries biggest players going digital for the first time in their history.
Through all of the unrest and uncertainty, however, some truly special timepieces have been debuted in 2020. Here at the Watchadvice, we present to you our takes on the very best of 2020.
DIVER
Rolex Submariner 41mm 124060
2020 saw some great dive watches released, with one watch that certainly stands out. The new Rolex Submariner reference 124060 was a revelation in the industry. Long heralded as the best of the best, Rolex truly outdid themselves with this one. The small adjustments to the case shape made the watch feel more refined than the previous generation. The watch feels like the ultimate modern interpretation of what the Submariner always was.
We are huge fans of the previous generation of Submariner also, one of us owns one, but the improvements to the ergonomics of the new watch, as well as the upgrade in movement, now offering a 70-hour power reserve, make the new Submariner my pick for best dive watch released in 2020.
Oris Aquis Date Calibre 400
The second dive watch pick we have is the Oris Aquis Date Calibre 400. We had a chance to do a full in-depth review of this timepiece. The Oris Aquis Date Calibre 400 is the latest from the Swiss manufacturer and comes equipped with their latest and greatest movement; the Calibre 400.
The Aquis is one of Oris’s most iconic collections, so it was deemed as the model to go-to for the brand’s new Calibre 400 movement. The Calibre 400 movement is groundbreaking, not only for Oris but the watch industry as a whole. Revolutionizing what a movement should offer for the everyday person, the Calibre 400 movement is highly anti-magnetic, high precision, and has a staggering 5-day power reserve!
The Aquis model that the Calibre 400 is housed in is quite stunning as well. Enclosed in a stainless steel 43.5mm case, this new Aquis model has a beautiful gradient blue dial, with easily legible markers. With all the makings of a great dive watch and great value for money, the new Oris Aquis Date Calibre 400 is certainly one of our favourites.
SPORTS
Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Control Chronograph Calendar
Our first pick for the 2020 sports watch of the year has to be the new Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Control Chronograph Calendar. With so many great sports models released this year, it was certainly hard to pick a single piece for the top prize. However, the Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Control Chronograph Calendar takes the cake as it comes packed with features and a newly developed movement while being beautiful to look at.
The Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Control Chronograph Calendar pays homage to several models from Jaeger-LeCoultre’s past, to create a timepiece that stands by the brand’s heritage while being modern with the 21st Century flair. Watch advice had the opportunity to spend some time with this piece. You can find the full review with stunning pictures here.
The Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Control Chronograph Calendar comes equipped with three complications; the chronograph, triple calendar display, and a moon-phase. The watch comes housed with the brand’s in-house Calibre 759 movement which has a power reserve of 65 hours. The new Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Control Chronograph Calendar brings together a simplistic design with multiple functionalities.
Bulgari Octo Finissimo Automatic Satin-Polished Steel
The second pick of best sports watch launched in 2020 is the Bulgari Octo Finissimo in satin-polished steel. The Octo finissimo is a breathtaking display of watchmaking but had always lacked true everyday appeal due to its lack of water resistance.
With the launch of the satin-polished steel model this year, Bulgari not only greatly improved the looks of the watch, the expertly finished case and bracelet now shine like never before, but they also added a screw-down crown which gives the watch 100 meters of water resistance. Throw all of that in with the already superbly crafted micro-rotor calibre BVL138, and the new Octo Finissimo Automatic satin-polished steel is a recipe for success.
DRESS
H.Moser & Cie Endeavour Centre Seconds Concept Blue Lagoon
Our pick for best dress watch in 2020 has to be hands down the H.Moser & Cie Endeavour Centre Seconds Concept Blue Lagoon. Known for being a creator of simplistic timepieces, H.Moser & Cie has done away with everything on the dial, to simply let the colors do all the talking. What a masterpiece it turned out to be. The concept behind this watch is to evoke emotion first, tell the time second, and we believe it has done just that.
The Endeavour Centre Seconds Concept Blue Lagoon comes with a 40mm 18k white gold casing, which perfectly compliments the dial. The dial really is the talking point of this watch. The blue lagoon colour is so stunning to look at, it’s quite hard to stop yourself from staring at it.
With a dial face that can’t be any simpler, the beautiful blue lagoon colour combined with 18k white gold casing makes this in our opinion the best dress watch released in 2020. Watchadvice had the pleasure of being able to review this timepiece which certainly didn’t disappoint. You can find the full review here.
Cartier Tank Asymétrique pink gold
If you love rectangular dress watches, then the launch of the Cartier Tank Asymétrique will be right up your alley. The pink gold model with the grained grey dial is our favourite for the second-best Dress Watch pick for 2020, with the manual wind timepiece a vision of class at just 6.3mm thick.
Cartier never ceases to amaze with their sense of playfulness in their Privee collection, here using a unique three-lug system and slanting both case and dial slightly to create the asymmetrical aesthetic.
