Chamath Gamage 
Watches and Wonders 2025 didn’t disappoint. Saw some standout pieces, but these five really caught my eye. Narrowed it down to some personal favourites that left a real impression on me.
Now that Watches & Wonders has finished for 2025, I can reflect on what an amazing journey it has been this year, with a few timepieces that are still lingering on the back of my mind. Matt and I were on the ground in Geneva covering the latest releases, so we had the chance to see the pieces in person and on the wrist. While there were quite a few timepieces that impressed me on first glance, there were some that left a lasting impression after the dust had all settled. As always with Watches & Wonders, however, there was no shortage of variety, ranging from ultra-thin technical marvels to bold new reinterpretations of existing icons.
This year’s fair felt like many of the brands were honing in on their craftsmanship, innovation and in some cases, restrained elegance. High complications were certainly a theme, especially Vacheron Constantin’s world-record-breaking Solaria, but on the other side, so was the wearability of timepeices. From heritage-inspired chronographs to minimalist three-handers dressed in new case materials, the balance between form and function was definitely front and centre. And as always with Watches & Wonders, the booths themselves were a visual spectacle, each one bringing its own energy and storytelling.
With all this in mind, I have chosen five watches from this year’s Watches & Wonders that stood out to me, whether for their design, technical achievement, or just that unexpected “wow” factor on the wrist. The timepieces I chose made me pause, take a second look, and made me think to myself, “This is what watchmaking is all about.”
Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Monoface with a Milanese Bracelet
Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Reverso collection is known for its timeless elegance. This year, Jaeger-LeCoultre took this a step further by introducing the Tribute Monoface with a brand new Milanese bracelet. The pink gold case, combined with the gold-tone grained finished dial, looks absolutely stunning in person. The dial has been created through a careful process that requires an astonishing 30 steps, showcasing the attention to detail from the watchmakers at Jaeger-LeCoultre. This is one design that will immediately grab your attention, but in a way that feels both classic and fresh.
While the case and dial of this Tribute Monoface are just beautiful to look at, the real star of this watch is the bracelet. The Milanese flat bracelet is crafted from 16 meters of intricately intertwined gold threads, making it truly unique. This timepiece is a vital addition to the Reverso lineup, introducing something entirely new without detracting from what makes the Reverso collection so exceptional. The Milanese bracelet feels incredibly smooth, and it wears comfortably on the wrist. Its the kind of watch that makes you wonder if Jaeger-LeCoultre might drop a steel version in the future, something that will make the Reverso even more versatile!
Related Reading: A Tribute to Elegance: Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Latest Beautiful Reverso Monoface
Grand Seiko Evolution 9 Spring Drive UFA
Grand Seiko continues to impress with their Evolution 9 Spring Drive UFA. This watch is all about precision, and with an accuracy of +/- 20 seconds per year, it’s one of the best mechanical timepieces around. The dial features the “Highlands Ice Forest” motif, which adds a beautiful, natural touch. And with a 37mm case, it fits perfectly on smaller wrists, like mine, making it an easy watch to wear every day.
One of the coolest updates is the new micro-adjust bracelet. It lets you adjust the bracelet by up to 6mm, which is something that has long been needed from Grand Seiko. The bracelet itself is light, and the clasp sits comfortably on the wrist. There are two versions of this model: one in platinum and the other in high-intensity titanium. Personally, I love the titanium version (SLGB003) for its strength and lightness. It’s clear that this kind of tech is something we’ll be seeing more of in future Grand Seiko models.
Related Reading: The New Grand Seiko Ice Forest Watches Are Snow Joke
BVLGARI Octo Finissimo Ultra Tourbillon
The BVLGARI Octo Finissimo Ultra Tourbillon is seriously impressive. Coming in at just 1.85mm thick, it’s hard to believe how thin this thing really is. But even with that crazy thinness, it doesn’t feel fragile. It actually wears really well and feels solid on the wrist. At times, you forget it’s even there—my arm hair sits higher than the watch!
What’s cool is how easy the dial is to read, and the whole layout just makes sense. The bracelet’s ultra-thin, too, but still tough enough to handle daily wear. For a watch this slim, that’s no easy feat. It’s BVLGARI’s 10th world record-breaker, and with this kind of work, it doesn’t look like they’re slowing down anytime soon. The Octo Finissimo Ultra Tourbillon proves that there’s a lot more to come from this brand in the future.
Related Reading: The New Bvlgari Octo Finissimo Is Thinner Than A Nickel
Cartier Privé Tank à Guichets
Cartier’s back at it again with the Privé collection, and the return of the Tank à Guichet is a big one. It’s one of those pieces that blends old-school charm with modern style. The platinum case version stands out this year – clean, sharp and totally different to anything else. It shows the time through two little windows (hours and minutes), so it’s not your usual Tank setup, but that’s what makes it so cool.
On the wrist, it wears really well. The 33mm case size sits perfectly on my 16.5cm wrist, and even with the solid platinum build, it doesn’t feel chunky. The vertical crown is a neat touch, too. I love the attention to detail here – especially the slightly coloured numerals, which give it just the right pop. It’s honestly one of my favourites from Cartier this year. Feels like they’ve taken something classic and brought it back with just the right amount of flair.
Related Reading: Cartier’s New Privé Tank à Guichets Remasters The Elegance of Simplicity
Rolex Land Dweller
The new Land-Dweller from Rolex is a solid addition to their line-up. What really stood out to me is the new high-frequency movement inside – the calibre 7135. It’s actually a step up from the 7140 we saw in the 1908 last year. One of the big changes here is the regulating system. It now beats at 5 Hz, which is 36,000 beats per hour. That means it can measure time to one-tenth of a second – pretty wild for Rolex.
Then there’s the Dynapulse escapement – this one’s a big deal. It’s said to be 30% more efficient than your regular Swiss lever, so definitely a game changer in the long run. As for the design, it looks great on the wrist. The fluted bezel and flat jubilee bracelet just flow together really nicely. The whole watch feels fresh but still very Rolex. I’m really hoping this tech starts showing up in more of their models down the track.
Related Reading: Rolex Opens New Horizons With The Land-Dweller
Watches and Wonders really delivered this year. There was something for everyone – whether you’re into high-end tech, clean design, or just something cool to wear. Grand Seiko’s new Spring Drive is next-level with that crazy accuracy, and BVLGARI’s Ultra Tourbillon? Just nuts how thin that thing is. The JLC Reverso on that Milanese bracelet was a big standout for me – feels like the bracelet finally does the watch justice. And Cartier bringing back the Tank à Guichet? That one hit different.
It’s been awesome seeing brands push boundaries but also bring back some history with a modern twist. Can’t wait to see what shows up next year.
