2024 has been an exceptional year for watch enthusiasts, with some of the world's most prestigious brands releasing stunning new models that combine cutting-edge technology with timeless design. Whether you’re a collector, an aficionado, or someone looking for a statement piece, the following list of the best watches of 2024 so far is sure to impress. These are my top 12 picks of 2024 so far!
1. OMEGA Aqua Terra
38 x 12.3mm stainless steel case, 45.1mm lug to lug, Omega 8800 movement, strap options include a stainless steel bracelet with micro adjustment. Retail price: £6,200 on bracelet.
Continuing to be a paragon of elegance and functionality, the Omega Aqua Terra ‘Black Pearl’ (as I’m now calling it) was released as a beautiful black dial variant. Powered by the Co-Axial Master Chronometer calibre 8900, it offers superior precision and anti-magnetic properties. Its versatility is highlighted by its ability to transition effortlessly from a day at the office to an evening by the water. With water resistance up to 150 meters and a robust stainless steel build, the Aqua Terra is a reliable companion for any adventure. The simplicity of this model is to die for, and I believe this watch is nothing short of perfection from OMEGA.
2. TUDOR Black Bay 58 GMT
39 x 12.8mm stainless steel case, 47.8mm lug to lug, Calibre MT5450-U movement, strap options include a stainless steel bracelet and rubber strap. Retail price: £3,960 on bracelet, £3,770 on Rubber Strap.
TUDOR’s popular Black Bay 58 line has expanded with a GMT version, allowing wearers to track multiple time zones. The Tudor ‘Coke’ has a 39mm case and retains the classic Black
Bay design cues, such as the snowflake hands and the domed sapphire crystal. The robust Calibre MT5652 movement ensures reliable performance. The Black Bay 58 GMT is a tribute to TUDOR’s rich heritage while offering modern functionality for today’s travellers.
3. Vacheron Constantin Overseas Chronograph
42.5 x 12.6mm pink gold case, 51mm lug to lug, Calibre 5200 movement, strap options include a pink gold bracelet, calfskin leather, and rubber strap. Retail price: £76,500 on pink gold bracelet.
A testament to the brand’s dedication to luxury and precision, the Vacheron Constantin Overseas Chronograph comes with a stunning green lacquered dial, a 42.5mm stainless steel
case, and an interchangeable bracelet system, allowing easy swaps between steel, rubber, and leather straps. Powered by the in-house Calibre 5200, this watch delivers exceptional chronograph performance and a 52-hour power reserve. Its design is both sporty and sophisticated, making it suitable for any occasion.
4. IWC Portugieser Perpetual Chronograph
44.2 x 14.9mm 18ct 5N gold case, 52.1mm lug to lug, Calibre 52611 movement, strap options include an alligator leather strap. Retail price: £38,900 on leather strap.
A marvel of horological engineering, the IWC Portugieser Perpetual Calendar features a classic 42.4mm case and an elegant moon phase display, accurate for 577.5 years. The in-house calibre 52611 boasts a seven-day power reserve and an efficient Pellaton winding system. The perpetual calendar mechanism adjusts automatically for leap years and varying month lengths, requiring no manual correction until 2100. It’s a timepiece that blends tradition with advanced watchmaking.
5. Seiko Prospex 'Shog-urai'
41.7 x 12.3mm stainless steel case, 49.5mm lug to lug, Seiko Calibre 4R35 movement, strap options include a stainless steel bracelet silicone strap. Retail price: £560 on bracelet, £520
on rubber strap.
Merging the durability of the Samurai line with the sleek design of the Shogun series, Seiko’s Prospex ‘Shog-urai’ features a 44mm titanium case and a ceramic bezel, providing lightweight yet robust protection. Powered by the reliable 6R35 movement, it offers a 70-hour power reserve. The watch’s sharp aesthetics, including a textured dial and bold indices, make it a standout piece for both everyday wear and underwater adventures. Chisholm Hunter is very privileged to sell the all black variant exclusively in the UK.
6. Citizen Super Titanium
41 x 11mm super titanium case, 46mm lug to lug, Citizen 8213 movement, strap options include a super titanium bracelet. Retail price: £499 on bracelet.
This year, CiIzen has outdone itself with the release of the CiIzen Super Titanium, a watch that celebrates advanced materials and innovative watchmaking. Showcasing CiIzen’s proprietary Super Titanium, this model is incredibly lightweight yet highly resistant to scratches, making it both durable and comfortable for everyday wear. The dials on these watches are incredibly detailed and frankly stunning. The small seconds complications between the 4 and 6 o’clock markers finish off the dial beautifully.
7. Longines Conquest 38mm
38 x 10.9mm stainless steel case, 46.8mm lug to lug, calibre L888 movement, strap options include a stainless steel bracelet. Retail price: £2,000 on bracelet.
Impressing with the Conquest series, Longines’ 2024 model is designed for sports enthusiasts, featuring a robust stainless steel case, water resistance up to 300 meters, and a precise automatic movement. The 41mm case houses a beautifully detailed dial with luminescent hands and markers, ensuring readability in any condition. The colours available for this model are absolutely beautiful (I’m partial to the champagne colour personally!) but they all have their own merit and personality.
8. Tissot PR516
41 x 13.7mm stainless steel case. 49mm lug to lug, ETA movement. Strap options include stainless steel bracelet or leather strap. Retail Price: £1,720 on bracelet, £1,760 on straps.
Reviving its racing heritage, Tissot’s PR516 pays homage to the brand’s 1960s motorsport designs. Featuring a perforated leather strap reminiscent of driving gloves, a tachymeter bezel, and a chronograph function, the 2024 model has a 42mm stainless steel case housing a reliable ETA movement, ensuring precise timekeeping. The PR516 is a perfect blend of
vintage charm and modern performance, making it a favourite among racing fans and watch collectors alike. The splashes of colour on the dial give this watch that little bit more personality, and I love it!
9. OMEGA Speedmaster
42 x 13.2mm stainless steel case, 47.5mm lug to lug, Omega 3861 movement. Features Sapphire Crystal Glass. Strap options include stainless steel bracelet, rubber strap, or fabric strap. Retail Price: £7,600 on bracelet, £6,200 on straps.
The watch every collector wants! Renowned as the Moonwatch, the OMEGA Speedmaster receives a fresh update with a striking white dial. This new variant maintains the iconic design elements that have made the Speedmaster legendary, including the tachymeter scale and the chronograph functions. The 42mm stainless steel case and the manually-wound Calibre 3861 movement remain, ensuring the watch’s durability and precision. The white dial adds a modern twist to this classic, making it a must-have for Speedmaster enthusiasts.
10. Rolex GMT Master 2
40 x 12mm Oystersteel case, 48mm lug to lug, Calibre 3285 movement. Strap options include a Jubilee Oystersteel bracelet. Retail Price: £9,550 on bracelet.
Remaining a symbol of luxury and functionality in 2024, the Rolex GMT Master 2 features a bi-colour Cerachrom bezel, available in several striking combinations. The 40mm Oyster case ensures water resistance up to 100 meters, and the Calibre 3285 movement offers impressive accuracy and a 70-hour power reserve. The GMT Master 2’s ability to display multiple time zones simultaneously makes it the perfect companion for global travellers.
11. Panerai Submersible Luna Rossa
42 x 11mm stainless steel case, 46mm lug to lug, P.900 calibre movement, strap options include a fabric strap. Retail price: £9,500 on strap.
Paying tribute to the brand’s partnership with the Luna Rossa sailing team, the Panerai Submersible Luna Rossa features a 42mm ceramic case with a unidirectional rotating bezel and is water-resistant up to 300 meters, making it ideal for diving enthusiasts. The P.9000 calibre ensures robust performance with a three-day power reserve. Its bold design and nautical heritage make it a standout piece. To me, Panerai’s are meant to be big and bold on your wrist, so this model is perfect for even slim wrist enthusiasts.
12. Certina DS Action Diver GMT
41 x 13.8mm stainless steel case, 49.5mm lug to lug, PowermaIc 80 movement, strap options include a stainless steel bracelet and leather strap Retail price: £1,040 on bracelet, £995 on strap.
Offering an exceptional blend of robustness and functionality, the Certina DS Action Powermatic features a 41mm stainless steel case, a ceramic bezel, and a screw-down crown, ensuring water resistance up to 200 meters. The GMT function allows for tracking multiple time zones, making it ideal for travellers. The Powermatic 80 movement provides an impressive 80-hour power reserve. I loved filming this watch in Iceland this year and was naturally drawn to the brown variant - it felt incredibly elegant and classy with the PVD gold highlights. A beautiful watch from a vastly underrated brand.
From the timeless elegance of the Omega Aqua Terra to the sporty sophistication of the Vacheron Constantin Overseas Chronograph, 2024 has introduced some truly remarkable timepieces. Each watch on this list showcases the best in design, craftsmanship, and innovation, offering something unique for every watch enthusiast. Whether you are looking for a robust diver’s watch, a precise chronograph, or a classic timepiece with modern twists, these watches represent the pinnacle of horological excellence this year. Looking forward to what the next six months has in store for us watch nerds!
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