There's a lot to be said about a watch that just works, no matter what you throw at it. This sort of watch can be relied on to elevate your look all day, every day. Given how versatile this type of watch needs to be, it should come as no surprise that they can be challenging to design.

Tudor is one watchmaker who has refined their offering in this space, especially in the popular and varied Black Bay collection. There's an immense amount of diversity in the Black Bay family when it comes to case size, dial colour and even the additions of practical complications like a GMT and chronograph. Regardless of what Tudor Black Bay you prefer, you can be sure that the watch will exceed expectations in all situations, which is why we can't wait to see what new Tudor releases we see in 2025

Japanese icon Grand Seiko is another watchmaker well known for its expertise when it comes to creating exceptional timepieces designed to shine in all conditions. In fact, the Grand Seiko design philosophy known as Evolution 9 Style is all about creating a design aesthetic that is beautiful, legible and comfortable to wear — which goes a long way in explaining why Grand Seiko's watches are so well suited as everyday classics, and we don't see that changing any time soon.

One of the biggest moves over the last few years has been a renewed appreciation for the sort of timeless elegance that is epitomised by the classic dress watch. For a long time, sportier watches have dominated the conversation, so it's only right that slimmer profiles and reserved designs are once again enjoying their time in the spotlight.

Jaeger-LeCoultre is a master of this sort of refined watchmaking, well-known for the classical purity of the Master collection, and especially the Reverso, which is widely acknowledged as one of the most iconic dress watch designs of all time. From its inception in the 1930s through to today, the ingenuity of the Reverso's flippable case, combined with its refined geometry, has defined it as one of the greatest dress watches of all time, and we can't wait to see the latest additions to this classic collection.

Another maker known for its timeless style is Parmigiani Fleurier. This well-respected maker's star is on the rise thanks to its contemporary takes on the classic dress watch, most notably in the Toric collection. Full of refined details like hand-grained dials and coin-edged bezels, we're excited to see what Parmigiani Fleurier has to offer in 2025.

One of the most dynamic and exciting categories of watch design will always be the sports watch. Designed with action and adventure in mind, it's in this category that we often see innovation when it comes to case construction and design, as well as exciting complications.

IWC Schaffhausen has a strong history in this space, and we're hoping for more great things from them at Watches & Wonders. The Pilot's Watch, for example, is a design that epitomises a chic contemporary sports watch, while in recent years, the brand has made waves with the integrated Ingenieur, originally a 70s-era sports watch designed by Gérald Genta. 

Another strong contender in the sports watch category is Hublot, and 2025 should be a big year for the Nyon-based brand, as it marks 20 years since the debut of their most famous design, the Big Bang, a design that is as relevant today as it was in 2005.

Follow along for the latest and greatest watch releases, fresh from Watches & Wonders 2025.