A Definitive Ranking of the Best Watches of 2021
During a year marked by many highs and plenty of lows, watches remained a constant bright spot, offering a distraction from the world outside and a reminder of the remarkable things humans can create when we set our minds to difficult tasks. The watches on this list reflect the very best of an industry that thrives on such challenges, and each one of them goes above and beyond in its own way — whether that’s innovative materials, intricate complications, or sheer creative vision. Here’s to the best of the best.
Patek Philippe In-Line Perpetual Calendar Ref. 5236P
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Creating a perpetual calendar is extremely difficult. Creating one with the day, date, and month in a single line? That’s another level entirely. Fortunately, that’s exactly where Patek Philippe shines. ($160,110)
Tudor Black Bay Ceramic
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Not only is this Tudor’s first ceramic case for a Black Bay, but the movement inside is also one of few in the world with a Master Chronometer certification from METAS. ($5,430)
Rolex Cosmograph Daytona
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Straight from the cosmos to your wrist: Rolex takes this year’s Daytona to the stars with a polished meteorite dial. ($41,300)
Panerai Submersible S Brabus Black Ops Edition PAM01240
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Panerai takes the Submersible to delightful extremes with a little help from the famed German automotive tuner. ($58,800)
Cartier Tank Must
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No one can top the classic black and white Tank, but these colourful new Must models with just a hint of 1970s style are a welcome addition to the family. ($3,600)
Breitling Top Time Shelby Cobra
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For pure petrolhead enjoyment, Breitling’s new trio of 1960s muscle car watches is hard to beat. Unfortunately, you’ve got to buy your own Cobra 427. ($6,350)
Tag Heuer Aquaracer Professional 300
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Does the world need another dive watch? If it’s this one — which boasts a slick redesign and a Calibre 5 movement — then yes. ($5,250)
Longines Silver Arrow
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Conceived in the 1950s and reborn in 2021, this jet-age relic is period correct, save for the 38.5 mm case and Swiss automatic movement. ($2,700)
Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Nonantième
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Among many spectacular Reverso models this year, the Nonantième stands out with a “digital” hour and minute display and day/night indicator on the reversible case back. This is one you need to see in the metal.
($51,000)
Bulova Mil Ships-W-2181
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This odd duck is based on a never-released diver Bulova created for the U.S. Navy. It may not be a daily driver for most, but it’s one of the most unusual (and collectible) pieces the brand has put out in years, and we’re all for it. ($2,495)
IWC Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar Top Gun Edition “Mojave Desert”
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Sand-coloured ceramic makes for IWC’s most distinctive case yet, and the perpetual calendar movement is no slouch either. ($46,200)
Richard Mille RM 40-01 Automatic Tourbillon McLaren Speedtail
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This watch, inspired by McLaren’s teardrop-shaped hypercar, is pure Richard Mille: delightfully over the top in every way. ($1,022,000 USD)
A. Lange & Söhne Cabaret Tourbillon Handwerkskunst
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You’ll be floored by the extreme level of finishing in this handmade tourbillon, featuring a big “digital” numeral display. This is the kind of thing Lange is known for, but still. Wow. (Price on request)
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Diver
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It turns out the Royal Oak Offshore works just as well as a luxury diver as it does a jewel-encrusted chronograph, and three new colours ensure there’s a version for everyone. ($25,900 USD)
Vacheron Constantin Les Cabinotiers Westminster Sonnerie – Tribute to Johannes Vermeer
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Per a client’s request, this one-of-one chiming pocket watch features a hand-painted recreation of Girl with a Pearl Earring on the case back. (Price on request)
Nomos Autobahn Director’s Cut Limited Edition
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A new spin on Nomos’s minimalist aesthetic, this watch design inspired by vintage motorsport gets it right on every level, including the distinctive 1970s-style racing bracelet. ($6,500)
Mido Multifort Patrimony Chronograph
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Vintage-inspired looks, a modern blue dial, and a finely decorated Swiss automatic movement make for a watch that punches well above its price. ($2,590)
Seiko Prospex SSC813P1
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It took Seiko a little while to join the club of great 1960s-style chronographs, but this race-ready Prospex re-edition was definitely worth the wait. ($875)
Tissot T-Touch Connect Solar
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A smartwatch that even the most dedicated analog fans will love, Tissot’s latest Connect is as powerful as it is good-looking. ($1,425)
Louis Vuitton Tambour Curve GMT Flying Tourbillon
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The Parisian juggernaut has been quietly turning up its watch game in recent years, and its latest creation — hand-assembled over more than 120 hours — puts Switzerland’s best on notice. ($111,000 for Rose Gold)
Frederique Constant Highlife Worldtimer Manufacture
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The Highlife was already among the best low-key sports watches out Add a beautifully finished FC-718 Manufacture Worldtimer movement and you have one of the biggest sleepers of the year. ($5,495)
Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical Bronze
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Just when we thought we had all the Khaki Field models we could want, Hamilton goes ahead and drops one in bronze. Just take our money. ($1,040)
Montblanc 1858 Monopusher Chronograph
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Inspired by Minerva chronographs developed for military use in the 1920s and 1930s, Montblanc nailed the design of this modern re-edition right down to the khaki-on-black colour scheme. ($6,900)
Rado True Square Over the Abyss
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A true piece of wearable contemporary art, this collaboration with New Delhi artist duo Thukral and Tagra is a meditation on space and time, with multicoloured hands representing the world’s 38 local time zones. ($3,600)
