【F】 Fratello’s Top 5 Watches Released In February 2026

Another Friday, another list! This week, we have the second installment in the series highlighting the best releases of 2026. With this series, we want to keep you informed about the best new watches throughout the year. Since this is the first Friday after February ended, we’ll look at our favorite picks from the second month of 2026. It’s been another busy four weeks full of highlights. While February is a shorter month, there were plenty of notable releases. Let’s find out what our five picks are.

January started with a bang, revealing great releases from Omega, Atelier Wen, Toledano & Chan, Louis Vuitton, and Tiffany & Co. The last two debuted during LVMH Watch Week, which opened this year’s series of events. The second event, Audemars Piguet’s Social Club, quickly followed in early February. The rest of the month saw multiple Fratello writers attending events held by a string of different brands. Let’s find out what some of the highlights were during the second month of the year, which was another busy one here at Fratello.

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Selfwinding Perpetual Calendar Openworked

I already mentioned Audemars Piguet’s Social Club, where the brand unveiled its first set of 2026 novelties. An immediate standout was the Neo Frame Jumping Hour. The watch is mentioned as a separate collection, but it actually continues the [RE]Master series, which brings back remarkable timepieces from the brand’s archive. That would have been an easy first pick, but we decided to go for the openworked version of the Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar.

The model has long been a staple within the Royal Oak lineup. After last year’s introduction of the Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar with the revolutionary new caliber 7138, this year’s skeletonized version is another highlight. In case any of you forgot, the 7138 movement introduced a user-friendly way to set the perpetual calendar functions through the crown. On top of that, it lets users adjust the calendar forward and backward, which is very useful (and rare) for perpetual calendar calibers.

For the new Royal Oak Selfwinding Perpetual Calendar Openworked, Audemars Piguet introduces not only the openworked perpetual calendar caliber 7139 but also an exciting combination of materials, making the release even more remarkable. As I explained in my intro article, the new model has a case consisting of a combination of lightweight titanium and Bulk Metallic Glass (BMG). The latter is a metallic alloy composed of 50% palladium. In addition to being highly resistant to corrosion and wear, it has a remarkable reflective sheen.

A remarkable combination of materials

That is why the BMG bezel and the connecting links in the bracelet feature a contrasting mirror finish that complements the satin finish of the titanium case, crown, and larger bracelet links. With a 41mm case, this is not a small watch, especially in combination with the integrated bracelet. But the slim 9.5mm overall profile makes it easier to wear. The new openworked caliber 7139 is framed by a black inner bezel displaying the week numbers and a transparent gray minute scale containing pink gold indexes.

Thanks to a clear sapphire dial, you get a great view of the caliber’s openworked bridges and wheels, in shades of dark and light gray. The three sub-dials at 3, 6, and 9 o’clock contain smoked sapphire rings that display the perpetual calendar’s information. Additionally, the sub-dials feature pink gold frames and pointers, matching the central pink gold hour and minute hands. The visual brilliance continues when you turn the watch over to see the skeletonized rotor, barrel bridge, and balance wheel bridge, all executed in pink gold. On top of that, the different elements of the spectacular caliber are meticulously finished, creating another Royal Oak model that stands out in the brand’s collection. The Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar Openworked was indeed an easy first pick.

Citizen × seconde/seconde/ Tsuyosa Limited Edition

You might think that after the many seconde/seconde/ releases we’ve seen over the past five years, the fun must end somewhere. But with the Citizen × seconde/seconde/ Tsuyosa Limited Edition, seconde/seconde/ founder Romaric André shows that he is far from done. For this new collaborative effort, he conceptualized the word tsuyosa (強さ), meaning “power” or “strength” in Japanese, with a fun dial showing that “being smaller has never stopped minutes from slicing hours into pieces.” One glance at the vibrant blue dial will bring a smile to most people’s faces because it perfectly brings that concept to life.

The canvas for the remarkable dial is the 40mm × 45mm × 11.7mm Citizen Tsuyosa. It comes with a blue sunray dial, a standard hour hand, and a katana-shaped minute hand executed in the pixel-art style of old Japanese video games. In a fun twist, this pixelated katana has “sliced” all the hour markers in half, and as you can see, the “cuts” are still visible. In a clever move, André made sure that the cut-off halves are not too far from the standard placement, so readability is never an issue.

A fun, affordable collaborative effort from seconde/seconde/ and Citizen

The concept continues on the clasp of the President-style bracelet that features the logos of both brands and sword slashes between them, forming a cross. Additionally, the case back display features the text “Being smaller has never stopped Minutes from slicing Hours into pieces.” It is the perfect summary of the concept visible on the dial side of the watch. Hidden behind the quote is Citizen’s in-house caliber 8210. This automatic movement operates at 21,600 vibrations per hour, has 20 jewels, and offers a 40-hour power reserve.

Lastly, Citizen will produce 3,600 pieces of this limited edition. The number was chosen because of the mental image of the katana also slicing one hour into 3,600 seconds. Each watch costs US$475, making this an affordable collaborative effort between seconde/seconde/ and Citizen. The result is a watch that is simply so much fun that it deserves a spot on this list of monthly highlights.

Breitling Navitimer B01 Chronograph 43 Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team

A much-debated watch from February 2026 was the Breitling Navitimer B01 Chronograph 43 Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team. Why would Breitling release a pilot’s watch to celebrate a car-racing team? Does that “fly”? Well, the Navitimer is no stranger to the prestigious world of Formula 1. Just think of Jim Clark and Graham Hill, who famously wore Navitimers in the 1960s, as Lex explained in his introduction article. As a matter of fact, this new Navitimer marks the return to the world of F1 for Breitling. It does so by partnering with the Aston Martin Aramco Formula 1 team, featuring drivers Lance Stroll and Fernando Alonso.

While the Navitimer’s aesthetic does evoke the era when Hill and Clark were active in racing’s most prestigious class, this new Navitimer adds a modern twist. It’s actually the first Navitimer (other than the Navitimer Aerospace and Super 8) made of lightweight titanium. That, in itself, is a step that deserves a spot on the list of February 2026 highlights. The watch has a 43mm titanium case with a 13.69mm thickness and a 49.07mm lug-to-lug. The case houses a dial made of carbon fiber, a material often used in F1. Despite the implementation of these modern materials, the watch still looks very much like the classic Navitimer.

A familiar engine

As soon as you turn the watch around, you will see the more present visual cues tying this watch to the Aston Martin team. The B01 chronograph caliber features a custom Aston Martin-branded tungsten rotor. Additionally, the case back features a special engraving that reminds us of the limited-edition status of this 1,959-piece run. The COSC-certified caliber operates at 28,800 vibrations per hour and offers a 70-hour power reserve.

Fans’ positive reactions

Some of the Fratello team members attended the launch of the watch here in the Netherlands, and the first reactions from Breitling fans who also love F1 were overwhelmingly positive. It shows that there is definitely a place for watches like this and for Breitling in Formula 1. We are especially interested in the use of titanium for the brand’s iconic chronograph. It leaves us curious to find out what is next for the Navitimer in terms of modern materials. Until that time, this €10,500 Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team edition is an interesting first step.

Panerai Radiomir Viaggio nel Tempo Experience editions

Our next highlight from February 2026 is not just one watch. In fact, it’s a duo of watches that comes with a full-on Panerai experience. For those not familiar, if you buy the Panerai Radiomir Viaggio nel Tempo Experience Editions as a set, you will also get a fully curated, crafted experience with fellow Panerai enthusiasts. But let’s start with this remarkable duo of Radiomir models. The first is the Panerai Radiomir Viaggio nel Tempo Experience Bronzo (PAM01729), which features a 47mm cushion-shaped bronze case. As you will know, the alloy made of tin and copper will develop patina over time, giving it extra character.

The brilliantly minimalist California dial features Roman numerals on the top half and Arabic numerals on the bottom. What it doesn’t feature is the brand’s logo or name. A nice detail is the contrasting blue hands, which look really good with the dial and case colors. The slim wire lugs hold the dark brown rolled leather strap in place, finishing the watch’s look.

If you turn the watch around, you will be greeted by the brand’s P.3000 caliber, which offers a 72-hour power reserve. While the caliber is technically similar to the movement inside the second model, the execution is rather different, as we will see. In the Bronzo version, the P.3000 hides most of the mechanics, as Ben explained.

Panerai Radiomir Viaggio nel Tempo Experience Platinumtech

The second model is the Panerai Radiomir Viaggio nel Tempo Experience Platinumtech. This watch has a 47mm case made of the brand’s Platinumtech material, which is 95% pure platinum with an alloy treatment to increase its hardness and scratch resistance. On top of that, the case is finished beautifully for extra visual impact.

Inside the case lies a circular-brushed black dial, a first for Panerai. Visible through cut-out markers and numerals, the beige Super-LumiNova plate underneath adds extra character to the sandwich construction. One subtle detail is the engraved “Radiomir Panerai” text in black. While present, it remains a stealthy detail to maintain the vintage feel of an unbranded dial. Completing the look is a dark brown alligator strap with a polished trapezoidal white gold buckle.

If you turn the watch around, you’ll find the hand-decorated caliber P.3001/10. While similar in specs to the P.3000 caliber that powers the bronze model, the manual finishing’s visual brilliance offers a completely different experience. Details such as the wonderful power reserve indicator and the finishing of the skeletonized bridges showcase the brand’s great craftsmanship.

At €145,000, this set of two watches does not come cheap. But as mentioned, you will also get a full Panerai experience from September 15th to 18th, 2026. As Ben explained, it includes a full tour of the Florentine watch shop and local area. Additionally, owners will also journey to the Italian Navy’s original meeting grounds, training arenas, and diving sites along the Serchio River. The voyage concludes with a visit to the COMSUBIN base in Porto Venere and a cruise on a luxury yacht along the Ligurian coast. As you will understand, the whole package makes this an easy pick for our list of February 2026 highlights.

Unimatic Modello Cinque U5S-BL Limited Edition

For our fifth and final pick, we’ll stay in Italy. However, we’ll also lower the budget to a much more affordable level. This month, Milan-based brand Unimatic unveiled two new Modello Cinque variants that showcase the great potential of the youngest base model in its catalog. Whereas previous versions showed an interesting mix of creative solutions, the new limited editions show that the Modello Cinque makes for an exciting modern field watch. As a result, all 300 pieces of both the stainless steel U5S-BL and the blacked-out U5S-BLN sold out in a few hours.

I had the chance to try out the stainless steel model and was pleasantly surprised. Due to their 36mm diameter and 43.7mm lug-to-lug, previous Modello Cinque versions have always been too small for my wrist. But using a single-pass nylon strap completely changes the watch’s aesthetic. Not only does it give it a military-style presence that looks great, but the 22mm strap, combined with the modestly sized case, also makes it visually perfect for my wrist.

In the comments below my intro article, people were debating the broad lug spacing for the modest case size, but putting the watch on your wrist proves that it works. It is also more proof that Unimatic’s Giovanni Moro and Simone Nunziato have a fantastic eye for design.

The perfect Modello Cinque to show its great versatility

For this duo of models, the brand also introduces a new technology. Inside the case, which dons an oversized crown, sits a matte black dial featuring a closed minute track and 3D Unilight indexes.

These solid lume blocks are a first for the brand and light up brightly in the dark. Hovering over the dial are Unimatic’s signature hands that fit the overall style perfectly. Finishing the watch’s attractive look is the olive-drab NATO strap. Additionally, buyers got a black two-piece leather strap with a stainless steel pin buckle.

Inside the case beats the Sellita SW200-1b caliber. The automatic movement operates at 28,800 vibrations per hour, has 26 jewels, and offers a 41-hour power reserve. It is a trusty, reliable power train for these watches, which sold for €1,100 (U5S-BL) and €1,220 (U5S-BLN).

As mentioned, all 600 available pieces sold out quickly, showing the great popularity of Unimatic’s Modello Cinque. After getting past my initial reservations about the size, I completely understand why. This new duo of Modello Cinque models perfectly shows the great versatility of Unimatic’s smallest watch in the lineup. It makes for a great fifth and last pick for this list of February 2026 highlights.

Final thoughts on the top five watches released in February 2026

There you have it — our five favorite new watches from February 2026. While it seemed quieter than January in terms of releases, it proved to be another great month. As always, many more options could have been on this list. That’s why I want to turn the question over to you. What are some of your highlights from February 2026? Let us know in the comments section, and we will see you again next week for another list!