This year marked my second year at Watches and Wonders, and guess what: I enjoyed 2026 a lot more than the previous year. In fact, if I include Geneva Watch Days and historic Baselworld visits, this year was a standout. While I didn’t walk away with any must-haves on my list, I relaxed a bit and simply took in the releases. It was a semi-muted year in some ways, but I noticed some great complications and a focus on skeletonized watches. Here are my top five favorite watches from Watches and Wonders 2026.
My favorite Watches and Wonders releases: The Armin Strom Minute Repeater Resonance 12:59 First Edition
Without a doubt, the Armin Strom Minute Repeater Resonance 12:59 First Edition was the most impressive watch I saw this year in Geneva. Just…wow. Co-founder Claude Greisler gave Dave and me a nearly private introduction to this watch. The passion and enthusiasm were apparent, and for good reason. Just like the Dual Time GMT Resonance, this watch is an update on a much larger piece. The result is a lightweight titanium 42mm by 48mm minute repeater with a mere 11.7mm thickness.
However, the real party trick, aside from the fantastic resonance movement, is the ability to have the minute repeater chime for 12:59 on demand. Why? Because that’s the maximum amount of chiming possible. And also, because Armin Strom could. At CHF 390,000, this limited edition of 25 pieces is rare air, but it is so cool. The movement, finishing, and depth, for that matter, were astounding.
The Arnold & Son Ultrathin Tourbillon Platinum Onyx
For the second year in a row, an Arnold & Son finds its way to my favorite watches list. Last year’s Arnold & Son Constant Force Tourbillon 11 was a stunner in white. This year, it’s a watch in black, and the medium is onyx instead of enamel. The Ultrathin Tourbillon Platinum Onyx has a stunning polished onyx dial. What sets it apart is the matte onyx sub-dial. Apparently, this may be the first time the stone has been used in contrasting finishes on a watch.
The A&S8300 manual-winding movement contains a flying tourbillon and boasts a 100-hour power reserve. It’s also just 2.97mm thick and contributes to an overall watch thickness of 8.4mm. With a diameter of 41.5mm, it’s not the smallest piece, but goodness was it lovely on the wrist. At CHF 85,400, this limited edition of eight is yet another piece that we’ll likely never see in the wild. Still, we can dream.
The Ulysse Nardin Super Freak
Okay, for whatever reason, I was into the more modern watches this year. Perhaps it was the movements that attracted me. In the case of the Ulysse Nardin Super Freak, the twin-tourbillon movement shows through a stunning multiplane “dial” while retaining the Freak’s elemental design ethos. Another detail I enjoyed was the small rotating seconds “tube” at the end of the minute hand. A 44mm white gold case is seriously bold, but it needs to be with this watch. Also, the blue Nanosital hour disc looked amazing against the stark whitish metal.
The flip side is also worth checking out. Releasing a lever on the front allows the user to wind the watch and set the time. However, there’s no crown, so the user must do this by twisting the case back. Otherwise, Ulysse Nardin applied traditional finishing techniques to its titanium UN-252 caliber, which has a 72-hour power reserve. Just 50 of these wild pieces will be made for a price of €348,100 / US$393,600 / CHF 320,000. If the previous Arnold & Son was a Rolls-Royce, let’s call this one an audacious Lamborghini.
The Norqain Wild One Skeleton X-Lite Limited Edition
The next watch brings a taste of affordability to my favorite watches from Watches and Wonders 2026. I had a great appointment with Norqain on my last morning and got to see the new Wild One Skeleton X-Lite Limited Edition. Honestly, I loved this watch. Stan Wawrinka, who owns a minority stake in the brand, gave feedback on what would make up the perfect sports watch. The result is a piece that’s very on form for Norqain but weighs just 45 grams. Yet, it can withstand shocks of 5,000 g. It’s made from aluminum, titanium, and Norteq carbon fiber.
On the wrist, the watch felt like wearing nothing, yet somehow substantial. Even the strap was great with its lightweight buckle. Inside, the watch uses the proprietary AMT-made NBK26/1 automatic. It has 65 hours of power reserve and is black coated. Just 200 of these pieces will be made with a price of €10,650 / US$13,900 / CHF 9,900.
The Formex Reef 39.5mm Automatic COSC 300M Forged Carbon
For the last of my favorite watches, I had to leave the hallowed halls of the Palexpo for Chronopolis in the city. I’ve spent very little time with Formex watches, but they’ve garnered a lot of love from ardent fans. Finally, I was able to sit down and try on loads of them. Some were large, but the Reef 39.5mm was a sweet spot that looked great on my wrist. Plus, the case shape is just different enough to separate it from the herd.
This year, the brand came out with a new model featuring a forged carbon dial and bezel insert, and it looked fantastic. With its chronometer-rated Sellita SW300-1 automatic and 56 hours of power reserve, it’s hard to fault. Plus, the watch is available with a multitude of straps, mesh, or a three-row bracelet. With a price of €1,960 / US$2,085 / CHF 1,760 on a strap and €2,070 / US$2,230 / CHF 1,890 on a bracelet, this watch felt like great value.
So, yes, I chose some very different types of pieces for my favorite watches from Watches and Wonders 2026 and the surrounding shows. As I said, nothing made me grab for my wallet (I wouldn’t be able to afford most of my picks anyhow), but I was impressed. Let me know your thoughts, and please share your favorites.
Michael Stockton
2026-04-24 05:00:00