2024 has been an incredible year for watch lovers, packed with excitement and big changes. From stunning new designs to jaw-dropping auction records and surprising brand collaborations, the watch world has been buzzing with innovation and rewriting the rules. Here’s a rundown of the Top 10 watch news 2024 — and trust us, the top two have truly rocked the industry!
No.10 – Ring Watches: The Hottest New Trend
Ever imagined wearing a watch on your finger? Well, now you can! This year, Timex x MM6 unveiled a ring-sized version of their iconic T80, while CASIO celebrated their 50th anniversary with the adorable CRW-001-1JR ring watch. These tiny, lightweight, and undeniably cute designs have taken the watch world by storm. Ring watches are more than just a trend—they’re a glimpse into a more creative and diverse future for watch design!
No.9 – New Faces at Watches & Wonders 2025
Get ready—Watches & Wonders 2025 is shaping up to be the biggest and most exciting edition yet! With an incredible lineup of 60 exhibitors, this year’s show will welcome some of the most renowned independent watchmakers for the first time, including Armin Strom, HYT, Christiaan van der Klaauw, Genus, Kross Studio, and MeisterSinger. But the real headline? Bulgari is making a grand return to a major watch fair after leaving BASELWORLD in 2020. Mark your calendars for April—this historic event is one you won’t want to miss!
No.8 – AP x KAWS: A Collaboration That Wowed Collectors
Audemars Piguet joined forces with legendary artist KAWS to create something truly special—the Royal Oak Companion (Ref. 26656TI.GG.D019VE.01). This stunning titanium timepiece features KAWS’ iconic art style, with the beloved Companion figure displayed on the dial, arms stretched out as if reaching for the glass. Limited to just 250 pieces, it’s no surprise this watch has become a global sensation, leaving collectors everywhere scrambling to get their hands on one.
No.7 – Rolex Opens Its First Boutique in China
Big news for watch enthusiasts in China—Rolex has officially opened its first-ever brand-owned boutique in Shanghai! This milestone store not only offers the full Rolex experience but also includes their Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) services, making it a game-changer for the Chinese market.
This bold move signals a shift in Rolex’s strategy, as they step away from relying solely on authorized dealers to establish a direct presence. How will this shake up the market and impact existing dealers? Stay tuned as uwatch keeps you updated on this exciting development!
No.6 – The 5711 Breaks Records Again!
The legendary Patek Philippe 5711/1500A has done it again, smashing records with a jaw-dropping sale of USD 7.6 million at this year’s PP Children Action auction. This incredible price even surpasses the famous 5711 Tiffany, cementing the 5711’s place as one of the most coveted watches in history.
Collectors and fans are now buzzing with speculation—could this inspire PP’s CEO to incorporate more engraved elements into future designs? Or even consider bringing back the iconic steel 5711? Only time will tell, but one thing’s for sure: the 5711 continues to make waves!
No.5 – Chanel Acquires Stake in MB&F
Since its establishment, Chanel’s watch division has collaborated with various watchmakers. This year, Chanel took it a step further by acquiring a 25% stake in independent watchmaker MB&F.
This partnership promises to bring even more luxurious and imaginative creations, such as the recently released Première Sound. Chanel fans, are your credit cards ready?
No.4 – IWC’s Perpetual Calendar Wins Gold Hand Award
IWC (International Watch Company)’s Portugieser Eternal Calendar won the highest honor, the Gold Hand Award, at the 24th Geneva Watch Awards (GPHG).
The “Eternal” feature refers to its perpetual calendar function, which uses a 400-year gear to accurately calculate leap years without requiring manual adjustment. This innovation represents a new chapter in perpetual calendar technology.
No.3 – The First Rainbow Daytona Goes Under the Hammer
At the Geneva auction, history was made when the first-ever Rainbow Daytona, the 16599 Reverse Rainbow, sold for an astonishing HKD 48.7 million (UD$3.5M).
This record-breaking sale has reignited worldwide buzz around rainbow bezels and the iconic Daytona line. Did the final price surprise you? We’d love to hear your thoughts—share them with uwatch and join the conversation!
No.2 – Ultra-Thin Watch Record Broken Again
A watch thinner than a one-dollar coin? It’s no longer just a dream!
After Bulgari breaking the world record twice in 2022 (1.8mm) and 2023 (1.7mm), Bulgari has been surpassed this year by independent watchmaker Konstantin, whose ThinKing is just 1.65mm thick.
No.1 – PP’s New Series After 25 Years : The Cubitus
The grand finale is undoubtedly Patek Philippe (PP)’s first new series in 25 years, the Cubitus!
(L) 5821/1A-001 Steel
(M) 5822P-001 Platinum
(R) 5821/1AR-001 Rose Gold
Despite debates over its square design, the watch has performed exceptionally well in the market and gained a celebrity following, including Michael Jordan, Mark Zuckerberg, Orlando Bloom, and more. However, Cubitus still has a long way to go before it can rival the Nautilus.
Watch News 2024 Conclusion :
2024 has been a year full of innovation and milestones in the watch world. These ten stories are just the tip of the iceberg. For uwatch, the most important event of 2024 is celebrating our 10th anniversary! We sincerely thank all of you for your support—without you, uwatch wouldn’t be where we are today.
What’s your Top 10 Watch News 2024 ? Discuss with us on uwatch YouTube, IG and Facebook!