While the end of each year brings the same sentiment this week (the disbelief that another year has passed so quickly), it still comes. So, as we reflect on 2025, which began with a bit of uncertainty amid the looming threat of tariffs and ended with several bangs, like our inaugural Miami Watch Summit, it was arguably one of the buzziest years for the industry. And though there were some insane timepieces that broke records and set new standards, ahead, the Haute Time team discloses the best watches of 2025. Spoiler alert: there’s a fan-favorite.
To close out the year, the Haute Time team discloses the best watches of 2025. Spoiler alert: there’s a fan-favorite.
Adrienne Faurote, Haute Time Editor-in-Chief
For me, April is truly the New Year for watchmaking—which is most likely why many of my favorite timepieces for 2025 debuted at Watches & Wonders. To start, I’ll never forget where I was when Roger Federer accidentally–or purposefully, depending on who you asked—dropped the new Rolex Land-Dweller. With the anticipation building as I flew to Geneva, the Land-Dweller lived up to the hype, no doubt.
The Bvlgari Serpenti Aeterna is one of those watches that, once you try it on, you never stop thinking about it. I love the more geometric feel of this serpenti, stripped to its essence—no eyes, no scales, just pure geometry, yet still fitting the wrist like a proper second-skin jewelry novelty.
In true Hublot fashion, this one is a total wild card for me: the Big Bang MECA-10 Aspen One. This watch marks the third special edition timepiece in collaboration with Aspen Snowmass and was launched during Shaun White’s The Snow League’s inaugural competition weekend in Aspen. Perhaps it was wearing the watch against the backdrop of Ajax, or maybe it’s the incredibly modern feel of this watch’s evolution. Still, the Hublot Big Bang MECA-10 Aspen One is forever etched in my memory as a favorite.
Andre Frois, Haute Time Global Editor
With many brands releasing head-turners this past year that doubled up as statements of intent, 2025 was an unforgettable year for watchmaking.
Omega, for example, unveiled slimmer, improved versions of its revered Co-Axial Master Chronometer, in the form of seven new Dark Side of the Moon timepieces. Personally, I feel compelled to nab the fully blacked-out one, especially since they represent a new era in Omega’s chronometric technology.
I’ve been a devotee of Ulysse Nardin since meeting The Freak and photographing its jovial creator Ludwig Oechslin 15 years ago. At Dubai Watch Week 2025, Ulysse Nardin and independent titan Urwerk surprised us with a collab no one expected: The UR-FREAK, which combines Urwerk’s satellite display with Ulysse Nardin’s acclaimed silicon balance wheel and balance spring, and DIAMonSil escapement wheel and anchor.
In other news, while its sister brand Chopard bowled us over in Dubai with the Grand Strike, which is built based on Chopard’s award-winning Sound of Eternity trilogy, Ferdinand Berthoud unveiled a fusée chain timepiece crafted entirely by hand. To ensure that the Naissance d’une Montre 3 would be built without any influence of computer-aided design or even basic automation, Chopard emptied an entire section of its facility of all machinery.
Alex Teuscher, Haute Time Photographer
First, the Urban Jurgensen UJ-1. This is one of the standout brand relaunches in recent memory—everything about the UJ-1 is exceptional. And, the way the watch has been received [by the industry] says it all.
Next is the Ferdinand Berthoud Naissance d’un Montre 3—not only is this timepiece just beautiful visually, but the fact that the watch is entirely made by hand makes it an exceptional work of art.
And finally, the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Small Seconds on the Milanese bracelet. For a watch that could have been visually too much, everything works together in perfect unison—and in a package that is near-perfect for elegant occasions.
