One trend that remained in 2020 is that ladies' watches are no longer smaller men's watches with diamonds. More and more brands continued to strengthen their line-up in this category, often with vast amounts of creativity. The quartz movements are also not the standard anymore, as mechanical movements are becoming increasingly more popular in this category. The following watches are among our favorites of this year.

Despite the pandemic, many brands did not hold back when it came to releasing new models. What usually would be launched at one of the fairs or during a special event was now presented by Zoom- and Skype-meetings. Fortunately, this doesn't make the watches any less impressive, as the following five prove;

In many ways, 2020 was not an ordinary year. The Covid-19 pandemic left its marks everywhere. Lockdowns not only slowed down international travel but also confined us more and more into our own direct surroundings. This required tremendous perseverance and ingenuity to keep businesses afloat and remain in contact with those that matter. At first, it looked like the watch industry would take a direct hit. Jewelers worldwide were forced to close their doors, trade shows where canceled, and even many manufactures had to stop production for a while due to the Covid-19 outbreak in Switzerland. But as the pandemic continued, the market recovered. Jewelers sold more online than ever before, with a strong demand for the latest models and an intensified interest in vintage watches. Many watch brands had already planned their releases for this year prior to the Covid-19 outbreak, so the effect on that will be more visible next year. However, 2020 was a year worthwhile in watchmaking, of which the following were amongst the hottest releases.

In an ode to color, Richard Mille is presenting the successor of the RM 71-01. Inspired by the 1970s, the disco era, and Studio 54, the new RM 71-02 Automatic Tourbillon Talisman's showcase their craftsmanship in technicolor. Its collection consists of no less than ten different pieces, of which only seven will be made of each, which have all been given names that were fashionable in that era. Bianca, Donna, Grace, Diana, Jessica, Gloria, Liz, Jane, Carmen and Paloma, all feature intricate patterns of colored gemstones set on the dial, crown, and curved tonneau case of the watch.

The list of complications in which Jaeger-LeCoultre specializes is almost endless. In 1946, the brand made its first tourbillon, then still in a pocket watch, but from 1993 it was also introduced in a wristwatch. While Jaeger-LeCoultre loves to innovate, as they did, in 2004, by making the Gyrotourbillon 1, the world's first spherical, dual-axis tourbillon, they never forget the traditional tourbillon either.

Richard Mille is not a brand that lacks impressive watches in its line-up. In fact, it is hard to pick a highlight out of such an imposing collection. However, when pressed, the RM 53-01 Tourbillon Pablo Mac Donough comes to mind, with its unique movement, suspended by tiny metal cables. It was introduced in 2018 and one of the highlights of that year's edition of the SIHH. But as a brand that likes to push the envelope just a little bit further, Mille now introduces an even more incredible version of this watch, the RM 53-02 Tourbillon Sapphire.

There are quite a few watches that offer more than one tourbillon, but none quite like the Breguet Classique Double Tourbillon. The brand introduced this watch in 2006, and what sets it apart is that it combines two tourbillon cages mounted on the main plate. This entire plate moves and makes a full circle, which allows Breguet to mount the hour hand on it. While this makes the watch quite imposing, regardless of the version it was made in, is the latest, the Classique Double Tourbillon 5345 Quai de l'Horloge, actually a step up.

Recognizing a tourbillon is often relatively easy, as most brands proudly showcase this regulating device. They do this by either leaving an opening on the dial side or even skeletonizing the entire movement. For their latest creating did Glashütte Original take another road, as the only indication on the front of the watch that is fitted with such a device is the word tourbillon in the sub-seconds display at six o'clock. This is all the more exceptional, as Glashütte Original created this watch to mark the 100th anniversary of the flying tourbillon, which was created by one of Glashütte's most famous watchmakers; Alfred Helwig.

The Tambour was introduced only 18 short years ago, in 2002, yet its impact has been profound. For Louis Vuitton, it was the watch that put them firmly on the map as being a watchmaking 'maison.' The way that the Tambour did this is almost unprecedented, as the model proved to be one of the most versatile designs in the history of watchmaking. It could just as easily be turned into a display of technical excellence, featuring complex mechanical movements, as housing the latest technology as a state-of-the-art smartwatch.

Few brands have such long and strong relationships with their ambassadors as Richard Mille. The bond between the brand and Rafael Nadal, currently ranked world No. 2 in men's singles tennis by the Association of Tennis Professionals, is already in its tenth year and has resulted in quite a few breathtaking watches in the last decade. Another one will be added to this as well, as Mille and Nadal teamed up once again for the RM 27-04 Tourbillon Rafael Nadal, a 50-piece limited edition costing $1,050,000 each, which is available exclusively at Richard Mille boutiques worldwide.

While Hermès is already very exclusive, is the new Arceau Lift Tourbillon Répétition Minutes even rarer. The brand will only make two examples of this watch, one in pink gold and one in white gold. That is also the biggest disappointment of this watch, as it impresses on all other fronts.

Few brands are thriving like Grand Seiko. Not only is the brand capturing more and more hearts of watch enthusiasts around the world and expanding their collection with innovative new models, but they also opened a new flagship boutique at Place Vendome in the middle of Paris. Their technical prowess is significant, but only rarely expressed in the field of high complications. Under the Credor brand, Grand Seiko released in the past a Grand Sonnerie, Minute Repeater, and a tourbillon, but those were all very limited in production. As the reputation of Grand Seiko is growing, so is the demand for higher-end pieces. With the new T0 Constant-force Tourbillon, Grand Seiko is making a promise to that.

Bulgari has gathered quite an impressive collection of world-records when it comes to ultra-thin watches, and last week in Geneva they added another one. The Octo Finissimo Tourbillon Chronograph Skeleton Automatic is with a thickness of 7.4mm by far the thinnest watch of its kind ever made. The movement itself measures only 3.5mm, yet it still sports a superb finish on all levels and is even fitted with a column-wheel and vertical clutch. Because of the advanced skeletonization of the movement, all these parts can be admired in full.

Designing and developing new watches is not always as easy as it looks. They need to stay true to the DNA of the brand, yet at the same time also tantalize the senses of existing clients, and preferably some new ones as well. The DNA of Ulysse Nardin has always been very expressive, which has resulted in an instantly recognizable style. Their watches often take us in the uncharted territory of design, presenting us with models beyond our imagination, yet that feels like such an organic expansion of the existing collection. This is also the case with the Blast, the brands' latest creation that they just launched during the Geneva Watch Days.

Diamonds have the power to transform the look of a watch completely. It can give sportive watches a touch of elegance, where it makes quite a difference if the understated baguette-cut is selected, or the more vibrant brilliant cut, while a mixture of both has an appeal of its own as well. For Hublot, diamonds are also part of the 'Art of Fusion,' as they seamlessly integrate them in the following four stunning watches;

While no official standards are indicating when a watch can be called (ultra-)thin, it is reasonably easy to pass your judgment about it. The heights of both the movement and the watch itself are common knowledge for most watches, and can therefore be compared to the record-holders in a specific category. Especially in recent years thin movements, and watches, have become en vogue again, as many people realized that in a sense they represent the nec plus ultra of the watch industry. Watches like the Bulgari Octo Finissimo also showed that it is not only classic dress watches that can benefit from this. Even the cool-factor of a modern-looking watch for every day, and every occasion, increases significantly when powered by an ultra-thin movement. Leave it to the following four watches to that thin is in.