20 Killer Watches That Nailed It In 2025

It’s been a big year for horology. Here are Man About Town‘s highlights. 

Whether you’re a serious watch guy or you’re dipping your toes into the game for the first time, 2025 has served up a serious run of grails. There’s been major anniversary moves, slinky upgrades on “if you know, you know” classics, and a whole load of bangers on the lower end of the price spectrum, too. So yes, there has been a watch for everyone. 

To see out the year, Man About Town has delved into the timepieces that made noise over the last 12 months. So without further adieu, grab a coffee, tea, or something stronger (it is the season after all), and remind yourself of all the watch-y goodness that came our way in 2025.

Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean

The Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean nails the whole tough luxury thing. The fourth edition arrives 20 years after the 2005 original. It borrows from the angular design details of 1980s and 1990s Seamasters, giving things a sturdy and distinguished profile. Yet polished centre links and a ceramic bezel (with black, blue, and orange bezel options) keep things looking smart. Plus, it can handle depths of 600 metres – perfect with a wet suit, an actual suit (à la James Bond), and just about anything in between. 

Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Monoface Small Seconds Pink Gold

The Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso goes beyond trends, it’s a quiet, certified icon; it’s the watch you wear to show you appreciate watchmaking, but only to the clued-up crowd.  This year, the brand doubled down on its swivel-face timepieces at Watches and Wonders. But it was one release in particular that cemented the timepiece’s “it” status for 2025; the Tribute Monoface Small seconds in 18 karat pink gold. With a flexible, slinky gold bracelet and case, it’s a subdued flex, one that catches your attention without screaming for it. And since its release, it’s bagged some high-quality wrist time on Jeremy Allen White and Tramell Tillman. 

Dennison ALD Dual-Time

To look at, you’d think the Dennison ALD has been around for decades, rather than just over a year. Its cushion-shaped case and leather strap combo look like the kind of thing you’d wear to drive a ’70s Porsche 917 and smoke cigarettes inside. And in September it built on that with the ALD Dual-Time, which adds two separate hour and minute indicators onto the dial for tracking two timezones. This is a watch for that retro worldwide big dog, who isn’t in town for long but has fun when they are. And the best bit? You can pick one up for well under £1000. 

Timex Giorgio Galli S2Ti

A Timex – the brand known for its killer affordable watches – retailing for over £1000 is bound to turn some heads. But then the S2Ti isn’t your average Timex. It’s got a titanium bracelet and dial. It’s also powered by an automatic movement packing 41 hours of power reserve, is limited to 500 pieces, and Swiss-made. 

This limited-edition gem was part of an ‘experiment’, designed by Timex’s Global Creative Director Giorgio Galli in an effort to test the appetite for the brand from high-end collectors. The Galli range first launched in 2019 with the S1 is the brand’s first Swiss-made watch in 40 years, and helps to push Timex into a more premium realm. The S2Ti is the collection’s swan song, offering one last premium muscle flex for the line.  It’s minimal and low-key, while showing an insane amount of detail and refinement.

Longines Spirit Zulu Time 1925

GMTs are cool. Because there’s just something innately appealing about a watch that wears its ability to track multiple timezones so proudly (usually with a 24-hour bezel). It says “I travel a lot and I’m needed around the world”. Case in point: the Longines Spirit Zulu Time 1925. The combination of a stainless steel case with a rose gold bidirectional bezel both works hard and plays hard. And it sets the 100-year anniversary model apart with a premium feel without ever tipping into show off territory. 

Rolex Land-Dweller

The Rolex Land-Dweller is easily one of the buzziest releases of 2025. But that was bound to happen when one of the most recognisable watchmakers in the world releases its first new model in 10 years (since 2012’s Sky-Dweller). 

Design-wise, the angular case and integrated bracelet hark back to the discontinued Oysterquartz – a low-key grail for a certain set of Rolex guys. It also came with a brand new calibre 7135 movement, with a dynapulse escapement for accuracy. Couple that with some high-profile (and sometimes fondue-filled) flexes from the likes of Roger Federer and Leonardo DiCaprio around the release, and you’ve got the perfect concoction for serious horological noise in 2025. 

IWC Ingenieur Automatic 42 Ceramic 

The IWC Ingenieur is already a legend. Its modern form was designed by watchmaking legend Gérald Genta, and aces the balance between ruggedness and sophistication. This year it got a stealthy ceramic upgrade, which is not only lightweight and tough, but keeps things quiet and refined despite a 42mm case size.  There’s a whole lot to love with this beast. 

Audemars Piguet 38mm Perpetual Calendar 

In die-hard horological circles, a perpetual calendar is a hardcore flex. It means you can track the day, date, month, year, and moon phases with one watch. Throw that into an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak – one of the most-loved, visually distinct watches in the world, and you’re looking at something special. But the luxury  of a Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar has only been available in a 41mm case … until now.

In 2025, as part of AP’s 150th anniversary celebrations, it introduced a 38mm model. Suitable for a wider range of wrist sizes, this scaled-down beast looks good, doesn’t sacrifice any of the existing horological goodness, and comes in killer gold and stainless steel options. And it results in a very serious contender for the watch of the year. 

TAG Heuer Formula 1 

When TAG Heuer became the official timekeeper of Formula 1, and a supersized retro clock appeared at the Albert Park Pit lane at the Melbourne Grand Prix, the talk of the brand’s retro F1 watch’s return was strong. 

In April, the hopes and dreams of retro-obsessed younger heads and nostalgic collectors came true with the launch of the TAG Heuer F1 Solargraph, which revisited the model in a host of poppy colours in line with the original. To add to things, there were stainless steel options with black, green, and blue bezel variations. This time around, TAG sized the iconic ticker to 38mm proportions, and popped a solar movement into the mix. All of that makes for a very fun, wearable, and welcome release in 2025.  

Cartier Tank à Guichets

This year Cartier changed the batteries on its ultra rare Tank à Guichets. The watch was first released in 1928 and ditched the Roman numerals and sword-shaped hands. Instead, this bad boy tells the time with a ‘digital’ jumping hour display (if you didn’t know, Guichet means ticket window in French). Vibe wise, this shining example of the Maison’s art deco design says ‘I take my coffee black from a local spot, and my apartment is on a mood board’. 

At Watches and Wonders, Cartier revisited the model via its Privé line (having only revisited it twice before), which it uses to revive some of its most historically significant models. And it’s already a bit of a unicorn, with the platinum ‘Oblique’ iteration limited to just 200 units. But this hasn’t stopped Cartier boys like Paul Mescal and Jacob Elordi dropping some sublime wrist checks with the watch throughout the year. 

Urwerk x Ulysse Nardin UR-Freak

Urwerk and Ulysse Nardin’s debut collaboration was haute horology getting its freak on. The resulting UR-Freak pulled on both independent brand’s strong points combining Urwerk’s signature satellite hour display and a silicon oscillator at the centre, mounted onto a Ulysse Nardin signature three-hour rotating carousel . Case-wise, this beast comes in at 44mm, finished in sandblasted titanium. And in honour of the original Ulysse Nardin Freak, there’s no crown here. Instead, the time is set by using the rotting bezel. It’s horological organised chaos, but in the very best way. 

Piaget Andy Warhol 

2025 has been a big one for the Piaget Andy Warhol (what was formerly named the Black Tie – just one of the watches that featured in the artist’s 300 strong collection). This year, Piaget has officially partnered with the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, and the result is quite something. In a tribute to the man himself, a stone marquetry dial features tri-stone collage. On the reverse, there is an engraving of Warhol’s famous “fright wig” as well as the artist’s signature. This fiery blend of colour and precious metals lands the watch into head turner territory, amped up by the fact there’s only 50 chances to secure one. 

Urban Jürgensen UJ-2 

In 2025, Urban Jürgensen’s UJ-2 has bagged a major Timothée Chalamet seal of approval. The actor’s hulked-up 39mm horological moves might have introduced a new-gen of watch heads to Urban Jürgensen. But if you’re hardcore, you know that the brand has been making big moves since 1773, when it was initially named Larpent & Jürgensen, before taking the name of founder Jørgen Jørgensen’s eldest son, Urban. At the core of the UJ-2 is a double escapement wheel, which reduces friction to help with accuracy, all housed in either a platinum or rose gold case. If that all sounds complicated, it is. But this is exactly the type of thing that marks you down as a top tier watch fiend. Welcome to the club Timmy. 

Noah x Timex Oval Moon Phase 

If you like watches that look fancy but don’t require parting with crazy amounts of cash, then the ongoing Noah and Timex collaboration might be for you. The  partnership first caused a stir with a Tank-adjacent Sun and Moon watch last year. But with its recent oval moon-phase dropping last month, it took things up a notch. 

An off-white dial, a rounded shape mirrors the coveted Patek Philippe Ellipse, and a moon phase adds additional complications into the mix, all for under £250. It’s right on the mark with Timex’s bang for your buck approach and still slots into Noah’s preppy skate rat vibe. Here’s to more of the same in 2026. 

Lee Ufan x BVLGARI Octo Finissimo 

The BVLGARI Octo Finissimo makes for a mighty time-telling canvas. And since the watch was unveiled in 2014, the Roman House has invited artists to interpret the watch in new and exciting ways. In September, it was Korean Artist Lee Ufan who got the call-up to unleash his vision for the ultra-thin timepiece. Here, the combination of a black mirror dial and filed titanium feels weirdly enchanting, and really shouldn’t work. But it does. In addition to all of that, there’s the always-appreciated ultra-thin octagonal case showcasing Finissimo’s blend of Swiss engineering and Italian design.  

Zenith Defy Chronograph USM

Zenith makes killer watches, famed for their accuracy and attention to detail. USM’s chic modular furniture sits in the design equivalent spot, known for its quality Swiss engineering. It’s the ultimate statement for annoyingly trendy design nerds and interiors-flexing TikTokkers. 

And at Geneva Watch Days, the two came together with an exclusive Zenith Defy Chronograph USM. The line up of watches was centred around a very important year for both brands: 1969. This was when USM launched its Haller system and Zenith introduced the El Primero Chronograph. And this all new model reflects the punchy design crossover between the Original 1969 El Primero and USM’s furniture. Our favourite bit has to be the teeny tiny USM Haller ball joint on the Chronograph hand.

Universal Genève Tribute to “The Nina” Compax

If you like your chronographs race-ready, then check out the Universal Genève Tribute to “The Nina” Compax. The handcrafted bund strap gives a very “hands on” vibe to things, honouring Nina Rindt’s trackside wrist checks timing her husband Jochen’s laps. While under the hood, a restored Universal Genève Calibre 281 movement packs 36 hours of power reserve. Factor in that the official UG relaunch doesn’t land until next year (following a revival from the investment group behind Breitling) and next year is starting to shape up very nicely. 

Seiko Digital Quartz Watch “Rotocall”

In a nod to the ’80s digital watch it sent to space (with company information suggesting 160 astronauts wore the model), Seiko has revived the lesser-known Rotocall, simply named the “Digital Quartz Watch” this time around. It rings true to the original with all the bells and whistles including a dual time, stopwatch, timer, and alarm controlled largely by the rotating bezel. On the wrist it feels sharp and distinguished, with a 37mm case size wearing bigger thanks to the angular design, while the bezel-twisting makes for an engaging time-telling ride. And with the resurgence of iPods, vinyl records, and digital cameras, the timing couldn’t be better for Seiko’s retro revival. 

Louis Vuitton Monterey

This year, Louis Vuitton channelled its watchmaking roots with the Monterrey, a 2025 reinterpretation of the LV I and LV II watches designed by architect Gae Aulenti in 1988. The LV I came fully loaded with a railway track, date displays, a GMT function, and alarm, all housed in a gold case. The LV II kept things simple, with an alarm and time complication, housed in a 37mm ceramic case. Both are sought-after on the secondary market, and possess severe head-turning capabilities. 

This time around, it’s fuss-free and design-led, headed up by La Fabrique du Temps Louis Vuitton’s Artistic Director Matthieu Hegi. It’s 39mm, yellow gold, time-only, and retains the model’s pebble case shape. Louis Vuitton’s watchmaking division has the technical stuff on lock. But when you’ve got bangers like the Monterey in the archives, stepping into the past can push things forwards. 

Omega x Swatch “Mission to Earthphase” Moonshine Gold

The Omega x Swatch “Mission to Earthphase” Moonshine Gold has been released every month from August-December, with the moonphase indicator reflecting that month’s moon cycle. The watches have coincided with the Sturgeon Moon in August, the Harvest Moon in September, the Hunter’s Moon in October, Beaver Moon in November, and rounded things out with the Cold Moon in December. When you’re dropping month-on-month MoonSwatches, two things might happen; the hype cycle wears off (which it hasn’t) or you stoke up the MoonSwatch madness even further, which is what we’ve got here, with queues and sold-out watches as proof.