If Spotify has taught us anything, it’s that people love a year-end recap. With that in mind,
let’s look at some of the best new watch releases to come out in the year 2021.
I’m Thomas with Chrono24 in New York, and before we begin, let me remind you that Chrono24 is
running a substantial $10,000 giveaway. The description below has details on how to enter,
and we’ll announce a winner once we hit 100k subscribers.
Now, when coming up with a year-end list, we could name a handful of favorites that
come to mind and call it a day. But what may be more interesting is to examine the broader
themes that developed this past year and look at key releases that exemplify those trends.
First and foremost, people continued to spend a lot of money on watches. This includes
rising prices for Rolex, AP, and Patek on the secondary market and for the auction houses which
consistently produce astronomical hammer prices (even for a steel time and date watch with a dial
that’s the same color as a jewelry box *cough* *cough*). But a rising tide raises all ships,
and it’s not just the big brands experiencing a lift. This influx of capital increased confidence
among brands and consumers and has led to some welcome risk-taking with more recognition for
independents, more colorful products, and even some renewed enthusiasm for precious metals.
Long Live Independents Let’s start with the continued rise of
the independents. The market has more brands than ever, and collectors are more educated than ever.
That’s pushing people to the outer reaches of the brand universe causing increasing excitement
on the auction front for watchmakers like F.P.Journe, Roger Smith, and MB&F.
But it’s also cool to see affordable micro-brands releasing fantastic timepieces.
Watches like the Baltic MR01 and the Furlan Marri mecaquartz chronograph sold out almost
immediately and command high demand on the secondary market. They both pull from
Patek’s design language but in a tasteful way that doesn’t feel cheap or gimmicky.
I’m also excited by watches like the Model 1 Fumé from anOrdain with its gorgeous dials,
by the impressively inventive design and engineering behind the Trilobe Nuit Fantastique,
by the super funky Metro Chronograph by Brew Watch Co., and by anything released by Ming.
The Year of Color Let’s talk about color. Green
dials were the color of the year of course. We did a whole separate video about this, including
what I think will be the next big color. But other hues got their moment in the spotlight this year.
We also saw many colorful Rolex models which is a nice change of pace for a very risk-averse brand.
We also saw a suite of red, blue and green Tanks from the Must de Cartier line. And we saw even
more colors of the rainbow with watches like the Breitling Premier B09 and the Doxa SUB 300.
The technicolor Rolex OP offerings were an instant hit, that yellow in particular,
and I think even more daring options like the palm dial Datejust will warm up over time.
Are we seeing a resurgence of precious metals? I love to be a contrarian, so let’s end on a
debatable note. I think 2021 may have signaled a renewing enthusiasm for precious metals.
I must admit, the two-tone Rolex Explorer is growing on me.
I did say back in April on this very channel that I hated this watch.
But look, Rolex has operated as more of a luxury brand than a tool watch brand for a long time. And
the Explorer has always been the dressiest of its sports watches. Other lines like the Submariner,
the GMT, and the Daytona have precious metal and two-tone options, so why not the Explorer?
2021 also saw the release of a silver Tudor Black Bay Fifty-Eight with the 925. And while
not a precious metal per se, 2021 continued to be a huge year for bronze with a bronze Tudor BB58,
a 42mm Panerai Submersible Bronzo, a bronze Omega Seamaster 300 to name a few.
We can only do so much steel for so long. It’s a pendulum swing,
and we may be on a backswing towards precious metals. Many people speculate the 5711 will be
replaced with a precious metal Nautilus. Only time will tell if 2022 will be one of our golden years…