The Best New Watches Released in August 2024

August 2024 was a remarkable month for watch enthusiasts, with several renowned brands unveiling some of their most anticipated releases of the year. From high-profile collaborations to limited editions that celebrate special events, the past month’s launches have offered a diverse range of timepieces that cater to different tastes and styles.

Among the standout pieces are the TAG Heuer x Red Bull Racing collaboration, a testament to precision and performance; the new additions to the Longines Spirit collection, which combine heritage with modern craftsmanship; and the TAG Heuer x Hodinkee limited edition, a perfect blend of timeless design and contemporary flair. OMEGA also made waves with its America’s Cup edition, a watch that captures the spirit of adventure and competition.

Meanwhile, Geneva Watch Days and Watches & Wonders Shanghai saw a plethora of releases from various luxury brands, showcasing some of the most innovative and creative designs in the watchmaking world today.

Starting things off with, to many, the most exciting release we saw in September, a brand-new Tudor Black Bay edition. Following the Ceramic “Blue” and quirky Inter Milan FC Pink editions that have been unveiled already this year, the Chrono “Blue” Boutique Edition sees the Swiss brand play with colour once again. For the first time ever, the Chrono “Blue” features a colour-matched bezel, making it stand out nicely as the only Black Bay Chrono model with a coloured bezel. The design otherwise maintains the signature look you’d expect, housed in a 41mm stainless steel case with a fixed tachymeter bezel, 45-minute timer and bicompax chronograph display.

In another first, UNIMATIC unveiled models featuring GMT Japanese Automatic Seiko NH34A movements. The new GMT collection features two unique references; Modello Uno U1-GMT and Modello Quattro U4-GMT. Both references feature a 40mm case, impressive 300m water resistance and are limited to just 300 pieces each.

Next, a foray into Seiko territory. We’ve already been through our favourite Seiko releases of the year, but they just keep coming and this limited edition may have nabbed the 1 ^st place spot in my eyes. The Prospex Limited Edition 1965 Recreation in Gradation Island Blue well and truly holds on to the last signs of summer. Presented with a blue and white gradient patterned dial that was inspired by the beauty of the Greek Ionian islands, the limited edition was released on a run of only 1,000 pieces as a European exclusive. Equipped with the in-house 6R35 calibre, the new Prospex 1965 Recreation is offered with limited-edition number engraving and an accuracy of -15/+25 seconds per day.

It seems that Seiko weren’t quite finished though, as the King Seiko KSK 6R Collection was also made over for the summer months. Now appearing in ‘Preppy’ green, blue and burgundy, the 36mm KSK 6R features sharp Dauphine-style hands, three-dimensionally cut batons, a sharp angular case and an interchangeable bracelet design. Powered by Seiko’s in-house 6R51 movement, the references offer a three-day power reserve and 10 bar (100m) water resistance.

As the name might suggest, Longines’ Legend Diver collection was designed with underwater exploration in mind. As the model celebrates its 65 ^th anniversary in 2024, the collection expanded to showcase new dials in green, terracotta and anthracite grey. The 39mm stainless steel case houses the automatic calibre L888 and the new additions have been certified both as chronometers by COSC standards and as Divers’ Watches by the ISO 6425 standard.

Taking advantage of the natural intersection between watchmaking and art, Zenith unveiled a third collaboration with contemporary artist Felipe Pantone. This time around, the Argentinian-Spanish artist made his mark on the Defy Skyline Tourbillon, an aesthetically souped up version of the Skyline Tourbillon that was released back in February. Technically speaking, the new edition isn’t a world away from the standard edition of the Defy Skyline as both feature the signature octagonal bezel and a 41mm stainless steel case. With strong 70s inspiration coming from luxury sports watch designs of a bygone era, the special edition is engraved with FPT1 (Felipe Pantone Tourbillon #1) and features an iridescent dial with a micro-engraved pattern of concentric circles.

As part of Geneva Watch Week Gerald Charles announced an exclusive collaboration with Italian motorcycle manufacturer Ducati, the new timepiece celebrates the 30 ^th anniversary of the Ducati 916 motorcycle and features the equally iconic Maestro case on a vulcanized Ruby Red strap. For the first time in almost 14 years the Maison has reintroduced the jumping hours complication and the in-house newly developed calibre featuring the Gerald Charles movement (GCA 3002JH). Displaying the time on a motorcycle wheel, the golden jumping hours disk mirrors the motorcycle’s original three-spoke bronze alloy wheel.

Available in either a 41mm or 44mm Merlin Silver #220 31SL stainless steel case, the M1 Mosquito commemorates Operation Jericho, one of the most daring daylight bombing raids of WWII. Featuring Merlin engine steel which was cut from the crankshaft of Mosquito fighter-bomber HX909 that took part in the raid on Amiens Prison, the new aviation watch has been engineered with clear applied 3D numerals which have been generously infilled with SuperLuminova X1 luminous pigment over a vintage-style textured brass dial. The distinctive Zero West case houses the Sellita SW200-1 movement, and each timepiece has been artfully built at the Zero West HQ in Emsworth, UK.

Expanding the popular collection with four new models, Farer announced that the Cushion Case collection would see new styles and colours added. Adding up to now eight models in total, Farer launched the sportier Benham, Mansfield Midnight, the limited-edition Durham Pullman Eastern Arabic Edition as well as, for the first time ever, a gold-coloured cushion case, the Lethbridge Gold. The Stanhope has also been upgraded with a fully brushed bezel to match the new Benham and add a sportier aesthetic to the collection. Equipped with the Swiss Made Sellita SW216-1 Elaboré Grade movement, the new models feature 38.5mm cases, 45-hour power reserve and prices start from £925.