The Best 2024 Watch Releases as Chosen by WatchGecko Readers

Welcome to this A-Z of the Best Watches of 2024, kindly chosen by our readers. After gathering all the watches suggested in the comments of our previous articles, we’re giving you a whistlestop tour of the timepieces that captured your attention over the last year. We know there were some grumpy horologists in the mix who weren’t quite as enthusiastic about our authors’ picks (don’t worry, we heard you!), but now’s your chance to have your say. Let’s dive in and see which watches made the cut!

Kicking things off with a watch selected as ‘best of 2024’ by both our guest authors and our readers; the Baltic Prismic Collection. Arriving in four bold dial colours, the Prismic models were a welcome surprise from Baltic and feature mixed stainless steel and titanium cases. Most impressively, the sector dials are presented with guilloché in the centre and on the outside track, a circular brushed finish in the middle, grained subsidiary seconds dial, brushed steel ring and polished and applied indices. Powered by the manually-wound Peseux 7001 movement, the Prismic collection retails from just €990 on the leather or mesh bracelet options.

Bausele, an Australian brand known for blending Swiss craftsmanship with Australian innovation, celebrated history this year with the Langstone Field Watch. This 38mm timepiece, created in a limited edition of 80 pieces, marked the 80th anniversary of D-Day. Inspired by the Langstone Hotel, home to the WWII Combined Operations Assault Pilotage Parties (COPP), it carries a tangible link to history—sand from Normandy’s Sword Beach within its screw-down crown. Powered by a Seiko NH35 automatic movement with a 36-hour power reserve, it features a vintage-style dial with red and blue accents, sapphire crystal, and 100m water resistance. 

Beaubleu, a Parisian watchmaker, introduced their Seconde Française collection, featuring two limited-edition models: 19.24 and 20.24. Each watch showcases a 39mm stainless steel case with a hidden crown, maintaining a sleek profile. The distinctive floating second hand adds a dynamic element to the dial, available in various finishes such as enamelled Midnight Blue and grained White Ivory. Powered by the French-made France Ébauche automatic movement, these timepieces offer a 46-hour power reserve. 

Beaucroft, a British watch brand established in 2020 by friends Matt Herd and Karim Faisali, operates from Cambridge, England. The brand blends traditional timekeeping techniques with modern design, aiming to create classic watches that remain timeless. This year they wowed our authors and readers with the Beaucroft Element. This year they wowed our authors and readers with the Beaucroft Element, a 39mm dress watch that epitomizes understated elegance. Its polished stainless steel case, domed sapphire crystal, and minimalist dial design exude timeless sophistication. Powered by the reliable Miyota 9039 automatic movement, it offers a slim profile and a 42-hour power reserve. The Element's versatility is enhanced by interchangeable leather straps, making it a perfect companion for both formal and casual settings. Meticulously crafted in small batches, it combines British design sensibilities with excellent value, earning its place as a standout choice for watch enthusiasts in 2024.

The Berneron Mirage Tiger Eye has captivated both our authors and readers this year. This 34mm timepiece features an asymmetrical 18k yellow gold case, harmonizing with a handcrafted Tiger Eye stone dial renowned for its golden-brown hues and chatoyant effect. Powered by the proprietary hand-wound Caliber 215, it offers a 72-hour power reserve. Limited to 24 pieces annually over a decade, the Mirage Tiger Eye is priced at CHF 54,000, with current availability projected for Q4 2027. 

The Blancpain Fifty Fathoms derives its name from the unit of measurement for depth in nautical terms—one fathom equals six feet. When it was introduced in 1953, the Fifty Fathoms was designed to be water-resistant to 50 fathoms, or 300 feet (91 meters), a remarkable achievement for the era.

This most recent rendition maintains its 300m water resistance but also features a 42.3mm Grade 23 titanium case, offering enhanced durability and a lightweight feel. Its sunburst black dial, complemented by luminescent hour markers and a unidirectional sapphire bezel, ensures exceptional legibility. Powered by the in-house Caliber 1315 automatic movement, it boasts an impressive 120-hour power reserve.

Dennison has revitalized its legacy with the A.L.D. Collection, featuring natural stone dials in Tiger Eye, Malachite, Aventurine, and Lapis Lazuli. These 33.65mm stainless steel timepieces, powered by Swiss Ronda Quartz movements, offer a blend of elegance and precision. Priced from £566, they present a more accessible alternative to the Berneron Mirage.

The Dunlaing Eyre is a distinctive timepiece that embodies Irish design excellence. Crafted in Galway, Ireland, it prioritizes extreme legibility and resilience. The watch features a slim, lightweight design, making it exceptionally comfortable to wear. It is powered by the Miyota 9039 automatic movement, known for its reliability and precision. The Eyre is available in three vibrant dial colours: Midnight Black, Emerald Green, and Electric Blue, each offering a unique aesthetic appeal. 

Farer enthusiasts have actively engaged in discussions over in the WatchGecko comments section to ensure the brand's continued prominence and recognition as one of the best of 2024. A notable example is the Farer Endurance Eastern Arabic Limited Edition, which has garnered significant attention. This 39.5mm timepiece features a dark grey dial with jade green accents and Eastern Arabic numerals, offering exceptional legibility.

Favre Leuba's revival has been met with enthusiasm from both our guest authors and readers. At the 2024 Geneva Watch Days, the brand introduced 22 new models across three collections: Deep Blue, Sea Sky, and Chief. The Sea Sky Revival Chronograph has become a standout piece in the brand’s resurgence. This 40mm timepiece features a vintage-inspired design with a modern twist, housing a chronograph movement and offering a water resistance of up to 100 meters. 

Known for their knack of reimagining traditional designs, this groundbreaking collection from Isotope won us over this year with its contemporary take on the chronograph. Crafted from Grade 5 titanium with a durable DLC coating, the watch features a distinctive double-domed sapphire crystal, contributing to its futuristic aesthetic. Powered by the Swiss Landeron 73 automatic chronograph movement, it offers a 42-hour power reserve and operates at a 4 Hz frequency. The Moonshot is available in two limited editions: Stealth, with a black dial and mint-green accents, and Terra Maris, featuring a brown dial with blue accents.

The Lorier Olympia, introduced last year, has been lauded for its exceptional value and design. Priced at £733, it stands out as one of the best-value automatic chronographs available. This 39mm timepiece features a vintage-inspired design with a modern twist, housing a Seiko NE88 automatic movement. Its slim profile, measuring under 14mm in thickness, enhances wearability, especially for those with smaller wrists. The Olympia's classic aesthetics and contemporary functionality have made it a standout piece in the brand's lineup.

The 369 offers nine captivating dial variants, each with distinct color schemes and finishes. The Velvet Noir variant, for example, features a dark grey and red dial with diamond-cut skeleton hands, creating a striking contrast. The Tortuga Bay variant showcases a green and white dial with a vertical brushing effect, resulting in a dynamic color shift under different lighting conditions. Garnering acclaim for its innovative design and versatility, this 39mm timepiece features a barrel-shaped case with a cushion-shaped bezel and round dial, crafted from 316L stainless steel.

The Østersøen Himmelblå by Nordic Marine Instruments is a 40mm stainless steel dive watch that draws inspiration from the serene Nordic seas. Its name, Danish for "Sky blue," reflects the tranquil hue of its sky-blue painted wave dial. The watch features diamond-cut stainless steel hands and indices, creating a captivating interplay of light and shadow. Crafted from brushed and specially polished 316L marine-grade stainless steel, it offers a refined yet balanced feel on the wrist. 

The Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch with a white lacquered dial made waves in 2024 by offering a fresh aesthetic to the iconic Moonwatch series. This model features a polished white dial with applied indices and red accents, creating a striking contrast that appeals to both traditional enthusiasts and new collectors. Notably, it is the first time Omega has offered a white dial option in the standard Speedmaster Professional lineup, moving beyond limited editions.

For those on a slightly more restrained budget, the latest Earphase MoonSwatch wowed this year thanks to its patented earth phase function. The groundbreaking complication offers iew of Earth as seen from the Moon. This innovative feature complements the traditional moonphase indicator, providing a dual celestial perspective. The Earthphase subdial at 10 o'clock displays a colored Earth, with oceans coated in UV-reactive ink that emits a blue glow under UV light, enhancing its otherworldly appearance. This unique combination of lunar and terrestrial phases offers a poetic and visually captivating experience, setting the Mission to Earthphase apart from other MoonSwatches in the collection and the watchmaking world in general.

The Patek Philippe 5330G World Time Date in Denim Blue is a standout in the brand's collection. Featuring a sophisticated World Time function, it offers automatic date synchronization with the selected time zone, making it ideal for frequent travelers. The elegant denim blue dial, with its clean, modern aesthetic, offers enhanced legibility. With a 41mm white gold case and refined finishing, it combines technical innovation with classic luxury, making it a safer bet for enthusiasts following the brand's recent controversial releases *cough Cubitus cough*.

In 2024, the Serica Ref. 6190 M.S.L. Chronometer Polar White distinguished itself by blending refined aesthetics with robust functionality. Its 37.7mm stainless steel case, reduced to 10.4mm in thickness, offers a sleek profile without compromising durability. The enamel white dial features applied hour markers and a luminous seconds hand, enhancing legibility and adding a touch of elegance. Powered by the COSC-certified Soprod Caliber M100 automatic movement, it ensures precise timekeeping. With a water resistance of 200 meters, this watch seamlessly transitions from casual to formal settings, appealing to enthusiasts seeking versatility and quality. 

No surprises here, Studio Underd0g garnered the majority of votes in the comments underneath our ‘Best Microbrand Watch of 2024’ article. Needing little to no introduction at this point, though the complete lack of seriousness showcased on the pizza-design dial is as divisive as Marmite, the Underd0g isn’t going anywhere any time soon.

The Tudor Pelagos FXD GMT’s military-inspired aesthetics, coupled with a reliable GMT function, have solidified its status as a fan favourite amongst Tudor’s many releases of 2024.

Blending functionality, durability, and design, enthusiasts appreciate its practical features, including a bi-directional bezel, dual lume treatment for enhanced legibility, and a robust titanium case offering a lightweight yet sturdy feel, not to mention its comparability to the Pelagos LHD.

Finally, I’m happy to wrap up our reader favourites for 2024 with the watch I very almost chose myself. The William Wood Fire Exit watch is a sentimental tribute to CEO Jonny’s grandfather, and namesake of the brand, William Wood, who served for 25 years in the British Fire Service. Decked out in C1 grade Super-LumiNova with a dynamic ‘fire exit man’ appearing front and centre as well as recycled parts from authentic firefighting equipment, this one ticks all of the boxes for heaps of playful and distinctive character sincerely combined with a story that really drives the whole package forward.