Our Top Picks From Watches and Wonders 2022
The latest from Rolex, Cartier, Gucci and more.
After a virtual run last year due to the pandemic, the Watches and Wonders fair returned to Geneva this year, showcasing the latest timepieces from major watchmakers such as Rolex, TAG Heuer and Cartier.
Our favorites this year include TAG Heuer’s Carrera Plasma, which marks the house’s foray into the world of lab-grown diamonds. Meanwhile, Rolex revealed its latest Day-Date 40mm with a stunning blue dial, and Tudor introduced a new 28mm version of its Royal watch highlighted with a mother-of-pearl dial. Standout launches from fashion houses include Gucci‘s Grip Sapphire cut from a cylinder of pure sapphire crystal, as well as Chanel‘s J12.
Continue scrolling to see Hypebae’s top picks from Watches and Wonders 2022.
Cartier
Privé Tank Chinoise
Cartier
The Cartier Privé collection sees an update with the Tank Chinoise watch, which was initially introduced in 1922. The dial takes inspiration from the architecture of Chinese temples, featuring geometrical design elements. Marking its 100th anniversary, the model arrives with a skeleton movement.
Tank Louis Cartier
Cartier
The Tank Louis Cartier watch is elevated with dials in deep red, anthracite gray and black. The timepiece features a rectangle-within-a-rectangle, a design that was revealed last year. The red iteration comes with a yellow gold bezel and a sapphire cabochon crown, while the gray version is paired with rose gold. The black dial designs are offered in yellow gold and steel bezels.
Chanel
J12 Caliber 12.2, 33 mm
Chanel
Chanel unveiled the first J12 33mm with a self-winding movement dubbed the Caliber 12.2. The timepiece is offered in all-black and all-white colorways, and features a highly resistant ceramic and steel case. The lacquered dial is contrasted with white or black indicators, along with a steel screw-down crown. The watch boasts up to 50 hours of power reserve.
J12 Black Star
Chanel
Another tonal design from Chanel’s watch collection, the J12 Black Star is equipped with the self-winding Caliber 12.1 and is set with 22 baguette-cut ceramics and 55 baguette-cut diamonds throughout, from the dial and bezel to the lug and strap. The 38mm watch features up to 70 hours of power reserve.
Gucci
Grip Sapphire
Gucci
Gucci
Gucci has added two mint green iterations to its Grip Sapphire collection. The new timepieces, which are cut from a cylinder of pure sapphire crystal, are polished for a translucent look. Featuring the iconic GG logo on the lug, the watches are equipped with self-winding jumping hour movements with two windows that show the hours and minutes.
Hermès
Arceau Le temps Voyageur
Hermès
Hermès
Designed in 1978 by Henri d’Origny, the Arceau watch features a round case crafted in platinum and titanium or in steel. Asymmetrical lugs are one of the standout elements of this timepiece, along with an Hermès-exclusive “traveling time” mechanism that displays 24 timezones.
TAG Heuer
Carrera Plasma
Tag Heuer
TAG Heuer is foraying into the world of lab-grown diamonds for the first time with its new Carrera Plasma. The timepiece is highlighted with a polycrystalline diamond dial, with a minute chronograph counter at 3 o’clock and a chronograph hours counter at 9 o’clock in black polycrystalline diamond. The design is complete with 11 white gold indexes set with diamonds and a double index at 12 o’clock.
Rolex
Day-Date 40mm
Rolex
Rolex has updated its Day-Date 40mm in platinum with a fluted bezel. Equipped with the Caliber 3255 with a 70-hour power reserve, the watch is highlighted with a Tiffany blue dial with a sunray finish.
Tudor
Royal 28mm
Tudor
The Tudor Royal is offered in two new 28mm designs — a steel model and steel/gold model — both featuring a gem-set bezel and mother of pearl dial. The design adds a touch of chicness to the sport watch with Roman numeral markers.
Vacheron Constantin
Traditionnelle Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin
Vacheron Constantin
The 36.5mm Traditionnelle Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin watch comes with Vacheron Constantin’s in-house Caliber 1120QP. Offered in a blue-gray dial and white mother-of-pearl dial options, the timepiece is adorned with diamonds on the bezel, and is complete with matching alligator straps in light blue and pink.
Historiques 222
Vacheron Constantin
The Historiques 222 is a re-edition of Vacheron Constantin’s iconic 1977 “Jumbo.” Measuring 37mm in diameter and equipped with the in-house self-winding Caliber 2455/2, the watch is crafted with 18K yellow gold.
