WHAT ARE YOUR PREDICTIONS FOR Watches and Wonders 2024?
I've been giving 2024 releases some thought of late - the guessing is sometimes more fun than the releases. I started writing a post with all of my thoughts but there were too many and it would've been too long.
So, in that spirit, what are your 3 (and only 3) predictions for 2024 - in the following categories:
1 - Confident - will happen
2 - On the Fence - will possibly happen
3 - Long Shot - might happen
Here's mine:
1 - Confident
ＣＲＡＺＹ ＤＩＡＬＳ
Rolex brought the whimsy last year with their Bubble OP and Jigsaw Day-Date and the market took note.
This year I think we'll see other brands put their own spin on the crazy in a digitally inspired, decidedly meta and possibly collaborative way. I'm expecting lots multi coloured dials inspired by those two watches - including some collaborations.
Rolex and bright colours though? It feels like they've done it, so I'm expecting them to tone down the colours but keep the crazy - think the stone dials of the 70's but different, 21st C different. Rolex's colours with be earthy: browns, oranges, reds, greens, blues - you'll see the colour of nature on a weird Rolex dial in a few months - for sure.
2 - On the Fence
ＭＥＴＡＳ, Ｔ-ＦＩＴ ａｎｄ ｔｈｅ
ＢＬＡＣＫ ＢＡＹ ＦＩＦＴＹ-ＦＯＵＲ
This could easily fall under confident: Tudor will be all about the T-Fit clasp, METAS certification and the BB54 this year.
METAS and T-Fit across all their 3 handers and new variants of last years new compact diver (including a polar dial!) … so get ready for 𝘢𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 price increase folks.
3 - Long Shot
ＬＯＮＧＩＮＥＳ ＩＮＴＥＧＲＡＴＥＤ
ＢＲＡＣＥＬＥＴ ＳＰＯＲＴＳ
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It's the one thing they don't have in their catalogue. It won't be a re-issue - but it will call back to previous references.
They've tried their hand before, numerous times but the efforts were pretty half hearted (see photos …) with a lot of quartz and derivitive design.
If this proves true I'm expecting something like the Spirit range, a watch that's evocative of what they've done before but entirely new, maybe square, probably with a COSC certified or even an Ultra Chron movement and definitely an absolute killler.
Share your 3 predictions and let's have some fun.
𝙰 𝚜𝚒𝚖𝚙𝚕𝚎 𝚖𝚊𝚗 𝚠𝚑𝚘 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎𝚜 𝚜𝚒𝚖𝚙𝚕𝚎 𝚠𝚊𝚝𝚌𝚑𝚎𝚜.
Rolex for all!
I hope Rolex does more with stone dials
That’s likely for Tudor…and they will most certainly be significant price hikes
Makes sense with integrated bands trending
I predict…
…many new releases by major watch brands!
I almost made this exact post earlier today 😂 I've been thinking about this a lot.
The GMT master celebrates 70 years with an albino dial as a callback to ref 6542, also with a see through caseback
Omega releases a Paris Olympics speedmaster as well as 300m, both with spirate technology (ok, maybe that's cheating as they might not be in attendance. But they'll disrupt anyway, so it counts)
Tudor releases a limited edition Oyster Prince to celebrate its 70th anniversary
Bonus: not Watches and Wonders, but Christopher Ward will celebrate not only it's 20th anniversary but also 10 years since their first manufacture movement with Synergies Horlogères. I think that they release a perpetual calendar.
Praying to the watch gods Tudor fixes their bracelet issue
I almost made this exact post earlier today 😂 I've been thinking about this a lot.
The GMT master celebrates 70 years with an albino dial as a callback to ref 6542, also with a see through caseback
Omega releases a Paris Olympics speedmaster as well as 300m, both with spirate technology (ok, maybe that's cheating as they might not be in attendance. But they'll disrupt anyway, so it counts)
Tudor releases a limited edition Oyster Prince to celebrate its 70th anniversary
Bonus: not Watches and Wonders, but Christopher Ward will celebrate not only it's 20th anniversary but also 10 years since their first manufacture movement with Synergies Horlogères. I think that they release a perpetual calendar.
Yeah, there's been a lot of talk about a new GMT. The Forums are big on precious metal with a Coke bezel and some others.
Haven't heard the albino dial prediction though - good one.
The Omega / Olympic connection 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 produces cool watches. The primary colours of the olympic ring logo seems to work well with Omega. D. Craig wore that white dialled Speedie a few months back too, a riff on the Alaska Project watch by the looks of things - we'll see that this year for sure.
I'm looking forward to the Tudor releases this year - personally I'm not expecting a Submariner re-issue. I can't see how it'd co-exist with the BB54, but if I'm wrong? Can you imagine how we'd all go nuts!!
An interesting read, thanks.
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Praying to the watch gods Tudor fixes their bracelet issue
Do you mean adding T-Fit to more / all the references? I 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 Tudor bracelets.
I reckon they'll discontinue the P01 and the Prince Date and Date Day though.
I hope Rolex does more with stone dials
That’s likely for Tudor…and they will most certainly be significant price hikes
Makes sense with integrated bands trending
I love the old stone and stellar dialled Day-Dates and DJ's. I don't think that they'll do stone dials though - but dials that call back to them in some way, particularly color wise. The entire industry will lean towards more earthy coloured dials over the coming years I think the brights and pastels are done.
I reckon there'll be price increases all over. More METAS from Tudor, More COSC from Longines and else where. I think there'll be other minor improvements too like quick-change bracelets, adjustable clasps and that'll result in another (possibly the last) round of price increases.
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I predict @Kalsota will be right!
For my own preference, hoping for more Ti, more hardened scratch resistant cases, more ceramic.
I’m still iffy on carbon though… can’t imagine it lasting like a metal can.
I'm a man of simple tastes, all I want is a 40mm Explorer 2.
I'm a man of simple tastes, all I want is a 40mm Explorer 2.
Yeah good call - it'll be 3 yrs since the 226570 was released so stranger things have happened. A Ti version would be interesting too (not that I expect one).
There's always something from Rolex that's unexpected though ...
The only thing I am confident of about Watches & Wonders 2024 is that I will be there...
...everything else will be a surprise 😉
The only thing I am confident of about Watches & Wonders 2024 is that I will be there...
...everything else will be a surprise 😉
Good for you!
Make sure you keep us posted.
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Purple is going to be in this summer.
There is alot of talk of "Pepsi" GMT discontinued and bring back the "Coke"..what about and all red bezel? Tudor introduces more Black Bays on Jubilee. Explorer II in a new size. Back to a 40mm? I can be wrong on all of this but, it's fun.
There is alot of talk of "Pepsi" GMT discontinued and bring back the "Coke"..what about and all red bezel? Tudor introduces more Black Bays on Jubilee. Explorer II in a new size. Back to a 40mm? I can be wrong on all of this but, it's fun.
Yeah - I thought about a Coke bezel insert on a precious metal GMT - but didn't give the discontinuation of the pepsi any thought. I just saw IDGuys video and I don't think it'll happen - they've spent too much time and money trying to perfect the cerachrom colours ... not that they have imo.
I think you maybe right about the jubie bracelets at Tudor - it's very much a Wilsdorf Fdn. thing to stagger releases. Imagine a jubilee bracelet option for the 54 - or across the entire Black Bay range?
Tudor releases interest me way more than Rolex tbh.
Do you mean adding T-Fit to more / all the references? I 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 Tudor bracelets.
I reckon they'll discontinue the P01 and the Prince Date and Date Day though.
T fit. Ergonomics. Link length. Half links. Articulation… you name it all leaves the heart wanting