Hold on to your hats, watch lovers! 2026 is already shaping up to be an incredible year for horology, with brands pulling out all the stops. Omega finally unveils a much-anticipated 'reverse panda' Speedy, a former watch journalist makes waves with a groundbreaking dive watch, and Oris resurrects a beloved classic. Intrigued? Let's dive into the hottest new releases hitting the market right now!
Armin Strom Tribute² Aurum Edition: A Golden Sequel
Armin Strom is back with the Tribute² Aurum Edition, a follow-up to their popular Horomariobro collaboration. This limited edition, capped at just 10 pieces, boasts a more compact 38mm case. But here's where the magic happens: the gold-plated brass mainplate is meticulously finished with hand-applied tremblage, a technique that creates a textured, almost organic surface. This provides a stunning contrast against the smoked grey sub-dial and openworked components, offering a glimpse into the intricate mechanics within. Powering this horological masterpiece is the hand-wound Calibre AMW21, delivering an impressive 100-hour power reserve at 3.5Hz. All this craftsmanship comes at a price: CHF 27,000.
Learn more about the Armin Strom Tribute² Aurum Edition here.
Venustas Per Constantiam Type 39VM: Redefining the Dive Watch
Thomas van Straaten, a familiar name from Fratello, is making a splash with his brand, Venustas Per Constantiam (VPC). Their second model, the Type 39VM, aims to redefine what a dive watch can be. Measuring just 39 x 9.34mm, it's incredibly thin for a watch offering 200 meters of water resistance. VPC claims it's the thinnest 200-meter automatic diver available! Available with either a black or white dial, both versions share the same sleek matte black ceramic bezel. The price? Starting from €2,768.
Learn more about the Venustas Per Constantiam Type 39VM here.
Oris Big Crown Pointer Date “Bullseye”: A Timeless Revival
Oris is tapping into its rich history with the Big Crown Pointer Date “Bullseye.” This model brings back the iconic “Bullseye” sector dial from the 1920s, a design that disappeared from their catalog way back in 1988. The 38mm stainless-steel case features an oversized crown (a Big Crown signature!) and a domed sapphire crystal, perfectly blending vintage aesthetics with modern proportions. Inside beats the Sellita-based calibre 754, complete with a peripheral date track, a distinctive red-tipped pointer hand, and a 38-hour power reserve. The MSRP is US$2,350.
Learn more about the Oris Big Crown Pointer Date “Bullseye” here.
Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional Black & White: The Reverse Panda Arrives!
Omega is kicking off 2026 with a bang, introducing two stunning “reverse panda” models to the legendary Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional collection. For those unfamiliar, a 'panda' dial features light subdials on a dark background, while a 'reverse panda' does the opposite. This marks the first time we've seen a panda-style dial in the current Speedmaster case. It's available in classic stainless steel, as well as a luxurious 18k Moonshine Gold version. The tried-and-true Co-Axial Master Chronometer calibre 3861 remains, but the aluminum bezel has been upgraded to a glossy ceramic insert. Prices start at US$10,400.
Learn more about these new Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Professionals here.
Venezianico Redentore Utopia II: Italian Craftsmanship Takes Center Stage
Venezianico is starting the year with the Redentore Utopia II, marking the second chapter in a new brand philosophy. This watch is all about showcasing Italian craftsmanship. Featuring a meticulously finished V 5001 calibre and a hand-engraved guilloché dial, both made entirely in Italy, the Redentore Utopia II represents a step up in terms of luxury and refinement for the brand. It will be available through a limited 72-hour ordering window starting January 28th, with the first 100 pieces available immediately. The price is set at US$5,500.
Learn more about the Venezianico Redentore Utopia II here.
Arnold & Son Perpetual Moon 41.5 Red Gold “Year of the Horse”: A Lunar New Year Tribute
Arnold & Son is joining the Lunar New Year celebrations with a stunning 8-piece limited edition. This Perpetual Moon model pays homage to the Year of the Horse with a hand-engraved 18k red gold horse set against a beautifully hand-painted landscape. The 41.5mm case matches the warm tone of the horse and houses the in-house calibre A&S1512, a hand-wound movement with a double barrel. This exquisite piece comes with a price tag of €76,100.
Learn more about the Arnold & Son Perpetual Moon 41.5 Red Gold “Year of the Horse” here.
Norqain Adventure Sport “Golden Hour”: Chasing the Sunset
Norqain has unveiled its latest limited-edition collection, drawing inspiration from the warm, magical light of the "golden hour" – that brief period just after sunrise and before sunset. Exclusively available in the USA and Canada, the Adventure Sport Golden Hour collection includes a bronze 42mm Golden Hour Chronometer (limited to 100 pieces) and a DLC-coated stainless steel 44mm Golden Hour Chronograph (limited to just 50 pieces). The Chronometer features a black textured dial, while the Chronograph sports a striking reverse gold panda dial. Prices start at US$3,690.
Learn more about the Norqain Adventure Sport “Golden Hour” here.
Maurice Lacroix 1975 Master Grand Date Retrograde: A Retrograde Revelation
Maurice Lacroix introduces the 1975 Master Grand Date Retrograde, a watch that beautifully combines a retrograde day display with a grand date complication. The multi-level skeletonized dial, with its sandblasted and black-rhodium mainplate, showcases a variety of finishes on the bridges. The Masterpiece ML302 movement draws on over 25 years of expertise in retrograde indications and marks the brand’s 26th Masterpiece calibre. The retail price is US$8,600.
Learn more about the Maurice Lacroix 1975 Master Grand Date Retrograde here.
Maurice de Mauriac x Racquet Rallymaster IV: Tennis, Anyone?
The Maurice de Mauriac x Racquet Rallymaster IV is the latest in a series of tennis-inspired watches created in collaboration with Racquet magazine. This edition explores the darker, more electrifying ambiance of nighttime tennis matches. Designed by Carlton DeWoody, the Rallymaster IV features a black PVD case and vibrant neon dial accents. Like its predecessors, the Rallymaster IV is limited to 100 pieces and is available exclusively from the Time+Tide Watch Discovery Studio in Melbourne during the Australian Open fortnight. The price is US$2,400.
Learn more about the Maurice de Mauriac x Racquet Rallymaster IV here.
Baume & Mercier Clifton Chinese New Year: A Horse of a Different Color
Baume & Mercier is celebrating the Lunar New Year with a 100-piece limited edition based on the Clifton in 40mm. The stainless steel case frames a black fumé (smoked) dial, featuring an oversized date window where horses are cleverly spaced out by odd numerals. It's powered by the self-winding Baumatic manufacture movement BM13-1975A, which is COSC-certified and offers a generous 120 hours of power reserve. This festive timepiece is priced at CHF 3,450.
Learn more about the Baume & Mercier Clifton Chinese New Year here.
Gerald Charles Maestro 2.0 Meteorite: From Outer Space to Your Wrist
The Maestro 2.0 Meteorite marks the collection's first foray into meteorite dials and the introduction of a small seconds display. The signature rounded-octagonal case shape is available in polished stainless steel for the Silver model and coated in matte anthracite for the Darkblast model. Both versions showcase a stunning Muonionalusta meteorite dial with a starburst-shaped small seconds subdial at 6 o'clock. These celestial beauties start at €21,000.
Learn more about the Gerald Charles Maestro 2.0 Meteorite here.
CIGA design Time Cipher: Reinventing the Hour
CIGA design's Time Cipher proves that their GPHG (Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève) win was no fluke. This watch features a simplified wandering-hour display on a striking all-black dial. The central rotating assembly tracks minutes, while the hours are indicated by a rotating disc that sequentially aligns with a fixed marker. The base dial is painted in ultra-dark “Super Black,” a material with 99.3% light absorption, making the moving components appear to float in an abyss. The Time Cipher is available for US$899.
Learn more about the CIGA design Time Cipher here.
So, what do you think of these new releases? Which one is your favorite, and why? Are there any that you think are overrated? Let's hear your thoughts in the comments below! Do you agree with Omega releasing yet another Speedmaster variant, or do you think they are milking the cash cow at this point? Perhaps the Oris' vintage revival is more your speed...or maybe you're yearning for a piece of the cosmos with the Gerald Charles. Let's discuss!
