Watches and Wonders 2026 brought another round of major releases from the biggest names in watchmaking. This year, the theme that runs through the show is considered evolution: brands refining what they do best, with the occasional bold move thrown in. Here's a brand by brand breakdown of what was released.
Rolex at Watches and Wonders 2026
Rolex went big this year. With the 100th anniversary of the Oyster case as the centrepiece, the brand released a significant number of new references across the Oyster Perpetual, Datejust, Daytona, Day-Date and Yacht-Master II collections. Highlights include a reimagined Yacht-Master II with a completely new movement, a Daytona in Rolesium with a white enamel dial, and a special anniversary Oyster Perpetual 41 in Yellow Rolesor marking 100 years of the Oyster case. A year that will be talked about for some time.
Read the full Rolex at watches and wonders 2026 guide
Tudor at Watches and Wonders 2026
Tudor focused on refinement this year. The Black Bay 54 returns in a striking blue configuration, the Black Bay 58 gets a slimmer case and METAS Master Chronometer certification, and the new Black Bay 58 GMT introduces a compact travel-ready complication with a burgundy and black bezel.
Read the full Tudor at watches and wonders 2026 guide
IWC at Watches and Wonders 2026
IWC arrived with one clear statement: a perpetual calendar should be simple to use. The Big Pilot Perpetual Calendar ProSet introduces full crown-based adjustment in both directions, eliminating pushers and reducing everyday complexity without compromising technical depth. One of the most practically impressive releases of the year.
Read the full IWC at watches and wonders 2026 guide
Panerai at Watches and Wonders 2026
Panerai returned to its roots with a trio of new Luminor 44mm references built around the historic 6152/1 case architecture. Same case, same crown guard, same purpose-built DNA, expressed through different dial configurations including Destro layouts and tropical tones.
Read the full Panerai 2026 guide
Breitling at Watches and Wonders 2026
Breitling brought back a space-born icon. The Navitimer B02 Chronograph 41 Cosmonaute Artemis II is a limited edition of 450 pieces, featuring a meteorite dial where no two examples are alike. The 24-hour display connects directly to the original 1962 mission watch worn by astronaut Scott Carpenter during his Earth orbit.
Read the full Breitling at watches and wonders 2026 guide
The Right Strap Makes the Difference
The watches that stand out from Watches and Wonders 2026 are not just impressive on the wrist. They are remarkably adaptable. A rubber strap can shift the same reference from dressed-up to ready for anything. Wristbuddys has a strap built specifically for each one.
Explore all watch straps
Note: Wristbuddys is not affiliated with any of the watch brands mentioned in this article.
