« 10 Luxury Watches That Caused a Frenzy »
They make headlines, sometimes come with considerable waiting lists, and are the talk of the town among enthusiasts: hype watches. The celebrities of the horological universe don't owe their popularity to chance – from historical significance to impressive technology, they have plenty of highlights to offer. We present the top 10 luxury models that have sparked a watch hype in recent years and decades.
Rolex Datejust
Oyster case, Cyclops lens, fluted bezel: since its introduction in 1945, the Rolex Datejust has been regarded not only as the definition of a classic Rolex, but of a timelessly elegant wristwatch in general. Since the turn of the millennium, the hype around the Datejust has grown steadily – the functional all-rounder is the dream watch of many enthusiasts and is regularly expanded with new designs. The new 2021 models with palm or fluted motif dials are especially on trend right now.
Omega Speedmaster
A Moonwatch with unrivaled fame: ever since the Omega Speedmaster accompanied the Apollo 11 mission in 1969, it has ranked among the greatest legends of the watch world, and new editions of the icon regularly set off a watch hype when they hit the market. 2021 was a big year for the Speedmaster: it was comprehensively modernized on the technical side while its looks remained largely unchanged. Tachymeter scale, domed crystal, and white hands on a black dial – the appearance of the Professional Moonwatch enjoys almost mythical status in the watch world. The compact Speedmaster 38 and the imposing ceramic "Dark Side of the Moon" editions also each triggered a hype in their class.
Breitling Chronomat
A comeback in style: when Breitling brought back the Chronomat in 2020, the sporty pilot's watch was bursting with striking details. While the grippy Rouleaux bracelet and the four rider tabs on the bezel were carried over from its historical predecessors, the renowned B01 chronograph movement is a new addition to the powerful collection. If you want to take the retro charm to the extreme, order a two-tone model in stainless steel and 18-karat rose gold. Also caught up in the watch hype is the Super Chronomat, which brings 44 instead of 42 millimeters in diameter to the wrist and is even available with a four-year calendar.
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak
Eight corners, a Tapisserie dial, and a hype matched in the high-end segment only by Patek Philippe's Nautilus: the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak has been in a league of its own for more than 40 years. Instant euphoria didn't spread when the world's first luxury stainless steel watch was unveiled in 1972, but only a few years later the Royal Oak enjoyed international fame. Ask enthusiasts about their ultimate dream watch in the five-figure price range, and the name of this handcrafted work of art comes up more often than any other. With the large Offshore variants, prestigious complications, and numerous designs, the watch hype around the Royal Oak will continue well into the future.
Rolex Submariner
Supply and demand set the price: no watch model demonstrates the most important law of free markets more clearly than the Rolex Submariner. The world's most famous dive watch translates the timeless simplicity of the Datejust into diver format, causes a stir with legendary color combinations such as "Pepsi" or "Hulk," and asks its owners to endure waiting times that sometimes stretch for years. If you don't want to wait, you'll pay hefty premiums at dealers. We're curious whether the biggest hype of the past decade will ever come to an end.
TAG Heuer Carrera
Hype watches with racing DNA: for many aficionados, the TAG Heuer Carrera is the flagship of the Swiss luxury brand, offering everything a horological heart could desire, from the timeless sports watch to the technical showpiece with tourbillon and in-house movement. The models with the in-house HEUER 02 automatic caliber in particular are a huge success – thanks to their 80-hour power reserve and extensive skeletonization as much as to the enhanced image the manufacturer gains from its own movements. In summer 2022, the hype watches are joined by the Red Dial Limited Edition, which brings fiery temperament to the racing collection.
Nomos Tangente
When the young brand NOMOS Glashütte presented its first collections in 1992, one model took center stage: the Tangente. Despite all the expansions of the product portfolio the manufacturer has made over the past 30 years, it is still considered the epitome of the purist Bauhaus style for which Nomos is appreciated across all age groups. Clean lines, blued hands, and five numerals in unmistakable typography define the look of this all-rounder, while the in-house Alpha movement provides confident power. The NOMOS Tangente has since grown into a proud family that, alongside the classic hand-wound models, also includes neomatik editions and compact women's watches with a 33-millimeter diameter.
Breitling Navitimer 8
The Breitling Navitimer underwent a true revolution in 2018, when the iconic pilot's watch collection was expanded in striking fashion. The Breitling Navitimer 8 has no slide rule bezel, which had been the pilot's watch's most conspicuous visual detail since its debut in 1952. The newcomer's sporty, clean look arrived in five variants, ranging from the refined Unitime with world time complication to the Navitimer 8 B01 with confident in-house power. The watch hype later continued under the name Aviator 8, which remains part of the Breitling model family to this day and celebrates legendary aircraft such as the Curtiss Warhawk, P-51 Mustang, and F4U Corsair with special editions.
Grand Seiko Heritage Collection
Perfect craftsmanship and outstanding technical achievements: if you love luxury timepieces, you're either fascinated by Grand Seiko or at least pay the Japanese high-end brand the respect it deserves. The Heritage Collection in particular, with legendary models such as the SBGA211 "Snowflake" or the SBGJ201 "Mt. Iwate," is gaining growing recognition on the German market, combined with the uniqueness of its Spring Drive system and the distinctive gleam of its Zaratsu polishing. Quartz precision with mechanical winding – Grand Seiko's drive system, developed over decades, sparks the curiosity of seasoned and new enthusiasts alike and, given the highly refined craftsmanship, offers good value for money.
Tissot T-Classic PRX
When case and bracelet form a single unit, distinctive watch shapes are guaranteed. In the 1970s especially, eye-catching tonneau cases broke with prevailing design conventions and brought icons like the Tissot PRX to the wrist. Ever since the modern version of the classic appeared, there has been a veritable rush on this affordable design piece. Quartz and automatic versions are available, all equipped with a solid 100 meters of water resistance. The option to order the retro icon with an 18-karat gold bezel is another highlight in this price segment. We're big fans of the automatic versions, whose 80-hour power reserve gives the watch hype around the Tissot PRX an additional boost.
