Watch and jewellery connoisseur Martina Bonnier travelled to Geneva for the annual showcase of all things horological, Watches & Wonders. Amidst the thousands of timepieces, Bonnier, with her discerning eye, picked out the nine things watch fans should pay attention to in 2026
Attending Watches & Wonders in Geneva this year, the abundance of watch trends on display was almost too high to count. Whilst tried-and-tested watch features rang true with ceramic bezels in the masses (including, of course, the Chanel J12), a renewed focus on titanium (fronted by Tag Heuer), and the return of the luminous dial up (see Breitling and Panerai for these delights). But among the classics, many new fashions emerged.
A commitment to savoir faire was evident, with brands demonstrating the full scope of their horological expertise. Hermès introduced its new Roaaaaar model, a slender pocket watch that boasts a roaring lion crafted from wood marquetry, opening to expose an exquisite enamel dial. Arguably the epitome of watchmaking artistry.
Photo: Hermès
Photo: Van Cleef & Arpels
Photo: Chanel
Photo: Martina Bonnier
Van Cleef & Arpels revealed the stunning mastery of its Midnight Jour Nuit Phase de Lune timepiece, a subtle homage to the moon, whose sparkle comes from crushed stones. Chopard displayed a watch, the face of which was constructed from a honeycomb of straw (yes, the thing that cows eat), so decadent it almost looks like gold.
This masterclass extends into the exceptional world of enamelling. Cartier, with its Tortue Panthère, showcases the majestic big cat from behind a curtain of rain, which took over 130 hours to produce due to its 15 different hues and 36 necessary firings. Jaeger-LeCoultre illustrated a new take on its Reverso style, with a hummingbird and hibiscus flower intricately enamelled, drawing our minds to Hawaii. Vacheron Constantin highlighted its skill with watches inspired by ancient mythologies, a collaboration with the Louvre, and nearly every element of the timepiece was touched by enamelling.
And, of course, one must never think of watches as simply something to be strapped onto a wrist. Chanel presented a unique chessboard, featuring a Queen piece modelled after its founder, Coco Chanel. Removing her hat reveals a hidden small clock.