Each week, EWC will be gathering horological industry news, cultural conversations and moments surrounding our favorite topic: timepieces. Happy Friday; here’s what’s on our watch. 

What a week for watches! We saw a ton of new releases ranging from sporty to highly artistic and everything in between, a couple of anniversaries, and watch-related news. If it seems like watches are everywhere right now, it’s not just you - they really are. Let’s dive right in, even though there aren’t any divers in the roundup this week.

Artistic crafts meet technical expertise

Vacheron Constantin debuts the latest addition to its Métiers d’Art The Legend of the Chinese Zodiac series with two limited editions celebrating the Sign of the Horse. These pieces are emblematic of Vacheron Constantin’s technical mastery with the automatic Calibre 2460 G4 while simultaneously displaying the artistic crafts of their metiers d’art specialists, who combine engraving, detailed micro-painting, and enameling on a dial featuring a horse that seems to gallop toward the wearer. One version is in pink gold and the other in platinum, with each version limited to 25 pieces. 

At the same time, Vacheron Constantin continues its celebration of its 270th anniversary with a series of Les Cabinotiers Watches Entitled 'La Quête'. The timepieces, some of which are unique, demonstrate the brand’s prowess in a number of artistic and technical capabilities, including mechanical complications such as minute repeaters and astronomical complications, gem-setting, guilloche, enameling, and engraving. 

Speaking of the combination of artistry and technical mastery, Jaeger-LeCoultre introduces its latest interpretation of the Reverso Hybris Artistica Calibre 179, in a pink gold case with a visually striking black-and-grey dial highlighting its Gyrotourbillon, the multi-axis tourbillon that the manufacture designed specifically for application in the Reverso. The Duoface movement allows a display of a different time zone on each dial, and what dials they are - the front dial features decorative bridges that speak to the Art Deco origins of the Reverso, accentuated by black and grey lacquers, and the reverse dial features hand-applied black lacquer surrounding a skeletonized hours and minutes ring.

Drive time

As F1 fandom continues to surge, so do watches that appeal to fans of the sport. TAG Heuer, the official timekeeper of Formula 1, celebrates one of the most legendary F1 champions with two models of the Formula 1 Chronograph x Senna. The TAG Heuer Formula 1 Chronograph x Senna 44mm features an automatic movement, and takes inspiration from bold colors in the driver’s helmet and nods to his Brazilian origin, with bright yellow and green accents contrasted with a black DLC-coated titanium case, and accentuated by a bold yellow strap. The Formula 1 Chronograph x Senna 43mm is its subtler but still sporty companion, with a polished and brushed stainless steel case and bracelet, three counters including a chronograph counter with colors inspired by the Brazilian flag, and is powered by a quartz movement.

As part of the ramp up to its full relaunch in 2026, Universal Genève launches new models in tribute to a longtime collector favorite with their Tribute to Compax models. Vintage collectors have long sought after the original 1960s-era Compax models worn by Nina Rindt, the spouse of the late Formula 1 driver Jochen Rindt. Various versions, nicknamed “Nina” (white dial with black subdials) or “Evil Nina” (black dial with white subdials) by collectors, have now been reintroduced in a limited version of two sets of three watches. Each set has multiple dial variations of the classic three-register chronograph, with decidedly luxe touches like grand feu enamel dials and beautifully crafted leather bund straps made by renowned leatherworker Satoru Hosai, combined with a nod to the past with refurbished Universal Genève Caliber 281 movements. These sets are very exclusive, with only one of each set available on request, with the proceeds supporting apprenticeships at the Geneva Watchmaking School. 

Updated classics

Girard-Perregaux celebrates 50 years of its instantly recognizable classic Laureato with the Laureato FIFTY. Limited to 200 pieces, this version features a two-tone steel and 3N yellow gold 39mm case, a subtly powerful gray dial with a Clous de Paris pattern that is accentuated by yellow gold indices, and an integrated bracelet with fine microadjustment features. Not only is this a celebration of an anniversary, it’s a debut of a new in-house movement, with the in-house automatic Calibre GP4800, decorated and visible through the exhibition case back. 

Cartier introduces 5 sparkling new versions of their classic Baignoire, three on straps and two on a bangle bracelet. One bangle version is a yellow gold aficionado’s fever dream, with a gold bangle, case, and golden dial, with 70 diamonds sprinkled throughout, while the other features a whopping 649 diamonds in total on the case, bracelet, and winding crown. The versions on straps are also quite eye-catching, with options ranging from a sleek mother-of-pearl dial accentuated by a gold case set with diamonds to a version with a diamond-set dial and a case set with a colorful combination of sapphires, emeralds, aquamarines, and diamonds. 

In a color palette that is reminiscent of the upcoming winter season, Grand Seiko announces four new models, two featuring their highly accurate 9F quartz calibers and two automatic GMT models for the traveler who needs to track two time zones at once. Grand Seiko demonstrates their impeccable attention to detail in the dials, from the light blue textured dial pattern of the SBGX357 ‘Skyflake’ to the deep blue dial contrasted with gold-colored GMT accents on the SBGM257 "Moondrop". The two GMT models also feature Grand Seiko’s signature Zaratsu polishing on the cases, making them an elegant statement under a suit jacket, while the two quartz models are a little sportier with brushed cases and bracelets.

A grand reopening

Cartier celebrates the reopening of its beautifully redesigned boutique in Miami’s Design District. With a visually exhilarating wraparound curved and etched glass façade that is intended to both integrate with its surroundings while drawing in the viewer, the two-floor interior of the boutique showcases the breadth of Cartier’s offerings with colorful nods to the vibrant city of Miami. It also features a rooftop terrace, taking advantage of the temperate climate and giving customers many spaces to explore.

In the news

A number of leaders in the Swiss watch industry, including executives and representatives of Rolex, Richemont, and Breitling, along with other business leaders representing Swiss businesses, met with President Trump in the White House this week in support of ongoing discussions about trade between the United States and Switzerland. In a joint statement from the Swiss business group, they indicated support for a bilateral trade agreement. The meeting occurred amidst an ongoing 39% U.S. tariff on Swiss goods that continues to impact the Swiss watch industry.

CBS’s Sunday Morning show profiled Aurel Bacs, one of the most recognizable faces in the watch auction world, with a segment detailing the prolific auctioneer’s love of watches and the rise of his career at Phillips. The timing (see what we did there) could not be more appropriate, as Phillips, in conjunction with Bacs & Russo, leads up to its “Decade One” sale in Geneva, which celebrates ten years of auctions with Phillips’ watch department with a huge two-day event on November 8th and 9th.

Celebrity spotting

The stars were out this week, on magazine covers and screens both big and small.

Popular actor Timothée Chalamet was photographed by legendary photographer Annie Liebovitz for Vogue’s December 2025 cover. The cover features the star in a striking casual-meets-luxe outfit, accentuated by an Urban Jürgensen UJ-2 with a rose gold case and deep blue dial. 

Dwayne Johnson attended a special screening of The Smashing Machine in Los Angeles wearing a titanium Chopard Alpine Eagle 41 XP TT. The star flexed the timepiece both on the red carpet and during a Q&A after the screening.

During the season opener of Saturday Night Live, guest host Miles Teller was spotted wearing a TAG Heuer Carrera Chronosprint x Porsche 42mm in rose gold during his opening monologue. This was the actor’s second time hosting SNL, after his first appearance in 2022.