Geneva transforms this week. Watches and Wonders 2025 kicks off today, and the rumor mill has been running hot for months.
The Confirmed Players #
All the usual suspects will be there. Rolex, Patek Philippe, Cartier, Tudor, Omega (sort of - they have their own thing but still participate). IWC, Panerai, Jaeger-LeCoultre. The list goes on.
What the Leaks Suggest #
Rolex: Something big is coming. Patent filings suggest a new escapement system. Renders of an integrated bracelet watch have been floating around. I’m skeptical of the renders but the patent filings are real.
Cartier: Strong whispers about a Tank à Guichets revival. The original jumping hour Tank from 1928 was one of their most interesting historical pieces. A modern reinterpretation makes sense for the Privé collection.
Tudor: Black Bay in new colors? A 36mm Black Bay 58 variant? Nobody seems to know for sure. Tudor has gotten better at keeping secrets.
Grand Seiko: Their Spring Drive technology might be getting an upgrade. Rumors of significantly improved accuracy specs.
My Predictions #
Most of what gets announced will be incremental. New dial colors, limited editions, slight case size variations. That’s how the industry works now.
But every few years, something genuinely innovative drops. We’re due.
I’ll be covering the announcements as they happen. The first embargo lifts at 8:00 AM CEST.
Stay tuned.