2026’s watch scene is buzzing with jaw-dropping releases: a half-million-franc minute repeater, a mechanical solar system on your wrist, a tribute dive chronograph, and two niche watches that rethink what a dial can be. Here are five must-see watches shaping the year ahead.

Girard-Perregaux Minute Repeater Flying Bridges

This rose gold skeleton watch lays bare every mechanical detail-including the tiny hammers of the minute repeater chiming your time right in front of the dial. The hands and hour markers glow softly in the dark, but legibility is clearly secondary here. It’s all about the sound and the spectacle.

Surprisingly modern, it pairs this ultra-high-end complication-whose price exceeds CHF 500,000 (around €551,000)-with a sporty rubber strap instead of leather or metal.

Christiaan van der Klaauw × Revolution The Grand Planetarium Eccentric Si14

The only mechanical wristwatch on Earth that shows real-time orbits of all eight planets in the Solar System. Crafted with an oxidized silicon dial adorned by luminescent planets and orbit periods, its 44 × 14.3 mm case is made of enhanced 316L steel with a carbodiffusion finish for extra durability.

Its automatic movement delivers a 60-hour power reserve. Only six made. Estimated price: €157,000.

Breitling SuperOcean Heritage B01 42 ”Reverse-Panda”

To celebrate the first-ever dive chronograph from 1957, Breitling unveils a fresh take with a ”reverse panda” dial-dark subdials on a light background. This model switches out the classic Valjoux 7750 for Breitling’s in-house B01 caliber, letting them slim the case down to a more wearable 42 mm.

Choose between a black rubber strap or a Milanese mesh steel bracelet. It’s a solid pick for everyday wear with a sporty edge and dive-ready water resistance.

Otsuka Lotec No.8: Disc hour and retrograde minute display

Japanese independent watchmaker Otsuka Lotec delivers a fresh spin on a classic complication. Hours appear on a rotating disc, paired with a massive sector-shaped retrograde minute hand-making the dial feel more like a cockpit instrument panel than a traditional watch face. Minutes ascend from bottom to top then snap back at each new hour. Seconds are barely there. The watch sports a rubber strap for a modern, casual look.

Kollokium Projekt 02 Variant B

One of 2026’s most conceptual niche watches, the Projekt 02’s single-piece case (39.5 × 12.4 × 5.9 mm) lacks a separate bezel or caseback. Its dial is stacked from 67 hand-painted lacquered plates with varying shades and layers of Super-LumiNova. Hour markers rise as the dial’s highest relief points, creating subtle yet tangible depth.

Powered by the La Joux-Perret G101 automatic movement with a 68-hour power reserve. Limited to 299 pieces, priced at CHF 3,666.66.

Key facts about 2026’s top watches

• Most expensive: Girard-Perregaux Minute Repeater Flying Bridges at over CHF 500,000; Christiaan van der Klaauw’s Grand Planetarium follows at around €157,000.
• Smallest production run: Only six units of the Christiaan van der Klaauw × Revolution Grand Planetarium were made.
• What is a minute repeater? It’s a high-complexity mechanism that chimes the hours, quarters, and minutes on demand using tiny hammers and gongs-a pinnacle of watchmaking craftsmanship.
• Best for daily wear: The Breitling SuperOcean Heritage B01 42 offers reliable water resistance and a versatile 42 mm size, while Kollokium Projekt 02’s compact dimensions also suit everyday use.

While 2026’s lineup spans from astronomical rarity to practical heritage, the race to blend artistry with wearable engineering is heating up. Keep an eye on how independent brands like Otsuka Lotec and Kollokium push dial design boundaries beyond timekeeping basics. Meanwhile, giants like Breitling continue to refine heritage models with modern calibers and fit-for-purpose sizes. Next year promises more surprises as watchmakers balance tradition and innovation in wristwear.