New year, new timepieces! Granted, the year 2022 has gotten off to a familiar start. But, global pandemic or no global pandemic, the watch world continues to tick. And, let’s face it, there’s never been a better opportunity to assess our current situation and devote some serious thought to that enticing new watch purchase.
There are a slew of exciting new men’s watch releases planned for 2022, and this is where you’ll find them. From well-known labels like Rolex, Tag Heuer, and Breitling to lesser-known names that have captured the editors’ attention.
The Top Watches for Men In 2022
Nomos Glashütte – £2,440
Nomos Glashütte, unlike much of the Swiss old guard, was created in East Germany shortly after the fall of the Berlin Wall. The watch’s style is therefore simple and retrofuturist, evoking the classic, slightly terrifying Vladimir Mayakovsky posters.
The most Nomos Glashütte-like of them all is the latest Neomatik. It’s as wonderful as it seems, though, thanks to an automated movement and a bidirectional winding rotor that protects the mainspring. Germany’s manufacturing industry has remained strong since unification.
Zenith – £7,100
Zenith vintage items are extremely popular. The success of the El Primero’s ‘Revival’ reproduction attests to this. People got crazy when the marque re-released the Defy, a banner novelty that dated back to 1969.
That is correct. It’s powered by the El Primero movement, so you know it works, but there’s something almost future about it, and given the collector’s value, you’ll be onto a winner when the re-re-release arrives.
Omega – £5,420
The unisex trend has arrived at Omega, and it’s a welcome change from the ‘diamonds for the women, bulk for the guys’ mentality that has ruled many Swiss watch brands. The Aqua Terra is a good introduction into Omega’s portfolio, and in a new 38mm size, it’s a modest contrast to all of the enormous, big watches of late. You can even show it to your significant other. Alternatively, keep it out of their reach totally.
Longines – £2,525
Longines has become one of the most well-known watch companies in the world because to its well-designed and reasonably priced watches. Longines’ Spirit line, which is characterised by a crisp, clean look for easy readability, was created in 2020 to highlight Longines’ connection with aviation. Its most recent iteration is made of titanium and costs just over £2.5k. For a chronometer-certified watch, this is a deal.
Breitling – £8,000
The North American Aviation P-51 Mustang, the Vought F4U Corsair, the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk, and the de Havilland Mosquito are all featured in Breitling’s new Super AVI line, which is a celebration of aviation history with designs inspired by four classic planes from the past: the North American Aviation P-51 Mustang, the Vought F4U Corsair, the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk, and the de Havilland Mosquito
The Super AVI Mosquito has a black dial with white contrasting chronograph counters and a combination polished and satin-brushed black ceramic bezel. Its red and orange parts are reminiscent of the roundels and marks on the “Wooden Wonder” plane.
No less than a classic cockpit for your wrist.
Oris – £1,950
The watch industry, like every other industry, has recently become obsessed with sustainability, with varied results. Oris, whose timepieces already provided some of the finest value for money in the luxury watch market, has been ahead of the curve for years, supporting numerous ethical practices on land and water.
It said that by the end of 2021, it will be “climate neutral” – not just in terms of its production, but also in terms of its boutiques, watches, and everything else.
To commemorate the 10th anniversary of Botswana’s aeromedical rescue organization Okavango Air Rescue, the company has released a limited-edition version of their Big Crown ProPilot. It was appropriately influenced by nature.
It’s also green, which is appropriate.
Bremont – £4,595
Can you withstand nine ejections from a plane traveling at 600 knots and exerting 30G forces? Is your watch up to the task? Those were only two of the many tests the Bremont watch maker put the MB Savanna through. Its MB-II line, developed in partnership with Martin-Baker, a British ejector seat manufacturer, has become one of the company’s most popular lines among both pilot watch enthusiasts and genuine military pilots. This current grey/tan version features splashes of color (red, yellow), but otherwise maintains its desert military standard. There’s also a display case rear with a glimpse of the ruthenium-plated rotor that’s water resistant to 100 meters.
Tag Heuer – £2,750
The Aquaracer Professional 300 series from Tag Heuer was relaunched earlier this year. It was more of an evolution than a revolution, with modifications that improved an already popular watch (date window now at… 6 o’clock! ), but that didn’t mean it wasn’t better for it.
The Nightdiver, with its all-black design and unmistakable lume dial, joins the eight versions. The DLC-coated variant in black ceramic, which is available in three versions, is our favourite — a heavy-duty badass remake of a much-loved watch.
