CH24 Watch of the Year – 15th anniversary edition!
Already for the 15th consecutive time CH24 selects and awards the most interesting new timepieces form the past […]
Hereby we present you the winners of the 14th edition of our “CH24 Watch of the Year”. International jury honored 6 watches in 6 main competition categories. A winner was also selected by CH24 readers.
It is already for 14 years that CH24 selects and awards the most interesting new watches, that emerged on the market in the past 12 months. The utmost goal of our competition – the largest of it’s kind in Central Europe – is to highlight an honor the best, most impressive and innovative new watchmaking creations, representing the entire spectrum of the watch market, from the entry-level all the way to the high horology and artisanal watchmaking.
6 WOTY categories: “Men’s watch”, “Sports watch”, “Men’s watch priced up to 3,000 euro”, “Ladies watch”. Ladies watch priced up to 3,000 euro” and “High Watchmaking”, constituted for 60 nominated timepieces. They have been chosen by a board of international jury, composed of industry experts, collectors and journalists with years of experience. The competition is fully independent, highly acclaimed by the winning manufactures and recognized by the watch industry.
Traditionally – except for the two editions in time of COVID pandemic – “CH24 Watch of the Year” is crowned by an awards ceremony gala in Warsaw – we will provide you a full report form that special evening soon. During the WOTY gala ceremony two additional awards have been presented: “Special Jury Prize” and the “Grand Prix”.
Without further ado, hereby we present you 2023 “CH24 Watch of the Year” laureates.
Created in the third decade of the last century, the Reverso was not only a revolutionary design, but also a practical one. Originally conceived for polo players, it quickly became a true watchmaking icon, with a rotating rectangular case that could hardly be mistaken for anything else. In its Tribute Chronograph version, the Reverso displays its versatility, perfectly combining a sporty complication with a classic timepiece of impeccable design.
Steel sports watches with an integrated case and bracelet design continue to be very popular. Their versatility and comfort make them desirable for any brand to have in its collection. When A. Lange & Söhne unveiled the Odysseus, it quickly won the hearts of collectors who appreciate the originality of the design. In its in-house chronograph version, the watch reminds us that Lange is all about excellent watchmaking, combining tradition with innovation.
In addition to design, the functionality of a mechanical watch is one of the most important factors in its purchase. At a time when travelling has become a daily routine for many people, the GMT complication is ideal, as it allows the time to be easily read practically anywhere in the world without losing contact with the home time. The Longines Spirit collection has been designed as a contemporary interpretation of a pilot’s watch, but even if the owner is not the pilot, he can still enjoy the benefits of the second time zone complication. In a reduced 39mm case, the Spirit Zulu is indeed the perfect everyday watch.
One of the undeniable advantages of Cartier watches is their versatility – they perfectly fit both men’s and women’s wrists. The iconic Tank, with its timeless design and proper dimensions, is a popular choice for those who appreciate the values of traditional watchmaking. In its new version – Privé Normale – it is a thoroughly classic Tank in a minimalist, elegant edition, enhanced by yellow gold, which is back in fashion.
An affordable watch for a woman’s wrist should combine timeless design with functionality and a touch of elegance. For years, Japanese Seiko has been offering models that fit the bill perfectly. The Presage Cocktail Time, with its light blue guilloche dial and a touch of flash in the form of diamond indexes, will appeal to women who appreciate the stylish form of a steel case and a mechanical ticking heart.
The Ferdinand Berthoud manufacture concentrates on classic mechanical watchmaking of the highest level. Instead of innovative complications, the company focuses on traditional watchmaking in its finest form. In this award-winning model, this is precise timekeeping, was achieved thanks to a cylindrical balance spring, among other things. Also on the aesthetic side, it’s a watch that relies on showcasing the beauty of the finely finished movement and its working components.
The Carrera Chronograph is undoubtedly one of the most iconic mechanical stopwatch timepieces in the history of watchmaking. Jack Heuer’s design has aged well and returns to its roots in its latest glassbox version. By skillfully combining the aesthetics of the original models with a wide, highly convex sapphire crystal, TAG Heuer has created a model that will appeal to aficionados of history, modernity and even the avant-garde.
When the watch industry was drowning in the quartz crisis of the 70’s and the 80’s, only a handful of enthusiasts believed in a renaissance of mechanical watchmaking. One of them was Gerd-Rüdiger Lang, founder of Chronoswiss – a brand characterized by a particular design language, original complications (like the regulator) and respect for tradition. Lang was a true visionary and most certainly one of the very few creators, without whom the watches we know today would not be as they are. It is Mr. Lang that invented a transparent caseback, which allows to see a working and beautifully decorated movement, ticking inside the case. Gerd-Rüdiger Lang passed aways in 2023, but his legacy will forever fill pages of the history of watchmaking.
2023 “CH24 Watch of The Year” would not have been possible without our partner – Porsche Centrum Warszawa Okęcie. Media patron of the 2023 Edition is Vogue Poland. Honorary patronage over the event has been held by Embassy of Switzerland in Poland.
You can find all the information on the 2023 “CH24 Watch of The Year” on an official, dedicated website – woty.pl.