Our team's picks for top watches of 2022
2022 was an eventful year for boutique and independent watchmaking. We saw a slew of new timepieces from all our favorite watchmakers and brands. MB&F, Urwerk, De Bethune, AkriviA, Arnold & Son, Armin Strom, to name a few, all released new stunners. For collectors and enthusiasts, last year was a strong indicator that creative momentum is building amongst indies. Looking back on the last 12 months, we should be excited for what’s in store for 2023. Before we move on from last year, our team gathered to name some of our favorite timepieces from 2022. Here’s our picks and why.
Chiraag’s Picks
URWERK UR-100V Time & Culture I - To the small intricacies marrying the eras of old with modern day horology. I've got a big appreciation for ancient history and to see the culture of Central America engraved as motifs on its dial is simply incredible. It's like wearing a miniature monolith on your wrist packed with a satellite hour display and a vast array of indications.
UR-100V Time & Culture I (Credits: URWERK Geneve)
DB28 XP Tourbillon - It's slim, it's got a beauty of a guilloche dial, a 30 second tourbillon and De Bethune's patented articulate lugs which provide a great fit for even smaller wrists such as mine. It's a power packed timepiece which would make any owner proud to have one.
De Bethune DB28 XP Tourbillon
Mike’s Picks
My two favorite watches from 2022 are the Urwerk UR-120 “Spock” and the Grönefeld 1941 Grönograaf.
“Spock” stands out because it’s an evolution of the Urwerk complication – the wandering-hour indication. Only time will tell, but it feels like the retirement of the UR-105 might have been the close of one period of Urwerk’s evolution and the UR-120 is the beginning of something new and exciting. As for the 1941
URWERK UR-120 “Spock” (Credits: URWERK Geneve)
Grönograaf, it’s a striking iteration of the Horological Brothers’ popular 1941 Remontoire. It’s so specific, but I like that they nod to the 1941 with a centrifugal governor at 4 o’clock that can be easily mistaken as a remontoire. Three subdials with power reserve indicator and the above-mentioned centrifugal governor, it’s amazing that the dial doesn’t feel overly busy or crowded. I’d love to see Grönefeld continue developing more complicated timepieces in the future.
Grönefeld 1941 Grönograaf (Credits: Grönefeld 1941 Grönograaf.)
Amir’s Picks
De Bethune DB25 Perpetual Calendar Salmon Dial - The salmon dial reflections in the light, clean lines, delicacy of the case, and just the pure style of this watch represent the hallmark of De Bethune timepieces.
De Bethune DB25 Perpetual Calendar Salmon Dial
MB&F LM Split Escapement EVO - My favorite thing about this watch is that it appears to have this accentuated 3D effect due the unique approach to the escapement, which soars above the rest of the dial almost suspended in thin air due to the polished, arched V-shaped bridge
MB&F LM Split Escapement EVO
Chris’ Picks
Akrivia RRCCII Platinum Black Dial - Most dress watches don’t appeal to me. When Rexhep finally announced the RRCII featuring the black grand feu enamel dial with “gratté” engraved seconds dial and a JP Hagmann influenced case with elongated horns… yea, I was smitten.
Akrivia RRCCII Platinum Black Dial
Sylvain Pinaud’s Origine - I had the pleasure of visiting Sylvain at his workshop last year. His quirky, fun personality trickles right into his work. The Origine is Pinaud’s take on classic chronometer watchmaking with the Sainte Croix watchmaker’s creative flair—beautiful, large balance bridge, finishing galore, flame blued hands with versatile case and sublime dials in collaboration with Voutilainen’s Comblemine.
Sylvain Pinaud’s Origine (Credits: Sylvain Pinaud)
Which watches released last year impressed you the most? Comment on our Instagram post here.