[Results Announced] Readers' Choice: Top 5 Best Watches for 2025! Grand Seiko Takes First Place, But What's in Second Place?

The watch industry has seen a variety of new models released by various companies in 2025. With such a diverse lineup, which will watch enthusiasts choose as their No. 1? This time, we asked our readers to answer a survey about the brand's model that they are most drawn to among the new watches released in 2025. We introduce the top 5 models that received the most votes from the selected new models.

What is the "No. 1 masterpiece" of the new watches of 2025 chosen by our readers?

　The year 2025 saw growing uncertainty about the future of the watch market, which is vulnerable to economic shocks, due to factors such as a slowing global economy and trade friction caused by U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff measures. However, the new watches announced by various companies give no indication of such concerns. The lineup is diverse, with the introduction of new movements, smaller cases that reflect the latest trends, and even extraordinary complications.

　This time, we asked our readers to choose their "No. 1 masterpiece" from among the new watches released in 2025 in an open-ended format. The tallying period was from December 1st to 7th, 2025. We present the top 5 new watches that received the most votes.

　In addition, new watches that have multiple variations within the same collection are counted together as "one collection."

5. Grand Seiko "Evolution 9 Collection" Ref. SLGW007

　In fifth place is a watch equipped with the Cal. 9SA4, a new manual-winding movement announced by Grand Seiko in 2024, and featuring a navy-colored "birch" dial.

　The Caliber 9SA4 is based on the automatic Caliber 9SA5, and combines a high beat of 36,000 vibrations per hour with a power reserve of approximately 80 hours. It also pursues the "comfortable winding" and "sound of winding" of the mainspring, making it a movement that watch enthusiasts covet. The ticking sound, along with the feeling of winding transmitted through your fingers as you hold the crown, provide the pleasure of operating a manual-wind watch. In pursuit of this winding feel, Grand Seiko improved the kohaze and kohaze spring. The kohaze, which moves as if pecking at the barrel from the see-through back, is playfully based on the wagtail bird of Iwate Prefecture.

[Readers' reasons for voting]
The scene of a birch forest under the moonlight is beautifully expressed. I think it is also highly rated for being able to enjoy the high-performance hand-wound caliber 9SA4.
・My grandfather gave me a Grand Seiko watch, and that was the trigger that made me fall in love with the brand. I also like denim, so I wanted a navy watch.

4th place: A. Lange & Söhne "1815"

　In fourth place is the smaller-sized "1815" that A. Lange & Söhne released at Watches & Wonders Geneva 2025 in April.

In a complete reversal of the "big, thick" trend, smaller case sizes have become a trend in recent years, but even among them, the 34mm diameter is quite classic. The Arabic numeral indexes and alpha hands, which are the design codes of the 1815, further enhance this style.

　When A. Lange & Söhne released this small-diameter 1815, they also developed the newly developed Cal. L152.1 movement. While the movement design is classic, it also boasts modern performance with a power reserve of approximately 72 hours and a free-sprung balance.

[Readers' reasons for voting]
Despite its small diameter of 34mm, it is equipped with a movement developed from scratch with a 72-hour power reserve, which is impressive.
-There is a trend towards smaller diameters these days, but it was impressive that they went so far in making it so small and with a classically designed movement.

3. Omega Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon

　Finally, we come to the top three! Coming in third place is Omega's Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon. Four different designs were released this fall, and the one that made the list this time is the "Gray Side of the Moon." Inspired by a famous quote from NASA Apollo 8 commander Jim Lovell, "The moon is essentially gray," the design code is based on gray. To that end, gray ceramic is used for the case and bezel, and the case is also plasma-finished, resulting in a metallic mirror finish and hairline finish that is almost indistinguishable from stainless steel. Another highlight is the Master Chronometer-certified manual-winding movement, Cal. 3869, which features laser-etched lunar craters, perfectly in keeping with the design concept.

[Readers' reasons for voting]
-When I saw the real thing, I was so impressed by its beauty that I bought it.
- The faithful reproduction of the familiar appearance of the moon is superb.
・It's so damn cool.

2nd Place: Breguet "Classique Subscription 2025"

　Coming in second place is Breguet's Classique Subscription. This year marks the 250th anniversary of the founding of its watchmaking workshop on the Quai de l'Horloge on the Île de la Cité in Paris, France, and Breguet has excited the watch industry with a number of anniversary models. The first of these anniversary models, the Classique Subscription, received the most votes, beating out other more glamorous anniversary models.

　Invented by watchmaker Abraham-Louis Breguet, souscription is a sales system based on a subscription, whereby customers pay a quarter of the total price in advance when placing an order. This method allowed Breguet to rebuild its workshops and bring its products into the hands of many customers. This souscription model, a reinterpretation of a pocket watch made in 1796, features a domed Grand Feu enamel dial and a single tempered blue hand. While retaining traditional Breguet style, including Arabic numerals, Breguet hands, and a movement design reminiscent of the original pocket watch, it also incorporates 13 new technologies. This model won the Grand Prix de la Garnier (Aiguile d'Or) at the Geneva Grand Prix Watchmaking (GPHG) 2025.

[Readers' reasons for voting]
・The fact that it won the Golden Needle Award goes without saying, but even before that, I was completely blown away the moment I put it on my wrist. No complaints. I can't wait for it to be delivered!
-Simple, single-hand design, and very beautiful.
- A typical Breguet face. A model worthy of the 250th anniversary.
- An overwhelming history and story. A one-of-a-kind watch that only Breguet could make, and there is meaning in Breguet making it. I am grateful that this brand continues to exist today.
-This piece celebrates Breguet's 250th anniversary, but I felt that it was not just a tribute to the past 250 years, but also a masterpiece that embodies Breguet's determination to continue to develop in the future.

1nd Place: Grand Seiko "Evolution 9 Collection Spring Drive UFA"

　Taking the top spot is the "Evolution 9 Collection Spring Drive UFA," launched with Grand Seiko's new Spring Drive movement, Cal. 9RB2. While inheriting the "Grand Seiko VFA (Very Fine Adjusted)" produced by the brand in 1969, the UFA (Ultra Fine Accuracy) represents a further evolution, and as its name suggests, its greatest feature is its excellent accuracy of ±20 seconds per year.

　The case is also slimmer, measuring just 30mm in diameter and 5.02mm thick, resulting in a size of 37mm in diameter and 11.4mm thick, while still maintaining the standard Spring Drive power reserve of approximately 72 hours.

[Readers' reasons for voting]
- It has an astonishing accuracy of just 20 seconds per year and is an aesthetically pleasing piece of workmanship.
・This one is definitely it. Even though it's Spring Drive, the accuracy is a bit off. I was torn between this and the Rolex Land-Dweller, which incorporates numerous patents, but... If you just consider the appearance, it doesn't seem like the other companies have made much progress, so I chose the UFA, which I felt had the most progress internally.
- The fact that it has elevated Spring Drive, which believes in itself and follows its own path, to new heights. While people tend to focus on the yearly difference, what is particularly impressive is that it has brought together the new generation SD movement of the 9RA series in a size that is acceptable to everyone.
-There are many enjoyable aspects to this watch, including the UFA movement, which offers a new level of precision, a small case, and a dial that changes color depending on the angle from which you view it.
- It has an annual accuracy of ±20 seconds and is equipped with a regulator.