This project asks prominent journalists from Japan and around the world to select their top 5 watches from those presented at Watches & Wonders Geneva 2026. This time, the main MC of the YouTube channel "Watch Passion Support Group," the group leader, takes part. The top 5 watches, all of which are gold watches, are among those that received rave reviews and were ranked number one.
1th place: Parmigiani Fleurier "Trick Perpetual Calendar"
Manual winding (Cal. PF733-AN). 29 jewels. 28,800 vibrations/hour. Power reserve approximately 60 hours. 18K rose gold case (40.6mm diameter, 5.3mm thickness). 30m water resistance. 113,000 Swiss francs (including tax). Scheduled for release in May 2026.
A masterpiece that expresses complex mechanisms through a minimalist design. This special model, commemorating the brand's 30th anniversary, features a dazzling 18K rose gold case and 18K rose gold dial.
The hand-hammered finish and the dual-pattern guilloché decoration of Clous de Paris and sautéed fillet engraved on the movement create a magnificent and celebratory design.
It's classical yet avant-garde, luxurious yet minimalist, complicated yet simple—a realm that defies simple description.
2nd Place: Chopard "LUC Quattro Spirit 25 - Straw Marquetry Edition"
Manual winding (Cal.LUC 98.06-L). 42 jewels. 28,800 vibrations/hour. Power reserve approximately 192 hours. 18K yellow gold case (40mm diameter, 10.30mm thickness). 50m water resistance. Limited edition of 8 pieces worldwide. 11,451,000 yen (tax included).
Chopard celebrates its 30th anniversary as a manufacture, showcasing the culmination of masterful craftsmanship.
The 18K ethical yellow gold case and the matching straw marquetry dial create a truly unique timepiece.
A supreme realm where even a deviation of a few microns is unacceptable.
3rd Place: Zenith "Chronomaster Sport Limited Edition"
Automatic movement (Cal. El Primero 3600). 36,000 vibrations/hour. Power reserve of approximately 60 hours. Stainless steel and 18K rose gold case (41mm diameter). 10 ATM water resistance. Limited edition of 50 pieces worldwide. 2,695,000 yen (tax included).
The "Chronomaster Sport" has generated a lot of buzz with the introduction of its skeleton dial, but the limited edition model that personally caught my eye was this one.
The dial uses mother-of-pearl, and the sub-dial colors are adjusted to match its organic pattern. It's essentially just that one small change, but look at this incredible sense of style!
The warm 18K rose gold adds an even softer touch, making this a very modern sports watch that's easy and light to wear.
4th Place: Patek Philippe "Complications" Ref. 5396R-016
Automatic movement (Cal. 26-330 S QA LU 24H). 34 jewels. 28,800 vibrations/hour. Power reserve approximately 45 hours. 18K rose gold case (38.5mm diameter, 11.2mm thickness). 3 ATM water resistance. 10,990,000 yen (including tax).
Having come full circle, I'm now interested in complications that utilize the classic symmetrical design.
The use of a nuanced "sand beige" dial, rather than the standard white or silver, is in line with current trends and is a good choice.
5th Place: Cartier "Baignoire" Clou de Paris motif
Quartz movement. 18K yellow gold case (25mm x 19mm, 7.5mm thick). Water resistant for everyday use. Estimated price: 3,841,200 yen (tax included). Scheduled for release in November 2026.
I was speechless the moment I saw it; it was an incredible "baignoire."
The skill to seamlessly incorporate the Clous de Paris motif into a design consisting solely of curved surfaces gives it an unparalleled, regal presence.
When I tried to choose, they were all gold! (laughs)
It might just be how I'm feeling right now.
I think many of this year's new releases featured dials in nuanced colors.
Even with just the color blue, there are various ways of expressing it, including the names, such as Chopard's "Allure Blue," Parmigiani Fleurier's "Morning Blue," Vacheron Constantin's "East," and Grand Seiko's "Evening Flower Raft."
Each brand has its own unique sensibility, and it's wonderful to be able to enjoy exploring the places where the watches are made, the scenery the makers see and feel on a daily basis, almost like deciphering a work of art.
Furthermore, there was a bountiful harvest of elegant complications.
Many works have been refined and improved upon previous masterpieces, resulting in a greater level of perfection.
How do you showcase complex mechanisms? Miniaturization, rearrangement, changes in finish patterns, or perhaps even a skeletonized design?
Just like the dial color, this is another area where each brand's unique sensibilities are expressed.
How do we interpret and accept the increasingly diverse techniques and the different approaches taken by each brand?
We may be living in an era where we must constantly change the way we look at time, or we'll be left behind in no time.
Selector Profile
Watch Passion Support Group Leader
He is the main MC of the YouTube channel "Watch Passion Supporters," which conveys the appeal of watches. Aspiring to be a manufacturer of goods, he took a job as a researcher at an electronics manufacturer listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. However, realizing his interest in "handicrafts" rather than mass-produced goods, he switched to the world of craftsmen. With the theme of "praise for craftsmanship," he posts approximately 300 videos a year, and has posted over 2400 videos to date. The total number of views exceeds 77 million (as of April 2026).
