Watch Director Tetsuo Shinoda has handpicked the top 5 watches released in 2021 that will surprise you with a fresh, "Wow!" experience.

This project asks prominent journalists from Japan and around the world to choose their top five watches released in 2021.
This time, we will introduce five watches selected by watch director Tetsuo Shinoda, who writes for a wide range of media, from watch magazines to fashion magazines and even newspapers.
Shinoda chooses models that offer fresh surprises, such as the new "CODE 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Chronograph," which combines precious gold with ceramic, and the "Piaget Polo" Date, with its small case that stands out even among the current trend of luxury sports watches.

Audemars Piguet "CODE 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Chronograph"

　This is a new combination model with a ceramic middle case. The combination with pink gold makes for a very sexy and fun watch. The vertical stripes on the dial are also likely to become established as a new style that expresses modernity.

Piaget "Piaget Polo" Date

　The case is small and the indexes are set with diamonds. The blue dial has a vibrant color, and while it exudes a sense of luxury, it also asserts its individuality. It is likely to become popular as a shared watch between partners.

Zenith Chronomaster Sports

　The legendary El Primero has finally been renewed. The chronograph hand makes one full rotation every 10 seconds, and the watch itself is beautifully designed and well-balanced. This is a "normal, excellent product" that shows just how a chronograph should be.

Tudor Black Bay Fifty-Eight 925

　The case is made of sterling silver, which, unlike other materials used in accessories, does not easily darken, but the soft texture and dull color give it a coolness that is different from other diver's watches.

Casio "MY-G-SHOCK"

　This is a new service that allows you to customize your watch by selecting the color of the parts on the website. The idea of ​​being able to enjoy the classic 5600 series in your own way is quite appealing. By the way, it seems that the system and coloring of this service were created by a young designer.

Comment from Tetsuo Shinoda

　When you spend a year looking at watches, it's inevitable that the brand's convenience and strategy will become apparent. It's easy to be a little cynical and think, "Oh, so that's how it is." However, it's also true that having seen so many watches, you can encounter fresh surprises. So, from the new releases for 2021, I've selected some models that made me say, "That's clever!"

　First up is Audemars Piguet's "CODE 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Chronograph." While combining different materials for the middle case is a technique they've already adopted, this year they've made the middle case out of ceramic, creating a beautiful, three-dimensional case structure with different textures. It creates a sensual gold and black style. Speaking of sensuality, Piaget's "Piaget Polo 36mm" was also a good choice. Luxury sports watches have been overwhelmingly popular this year, but it seems like case diameters have become too large recently. This model, on the other hand, has a small 36mm case, and the diamond indices give it a distinctly luxurious feel, which I really liked.

　The two watches that I thought were simply cool were the Zenith Chronomaster Sports and the Tudor Black Bay Fifty-Eight 925. They're not particularly new, but the clever designs and materials used make them attractive watches.

　And finally, there's Casio's new service, "MY G-SHOCK." G-SHOCK is a product that is strong in the experience-based consumption of "wearing it when you go out," but adding the new experience of customizing the classic "5600 series" makes it even more fun. It was a clever strategy, and I ended up ordering it right away. Watches are so much fun, after all.

Profile of Tetsuo Shinoda

Born in 1975. After working in the editorial department of Kodansha's "Hot Dog Press," he went independent. He writes a wide range of watch articles, from serious to casual, for a variety of publications, including watch magazines, fashion magazines, business magazines, newspapers, and the web. In addition to his work, he is also attending the watch course (career school watchmaker course) at the watchmaking school "Hiko Mizuno Jewelry College," where he is learning about watch theory, structure, and disassembly and assembly techniques. His recent publications include "Choosing a Watch as a Cultural Education" (Kobunsha Shinsho).