We are over halfway through the year, and while many - including the rest of the editorial team - were somewhat underwhelmed by the recent Watches & Wonders, it doesn't mean that there weren't some good watches released this year. The following is our favorite watches of 2026, which includes new releases, new additions to our collection, or in some cases, watches we don't even have in our possession... yet.
Favorite Watches of 2026 from The Watch Brief Editorial Team
Jo from Watch Her Tick
This year my watch picks all seem to orbit the same quiet idea: personality through colour, not complication. I’ve been leaning more toward watches that feel like little mood shifts on the wrist rather than spec-sheet fireworks, where a dial tone or subtle design change does most of the storytelling. There’s something really satisfying about restraint when it still feels playful — soft pastels, basic tones, warm seasonal shades, and deeper colours that somehow feel cozy and a bit romantic at the same time. It’s less about chasing the biggest release energy and more about the pieces that made me stop, look twice, and feel a little spark of “oh… that’s me.”
Traska Venturer GMT (Arctic White Dial)
Picking a favourite microbrand release this year was surprisingly easy. I had been eyeing the previous Traska Venturer GMT for a while, but the moment the updated version was announced, all bets were off. The refinements were enough to push me over the edge, and that crisp white dial? Instant obsession. 🤍 It hasn't even started shipping yet, so this pick is based purely on first impressions, but sometimes a watch just has it. This is the one that made me stop scrolling and start mentally making room in the watch box.
Seiko Presage Cocktail Time “Sakura Aviation” Cherry Blossom Limited Edition
This was an easy favourite for me in the accessible category. I already love the Presage Cocktail Time line, but this 2026 cherry blossom limited edition completely pulled me in. The soft pink, almost glowing MOP dial feels like it was made to be stared at in different lighting just to see it change personality. I like that it’s not just a new colourway for the sake of it either — it has that full seasonal, story-driven Presage energy that Seiko does so well. One thing that surprised me is the 34mm size, which is smaller than what I would usually gravitate toward, but it actually works beautifully here and feels even more delicate and intentional on the wrist. It’s playful, elegant, and honestly just very pretty in a way that doesn’t feel try-hard.
IWC Portugieser Automatic 42 “Year of the Horse” (Burgundy)
For my higher-end pick, I went with the IWC Portugieser Automatic 42 “Year of the Horse” in burgundy. I already loved the standard blue version of this watch, so seeing it reimagined in this deep wine tone instantly caught my attention in a different way. It still has that calm, perfectly balanced Portugieser dial that makes it feel almost effortless, but the burgundy adds a bit more warmth and personality, and honestly the whole “Year of the Horse” theme makes it feel like it should come with a quiet little giddyup every time you look at it.
Jay from Dang Horology
2026 has been an incredible year of watch collecting, with each piece earning its place through more than just specifications.
Alato, Alcadus, Longines, Pitzmann, Wancher x Vario, & Gavox
The Gavox Longitude Turquoise impressed with its distinctive character, while my Longines Zulu Time Titanium will always be the most sentimental watch in my collection—it was my engagement watch, purchased in Japan where I proposed to my fiancée in February 2026.
The Pitzmann Overture Mk2 No Date marked my first experience with a South Korean microbrand, and it immediately proved it could punch well above its weight. The Wancher Kaguya, paired with a Vario Epsom leather strap, showcased beautiful Japanese-inspired craftsmanship paired with Singapore's finest.
The Alcadus Worldtimer GMT became my first worldtimer and exceeded every expectation, while the SloMo Glance Blue demonstrated the quality coming from Canada's microbrand scene and keep it fun.
Finally, the Alato Ogonsten reinforced everything I loved about the brand after my first Alato experience, delivering on the high expectations I spoke about in my first impressions video. Together, these watches represent not only my favourite releases of 2026, but also the stories, milestones, and memories that make this hobby so rewarding.
Dr. Bryan
We're only halfway through 2026, but two watches have already separated themselves from the pack for me. One speaks to my love of Australia. The other feels like it arrived from the future disguised as classical Swiss watchmaking.
They're completely different, yet they're the only two watches this year that have genuinely stopped me in my tracks. One is an accessible, adventure-ready daily wearer. The other is haute horlogerie at its most inventive. Moreover, one is affordable and currently in my watch box, while the other is more expensive than some quite lovely cars.
Bausele Elemental
The Bausele Elemental isn't just a watch I admire; it’s a watch I currently own.
I've been lucky enough to travel to Australia several times, and one of my favourite memories is standing on the very beach where the sand inside the Elemental's crown comes from. Most brands talk about "heritage" or "DNA"; Bausele literally seals a piece of Australia into every watch. It sounds gimmicky until you've actually been there. Then it becomes something far more meaningful.
The Elemental captures everything I enjoy about Australian design. It's practical, unfussy and built to be used, but it still has character. The textured dial echoes the colours and movement of the coastline, while the integrated bracelet and thoughtful proportions make it feel like a genuinely modern sports watch rather than another homage to the usual luxury icons. Yes, it has a cyclops and a date, and frankly, I wish it didn’t, but the rest of the watch makes up for this design oversight.
For me, this isn't just an attractive watch. It's a souvenir of a place I love and hope to keep returning to. Every glance at the crown is a reminder of the Australian coastline, and that's a connection that no spec sheet can measure.
Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda PF Chronographe Mystérieux
I've made no secret of the fact that Parmigiani Fleurier is my grail brand, alongside Breguet. While plenty of collectors dream of a Daytona or a Royal Oak, I've always been drawn to PF's quieter approach. It's a brand for people who appreciate something unique.
The Tonda PF Chronographe Mystérieux is everything I love about Parmigiani, turned up to eleven.
At first glance, it's the picture of restraint. A beautifully proportioned Tonda PF with its signature guilloché dial and no hint that anything extraordinary is going on. Then you press the discreet monopusher.
The chronograph hands burst into action while the timekeeping hands quietly take over, creating a display unlike anything else in watchmaking. Stop the chronograph, press again, and everything disappears back into perfect order as if nothing ever happened. The system relies on an entirely new chronograph architecture with five coaxial central hands and a triple-clutch mechanism, allowing the complication to remain completely hidden until it's needed.
Where most chronographs celebrate their complexity with sub-dials and visual clutter, the Mystérieux hides its brilliance in plain sight. It's wildly clever, impossibly elegant, and exactly the sort of watch that reminds me why Parmigiani Fleurier sits at the very top of my wish list.
Jilliano
It was shockingly difficult for me to limit all of my choices here, but I did my best. Others may work for 18 hours straight to save lives, but some people, such as yours truly, spent quite a bit of time choosing the following watches. I will let you decide who had it tougher.
Vario Versa Automatic
The Vario Versa Automatic replaced the Vario Versa Year of the Horse, which is so far my most worn watch of the year. To be honest, if this automatic Versa wasn't a loaner, it would probably quickly supplant my dual-face Versa in that, too.
Since the Versa was first launched, you had some people who hate quartz complain that they just want a mechanical version. Throughout all of these complaints disguised as feedback, Ivan and Judy were quietly at work until finally releasing the Vario Versa Automatic - available with a stylish Art Deco Black Tux and White Tux variant. These models were quickly soldout, and although they have been restocked, don't expect them to remain in stock for long. What an awesome watch, and one that I will most likely wear for my upcoming wedding.
Longines Hydroconquest
Less than two months ago, Longines launched the revamped Longines Hydroconquest. Their new flagship diver came with a newer movement, removed the oversized numerals, added multiple dial and bezel colors, two different bracelet options (H-Link or Mesh, it's that easy, Omega!), sharp indices and lume, and... almost a perfect homage of a Rolex Submariner.
The watch - just like the collection itself - is very clearly inspired by the Rolex Submariner, but for some reason, I don't hate it. In fact, I love it for that same reason. It is definitely a luxury or entry-level luxury diver at 2,500 USD, and it will most likely rub some people (see: people who spent 10,000 USD on their diver) the wrong way, but I just love how it looks and wears. This is a watch that I won't be adding to my collection, but it has stayed embedded in my brain since I first saw it in Harrison Elmore's review, which led to me trying it on every time I fly through Fukuoka Airport at the Longines boutique there.
Vandaag Schallmauer Automatik - Reverse Panda Blue
So, I have a Vandaag Baas and a Vandaag Schallmauer Mecaquartz, and I almost put both watches on this list. However, both of those watches are technically not released in 2026, even though I got it this year, so I decided to choose their newest, most premium, and most limited release thus far: their automatic Schallmauer Chronograph.
This watch features their new 5-link bracelet and an optimized Sellita SW510BHa movement (regulated to +/- 4 seconds per day), but retains what they do best: the perfect mixture of functionality and beauty. Everything about this robust design screams that it can handle a beating (or even parachuting out of a plane, if its 1950s Flieger inspiration has anything to do with it), but its red outlined seconds-hand, their signature red date window, and the crisp white sub-dials add a touch of charm and grace to its tough exterior.
Honorable Mentions: Walker & Crown, Canuck Timepieces, and Axon Origo
Okay, I'm cheating, and I don't care. For the watches from all three of these brands, I haven't received them... yet. I will be reviewing each one of them (or, in the case of the British microbrand Walker & Crown, all four), and I have had the unique pleasure of becoming acquainted with the owners of all three brands.
Walker & Crown was founded by Jonny & Colette, and its design language is quite clearly inspired by the 1980s, the founders' love of music, and most importantly, a way to honor the past using modern innovations. This brand is completely self-funded, in order to ensure that each watch can be made no matter what. I really love the use of colors in all of the designs, the case silhouette, and - funny enough - the packaging. You will see what I mean if you visit their website, and stay tuned.
I met James from Canuck Timepieces thanks to Jay (Dang Horology), and I ended up really loving his vision for his Canadian brand and the unique watches. Through collaborations with Lima Watch and AndoAndoAndo, James has really succeeded in creating accessible and special watches that I can honestly say I have never even thought about before. You can learn more by checking out my interview with James.
I discovered Axon Origo the same way most of us discover cool watches nowadays - through an Instagram post. At the time, Axon Origo only had a hundred or so followers, but I already loved the brand's vision: Grand Complications at an Accessible Price Point. I was hooked by their classical design, wearable proportions, and the passion from their founders, who are both knowledge about manufacturing and business. You can learn more by reading my interview with one of the founders, Tommaso.
