7 Statement-Making Timepieces to Covet in 2023

These elegant watches from Audemars Piguet, Chopard, Patek Philippe, and more blend exceptional craftsmanship and special complications

A collection of six luxury watches with various designs and styles, including leather and metal straps, on a green background.

Watches can be so much more than simply a tool to tell the time; they can also be treasured mementos that mark the special moments in one’s life, becoming an heirloom that instantly conjures personal memories and passed-down stories. Here, a selection of the most elegant new watches that are perfect for counting down the minutes to 2023.

 

Gold wristwatch with blue dial, featuring luminescent hour markers, date display, and a small seconds subdial.
Panerai Luminor Photo: Courtesy of Panerai

1. Panerai Luminor TuttoOro

The elegant new Luminor TuttoOro features some of Panerai’s finest core design elements, combining exceptional craftsmanship with Italian artistry. Powered by a P.900/MP automatic caliber that offers a convenient 72-hour, three-day power reserve, this piece is sure to impress at any festive party with its striking aesthetics.

Luxury watch with black strap, diamond bezel, unique shaped dial and Roman numerals, showcasing elegance and craftsmanship.
Vacheron Constantin Heures Creatives Heure Romantique

2. Vacheron Constantin Heures Créatives Heure Romantique

Inspired by a piece from 1916, created during the Belle Époque and Art Nouveau period, this 18K white-gold watch celebrates the romance of that era and would add a dramatic flair to any New Year’s Eve soiree. It is set with 123 round-cut diamonds and features a mother-of-pearl dial with painted Roman numerals.

Luxury wristwatch with black strap and intricate dial design displaying numbers in a unique configuration.

3. Audemars Piguet Starwheel

The new Code 11.59 Audemars Piguet Starwheel revisits the tradition of wandering hours with a new ultra-contemporary timepiece that combines black ceramic with 18K white gold. Invented in the 17th century, wandering hours are a type of horological complication that display the hours using a system of satellites that gravitate along a minute scale arranged in the form of an arc.

Luxury gold and black watch with a black rubber strap, featuring a bold black dial and date display at 3 o'clock position.
Rolex Yacht Master in Yellow Gold Photo: Courtesy of Rolex

4. Rolex Yacht-Master

Since its introduction in 1992, Rolex’s Yacht-Master has only appeared in cases crafted from precious metals. The newest addition to the Yacht-Master lineup is a a 42 mm model that appears in 18K yellow gold for the first time. Its matte black ceramic bezel and minimalist black dial add an element of refinement that make this sports watch equally fitting for an evening celebration.

Silver luxury wristwatch with a textured gray dial, Roman numerals, and metal bracelet on a white background.
Chopard Alpine Eagle 41 Photo: Courtesy of Chopard

5. Chopard Alpine Eagle 41

Contemporary and refined, the new sport-chic Alpine Eagle timepiece collection is a contemporary reinterpretation of the St. Moritz watch, which was first created in 1981. Inspired by a wintery wonderland of snow and glaciers, it would be ideal for those celebrating New Year’s Eve in the mountains this year.

Luxurious silver wristwatch with intricate detailing and a metallic band.
Chanel J12 Baguette Diamond Star Photo: Courtesy of Chanel

6. Chanel J12 Baguette Diamond Star

Limited to just 12 pieces, the J12 Baguette Diamond Star is fully embellished with 906 baguette-cut diamonds totaling 35.67 carats, including on the self-winding timepiece’s oscillating weight. It’s also water resistant to 50 meters.

Luxury wristwatch with beige leather strap, moonphase display, and detailed dial featuring multiple time zones and date.
Patek Philippe 5326G Annual Calendar Travel Time Photo: Courtesy of Patek Philippe

7. Patek Philippe Ref 5326G-001 Annual Calendar Travel Time

The new Ref 5326G-001 Annual Calendar Travel Time encompasses an unprecedented combination of two complications. The annual calendar, which only needs to be corrected once a year, and the time travel display system, which shows a second time zone, allows for an adjustment of the date when the time is changed. The piece is contained inside an updated Calatrava case and the dial in a textured dark charcoal gradient that recalls the effects of vintage cameras.