We’re past the halfway mark of 2025, and the watch world clearly hasn’t run out of tricks. This week’s launches are all over the place—in the best way. You’ve got tourbillons in Obsidian lacquer, Greubel Forsey’s quietest flex yet, a summer-ready Zenith that actually wants to get wet, and a Norqain that proves downsizing doesn’t mean dumbing down. There’s even a taupe Hublot. Yes, taupe. No, I didn’t see it coming either. Anyway; here we go:
IWC Portugieser Tourbillon Rétrograde Chronograph
If there’s one way to justify the ‘haute’ in haute horlogerie, it’s this. IWC’s latest Portugieser is a triple threat—tourbillon, retrograde date, and flyback chronograph—all cased in proprietary Armor Gold®. The Obsidian lacquer dial takes 15 layers to complete, but the real flex is inside: a 56-part flying tourbillon with Diamond Shell®-coated silicon components and a 68-hour reserve. As stealth-luxe as IWC gets.
Greubel Forsey Balancier Contemporain ‘Final Edition’
A graceful goodbye. Greubel Forsey bids farewell to its most wearable watch with this 33-piece steel Balancier Contemporain, finished in layered blues across the dial and bridges. No tourbillon, no gimmicks—just pure mechanical poetry, topped off with a giant 12.6mm balance wheel and an engraved gold movement plate. Proof that even the highest of high horology can play it cool.
Zenith DEFY Skyline Skeleton ‘White Surfer’
Time+Tide and Zenith ride one last wave with the third—and final—entry in the ‘Surfer’ trilogy. This all-white ceramic DEFY Skyline Skeleton features a breezy blue gradient dial, a luminous star bridge motif, and the El Primero 3620 SK, beating at 5Hz with 1/10th second precision. A summer sleeper hit that balances tech specs with beach-town swagger.
Hublot Classic Fusion Essential Taupe
Fourth in Hublot’s Essential colour series, the Taupe edition hits that sweet spot between under-the-radar and unmistakably luxe. It swaps rainbow flash for tonal subtlety, with polished titanium, a soft sunray dial, and a blended rubber-fabric strap. Two sizes (42mm and 45mm), both with the same anti-hype appeal that makes this a proper collector’s flex.
Norqain Independence Skeleton 40mm
The fan-favourite Norqain Skeleton finally gets a 40mm case, and we’re all better off for it. The open dial now sits beneath a transparent text plate instead of a fully open crystal, while new colours—turquoise and orange—add punch to the palette. COSC-certified and powered by the skeletonised NB08S (a no-date Sellita), it’s a crisp yet out-there daily driver with indie cred.
Maurice Lacroix 1975 Legacy ‘Saignelégier Blue’
Maurice Lacroix is turning 50, and celebrating the occasion with one of its best dial designs in recent memory. The Vagues du Jura motif returns in a rich archival blue, matched by a colour-coordinated date disc. With just 888 pieces made and a 9mm case profile, this anniversary edition offers the kind of value you’d expect from the brand’s Masterpiece DNA.
Bremont Supermarine 300M Henley Royal Regatta
Limited to just 50 pieces, this British diver is tailored for the rowing elite. A crisp white dial, blue anodised bezel, and 904L steel bracelet make this feel as much a part of Henley’s dress code as a striped blazer. But with 300m of water resistance and a 56-hour calibre inside, it’s not just posh—it’s performance-ready.
Herbelin Cap Camarat Square Skeleton
Herbelin’s angular new square-case skeleton makes a strong case for French mechanical flair. The 39mm stainless steel case comes with a bold openworked dial, faceted hands, and a sapphire-backed Sellita SW200-1Sc. A rugged cobalt blue FKM rubber strap keeps it sporty, but the detailing makes this feel far more luxe than the price would suggest.
G-SHOCK x Marvel ‘Fantastic Four’ Collector Set
Each hero gets a watch: Human Torch, Invisible Woman, The Thing, and Mr. Fantastic. The packaging’s great, the colours are bold, and the appeal is definitely there. Whether you wear them or shelf them sealed, it’s a clever Marvel tie-in for fans who love resin and superheroes in equal measure.
G-SHOCK MTGB4000
Yes, the machines are designing watches now. G-SHOCK’s new MT-G is part carbon-laminate, part algorithm, with a new Dual Core Guard frame, Sallaz-polished details, and ion-plated finishes brought together by 'AI-optimised' design. Tough Solar, smartphone sync, and Multi-Band 6 radio are here too. It’s high-tech, high-polish, and high on novelty—but whether it’s high on your wishlist? Call my old-school, but I don't think AI-design screams desirable, not by a long shot.
