Our predictions: What we hope is in store for 2023
We’ve shared our predictions for Rolex but what about the rest of the most-loved luxury watch brands as we storm into the new year?
All watch fans love a bit of speculation when it comes to launches, some are utterly predictable whilst others leave us gasping in shock.
Let’s take a look at a few of our favourite brands:
Omega
So we know the Seamaster is going to play a major role this year as it’s 75 years old. What we’d really love to see this year is some Seamaster collaborations to rival 2021’s MoonSwatches.
On its website this year, Omega teased us with a close-up picture of what might be a newly- designed balance spring with the tagline ‘tiny device, massive change’.
In December, in an article in Esquire, Raynald Aeschlimann, the CEO of Omega said: “I should not tell you, but already by the end of January, we will have a new state-of-the-art watch which will have a big value for the watch industry. We’ll come with a new innovation. Because it’s part of us. We make products that make people smile.”
We know the new watch will be released on January 26, which also happens to be NASA’s Day of Remembrance – created for those who helped advance space missions and the tragedy of Apollo I. We suspect Omega will honor lieutenant colonel Ed White – who passed away on January 26, 1967 in the flash fire at Launch Pad 34-A at Florida’s Kennedy Space Centre – perhaps naming the new Speedmaster edition after him.
Patek Philippe
Released heavy-hitter complications in 2022 including the World Time Flyback Chronograph 5935a and the new white gold Nautilus 5811.
But whilst the Calatrava had its 90th anniversary last year, we didn’t feel there was much made of the new calibre 30-255 PS. It’s been a quiet time and this makes our Luxe Watches team wonder whether something is on the horizon there…
What we would love to see is an expansion of the Nautilus line this year. A white gold 5812 would be beautiful or indeed, something new for the Aquanaut series? President Thierry Stern has already dropped hints that he’d be creating fewer steel watches, so maybe we’re onto something.
A ceramic aquanaut would be surprising but would fit the ethos of the model, and it would look pretty nifty in all black.
Audemars Piguet
Last year marked the 50th anniversary of the Royal Oak and we saw some tourbillons and perpetual calendars as well as openworked offerings, not to mention the questionable music-themed offshore.
As we look at this year, there will certainly be more to be seen from the Royal Oak family, perhaps as it’s also the 30-year anniversary of the Royal Oak Offshore.
Introduced last year was the Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Starwheel – not what we expected the brand to revive but still, an impressive-looking model. Could there be more to come in this line?
2023 is also the year when François-Henry Bennahmias, head of Audemars’ manufacture for the past ten years, will leave his position.
He said: “When I arrived at the head of the company, the brand had a turnover of 500 million francs. In 2022, we will exceed 2 billion. In terms of volume, in 2012 we produced 32,000 watches and in 2023 we will reach 53,000 pieces.”
Looking for a new watch?
If you’re hunting for your dream timepiece this year, our sales team can help. We have a fabulous range of new and pre-worn watches at our Epping boutique.