Podium pieces: The best sports offerings from Watches & Wonders 2020

Long gone are the days when you need several watches for multiple occasions – sometimes when one day melds into a variety of events, you just need one watch to put you at ease.

So if you’re starting off in the gym, then heading to work, then galavanting to a wedding reception… you’ll need to check out the best sporty styles announced at Watches & Wonders.

Laurent Ferrier – Grand Sport Tourbillon

Widely known for creating classic watches with mechanical excellence, Laurent Ferrier is back with a contemporary new model – the Grand Sport Tourbillon.

While it could be mistaken for a chubby brother of the Nautilus by Patek Philippe, this watch is the first integrated stainless steel bracelet for the brand – and there are only 12 pieces available.

The wristwear features a 44mm case with satin-finished elements, while the cushion-shaped bezel offers reflective flanks. We love the dark blue dial as it’s perfect teamed with the punchy orange luminous treatment on the markers and hands.

What makes the Grand Sport Tourbillon stand out from the first model – with brown gradient and taupe rubber strap – is the three-link bracelet. Expect it to retail for over £150,000.

IWC – Portugieser Yacht Club Chronograph

Water resistant and robust, this self-winding stunner makes no secret of its nautical inspiration with a chronograph counter floating on a sea-blue dial, beautifully matched with an integrated stainless steel bracelet.

The 44.6mm dial offers IWC manufactured movement with a smashing 68-hours power reserve, 299 components and 38 jewels.

The Portugieser Yacht Club Chronograph’s functions include hour and minute counters combined in a totaliser at 12 o’clock, flyback and date display but we especially like the anti-reflective coating on both sides of the sapphire glass.

A. Lange & Söhne – Odysseus

For the first time, the brand offers a sporty yet elegant watch with an integrated bracelet or leather strap.

Now its watch family is growing. The new Odyssey is crafted from white gold, with an outsized date and a grand weekday indication – one pusher for each.

With automatic movement, 120m water resistance and a security lock, it’s the perfect Bond-esque wristwear.

The case has brushed and polished parts and a logo is featured on the buckle with 7mm of extension within the clasp. While we do love the blue dial, we wonder if there is slightly too much metal in the bracelet, as it slightly takes away from the watch itself.

Panerai – Luminor Marina DMLS  – PAM01662

Celebrating its 70th year of the Luminor style, this watch works perfectly in all-black.

At 44mm wide and with a huge crown lock on the side, it’s certainly chunky but the dark colour gives it a real sense of depth, especially with the grey lume and the deep-set date window.

And it’s made of materials you’d expect to find in a tool box, with a case of sandblasted titanium and a carbon composite bezel.

Water resistant to 300m, we give this a thumbs up when it comes to sporty offerings at this year’s digital Watches and Wonders.  

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