The Oris Aquis Date Collection Has Now Been Updated For 2024
Oris is one of those brands that we love to talk about here at TBWS, simply for the fact that the team always seems happy to just do their own thing. This year, instead of doing something big and flashy, Oris has moved to update their vast catalog of Oris Aquis Date models for 2024. It’s a key collection and this kind of care ensures that the watches don’t become stale, as Oris aims to put out the best that they possibly can. The Aquis is just a great, sturdy dive watch from an independent brand and these new models are available in 43.5mm, 41.5mm, and 36.5mm case sizes with a bunch of dial color options and a choice to go with the in-house Oris Caliber 400 on the 43.5mm version. Let’s try to wrap our heads around this.
Introducing The Very Limited Grand Seiko SBGW314
While I’m admittedly more of the sporty mil-spec watch type, I know a beautiful watch when I see it. So far, today’s new releases have been really strong over at the Tudor and Grand Seiko camps, and I think they’ve stolen the start of the show. One of these killer new releases is the Grand Seiko SBGW314, a limited edition watch that’s meant to pay tribute to the early days of the brand while offering some modern touches. Of course, we get some of the design inspiration coming from nature. In this case, we’re talking about a starry night sky.
The New Rolex GMT Master II 126710GRNR Brings Us A Grey-Black Bezel
It wouldn’t really be Watches & Wonders without talking about our yearly, marginal updates from Rolex. Surprisingly, this time it looks like the leaks on social media were actually credible, and Rolex’s first big headliner is something people will be talking about no matter what. Love it or hate it, Rolex has announced a new version of the GMT Master II that makes it the fourth available Oystersteel model next to the other color options we’ve had for a bit. The Rolex GMT Master II 126710GRNR takes the familiar black dial variant and adds a newer black and gray Cerachrom bezel, which we first saw in 2023 on the “Rolessor” 126713GRNR.
The New Grand Seiko SLGH021 Genbi Valley Hi-Beat
We love new Grand Seiko releases. And on top of that, sometimes we enjoy making fun of new Grand Seiko releases. Really, it all comes from a good place and I have to admit—as gimmicky as some of the releases are, every once in a while Grand Seiko nails it. It’s how I feel about the new 9F Quartz Snowflake, by the way. While it’s still a random nature-inspired watch, I’m finding the Grand Seiko SLGH021 Genbi Valley to be one of the most visually attractive releases of Watches & Wonders 2024, so far.
Introducing The IWC Portugieser Eternal Calendar
Recently on our Watches & Wonders predictions podcast episode, Kaz and I talked about how neglected the Portugieser lineup has been looking lately. IWC goes heavy on the pilots most years but the Portugieser platform has always been an interesting one that many collectors shy away from. This year at Watches & Wonders, IWC is going all out with the IWC Portugieser Eternal Calendar, a watch that accounts for Gregorian calendar leap-year rules for 400 years and has a moon phase indicator, which IWC claims to be accurate over 45 million years.
