In Review: The Best Watches of 2022 EWC Staff Picks
Other Fine BrandsPublished by: EWC Team
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Time keeps on flying by, and it’s been yet another exciting year within the walls of European Watch Company. Sticking with a bit of tradition, we decided to do a bit of a lap of the room, asking the team what watches stood out to them the most over the last 12 months. The feedback was just what we were hoping for: a rich and diverse selection that reflects the diversity of the wonderful world of watch collecting. Welcome to the best watches to pass through the EWC doors in 2022.
Albert Ganjei: Owner — Greubel Forsey Double Tourbillon 30° Technique
“The Greubel Forsey Double Tourbillon 30° Technique is my 2022 pick for watch of the year. It pairs incredible workmanship with innovative engineering packaged in a stunning white gold case. As an engineer, the design of the skeletonized manual-wind inclined double tourbillon movement really speaks to me and the fact that you can see its inner workings through the sapphire dial only makes it even more special. Greubel Forsey might be a young company that is still less than 20 years old, but the pieces that they produce truly compete with the biggest names in the industry.“
Joshua Ganjei: Head Curator/Watch Specialist — Patek Philippe 5970R Tiffany & Co.
“My favorite of the year! The historically important Patek Philippe 5970 retailed by Tiffany & Co. Very few pieces were produced with the double signature which propels this example into a completely different category of collectible. The balance and design of this reference is truly perfection.“
Robert Reustle: Watch Specialist — Audemars Piguet Frosted Gold Royal Oak Chronograph 26239BC
“The deeper I’ve gotten into watches the more I have come to appreciate case design and everything that goes into it. Genta’s iconic Royal Oak case is both industrial and elegant at the same time and when you add the hammered frosted finish, it creates an interesting watch that is unlike almost anything else on the market today. This time consuming finish adds refinement and beauty to the case and bracelet without affecting the original feel and intention of this legendary watch.”
Amy Reddy: Watch Specialist/Service Coordinator — Patek Philippe 5575G
“Patek Philippe’s World Time models have always been some of my favorite pieces (not just from Patek, but from all brands!). The 5575 is the BEST world timer in terms of design and ease of use. Pairing this classic piece with the night sky and moonphase complication elevates an already elegant and functional timepiece to an entirely different level.”
David Cote: Watch Specialist — Rolex GMT Master II 127720VTNR
“This new reference from Rolex takes my two passions, aviation and watches, and mashes them up into one incredible piece! Not only do I love its quirky left-handed weirdness, I also find myself gravitating towards its unique style and colorful bezel as well. Add in the fact that Chuck Yeager, astronauts, and other pioneering aviators wore GMT’s, and it just makes this the perfect travel companion and everyday watch for me!”
Tony Shum: Watch Specialist — Patek Philippe 5930P
“My favorite watch for 2022 is the Patek Philippe 5930P World Time Chronograph. This worldtimer is a step above the rest because it is the only one that also includes a chronograph function and is powered by an in-house Patek movement. All other Patek worldtimers are standalone complications powered by modified simpler movements. Now to figure out how to add this one to my collection…”
Amelia Caflisch: Watch Specialist — Rolex Rainbow Daytona 116595RBOW
“The emotions I feel when looking at this watch are equatable to that of love at first sight :). This bright and shiny bad boy will bring a smile to anyone’s face with its case made of Rolex’s own alloy of rose gold (Everose) which looks incredible against the black lacquer dial. The 36 baguette cut sapphires and 56 diamonds that are sprinkled across the lugs and case have an impact on the “dopeness” factor of this piece as well. The watch somehow manages to avoid being gaudy and leaps directly into its own land of perfection, sort of like reaching OZ. PLUS, it’s waterproof up to 100m so you can wear it underwater — can you imagine that sparkle with a white sand backdrop?!”
Dan Lind: Head Watchmaker — Omega Ed White Speedmaster 311.30.40.30.01.001
“The Ed White Omega Speedmaster is my pick for 2022 watch of the year. For me, it checks all the boxes. As someone who owned, and regretfully sold an original version of the 321 in a haze of questionable reasoning, Omega has delivered an iconic tool watch that is useful, versatile and trustworthy. Sounds like a good friend, doesn’t it? Omega did a great job of keeping the geometry, legibility and ease of use of the chronograph paired with a vintag-y bracelet that is updated with solid lug spacers and a nicely conceived clasp. The addition of a sapphire caseback is a meaningful touch. It’s ironic that the original had such a robust and dynamic movement, but it was only occasionally visible to a lucky watchmaker. Too often, manufacturers choose to showcase movements that aren’t much to look at. The 321 is rock solid, looks cool, and offers a glimpse at historical watchmaking! I have all kinds of watches, and sometimes you are running late, or just need to throw something on that you don’t need to think about. If I had this watch in my collection, I can guarantee my other watches would get jealous at how many times I grabbed the Speedmaster! Good job Omega!”
Corin Fritz: Restoration Expert — A. Lange & Söhne Saxonia Thin “Gold Flux” 205.086
“The Saxonia Thin Gold Flux dial is my favorite watch to come across my desk this year by far! The piece has a wonderful case profile, thin and elegant. Coupled with a dazzling gold flux dial that invokes the same feelings as looking up on a clear summer’s night. Finally, a sapphire caseback showcases the hard work and expert craftsmanship of the watchmakers at Lange. As the saying goes, “why shoot for the moon, when you can aim for the stars?” “
Osvaldas Brazas: Photographer — Jacob & Co. Astronomia Solar
“Picking just one favorite was almost impossible this year. There were so many that I loved, I could easily have picked a new favorite for every week. If I HAVE to pick though I would probably go with the Jacob & Co Astronomia Solar. I’m not sure if I could actually wear it though, because when you look at it, you have the distinct feeling that the watch belongs in a gallery on display instead of on the wrist. Time is quickly forgotten when you have the entire solar system on your wrist ready to be enjoyed from every angle. I usually spend more time admiring movements than dials, but in this case it’s basically all in one with exposed gearing, a skeletonized titanium dial with rose gold plating and lacquered Roman numerals, a blued steel handset, and precious stones representing planets and the sun. Did I mention the sparkles on the base of the dial? I love sparkly dials and how different lighting can give a completely new appreciation of what you have on your wrist. The Jacob & Co Astronomia Solar is like having a piece of jewelry, sculpture, art, and a watch, all rolled up into one. That is why it’s my favorite for 2022!”
Philip DeCicco: Watch Specialist — Richard Mille RM67-02 Extra Flat “Sebastien Ogier”
“I’m not sure what Richard Mille and his team had in mind when they were developing the RM67-02 but what immediately comes to my mind is the oft quoted line from legendary Lotus founder Colin Chapman who told his engineers to “simplify, then add lightness”. The RM67-02 is light and thin, yet super strong with cutting edge materials technology. A classic yet postmodern design and execution, the RM67-02 has everything it needs and nothing it doesn’t (right down to the absence of any buckles or clasps!). The RM67-02: where less is more and postmodern becomes an instant classic.”
Justin MacDowell: Watch Specialist — Vianney Halter Antiqua
“One of the perks of working here is that I get to handle tons of interesting watches that I might otherwise never see in real life. A side effect of this, however, is that a watch now needs to be extra weird and unusual to capture my attention. The Vianney Halter Antiqua definitely fits the bill! Looking more like some kind of tool Jules Verne dreamed up for Captain Nemo than a wrist watch, the Antiqua offers a perpetual calendar spread across four different displays all housed in a 40mm platinum case. Weird, rare, complicated, what’s not to love?!”
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