Whether you are looking for a timepiece to accompany a new business opportunity or you need a watch to help you measure personal bests at the gym, it pays to know which luxury watches are hot in the US right now. Here at Watches World, we’ve made the decision process a little easier by selecting 8 of our favourite models from some of the world’s top watch brands. Before we get sucked in, let’s take a look at what American watch enthusiasts consider on trend right now.
US Luxury watch trends
Although not entirely new this year, the coloured dial continues to be a trend we see with many timepieces. Luxury watches with coloured dials dominate the industry with brands demonstrating a shift from the traditional white, silver and mother-of-pearl displays to a more daring colour palette. Black, however, still stands strong, especially in dive watches and pilot’s watches. At the Watches & Wonders Geneva event, we saw many brands experimenting with unusual dial colours. Omega and Rolex in particular, are leading the way forward with some dynamic models that are sure to catch the eye.
With each year that passes, luxury watch brands explore new and innovative materials. Some, however, prove indispensable due to their many advantageous qualities. Titanium, for example, is a material that makes sense whether enjoyed in a sports watch, a chronograph, or an explorer watch. Its lightweight properties are combined with a strength that is four times better than standard stainless steel. Steel is also becoming more expensive to source and more difficult to obtain. Grand Seiko, Patek Philippe and even Rolex have joined the titanium trend, offering fans a lightweight and comfortable alternative to gold, platinum and steel models.
Complication watches are another appealing feature to a luxury watch enthusiast. Alarms, calendars, and GMT functions are all widely collected as are those complications associated with elegant dress watches like moon phase displays. Brands lean towards a complication or two to showcase their expertise and their unique approach to craftsmanship. Patek Philippe is a master in the realm of complication watches, while the likes of Parmigiani Fleurier combines features like its Minute Rattrapante with the popular Tonda PF sports watch.
Now that we’ve looked at some of the most popular US watch trends, let’s take a look at the country’s top 8 watches to buy right now
Patek Philippe Calatrava watch reference 6007A-001
This limited edition of the Calatrava reflects the company’s heritage and was released to celebrate the completion of the brand’s production building in Geneva. Limited to just 1000 pieces, the watch is a collectible and combines a stainless steel case with a unique dial design presented in a stunning grey-blue colour. The 40mm model has a special 2019 inscription on its sapphire crystal glass caseback. The centre of the dial features an entrancing carbon print and is surrounded by white Arabic numeral hour markers, lacquered white gold hands, and an inner minute track. Another attractive feature of this Patek Philippe Calatrava watch is its blue calfskin strap with white decorative stitching down the edges. This is a classic timepiece that will appeal to you if you’re in search of a practical yet luxurious daily timepiece.
Patek Philippe Complications Calatrava Pilot Travel Time watch reference 7234G-001
As mentioned, complication watches are a growing trend amongst young US watch enthusiasts as well as experienced collectors. The Patek Philippe Calatrava Pilot Time is inspired by the brand’s earlier aviator watches from the 1930s and features a classic back dial with crisp Arabic numerals for uncompromised legibility. This watch makes it to our top 8 US watch picks due to its compact 37.5mm diameter – perfect for slender wrists - and its beautifully bevelled bezel. The Patek Philippe watch also features a date ring at 6 o’clock, blued white gold baton hands, luminous hour markers, and a classic blue leather band. The watch is also powered by an intricately crafted self-winding calibre that comprises a total of 294 hand-assembled parts, demonstrating the highest level of craftsmanship.
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date Submariner watch reference 116610BR-AM
If you like your watch to express complete refinement and opulence, this striking diamond-adorned Rolex Submariner Date watch is a cool option. It puts an incredibly luxurious spin on the dive watch that has always been known for its simple design and robustness. Rolex experts handpick the finest diamonds and set these into the surface of its bezel, creating a halo of light around the Submariner’s classic black dial. Luminous elements present the time alongside the Cyclops date window at 3 o’clock. The latter sits underneath a strong piece of anti-glare sapphire crystal glass. The Rolex Submariner Date watch with diamonds is beautifully finished on a stainless steel bracelet to match the case. The timepiece is also powered by the Calibre 3135, which delivers a power reserve of 50 hours once fully wound.
Hublot Classic Fusion King Gold watch reference 542.OX.1181.RX
This 42mm Hublot Classic Fusion watch melds contemporary watchmaking with traditional values. As with all Classic Fusion watches, these mechanical timepieces are designed to grab attention. A polished and satin-finished case crafted from Hublot’s proprietary King Gold is integrated with 50-meter water resistance and is attached to a black-lined rubber strap. The band attaches to the wrist with a matching 18ct rose gold and black PVD-coated deployant buckle. Its black dial is framed by a vertical satin-finished bezel in 18ct King Gold. This section of the design is adorned with 6 H-shaped titanium screws. This dynamic and resolutely youthful-looking Classic Fusion watch by Hublot has made it to our US guide to the best 8 watches for 2023, thanks to its pioneering design packed full of watchmaking expertise.
Patek Philippe Aquanaut Luce watch reference 5067A-001
The Aquanaut watch collection by Patek Philippe is home to the manufacturer’s stylish and highly coveted dive watch. The collection was first launched in 1997 and soon became noted for its quality craftsmanship and unique design. The watches from this range are all equipped with an expertly engineered in-house movement and a porthole-inspired bezel. Designed by the legendary Gerald Genta, the Aquanaut has an unmistakable style and a huge following. The bezel of the Aquanaut, however, is much rounder in shape compared to the Nautilus and features a crown protector and lugs that give it a curvier shape. With Time Travel features and a water resistance of up to 120 meters, plus many ladies’ designs like this one, the Aquanaut series is certainly worth exploring if you need a luxury watch that will serve you well when on the go. This women’s 25mm Patek Philippe Aquanaut watch boasts a stunning diamond-set bezel, which frames a classic black dial with luminous sword-shaped hands and an Arabic numeral hour track. A date window sits against an embossed dial surface at 3 o’clock, controlled by the Calibre E23-250 S C quartz movement, which delivers exceptional accuracy. To finish, the Aquanaut is fitted on a Patek Philippe rubber strap to complete its sporty chic look.
Panerai Luminor Quaranta watch reference PAM01370
If you’re big into collecting luxury watches, you’ll already know that the Panerai Luminor is an industry icon. Its main features are a crown-protecting bridge and a cushion-shaped case. The protection system shields the crown from unexpected impact, providing you with peace of mind that you can venture anywhere with the Luminor without worry. The Panerai Luminor is also a great investment with top models offering a tourbillon or flyback chronograph complication. This Quaranta version of the Luminor watch by Patek Philippe features a 40mm case crafted from polished and brushed stainless steel and a deep blue dial that makes timekeeping particularly exciting. Its elegant pill-shaped hour markers are combined with large oversized Arabic numerals displayed at 12 and 6 o’clock, balanced by a date window at 3 o’clock. On the other side is a small seconds feature – yet another distinctive element of the Luminor watch range. Inside the robust case of this Luminor watch is the Calibre P.900, which provides a 3-day power reserve. Its one barrel stores this power reserve and is part of the engine’s 171 hand-assembled individual components. The Panerai Luminor watch has a blue alligator leather strap. It perfectly matches the tones of the dial. The Luminor name originates from the tritium-based luminous material that Panerai pioneered for use on its watch dials, telling a story of its heritage through a bold and confident design.
Hublot Classic Fusion Black Magic watch reference 565.CM.1470.RX
Once again, the bold and dynamic Hublot Classic Fusion makes it onto our list of top US luxury watches to collect this year. This time, it’s the Black Magic variant, with a case crafted from an avant-garde material. The all-black model features a 50-meter water-resistant case crafted from polished and satin-finished black ceramic. The case measures a diameter of 38mm, making it a stylish unisex watch that can be enjoyed by both male and female Hublot fans alike. The watch also features a rich black dial, framed by a bezel crafted from the same material. A total of 6 H-shaped screws adorn the surface of this bezel, sealing to a piece of scratch-resistant sapphire crystal glass. Without a doubt, this unisex Hublot Classic Fusion Black Magic watch is perfect for those wanting to get noticed. The bold design of the watch is further enhanced by an automatic movement that, once fully wound, provides a power reserve of 42 hours. Wrapping around the wrist with an ergonomically crafted band, the rubber strap of this Classic Fusion watch is locked comfortably into place by a black-plated stainless steel deployant clasp.
Rolex Oyster Perpetual watch reference 124300-0003
One of the most classic (and collectable) timepieces of all time has to be the Rolex Oyster Perpetual watch. The model first put itself on the map in 1945 with an innovative design that promised a water resistance of 100 meters. Considered highly impressive for its time, this water-resistant capability was made possible thanks to the unique design of the case, with a middle piece crafted from one piece of stainless steel. The watch is still loved on a global scale today, thanks to its clear and accurate time display. This Rolex Oyster Perpetual watch epitomizes quintessential luxury with a classic 41mm Oystersteel case and a vibrant, shimmering blue dial. The surface of the display also boasts a sunray finish, achieved via masterful brushing techniques that span delicately from one end of the dial to another. The simple design of the Rolex Oyster Perpetual watch is undeniably what makes it so popular today. The model is powered by an automatic movement, secured inside the model’s steel monobloc case and is equipped with a screw-down crown. Accompanying this feature is a Twinlock double waterproofness system, designed by Rolex experts.
From daring luminous dive watches to elegant complications, this guide to 8 of the best luxury watches to collect in the US will hopefully have given you plenty of ideas. Whether you are planning on visiting the US soon and keen to know which timepieces to look out for, or just curious to know which models are hot right now, you can always take a closer look at the timepiece we’ve featured in this article in more detail by browsing our online collections here at Watches World. Likewise, to discuss any one timepiece in particular, you can contact a member of our sales team today on on [email protected] or call +442034091808.