This Year's Most Exciting Watch Launches Channel Big Party Girl Energy

Watches and Wonders, the premier event for watch enthusiasts and industry insiders, took place in April this year in Geneva—widely regarded as the unofficial capital of watchmaking. Held annually, the week-long event gathers leading brands, designers, media, and collectors to celebrate craftsmanship, showcase new releases, and highlight innovations shaping the future of horology. This year marked the event’s largest edition yet, with 60 brands presenting their collections. Industry giants like Bulgari, Cartier, Patek Philippe, and Rolex were joined by standout independent names such as Christiaan van der Klaauw and Genus. For both the industry and collectors alike, Watches and Wonders remains the most anticipated gathering of the year—an opportunity to explore the evolving art and science of watchmaking.

While the fair is known for its technical sophistication and precision engineering, this year brought a surprising trend: a dazzling array of party watches. With a focus on glamour, sparkle, and eye-catching design, the imposing timepieces presented at the fair this season infused a sense of fun into an industry often associated with tradition and prestige. From colorful gemstones carefully set to form glistering prints to convertible designs that allow multiple styling options, women's timepieces broke out of their comfort zone and dashed into a celebratory scene. Whether a passing trend in women's horology or a reflection of a shifting cultural mood, the playful energy was impossible to miss.

Among the many standout pieces, a few truly stole the show. Bulgari, making its debut at Watches and Wonders, reintroduced its iconic Serpenti design with the Serpenti Aeterna, a modern, avant-garde take on the legendary motif that honors its cultural roots. Cartier impressed with the Panthère, a glittering statement of craftsmanship, where every jewel and diamond is hand-set—each piece echoing the maison’s dedication to symbolic elegance. Chanel pushed boundaries with a transformative timepiece worn both as a necklace or choker—reinventing how we wear watches—while Rolex revealed a striking red ombré dial variation of a beloved classic, reinforcing its reputation for refined heritage. Hermès captivated with the Maillon Libre, a sculptural brooch watch that pays homage to the house’s deep-rooted expertise in saddlery and leatherwork that can be worn solo or turned into a pendant. And last but certainly not least, Van Cleef & Arpels presented an extraordinary new take on their historic Cadenas watch, originally designed in 1935.

The reimagined design nods to the original while bringing it into a new, radiant light. All of these designs—each rooted in heritage yet charged with imagination—blinded the horology industry and left a dazzling impact at the 2025 edition of Watches and Wonders. Keep scrolling to see highlighted timepieces.