The Stuff Gadget Awards 2025: our analogue watch of the yr

The watch world delivered some really thrilling timepieces in 2025. Geneva’s Watches and Wonders present set the tone in April, that includes 60 manufacturers and loads of innovation, and there was a gentle stream of launches since.

Grand Seiko continued its technical evolution with new Spring Drive fashions and the introduction of its first-ever tool-less micro-adjust clasp – a small however important quality-of-life enchancment. Tudor expanded the Pelagos line, manufacturers like Zenith and Nomos Glashütte introduced contemporary fashions to their respective catalogues, whereas British watchmakers proved they might punch above their weight with more and more subtle in-house actions.

Sustainability grew to become greater than a buzzword, too, with a number of producers exploring recycled supplies and progressive composites with out compromising on efficiency or construct high quality.

From accessible on a regular basis items to haute horlogerie assertion makers, 2025 proved that mechanical watchmaking nonetheless has loads of tips up its sleeve. Precision engineering, progressive supplies, or just old style magnificence and elegance – this yr’s finest watches showcased the sort of creativity and craftsmanship that make watches way more than mere timekeepers.

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Analogue watch of the yr: Grand Seiko U.F.A

While the watch world fixated on Rolex’s newest creation at Watches and Wonders, Grand Seiko quietly slipped out one thing genuinely groundbreaking with the Grand Seiko U.F.A. (Ultra-high Frequency Accuracy). It’s an enormous leap ahead in Spring Drive know-how, cramming bleeding-edge timekeeping improvements into the smallest 9R-series case the model has ever produced. At simply 37mm, it lastly makes Grand Seiko’s acclaimed motion accessible to those that don’t have wrists like tree trunks.

The technical wizardry is staggering: a sophisticated quartz oscillator works alongside upgraded built-in circuitry and airtight sealing, with thermal compensation calibrated throughout a number of temperature factors. The result’s a watch that will probably be correct inside 20 seconds per yr. There’s even an inside adjustment mechanism that’ll let watchmakers recalibrate it years from now. The titanium mannequin introduces a intelligent bracelet clasp that adjusts with out instruments, whereas its dial evokes the icy forests of Shinshu. Masterful watchmaking delivered with out the standard pomposity.

Highly counseled

Christopher Ward C12 Loco

Christopher Ward’s second in-house calibre represents a real leap ahead in horological ambition. The CW-003 motion at its coronary heart of the C12 Loco is a hand-wound marvel, boasting six days of energy reserve and a specifically developed stability wheel. Unlike typical cost-saving workouts, this calibre was engineered solely for this watch, and it reveals – the structure emphasises symmetry and detrimental house moderately than cramming elements collectively.

The ending rivals watches that value considerably extra, with an uncovered stability that’s genuinely charming to look at via the show again. Available in 4 placing dial choices (together with stark Ursa black and vivid Frisco orange), the Loco demonstrates what occurs when a model commits to doing issues correctly moderately than taking shortcuts. It’s not cheap, however this timepiece proves Christopher Ward can compete with established luxurious producers on each technical benefit and design sophistication.

Ulysse Nardin Diver [AIR]

At simply 52g with strap (46g with out), Ulysse Nardin has created the planet’s lightest mechanical dive watch – a outstanding feat of supplies engineering. The secret lies within the intensive use of recycled titanium, sourced from biomedical waste, mixed with carbon fibre borrowed from aerospace functions. Even extra impressively on-theme, the aspect panels utilise a composite of reclaimed fishing nets and carbon, whereas the bezel insert repurposes materials from decommissioned racing sailboats.

Despite an nearly surreal lack of heft, the Diver [AIR] maintains full 200m water resistance and meets each skilled diving certification normal. The escapement itself comes from recycled silicon wafers, making this an uncommonly sustainable luxurious timepiece. Supplied with two ultralight elasticated straps providing tool-free swapping, it’s a technical tour de drive that challenges every little thing we anticipate from a correct dive watch – weight included.

Also shortlisted

Tudor Pelagos Ultra, Tissot PRC 100, Zenith G.F.J, Nomos Glashütte Club Sport Neomatik Worldtimer