The 12 Strokes of Midnight
New Year’s Eve means the passage from December 31 to January 1 at midnight. The famous countdown will be followed by embraces and best wishes. What could be more elegant than striking those 12 chimes? For the occasion, a Minute Repeater is the best suited for the role. Very few pieces of this level were released this year. The L.U.C Grand Strike by Chopard deserves to be recognized at its true value. It crowns 20 years of expertise in chiming watches, 11,000 hours of work, 686 components assembled through 10 patents. Sublime and timeless, it will be the best ally for the 12 strokes of midnight.
On the Road to 2026 – And Beyond
New Year’s Eve also means resolutions. What applies on a personal level also applies to watchmaking. This year, a brand opened a new creative and technical path that heralds new mechanical perspectives: Breguet. On December 1, the manufacture, as part of its 250th anniversary, unveiled its Experimental line. It will host all the pieces that will explore the future of the house. These will by no means be concept watches, prototypes, or unique pieces: Breguet guarantees that its inventions are reliable and reproducible, and will therefore commercialize several dozen examples of these developments for forward-thinking clients. The first chapter of this new adventure, the Experimental 1, is now on stage, and opens the new year 2026 with the promise of a high watchmaking that is ever more inventive, renewed, and exciting. More than wishes: already proof.
Flashy Midnight
The transition to the New Year will generally take place during a festive evening. Often in the dark. Sometimes while dancing. The movement of the wrist, the glow in the dim light, is the playground of Perrelet’s Turbine Full Lume. Do not be afraid to shake it in every direction: it is in these moments that it will come to life, as its rotor visible on the dial side whirls around. Its display is entirely luminescent: the flange with Arabic numerals and raised indexes, the lower dial, and the turbine blades are coated with Super-LumiNova, emitting a green glow. With every flick of the wrist, the rotation of the Turbine generates a unique luminous animation and creates surprising optical effects. Ideal for shining at midnight!
Ready for The Year 2026
Let us not forget that January 1 is a public holiday... and that some will take the opportunity to hurtle down the slopes or explore ocean depths during well-deserved time off. For both activities, the recent extension of Blancpain’s Fifty Fathoms line deserves recognition. One watch, three sizes, interchangeable straps, different ceramic bezels: the family is now complete. The immense versatility of the line, its unisex character, and its ability to transcend trends and decades with rare ease are truly appreciated. A timeless piece that will accompany you all year long... and all your life.
And for a Few More Stones...
Let us conclude the selection with a flagship brand of the year 2025, rightly rewarded with a distinction at the GPHG, the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève: Dennison. If mineral dials have returned in full glory, it is not only thanks to it... but almost. At an unbeatable price and with the talent of designer Emmanuel Gueit, Dennison offered us magnificent mineral variations in 2025 and promises even more beautiful ones in 2026. A fair, accessible piece and perfect for most occasions: what more could you ask for to celebrate New Year’s Eve?
