Selecting the finest reissues is no simple task, given just how widespread the trend has become. It has permeated the entire watch industry, to the point that the GPHG (Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève) introduced two dedicated categories in consecutive years—"Revival Watch" in 2019 and "Iconic Watch" in 2020. The jury nevertheless retains full discretion, as the current regulations specify that "this prize is optional, and the Jury will decide whether it should be awarded in 2026". Even so, there is little doubt the distinction will return, as brands continue to invest heavily in this segment, fueled in large part by the strength of the secondary market.
The Rarest: Navitimer Cosmonaute "Scott Carpenter"
Breitling's archive is so extensive that the brand could almost spend decades drawing exclusively from its back catalog without creating anything new. Fortunately, that is not its strategy. Every so often, however, it allows itself a carefully chosen return to one of its greatest classics. That was the case in May 2025, when Breitling released a limited edition of just 50 examples of the legendary Navitimer Cosmonaute worn by Scott Carpenter, who completed three Earth orbits on May 24, 1962. Like all watches developed for space missions, its dial uses a 24-hour scale, eliminating any reliance on the day-and-night cycle, which doesn't exist in orbit. The watch is made even more exceptional by its platinum case—a material used for only a handful of Breitling watches since the company's founding in 1884. A true collector's piece.
The Most Successful: Santos de Cartier Obsidian Dial
Can a watch that has never actually disappeared from the collection truly be called a reissue? The debate would probably be lengthy, tedious, and ultimately inconclusive. Still, keeping a design introduced in 1904 relevant generation after generation requires remarkable creativity. Cartier has achieved exactly that with the Santos. The 2026 edition pairs a beautifully executed 15-link gold bracelet with a case featuring an obsidian dial. The polished yellow gold and matte brown tones complement one another with surprising ease. At Watches and Wonders, the watch received unanimous praise. After 122 years, the Santos has never looked more contemporary.
The Most Historic: Eberhard & Co. Contodat
Today, a chronograph with a date display is perfectly ordinary. In 1957, it was a genuine innovation. That year, Eberhard & Co., founded in 1887, introduced this original combination in a watch called the Contodat—literally, a chronograph with counters and a date. The model remained in production for several decades before gradually fading from the catalog. In 2025, the brand's current and highly inspired General Manager, Mario Peserico, chose to revive it, taking inspiration from a version produced during the 1970s. Its vintage 39 mm case diameter has been faithfully preserved. The dial comes in blue, green, or gray, with the gray version available with either orange or gray hour markers. Elegant, sporty, and refreshingly unconventional, it represents a rare and heartfelt tribute to one of Switzerland's historic watchmaking houses.
The Most Visionary: Omega Constellation Observatory
A visionary reissue—an oxymoron? Perhaps, but not in Omega's case. Inspired by the design of the 1952 "pie-pan" Constellation, this collection also marked the launch of the brand's new Precision Laboratory. It can certify any watch as a chronometer (among other certifications) using acoustic measurement, including models without a central seconds hand—something the COSC cannot accomplish. Nine references embody this major technical milestone. It is a perfect example of how reintroducing a historic model can also help shape the future of watchmaking.
The Most Timeless: Longines Diver 59
Sixty years ago, two revolutions transformed both leisure and business. The first was the arrival of long-haul commercial flights, which inspired iconic watches such as the Rolex GMT-Master and the Breitling Navitimer. The second was the rapid rise of recreational diving. In response, nearly every major brand introduced a dive watch: Omega with the Seamaster, Eberhard & Co. with the Scafograf, Blancpain with the Fifty Fathoms, and Longines with the Legend Diver 59 (although the brand's first dive watch actually dates back to 1958). The model has recently returned, once again fitted with the Milanese bracelet so closely associated with the 1960s. More surprising is its 42mm diameter. Rather than being enlarged to satisfy modern tastes, it faithfully matches the dimensions of the original Diver. It is a reissue that proves vintage design can remain thoroughly contemporary without needing to be reinvented.
