Long regarded as a relic of another era, the pocket watch is enjoying a resurgence in 2026. Unique creations, artistic showcases, and contemporary reinterpretations have inspired some of the industry’s leading maisons to breathe new life into this historic format. Here is our selection of five pocket watches that particularly caught our attention.
1. Patek Philippe, Flamenco pocket watch
For its 2026 Rare Handcrafts collection, Patek Philippe combines grand feu enamel, hand engraving, and marquetry in one-of-a-kind creations, each requiring hundreds of hours of painstaking work. On the Flamenco pocket watch, the colors appear to radiate from within, combining depth and luminosity, while the dancer seems suspended in a movement that never truly ends. Hand engraving then adds another dimension to the scene, revealing the precision and artistry behind every detail. At this point, the watch transcends traditional watchmaking and enters the realm of art. That alone earns it a place in this selection.
© Patek Philippe
2. Audemars Piguet x Swatch, Royal Pop pocket watch
It is a collaboration few would have predicted, yet in its Otto Rosso version, the result feels surprisingly natural. The brightly colored case creates a striking contrast with the traditional image of the Le Brassus-based manufacture. The instantly recognizable Royal Oak octagon is transformed into a trendy fashion accessory, as one of watchmaking’s most celebrated icons is reinterpreted for a new audience. It succeeds where few have ventured before: making the pocket watch appealing to a generation that has never worn one.
3. Hermès, Slim d’Hermès Pocket Roaaaaar
What immediately sets this watch apart is its refusal to conform. Hermès takes a centuries-old object, the pocket watch, and infuses it with humor, movement, and color without ever compromising on craftsmanship. The animal motif spreads across the dial like a miniature jungle, where a finely outlined feline by British artist Alice Shirley displays a freedom reminiscent of fashion illustration. Here, on the savonette cover, is reimagined by an expert artisan in wood marquetry who used ten different woods to capture the powerful mane and silky coat. Perhaps that is the essence of true luxury: embracing creativity without sacrificing expertise. This is the kind of watch you take out of your pocket simply because you want others to see it.
4. Jaeger-LeCoultre, Memovox Travel Clock by Marc Newson
The Jaeger-LeCoultre Memovox travel clock has something that few objects possess: character. A discreet companion on the road, it slips effortlessly into a suitcase, finds its place on a bedside table, and faithfully keeps watch with its remarkable 12-day power reserve. Its iconic alarm function accompanies travellers across time zones, ensuring that no early departure or important appointment is missed. Designed by Marc Newson, its organic, sculptural silhouette blurs the line between contemporary design and fine watchmaking. Strictly speaking, it is not a pocket watch, yet its compact dimensions allow it to fit comfortably in the palm of a hand, more than enough to justify its place in this selection. Some creations transcend categories. The Memovox is undoubtedly one of them.
5. Audemars Piguet, 150 Heritage pocket watch
To mark 150 years of expertise, Audemars Piguet chose to celebrate not with gold or precious stones, but with pure mechanical ingenuity. The cool and heavy feel of the puck-shaped platinum case, which is hand engraved with historical milestones including the founder’s portrait, contrasts with the mechanical richness of what lies between the two dials: the new Caliber 1150, an extraordinary movement incorporating more than 47 functions, of which 30 are complications including split seconds chronograph, grande sonnerie, perpetual calendar… name any complication you know – it is probably here! The blue guilloché front dial immediately captures attention, its peripheral star-trail pattern interacting with the light to create constantly shifting reflections that enhance the rose gold hands. Produced in only two examples and housed in a format that slips easily into a jacket pocket, this pocket watch achieves a level of complexity that very few timepieces in the world can match.
