Top Timepiece Releases of 2022

Source: Superwatchman

What an exciting year for watch enthusiasts it has been! Even watchmakers appear to have ultimately emerged from the wristwatch industry’s previous feeling of stagnation caused by corporate-driven policy and the replication of classic designs in 2022.

A gorgeous, under-$500 mechanical GMT from Seiko seems less like a game-changer. Likewise, the startling MoonSwatch extended horological heritage and understanding to increasingly larger audiences. Even the infamously conservative Rolex debuted the first titanium timepiece and an unusual left-handed GMT. Indeed, watchmaking turned into a bold sector, brimming with surprises and riding on its surprisingly excellent accomplishment throughout the crisis.

Some of the top watch releases of the year 2022 include the following:

• Vacheron Constantin Les Historiques 222

Although several fantastic timepieces were released in the year, one bright and glamorous launch grabbed attention and has continued since. A brand-new version of Vacheron Constantin’s iconic 222 wristwatches was unveiled at Watches & Wonders 2022 after the Swiss watchmaker dug deep into its past. The Vacheron Constantin Les Historiques 222, a piece that took over 45 years to create, debuted with an integrated bracelet and a new caliber 2455/2 movement. Notably, it was made in a gorgeous 18-carat yellow gold design that appears as if it belonged in the 1980s.

Photo: Monochrome

The Les Historiques 222 showed how exacting Vacheron Constantin could be with its 37mm size. The company, a major participant in the Swiss sector, simply declines to conform to modern design norms, retaining the small dimensions consistent with old looks. Moreover, this latest Les Historiques 222 features all business within, despite the slightly understated casing size.

Photo: Getty Images – Actor Michael B Jordan

The caliber 2455/2 movement, a custom design with an oscillation weight bearing the vintage 222 insignia, is housed within the Les Historiques 222. This innovative movement accomplishes its task with flawless class while providing a reliable power reserve of 40 hours.

• Rolex Oyster Perpetual Deepsea Challenge

Vacheron Constantin was prepared to make their 2022 launches small. On the contrary, Rolex chose the opposite and unveiled the 50mm Oyster Perpetual Deepsea Challenge, a gigantic timepiece. Although the stratospheric dimensions weren’t for aesthetic reasons, this edition’s weight and thickness cannot be disregarded. It must also be noted that this applies to its absurd functions.

Photo: Monochrome

The revolutionary titanium timepiece comes with a helium escaping valve and Ringlock mechanism for skilled divers. It is also among the most robust watches worldwide and is certified water-resistant to 11,000 meters.

Furthermore, this latest wristwatch does, on the surface, resemble Rolex’s well-known Sea-Dweller Deepsea.

Photo: Getty Images / Miss Mia Fitness Model

However, this variant pushes practically every aspect to its absolute limit. The company claims several parts, along with the crystal, have been reduced. Likewise, the Rolex Glidelock and Fliplock expansion linking bracelet extension mechanisms enable the piece to be donned atop diving suits up to 7 millimeters wide.

• IWC Big Pilots Watch Top Gun Edition “Lake Tahoe”

The IWC Top Gun Version “Lake Tahoe” struck hard in 2022, taking off from where the Majove Desert left in 2019. The watch emanates power and durability, drawing cues from the California-Nevada boundary in which TOP GUN pilots engage in numerous training programs.

Photo: Monochrome

The automatic chronograph expertly uses contrast to combine a 44.5-millimeter ceramic “Lake Tahoe” casing with a black dial and indexes (covered with luminous components), steel pushers, as well as a titanium case back. A coordinating white rubber strap featuring characteristic embossing completes the main color pattern. Also, the soft iron inside the casing protects the electromagnetic field.

Only 1,000 units can be produced of this model each year.

• Richard Mille Ferrari RM UP-01

In 2022, Richard Mille announced the Ferrari RM UP-01, an unparalleled watch smaller than a 10-cent coin and 1.75 millimeters thick. This, as a result, challenged both Piaget and Bulgari.

Photo: Getty Images I Charles Leclerc Formula One

Generally, the Richard Mille stands out regarding movement, despite having only marginally slimmer measurements compared to Piaget’s Altiplano Ultimate Concept or Bulgari’s Octo Finnissimo Ultra. Instead of using the caseback like a baseplate, the craftsman for the RM UP-01 Ferrari integrated the complete movement into the casing. The outcome of that approach seems to have been reduced by a few more millimeters, and most impressively, it didn’t compromise performance.

Photo: Richard Mille

Seconds, minutes, and hours, plus the function selector, are all contained inside the exquisite design of the brand-new RM UP-01 Ferrari. The watch is also made of 5th-grade titanium and is skeletonized in classic Richard Mille style, preserving all of the stunning inventiveness on full screen. According to Julien Boillat, creative director for casings at Richard Mille, the invention resulted from 6,000 hours of research and development conducted in collaboration with a few of the most esteemed designers and movement companies worldwide.

• Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Hybris Artistica Calibre 945

The entire timepiece industry paid attention when Jaeger-LeCoultre introduced a new product, making a great move. The Grand Maison revealed a magnificent rendition of its Grande Complication Calibre 945, the Master Hybris Artistica Calibre 945, in 2022. The original redesign was made available in two extremely special editions, each completely absurd and featuring a pink-on-grey pairing or the company’s traditional blue cosmic pattern.

Photo: Jaeger-LeCoultre

The Master Hybris Artistica Calibre 945, introduced at Watches & Wonders in April 2022, came in a sizable 45mm by 16mm casing with a blend of finished, brushed, and sunken micro-blasted faces.

Photo: Jaeger-LeCoultre

Even though it was stunning, the true hero lay within. Furthermore, the complexity and spinning tourbillon provided a degree of watchmaking artistry that was almost unmatched.

• Rolex GMT-Master II “Sprite”

In 2022, Rolex released the newest reference in the GMT-Master collection – the “Sprite”., which features a black and green bezel, but the crown is positioned on the left side, instead of the usual righ.

Photo: Rolex

Genius or not? Well, it was definately, spoen in watch terms “controversial” because its Rolex first left handed watch ever. But not only the crown had been positioned on the other side, but the date window is a well.

Photo: Getty Images / Zlatan Ibrahimovic football

• Audemars Piguet Royal Perpetual Calendar Oak Blue Ceramic

Photo: Audemars Piguet

Photo: Getty Images – Ed Sheeran

Final Words

Undoubtedly, 2022 was intended to be a milestone year on the wristwatch calendar. Initially, horology fans were at an all-time high as OMEGA celebrated 6 decades of James Bond and Audemars Piguet’s legendary Royal Oak turned 50. However, nobody could have imagined what would happen next.