BY JOVAN KRSTEVSKI
If we’re a bit poetic then it’s safe to say that here at WristReview, our hearts tick to the rhythm of horology, and it’s clear that the watch community shares the same pulse. This year, we’ve seen our passion for watches and the art of timekeeping resonate louder than ever. Like a finely tuned movement, our readers have turned every gear, exploring stories that captured the essence of fine horology to more down-to-earth watch releases. Sometimes more unique and entertaining stories like Daniel Craig persistently teasing unreleased Omega watches to Rolex venturing into book publishing of all the things, Universal Genève coming back from the dead, and shockers like Patek Philippe plucking from their archives and releasing the divisive and provocative Cubitus. The numbers don’t lie, 2024 was a banner year for WristReview. With an unprecedented 17 million visits, which is up from 2023’s already impressive 16.7 million and 69.1 million page views (a boost from last year’s 68.3 million), along with a staggering 8,996 comments, it’s safe to say that horology is on the rise, it’s a shared obsession and we’re here to cultivate and nurture that combined hobby of ours.
Last year, we wrapped up 2023 with a countdown of our Top 10 Articles of the Year (check it out here), but this time, we’re doing it a little differently. For 2024, we’re analyzing the peaks of each month, presenting the most viewed article from January through December.
As we take a stroll down our not-too-distant memory lane, we’ll showcase the most viewed articles of each month, stories that kept our readers glued to their device screens and sparked lively discussions, granted, sometimes heated discussion in the comments and sometimes even causing the writers to incur the wrath of disgruntled readers, but we suppose it comes with the territory of being avid watch aficionados, it’s all in good fun. I’ll cease to bore you now with that preamble, let’s now dive into the most popular articles of 2024.
January
Blancpain x Swatch Scuba Fifty Fathoms Ocean of Storms Watch
In January, the most buzz-worthy timepiece was the Blancpain x Swatch Scuba Fifty Fathoms Ocean of Storms watch. This unique collaboration between two watchmaking giants sparked a lot of conversation, leaving our respected writer and the author of the article perplexed as to why this model even exists and quite frankly, it’s a sentiment many share about this rather unorthodox collaboration, to say the least. The watch draws inspiration from the lunar Ocean of Storms, reflected in its black bioceramic case and black dial. Considering that sustainability is gaining traction nowadays and for all the right reasons too, its NATO strap is made from recycled fishing nets; a welcome boon. At a price point of $400, this watch definitely generated a lot of discussion! The article got 19 comments.
February
Piaget Revives Polo 79 Watch In Gold For 150th Anniversary
In February, the watch that garnered the most attention was Piaget Polo 79. It was the revival of their iconic Polo 79 watch, presented in 18k gold to commemorate their 150th anniversary. It was a true throwback to 1979 when the original Polo 79 first hit the scene. This reissue kept things classic with its simple dial, mechanical movement, and luxurious 18k gold case, perfectly channeling the style of that iconic era. The hefty price tag of $73,000 certainly generated a lot of buzz, and the article sparked discussion with 47 comments from our readers.
March
Omega Speedmaster Watch With a White Dial
Omega Speedmaster took the spotlight in March with the introduction of a new model featuring a striking white dial. This departure from the traditional black Speedmaster dials sent shockwaves through the watch community. Our resident watch expert delved into the history of the Speedmaster and explored the significance of the white dial, sparking lively debate among our readers. The article garnered 39 comments, with many readers expressing their opinions on this bold design choice.
April
Hands-on With The Hottest New Watch From Rolex, The GMT-Master II 126710GRNR
April belonged to Rolex as we conducted a hands-on review of the much-buzzed-about GMT-Master II 126710GRNR. Dubbed by many as the “hotlist” watch of the year, this model introduced a striking black and grey bezel combination; a first for the GMT-Master II lineup. Paired with the iconic Jubilee bracelet and powered by the reliable Caliber 3285, the watch is commanding, sophisticated and effortlessly luxurious with the gravitas you would expect from a Rolex watch. Predictably, the article drew a crowd of readers, resulting in 30 comments that expressed a mix of excitement, opinions, and lively debate over the bezel’s unique color pairing.
May
Top 10 Watches From Watches & Wonders 2024
The beginning part of May was utterly dominated by the Watches & Wonders 2024 extravaganza which stole the show and reached a fever pitch, leaving all else in its shadow for the time being. We published the ‘Top Ten Watches From Watches & Wonders 2024’ article in May where we curated a list of ten best watches from the event. The design subtlety from Hublot of all the brands caught us off guard, whereas IWC’s Portugieser Eternal Calendar, with its staggering 45 million year adjustment interval, simply blew our minds. The showcase had something to ignite every enthusiast’s passion. The ranking, however, didn’t come without controversy, as one reader passionately remarked, “Cartier absolutely STOLE the show while Rolex did nothing (literally), yet the former is at #6 and the latter is at #2. I feel like the author wanted Rolex at #1 but was hesitant to do so in fear of the backlash (that’s gonna happen anyways even at them at #2)”. With debates like this, it’s no surprise the article sparked an incredible 88 comments.
June
High-end Watchmaking Meets Professional Diving With Glashütte Original’s SeaQ Range of Watches
This is where the summer was at its peak and we rightfully dove into the fascinating world of high-end watchmaking and professional diving with Glashütte Original’s impressive SeaQ watches. Our article highlighted how the SeaQ series beautifully combines luxury craftsmanship with practical diving features. These watches wowed us with their sturdy build, excellent water resistance, and elegant design, catching the attention of many readers. The piece received an incredible 86 comments, with our beloved readers who are dedicated watch enthusiasts, dove deep into the technical specs and design details of the SeaQ.
July
WristReview’s Top 5 Most Absurd Diving Watches
If June was all about high-end dive watches, meticulously crafted for conquering the depths, July took a sharp turn towards the whimsical with our exploration of the “Top 5 Most Absurd Diving Watches”. We delved into the world of unconventional dive watches, those that transcend the conventional paradigms of horological design and functionality (or lack thereof) in the name of sheer audacity. From watches with built-in aquariums (not really) to the ones made in 18k Gold and seemingly oblivious to the perils of the deep, this article had something to leave everyone scratching their heads, chuckling in amusement, and sparking lively debate, which mostly revolved around suggesting their own list of absurd dive watches. This article makes a century with 102 comments, it was clear that our readers had a lot to say about these outlandish sea creatures.
August
Two Limited Edition Watches From Grand Seiko, For The USA Only
In August, Grand Seiko set watch aficionados in the USA abuzz with the announcement of two limited-edition watches exclusive to the American market, the SBGA507 model with a charming blue dial and SBGA509 with an enchanting rosy pink hue. The readers hailed the stupendous dials but were left disgruntled with less than satisfactory launch price, among a few other things like the bracelet concerns, but then again, it’s the dial where Grand Seiko excels at. Despite these minor qualms, Grand Seiko watches always garner significant interest and with their US-only availability; this news sparked lively conversation among our American readers, with many expressing excitement and a touch of envy for their watch-collecting counterparts across the pond. The article garnered 72 comments, reflecting the strong interest in these exclusive Grand Seiko creations.
September
Glashütte Original SeaQ Chronograph Silver Screen Watch
Let’s face it, who in the world isn’t a movie buff? Well that maybe an exaggeration, but the magic of classic cinema continues to cast its spell on us all, and hardened watch enthusiasts aren’t an exception. Considering that, September saw Glashütte Original take center stage once again, this time with the introduction of the highly anticipated SeaQ Chronograph “Silver Screen” watch. Our article delved into the inspiration behind this timepiece, drawing connections to the world of cinema and its iconic divers. The intricate details of the watch’s design, with its subtle nods to classic films, captivated our readers. While some expressed a desire for a hands-on review to get a closer look at the watch’s finer details, the overall response was positive, sparking 53 comments and discussions about the unique concept and execution of this cinematic timepiece.
October
Omega Speedmaster ‘First Omega in Space’ Anniversary Series Watch
October’s highlight was Omega’s Speedmaster First Omega in Space Anniversary Series watch, a tribute to the model that first ventured beyond Earth’s atmosphere. This reimagining retained the charm of its predecessor, with a clean dial design and an ode to its rich spacefaring legacy. However, not all readers were enamored with the nigh 40mm case size (39.7mm), which sparked debates on whether it adequately honored the original. Some commenters veered off into a lively discussion about the true “first watch in space,” while one particularly spirited reader suggested a head-to-head comparison between this FOIS Omega tribute and the Rolex Explorer II 1655. The article generated 88 comments, showcasing the enduring passion for the Speedmaster legacy and its space-inspired heritage.
November
Tudor Pelagos FXD GMT Zulu Time x Marine Nationale Watch
November was all about Tudor’s new Pelagos FXD GMT Zulu Time, a dive watch with a serious pedigree. Designed with input from the French Naval Aviation, it’s a tribute to Tudor’s military roots but still totally modern. Its titanium case, bi-directional rotating bezel, and bold GMT functionality won the hearts of the watch community. Even the strap was inspired by French Navy traditions which added another layer of storytelling to the piece. Another plus was the competitive price of it, helping it become a smashing hit for November. Though it also sparked debate on some of its design choices. The article saw lively engagement, accumulating 69 comments, exemplifying Tudor’s passionate dive into the GMT space.
December
Hands-on: Bell & Ross BR-05 Arctic Skeleton Watch
It seems like December was just yesterday… Wait a second, December is still underway! Well, it will be history in a couple more days, along with the year 2024 itself. The watch that captured the most attention this month was another hands-on feature by our watch expert and horology aficionado Harlan Chapman-Green on Bell & Ross BR 05 Arctic Skeleton watch. With its stunning openworked dial and frosty aesthetic, this signature Bell & Ross square shaped timepiece shed away the instrumental and ‘tooly’ attire for December while making a bold statement in the world of skeleton watches. Inspired by the harsh beauty of Arctic landscapes, the BR 05 Arctic Skeleton showcased the brand’s signature square case design, now paired with a translucent look that left a lasting impression. The article sparked a steady stream of comments, gathering 54 responses, as readers appreciated its innovative design and the technical prowess behind the skeletonized movement.
So there you have it folks, Wristreview’s most viewed articles in 2024, a whirlwind of releases, and a whole lot of watch chatter. From unexpected collaborations to groundbreaking innovations, 2024 has been a year to remember for the watch world. We’re eagerly anticipating the next chapter in the horological saga, ready to see what exciting twists and turns 2025 will bring. Until then, we at Wristreview wish you happy reading, collecting and a happy new year!
