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Watches

5 biggest watch moments in April and May 2026 so far, from Watches and Wonders to the Met Gala

STORYJosiah Ng
From left: Watches and Wonders 2026; Cleguer Inspiration One; Heated Rivalry star Connor Storrie wearing Omega at the Met Gala. Photos: Handout, Reuters
From left: Watches and Wonders 2026; Cleguer Inspiration One; Heated Rivalry star Connor Storrie wearing Omega at the Met Gala. Photos: Handout, Reuters
Timepieces

Timothée Chalamet joins Urban Jürgensen, Connor Storrie and Colman Domingo wear Omega at the Met Gala, and Watches and Wonders returns

April, as usual, proves to be a bumper month for the watch community. All eyes were on Geneva as the watch world looked out for huge new releases from brands exhibiting at Watches and Wonders, while independent brands Rexhep Rexhepi, Fleming and even Universal Genève made splashes outside the main fair this month.
Timothée Chalamet takes his relationship with Urban Jürgensen to the next level, while early May saw other stars descend on the Met Gala with wearable art on their wrists as well as outfits.

It wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows, however, as independent watchmaker Romain Gauthier encountered arguably a watch owner’s worst nightmare. Read on to find out more.

Watches and Wonders returns

The Luminor Marina waterproof model watches displayed in an aquarium at the booth of Italian luxury watch manufacturer Panerai, owned by Richemont group, during the opening day of the Watches and Wonders Geneva on April 14. Photo: AFP
The Luminor Marina waterproof model watches displayed in an aquarium at the booth of Italian luxury watch manufacturer Panerai, owned by Richemont group, during the opening day of the Watches and Wonders Geneva on April 14. Photo: AFP
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All eyes were on Geneva in April as the world’s timepiece collectors and retailers, watchmakers, and horological enthusiasts waited with bated breath to see what would be released from the 66 brands exhibiting at Watches and Wonders at the Palexpo convention centre.

The Style team was on the ground at the fair, where brands like Audemars Piguet brought new releases and collaborations that reimagined the ways a watch can be worn or operated, alongside yet more gem-set pieces that pushed the boundaries of watchmaking craftsmanship.

Independents go wild with new releases

Cleguer Inspiration One Souscription. Photo: Handout
Cleguer Inspiration One Souscription. Photo: Handout

Outside Watches and Wonders, independent houses shone with releases in April. Mathieu Cleguer launched Cleguer Horology with the 38.5mm titanium Inspiration One Souscription, containing a movement with a proprietary innate escapement, which derives elements from natural and Fasoldt escapements to increase accuracy and efficiency.

Rexhep Rexhepi Chronograph Flyback. Photo: Handout
Rexhep Rexhepi Chronograph Flyback. Photo: Handout

Rexhep Rexhepi released the Chronograph Flyback, a first-ever release of the complication for the brand, coming in at 38.8mm in diameter and under 10mm in thickness. The subdials are laid out in a striking position at 12, four and eight o’clock, showing chronograph functions underneath.

Universal Genève Polerouter variants. Photo: Handout
Universal Genève Polerouter variants. Photo: Handout

Just over two years after its acquisition by Breitling in December 2023, Universal Genève relaunched – not with a single piece or collection, but an immediate full range of products. In addition to new production variations of the brand’s legendary Polerouter, an early design by Gérald Genta, Universal Genève unveiled gemset Couture creations and the Compax chronograph.

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