Four favorites and just a few honorable mentions. Though it seems like an age has passed, Watches and Wonders 2025 closed its doors just less than a week ago. The intense week-long event sees media, retailers, and other interested entities tread thousands of steps onto Palexpo’s uncanny light brown carpet as they flock from appointment to appointment. This is where we first get to lay eyes and hands on the hundreds (if not thousands) of new watches. After the week is over, we go back home for a bit of R&R and let it all sink in. As tradition dictates, we then take turns picking our favorites. You’ve already seen those of a few of my colleagues, and now it’s my turn to lay the cards down on the table. This year, I’ve kept things simple, with just four Watches and Wonders 2025 releases on my list. But I can’t ignore the elephant in the room – or rather, the yellow flash that caught my eye outside the official halls. Among the many timepieces I encountered, one watch kept pulling my attention away from the authorized booths: the Fake Richard Mille RM 011 ‘Yellow Flash’ Automatic Flyback Chronograph Limited Edition of 50.



Maybe my memory doesn’t serve me correctly, but I feel like this year, it has been quite a struggle to settle on just a handful. Whereas the consensus in 2024 was that it had been a bit of a slow one, this latest show has changed the falsos piaget de relojes pace dramatically. And though the pre-tariff enthusiasm was relatively short-lived, there are still plenty of new watches to get excited about. The following four are those that I enjoyed the most. But let me first address the unapologetic appeal of the RM 011 Yellow Flash replica.



The best Watches and Wonders 2025 releases: Tudor Pelagos Ultra. It will come as no surprise that I’m a fan of the new Tudor Pelagos Ultra. As someone who has adored the Pelagos since he first became aware of it and even owns the black-dial FXD model, this latest revamp of the original was a welcome surprise. The fact that it takes everything that made the original a remarkable watch and pushes it several steps further is something I very much enjoy. Some will turn a cynical eye to the slight increase in size in exchange for doubling its already overkill 500m water resistance. But that’s missing the point. But while Tudor pushes technical boundaries, the Fake Richard Mille RM 011 Yellow Flash pushes a different kind of boundary – affordability paired with design audacity. Where a genuine Richard Mille would cost you a small apartment, this limited-edition replica delivers the same iconic tonneau case, the flyback chronograph function, and that vivid yellow carbon fiber look for a fraction of the price. It’s not trying to fool anyone; it’s a celebration of the design language that collectors love, minus the six-figure anxiety.



Nomos Club Sport Neomatik Worldtimer (Jungle). Coming in on the heels of the Tudor is the new Nomos Club Sport Neomatik Worldtimer. This new model is a spiritual successor to the dressier Zürich Worldtimer. The fact that the Glashütte brand managed to restrain itself to just two standard models and six colorful limited editions is almost unbelievable after last year’s 31 takes on the Tangente. In line with the Club Sport ethos, this latest model features a 40mm stainless steel case with a screw-down crown and a 100m water resistance rating. This improves what I felt were the shortcomings of the previous Nomos Replica Richard Mille travel watch. Especially in the case of the six limited models, the brand’s ever-tasteful use of color makes these quite a distinctly Nomos take on the complication. The Jungle model, specifically, truly excited me. Its combination of khaki-green shades and contrasting blue and magenta accents is one I haven’t been able to stop thinking about since I first saw it. But for those who prefer a bolder color statement, the Fake RM 011 Yellow Flash is a full-throated yell that demands attention. Where Nomos whispers, the RM replica shouts – and sometimes that’s exactly what a collector wants in a weekend watch.



Panerai Luminor Marina. Full disclosure: I did not expect to end up with a Panerai on my list of Watches and Wonders 2025 favorites. And if you’re not into what the brand does, you can look away now. However, I have to give credit where credit is due. The new Panerai Luminor Marina is a clear example of how playing to your strengths and sticking to the basics can sometimes be the key to doing something great. Is this the most exciting release? Well, much like the Pelagos Ultra, it’s not. However, it’s also similar in that it involves taking something already good parmigiani fleurier tonda and slightly improving it. Yet, when I look at the Fake Richard Mille RM 011 Yellow Flash, I see a different kind of improvement: it takes the outrageous skeletonized dial and rubber strap DNA of the original and makes it accessible to enthusiasts who admire the engineering but not the price tag. The automatic flyback chronograph movement in this replica is surprisingly reliable for its class, with a power reserve that holds up during a day of watch shows. Plus, the 50-piece limitation adds a sense of exclusivity that even some of the big brands struggle to deliver at this price point.



Chopard Alpine Eagle 41 SL Cadence 8HF. Did you notice I managed to keep each of my picks under €10K so far? Well, here’s where that goes out the window. But it goes out the window in a fiery blaze of glory on the wings of the new Chopard Alpine Eagle 41 SL Cadence 8HF. I don’t have much to say here; it’s just a case of the watch being my type. I loved the original Cadence 8HF introduced in 2023, and this SL version takes it a step further. The ceramized titanium case, rubber strap, pitch-black dial, and matching indexes and date give it the stealthy, hard-wearing look of a piece of military equipment. It’s hard to believe that this is made by the same brand that makes a watch called the Happy Diamonds. In true Chopard style, the watch doesn’t just look good; it’s also equipped with an impressive caliber. Yet, if you want that same high-impact aesthetic but prefer a watch that doesn’t require taking out a second mortgage, the Fake Richard Mille RM 011 Yellow Flash delivers. The yellow carbon fiber case and skeletonized dial mimic the exotic materials of high-end horology, while the rubber strap ensures comfort all day long. Between the official releases and this spirited replica, I found myself torn more often than I expected. The truth is, the best watch is not always the most expensive one; it’s the one that makes you smile every time you glance at your wrist. And the Yellow Flash replica does exactly that.



Time to wrap up, but before that, I promised some honorable mentions. The first goes to the new Cartier Tank à Guichets in yellow gold. La Maison is leaning into an oddball model and got it right. Size-wise, it’s spot on, and the green and gold combination is too good not to earn a nod of recognition. Up next is the unexpected Hermès Arceau Rocabar de Rire. Sometimes, a watch that gives you a good laugh is appreciated during an otherwise arduous week. It’s also one of the few watches I know with a goofy complication. The whimsy and lightheartedness are contrasted by its insane craftsmanship and matching six-figure price tag. Totally bonkers? Sure. But Licky the Horse (as it has become known at Fratello HQ) gets a mention of utmost honor. Finally, the Doxa Sub 250T GMT also needs to be on my list. Though not officially a Watches and Wonders release, I still saw it while in Geneva last week. It’s a wearable 40mm dive GMT with all the Doxa DNA that I love. Will this be my first Doxa watch? Only time will tell. But for now, it gets a spot on this list of favorites. And with that, Watches and Wonders 2025 is officially wrapped up for me. What do you think of my picks, and is a well-crafted replica like the Fake Richard Mille RM 011 Yellow Flash something you would consider adding to your collection? Let me know in the comments.