Our 5 Favorite Watches from the MR PORTER Watches & Wonders Collection

Every spring, the most prestigious luxury watch brands in the world come together to show off their latest creations for the upcoming year in a spectacular trade show known as Watches & Wonders. 2021 arguably saw the most impressive slate yet, with brands like Cartier, Montblanc, IWC, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Vacheron Constantin, and more showing off their latest styles and innovations. Some of those new releases were released around the time of the event, but others were reserved for later in the year. We’re now seeing some of the fall releases of watches announced at the 2021 Watches & Wonders event, and you’ll find them all in one place at MR PORTER.

The luxury men’s style destination has gotten their hands on the most exciting new watches from the 2021 Watches & Wonders event, and we’ve looked through their collection to bring you our five favorite pieces. These featured watches — all Swiss-made and from legacy luxury brands — each fill a different spot in a hypothetical watch collection. There’s a classic watch for times that call for timeless style, and a pilot’s watch for more laid-back situations. There’s an adventurer’s watch for traveling around the globe, and a dress watch for those formal occasions. And finally, there’s one ultimate grail watch that represents the pinnacle of modern watchmaking. So take a look below to discover our five favorite watches from the MR PORTER Watches & Wonders Collection.

Cartier Tank Must SolarBeat

Favorite Classic Watch: The Cartier Tank is, without question, one of the most iconic watch designs of all time. Inspired by the image of a WWI-era tank from above, the Tank has been a mainstay in Cartier’s collection since 1917. Throughout its history, the elegant design has graced the wrists of luminaries like Muhammed Ali, Andy Warhol, and Cary Grant. But even at over 100 years old, the Tank is still innovating, as we saw in 2021 with the release of the Tank Must SolarBeat. The first-ever solar-powered Tank, this latest edition to the line brings some modern tech to its vintage design.

Purchase: $2,740

IWC Laureus Sport for Good Pilot’s Limited Edition

Favorite Pilot’s Watch: There is no brand more associated with pilot’s watches than IWC. The Schaffhausen-based watchmaker was one of the five original manufacturers of German Flieger watches in the 1940s, and they have evolved the style over the years into their simply named “Pilot’s Watch.” IWC uses this perfect base model as a launching pad for exploration, which we see here in the Laureus Sport for Good Limited Edition. Developed to benefit its titular foundation, which uses sports to make the world a better place, this special Pilot’s Watch combines modernity with durability by housing its striking blue dial in a nearly-scratchproof blue ceramic case.

Purchase: $6,250

Montblanc 1858 Geosphere UltraBlack Limited Edition

Favorite Adventurer’s Watch: Anyone who collects watches will tell you that these compact machines do far more than tell the time. They help express your style and individuality while serving as a loyal companion through all of life’s adventures. And when those adventures take on a global guise, there may be no better accessory for your wrist than this Limited Edition Montblanc. The Geosphere was already perhaps the most compelling watch in Montblanc’s catalog, thanks to its innovative dual worldtime movement that shows the time simultaneously in both the northern and southern hemispheres. But the UltraBlack version manages to make the watch even more compelling with its urban-ready monochrome styling and black distressed stainless steel case.

Purchase: $6,900

Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin Moon

Favorite Dress Watch: If you find yourself in need of dressing your best for a formal event, then JLC should definitely be on your radar — or, preferably, on your wrist. One of the most accomplished and respected Swiss Maisons with a history that stretches back 188 years, JLC has mastered the art of crafting exquisite and dignified dress watches, and nowhere in their collection is that more apparent than in their Master Ultra Thin line. Our favorite from the series is this moonphase version, which combines its romantic celestial complication with a gorgeous sunburst blue dial in a svelte stainless steel case that measures just 9.3mm thick.

Purchase: $10,300

Vacheron Constantin Overseas Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin

Favorite Grail Watch: Every watch enthusiast has their “grail watch,” that one piece for which they would sell their entire collection — and possibly their car or house — to obtain. As one of the “Big Three” Swiss luxury watchmakers along with Audemars Piguet and Patek Philippe, Vacheron Constantin is no stranger to the concept of grail watches — that’s pretty much all they make. And this Overseas Perpetual Calendar is the epitome of a grail watch. From its solid 18K white gold case and integrated bracelet, to its classic design that’s both sporty and dressy, to the fact that it houses the king of all complications in a perpetual calendar, this is one watch to rule them all.

Purchase: $97,000

The 20 Best Chronograph Watches For Men

While we have documented five key styles of watches in this guide, there are a number of other available options out there that you can (and should) add to your collection. One of the most essential is the chronograph. From the complication’s long association with motorsports and space travel to the style’s versatile good looks, chronographs are tough to beat. And you can find some great examples at all price points in our guide to the best chronograph watches.