Inside Lucerne Watch Week 2026: The Watches That Defined This Year’s Showcase

The Lucerne Group once again brought the excitement of the global watchmaking world to Manila with the third edition of Lucerne Watch Week. This year’s venue, the Ayala Museum, provided an elegant setting where collectors, enthusiasts, and friends of the maisons could explore the latest releases from 16 of the world’s leading watch brands.

The exhibition featured not only watches introduced during Watches and Wonders Geneva, but also several models unveiled after the fair, including pieces revealed globally just one week before arriving in Manila. For many of these timepieces, Lucerne Watch Week marked their first public appearance in the Philippines.

More importantly, each maison presented not only its newest watches but also the heritage and philosophy behind its watchmaking.

Girard-Perregaux showcased the latest additions to the Laureato family, including the much-anticipated Laureato Fifty 36mm. Alongside these contemporary releases was a thoughtfully curated selection from the brand’s museum collection, highlighting both its long history of technical innovation and its consistency in design over the decades.

IWC presented the new Pilot’s Venturer Vertical Drive, developed with a bezel-centred operating system intended for use in space while wearing gloves. The brand also introduced its latest perpetual calendarPerpetual CalendarA watch complication that automatically tracks the date, day, month, and leap years, requiring no manual adjustment until the year 2100 in most cases. The perpetual calendar demonstrates remarkable mechanicalGo to Perpetual Calendar Glossary technology through the Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar ProSet Le Petit Prince, whose new ProSet system greatly simplifies calendar adjustments.

Collectors were equally drawn to the Portofino Automatic Day & Night 34 Le Petit Prince, which translates the beloved literary classic into an elegant everyday watch.

Parmigiani Fleurier demonstrated why it continues to occupy a respected place among independent watchmakers. Standout pieces included the Tonda PF Chronographe Mysterieux, with its five centrally mounted chronograph seconds hands, and the Tonda PF GMT Rattrapante, whose hidden second time-zone hand disappears beneath the hour hand when not in use. The technical ingenuity behind both models attracted attention even from watchmakers representing other maisons.

Grand Seiko presented what many considered among the highlights of Watches and Wonders: the Ushio 300 Spring Drive U.F.A. dive watchDive WatchA water-resistant timepiece built for underwater use, typically featuring a rotating bezel, luminous markers, and a case, rated to at least 100 meters. Originating as professional tools, dive watches suchGo to Dive Watch Glossary. Crafted in titanium and offering professional dive capability alongside the meticulous finishing for which Grand Seiko is known, the model stood apart in an increasingly crowded category. The brand also displayed nine new Evolution 9 references introduced globally only a week earlier.

TAG Heuer continued its focus on motorsport with the Monaco Evergraph. While the iconic square case remains instantly recognisable, the real innovation lies within. A newly developed chronographChronographA watch complication that incorporates a stopwatch function, controlled by pushers on the case and displayed on small subdials. Originally developed for timing events, the chronograph remains popular for itsGo to Chronograph Glossary mechanism delivers crisp, satisfying operation while complementing a more contemporary open-worked design.

Blancpain attracted collectors with its latest Fifty Fathoms, now offered in a compact 38 mm case in either titanium or stainless steel. The decision reflects the industry’s growing appreciation for smaller watch sizes while remaining faithful to one of diving’s most historically important collections.

Tudor introduced the recently launched Black Bay Chrono 39 in a bold yellow-and-black colourway, alongside favourites such as the Laguna Blue model. Many collectors also gravitated toward the Black Bay Chrono “Carbon 26,” inspired by the 2026 Visa Cash App Racing Bulls Formula One car.

Longines continued the momentum behind its highly sought-after HydroConquest collection, while Breitling showcased the Navitimer B01 ChronographChronographA watch complication that incorporates a stopwatch function, controlled by pushers on the case and displayed on small subdials. Originally developed for timing events, the chronograph remains popular for itsGo to Chronograph Glossary 43 Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team edition. Chopard rounded out the exhibition with the Alpine Eagle and Happy Sport collections, demonstrating the maison’s ability to combine high-level watchmaking with jewellery craftsmanship.

These were only some of the highlights from Lucerne Watch Week. Beyond the latest releases, the event continues to strengthen Manila’s growing community of collectors by providing direct access to many of the world’s most significant watchmakers. True to Lucerne’s philosophy, however, the conversation has already moved beyond this year’s exhibition—to the next demonstrations, the next watchmakers, and the next chapter in bringing global horology closer to Filipino enthusiasts.

Lucerne Watch Week is by invitation only, through to July 7 at the Ayala Museum.