Our favourite picks from IWC, Cartier, Grand Seiko, and more
The year may still be in its early days, but the month of February is already delivering a stellar lineup of timepieces. From high-concept collaborations to masterful evolutions of classic designs, watchmakers appear eager to set the tone for 2025. This month’s selection brings together an incredible patented shock absorption system, a glacially cool high-beat marvel, and a tourbillon surrounded by sumptuous burgundy. These are our picks for the best watches of February 2025.
IWC Big Pilot’s Watch Shock Absorber XPL Toto Wolff x Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team
Built for those who thrive under pressure, IWC’s latest Big Pilot’s Watch Shock Absorber XPL is a 44mm powerhouse, crafted in the maison’s Ceratanium compound that blends the toughness of ceramic with the lightness and robustness of titanium. Inspired by the breakneck world of Formula One, the timepiece incorporates a patented shock absorption system that protects the movement against high G-forces.
Made with Toto Wolff, team principal of Mercedes-AMG, the timepiece sports a black, asphalt-like textured dial, paired with a seemingly floating inner flange. Powered by the manufacture calibre 32101, the timepiece is limited to 100 pieces.
Bvlgari x MB&F Serpenti
Bvlgari’s iconic Serpenti slithers into uncharted territory with MB&F, transforming the iconic design into a three-dimensional kinetic sculpture. The collaboration, stemming from a chance encounter between Fabrizio Buonamassa Stigliani, director of watchmaking creation at Bvlgari, and Maximilian Büsser, founder and creative director of MB&F, reimagines the Serpenti silhouette in a surprisingly automotive-inspired direction. The timepiece’s biomorphic, 39mm case, for example, shares a striking similarity to a sleek automobile chassis. Couple that with its dual crowns that resemble wheels, and it’s hard to deny the likeness.
Within the case, a flying 14mm balance wheel is delicately placed above two hour and minute domed dials. Limited to 33 pieces each, the timepiece is available in grade 5 titanium with blue domes, black PVD stainless steel with red domes, or 18k rose gold with green domes.
Hermès Arceau Petite Lune
Hermès continues its momentum from 2024 with the introduction of the Arceau Petite Lune, a 38mm timepiece featuring the brand’s iconic equestrian-inspired Arceau case. The watch showcases a gradient blue-lacquer dial adorned with a crescent of 99 diamonds on the bezel’s left side and an additional 15 diamonds near the center, creating the impression of an eclipse in motion. Openworked leaf-shaped hands and a moon-phase aperture at 10 o’clock enhance its lunar theme. Powered by the H1837 movement with a 42-hour power reserve, the watch also boasts a diamond-set…read more
Grand Seiko SLGH027
Grand Seiko’s reverence for nature finds form in the SLGH027, a 40mm timepiece that distils the majesty of the Mount Iwate into its textured light-blue dial. This distinctive motif, first introduced in 2006, is reimagined here in a more textured and richer style, meant to mimic the ridges of the stratovolcano. Adding to the visual allure, the timepiece sports the design elements of the brand’s enthusiast-approved Evolution 9 collection, balancing Zaratsu-polished reflections with a fine hairline finish, ensuring a refined yet legible display. Limited to 1,200 pieces, the watch is powered by the calibre 9SA5 that delivers 80 hours of power reserve.
Cartier Baignoire
Cartier expands its Baignoire line with four new models, maintaining the collection’s signature elliptical design and petite dimensions. While the collection’s elegance is self-evident, those seeking a quieter and sophisticated look will appreciate the mini versions that are available in gold with lacquered black, plum, or bronze dials. For a more striking look, you have the option of a slightly larger, full yellow-gold…read more
H. Moser & Cie. Pioneer Tourbillon Burgundy
Moser & Cie. has been a favoured name among watch enthusiasts in recent years and it’s easy to see why. Sporting a brand-new burgundy fumé dial, the Pioneer Tourbillon Burgundy possesses startling visual depth and intrigue. When hit by light, the rich and sunburst-finished dial gives off an alluring sheen, contrasted by its 40mm red gold case. Powered by the HMC 805 automatic calibre which features a one-minute flying tourbillon with a double hairspring, the timepiece boasts an impressive three-day power reserve.
Panerai Giorni Eilean Experience Edition PAM01643
Leave it to Panerai to capture a rugged aesthetic. Housed in a 45mm steel case that’s finished to give off a weathered look, the timepiece is given extra vintage appeal by incorporating bits of bronze recovered from the maison’s restored 1936 Bermudian ketch. After a meticulous process of cleaning and casting, the recovered elements are blended with new bronze before being embedded in the bezel, crown, and caseback medallion. Sporting a grainy beige dial, inspired by the ketch’s sails, the limited-to-30 timepiece features the P.5000 manual-winding calibre and has an impressive eight-day power reserve.
