GQ Magazine The Very Best Watches of the Year (So Far)

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It's Monday. Sharpen your style for the week.

The watch world is buzzing with big new releases, MoonSwatches are everywhere—but there’s foreboding news, too. —Cam Wolf, watch editor

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Why We Can’t Stop Talking About Watches Right Now

By Cam Wolf

Typically, August is a slow time for the watch industry, as the major Swiss brands take off for their summer holiday. What’s happening right now is anything but typical. Whether you’re dialed in to the latest breaking (and very ominous!) news, plotting out how to get the new MoonSwatch, or simply digesting the excellent slate of watches that have already landed this year, there is plenty to talk about horologically right now. Here are some of my favorite stories from the past couple of weeks:

• Slimming down my list of the best watches of the year (so far) was mighty difficult. This year might not have a watch that I consider far and away the best, but it’s been loaded with a higher-than-normal amount of really great pieces.
• The summer might be a slow time for the industry, but it’s arguably the best season to wear a watch. Especially one like this Tudor, which is the most complimented piece I’ve ever worn.
• But uh-oh: Fine new watches might soon become a lot more expensive, with President Trump threatened to enact 39% tariffs on imports from Switzerland. This extremely high tax, which one expert described to me as a “game-over number,” will go into effect later this week if Switzerland and US leaders can’t strike a deal.
• But but: There’s a new MoonSwatch on the block and—thank our sparkling stars—Snoopy’s back!
• Speaking of MoonSwatches, both Spike Lee and Hunter Biden have worn the Mission to Earth Lava recently. That’s quite a combo.
• While the Swiss luxury players might be lying in wait until the Geneva Watch Days tradeshow at the end of this month, other brands are taking advantage of this quiet period. Unimatic released some killer divers at a pricepoint that won’t sink your savings account. Meanwhile, I’m looking to add Seiko’s new collaboration with Japanese automaker Datsun to my rotation ASAP.
• Have you ever wondered what arrives in an 18-pound box of watches from Goodwill? I bet you have now. Luckily, I ordered a box and sorted through the junk treasure myself.

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