In The Loupe: The Watch News To Know In January 2026

Fancy seeing you on this side of the new year. For the folks with complete calendar watches, feel free to wind forward and join us at your leisure. Those with perpetual calendars, stay put — you’re good ‘til 2100. With LVMH Watch Week on this month, the horological industry is already providing us with a heady slew of releases for our January 2026 watch news. They’re not all from the luxury conglomerate though, with new releases from Omega, Oris, and MB&F worth watching.

As new watch drops come in thick and fast and horology industry moves begin to unfold, our January 2026 edition of In The Loupe will ensure you stay perpetually wound up.

Table of Contents – January 2026 watch news

January 2026 watch news

Here, you’ll find all the new watches and watch industry news to know in January 2026. As always, we’ll be updating In The Loupe daily, so ensure you clock in to stay up to date.

As the year has just begun, we recommend checking in with our December 2025 edition of In The Loupe to catch up on any watch drops you might’ve missed. There were some heavy hitters, including the Breguet Expérimentale 1 and De Bethune Kind of Two Jumping GMT.

Chopard’s Zagato Lab One Concept is the maison’s lightest ever watch

Chopard looks to the automotive world in its third collaboration with Zagato Design Studio, drawing upon the Italian coachbuilder’s tubular chassis architecture
The Chopard’s Zagato Lab One Concept has a 42mm case crafted from black ceramicised titanium. Within, a series of tubes supports the movement, with this internal architecture echoed by the tubular open loops that replace the lugs
The movement mainplate forms the dial and is emblazoned with Zagato’s ‘Z’ motif in positive relief. It’s topped with a ‘glass box’ sapphire crystal which provides an uninterrupted view of the movement
Weighing just 42.3g, it’s Chopard’s lightest ever watch
The timepiece is powered by the in-house calibre LUC 04.04-L, an evolution of Chopard’s Engine One Tourbillon, a manually wound movement with a 60-hour power reserve

Price: $242,000AUD
Availability: 19 examples
Model: Zagato Lab One Concept (ref. 168636-3001)
Case size: 42mm
Movement: LUC 04.04-L (manually wound)
Water resistance: ATM
Functions: hours, minutes, small seconds, power reserve indicator, stop seconds
Power reserve: 60 hours

Explore Zagato Lab One Concept via Chopard.

Omega hits the slopes with the ice-cold Seamaster Diver 300M Milano Cortina 2026

Omega continues its duties as official timekeeper of the Olympic Games with the new Seamaster Diver 300M Milano Cortina 2026
Released ahead of the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milan, Italy, it sees the 43.5mm (a touch larger than its steel counterparts) timepiece crafted from white ceramic and titanium, with the latter appearing on the crown, helium escape valve, and bezel
It boasts 300 metres of water resistance and is powered by the in-house calibre 8806, a COSC-certified automatic movement with a 55-hour power reserve

Price: $16,600AUD
Model: Seamaster Diver 300M Milano Cortina 2026 (ref. 522.92.44.20.04.001)
Case size: 43.5mm
Movement: 8806 (automatic)
Water resistance: ATM
Functions: hours, minutes, seconds
Power reserve: 55 hours

Explore Seamaster Diver 300M Milano Cortina 2026 via Omega.

Piaget goes old-school cool with the Polo 79 Two-Tone

Piaget has released a two-tone version of its Polo 79, which made its debut in 2024 to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the original Piaget Polo from 1979
The 38mm integrated case and bracelet is predominantly executed in white gold with a brushed finish, and is punctuated by polished yellow gold gadroons
The sword-shaped hands are cut from yellow gold, adding visual interest to the dial
It’s powered by the in-house calibre 1200P1, a slim automatic movement with a 44-hour power reserve

Price: $154,000AUD
Model: Polo 79 Two-Tone (ref. G0A51150)
Case size: 38mm
Movement: 1200P1 (automatic)
Water resistance: 5ATM
Functions: hours, minutes
Power reserve: 44 hours

Explore Polo 79 via Piaget.

The Piaget Polo 79 Two-Tone Is For Modern Day Mob Wives & Stealth Wealth Kings

Fire and stars collide on the Arnold & Son Perpetual Moon 41.5 Red Gold ‘Year of the Horse’

Arnold & Son rings in the Lunar New Year with a Perpetual Moon 41.5 Red Gold ‘Year of the Horse’
Encased in a 41.5mm, Arnold & Son’s signature moonphase model sees a horse rear on a hill top, set in front of the black aventurine sky
In the dark, the oversized moon glows and flashes of ember smoulder around the horse
The timepiece has two moonphase displays, with the one on the back providing an accurate, easy to interpret depiction of the lunar cycle, while the one on the front takes a more whimsical approach
It’s powered by the in-house calibre A&S1512, a manually wound movement with a 90-hour power reserve

Price: $62,600CHF
Availability: 8 examples
Model: Perpetual Moon 41.5 Red Gold ‘Year of the Horse’ (ref. 1GLBR.Z11A.C1293A)
Case size: 41.5mm
Movement: A&S1512 (manually wound)
Water resistance: 3ATM
Functions: hours, minutes, astronomical moon phases, second moon-phase display on the case back
Power reserve: 90 hours

Explore Perpetual Moon 41.5 Red Gold ‘Year of the Horse’ via Arnold & Son.

TAG Heuer takes a subtle approach to Lunar New Year

Amongst a sea of equine themed Lunar New Year tribute watches, TAG Heuer opts for a subtler take, decking its 39mm Carrera Chronograph in red and gold
The 39mm stainless steel case surrounds a champagne gold dial with a bright red 30-minute subdial with a snailed finish at 3 o’clock
The dial is topped with rose gold hour indices and has a black and red tachymetre scale on the periphery
The date window at 9 o’clock is bathed in red, with the number 7 replaced by the Chinese character for horse (the Year of the Fire Horse is the seventh in the 12-year cycle)
It’s powered by the in-house calibre TH20-07, an automatic column wheel chronograph movement with an 80-hour power reserve

Price: $12,250AUD
Availability: 250 examples
Model: Carrera Year of the Fire Horse Chronograph (ref. CBS221D.BA0048)
Case size: 39mm
Movement: TH20-07 (automatic)
Water resistance: ATM
Functions: hours, minutes, seconds, chronograph, date
Power reserve: 80 hours

Explore Carrera Year of the Fire Horse Chronograph via TAG Heuer.

Blancpain saddles up for the new year

Blancpain is ringing in the new year in classic form, with the new Villeret Calendrier Chinois Traditionnel
The Year of the Fire Horse (2026) marks the 15th edition of Blancpain’s Chinese calendar watch which made its debut in 2012
It arrives in a 45.2mm platinum case—which is fitted with five under-lug correctors to adjust the movement—with a stepped bezel which surrounds a salmon grand feu enamel dial
It’s topped with applied white gold Roman numerals with dots at 3, 9, and 12 o’clock, while the Arabic date numerals on the periphery are indicated by a curved blued hand
The tricompax dial has subdials in Mandarin which display the zodiac, double hours, lunar months, lunar days, intercalary month indicator, the five different elements of the zodiac animal, and a yin/yang symbol, as well as the classic moonphase at 6 o’clock
The highly complicated calibre 3638 was specifically designed to meet the needs of the Chinese calendar, with this edition featuring a 22k gold rotor depicting the fire horse mid-gallop
The calibre 3638 is an automatic movement with a 7-day power reserve, courtesy of three mainspring barrels

Price: $147,300AUD
Availability: 50 examples
Model: Villeret Calendrier Chinois Traditionnel (ref. 0888 3432E 55B)
Case size: 42.5mm
Movement: 3638 (automatic)
Water resistance: ATM
Functions: hours, minutes, Chinese sign of the zodiac and double hours, Chinese date, month and intercalary indicator, five elements, celestial stems, Gregorian date, moon phases
Power reserve: 168 hours (seven days)

Explore Villeret Calendrier Chinois Traditionnel via Blancpain.

Oris hits a Bullseye with new Big Crown Pointer Date

The Oris Big Crown Pointer Date has always been something of a sleeper hit, but the latest variant is set to be an affordable crown favourite
The new Oris Big Crown Pointer Date Bullseye nods to vintage style with a 38mm stainless steel case with a fluted bezel, which matched the knurled detail on the namesake ‘big crown’
The dial has a cool grey base with an inky black base that plays host to oversized Arabic hour numerals surrounded by a black railroad minutes track and red date numerals on the periphery
The pointer date hand is tipped with red, forming visual cohesion with the date numerals
The timepiece is powered by the calibre 754-1, a rebranded Sellita SW 200-1, an automatic movement with a power reserve of 41 hours

Price: $3800AUD
Model: Big Crown Pointer Date Bullseye (ref. 01 754 7779 4061-07 5 19 25)
Case size: 38mm
Movement: 754-1 (automatic)
Water resistance: 5ATM
Functions: hours, minutes, seconds, date
Power reserve: 41 hours

Explore Big Crown Pointer Date Bullseye via Oris.

Omega adds a duo of reverse panda Speedmaster Moonwatches

Omega has always been committed to making a watch for every taste, with the bulk of its models coming in a variety of references in various metal and dial configurations
Now, the Swiss luxury watch brand has released two new variants of its Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional, in stainless steel and Moonshine gold
Key specs remains the same, with the 42mm case now housing a black step dial with subtly recessed white subdials (i.e. reverse panda configuration)
The newcomers use a sapphire sandwich structure, with an exhibition caseback and a box-shaped sapphire crystal on top
The tachymeter bezel is crafted from black ceramic with a white enamel tachymeter scale, which pair with the box-shaped sapphire crystal to add vintage charm
Both models are powered by the calibre 3861, Omega’s in-house manually wound movement with a power reserve of 50 hours

Price: $16,400 (stainless steel); $77,725AUD (Moonshine gold)
Model: Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional (ref. 310.30.42.50.01.004 [stainless steel]; 310.60.42.50.01.002 [Moonshine gold])
Case size: 42mm
Movement: 3861 (manually wound)
Water resistance: 5ATM
Functions: hours, minutes, small seconds, chronograph
Power reserve: 50 hours

Explore Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional via Omega.

Gérald Genta proves form is everything

The revived Gérald Genta brand releases two time-only watches for LVMH Watch Week, the Geneva Time Only
Both arrive in a 38mm gadrooned cushion case crafted from white or rose gold, paired with a silver or brass grained dial with a gradient effect
They’re powered by the calibre GG-005P, a Zenith Elite automatic movement with a redesigned rotor and a 50-hour power reserve

Price: $25,000CHF
Model: Geneva Time Only (ref. ECFD01A1 [Marrone]; ECFF01A1 [Grafite])
Case size: 38mm
Movement: GG-005P (automatic)
Water resistance: N/A
Functions: hours, minutes
Power reserve: 50 hours

Daniel Roth embarks on a new era

For LVMH Watch Week, the revived Daniel Roth brand introduces a skeletonised version of its iconic ellipsocurvex design, something the brand never did in its founding era
The 38.6mm x 35.5mm rose gold case case houses the calibre DR002SR, a manually wound movement
The movement is crafted from rose gold and features various hand-finished details including bevelling and black polishing

Price: $85,000CHF
Model: Extra Plat Rose Gold Skeleton (ref. DBBD02A1)
Case size: 38.6mm x 35.5mm
Movement: DR002SR (manually wound)
Water resistance: 3ATM
Functions: hours, minutes
Power reserve: 65 hours

LVMH Group maisons showcase at LVMH Watch Week

Now in its seventh year, LVMH Watch Week 2026 took place in Milan from the 19th to 21st of January. This is the second year that all nine watchmaking brands under the conglomerate showcased their novelties, with Bulgari, Daniel Roth, Hublot, Gérald Genta, L’Epée 1839, Louis Vuitton, TAG Heuer, Tiffany & Co., and Zenith debuting new releases.

Explore the full wrap up of every new watch (and clock!) that dropped at LVMH Watch Week 2026 here, and dive deeper into the new releases from heavy hitters TAG Heuer, Bulgari, Zenith, and Hublot.

The Wrap Up: Every Watch Release From LVMH Watch Week 2026

Hublot and Yohji Yamamoto go back to black

Hublot and Yohji Yamamoto have teamed up once again for their forth collaboration, the Classic Fusion Yohji Yamamoto All Black Camo
Marking the first time the Japanese fashion designer has turned his lens to the Swiss luxury watch brand’s Classic Fusion style, the collaborative release is defined by texture and tactile contrasts
The 42mm case is hewn from matte black ceramic, while the dial is emblazoned with a black-on-black camouflage pattern and a smoked sapphire glass caseback reveals the automatic calibre HUB1110 at work within
Completing the fusion of textures is the woven fabric and rubber strap the timepiece is presented on, with the finish reflecting the Japanese designer’s tactile couture

Price: $18,700AUD
Availability: 300 examples
Model: Classic Fusion Yohji Yamamoto All Black Camo (ref. 542.CI.6670.NR.YOY)
Case size: 42mm
Movement: HUB1110 (automatic)
Water resistance: 5ATM
Functions: hours, minutes, seconds, date
Power reserve: 48 hours

Explore Classic Fusion Yohji Yamamoto All Black Camo via Hublot.

Bell & Ross squares up with Defender for the Dakar Rally 2026

Bell & Ross has become the Official Timing Partner of Defender Rally, with the Defender Dakar D7X-R set to compete in the new ‘Stock’ category of the 2026 World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC) in Saudi Arabia on the 3rd of January, 2026
Known for its rugged conditions, the Dakar Rally marks the ideal opportunity to put Bell & Ross’ precision, robustness, and legibility to the test
Drivers of the Defender Dakar D7X-R will be equipped with the BR-X3 Black Titanium, which sits within the French luxury watch brand’s professional line and sees a 41mm x 41mm square case crafted from lightweight titanium house a round matte black dial with Baignoire-style applied indices filled with white Super-LumiNova X1
The hours, minutes, and seconds are on the central dial, with a date aperture at 3 o’clock and power reserve indicator at 9 o’clock
It’s powered by the calibre BR-CAL.323, an automatic movement with a 70-hour power reserve

Price: $12,900AUD
Model: BR-X3 Black Titanium (ref. BRX3R-BL-TI/SRB)
Case size: 41mm x 41mm
Movement: BR-CAL.323 (automatic)
Water resistance: 10ATM
Functions: hours, minutes, seconds, date, power reserve indicator
Power reserve: 70 hours

Explore BR-X3 Black Titanium via Bell & Ross.

Land Rover Unveils Its Rally-Ready Defender Dakar D7X-R

Want to know what’s ticking in the watch world? Find all our watch news coverage here, and catch on previous editions of In The Loupe below:

Words by Theo Rosen and Henry Blake