When we come to celebrating milestone birthdays humans tend to fall into one of two camps. There are those who embrace and celebrate it, who just want to throw a big party. After all, age is just a number. Then there’s the hide and avoid camp. If they don’t acknowledge it maybe it won’t happen. Watch brands sit firmly in camp number one. When big birthdays come around, watches get the full red carpet treatment with precious metal revamps, gifts of new colours, open casebacks and limited editions to mark the occasion. Looking ahead there are some big watch anniversaries you’ll want to be aware of in 2025 and that throws up the possibility of some new and exquisite timepieces. No doubt you wouldn’t mind an invite to these birthday parties.
Audemars Piguet’s 150th Anniversary
Starting with perhaps the biggest of them all, 2025 marks 150 years since the inception of Audemars Piguet. Back in 1875, just north of Geneva, Jules Louis Audemars and Edward Auguste Piguet started what would become one of the biggest players in the industry. In the early days AP were very much known for producing complicated watches producing chiming and astronomical complications alongside chronographs. Today they still maintain complicated watches as part of the collection, yet the most sought after are typically the sporty, Genta-designed, time-only Royal Oaks.
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Jumbo Extra-Thin ref. 16202BA.OO.1240BA.01
In the past, AP have made a concerted effort to mark their watch anniversaries. For the 50th anniversary of the Royal Oak in 2022 AP released a variety of new models in different metals, dial colours and complications. All the 50th anniversary models were characterised by a gold rotor with ‘50th Years’ written across the centre marking them true collectors’ pieces. Even the 5th anniversary of the Code 11.59 collection saw seven(!) new rose gold models added to the catalogue.
2025 is a big year in AP’s history, very few brands can boast 150 years, and past anniversaries show AP likes to mark milestone occasions. How and when they mark that occasion will be subject to much speculation. However, if they choose to take inspiration from their founders we could see some high complication pieces to celebrate 150 years of Audemars Piguet.
More details at Audemars Piguet.
Omega and James Bond Celebrate 30 Years of Partnership
Is James Bond a Rolex guy or an Omega guy? As of 1995 he was well and truly an Omega man. Ever since Pierce Bronsnan’s first outing as 007 in GoldenEye, Bond has been synonymous with the Omega Seamaster collection. The start of the partnership came at a very fractious time for Omega, the Swiss watch industry was in the grips of the quartz crisis and many credit the Bond partnership as one of the reasons Omega survived. In 2025 Omega and Bond will celebrate 30 years of partnership.
The 25th anniversary of the partnership was a bit problematic as it coincided with the pandemic and ultimately the delayed release of the No Time to Die film. Despite this Omega marked the new film and 25th anniversary with the No Time to Die edition Seamaster. There was also a special release for the 60th anniversary of James Bond in 2022. Even though this was nothing to do with partnership Omega still released a new Seamaster with animated case back.
Omega Seamaster ’60 years of James Bond’
What’s to come in 2025 from Omega is unknown, one thing we do know is there won’t be a Bond film in 2025 and that may impact Omega’s decision to celebrate the anniversary. Will they save any new release for the next film and a new Bond? If they do decide to mark the occasion the place to look is Danial Craig’s wrist. In recent years Omega’s launch plan involves giving Daniel Craig embargoed watches to wear and then watching the internet do its thing – including the recent Seamaster Diver 300M update.
More details at Omega.
Rolex GMT-Master II’s 70th Anniversary
Left: The GMT Master from 1955 and Right: The ‘coke’ bezel from 1982
Back in 1955 Pan American Airlines pilots were facing the problem of being able to tell the time whilst crossing multiple time zones. Up stepped Rolex with the GMT-Master II and the now iconic multi-coloured bezel. 70 years on and the GMT-Master II has been developed beyond the initial use case. Over the years it’s been upgraded with gold metal variants, ceramic bezels, a left-handed version and additional colour options to create an all-round sports watch.
When Rolex do watch anniversaries they often come in the form of model updates rather than special editions. You also won’t find many Rolexes with ‘50’ or ‘25’ stamped anywhere on them. For the GMT-Master II’s 50th birthday Rolex released a yellow gold, green dial version that was in production for 14 years until 2019. Big watch anniversaries tend to be an opportunity for Rolex to update an existing line-up with fresh flagship models.
Rolex Oyster Perpetual GMT-Master II
Every year rumours circulates about the GMT, especially around the future of the ‘Pepsi’ or the potential reintroduction of the ‘coke’ bezel. Come 2025 I’m sure these rumours will circulate again and the 70th anniversary would present a valid excuse for Rolex to make some changes. However, to temper expectations the 70th anniversary of the Submariner was in 2023 and Rolex barely acknowledged it at all.
More details at Rolex.
Breguet’s 250th Anniversary
Breguet, as the world’s oldest watch brand, will become the first watch brand to celebrate 250 years since its founding. Their contribution to the industry is unquestionable and Abraham Louis Breguet is a true legend. He is credited with several firsts including the invention of the tourbillon. What’s interesting is Breguet will launch into their 250th year with new CEO, Gregory Kissling, at the helm. Kissling took over in October of this year so being new into the role how Breguet approaches such a milestone year is by no means certain.
The last major milestone for Breguet was the 225th anniversary in 2000. This occasion was commemorated with a limited edition (225 pieces) 1775 model. In true Breguet style it was a classic time only dress watch with an open case back and the anniversary dates engraved on the rotor. Breguet also isn’t shy about releasing limited editions and novelties around special occasions. The recent past has seen boutique only models and special editions to mark the Lunar New Year.
Breguet Marine Tourbillon Equation Marchante 5887
Recent releases show Breguet is pushing the boundaries with some of their novelties and really leaning into high complications. The latest Marine model contained a tourbillon, perpetual calendar and equation marchante complication. For a brand synonymous with both classic dress watches and high horology it’s anyone’s guess how Breguet might decide to celebrate.
More details at Breguet.
