The Best Watch of 2024, According to the Watch Illuminati

@Bazamu, GQ’s Watch Collector of the Year, 2022: A. Lange & Sohne Pour le Merite Tourbillon with Blue Dial. [Editor’s note: Incredibly, $500,000 wouldn’t have been enough to buy this piece, which hammered for $531,467 at Phillips’s Reloaded auction!] Endgame grail shit for a Lange sicko like me.

Stephen Pulvirent, founder, Rime & Reason: Rexhep Rexhepi Chronomètre Contemporain II. Rexhep Rexhepi is an incredible person, and this watch is a true modern masterpiece.

Paul Boutros, head of watches for the Americas, Phillips: Patek Philippe ref. 5372P. Fitted with Patek’s finest and most prestigious split seconds chronograph, the size, complications, and finesse make it one of the best watches in their product line.

Charity Mhende, @pulseonthewrist: Piaget Swinging Sautoir. Gold. Just stunning. There are some absolute gems in the high jewelry category, and this is one of them.

James Lamdin, owner, Analog:Shift: Lange Datograph Handwerkskunst LE. Classic Datograph layout, Lange’s expert hand-finishing across the dial, and a yellow gold case. Need I say more?

Jessica Owens, supercollector: I would pull an Anant Ambani and purchase gold Royal Oaks for me and all my friends—and I’d definitely get them engraved with something like “JJ’s Inner Circle.”

Geoff Hess, global head of watches, Sotheby’s: I’m still buying a Paul Newman Panda Daytona ref. 6263. Don’t overlook the fact that Paul Newman Daytonas remain highly sought-after regardless of any softening in the overall watch market.

Golden: Xhevdet Rexhepi Minute Inerte. A legendary new watch, filled with Easter eggs and high-end watchmaking. And impossible to get.

Tony Traina, editor and founder, “Unpolished”: Berneron Mirage 34 Tiger’s Eye. It’s only about $50,000. I’d use the rest to fly you to Chicago and treat you like a king for the weekend, Cam. [Thanks, Tony.]

At $10,000:

Max Abbott, cofounder, The Keystone: A Patek Philippe 96. A terrific vintage Patek reference at a great price.

Danny Milton, vice president of content, Teddy Baldassarre: At $10,000 I’m getting weird but staying on brand. I’m picking what I still believe is the most misunderstood Rolex in the catalog: the Air-King.

Zach Blass, editor, Time and Tide: Grand Seiko SLGW005. Such a timeless watch with an incredible hand-wound movement.