Welcome to Watch World — a new series from Aevitas UK celebrating the art, history, and obsession of fine watchmaking. Each episode we'll bring you fascinating horological facts, the latest high-end releases worth knowing about, and practical advice on how to store and care for your collection. Episode 1 starts here.
10 Fascinating Watch Facts Every Collector Should Know
Before we get to the releases, let's start with some of the most remarkable facts in watchmaking history — the kind of details that remind you why this hobby is so endlessly compelling.
1. The most complicated mechanical watch ever made has 2,826 parts. The Vacheron Constantin Reference 57260 took eight years to build, contains 57 complications, and was completed in 2015. It remains the most complex pocket watch ever created.
2. A Rolex Daytona once sold for $17.75 million. The watch belonged to Paul Newman and was sold at Phillips auction house in 2017 — making it the most expensive wristwatch ever sold at auction at the time. The reference 6239 had been a gift from his wife, Joanne Woodward.
3. The Patek Philippe Calibre 89 took nine years to develop. Created to celebrate the brand's 150th anniversary in 1989, it contains 33 complications and 1,728 components. Only four were ever made — one in each metal.
4. Rolex produces approximately one million watches per year. Despite this volume, demand consistently outstrips supply — particularly for steel sports models. Waiting lists at authorised dealers for references like the Submariner and GMT-Master II regularly exceed several years.
5. The first wristwatch was made for a woman. Patek Philippe created a wristwatch for Countess Koscowicz of Hungary in 1868. Wristwatches were considered feminine accessories for decades — men wore pocket watches until the First World War, when soldiers found wristwatches far more practical in the trenches.
6. Omega watches went to the moon — six times. The Omega Speedmaster Professional was worn on every NASA moon landing from Apollo 11 in 1969 through Apollo 17 in 1972. It remains the only watch certified by NASA for extravehicular activity.
7. A mechanical watch mainspring, fully wound, stores enough energy to power the watch for 40–80 hours. This is why automatic watches stop if left unworn — and why a quality watch winder is so valuable for collectors who rotate between multiple timepieces.
8. The Swiss watch industry employs over 50,000 people. Switzerland exports watches worth approximately CHF 22 billion annually, with the majority going to Asia, the United States, and the United Kingdom. The UK remains one of Switzerland's most important watch markets.
9. Audemars Piguet has been family-owned since 1875. Unlike most luxury conglomerates, AP remains independent — still owned by descendants of founders Jules-Louis Audemars and Edward-Auguste Piguet. This independence is increasingly rare in an industry dominated by LVMH, Richemont, and Swatch Group.
10. The thinnest mechanical watch in the world is just 1.50mm thick. The Bulgari Octo Finissimo Ultra, launched in 2022, broke the record for the thinnest mechanical watch ever made. Its movement is thinner than a standard coin.
The Most Exciting High-End Watch Releases of 2026
2026 has already delivered some remarkable releases from the world's finest manufactures. Here are the standout pieces that have the collecting community talking.
Rolex: Continued Evolution of the Sports Catalogue
Rolex continues to refine rather than reinvent in 2026, with incremental but meaningful updates across the sports range. New dial colourways on the Submariner and GMT-Master II have generated significant interest, with the brand's characteristic restraint ensuring these remain among the most coveted references in the market. The Daytona continues to command extraordinary premiums on the secondary market, with certain references trading at multiples of retail.
For collectors lucky enough to acquire a new Rolex, proper storage is essential. The Rolex Submariner, GMT-Master II, and Daytona all use automatic movements requiring between 650 and 800 turns per day — our TPD settings database has the exact specifications for every current Rolex reference. A single carbon fibre watch winder is the ideal companion for a first Rolex purchase.
Patek Philippe: The Nautilus Turns 50
2026 marks the 50th anniversary of the Patek Philippe Nautilus — one of the most significant milestones in modern watchmaking. Designed by Gérald Genta and launched in 1976, the Nautilus was a radical departure: a luxury sports watch in steel, priced higher than many gold dress watches. It was initially mocked by the industry and is now one of the most sought-after references in the world.
Anniversary editions and special references are expected throughout the year, with the collecting community watching closely. The Nautilus 5711 — discontinued in 2021 — continues to trade at extraordinary premiums on the secondary market, with examples regularly achieving three to four times retail at auction.
Audemars Piguet: Royal Oak at the Forefront
Audemars Piguet's Royal Oak — also designed by Gérald Genta, also launched in the 1970s as a luxury steel sports watch — continues to dominate conversation in 2026. AP has been particularly active with limited editions and collaborations, maintaining the Royal Oak's position as one of the three pillars of the luxury sports watch market alongside the Nautilus and the Vacheron Constantin Overseas.
The brand's commitment to in-house manufacture and independent ownership gives it a credibility that resonates strongly with serious collectors. New complications and case materials continue to expand the Royal Oak family in directions that feel genuinely considered rather than commercially driven.
A. Lange & Söhne: German Precision in the Spotlight
A. Lange & Söhne from Glashütte, Germany, continues to produce some of the most technically accomplished watches in the world — and 2026 has seen the brand receive renewed attention from collectors seeking alternatives to the Swiss mainstream. The Lange 1, with its distinctive off-centre dial layout and outsize date, remains one of the most recognisable and technically impressive watches in production. New references in the Zeitwerk and Odysseus families have expanded the brand's appeal to a younger collecting audience.
Tudor: The Accessible Alternative Continues to Impress
Tudor — Rolex's sister brand — continues to punch well above its price point in 2026. The Black Bay family remains the brand's cornerstone, offering genuine in-house movements, exceptional build quality, and strong secondary market performance at a fraction of the price of comparable Rolex references. The Pelagos and Ranger lines have also attracted significant collector interest, with Tudor increasingly regarded as a serious manufacture in its own right rather than simply a more affordable Rolex alternative.
Tudor's automatic movements typically require 650–800 TPD — compatible with all Aevitas single watch winders.
How to Store Your High-End Watches Properly
Whether you've just acquired your first serious timepiece or you're adding to an established collection, proper storage is non-negotiable. Here's what every collector should have in place.
For automatic watches: A quality watch winder keeps the movement perpetually wound, preventing the need to reset time, date, and complications every time you pick up the watch. Our multi-watch winder range covers collections from two to twenty-four automatic watches, with finishes from carbon fibre and leather to Zebrano Ebony and solid oak. The 8 Watch Winder in Carbon Fibre with Extra Storage is a particularly popular choice for serious collectors — it handles a full rotation of automatics while keeping additional watches safely stored in the drawer below.
For mixed collections: If you own a combination of automatic, quartz, and manual-wind watches, a watch box is the ideal solution for the pieces that don't need winding. The 12 Watch Box in Carbon Fibre pairs beautifully with a multi-watch winder — automatics in the winder, everything else in the box, all in matching finishes.
For high-value collections: If your watches represent a significant financial investment, a watch winder safe provides both winding functionality and certified security. Our watch winder safe range includes Grade 1, 2, 3, and 5 options with insurance ratings from £100,000 to £1,000,000 — essential for any collection that your insurer requires to be stored in a certified safe.
For travelling collectors: Never pack a fine watch loose in a suitcase. A premium leather watch roll protects your timepieces in transit and looks exceptional when unrolled at a hotel. The Premium Triple Watch Roll in Dark Brown Calf Leather is our recommendation for anyone travelling with serious pieces.
You May Also Like
→ Premium Watch Winders — the finest winding solutions for serious collections.
→ Watch Winder Safes — insurance-rated security for high-value timepieces.
→ All Watch Boxes — luxury storage for every collection size.
→ TPD Settings Database — find the correct winder settings for any watch brand.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most expensive watch ever sold?
The Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime Ref. 6300A-010 sold for CHF 31.19 million (approximately £27 million) at the Only Watch charity auction in 2019, making it the most expensive wristwatch ever sold at auction.
Which watch brands hold their value best?
Rolex, Patek Philippe, and Audemars Piguet consistently demonstrate the strongest secondary market performance. Certain references — particularly steel sports models — regularly trade above retail. A. Lange & Söhne and F.P. Journe also hold value exceptionally well among serious collectors.
Do I need a watch winder for my automatic watch?
You don't strictly need one, but a watch winder significantly improves the ownership experience. It keeps your movement wound and ready to wear, prevents lubricants from settling, and eliminates the need to reset complications after periods of non-wear. For collectors with multiple automatics, a multi-watch winder is essentially essential.
How often should I service a luxury watch?
Most manufacturers recommend a full service every 5–10 years, depending on the movement and how frequently the watch is worn. A watch winder can actually extend service intervals slightly by keeping the movement running consistently rather than stopping and starting repeatedly.
When is Episode 2 of Watch World?
Episode 2 is coming soon — covering more fascinating horological facts, the latest auction results, and the most interesting independent watchmakers to know about in 2026. Follow the Aevitas blog to stay updated.
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