Daan’s Watch Resolutions For 2026 — More Concrete Options For Contemporary Watches

Last year, I also wrote an article on my New Year’s resolutions. It actually contained one bold resolution: I was considering letting my Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Classic Medium Duoface go in favor of a Ressence Type 9. At the end of the article, I also mentioned that it might be more of a long-term plan. Well, I guess it is because neither of those things happened last year. However, what stands out to me is that I would still like to add more contemporary watches to my collection. But maybe I should take it a little bit more slowly than I initially thought.

As some of you said in the comments below last year’s article, selling my Reverso is a significant decision. Replacing it with a Ressence Type 9 is too, especially for someone who has never spent more than around €8,000 on a watch. So let’s take it step by step and see what would be a more realistic approach for 2026.

Changes in the collection

But let’s first take a look at what happened in my watch collection last year, aside from the occasional Swatch addition here and there. The most significant change was the introduction of the Seiko 6105-8000 into the collection. My Seiko SPB317 was great, but it made me want the vintage version of it even more than I already did. I wrote a story about the swap, but the short version is that I traded my Seiko SPB317 for a vintage Montblanc 242 fountain pen, and I’m now the happy owner of a 1968 Seiko 6105-8000 diver.

Other than that, not much happened. My Cartier Santos Galbée XL is still my most frequently worn watch, alongside my Rolex Explorer 114270, Omega Speedmaster 3861 Hesalite, Breguet 5907, Oris Art Blakey, and OG “FratellOris.” The Serica 5303-3 is a great out-of-the-box diver, and the Autodromo Intereuropa in Nassau Blue is a watch I won’t be able to say goodbye to. However, this all means I wore my Reverso a lot less last year than I had before. Don’t get me wrong; it’s a fantastic watch, but I think I’m ready to let it go. What’s next, then?

Next steps

As I mentioned last year, I am feeling increasingly drawn to more contemporary watches. At watch events, I get excited when I see things from brands like Ressence, MB&F, Behrens, and Pragma. Not all the watches from these brands are equally affordable, though. I guess that’s what held me back from making any significant changes last year. That’s why I was thinking that maybe I should start by considering more affordable contemporary options first. Let’s take a look at some more contemporary watches that caught my attention lately.

I love SpaceOne’s Jump Hour watch, but by now, all the series are sold out. I guess I should’ve been quicker on that one, and I’m not really into the brand’s Tellurium or Worldtimer. I also like the Toledano & Chan B/1, but it’s a bit big for my wrist. I heard the brand is working on one in a smaller size, so let’s see what that’ll feel like on my wrist. Christopher Ward also offers some nice options, like the C1 Bel Canto, C1 Jump Hour, and the C12 Loco. For some reason, though, I’m not particularly drawn to the style of those watches.

Last year, I also went hands-on with the futuristic Maghnam Noor and Mohareb. Their designs are somewhere between SpaceOne and MB&F, and they certainly make heads turn and conversations start. For me, though, they’re a bit too futuristic.

More plausible options

Then, there are some watches that I find super charming and see as very plausible options for my collection. Otsuka Lotec, for example, is a brand that offers great contemporary designs at relatively affordable prices. They’re quite hard to get, though, so buying one might require a bit of effort or searching for pre-owned options. Still, it’s a brand I’m actively keeping on my radar.

Another one is Ming. I never understood why the brand seems to have such a big following until I finally tried on some models at a recent get-together at Ace Jewelers in Amsterdam. In particular, the new 37.11 Odyssey caught my eye. I found the combination of its outward-facing lugs, titanium case, and creative dial so exciting. It’s not that far on the contemporary spectrum, but it might be just enough, if you ask me.

Another watch I saw at that get-together was the M.A.D.Editions M.A.D.2 designed by Eric Giroud. I only saw it from afar, but since Ace seems to have a pre-owned piece on offer, I might go in next week to see what it’s like in person and on the wrist. On paper, the jump-hour complication and original design seem very attractive, but I’m a bit afraid of its 42mm diameter. We’ll see.

Sell the Reverso first

As you can tell, my plans are still somewhat vague. That might also be because the Reverso is still in my collection. I think I have to get over the hump of selling that watch first before I can start thinking about something new. So that’s the first thing I’ll arrange when I return home from the Christmas break in Spain. After that, I’ll have more headspace to consider new options.

What about you? What are your New Year’s resolutions when it comes to your watch collection? Please let us know in the comments below. And if you have additional recommendations for contemporary watches I should consider, let me know.