Fratello’s Top 5 Watches Released In June 2026

Another Friday, another list! This week, we’ll return to our series of articles focusing on the best releases of every month. We covered the April ones in the article highlighting the best releases from Watches and Wonders 2026. To my shame, though, I must admit that in all the hustle and bustle, I didn’t cover the best releases of May. But we didn’t just want to give up on a series that sheds light on this year’s best watches. That’s why we’ll pick it back up today with our five favorite releases of June 2026.

Before we dive into those, let’s take a quick look back at the time since Watches and Wonders 2026 took place in Geneva, midway through April. In the weeks that followed, we had a chance to check out many of the great releases unveiled during the show. It’s always great to spend more time with watches that most of us only had a brief chance to check out at the event. But as a result of the avalanche of new releases in April, the month after always feels a little quiet. Looking at the releases in May and June 2026, though, we find that plenty were worthwhile. Let’s check out our top five from last month.

Grand Seiko Evolution 9 Collection Spring Drive U.F.A.

Our first pick is not just one watch but a series of new watches. Just last week, Grand Seiko unveiled five new U.F.A. references that follow up on the two inaugural U.F.A. models unveiled during Watches and Wonders 2025 and the brilliant purple-dial SLGB005, one of my favorites of 2025.

For a while, just a modest number of releases featured the revolutionary new Grand Seiko 9RB2 Spring Drive caliber. But this month, we got a full lineup of new U.F.A. models. Grand Seiko graced us with four in Ever-Brilliant Steel (SLGB009, SLGB011, SLGB013, SLGB015) and one in High-Intensity Titanium (SLGB007).

The SLGB007, SLGB009, SLGB011, and SLGB013 are 40 × 11.7mm watches, while the SLGB015 has a 37 × 11.4mm case. All five models belong to the Evolution 9 collection, which features modern, evolved versions of the brand’s classic 1960s case designs. A mix of polishing and brushing accentuates the cases’ angular lines. As we know from Grand Seiko, the cases and bracelets are impeccably finished.

The new dial colors will appeal to fans

In terms of variants, the titanium SLGB007 features the black Lake Suwa dial, the stainless steel SLGB009 comes with the White Birch dial, the steel SLGB011 features a stunning green Atera Valley dial, and the steel SLGB013 has a blue Lake Suwa dial. Lastly, the steel SLGB015 is the 37mm blue Lake Suwa model. As you can see, Grand Seiko chose familiar, popular colors that will undoubtedly sell well. My beloved purple-dial SLGB007 is a little more exotic, and I think that more fans will love the less extravagant dial options.

Powering the watches is the 9RB2 Spring Drive caliber, as Thomas explained in the introduction article. This Ultra Fine Accuracy (U.F.A.) movement is precise to a remarkable ±20 seconds per year. That makes the 9RB2 the most accurate wristwatch caliber powered by a mainspring today. Grand Seiko’s designers chose to place the power reserve indicator on the backside, leaving the dial super clean.

Lastly, an important update is that all models now come with a toolless micro-adjustment system, which was previously available only on last year’s titanium SLGB003. Pricing is in line with last year’s U.F.A. releases. The Ever-Brilliant Steel SLGB009, -011, -013, and -015 cost €10,400, while the High-Intensity Titanium SLGB007 costs €11,700. This is an important expansion of the U.F.A. collection that will surely be a hit for Grand Seiko.

Certina DS Super PH2000M STC

One of the most fun hands-on experiences that I had in June 2026 was with the new Certina DS Super PH2000M STC. This over-the-top diver is the next step in Certina’s collaborative efforts with non-profit Sea Turtle Conservancy. It also marks the introduction of the new DS Super PH2000M line, which currently consists of four references. Three of them are regular-production models, and this special STC version is limited to 1,959 pieces. I like this one the best of the four, as it combines a lightweight Grade 2 titanium case with a stunning gradient turquoise sunburst dial. The black ceramic bezel insert with blue markers fits the dial well, and hints of orange nicely complete the tropical look.

But as you would expect, this is far from a typical dive watch. The DS Super PH2000M features a 43mm case with a 16mm total thickness, a 50mm lug-to-lug, and a 2,000m depth rating. That puts it in an elite group of extreme divers capable of reaching the great depths of our world’s oceans. The case features a helium escape valve and comes fitted with a five-row titanium bracelet with a folding clasp. The additional blue FKM rubber strap with white stitching bumps up the watch’s colorful vibes, making it look even better.

A solid movement, handsome looks, and an extraordinary price

Inside the case, you will find the ETA Powermatic 80.611. This automatic caliber operates at 21,600 vph and offers an 80-hour power reserve. It is a reliable powertrain for this lightweight dive watch, which wears it much more comfortably than the dimensions suggest. I was pleasantly surprised by how comfortable this watch is. It’s far from small, but plenty of the extreme divers are very hard to wear. This Certina DS Super PH2000M STC, however, could easily be your daily watch.

On top of that, this special STC limited edition looks stunning. Hardcore dive-watch purists will not like the sunray dial, but I find it the most compelling element of the watch. Depending on how the light hits the dial, its color constantly changes. If you are not planning to take this watch to great depths, you will enjoy it for its colorful appearance.

What makes it even better is that this impressive Certina DS Super PH2000M STC costs just €1,395, meaning it’s really affordable compared to the competition. That makes this an easy second pick for our top five watches of June 2026.

Girard-Perregaux Laureato Fifty 39mm

Our next pick is the beautiful Girard-Perregaux Laureato Fifty 39mm in stainless steel. Mike wrote the hands-on introduction to this stunning piece, and we also covered it in our Sunday Morning Showdown series. The basics are actually quite simple. Girard-Perregaux updated the Laureato in several ways to make it vastly more attractive. It all starts with the 39mm stainless steel case, which has a 10.2mm profile and a 46mm lug-to-lug. The case comes fitted with a very nice integrated stainless steel bracelet featuring a butterfly clasp and a 4mm extension system for perfect sizing.

Compared to previous Laureato dials, the new blue enamel one with a Clous de Paris pattern looks stunning in both color and the refinement of the pattern. On top of that, the design has been simplified to look a lot better. The date window has gone, and so have the “GP” initials at 12 o’clock. Importantly, besides the brand name, the dial eschews all other text from previous dials. The result is a clean, modern version of the Laureato dial that features sharp rhodium-plated 18K gold applied markers and hands.

Another novelty is the GP4800 movement, which is visible through the case back’s sapphire display. The 19-jewel automatic caliber consists of 163 parts, operates at 28,800 vph, and offers a 55-hour power reserve. On top of that, the architecture and the finishing look beautiful. As Mike explained, it features a rose gold balance bridge, which pairs beautifully with the similarly designed oscillating rotor. This new engine truly raises the standard for the new Laureato.

With all these updates also comes a new price of €24,000, which is in line with some of the Laureato’s biggest competitors. We collectively loved the new Girard-Perregaux Laureato Fifty 39mm, and that’s why it deserves the third spot on the list of best releases of June 2026.

Tudor Black Bay Chrono 39 “Bumblebee”

Let’s get one thing straight: not all of us at Fratello love the new yellow dial that Tudor used for this updated Black Bay Chrono 39. However, the watch offers more updates than merely a new dial color. The brand updated the dimensions of its Black Bay Chrono, resulting in a chronograph many Tudor fans have been waiting for. The new Black Bay Chrono features a 39mm stainless steel case with a 13.1mm total thickness. Compared to the 41 × 14.4mm dimensions of its larger brother, that is a huge win.

The designers also gave it a 20mm lug spacing (a 2mm reduction) and kept the 200m water resistance rating. On the right side of the case, you will find the Tudor-branded crown and two screw-down pushers at 2 and 4 o’clock. As mentioned, inside the new case sits a bright yellow dial with two black sub-dials. These match the black anodized aluminum bezel insert with a contrasting silver tachymeter scale.

The yellow dial also features a black minute track, applied luminous hour markers, and a date window at 6 o’clock. Hovering over the dial are the signature Tudor hour and minute hands. On top of that, the central chronograph hand features a red tip that matches the red depth rating on the lower half of the dial.

The same Kenissi-produced MT5813 caliber

Inside the case, nothing has changed. The 39mm Black Bay Chrono still houses the same Kenissi-produced MT5813 movement as the larger BB Chrono. This automatic chronograph caliber is based on the Breitling B01, operates at 28,800 vph, features 41 jewels, and offers a 70-hour power reserve. It is great to see that Tudor was able to significantly slim down the 39mm case, despite using the same movement.

It makes this smaller, slimmer Tudor Black Bay Chrono a watch many fans will love. For now, the €6,200 Tudor Black Bay Chrono 39 “Bumblebee” is part of the Daring Watches collection. That means it will be produced in limited quantities. But we can’t wait to see when Tudor will add this model to the regular lineup with a different dial.

Atelier Wen Perception V3 Yún

Our last pick is another updated watch. But when the updates are as good as they are for the Atelier Wen Perception V3 Yún, it’s hard to ignore them. The Sino-French brand’s Perception has quickly become a well-recognized integrated-bracelet sports watch for multiple reasons. First, the case shape and bracelet are instantly recognizable. Additionally, Atelier Wen uses hand-turned guilloché dials by the Chinese master guillocheur Cheng Yucai, and these immediately stand out.

The elements are still there with this updated V3 Yún. But for the V3 series, Atelier Wen switched from the Chinese Dandong SL1588A movement to the French-made Pequignet EPM03. It’s a welcome upgrade that adds a nice visual element, as the caliber looks great. But that’s not all, because Atelier Wen also introduced a new special micro-frosted finish to the case and bracelet. It gives the watch a distinct look and feel, with polished chamfers that add nice visual contrast. Notably, the new Yún version looks different from the also-new blue-dial Piāo and the salmon-dial Xiá, which have a more classic mix of brushed and polished surfaces.

The Perception V3 looks thinner than it actually is

In terms of specs, the Atelier Wen Perception V3 Yún has a 40mm 904L stainless steel case with a 10.4mm total thickness and a 47mm length. While it’s a tenth of a millimeter thicker than the V2 model, it still looks and feels very thin. This is a result of the beautiful case construction, with a slender, approximately 5mm-thick mid-case. The case back, bezel, and crystal make up the rest. The result is a watch that looks and wears a lot thinner than the numbers might indicate.

The case is paired with a beautiful, crisp, green hand-turned guilloché dial. It features the familiar écailles de poisson (fish-scale) pattern, courtesy of Cheng Yucai. On top of that, the dial features a Chinese huiwen-patterned chapter ring printed in white Super-LumiNova X1, which glows in the dark along with the lume-filled, leaf-shaped hour and minute hands. The applied rhodium-plated indexes nicely complete the design, making for a dial you will return to constantly once the watch is on your wrist.

A slim, comfortable bracelet

Completing the watch is a 22/18mm bracelet. While its overall design is the same as on previous Perception models, the new micro-frosted finish adds extra visual appeal. The clasp also offers toolless micro-adjustment via a button shaped like the brand’s logo, as well as a telescopic deployant blade to give it a 2.6mm profile. This marks a 0.4mm reduction in thickness, improving overall comfort on the wrist.

As you can see, there are many clever updates, but the most significant is the movement. The Peguinet EPM03 operates at 28,800 vph and offers a 65-hour power reserve. It also performs with chronometer-grade accuracy of -4/+6 seconds per day, averaging within ±2 seconds, and the finishing and decoration are beautiful. The fan-shaped bridges are filled with mirror-polished blue aventurine lacquer. We also find wavy Côtes de Genève on the escapement bridge, a 3D laser-etched inscription on the ratchet return wheel, black-polished screws, machine-made anglage and perlage, a snailed barrel, and a rotor with both snailing and frosting.

All these updates have resulted in a watch that I loved wearing while we had it in the office. At €4,200, the Atelier Wen Perception V3 Yún is easily one of the best integrated-bracelet sports watches under €5,000. It made it the perfect last pick for our list of best releases from June 2026.

Final thoughts on the top five watches released in June 2026

There you have it — our five favorite new watches from June 2026. It was another month full of great releases, and it closes out an exciting second quarter of the year. As always, many more options could have been on this list. That’s why I want to turn the question over to you. What are some of your highlights from June 2026? Let us know in the comments section, and we will see you again next week for another list!