The Best Watch Releases of 2025 - 16 Categories + One Winner

In the final Wrist Enthusiast Radio episode of 2025, Craig, Ben, and Derek break down the best watch releases of the year across 16 different categories. From the best watches under $1,000 to standout luxury pieces, microbrand highlights, collabs, overhyped releases, and the brands to watch heading into 2026, every choice is based on real, hands-on experience rather than spec sheets or hype. The discussion is full of strong opinions, honest disagreements, and behind-the-scenes context, before each naming their pick for the single best overall release of 2025.   Make sure to check out the sponsor of our podcast, Delugs! Delugs is a great place to get all your watch straps and accessories. Definitely check them out! Delugs website: https://delugs.com/   Follow us on Social Media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wristenthusiast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wristenthusiastradio Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wristenthusiast TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wristenthusiast   Follow Craig: https://www.instagram.com/craig_karger/ Follow Ben: https://www.instagram.com/benswatches/ Follow Derek: https://www.instagram.com/theminutemon/ 

Ben, Derek, and Craig sat down at Dubai Watch Week 2025 for a special on-site episode with three guests who each brought a different perspective on the show. Chad Alexander kicked things off with his favorite watches from the fair and his take on the biggest surprises. Fred Savage, actor, collector, and founder of Timepiece Grading Specialists, joined next to talk about the pieces that stood out to him and how his grading service is helping collectors better understand condition and quality. Andrea Casalegno (@iamcasa) closed the episode with his impressions of the event and the designs that impressed him most. We covered independents, microbrands, major releases, and everything in between. If you love real watch conversations and want an inside look at what made Dubai Watch Week 2025 special, hit subscribe and let us know which watch was your favorite from the show.   Make sure to check out the sponsor of our podcast, Delugs! Delugs is a great place to get all your watch straps and accessories. Definitely check them out! Delugs website: https://delugs.com/   Follow us on Social Media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wristenthusiast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wristenthusiastradio Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wristenthusiast TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wristenthusiast   Follow Craig: https://www.instagram.com/craig_karger/ Follow Ben: https://www.instagram.com/benswatches/ Follow Derek: https://www.instagram.com/theminutemon/ 

Ben, Craig and Derek are on the ground in Dubai for Dubai Watch Week 2025. The challenge? To hit the show floor and build their ultimate 3-watch collection on the show floor of Dubai Watch Week 2025: one watch under $10,000, one under $50,000, and one with no budget limit.   Make sure to check out the sponsor of our podcast, Delugs! Delugs is a great place to get all your watch straps and accessories. Definitely check them out! Delugs website: https://delugs.com/   Follow us on Social Media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wristenthusiast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wristenthusiastradio Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wristenthusiast TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wristenthusiast   Follow Craig: https://www.instagram.com/craig_karger/ Follow Ben: https://www.instagram.com/benswatches/ Follow Derek: https://www.instagram.com/theminutemon/ 

This week on Wrist Enthusiast Radio, Ben, Derek, and Craig face off in the first-ever Watch Fantasy Draft. Each of the guys builds a dream five-watch collection across five categories: Diver, Chronograph, GMT, Dress, and Wildcard. The catch? Once a watch is picked, it's off the board.   With no budget, plenty of debate, and some friendly trash talk, the guys compare collections and challenge viewers to decide who drafted the best lineup. Stick around for wrist checks, laughs, and a few surprising picks you won't see coming.   Vote in the comments for who you think won the draft.   Make sure to check out the sponsor of our podcast, Delugs! Delugs is a great place to get all your watch straps and accessories. Definitely check them out! Delugs website: https://delugs.com/   Follow us on Social Media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wristenthusiast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wristenthusiastradio Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wristenthusiast TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wristenthusiast   Follow Craig: https://www.instagram.com/craig_karger/ Follow Ben: https://www.instagram.com/benswatches/ Follow Derek: https://www.instagram.com/theminutemon/ 

This week on Wrist Enthusiast Radio, we're diving into one of the most unexpected crossovers in watchmaking — college football and luxury watches. Ben and Craig hit the road with Axia Time, the brand behind official watches for the College Football Playoff and the Heisman Trophy, and we share what really goes on behind those limited-edition team pieces. Then, we head to Geneva Watch Days 2025, where we break down our favorite releases from Ming, Bulgari, Grand Seiko, Micromilspec, and more. From the Heisman Trophy to high horology, this episode covers one of the wildest weeks we've ever had in watches.   Learn more about Axia Time here: https://axiatime.com/   Make sure to check out the sponsor of our podcast, Delugs! Delugs is a great place to get all your watch straps and accessories. Definitely check them out! Delugs website: https://delugs.com/   Follow us on Social Media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wristenthusiast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wristenthusiastradio Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wristenthusiast TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wristenthusiast   Follow Craig: https://www.instagram.com/craig_karger/ Follow Ben: https://www.instagram.com/benswatches/ Follow Derek: https://www.instagram.com/theminutemon/

Craig, Derek, and Ben sit down with VJ Geronimo, Oris' CEO of the Americas, to talk about the brand's latest release, the Aquis New York Harbor II, and Oris's unexpected ties to baseball and country music. We cover the story behind Oris's sustainability projects, play a round of "This or That" with VJ, and dig into what makes the brand different as an independent watchmaker.   Make sure to check out the sponsor of our podcast, Delugs! Delugs is a great place to get all your watch straps and accessories. Definitely check them out! Delugs website: https://delugs.com/   Follow us on Social Media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wristenthusiast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wristenthusiastradio Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wristenthusiast TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wristenthusiast   Follow Craig: https://www.instagram.com/craig_karger/ Follow Ben: https://www.instagram.com/benswatches/ Follow Derek: https://www.instagram.com/theminutemon/ 

In this episode of Wrist Enthusiast Radio, Craig, Ben, and Derek share their picks for the most overrated and underrated watches across every major category, including divers, chronographs, GMTs, skeleton watches, and more. They debate popular models like the Pelagos 39, the Submariner, and the Tissot PRX, and highlight overlooked favorites from brands like Zenith, Doxa, Longines, Cartier, and JLC. Plus, updates on new pickups like the Wren Diver 38 Seafoam and the Zenith Lapis Chronomaster.   Make sure to check out the sponsor of our podcast, Delugs! Delugs is a great place to get all your watch straps and accessories. Definitely check them out! Delugs website: https://delugs.com/   Preorder the Wren Diver 38 Seafoam: https://www.wristenthusiast.com/shop/p/wren-diver-38-seafoam   Follow us on Social Media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wristenthusiast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wristenthusiastradio Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wristenthusiast TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wristenthusiast   Follow Craig: https://www.instagram.com/craig_karger/ Follow Ben: https://www.instagram.com/benswatches/ Follow Derek: https://www.instagram.com/theminutemon/ 

In this episode of Wrist Enthusiast Radio, Craig, Derek, and Ben dive deep into the world of microbrands, bringing their personal picks and strong opinions across a range of watch categories. From affordable GMTs and creative chronographs to asymmetrical art pieces and full-blown complications, the crew covers it all—highlighting both fan favorites and obscure gems. Expect shoutouts to Wren, Studio Underdog, Serica, Furlan Marri, Atelier Wen, and many more, all while discussing what really defines a microbrand in today's ever-evolving watch world. It's the ultimate enthusiast's guide to discovering the best microbrand watches, whether you're new to the scene or already deep in the weeds.   Make sure to check out the sponsor of our podcast, Delugs! Delugs is a great place to get all your watch straps and accessories. Definitely check them out! Delugs website: https://delugs.com/   Preorder the Wren Diver 38 Seafoam: https://www.wristenthusiast.com/shop/p/wren-diver-38-seafoam   Follow us on Social Media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wristenthusiast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wristenthusiastradio Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wristenthusiast TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wristenthusiast   Follow Craig: https://www.instagram.com/craig_karger/ Follow Ben: https://www.instagram.com/benswatches/ Follow Derek: https://www.instagram.com/theminutemon/

In this episode of Wrist Enthusiast Radio, Craig, Ben and Derek dive into the world of watches that aren't just props, they're part of the plot. From the Hamilton Murph's role in Interstellar to the cracked-dial watch in The Last of Us, we explore the timepieces that drive emotion, character, and story on screen. We also look at Patrick Bateman's Seiko in American Psycho and how Richard Mille and Patek Philippe show up in unexpected places like Your Friends & Neighbors. These watches don't just tell time, they tell stories.   Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.wristenthusiast.com/podcastlibrary    For Watch News, Reviews and Buying guides: https://www.wristenthusiast.com/   Follow us on Social Media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wristenthusiast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wristenthusiastradio Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wristenthusiast TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wristenthusiast   Follow Craig: https://www.instagram.com/craig_karger/ Follow Ben: https://www.instagram.com/benswatches/ Follow Derek: https://www.instagram.com/theminutemon/ 

In this episode of Wrist Enthusiast Radio, Derek, Ben, and Craig break down their favorite watches that come on rubber straps and the ones they wish did. From classics like the Rolex Yacht-Master and Patek Philippe Aquanaut to underrated picks like the IWC Mark XV and Zenith Defy Skyline, the crew shares what works, what doesn't, and what could look even better with the right rubber strap.   They also spotlight Delugs and their lineup of cut-to-size and mosaic-pattern straps, including firsthand experiences fitting them to watches like the Omega Speedmaster, Cartier Santos, and Wren Diver One. Whether you're looking to add a rubber strap for comfort, versatility, or style, this episode doubles as a practical buying guide filled with inspiration and ideas for your next strap upgrade.   Make sure to check out the sponsor of our podcast, Delugs! Delugs is a great place to get all your watch straps and accessories. Definitely check them out!   Delugs website: https://delugs.com/   Watch this episode of Wrist Enthusiast Radio on YouTube: https://youtu.be/HsuEcHyElBo   For Watch News, Reviews and Buying guides: https://www.wristenthusiast.com/   Follow us on Social Media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wristenthusiast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wristenthusiastradio Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wristenthusiast TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wristenthusiast   Follow Craig: https://www.instagram.com/craig_karger/ Follow Ben: https://www.instagram.com/benswatches/ Follow Derek: https://www.instagram.com/theminutemon/