As well as a lot of very lovely, very wearable pieces to mull over, there was also loads of gnarly horology on show at Geneva Watch Days 2026 to blow my mind.
It’s no big surprise that the more aesthetically pleasing watches, that prioritise telling the time first and foremost, tend to have a greater appeal and drum up more interest in them. But a certain niche of watch lover wants to be wowed by technical impossibilities and mad feats of innovation, which is lucky because there was plenty of that going on at Geneva Watch Days 2026.
I wasn’t able to see every brand – I missed out on the likes of De Bethune, Greubel Forsey and Trilobe – but in no particular order, here’s some of the watchmakers I hit up and had to reach for the loupe to try and come to terms with the mad mechanics, wild balance wheels and whatnot. And public service announcement; keep your eyes peeled on Ulysse Nardin and MB&F in particular, as they may well have some freaky new pieces dropping in the not too distant future.
Oris Propilot x Gonzo Edition
I’ll start with a fun one; what are the chances of finding Gonzo (yes, of The Muppets) on a watch? If you’re a fan of Oris, you’ll know the answer is high. Gonzo must have been gossiping with his mates Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy, as he’s the third muppet to star on one of the Swiss watchmaker’s watches. Bragging rights for Gonzo here as this skeletonised Propilot is by far the most complicated looking of the three, plus you’ll have to work that little bit harder to spot Gonzo. £7,900. At oris.ch
Bvlgari Octo Finissimo Dazzle
