The Watch Industry in 2026: A Year of Horological Milestones & Anniversaries

The watch industry is nothing if not predictable. Like many luxury-rooted sectors, watchmaking thrives on its past. Collections are revisited, icons are preserved, and anniversaries and milestones are celebrated with absolute regularity. And, honestly, that approach has proven to be a very efficient strategy for them, as these celebrations often feature stunning watches.

For instance, just look at 2025: Breguet celebrated its 250th Anniversary, and Audemars Piguet marked 150 years of unmatched watchmaking. However, there were also the ones that didn’t receive the attention they deserved, as the 70th Anniversary of the Rolex GMT-Master went without a nod.

With that, the question that naturally follows is - what’s in store for 2026? Which brands will step up?

Well, there’s a lot to expect from the big players in 2026 as major anniversaries and milestones are just around the corner! From Patek Philippe and Rolex to Tudor, the Maisons are gearing up to welcome the New Year with important jubilees for their most favourite collections.

Wondering what they are?

Here’s the list of all the brands or icons that will step into the spotlight this year.

Horological Anniversaries & Milestones To Look Forward To In 2026

1. 50th Anniversary of the Patek Philippe “Nautilus”

Patek Philippe’s legendary Nautilus watch, designed by famous Swiss watchmaker Gerald Genta, is all set to celebrate its 50th Anniversary in 2026 –a milestone marking its debut in 1976 as Patek’s first-ever luxury steel sports watch with a design inspired by ship portholes.

While it took a bit of time for the Nautilus to gain its iconic status, it eventually became one of the hottest watches on the market, particularly the steel time-and-date model with Reference 5711. With a rounded octagonal bezel, integrated bracelet, and horizontal dial embossing, the Nautilus 5711 quickly became a highly desirable collector’s item. It was replaced in 2022 by the Nautilus 5811G, a white gold version.

Now, the upcoming 50th Anniversary of the Nautilus in 2026 is generating excitement among collectors and enthusiasts alike, with many expecting Patek Philippe to release a new 50th Anniversary platinum version – the Reference 5811P of the Nautilus. As the brand's President prioritises avoiding steel, platinum seems to be the next-best material.

2. 100th Anniversary of the Tudor

Well, that’s a big one coming up. Rolex founder Hans Wilsdorf introduced a watch more modestly priced than Rolex models, and this is how Tudor was born in 1926. 2026 rings in the brand’s 100th Anniversary, and while enthusiasts are putting forward their best ideas, guess we have to shelve the ‘what’ question for now.

But one thing is for certain, Tudor will definitely celebrate this significant milestone with something special. Maybe, revive the famous Tudor Submariner 7928, given its historical significance and popularity among watch enthusiasts, or dropping something entirely new, something technically brilliant, could be a fitting tribute.

Time will tell, but something interesting is definitely on the cards this year.

3. 100th Anniversary of the Rolex “Oyster”

In 1926, Rolex achieved an important milestone with the release of its revolutionary Oyster watch, the brand’s first waterproof and dustproof wristwatch, and also one of the earliest of its kind. It was famous for its hermetically sealed case protecting the movement from dust and water, a design further perfected by the addition of the self-winding perpetual rotor.

This Oyster watch became the blueprint for everything else Rolex later created. In fact, the term ‘Oyster’ is still being used next to Perpetual on most pieces created by the Crown. The Oyster’s creation was a pivotal moment, establishing Rolex as a leader in precise, durable timekeeping.

While 100 years is not a small achievement, we also cannot ignore the fact that Rolex isn’t really the best example when it comes to anniversary models. Of course, the brand has presented commemorative models in the past, but that isn’t the norm. So, all we can do for now is wait to find out if the Swiss Maison has any special releases this year honouring its legacy.

4. 70th Anniversary of the Rolex “Day-Date”

The Day-Date, aka the President watch, was introduced in 1956 and remains one of the most popular and important Rolex models. The Day-Date, considered the elite’s choice, was the first wristwatch to showcase the day of the week written out in full, along with a separate date window at 3 o’clock.

Available only in precious materials like yellow, white and pink gold or platinum with a smooth or fluted bezel and an entirely new President bracelet, the Day-Date’s cult status is unmatched. Now, with the 70th Anniversary of the Rolex Day-Date approaching, collectors and enthusiasts anticipate whether Rolex will release a special edition or update the existing model. Some collectors also anticipate new dial options or slight design tweaks.

Rolex, being the brand that prefers to get it right on the first go, might make subtle, incremental changes to celebrate the model’s accomplishment.

5. 70th Anniversary of the Rolex “Milgauss”

Another very important and long-lasting Rolex model, introduced in 1956, is the Milgauss. Although we need to add some nuance here, the Milgauss was actually created before 1956, under reference 6543, which was produced in 1954 with approximately 75 to 200 examples. However, the commercial life of the Milgauss began in 1956 with the reference 6541, and 1956 is also the date Rolex cites as the collection's starting point. Therefore, according to that data, 2026 marks the Milgauss’s 70th Anniversary.

The Milgauss name combines the French word “mille", meaning thousand, and “gauss”, the unit of magnetic flux density. In short, the Milgauss was designed to resist magnetic fields for up to 1000 gauss through the use of a soft iron inner case, a ‘Faraday’ cage, shielding the movement.

Rolex removed the Milgauss from its catalogue in 2023, marking the second time the model was discontinued, following its initial run, which ended in 1988, before its modern return. As 2026 marks an important milestone, fans speculate that Rolex will reintroduce the watch with updated technology. While Rolex hasn’t confirmed anything, the Anniversary is definitely a key talking point.

6. 30th Anniversary of the Vacheron Constantin “Overseas”

The Overseas, introduced in 1996, was Vacheron Constantin’s answer to the 1972 Royal Oak and 1976 Nautilus. It was the direct descendant of the 1977 Vacheron Constantin 222 model. The Overseas saw a more modern design in 2004 (2nd generation), and another revamp in 2016 (3rd generation) for its 20th Anniversary. Even though it's more modern, the current third-generation Overseas shares a lot in common with its 1996 predecessor.

Is it too early to expect a fourth-gen Overseas? Nevertheless, we can expect special editions of the model to mark its 30th Anniversary. In fact, speculation has it that the brand might introduce new materials, possibly titanium, to honour the line’s milestone.

Recently, Vacheron Constantin celebrated its broader 270th Anniversary in 2025 with complex timepieces such as the ‘Quest for Time’ showcasing commendable innovation. Therefore, it’s fair to expect 2026 to bring interesting attributes to the Overseas, continuing its legacy alongside the brand’s rich overall heritage.

Parting Thoughts

As we turn our attention to 2026, it’s only fair to assume that icons will be revisited and acknowledged, or maybe pass us by once again, who knows? But one thing is certain – 2026 will leave its mark on the horological world. This is because if the watch industry has proven anything over the years, it is that it knows how to play by the rules and rarely strays too far.

Anniversaries will be marked, and familiar names will surface once again, taking the centre stage as they should. Some celebrations will be loud, while some may be oddly understated or ignored altogether. But all in all, for collectors and enthusiasts, 2026 will likely offer genuine horological excellence alongside polished nostalgia. Guess this tension is what makes this industry so compelling.

For now, let’s find a reason to celebrate time by looking back at it.