The Best Vintage-Inspired Watches of 2024

A trend that started in the early 2010s, vintage-inspired watches have been one of the main focuses of the watch industry ever since. And, to our biggest surprise, the trend is not over. It might have slowed down a bit compared to the late 2010s, but we’re still seeing dozens of “heritage”, “retro”, or “vintage re-edition” watches appearing every year – to a point where it seems impressive that brands still find unexplored old models to bring back to life after all these years… Without further ado, we’re now taking a look at what we consider the Best Vintage-Inspired Watches of 2024, with a rather eclectic selection ranging from 1970s cool to classic models from the golden era of watchmaking or a brutalist watch that no one expected to be reincarnated. 

Amida Digitrend Steel, Black and Gold Editions

Amida is one of those brands that fell victim to the Quartz crisis but has had a loyal following ever since. So much so that some clever people have decided to bring it and its cool Digitrend back to life! Following the Take-Off edition launched in April, the collection has now been expanded with steel, black DLC, or gold PVD models. All feature the unique vertical Driver’s display, with jumping hours on the left and running minutes on the right. Power comes from a Soprod Newton P092 automatic with a special module, and the result is a watch with a unique neo-vintage, sci-fi-inspired theme that’s so outdated it becomes ultra-cool.

For more details about the Amida Digitrend, consult our hands-on article here.

Audemars Piguet [Re]Master02

With its ultra-angular, fully faceted case with not a single curve to be seen, it’s hard to see why this Audemars Piguet [Re]Master02 made it to our list of vintage-inspired watches. And yet, this watch (the second in the [Re]Master range) and its incredibly complex design don’t come out of the blue. It is modelled after the 1961 reference 5159BA, a yellow gold model of Brutalist inspiration produced in only seven units. Brutalist is indeed the keyword here, with a case that is the epitome of Brutalist architecture. It’s bold, expressive, unique on the market and clearly polarizing. But it’s also a modern watch in typical Audemars Piguet fashion, made of 18k sand gold, enlarged to modern proportions and powered by a high-end, ultra-thin automatic movement – the calibre 7129 base on the movement used in the latest generation Royal Oak Jumbo, the calibre 7121, but here without a date. It is as fascinating as it is divisive.

For more details about the Audemars Piguet [Re]Master02, consult our hands-on article with video here.

Hanhart 415 ES Chronograph

Know for its WWII-inspired pilot’s chronographs with fluted bezels and a red pusher, German brand Hanhart decided to reissue yet another of its icons, the 415 ES Chronograph. Yet another pilot chronograph, but this time from the mid-1960s, it was characterized by its bidirectional rotating bezel and indication-packed dial. All of that is back in a modernized version that now measures 39mm in diameter and 13.5mm in height, with a matte black ceramic insert and sapphire crystal. The dial, with a mix of colours (yellow for the hour markers, white for the tachymeter and sub-dial scales, and red for the 100-unit scale), is faithful to the original model and characterful. The re-edition comes with a modern, reliable Sellita SW510. And as always with Hanhart, not only are the looks brilliant, but the quality and price are very attractive.

For more details about the Hanhart 415 ES Chronograph, consult our hands-on article with video here.

Longines Conquest Heritage Central Power Reserve

Longines is, without a doubt, one of the experts of the vintage-inspired watch, with countless superb retro watches over the past 15 years. The latest in line, the Conquest Heritage Central Power Reserve, doesn’t disappoint either. And it’s not just a design trick, as it also brings back the same mechanical concept as the past model – one of the most original power reserve indicators from the late 1950s using rotating discs in the centre of the dial. Compared to the 1959 version, the watch has been enlarged and lightly redesigned, with modern materials. The dial, specifically this light beige edition with gold accents, is handsome and charmful, and retains the complex power reserve display of the original – more on that in this article. Vintage re-edition done right!

For more details about the Longines Conquest Heritage Central Power Reserve, consult our hands-on article here.

Raymond Weil Millesime Small Seconds

What happens when a brand founded in 1976 decides to create a 1940s-inspired model…? Since they don’t have the archives to reinterpret an existing model, well, they go creative. And it paid off for Raymond Weil, which unveiled the Millesime collection, an immediate success for the brand. The Millesime Small Seconds is a homage to the golden era of watchmaking, a pure design exercise without historical constraints and it simply looks good. Nicely proportioned at 39.5mm in diameter, with a case that’s classic 1940s with a coin-edge bezel, the watch comes with a modernized sector dial that has a lot of depth and textures, making it lively and attractive. Power comes from a classic Sellita, to keep the cost low. And yes, the result is a fairly priced and beautifully designed watch that no one expected from this brand. It is also available with a central second, an automatic chronograph, a moonphase or in 35mm editions.

For more details about the Raymond Weil Millesime Small Seconds, consult our hands-on article here.