Don’t say I didn’t warn you! Only a month ago in this very column, we had just about got over the new release season, but I alerted you all to the fact that we were far from done. Technically, we’re halfway through 2026 now, and it feels like every week there’s been at least one huge, headline-grabbing release, and this week’s been no different. On Wednesday, Tudor expanded its Daring collection with a new yellow-dialled Black Bay Chrono, debuting an all-new case design that may signal the shape of things to come from the Shield. As some ‘Daring Collection Tudor watches have in the past, it’s a watch that divides opinions, but it certainly supports the theory that Tudor is no longer conforming to a strict, annual release schedule. It proves that no matter where your attention lies in watches, whether it’s battling the queues to grab a new AP x Swatch, or working out a way to get hold of the new Tudor Bumblebee, there’s always something exciting going on. Anyway, it’s Friday, and it’s time to wind down, so let’s check out what else has happened this week.
Audemars Piguet kicks off summer 2026 with some colourful Royal Oak Offshores
Summer in the Northern Hemisphere is just about starting, and you know what that means; it’s time for the obligatory “splash of colour” season to begin. I would say that Audemars Piguet has a better reason than most to introduce some colourful options to a line that, in honesty, has gone relatively unloved in the last couple of years. Its recent collaboration with Swatch has drawn many eyes to the brand from all angles and sparked a desire for bright, vivid colourways, and so, AP just released a set of summer-styled Offshores to brighten things up.
There are three 42mm models in either steel or titanium, and three 37mm models, featuring even more colourful dials and straps. AP has squeezed the newly released Calibre 6401 movement into the 37mm models, which come in titanium or 18k rose gold, with the option of a diamond-encrusted bezel. The larger models keep that rugged, masculine energy while injecting vivid colours, and the 37mm models appear to target more feminine collectors, but it hasn’t gone unnoticed that there’s a Tiffany-blue-style version in there too, which is likely to be the pick of the bunch.
Tudor creates a buzz once more with its latest Black Bay Chrono “Bumblebee”
The general consensus at Watches and Wonders this year was that Tudor’s releases, while there were a couple of big highlights, were on the more reserved side, and there was definitely more to come. Hot on the heels of the Miami-F1-inspired, and importantly, yellow-accented Carbon 26, Tudor just announced arguably its hit watch of the year, the all-new Black Bay Chrono “Bumblebee”.
Notice I said “all-new” because yes, this is more than just the old Black Bay Chrono with a yellow dial. The watch debuts a fully revised case that’s shrunk from 41mm to 39mm, something that Tudor heads have been utterly begging for. It’s thinner, too, with a thickness down to 13.1mm from 14.4mm. Other subtle changes are going on elsewhere, such as a slightly different snowflake-hour hand and revised chronograph pushers, to fully refresh the Chrono. Whether these updates will be applied to the rest of the Black Bay Chrono range remains unclear at this point, but we’ll keep you posted if we hear anything.
Time+Tide joined Oris at Yankee Stadium for Oris’ Lou Gehrig launch
NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 02: During the game against the Cleveland Guardians at Yankee Stadium on June 2, 2026, in New York, New York. (Photo by New York Yankees/Getty Images)
Though the New York Yankees lost 9 to 4 to the Cleveland Guardians, there was still plenty to cheer for on the day. The third in its baseball saga, Oris launched the Lou Gehrig Limited Edition – limited to 2,130 pieces in honour of the Iron Horse’s incredible consecutive games played streak. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of each watch notably goes to The Lou and Eleanor Gehrig Family Foundation.
“This beautiful Oris watch reflects the same quiet strength, understated excellence, and endurance that defined Lou Gehrig. In a world of flashy excess, it is a remarkably well-done and tasteful tribute to Lou,” John Howell, President of the Lou and Eleanor Gehrig Family Foundation, explained. “We are delighted to partner with Oris. Their support means a great deal to families facing ALS and other public health challenges.”
A testament to how much Lou Gehrig and the fight against ALS mean beyond the New York Yankees and baseball, fifteen other MLB managers wore one of the limited edition watches to celebrate Lou Gehrig Day and further spread the word and message.
Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!
Tom and the Time+Tide Team
Tom’s Time+Tide take of the week: The watch industry is forgetting about its most important customer
Every watch collector can tell you about their first watch. Mine was a digital Super Mario watch that met an untimely end during a family holiday in Spain when I was about five years old. Looking back, there’s a reasonable argument that my entire watch-collecting journey has simply been an increasingly expensive attempt to fill the void it left behind. While I don’t remember much about the watch itself, I do remember how much I loved it. Which is why I’ve started wondering whether the watch industry has forgotten its most important customer: children.
In recent years, I have seen plenty of discussions around younger generations struggling to read analogue clocks. In some schools, for example, analogue clocks have even been replaced with digital ones in classrooms because students found them easier to interpret. When every screen in your life displays time digitally, it’s hardly surprising. Phones, tablets, and laptops have all but removed the need to read a dial with a pair of hands moving around. Yet for many collectors, learning to read an analogue clock and owning a watch were inseparable experiences.
What’s interesting is that a handful of brands have recognised this. British brand Sher Watches was founded after Darren Sher saw how difficult analogue time-telling could be for children and set out to create a watch that made learning easier. Likewise, Blok Watches was created by watch enthusiast Niel Ferrier, who wanted to build a watch specifically designed to teach both time-telling and time management while also withstanding the stresses of being attached to a kid’s wrist. The fact that these brands stand out says something. There simply aren’t many companies thinking seriously about children’s watches anymore.
And that’s where I think the wider industry has a problem. It’s become remarkably good at selling fifth and sixth watches to existing collectors, but remarkably poor at creating first watches for future ones. That’s strange, because every enthusiast started somewhere. Plus, it’s not like kids are completely against owning a watch; we’ve seen it firsthand when we launched Sher watches at our London Studio last year; the kids who joined us for the party went crazy for them.
Today, the watch industry spends millions competing for the same customers, collectors, and enthusiasts. Every new release is designed for people who already care about watches. But where are the future enthusiasts supposed to come from? They need to start with something affordable, memorable and exciting enough to make them look down at their wrist a little more often than necessary. Just like that Super Mario watch did for me. The watch industry spends a lot of time worrying about its next customer, but perhaps it should spend a little more time thinking about its first one.
Wrist shot of the week: The drop-dead-gorgeous co-signed Zenith G.F.J
Since its release, there have been a handful of versions of Zenith’s stunning G.F.J., but this week saw the release of arguably its sharpest-looking one yet. This co-signed collaboration with Japanese independent watchmaker Naoya Hida & Co. found its way onto the wrist of Romain Marrieta, Chief Products Officer at Zenith, catching some serious attention, and it’s easy to see why.
Time+Tide shop pick of the week: Christopher Ward C1 Bel Canto Classic Negroni
The Bel Canto is a familiar sight now, with its conceptual, ultra-technical yet classic dial design and charmingly accessible chiming complication. Recently, a new variation of the Bel Canto slipped under the radar, but it’s now available to check out in person at the Time+Tide Studios. The new Classic model, rather fittingly called the “Negroni”, features a guilloché dial finished in deep, burnt-orange hues reminiscent of the classic Italian apéritif. It’s a limited edition of just 300 watches, and once they’re gone, they’re gone for good.
Discover the rest of the Christopher Ward range in the Time+Tide shop, as well as our Watch Discovery Studios in London, New York, and Melbourne. The C1 Bel Canto Classic Negroni is priced at £3,925
Our favourite Time+Tide coverage of the week
Ben’s Watches and Wrist Enthusiast go head-to-head in a ridiculous 3-Watch Throw Down
Two of New York’s most respected watch-internet voices go head-to-head alongside Andrew for a completely unscientific three-watch showdown. Ben Cook of Ben’s Watches and Craig Karger of Wrist Enthusiast and Wren Watches each bring three watches they share a deep personal connection with, resulting in one of the most gloriously mismatched battles we’ve hosted yet. From Rolex icons and independent favourites to personal milestones and passion projects, the only question is: who brought the stronger trio?
Tom introduces the Oak & Oscar Atwood to the New York Studio
The Oak & Oscar Atwood is a charming chronograph that brings a hint of old-school Americana into the mix. Check it out for yourself and have a listen to Tom introducing the watch over on our YouTube channel.
Girard-Perregaux debuts its Laureato FIFTY in full steel
When Girard-Perregaux unveiled the Laureato FIFTY last year, it felt like a glimpse of what the Laureato should always have been. The slimmer 39mm case, upgraded GP4800 movement, and refined bracelet elevated the integrated sports watch icon to a new level, but its two-tone construction and limited-edition status left many enthusiasts hoping for a more accessible steel alternative. That wait is now over. Girard-Perregaux has not only introduced the Laureato FIFTY in stainless steel as a regular-production model, but expanded it into a full collection spanning 36mm and 39mm case sizes, with a choice of rose gold, silver and blue dial configurations that bring fresh variety to one of the most underrated luxury sports watch designs on the market.