Watches and Wonders 2022: Top sports timepiece releases from Rolex, Panerai and more

The annual Watches and Wonders returns to Geneva with more watchmakers participating than ever before. From Rolex’s travel timepiece created with the left-handed in mind to Panerai’s sailing-inspired creation, here are some of the most eye-catching sports timepieces launching this year. 

Rolex GMT-Master II

The GMT-Master II has long been a collector favourite. Loved for its classic look and versatility, the travel timer offers a simple way of displaying local and reference time via the 24-hour bezel. 

This year, Rolex created something entirely unexpected, flipping the timepiece’s layout transforming it into a ‘destro’ or left-handed watch. Both the crown and date aperture are on the watch's left side, design features that make the piece more comfortable for left-handed users. 

The stainless steel piece gets a colourful pop from its black and green Cerachrome bezel. 

Montblanc 1858 Iced Sea Automatic Date

Montblanc finds unique inspiration for a new diving watch not from the sea but from the ascend to the glacial lakes of Switzerland’s Mont Blanc Massif. The texture of glacial ice to the Mer de Glace from Montblanc’s manufacture in Chamonix Valley finds its way onto the dials of this new trio of timepieces. 

In black, blue or green, the 1858 Iced Sea are fitted either with a stainless steel bracelet or a rubber strap, both colour-matched and interchangeable. The hour, minute, second and date hands and indications, along with the hour markers, are applied with luminescent coating for enhanced underwater legibility. 

Tudor Black Bay Pro

In an agreeable 39 mm, the Tudor Black Bay Pro is easily one of the most wearable daily watches to launch this year. The GMT timepiece features local and home time display powered by an in-house Tudor movement that gives the piece 70 hours of power reserve. 

Against the black dial are luminescence indices in beige, a contrasting colour combination that gives the piece a vintage feel. Tudor applies its signature snowflake design to the minute, second and local time hands; a slender hand indicates the 24-hour time. 

The stainless steel piece comes in three iterations: a matching steel bracelet, a stripped Nato strap or a hybrid fabric and rubber strap. 

Submersible QuarantaQuattro Luna Rossa  

Resuming its partnership with Italian sailing team Luna Rossa Team, Panerai celebrates the moment with a limited reference of the new Submersible QuarantaQuattro Luna Rossa. The Submersible model measures 44mm and features unique design details exclusive to this collaborative collection. 

The three-day power reserve movement brings life to the timekeeping function and date display. The unidirectional bezel functions as a submersion time tracker; Panerai added this function after discussions with Luna Rossa Team. The blue dial is marked with the watchmaker and Italian team’s logo and accented with a red small seconds hand and a matching striped strap. This watch is limited to 1500 pieces and sold exclusively at Panerai boutiques and online shop.

A. Lange & Söhne Odysseus

The German watchmaker's athletic offering retains the brand's signature elegance thanks to its muted dial and a discrete bracelet. The 40.5 mm watch can weather daily athletic pursuits and is water resistant up to 120 metres; its titanium case and bracelet are lightweight and robust. The time, small seconds, day and date indications are boldly displayed across a guilloche-decorated dial.