From Rolex’s emoji Day-Date to the reborn Tag Heuer Carrera Skipper, watch brands are dialling up the fun.

Among the buzziest releases at Watches and Wonders in 2023 was a Rolex Day-Date with a jigsaw puzzle–inspired enamel dial. Rolex then dialled up the playfulness by replacing the words in the day window with inspirational terms—including Gratitude, Love and Eternity—and using 31 emojis in the traditional date window. (Oris also made the leap to emojis this year with a Kermit-colored dial on its ProPilot watch—the beloved Muppet frog hops into the date window on the first of every month.) The biggest puzzle, of course, is how to actually purchase the Rolex jigsaw watch—but since Tom Brady and John Mayer have theirs, it may be a little easier.
Many brands are now infusing a sense of joy—including candy-coloured dials and other artful embellishments—on some of their new releases while still taking their watchmaking seriously. And it’s about time.

Louis Erard x Konstantin Chaykin
Le Régulateur Louis Erard x Konstantin Chaykin
($4,500)

Iris
Oris ProPilot x Kermit Edition
($4,600)

Chopard
Chopard L.U.C. Skull One Calavera Pop Art
($11,500)

Hublot
Hublot Spirit of Big Bang Tourbillon Purple Sapphire
($206,000)

Richard Mille
Mille RM 07-01 Automatic Winding Coloured Ceramics
($205,000)

Rolex
Rolex Day-Date Puzzle Dial
($57,900)

Louis Vuitton
Louis Vuitton Tambour Moon Flying Tourbillon Kaleidoscope
(Price upon request)

Tag Heuer
TAG Heuer Carrera Skipper
($6,750)
This article was first published on forbes.com and all prices are in USD.