It has been a funny year for anyone waiting to get their watch fix, with Covid-19 disrupting the usual schedule of watch fairs and new product drops. Granted, that’s not quite the only thing that’s a bit off about 2020, but life’s little luxuries do tend to come into their own when the wider world takes a turbulent direction.

Starting with the first press announcements in April, the major brands of Watches & Wonders have still been able to unveil a rich selection of new timepieces – which, as of this week, are now available on MR PORTER – and we’d be lying if we said it wasn’t a welcome opportunity to engage in a little fantasy shopping. Of course, they do say that living well is the best revenge, and when we caught up with FHH expert Mr Pascal Ravessoud, he attested that the “revenge shopping” phenomenon is indeed flourishing. Whether it’s for a one-day-in-the-future purchase, or the next impulse buy, MR PORTER’s senior team and in-house watch experts have sifted through 2020’s latest releases to pick out the watches they have their eye on.

IWC SCHAFFHAUSEN Portugieser Chronograph

In my ideal world, I would prefer a 39mm case (maybe one day, IWC) but I think the Portugieser chronograph is absolutely beautiful in all its forms. For that extra bit of oomph, I’d be very tempted by the rose-gold version, but there is something about the simplicity and the formality of the black dial that’s so emphatic.

Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Control Date

I can’t justify adding another integrated-bracelet sports watch to my collection, so it is time to look for something more classic. The Master Control Date ticks all of the boxes: 40mm to fit my slim wrists; beautifully thin at just under 9mm to slide effortlessly under a shirt cuff and a Novonappa calfskin strap to finish it all off.

Cartier Santos Dumont

If in doubt, it’s very hard to go wrong with Cartier. So much of what the brand does is about shape and style rather than strict ideas of men’s and women’s – which is exactly how I feel about this rose-gold Santos. I’ve chosen the 35mm mid-size but even the larger 40mm model is a perfectly unisex watch.

Montblanc Heritage Pulsograph

I have had chronographs on the brain for some time now, so my pick has to be this limited-edition monopusher from Montblanc. It’s an open secret that its hand-wound chronographs are the equal of any on the market, yet they are comparatively more affordable. I’m also obsessed with the detail and finish of the salmon dial.

Piaget Polo Automatic

This is a real statement piece. I love that it’s big and bold with something of a 1980s feel to it. Piaget is the master of weaving in subtlety and style; the gold-edged hour markers and hands are so beautiful in contrast with the green dial.

Panerai Luminor Blu Mare

My watch tastes have always been on the classic side, but I’ve got a soft spot for the simplicity of the Luminor shape. There have been so many blue watches out recently that it’s starting to feel like a gap in my watch wardrobe, and this just really stands out. I also like that it uses the original “OP” logo, which stands for the brand’s official name, Officine Panerai.