It is that time again: QP’s editors and contributors look back on a year of watches to pick their favourites from 2017

By Chris Hall

We have arrived, somewhat abruptly it seems to us, at the end of 2017. Hundreds of new watches have passed before our eyes; some never to be thought of again, others to linger long in our hearts. It has not necessarily been a superlative year for the watch industry – tentatively, a recovery is on the way – but we have seen an array of new watches spanning a remarkable diversity of styles. Some of them even border on the affordable, although let’s not kid ourselves too much. 
Having asked our family of contributing writers and editors for their favourites, the results are interesting. Complications do not feature heavily on our list: the overriding theme is clarity of design and purpose. There is whimsy and decoration aplenty, but it seems this year’s crop of tourbillons, perpetual calendars and minute repeaters left us cold. Big brands largely won out over small players, although a couple of independent watchmakers did make an appearance. Feel free to disagree with us on Twitter and Facebook!
Alex Doak

S.U.F. Vetehinen

Investing in an indie watch brand, with all the exclusivity and pub chat that it brings, tends to cost a pretty penny. The over-wrought desire to be ?not for everyone? often means aesthetics fall short in the name of academic wackiness. Not so with Helsinki?s Stepan Sarpaneva. Here?s ...