For ambitious watchmakers, winter has always been a unique canvas for projection. Whether it’s about technology (power reserve in sub-zero temperatures) or aesthetics: Here are five particularly beautiful wintertime watches.
By Marianne Eschbach
Is it the longing for pristine mountain landscapes and an era when ski vacations were a given for many in Alpine regions? A time when there was always enough snow from December to March? When thawing permafrost and melting ice caps weren’t on the agenda?
Or is it the much-anticipated 2026 relaunch of the historic watch brand Universal Genève (by Breitling CEO Georges Kern and Partners Group) with its legendary «Polerouter» model – reminiscent of the first SAS flight over the North Pole in 1954 – that has sparked the theme? Watchmakers, in any case, feel at home in the cold.
Polar Expeditions
After the golden age of polar explorers like Roald Amundsen and Robert Falcon Scott in the early 20th century, the polar ice caps returned to the spotlight in the 1950s. Scandinavian airline SAS conducted the first commercial flight over the North Pole in 1954, traveling from Copenhagen to Los Angeles. Meanwhile, the US Navy launched its Deep Freeze operations in Antarctica in 1955, establishing new research stations.
The watchmaker Nivada Grenchen sent its «Antarctic» model on the first Deep Freeze mission under Admiral and polar explorer Richard Byrd. A contemporary tribute claimed the watch withstood snow, rain, and hailstorms, impacts against ice, and temperature shifts from 100°F to -40°F without losing a second of accuracy.
Polar Aesthetics
Other watch brands are less focused on science and more inspired by the visual beauty of icy regions. Czapek Genève, a brand revived in 2012, offers its sporty «Antarctique» collection with evocative names like «Polar Sky,» «Passage de Drake,» and «Mount Erebus.»
The swirling frost of an Antarctic storm is captured on the dial of its newest model, the «Purple Storm.» Urwerk, inspired by the North Star and the cult film «2001: A Space Odyssey,» recently launched its «Polaris» model, featuring a «harder shade of white» for the case. Silver fiberglass encased in white resin creates a dazzling effect.
Winter Sports
For those who prefer wintertime watches with a less arctic and more sporty vibe, Junghans and Breitling offer excellent options. Junghans celebrates Nordic skiing with timepieces in Norwegian-inspired designs and stopwatch functions.
Breitling embraces alpine chic with a collaboration featuring Zermatt's five-star Cervo Mountain Resort. The «Navitimer» edition contrasts the snowy white of the mountain landscape with fir green and pink accents, perfect for the slopes or après-ski. After all, there’s always time for après-ski.
1. Polar Storm
Each dial in this limited edition is hand-painted by an artist at the Swiss dial specialist Metalem, evoking a brewing storm over the Antarctic winter sky.
Czapek «Antarctique Purple Storm» (40 mm), stainless steel, in-house automatic caliber, unique hand-painted dial. 31,500 euros ($32,750). (Image: Courtesy)
2. Ski Chic
The watchmaker and Zermatt's Cervo Mountain Resort celebrate their 140th and 15th anniversaries respectively with a limited edition of the iconic «Navitimer» watch.
Breitling «Navitimer Automatic GMT 41 CERVO Edition» (41 mm), stainless steel, automatic chronograph movement, fir-green dial with 24-hour scale and pink accents. 6,250 Swiss francs ($6,890) (Image: Courtesy)
3. Nordic Sports
The Black Forest watchmaker (founded in 1861) is the official timing partner for the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships (February 26 to March 9, 2025) in Trondheim. Its watchmaking tradition is reflected in updated editions of iconic designs, such as the classic hand stopwatch.
Junghans «1972 Competition FIS Edition Trondheim» (45.5 mm), stainless steel, automatic movement. Snowflake-printed dial with Norwegian flag. 2,840 francs. (Image: Courtesy)
4. Off to the South Pole
Founded in 1926, the brand is now enjoying a revival. In the 1950s, Nivada Grenchen watches accompanied members of the US Navy on Deep Freeze missions in Antarctica and South Pole expeditions.
Nivada Grenchen «Antarctic GMT Tropical» (36 mm), stainless steel, 24-hour display, acrylic glass, Soprod automatic movement. 1,800 francs. (Image: Courtesy)
5. Polar White
Founded in 1997 by Felix Baumgartner and Martin Frei, this young watchmaker combines traditional craftsmanship with avant-garde design. With Polar White, a new color spectrum is being explored.
Urwerk «UR-230 Polaris» (44.81 x 53.55 mm), white fiberglass-reinforced ceramic, titanium case back, automatic movement with newly developed shock absorber turbines, vulcanized rubber strap. 150,000 francs. (Image: Courtesy)
