As 2018 draws ever closer, so does all the exciting watch news that entails – stay tuned for comprehensive round ups of everything you need to know about from SIHH and Baselworld. Can’t wait that long? Luckily, 2017 is not only going out with a bang, but also with a flurry of new watch releases, as some of our favourite brands announce their new pieces now, before they get lost in watch fair carnage. Here’s our round up of the best new releases from the close of the year…

Vacheron Constantin

If there’s one thing Vacheron Constantin can do well, it’s craft watches that manage to be both traditional and technically accomplished – and their two new Historique models have done just that. A reinterpretation of two calendar watches from 1942 and 1948, they keep the useful complication but add a contemporary style twist.

Price: From £17,000; vacheron-constantin.com

Bremont

The Royal Air Force is set to celebrate its centenary year in 2018, and Bremont hasn’t let the occasion go unnoticed. The rotor of the limited edition Bremont 1918 timepiece includes matter from the four aircraft, which fought with the RAF during both world wars. Available in white gold, rose gold and stainless steel, they’re beautiful tributes – and with a percentage of proceeds going to the Royal Air Force Association (RAFA) it’s all for a good cause.

Price: From £8,495; bremont.com

Ulysse Nardin

Ulysse Nardin sticks to its nautical roots with the hypnotising Jade ‘Jellyfish’, although this time it’s the aesthetic that takes its inspiration from the water. An intricate marine-inspired design on the enamel dial is set off to brilliant effect by a bezel studded with 114 diamonds.

Price: £38,950; ulysse-nardin.com

H. Moser & Cie

We’re not the only fans of the bold blue fumé dial on this piece from H. Moser & Cie – U2 bassist Adam Clayton likes it so much it’s the colour of his bass guitar. Celebrity fans of the brand aside, you can’t go wrong with the Pioneer Centre Seconds Automatic, thanks to its clean aesthetic and understated design.

Price: £9,500; h-moser.com

Hublot

The new Classic Fusion from Hublot pays homage to cigar maker Arturo Fuente. Thoughtful features, such as the depiction of tobacco leaves on the case, and the engraving on the back of the town where the Fuente family flourished, make it a stylish tribute.

Price: From £13,000; hublot.com

Louis Vuitton

Believe it or not, it’s been 15 years since Louis Vuitton released the Tambour, which marked their entry into the watchmaking world. Although some may have been dubious at first, their designs and prowess quickly won them fans. The new Tambour Moon is as beautifully round as the original, but new curves to the profile give it an intriguing new crescent shape.

Price: from £2,140; louisvuitton.com

Harry Winston

The combination of two-tone mother-of-pearl, diamonds and that mesmerising deep blue hue makes the Harry Winston Premier Diamond Second Automatic 36mm irresistible. Perfect for winter and beyond, we predict it will quickly become a firm favourite.

Price: From £30,700; harrywinston.com

Richard Mille

Richard Mille’s collaboration with four-time Formula 1 World Champion Alain Prost is a winning one. Surprisingly perhaps, it’s their love of cycling that has brought them together, and when they realised cyclists would struggle to know how many kilometres they’d ridden since the beginning of the season, Mille came up with the ideal solution.

The RM 70-01 Tourbillon Alain Prost features an odometer which tells cyclists everything they need to know, and the titanium baseplate and bridges on the tourbillon mean it’s tough enough to withstand collecting the information. Winner.

Price: £786,000; richardmille.com