The 1960s and ‘70s are widely remembered as a time of freedom and fantasy. Always quick to claim inspiration from these decades, in reality very few watchmakers dare to truly embrace such a bold aesthetic.

Among the hot reds and forest greens of the year’s new releases, black continues to hold its own as the perfect compliment to the intricate mechanisms beneath the dial.

First came timepieces showcasing artistic crafts, then installations commissioned by brands from visual artists. Now watchmakers are selling their creations as non-fungible tokens using blockchain technology.

Watches for her, watches for him, there is less of a clear-cut distinction among the year’s releases. The emphasis is more on emotional appeal as new colours enter the spectrum.

The sports, or rather sports-style, watch stole the show at the Watches and Wonders Geneva digital fair.

Helping us forget ongoing restrictions, the brands at Watches and Wonders unveiled an explosion of colour alongside calendar complications, our future travel companions.

Métiers d’art, transparent materials, three-dimensional structures, skeletonised movements… the brands at Watches and Wonders are changing the face of watchmaking.

In the run-up to the Watches and Wonders digital fair, this selection from the new releases so far sets the tone for a year which, after a sobering period, sees creativity bounce back.

A pretty face is no longer enough, especially when it goes with an empty head. Watch brands are choosing their “friends” differently. Away from the glossy magazine image, these new ambassadors are more authentic and relatable.