Chrono24’s Most Hyped Watches In May

In this monthly series with Hypetime, Chrono24 will be providing background on some of the most coveted luxury watches in the pre-owned market based on real-time findings from its global marketplace.

Every month, five models will be spotlighted by Chrono24’s in-house experts. The selection is based on monthly analytics, with each piece meeting all four criteria: 1) The watch must receive a critical mass of supply as well as demand, 2) There must be a significant percentage increase in inquiries and offers compared to the previous month as the reference period, 3) The search queries for the watch model must exceed a critical threshold defined from the data set, 4) The available listings per model must exceed a critical threshold defined from the data set.

Read on for the most hyped watches on Chrono24 in May.

Baltic MR01

It’s exciting to see a micro-band in Chrono24’s monthly roundup — and a young one at that! This Baltic watch is classically sized, yet its approach feels fresh. Its affordability is another crowd-pleaser as it feels luxe on the wrist like a certain crown-engraved brand that many are fond of — it makes sense that it has become popular on the market among fledgling enthusiasts and seasoned collectors alike.

The MR01 stirs the pot with its choice of movement: the Hangzhou 500a, a Chinese automatic movement that confounds the Swiss allegiant. Nevertheless, its appeal is proven — its demand on Chrono24 has trekked steadily upward over the past year and also reached an all-time high within the last month.

Cartier Santos Octagon 2966

The Cartier Santos Octagon 2966 is a rare find and one of the most sought-after treasures on the platform. While the popularity of vintage Cartier continues to surge at all-time highs, the brand has seen industry-defying value appreciation across many of its models over the past few months. The Octagon saw a renewed demand last month, perhaps due to the timelessness and versatility of its two-toned gold and steel bezel and bracelet, or perhaps it’s thanks to its lightweight and easy-to-wear vibe. Demand for this model has shot up on Chrono24 more than four times that of the preceding month and even surpassed nearly as high demand last summer.

Longines Master Collection L2.773.4.78.3

The moonphase is a favorite complication for many, though not exceptionally practical these days. Finding an affordable mechanical moonphase can be a feat in and of itself — the Longines Master Collection L2.773.4.78.3 is just that. The blue hands pop on the subtly patterned “barleycorn” dial, so this watch feels luxe without the mega luxury price point. The Longines caliber L678 movement is based on the famous (ETA) Valjoux 7751 movement that’s both tried and true. At Chrono24, demand for this model skyrocketed six times over the past month, reaching an all-time peak since the start of 2023.

OMEGA Speedmaster Racing 329.30.44.51.04.001

The OMEGA Speedy Racing Master Chronometer channels the evolution of the racecar and motorsports in general. Most watch enthusiasts equate OMEGA’s Speedmaster collections with its ultra-iconic Moonwatch campaign (an homage to the Speedy that adorned Buzz Aldrin’s wrist on his famous lunar walk). But the Speedmaster was built for racecar drivers — the proclivity of NASA and a few of its astronauts came later. Its tachymeter is a part of the bezel, rather than the dial and OMEGA Speedmaster was the first racing watch to implement this! The 9900 caliber signature movement adds to the heft of this watch, which last month saw a record-high demand over the past year and a half.

Panerai Luminor Marina PAM 00049

The Stallone-approved behemoth Italian brand catapulted to fame in the ‘90s despite its start forty years earlier. Panerai’s Luminor Marina PAM 00049 is a sports watch that packs a punch. Surprisingly minimal in its aesthetic with a contrasting white dial and black details, this 40mm timepiece clocks in at a slightly smaller size than some of the brand’s other models. The PAM 00049 is a much sought-after model for Panerai lovers for this reason among others. Over the past year, this model has leaped up continuously in demand on Chrono24 and shows no sign of slowing down.