Editors' Picks: I Hate Myself For Loving You: The Watches & Wonders Drops We Can't Stop Thinking About

In her seminal ode to the perversities of the human heart, "I Hate Myself For Loving You ," that most able and lyrical chronicler of la condition humaine , the enduringly trenchant Joan Jett, observes, "I think of you every night and day/You took my heart, and you took my pride away." So it is with HODINKEE editors and these, the watches of Watches & Wonders (And More) that we simply cannot stop obsessing over. Horological earworms, if you will, these timepieces have burrowed into our heads and rented space in our brains. We love them despite ourselves. They are watches that, based on what we know — or thought we knew! — of our own characters, we should at least dislike and, at most, roundly loathe. And yet, they exert an undeniable fascination. Herewith, then, gentle readers, are the Watches & Wonders drops we can't stop thinking about (and it isn't for lack of trying). Logan Baker: The Big Bang Unico "Yellow Magic" It's yellow. Like, really yellow. And it's a Hublot. Those are two ingredients that don't typically work for me on their own. But mix them together? I gotta admit, I'm into it. The aptly named Big Bang Unico Yellow Magic is one mean stew of rock-solid ceramic rendered in a trademark Hublot highlighter hue. I honestly couldn't stop looking at the initial press images from James' article; my eyes, weary from one too many Watches & Wonders Zoom appointments, were fully entranced by its sensational sunny aesthetic. The simple sheen of the ceramic surface, available for the first time in a vibrant canary yellow, offers the perfect frame for the openworked dial that showcases the in-house HUB1280 automatic flyback chronograph movement inside. My favorite detail? The seamlessly matching yellow stencil outline of the hour markers and handset. My only hope is that I get a chance to see the Yellow Magic in person this summer before all 250 pieces are snapped up by those who are similarly enticed. The Big Bang Unico Yellow Magic: $26,200. Jon Bues: The H. Moser & Cie Endeavour Centre Seconds Concept x seconde/seconde Anybody who's been paying attention to the watch industry over the past four or five years knew to expect a talker from H. Moser this Watches & Wonders. Even if this year's buzzy Moser came out ahead of the show, technically speaking, it did the trick, putting Moser on our minds right as we were heading into the year's biggest trade event. While this collaboration with Paris-based vintage-watch modder and master of the "hand swap" seconde/seconde isn't quite as out there as a watch made of a bona fide Swiss dairy product, it still hasn't left my mind. Good sense tells me that the Moser I should aspire to own is the excellent – and by QP standards, pretty discreet – Endeavor Perpetual Calendar. But it's the eraser watch that I kept thinking about. The H. Moser & Cie Endeavour Centre Seconds Concept x seconde/seconde: $21,900. Jack Forster: The Tudor Black Bay 58 "925" On paper, this sounds like the single worst idea for a watch that I've heard of in a long time. It makes absolutely no sense – silver is possibly the least suitable metal in the history of the universe for a dive watch. There are formulations that can resist tarnishing – germanium and silver alloys, like Argentium, can take tarnish out of the equation pretty well – but it still feels optimistic at best. On top of that, there's the display back. I'm a big fan of display backs on watches at every price point, and I got a huge kick out of seeing the rotor spinning on my first Seiko 5 (back when Dinosaurs Ruled The Earth), but I can't help but think of both Rolex and Tudor as solid-back companies (and yes, I know the North Flag has a clear caseback). And yet, and yet. I find this watch fascinating. It's so consciously in opposition to the stereotyped notions of what a dive watch should be that it comes out the other side feeling fresh and original. And the fact that it looks really nice doesn't hurt one bit either. It's a watch I would have dismissed out of hand if someone had pitched me the idea...but I'm glad Tudor didn't, and I'm dying to see it in the (silver) metal. Who's to say it doesn't deserve a, hahaha, sterling reputation? The Tudor Black Bay 58 925: $4,300. Danny Milton: The 36mm Rolex Explorer In Rolesor, Ref. 124273 What else am I going to pick here ? Rolex took the standard-bearer of exploration and gave it the two-tone treatment (in 36mm!). Arguably the most talked-about watch of this release cycle, the two-tone Rolex Explorer is about as shocking a Rolex drop as they come. After digesting its existence, I found myself returning to press images of it. There are just so many elements I can't stop looking at. Most notable is the yellow gold contrasting against the black dial. Really, it's the yellow-gold surrounds on the markers and numerals that solidify this one. I realize that my constant defense of two-tone is approaching self-parody, but I gotta be me! Despite the well-documented hate, this is a decidedly interesting release from Rolex that should age well (but who can predict such things). Considering I seem to be alone here on Two-Tone Explorer Island, I vote we name it the "Danny Milton." Anyone want to second the motion on the floor? The 36mm Rolex Explorer In Rolesor, Ref. 124273: $10,800. Cole Pennington: The Panerai Submersible eLab ID PAM01225 I don't actually hate any watch. Hate's a strong word. They're watches. We shouldn't hate them or even ourselves for loving them. That said, I'm not too keen on the idea that Panerai is charging $60,000 for a watch that's meant to promote the use of recycled materials in horological applications. In my mind, if we want to work towards standardizing practices like this, it would make sense to make the watch more accessible. So I should hate the absurdity going on here, but I dammit I do love the design of the watch. It's a looker. And saving the planet is important, at any cost. The Panerai Submersible eLab ID PAM01225: $60,000 Stephen Pulvirent: The Breitling Duograph Split-Seconds Chronograph I am not a Breitling Guy. Or at least I didn't think I was. Until recently, when I thought of a Breitling Guy, I thought of a number of very specific life choices, none of which jived with who I want to be in the world. However, over the past number of years, CEO Georges Kern and his team have transformed the brand, bringing back its classic aviator good looks and its bona fide technical prowess in a way that has me questioning everything. This latest release, a stunning split-seconds chronograph that costs less than a new Daytona, is all of this rolled into one, with a serious value proposition as the cherry on top. Now all I need is a wrist that can accommodate a 42mm x 15.35mm watch, and I'll be ready for that leather bomber jacket I'm not nearly cool enough to wear. The Breitling Duograph Split Seconds Chronograph: $10,250 in stainless steel; $22,850 in 18k red gold. James Stacey: The Hublot Big Bang Tourbillon Integral Full Sapphire While this is likely my #2 choice for a guilty pleasure watch – Logan freaking stole my first pick – I do think this insanely cool and even more insanely expensive Hublot shines in a manner that can't be replicated by yellow ceramic (take that, Mr. Baker, the stakes have never been lower!). If you slept on the original news, this Hublot uses sapphire for the case, the bezel, the movement plates, and even the bracelet. THE BRACELET. It's 43mm wide, uses Hublot's tourbillon-equipped HUB6035 automatic movement, and is limited to 30 units at a you-should-sit-down-first price of $422,000. Dollars. I may be a dyed-in-the-wool steel sports watch kind of guy, but the pure bravado of such a piece is simply undeniable. The Hublot Big Bang Tourbillon Integral Full Sapphire: $422,000.A toast to the weird and wonderful.