Five Watches I Regret Not Buying (And Why You Shouldn’t Miss Limited Releases)

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27 Jul

If you’ve been into watches long enough, you’ll collect a list of the ones that got away. Often, these regrets aren’t about price increases but about missing watches that were only available for a brief window before disappearing for good.

Brands—especially microbrands and independents—sometimes release a watch in a short run, and once they’re gone, they’re gone. You tell yourself you’ll think about it, maybe buy next month, only to realise you’re too late.

Here are five watches I regret not buying when I had the chance, each available only for a short run—so you don’t repeat my mistake.

Kurono Tokyo Anniversary Mori

Kurono Tokyo’s “Mori” was a limited anniversary edition with a dial that could stop you mid-scroll on Instagram. The name Mori means “forest” in Japanese, and the deep, multi-layered green lacquer dial captured that essence perfectly, shifting under light from dark pine to a mossy warmth.

When it launched, it sold out within minutes, even with Kurono’s efforts to curb flippers by limiting orders. The watch featured Kurono’s signature Art Deco-inspired case and dial design, paired with a reliable Miyota 90S5 automatic movement, keeping it slim and wearable at 37mm.

I remember thinking, “It’s just another Kurono, I can grab one later.” Prices on the secondary market doubled almost immediately, and availability vanished.

Why you shouldn’t miss similar releases:

Kurono’s strength lies in dial artistry paired with accessible pricing for independent watchmaking. If a dial colour moves you, don’t wait—because Kurono does not reissue these designs.

Manilone G1 Sapphire Blue

The Manilone G1 Sapphire Blue is one of the most striking watches I regret not buying, and it’s the only tourbillon I’ve seriously considered adding to my collection.

The G1 features a fully sapphire crystal case, allowing you to see through the watch from all angles, with a layered skeletonised blue dial that beautifully showcases the flying tourbillon movement inside. This isn’t a gimmick piece; the architecture and finishing are genuinely compelling, bringing a futuristic, architectural aesthetic while maintaining wrist presence without overwhelming your arm.

At 42mm, the sapphire case makes the G1 feel weightless yet substantial, while the clear casing paired with a minimal dial gives you a constant view of the movement at work—particularly the mesmerising tourbillon spinning at 6 o’clock, a complication often reserved for watches many times the G1’s price.

I saw it, paused, and told myself, “Do I need something this bold?” By the time I decided I did, it was too late.

Why you shouldn’t miss similar releases:

Manilone’s G1 proves independents can innovate while staying wearable. Tourbillon movements in fully sapphire cases, at this level of finishing, are rare and won’t return in the same form again.

Fears Brunswick “Midas” II

The Fears Brunswick “Midas” II is one I should have jumped on the moment it was announced. It represents everything Fears does best: British heritage, meticulous finishing, and elegant design with a quiet confidence.

The Midas II features a deep golden dial, created using a warm, sunburst finish that plays beautifully with light, shifting from bright gold to a softer, almost champagne hue depending on your angle. The slim applied indices and hand-polished skeletonised hands add subtlety, while the small seconds at 6 o’clock balances the dial without cluttering it.

It’s housed in Fears’ 38mm Brunswick case, with its distinctive cushion shape and gentle curves that make it exceptionally comfortable on the wrist. The watch is powered by a top-grade La Joux-Perret G100 automatic movement, offering a 68-hour power reserve, ensuring practicality alongside elegance.

What makes the Midas II even more special is how understated yet luxurious it feels in person. It isn’t flashy, but the quality is immediately apparent when you handle it. It’s a modern watch with vintage soul, ready to slip under a cuff or elevate a casual outfit.

I saw this watch when it launched, admired it, and told myself I didn’t “need” a gold dial watch. Now, with its limited run and Fears’ growing recognition among collectors, the Midas II has become a rare find—and it’s one I genuinely regret not adding to my collection when I had the chance.

Why you shouldn’t miss similar releases:

When a small, independent brand like Fears produces a watch in limited numbers, with this level of finishing and timeless design, it won’t stay around for long. If you’re drawn to it, it’s the kind of watch you’ll wear often and treasure for decades.

Ming 17.06 Copper

The Ming 17.06 Copper was one of the fastest-selling releases in the microbrand world, and for good reason. The 38mm watch featured a dial that shifted dramatically under different lighting—sometimes looking like a deep, burnished orange, other times bright copper, with a subtle radial brushing that added depth without fuss.

The 17.06 was housed in Ming’s distinctive flared lug case, a comfortable and wearable design that hugs the wrist beautifully, and was powered by the reliable ETA 2824-2 automatic movement.

Ming’s design philosophy shines here: minimalist, modern, but warm and characterful. It was priced accessibly, with a build quality that far exceeded expectations. I had the order page open at launch and told myself I didn’t “need another simple watch.”

I was wrong, and today, the 17.06 Copper fetches a significant premium and rarely comes up for sale.

Why you shouldn’t miss similar releases:

Ming rarely repeats designs, and when they combine a distinctive dial with their case architecture, it’s a recipe that collectors latch onto fast.

Zelos Skyraider 2 Skeleton Tantalum

Zelos is known for delivering exceptional value with unique material choices, but the Skyraider 2 Skeleton Tantalum took that philosophy to another level. The watch featured a tantalum case, known for its bluish-grey hue and hefty, luxurious weight, paired with a fully skeletonised hand-wound movement.

The 40mm case size kept it wearable, while the skeletonisation gave you a constant view of the gears, springs, and balance wheel dancing on your wrist, transforming the act of checking the time into an experience.

Zelos paired this with a domed sapphire crystal and tasteful finishing, while retaining their accessible price point that left many of us stunned at what was possible in an independent, small-batch run.

I told myself I didn’t “need” a skeleton watch, assuming it would wear too flashy, and decided to wait. By the time I circled back, it was gone, and the secondary market has been dry ever since.

Why you shouldn’t miss similar releases:

Zelos’ special material runs (tantalum, meteorite, etc.) paired with thoughtful design won’t return in the same configuration. If you love one, don’t assume you’ll get a second chance.

Final Thoughts: Act While You Can

These five watches taught me that short-run releases won’t wait for you to “think about it.” If a watch genuinely makes your pulse quicken, fits your lifestyle, and is within your means, sometimes hesitation is your enemy.

None of these regrets are about “investment value.” They’re about missing the chance to own something special that aligns with your taste and lifestyle, now unobtainable or only available at a premium. If you see a watch you love that’s part of a small batch, remember: regret is often more expensive than the watch itself.