The year 2012 wasn’t exactly rewarding for the better part of the population. Greece didn’t default, Doomsday didn’t happen and Valve yet again failed to deliver HL:3. However, there were certain bright spots, too: Spain emerged victorious in the 2012 UEFA Euro cup and the European politicians somehow managed to prevent collapse of the single currency. The watchmakers from Europe and Japan, too, managed to introduce a number of great watches, although there was nothing truly revolutionary neither in terms of design, nor technical characteristics (here I am talking about mass-produced models, not some ultra-expensive one-offs).

Here is a list of twelve timekeepers that were introduced in 2012 and enjoyed the most attention from our readers. Enjoy it right after the jump!

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Powered by a version of the unrivalled El Primero chronograph movement, the new Zenith Academy Minute Repeater limited edition automatic watch looks irresistibly exquisite. Even the huge opening at three o’clock that makes visible the small gongs of the repeater mechanism doesn’t really spoil the classic design of the timekeeper.

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The new Zenith Star Moonphase ladies watch comes to international markets sporting a nicely executed cushion-shaped body, which is elegantly decorated with a number of finely cut diamonds of different shape and size. Being just 37 millimeters in width, the watch looks absolutely gorgeous in its simple, understated beauty.

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It looks like the year 2012 will be remembered by many as the year of “world timers”. Right after the gorgeous Breitling Transocean Chronograph Unitime, somewhat ascetic IWC Pilot’s Watch Worldtimer, and the special edition Bremont World Timer ALT1 Automatic UTC, the Swiss watchmaker offers its new Zenith Pilot Doublematic family of watches that are available both in stainless steel (Ref. 03.2400.4046/21.C721, which is reviewed here) and more expensive 18-carat rose gold bodies. Of course, it was revealed a couple weeks ago during the Baselworld 2012 event.

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The new Zenith El Primero Chronomaster 1969 chronograph watch is equipped with a new self-winding caliber that was specifically re-engineered in order to move its heart, the balance wheel that beats at 10 vibrations per second, to a rather unusual position between 10 and 11 o’clock. There it is perfectly visible through a cut-out in the silvered dial right above the small seconds indicator.

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Despites its outrageously gargantuan proportions, the new Zenith Pilot Montre d’Aeronef Type 20 limited edition wrist watch doesn’t look as ridiculous as many of its similarly proportioned competitors. You see, it is somewhat difficult to ridicule a watch for its size when you know that it is was made big in order to accommodate a huge deck watch movement that in 1967 set (and still holds) a world record for precision in its class at the Neuenburg Observatory competition.

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It took the Swiss watchmaking brand less than a month to introduce a Westime-branded limited edition version of its Zenith Captain Winsor Annual Calendar Chronograph automatic watch that was issued a couple of months ago.

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The new Zenith Captain Winsor Annual Calendar Chronograph automatic watch from the legendary Swiss manufacture comes equipped with an unusual, although somewhat awkward, annual calendar complication.

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The reemerging luxury Swiss watchmaker has recently updated its new El Primero 36,000 VPH line with a new, more feminine Zenith El Primero 36,000 VPH Lady automatic chronograph watch, which is now presented in a smaller case only 38 mm in diameter.

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The new Dior Chiffre Rouge M01 limited edition automatic watch combines a classic 1970s exterior design with a very high-tech, contemporary movement.

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