“Gradually, then suddenly.” Since The Sun Also Rises, Hemingway’s signature quip has been used to describe everything from political upheaval to cultural change — or, for our purposes, industry in flux.
Some of the products that make up the GP100, our end-of-year ranking of the most important releases, represent the slow-burning trends quietly shaping our world. Others showcase the far end of the fuse, the place where innovation becomes not only material but irreversible.
As with any list, this one is sure to ruffle a few feathers, if not for the selections then certainly for their order. Though perhaps it’s for the best. After all, change is not always smooth nor welcome. But it is always on its way, first slowly before arriving all at once.
GP100: We will reveal this year’s GP100 winners in batches of 20 over the course of the week. Bookmark the collection page to stay on top of the countdown. In the meantime, see last year’s winners.
40. The granddaddy of dad shoes
New BalanceGP100 Winner
Made in UK Allerdale “Hazelnut”
Specs
| Cushioning | FuelCell |
| Insole | Ortholite |
| Upper | Vegetable tanned nubuck |
Comfort is king. But must every shoe look so technical?
Not if you’re New Balance.
Named after the region where the brand crafts its “Made in UK” roster, the Allerdale is a modern-day walking shoe with geriatric charm. We mean that affectionately.
The first variants featured dark-brown uppers in tumbled leather and suede, while a one-off collab Drake’s turned heads with its multimaterial makeup.
Taking stock, the ortho look is divisive and certainly risky. But it’s also something else: a refreshing reminder that sometimes the best way to outrun the trends is to go your own pace.
39. A new bar for portable coffee gear
AeroPressGp100 winner
AeroPress Manual Coffee Grinder
Specs
| Burrs Material | Titanium-coated steel |
| Catch Capacity | 25 grams |
| Grind Settings | 60+ |
The original AeroPress was a revelation. Simple, affordable and surprisingly consistent, the plastic coffee has earned no shortage of fans since its 2005 debut.
Two decades later, those same fans finally got a missing piece of the AeroPress ecosystem: a dedicated grinder.
It’s far from a mere concession prize. The AeroPress Manual Coffee Grinder showcases the same obsessive, practical design philosophy that made its plastic brewer iconic all those years ago.
First it features a lightweight aluminum body, fitted with titanium-coated stainless-steel burrs. There are also 60 grind settings, covering everything from espresso-fine particles to the coarse profiles needed for cold brew.
As for portability, a magnetic handle snaps neatly onto the grinder’s body for travel, eliminating loose parts and rattling. Meanwhile, the slim form factor nests directly inside an AeroPress chamber, turning the entire setup into a single, packable unit.
If fans are divided on anything, it’s the price. The AeroPress Manual Coffee Grinder costs $200, a stark departure from the budget-friendly reputation of the classic brewer.
Still, if its performance proves as capable as its engineering, the grinder may well become the go-to companion for anyone building the ultimate portable AeroPress kit.
38. Garmin’s elite outdoor smartwatch lets you leave your phone at home
GarminGP100 Winner
Garmin Fenix 8 Pro
Specs
| Battery life | Up to 27 days (OLED); up to 10 days (MicroLED) |
| Connectivity | LTE, Satellite, Bluetooth, ANT+, Wi-Fi |
| Sizes | 47mm or 51mm |
Even with the introduction of the Apple Watch Ultra several years ago, Garmin’s smartwatches have been favored by true outdoor adventurers. Reasons? Vastly superior battery life, ruggedness, trailing features, better physical buttons, Android compatibility … and that’s to name a few.
But with this year’s Apple Watch Ultra 3, Apple introduced a key feature for those same people: satellite messaging. This allows wearers to send texts or an emergency SOS message even when off the grid and without cellular coverage. It’s a game-changer.
Fortunately, Garmin’s new “best of the best” smartwatch wasn’t too far behind. The Fenix 8 Pro supports both cellular and satellite connectivity, meaning — for an $8/month fee — you can leave your smartphone and still have a way to reach out to the outside world (or have a lifeline if your smartphone dies).
But that’s not the only upgrade Garmin has made to its premium, multi-sport smartwatches.
Most notably, in addition to the models with an OLED display, Garmin also introduced a more elite version of the Fenix 8 Pro with a MicroLED display and a maximum brightness of 4,500 nits — according to Garmin, it’s the brightest smartwatch ever.
Of course, these new elite smartwatches come at a premium. Although you can’t really put a price on potentially life-saving tech and an excellent display, can you? (Well, maybe you can put a price on the latter.)
37. A revival of an icon and a preview of future sports car possibilities
HondaGP100 Winner
2026 Honda Prelude
Specs
| Engine | 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder & two electric motors |
| Transmission | eCVT |
| Output | 200 hp & 232 lb-ft |
25 years after the discontinuation of the Prelude, Honda has revived the model for a new sixth-generation version based on the Civic hybrid. However, as notable as it is that the badge has made a return, it’s really the car’s implications that earned it a spot on this list.
For one, the Prelude — true to its heritage — is packed full of innovation, as its Honda S+ Shift drive mode brings simulated gear shifts to a hybrid-electric powertrain.
By precisely managing engine RPM and integrating paddle shifters, Honda has made it so that the car can mimic downshift blips, rev matching, gear holding and enhanced engine sounds, even though it’s a pair of electric motors that actually drive the wheels.
What’s more, the Prelude makes for the first hybrid-electric model to incorporate the chassis components from the legendary Civic Type R.
Along with the dual-axis strut front suspension, it also brings the hot hatch’s wider front and rear tracks, as well as its oversized front brakes.
In addition to previewing the potential loss of a manual for the Civic Type R, the Prelude has also proven that Honda’s parts bin can bear fruit.
Initial orders in Japan were eight times that of the monthly projections.
36. This EDC pack didn’t need fixing. Aer improved it, anyhow
AerGP100 Winner
Aer City Pack Pro 2
Specs
| Capacity | 24L |
| Material(s) | 1680D Cordura ballistic nylon |
| Weight | 2.86 lbs |
-
$209 (20% off)
Originally founded in 2014 through crowdfunding, Aer now has more than a decade backing up its exceptional catalog. One of the brand’s constant strengths over that period has, undoubtedly, been its ability to remain ahead of the curve — managed by consistently improving its offerings.
And therein lies the San Francisco-based outfit’s true greatness: it has never once waited for a product to become outdated before giving it a redux. Such is the case with the Aer City Pack Pro 2.
Arguably the brand’s best urban commuting EDC bag, the original City Pack was an exceptional, svelte bag, boasting 24 liters of storage, a rugged ballistic nylon exterior, a stunning minimalist design and superb interior organization. But it wasn’t perfect.
Taking into account fan feedback, the brand “focused on making [its] bags even more versatile, comfortable and durable,” per Aer’s head of operations Andy Choi. To that end, the brand refined the bag’s fit, aesthetics and even overall comfort.
While that may have been enough for lesser brands, Aer didn’t stop there. It also revamped every single pocket and compartment, tweaking and refining them to offer better utility and an improved overall user experience. It even added some crucial quality-of-life upgrades, like a luggage pass-through.
Now, a bag that was already among the best around is even better, all because the brand heeded the call of its customers, and that has made all the difference.
35. Jaguar’s most pivotal moment since the E-Type
JaguarGP100 Winner
Jaguar Type 00 Concept
Specs
| Engine | TBD |
| Transmission | Single-speed drive |
| Output | 956 hp (est.) |
It’s been over a half a century since Jaguar caused as much of a stir as the Type 00 Concept. The last time the Coventry-based automaker generated such a buzz was when it debuted the E-Type in 1961.
But when the company revealed the Type 00 Concept, it was met with both major criticism and praise. Those whose feathers were ruffled criticized it as being far too forward and avant-garde, with its unapologetically bold and polarizing design.
Many also questioned what it meant for the brand, a purveyor of sophisticated, fast and luxurious sports cars, sedans and even SUVs. On the other side, those praising the Type 00 Concept saw it as a way to depart from its antiquated past and rid the brand of its image of catering to the well-off AARP crowd.
Regardless of what side of the aisle you’re on, the Type 00 Concept’s impact on the auto industry is undeniably momentous.
It’s not just a concept either. The Type 00 previews a future production and exclusive luxury four-door grand tourer EV, one that intends to take on the likes of Rolls-Royce and Bentley.
It also reveals the company’s major rebranding and theme, “copy nothing,” complete with a new logo and insignia.
The Type 00 Concept also debuts Jaguar-Land Rover’s latest and completely new JEA or Jaguar Electric Architecture modular platform, which will spawn a complete range of all-electric models.
But most importantly, it paints a picture of what the world can expect future Jaguar Cars to look like when they pull up to the local dinner spot.
The production model will also debut the company’s in-house all-electric propulsion system. Specifications are limited, but one of the key parameters of the design is that it has to provide between 450 and 500 miles on a single charge while also delivering 956 horsepower.
Although not yet confirmed, rumors suggest the production model will be ready for primetime sometime later in 2026 and early 2027.
34. America gets its own version of a famous Japanese sub-label
The North FaceGP100 Winner
The North Face Red Box Half-Zip Fleece
Specs
| Features | Center front half zip; secure-zip kangaroo hand pocket; elastic cuffs and hem |
| Material | 200D 350 g/m² 100% recycled polyester |
| Sizes | XXS, XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL |
There’s no denying The North Face expertly straddles the line between fashion and function — and for a brand prized as much for its performance as its aesthetic, the sky is the limit.
Taking that unbounded potential to heart, the Gorpcore darling released a new collection this year that focuses on everyday basics meant to be worn off-mountain. The Red Box collection takes influence from archival styles, and gives them a modern twist: this takes the form of oversized fits and premium-focused materials.
The Half-Zip Fleece demonstrates the collection’s everyday appeal, whilst remaining true to TNF’s rugged roots. The center-front half zip, complemented by a generous kangaroo front pocket with zippers, is made from 100 percent recycled fleece and uses an oversized fit for all-day comfort.
The series also includes accessories, a down jacket and heritage-inspired city bags … so even if you choose to spend the day relaxing over adventuring, you can still rep your favorite outdoor brand.
33. The year’s most surprising premium whiskey, from a dive bar icon
Jack Daniel’sGP100 Winner
Jack Daniel’s 14-Year-Old Tennessee Whiskey Batch #1
Specs
| Whiskey Type | Tennesse whiskey |
| Mashbill | 80% corn, 12% malted barley, 8% rye |
| Proof | 126.3 |
| Age Statement | 14 years |
Jack Daniel’s spent more than a century proving that consistency could be a virtue. Same mash bill. Same charcoal mellowing. Same square bottle. For most of its history, that was the whole point: Old No. 7 didn’t need to flex age statements or limited editions because it was already one of the best-selling American whiskeys on the planet. Stability was the brand.
Eventually, the market changed. Drinkers wanted proof — not just literal barrel proof, but evidence of craft, patience, specificity. Age statements became currency. Premium line extensions were no longer prestige vanity projects; they were how legacy distillers showed they could still move with a world that now sorts whiskey by provenance, rickhouse, and year.
Jack Daniel’s responded with a decade-aged release. Then a 12-year. And now, for the first time in over a century, this: Jack Daniel’s 14 Years Old, a bottle that signals the brand isn’t just participating in the premium race — it’s out-executing rivals who’ve been running it for years.
The whiskey itself is straightforward in concept but far from predictable in execution. Fourteen years is a long time for Tennessee whiskey in new American oak, especially with Jack’s famously warm warehouses accelerating extraction.
Reviewers expected lumber; they got balance. Drinkers describe a profile that leans into deep caramel, toasted pecan, clove and singed orange peel, all riding on a structure that somehow keeps the oak’s sharper edges in check, especially with a splash of water.
At barrel proof — often landing north of 130 — it should read as punishing. Instead it settles into that narrow band where richness meets restraint, closer in character to a luxed-up Single Barrel than anything meant to chase stunt-proof hype.
That’s why this release made the GP100. Not because it’s Jack Daniel’s oldest statement to date, and not because the whiskey community responded with the predictable frenzy that greets any double-digit age declaration. It’s here because of what it reveals about the brand’s new approach.
After decades of being typecast as the monolithic Tennessee institution, Jack has now unquestionably mastered the rules of the modern premium market in a way that should terrify distillers who never imagined they’d have to compete with one of the world’s most famous whiskey brands.
This bottle isn’t a victory lap. It’s a recalibration point that suggests Jack Daniel’s has zero interest in letting other heritage brands define the high end of the category for them anymore.
In the strange, delightful churn of American whiskey’s evolution, one truth emerges: even giants can learn to dance again. This 14-year release is Jack Daniel’s proving it still knows the rhythm — and can lead.
32. The ultimate all-in-one burger and fries backyard cooker
BlackstoneGP100 Winner
Blackstone Iron Forged Griddle Airfryer Combo
Specs
| Cooking Surface Area | 36” Omnivore Griddle Plate |
| Fuel Type | Propane |
| Ignition | Electronic |
Blackstone is the name to beat when it comes to griddles, be they formatted for the backyard, campsite or otherwise. However, the brand’s best innovation of the year isn’t due to a flat top.
Yes, the Blackstone Iron Forged Griddle Airfryer Combo is an exceptional griddle, offering four independent heat zones across its spacious 36-inch flat-top surface. Plus, it has expandable side shelves with tool hooks for ingredient prep and storage.
But what really sets it apart is beneath all of that, literally. Between its griddle top and storage cabinet bottom, this backyard cooker has a three-part secret weapon in the form of two 4.0-quart air fryers and a 4.0-quart warming drawer.
That makes this an all-in-one burgers and fries machine — you can literally smash burgers on the flat top while making those julienne potatoes (or chicken wings, veggies and so on) ultra-crispy in the drawers below.
While the griddle top runs on propane gas, the air fryers and warmer tray utilize electricity — more specifically, a 120v plug. Thankfully, you’ll already need access to electricity to operate the griddle’s electronic ignition, so you won’t need anything more than it already requires to operate.
31. The stackable, modular system that reinvents car camping packing
DometicGP100 Winner
Dometic Recon
Specs
| Hard Cooler Sizes | 16, 41, 69 liters |
| Soft Cooler Sizes | 12, 17, 21 liters |
| Accessories | Faucet, Ice Block, Drink Holder, Divider, Drop-In Basket, Tote |
Dometic may be known and prized in the overlanding community for its electric coolers, which are reliable and driven by quality, but its most exciting release of 2025 was deceptively simple: a new range of passive coolers, called the Recon collection.
While traditional coolers may seem basic, the Recon collection is anything but. Dometic completely redesigned the cooler from the outside in, including a selection of carefully selected details that elevate this release.
Rather than prioritize interior measurements, Dometic focused on exterior dimensions first; this reversal resulted in a system where both hard and soft coolers of various sizes are designed to nestle neatly in a garage or vehicle. For anyone who’s packed for a camping trip, this is a much-appreciated update.
The fun doesn’t stop there: the lids are multi-directional and completely removable, increasing their accessibility and utility. A full suite of accompanying accessories also launched alongside the Recon collection, including dividers, baskets and a spigot that connects to the drain cap, converting the small hardside cooler into a 16-liter water jug.
After all, these days, is a cooler ever just a cooler?
30. Non-slip sunnies, stunting on the competition
OakleyOakley Stunt Wing
Specs
| Frame | O-Matter injection molded thermoplastic frame |
| Lenses | Prizm Ruby |
| Weight | 41 grams |
Non-slip sunglasses that actually stay in place during intense activity are no longer a pipe dream, thanks to Oakley’s innovation in frame technology. This year, the brand released HyperGrip Technology in its new Stunt Collection, headlined by the Stunt Wing.
Secondly, Hypergrip swaps out conventional acetate construction for an injection molded thermoplastic frame, which increases strength and flexibility.
The Stunt Wing, designed to withstand intense movement, uses this to great effect. The sunnies feature a violin bow-inspired frame and silicone straps that hug your head without creating discomfort, allowing you to focus on the task at hand.
29. The ultimate affordable watch company establishes an imprint for connoisseurs
TimexGP100 Winner
Timex Atelier Marine M1a
Specs
| Case Size | 41mm |
| Movement | Catena Cal. SA100 automatic |
| Water Resistance | 200m |
Timex is known and loved for its bargain watches, which often come in at well below $500. While mining its archives and duplicating established favorites at an affordable price has gained the Waterbury watchmaker great success over the past decade, it clearly has higher aspirations.
Beginning in 2022, Giorgio Galli, Timex’s Creative Director, released a self-titled series of automatic watches with specs and price tags well above the brand’s typical offerings.
As it turns out, Galli was merely testing the waters before launching Timex Atelier, a sub-brand dedicated to creating sophisticated watches aimed at the mid-tier market. It is a bold venture, but if the debut reference is any indication, it is one of the most exciting new brands in the industry.
Galli kicked off Timex’s new venture with the Marine M1a, a dive watch that blends familiar looks with inventive design. It has a unidirectional dive bezel, classic triangle-dot-dash hour markers and a lollipop seconds hand.
But the bezel is fully lumed, including a fun horizontal stripe pattern on the pip. It features a skeletonized case frame and lug design, which reduces weight. And it runs on an obscure but impressive Swiss-made automatic movement, which beats at 4Hz and has a 36-hour power reserve.
Perhaps the most impressive aspect of the Marine M1a is its price. Despite being far and away the best dive watch Timex has ever produced, boasting a 200m water resistance, automatic movement and a ton of lume, it only costs $950 on a rubber strap and $1,050 on a steel three-link bracelet.
If Timex can consistently offer equivalent bargains in the $1,000 range to those we’ve been spoiled by at the $250 range, then the watch industry is on notice in 2026.
28. The “best of Ikea” but better than ever
IkeaIkea Stockholm Sofa
Specs
| Cushions | Coir, natural latex and latex foam |
| Dimensions | 26 3/4 x 91 3/4 x 40 1/2 inches |
| Frame | Solid wood, particleboard, fiberboard, plywood |
In 1985, Ikea’s founder Ingvar Kamprad referred to the Stockholm collection as “the best of Ikea.” The collection of elevated classics — which defies any assumptions regarding quality you may have about the brand — has been reissued just seven times since it first released 40 years ago. That rarity, combined with its timeless charm and high quality manufacturing, only adds to its appeal.
This year’s edition of the Stockholm collection included 96 instant classics, from rugs to sofas to even a chandelier. The generously proportioned Stockholm Sofa exemplifies the refined viewpoint of the collection; the natural wood frame, generous proportions and classic styling defy trends while remaining fresh.
The 2025 Stockholm collection doesn’t simply symbolize a dedication to quality; novelty is prized as well, as evidence by the inclusion of the retailer’s fist-ever foam-free sofa, as well as thoughtful details like the wood and glass table with no visible fittings to the oak veneer cabinet with a little brass key.
The Stockholm collection represents more than just new furniture: these pieces are an invitation to create a home.
27. The rare sequel that’s better than the original
Christopher WardGP100 Winner
Christopher Ward C12 Loco
Specs
| Case Size | 41mm |
| Movement | Christopher Ward Cal. CW-03 manual-wind |
| Water Resistance | 30m |
In late 2022, Christopher Ward launched the watch that would forever change the direction of the company.
The C1 Bel Canto utilized a clever in-house jumping module to create a chiming watch at a price far lower than anyone had ever thought possible.
The Bel Canto quickly became the de facto flagship of CW, a brand previously known for its affordable, homage-ish dive watches. What’s more, the watch significantly raised the profile of the brand, putting Christopher Ward on the radar of collectors who previously had little to no interest in the brand.
But the watch industry moves at a breakneck pace, and before long, the conversation surrounding Christopher Ward shifted to wondering how the brand could possibly follow up a watch as groundbreaking as the Bel Canto. After all, sequels are never as good as the original.
Except, apparently, in the case of the C12 Loco.
Rather than resting on its laurels, Christopher Ward doubled down on its efforts to democratize haute horlogerie by launching a watch even more impressive than the Bel Canto in 2025.
While perhaps less novel than the Bel Canto’s chiming mechanism, the Loco is a decidedly more accomplished piece of watchmaking.
Rather than relying on a module mated to an off-the-shelf Sellita movement, the Loco runs on a brand-new, fully in-house movement boasting a whopping six-day power reserve and the kind of floating, dial-side escapement and free-sprung balance most often seen in six-figure watches from brands like MB&F.
The balance wheel is custom-made, the movement has chronometer-level accuracy and the bridges — both on the dial and on the movement’s stunning reverse side — are hand-finished.
This is legitimate high watchmaking, for a price that’s even less believable than the Bel Canto’s.
Now, just one question remains for Christopher Ward: How about a trilogy?
26. Framework enters the customizable desktop PC market
FrameworkGP100 Winner
Framework Desktop
Specs
| Operating System | Linux or Windows (costs extra) |
| Processor | AMD Ryzen AI Max processors |
| Rear Ports | HDMI (1x), DisplayPort (2x), USB-C (2x), USB-A (2x), 3.5 headphone, Ethernet |
Unfamiliar with Framework? The American tech company has been selling modular laptops that are highly customizable, upgradable and repairable for the last several years, catering to the DIY crowd.
And now it has brought that same ethos to desktop PCs for the first time with Framework Desktop.
You can think of it as sort of like a modular Mac Mini. When ordered, the compact 4.5-liter tower comes preinstalled with the mainboard, CPU heatsink and power supply, but, depending on the kit you buy, you have to assemble the storage drive, CPU fan, side panels and various other elements.
Worried about a tedious build? Don’t. There’s no soldering or thermal paste involved. It just requires a screwdriver (included) and connecting the various components together. The entire build process should take less than thirty minutes.
But that’s not where the fun ends. As expected, the Framework Desktop is modular, customizable and upgradable. You can order extras such as expansion card ports or additional storage, a transparent side panel or an RGB-lit fan.
The real star is the front panel, which features a customizable 21-tile grid, allowing you to snap in individual tiles—some with colors, some with designs—and give the desktop PC its own style. (Thanks to an open API, you can 3D print your own custom tiles, too.)
As a desktop PC, the Framework Desktop is a little beast. It runs on AMD’s most powerful APU and offers up to 128GB of unified memory, making it a serious PC for productivity, media editing or gaming.
Of course, it’s not going to be anywhere near the most powerful or most customizable desktop PC on the market. Framework knows this. But for anyone interested in a first-time PC build, the Framework Desktop is a perfect entry point into that rabbit hole.
25. The quintessential Ivy brand is forever
J. PressGP100 Winner
J. Press Made-in-USA Navy Pure Cashmere Sport Coat
Specs
| Fabric | 100% Cashmere |
| Sizes | 38-46 R/L |
| Buttons | 3 |
J.Press’s reputation is set in stone.
Founded over a century ago at Yale University, the heritage clothing brand basically invented what we call “Ivy Style,” blending tweed, corduroy, seersucker, madras, Scottish knits and, of course, the classic blue blazer into one cohesive look.
Now under the stewardship of a new creative director, Jack Carlson of Rowing Blazers fame, J.Press will look to reach a new generation of guys who care what they wear, all without losing a grip on its historic roots.
Carlson’s touch is already evident from his debut collection, the obvious highlight being the Made-in-USA Navy Pure Cashmere Sport Coat. It has a rope shoulder, patch pockets, three buttons and a center vent.
Too often, menswear is an act of musical chairs, with established designers jumping from one luxury label to another as conglomerates struggle to stay relevant.
Meanwhile, Carlson and J.Press getting together is like watching soulmates connect, hopefully for the long haul.
24. A cutting-edge groundbreaker in all-electric high-performance luxury
Mercedes-BenzGP100 Winner
Mercedes-Benz Concept AMG GT XX Coupe
Specs
| Engine | Dual axial-flux electric motors |
| Transmission | Single-speed drive |
| Output | 1,390 hp |
Few automakers are looked upon for a glimpse into the future like Mercedes-Benz. There’s always been a saying: if you ever want a taste of the sort of innovative tech that will eventually trickle down to mainstream cars, you can always look to the Three-Point Star as the one leading the charge.
Which is exactly the case with Mercedes-Benz’s Concept AMG GT XX. It’s the company’s latest vision at an all-new, all-electric high-performance four-door sports car. If that formula sounds familiar, it’s basically what the current AMG GT Four-Door Coupe is today.
Mercedes-AMGThe AMG GT XX essentially teases what’s to come with the next-gen model. But furthermore, it also showcases Mercedes-AMG’s ambitions for an all-electric future and the innovative technology involved.
Despite the rocky road to EV adaptation, Mercedes-Benz and its in-house performance division remain committed to the transition. So much, that it’s investing billions into state-of-the-art axial flux motors and groundbreaking battery tech.
Mercedes-AMGNot only are the new flux motors far more power-dense than the current radial flux motors used in most EVs. They also weigh significantly less, are smaller in size and far more energy efficient.
The AMG GT XX also demonstrates the company’s first-ever AMG.EA EV architecture. And it features a revolutionary cooling system apparatus that helps manage one of the biggest problems with electric motors and batterys: thermal management.
Mercedes-BenzThus, with all this tech and engineering, the results are staggering. AMG claims a total output of around 1,000 kilowatts, or about 1,360 horsepower.
Top speed? About 224 mph. And on top of all that, a driving range estimated at around 248.5 miles, thanks to an insanely low drag coefficient of 0.198 Cd.
But that’s not the only impressive statistic. With its standard 800-volt architecture along with AMG’s Formula 1-derived advanced battery pack, it can recharge up to 200 miles in just 15 minutes on a Tesla Supercharger.
These aren’t just empty statistics either. During one of its most rigorous endurance tests, engineers test drove the AMG GT XX at full over 40,000 miles in under eight days, with is the total circumference of the planet. And they’re not stopping there.
Mercedes-BenzMercedes-AMG didn’t specify when the production variant will arrive. But when it does, it’ll be one of the few cars helping to lead the industry more into an electric future.
23. The surprise reprise of a cult classic
SonyGP100 Winner
Sony DSC-RX1R III
The RX1 series always looked like Sony’s way of signaling that it understood photography: a large sensor and an excellent lens combined in as small a package as possible. It gives the kind of everyday, everywhere capability that film photographers love but can rarely find in digital form.
In some respects, Sony didn’t need to refresh the RX1. And for a while there, it looked like it might not.
But the RX1R III, which arrives a decade after its predecessor, brings new AF tricks, a modern sensor and larger battery to a cult favorite.
The camera is undeniably expensive, and it looks all the more so because Sony offers so many of its components in other, much cheaper, models.
However, this is one of those occasions where the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. Nothing else out there offers the same combination of image quality and size.
The RX1R III is the answer to the question, “What if I love the Fujifilm X100 but want to make a big step up in image quality?”
If 2025 saw wave of niche cameras, the RX1R III led the charge.
22. The lightest mechanical dive watch in history
Ulysse NardinGP100 Winner
Ulysse Nardin Diver Air
Specs
| Case Size | 44mm |
| Movement | Ulysse Nardin Cal. UN-374 automatic |
| Water Resistance | 200m |
Dive watches are likely the most popular traditional watch style today, and although few people ever take dive watches diving, brands are constantly looking at ways to innovate within the genre.
This innovation has led to dive watches that can dive deeper, glow brighter and, in the case of the Ulysse Nardin Diver Air, weigh so little you’d swear they could float.
The Diver Air is the lightest mechanical dive watch ever made. The watch head weighs 46 grams, and the strap adds just six more for a grand total of 52 grams — about as much as an egg.
Despite its extremely low weight, the beefy 44mm watch is still as robust and capable as any of the leading divers on the market. It has a fully lumed bezel with loud, crisp action. Its crown and caseback both screw down, ensuring 200m of water resistance. Its movement is self-winding, has a 90-hour power reserve and is capable of withstanding shocks up to 5,000 Gs.
This is all possible because Ulysse Nardin cut weight, not corners, when creating the Diver Air.
The case is made from a mix of lightweight materials: titanium, carbon fiber and Nylo-Foil — a nylon-carbon composite. The strap is an airy, elastic strip of fabric with a clever, minimalist Velcro closure and is exceedingly comfortable.
The new Calibre UN-374 is a completely reworked version of the brand’s existing Cal. UN-372 movement, with all unnecessary weight eliminated and the remaining bridges being remade in titanium and reconfigured to optimize strength. The hyper-skeletonized movement takes up just 20 percent of the space inside the watch — the other 80 percent is air.
Looking at the design as a whole, the Diver Air feels impossible. Thankfully, Ulysse Nardin specializes in making the impossible possible.
21. A land-centered American whiskey that could change craft distilling forever
Maker’s MarkGP100 Winner
Star HIll Farm Whisky 2025 Wheat Whisky
Specs
| Whiskey Type | Wheat |
| Proof | 114.7 |
| Mashbill 1 | 70% soft red winter wheat, 30% malted barley |
| Mashbill 2 | 100% malted soft red winter wheat |
| Age Statement | N/A |
When a famed bourbon brand like Maker’s Mark, which famously hasn’t touched its core recipe since the 1950s, finally decides to release a completely new whiskey built on an entirely new mash bill, it’s going to grab headlines.
It turns out, though, that Star Hill Farm Whisky – named for the 1,100-acre farm that’s home to the Maker’s Mark distillery – isn’t especially transcendent from a flavor perspective, at least not yet.
The new label’s inaugural batch is a fully wheat-forward American whisky made from a blend of two mash bills: one made of 70 percent soft red winter wheat and 30 percent malted barley, and another made entirely of malted wheat.
Tasters tend to praise its potent notes of wood and dark fruits, as well as its lingering complexities, but waffle on whether its dry, oak-forward flavors overwhelm the palate. In short, it’s exciting and promising — just not an instant classic.
But its place on our list of the 100 most innovative products of 2025 has little to do with flavor and everything to do with its potential future impact.
The truth is that American whiskey has leaned on the language of agriculture for years — grain varietals, soil, sustainability, terroir — without any formal way to verify how much of that romance reaches the bottle.
That’s where the Estate Whiskey Alliance comes in. Formed in 2023 by distillers, industry partners and University of Kentucky agricultural scientists, the group created a new Estate Whiskey Certification program.
To qualify, a distillery must grow at least two-thirds of its grain on estate-owned or controlled land and handle milling, cooking, fermenting, distilling, barreling, aging and bottling entirely on-site.
As the first officially certified Estate Whiskey, Star Hill Farm reflects Maker’s Mark’s longstanding interest in terroir and environmental responsibility — from grain-variety research to sustainable and regenerative farming practices.
But it’d be naive to presume that any distiller’s interest in Estate Certification wasn’t also grounded partially in business interests.
After all, should consumer recognition for the term grow, having an Estate Whiskey Certified seal on the bottle becomes a powerful market distinction, akin to what organic stickers were to produce (at least in the early days), creating for producers like Maker’s Mark, with its acreage and resources, a new premium perch above the commodity-sourced spirits.
That tension is exactly what makes this moment compelling. Estate whiskey could drive meaningful progress toward more sustainable, place-driven production… or become another dividing line between well-resourced distillers and everyone else. Most likely, it will do a bit of both.
Whether Star Hill Farm Whisky ultimately becomes a watershed in American whiskey production is impossible to know. But as a signal — that American distillers are finally reorganizing around land, not lore— it offers reason for optimism.
American whiskey isn’t just talking about provenance anymore; it’s beginning to build around it, setting the table for a future where American whiskey is more diverse and distinctive than ever before.