Top 5 Watches of All Time! Help needed!

[SecretSauce]

Ok people, WIS help needed. A good friend of mine is getting a watch from his wife for their anniverary. He asked me for my list of the top 5 watches so that he can indicate what he wants.

I imagine they have a budget within the luxury catagory (so no need to get carried away, e.g. Richard Mille...). The watch is for daily use.

Ladies and gentlement, start your engines! Let me have your lists! Here's mine (in no particular order):

1. Rolex Submariner (both Date and non-Date get to share one spot!)
2. Omega Seamaster
3. Omega Speedmaster
4. IWC Spitfire Mark XVI
5. Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Control

Debate and disagreement welcome!!!

[Boopie]

There are so many to list...part of it depends on what type of watch he likes (e.g. a dressy watch on a leather band, sports watch on a metal bracelet, gold vs. stainless, etc.), how often he would wear it (e.g. daily "beater" vs. special occasion), etc. I have a male colleague whose wife gave him a Rolex Cellini for their 40th anniversary. That is a watch that gets very little "love" on this website, and yet he loves it. I have other male colleagues (also age 60+) that have a gold Day/Date (President) as their daily watch, and wouldn't wear a Submariner.

You haven't listed any Patek Phillippe, and to some that is the "ultimate" watch.

So, while probably each of us could come up with a "top 5" list, part of it depends on personal preference, use of watch, lifestyle/personal style, age, etc.

[kyle L]

Originally Posted by Boopie

There are so many to list...part of it depends on what type of watch he likes (e.g. a dressy watch on a leather band, sports watch on a metal bracelet, gold vs. stainless, etc.), how often he would wear it (e.g. daily "beater" vs. special occasion), etc. I have a male colleague whose wife gave him a Rolex Cellini for their 40th anniversary. That is a watch that gets very little "love" on this website, and yet he loves it. I have other male colleagues (also age 60+) that have a gold Day/Date (President) as their daily watch, and wouldn't wear a Submariner.

You haven't listed any Patek Phillippe, and to some that is the "ultimate" watch.

So, while probably each of us could come up with a "top 5" list, part of it depends on personal preference, use of watch, lifestyle/personal style, age, etc.

That's probably the best post you will get.

[Speed]

I like the option of the Omega Seamaster...but afraid unless it is the discontinued 2254, the new ones just do not turn me on.

If he is not a true Rolex fan, I would put the Speedmaster at the top.

[submariner16610]

my top 5 all time fave
1. daytona ss,wg
2. royal oak offshore(steel bracelet)
3. sub date 16610
4. gmt2c ss,tt,yg
5. panerai 312,233 and daydate tied at 5th spot

[submariner16610]

ill just consider rolex,ap,panerai and patek. I don't care for other brands.Coz my thinking is always like this: If i'll buy omega or tag or breitling,i'll just save more and go for rolex. it has good resale,gorgeous looking watch and of course prestige!!Just my 2 cents. But the watches u mentioned above are all good brands..

[jvo300]

I'm an under $7k sports watch kind of guy, so my list (in no particular order) is as follows:

1. GMT IIC
2. Panerai 312
3. Omega Planet Ocean
4. Omega Speedmaster Moon Watch
5. Rolex Submariner

[ParisDakarBmw]

Pepsi, Seadweller, Breitling Superocean chrono, Super Avenger Chrono, Cosmonaute

[bewithabob]

1. Rolex Daytona Meteorite Dial White Gold
2. Rolex Daytona Black Dial Stainless Steel
3. Rolex Daytona YG Paul Newman Dial with red hands
4. Rolex GMTII and Rolex Datejust (tie)
5. IWC Big Pilot

[SecretSauce]

Nice suggestions - keep 'em coming! Bob, I like the focus on Daytona!

[Earl Camembert]

Can we talk? Quartz none dare speak it's name.

[SecretSauce]

indeed!

[Singslinger]

I recall WatchTime magazine once running an article about the "must-have'' watches in any respectable collection. Sorry, I can't remember all the watches that were featured, but if memory serves me right, the list included Rolex's S/S Sub, Omega's Speedmaster Professional ( the Moonwatch) and Breitling's Navitimer.

[blackmsport]

Originally Posted by bewithabob

1. Rolex Daytona Meteorite Dial White Gold
2. Rolex Daytona Black Dial Stainless Steel
3. Rolex Daytona YG Paul Newman Dial with red hands
4. Rolex GMTII and Rolex Datejust (tie)
5. IWC Big Pilot

too many rolexes in your top 5.... Omega speedmaster should be in the list and even Tag heuer 2000/link/sel

[BASSETHOUNDS]

Where are the BIG names ? P.Patek , Vacheron Constantin , Breguet , Franck Muller , Lange & Sohne , Richard Mille and the top Audemars Piguet etc.. ?

[Fiery]

I'm also a sports watch type of guy, so here's my list, in no particular order:

1) Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean (SS, black bezel, 42mm)
2) Rolex Submariner Date (SS, black bezel)
3) Rolex GMT IIC (SS)
4) Rolex Daytona (SS, white dial)
5) Breitling SuperOcean Steelfish (black dial)

I haven't included the Omega Speedmaster Pro "Moon Watch", because not all watch enthusiast likes manual wound watches. I haven't included the Breitling Chronomat B01, because it's quite a polarizing (love or hate) piece.

[esm]

Are you able to tell us his watch history? Or at least what is he wearing now?

[mfer]

How about 5 iconic watchs from different brands?

Rolex = sub
Panerai = 111
IWC = Pilot
Omega = speedy
Blancpain = fifty fathoms or Cartier = Santos

Icons of the brans IMHO.

[dotcomakazee]

Originally Posted by blackmsport

too many rolexes in your top 5.... Omega speedmaster should be in the list and even Tag heuer 2000/link/sel

Uhm.....Tag? Are you serious?

[dotcomakazee]

My list:

1) Rolex DSSD (tie)
1) Panerai 233 (tie)
3) Rolex GMT IIc
4) Rolex Daytona (great watch but slight demerits for no date)
5) Rolex Submariner

Bonus #6: The very underrated Rolex Polar Explorer II

[blackmsport]

My list
Rolex : either DJ or Sub
Omega : Speedmaster
Breiting : Super Ocean
Tag Heuer : Carrera
IWC : Pilot

[Jason71]

Rolex SeaDweller -- First Watch EVER to be used with a HRV
Rolex GMT
Omega Ploprof
Blancpain Fifty Fathoms
Omega Speedmaster

(no particular order)

[chebert]

rolex gmt2c
rolex ss daytona
panerai
omega speedmaster
ap royal oak

[DSJ]

Not enough information, but lack any other data, I would actually say Rolex Datejust.

[richardmenard]

My 2 cents...

1) Patek - Calatrava
2) Rolex - DateJust
3) Tag Heuer - Monaco
4) Rolex - Submariner
5) Tag Heuer - Link

[Prince Tudor]

In no particular order

Rolex Sub (any variation)
Rolex EXP II (Polar)
Blancpain Fifty Fathoms
Omega Seamaster (any variation incl. PO)
Speedmaster Pro Moon watch if no date and manual wind is OK.

Cartier Santos XL is nice too but maybe not ideal if it's your only "luxury" watch.

[LynchFan]

1. AP ROO
2. GMT 2c 116710
3. 16610
4. Patek 5980
5. Panerai 026K

I know, I know, I'm a poor kid and I'm too young to wear gold watches.....

[c_mccann]

I'd figure the datejust in the lists more, it is a timeless design, more so than the Omega Seamaster, nothing against that watch..

[dapri]

The list of stealth wealth:

Patek Philippe - Nautilus
Audemars Piguet - Royal oak
Rolex - Submariner 5513 with gilt dial and faded insert/Daytona 6263 or similiar reference
Breguet - Aeronavale type XX
Jaeger le Coultre - Reverso grande date

Thank you

[Joe(UK)]

ok here are mine;


1. 5512 sub!
2. Zenith Daytona SS white face
3. GMT 2C (mine oh yeah!)
4. PP Nautilus
5. Panerai 217

LOVE my sports watches! and also love this thread!