Played the field for a while, but returned faithful

[bobernet]

Started with Rolex, spent a few years sampling others, and after accumulating quite a few, realized that the only watches I really wore regularly were my Rolexes. I'm keeping my speedy moon for the history and great design, but haven't been tempted by a non-Rolex in a while.

VC Overseas Chrono - This is the watch I desperately wanted to love. It looks amazing, and I love the detail on the silver dial. No matter what I tried, the bracelet just never fit right and was either loose or dug into my wrist.

JLC Reverso Grande Date GMT - I really did love this watch, and it was my dedicated travel watch for a couple years. The GMT function is the easiest on the market (just push the buttons). The main dial is beautiful, and it has cool complications (grande date, power reserve, 8-day, second timezone, GMT offset, dual faces). However, the beautiful side is the side I never saw, and the second timezone side, I found boring. It is too thick to truly be a dress watch, and too dressy to be a sporty every day watch. If I miss a watch, it will probably be this one.

JLC Master Geographic - Also a cool GMT function, just twisting the second crown to change timezones. Power reserve complication and a beautiful movement behind the exhibition case back. This is not really a travel watch in my opinion. Better for someone who has an office across the world for quickly checking the time where someone they're calling lives. The second timezone is small, and trying to use it while traveling, takes a minute to remember to look at the time on the smaller second dial. The wheel with cities around the world seems unnecessary clutter for what is otherwise a beautiful dress watch. Got zero wrist time after I bought the Reverso.

Panerai PAM005 - Bought this as a "beater", and did get some weekend wrist time, but even on the weekend, I really like having a date. I don't like rubber bands, and always thought it weird that a dive watch was worn primarily on leather. While I think the design is attractive, it was a little too big to be comfortable for me, and the fact that it's a common ETA movement inside just never inspired me.

Omega Planet Ocean GMT - What does this watch want to be? I love the look and bought it on impulse when it was "on sale" at the Brisbane airport duty-free shop. I thought it would be cool to have a travel watch with GMT that was also a capable diver. At the end, it's just too thick. It's primary function is as a GMT, but the HEV, thick exhibition case back, etc make it more appropriate as a dive watch (for real diving), not something to wear under a shirt cuff on a business trip. Flipped in less than 30 days.

Different strokes for different folks, but for me, Rolex simply has the best aesthetic, functional, and versatile designs. I love the history of the company, and their vertically integrated philosophy. Finally, I guess I'm just not that trendy or adventurous, and prefer somewhat more traditional and timeless designs. I never thought I'd end up a one-brand guy, but more and more it seems that's where I'm headed.

I'm interested to hear your feedback. I know there are many others who dabble, but still have a favorite/primary brand that keeps drawing them back.