The Perfect Watch

[marc2828]

I have been on a quest for the perfect watch. Below are the criteria I have been thinking about:

Legibility - I find many watches hard to read the time. I find the Daytona, and some of the AP Royal Oak Chronos difficult to see the hands, especially in low light. Probably because I am old and there is a lot on the watch face. The simple Panerai Luminor and the AP Diver seem most easy to read. And remember the primary purpose of a watch...it is to tell time.

Comfort - I wear watches in the shower, gym, and while sleeping. I find the metal bracelet no matter how sized to be annoying, but I only like Rolex tool watches on metal. I know, this is a conundrum. Light weight rubber strap watches seem most comfortable. The AP 15707ce or the carbon version fit this bill, as well at the new Panerai PAM 01661 and many of the ceramic/carbon cased watches. I feel a comfortable watch should weigh under 130grams.

Cost/Prestige - I realize most watches are jewelry. We can argue the "tool" value, but really my Casio Protrek is the best "time" keeper as it sets to the nuclear signal daily, and is powered via solar. Not to mention it has a compass which is sometimes useful. But, it has no prestige and maybe is not fitting when dressed nicely. One must really ask oneself, do we care what others think about our watch? I wear a watch for me to look at, not to impress others with how much $ I spent on a watch.

Unique Look - I find many watches look like one another. Many of the highly sought after Patek's on metal bracelets look like Tissots to me. I find the AP Diver & Royal Oak Chronos, and the Rolex Submariner/Seadwellers to look unique. Even more unique is the Paneral Luminor. I can spot those a mile away. It is like Ozzy Osbourne. When I hear his singing voice on the radio, regardless of who he is collaborating with, I recognize his voice. Ozzy is the Panerai Luminor of music.

Reliability - It is nice when expensive items work well. One gets a sickening feeling when our expensive toy is broken. I was trying on an AP the other day, and the sales guy said these are really fragile. You bang it hard, it needs to go to the shop. Not a great sales pitch. Especially when a shop visit is $thousands.

Horological Value - When I think of watch making history, I think of Patek, Vacheron, AP and Breguet. I have always wanted to own one of these brands in my collection.

Value Retention - We all buy what we like. So saying that is not necessary. However, it is nice to buy an expensive watch that if you change your mind based on the above items or a new watch comes out that suits your fancy, you can sell/trade yours without losing 50%.

So what is the perfect watch or watches? ...one for dress, one for work, one for gym/daily? And the quest continues....

[ap1]

Maybe a VC overseas with its three straps

My first thought was gmt but not sure if that is unique enough

[Chiboy]

Originally Posted by ap1

Maybe a VC overseas with its three straps

My first thought was gmt but not sure if that is unique enough

That’s a good call! I probably don’t know enough about non-Rolexes to offer an opinion. I have different criteria, and for me the platinum Daytona fits the bill. For your criteria, it is a few zip codes away from being ideal. You have a well thought out set of objectives. I’ll be curious to see what you settle on.

[denmanproject]

My nomination

May not have significant Horological value or the most Unique look but nails all of the other criteria

[BumbleB]

White gold GMT II with blue dial or YG GMT II with Green dial


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[thesharkfactor]

The perfect watch. Tells the time and the date and it has a really useful timer bezel. It can dress up or down and looks just at home in the board room or the sea floor. It will absorb whatever your life throws at it, it has wrist presence yet will still fly under radar to the non WIS. This is a perfect life companion wherever you may go.

[Rokoru]

Originally Posted by thesharkfactor

the perfect watch. Tells the time and the date and it has a really useful timer bezel. It can dress up or down and looks just at home in the board room or the sea floor. It will absorb whatever your life throws at it, it has wrist presence yet will still fly under radar to the non wis. This is a perfect life companion wherever you may go.

+1

[septantrionalis]

Originally Posted by denmanproject

My nomination

May not have significant Horological value or the most Unique look but nails all of the other criteria

Man, I love the look of the white dial OP. I have the Explorer, but the 39mm OP in white dial is definitely up there for me.

[Dennisoul]

16570 ticks all the boxes


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[rolexest]

114060 and an oysterstrap to switch things up.

[1665fan]

5513 maxi dial

[ruffa]

Originally Posted by Dennisoul

16570 ticks all the boxes


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Incredible example. Looks NOS.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[wholecz]

5164a?

[Pantheon]

I would suggest getting a VC overseas 4500v 3 hander.

Legibility is great

Easy 3 strap change system. You'll get rubber, leather, and metal bands and the metal bracelet is super comfy.

You'll get VC level finishing and the heritage of the oldest continuous watchmaker in the world.

You get the sapphire case back to display the beautifully finished movement

VCs from my experience is very solid and tough definitely not as fragile as AP

You get real water resistance with a 150m depth rating vs a RO

There usually is a wait if you want the VC but it's not ridiculous and you don't have to play stupid games with the AD or pay a hefty premium with grays

[brandrea]

IMO, the Rolex brand meets or exceeds most other brands in terms of your criteria ... ok maybe not “unique look” but then again, they invented many of the iconic references that have been copied by others.

Only you can say what works for you

[ras47]

Originally Posted by Dennisoul

16570 ticks all the boxes


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

For legibility I can't think of a better choice. Plus it's reliable and tough. And the GMT complication is just plain cool. :)

[ruffa]

You haven’t told us a price range so assuming there isn’t one, my choices would be 116508 green dial or the platinum 116506

Not sure if they’re legible enough for you but they check most of your criteria—unique, comfortable, prestige, retain value in general, reliable.

[singe89]

Originally Posted by ap1

Maybe a VC overseas with its three straps

My first thought was gmt but not sure if that is unique enough

That's a great call. I'm really starting to like the updated overseas line. Great value in this crazy market.

[Dennisoul]

Originally Posted by ruffa

Incredible example. Looks NOS.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thank you.....2006, serviced at RSC about a year ago.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[seand442]

Originally Posted by thesharkfactor

The perfect watch. Tells the time and the date and it has a really useful timer bezel. It can dress up or down and looks just at home in the board room or the sea floor. It will absorb whatever your life throws at it, it has wrist presence yet will still fly under radar to the non WIS. This is a perfect life companion wherever you may go.

I'll second this.

[dspringer]

Agree with someone above - the 5164a is probably your move. Unique look (to you) is an understatement and especially if you could find one with the Tiffany dial that would fit most of the criteria you've outlined. No one will notice it daily but you'll have like one guy stop you in a sushi restaurant on a Tuesday that appreciates it and that's what we all really want out of this quest anyways.

[Dennisoul]

Originally Posted by ras47

For legibility I can't think of a better choice. Plus it's reliable and tough. And the GMT complication is just plain cool. :)

Absolutely Yes on all your points


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Meyrin]

Originally Posted by thesharkfactor

The perfect watch. Tells the time and the date and it has a really useful timer bezel. It can dress up or down and looks just at home in the board room or the sea floor. It will absorb whatever your life throws at it, it has wrist presence yet will still fly under radar to the non WIS. This is a perfect life companion wherever you may go.

Yes indeed! Takes a helluva lot of abuse/punishment! I prefer the no-date version, but that's just me...

[Maxy]

Originally Posted by denmanproject

My nomination

May not have significant Horological value or the most Unique look but nails all of the other criteria

White dials with white hands are more hard to read when you are old!

[iTreelex]

Just get a sub date or exp II in whatever iteration you want and call it a day. There is no perfect watch. You will always find something you don't like about it. Or you can just stick to your casio.

[LandWatch]

Mine would be the straightforward Submariner

[SDREW22]

14060m. 2 liner.

[ras47]

Although this is a Rolex forum (excuse me -- THE Rolex forum), the title of this discussion does not say "Perfect Rolex." So perhaps the Omega Speedmaster deserves some consideration. Legibility is fantastic. As for reliability, it's good enough for NASA so... :)

Like the Explorer II, the Speedmaster's elegance comes from it's simplicity. The chrono function is cool and can be ignored if not needed. There's not much need for a stopwatch on a wrist watch these days, but there was a time when it came in handy. Just ask Jim Lovell.

[pearson1995]

It’s hard to have a perfect watch, but you can get close to a perfect location...

If I had to have one watch for life, the BLNR oyster. Date, water resistance, solid manufacture, can be worn in the gym and in a suit, water resistance, complication, colour etc etc.

I suppose a day date might also fit many of those, but I prefer the rotating bezel as you can almost use it as a timer

Several Watches I believe are perfect though, although some I don’t own so only on paper:
Tudor black bay 58
Rolex BLNR
ALS Lange 1 moon phase
ALS 1815 chronograph

[joli160]

Everything you look for is already made; SkyD