I have the bug again. Which would you buy next? [With pics]

[justin81]

I was sick with COVID-19 nearly the entire month of December. I caught it a few days after I turned 40, missed the entire Christmas season (my favorite time of year) and had a miserable month.

I spent a lot of time looking at and reading about this thing of ours.

I was nearly certain I would die. I realized life is short and if I recovered, I should treat myself. It taught me other things, like patience, empathy, and positivity, too.

Anyway, I’m enjoying the chase, so to speak, but getting closer to a purchase.

Current collection (year of purchase), all purchased new from ADs, except the Speedy came new from a grey market dealer.
GMT 116710BLNR (2017)
214270 Explorer Mk1 (2018)
Speedmaster Pro (2017)
Omega PO 2500 (2009)
Omega Seamaster Pro 300m white dial (2021)
Hamilton Khaki (2021, impulse buy at the mall for $400, worn it twice).

A few pics:







I’m a lefty and sometimes switch wrists. And I obviously like sport watches in steel.

What I’m interested in buying, ranked by current preference:
-Submariner Date. Given current prices and availability, I’d probably buy pre-owned.
-DateJust (either 36 or 41, probably 36) fluted bezel on Jubilee, blue or rhodium stick dial. AD wouldn’t even put me on a list for the blue dial. The grey markup on a 36 is reasonable enough for me to buy from a trusted seller here. 41, maybe but probably not.
-IWC 41mm Pilot’s chronograph, green dial IW388103 or IW388104
-IWC Aquatimer, undetermined model (these watches can be huge, maybe too large, but they’re so cool)
-IWC Portugieser chronograph IW371615





I like IWC as a brand and don’t own one, but would prefer a Rolex.

So, TRF, please share your thoughts and enable my addiction… other suggestions welcome!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[karleone]

Submariner will be king of similar to BLNR and oyster bracelet. A Datejust with a jubilee would be a very nice addition. For your wrist 36mm might look small but you should go to a grey dealer and try both sizes.

[GolfJunkie]

Either a Sub or that 41mm IWC Chrono. That'll be my next watch.

[JSol1]

Glad you’re feeling better! I’ll be venturing into non-crown pieces next as I have the pieces I’ve been after and want to diversify a bit so I like those IWCs.
However if looking for another Rolex, perhaps a YM40 Rhodium? One of my favorite pieces…the hunt is just enjoyable for me
This picture is from another TRF member. His shots are much better than mine and I apologize for not giving due credit for the member as I don’t recall his name!

[HJZS2K]

You should check out the IWC Portugieser in person if you can. I didn't fall in love with it as much when I had it on wrist. The color blended everything together too much for me.

[GrantD]

I love subs, 40mm of SS loveliness but IWC is such a great watch too, if buying from a boutique you normally can get quite a good discount. I have a 44mm ceramic chrono that is one of my absolute favs.

[Carondelet]

Great to hear you're doing better!

I like the IWC options you've displayed, green dials really do add a great pop to a collection!

[rlj676]

I like the IWCs. I’ve thought about aquatimer for years, love the internal bezel and my next watch is likely a Top Gun.

[Mendota]

First of all, so glad to read that you kicked it and recovered. So many of our members have had loved ones or friends that have not been so fortunate, or who are dealing with long Covid symptoms months or a year or longer after having had it.

I like those green dialed IWC options but I prefer the sub the most, so that is what I would shoot for first. Then if you still have the itch afterwards, then go for one of those IWC. They really make a nice green and it's a fun color.

[Onequik135i]

Sub date 41 has my vote. Goes well in rotation w the BLNR on oyster.

[Cellbuster]

I think a DJ36 on the dressier side (jubilee + fluted) fits well with your collection. Looks like you're not interested in a traditional dress watch, but this watch definitely covers that area well. You don't have anything in that classic size or on jubilee yet. You could even go for a motif dial since you have a lot of neutral dials that go with basically anything and everything (but that's mostly personal preference)

[Nav01L]

You have a few genres pretty well covered there. As you correctly identified, what you’re missing is something colorful and something dressy. On that basis, the Portugieser Chrono was top of my mind before I had even scrolled down to see you had thought about it too. And that green one really is a beauty, albeit something that may not go with everything. As you do have ample options though, that would not be a concern to me.

The pilot is nice too but really doesn’t lend itself to such a stark color. While the elegance of the Portugieser is balancing out the strong color, that same shade of green takes an already loud design into garish children‘s toy territory in the pilot chrono. I would err on the more conservative side there and take the dressy option (which incidentally is a truly stunning watch). If you want a pilot chrono, black is your friend, but you already have a lot of black in the collection.

As for the Datejust, buy that for your fiftieth and then convert it into a DayDate when you retire 10-15 years later. You’re too young for that now.

The only caveat I‘d add is that you don’t have any watches on leather you seem to wear up until now. If that’s a coincidence, then don’t worry about it but if there’s a reason for that, you may still want to remain in Rolexland and get something with a bracelet.

[EndlessEight]

I love the Petite Prince Big Pilot 43.

[Cru Jones]

Most importantly, cheers to your health and newfound perspectives!

How about something with a bit of color (for variety) and precious metal (for specialness) to mark the occasion? Like a TT YG blue dial Sub 126613LB?

If you want to stick with SS or Ti, consider a destro Panerai since you are left handed. The form, look and straps will mix things up nicely for your collection.

Good luck with the hunt!

[Robf52]

Glad you're better; I had similar illness and very hard to shake it off.
I'd go Sub and one of the green dial IWC.

[subprimero]

I think that an Omega Globemaster or a Datejust would be a good addition.

[hutch300]

I'd look at pre ceramic subs - no rush - the chase is the best part

[Golfbone]

Sub is a much better investment if you can get one at list price. I have an IWC pilot watch.....3717 I bought about 15 years ago and it's a great piece.....most legible and functional watch you can own really. Very reliable, robust, well built but ....it hasn't gone up in value like the Sub I bought right around the same time. Not even close. The pilot watch came with both a bracelet (very well built/high quality) and a strap with a deployment buckle and I think it looks much better on the strap and it's fun to mess around with different options there. If you aren't concerned about the value as an investment (which is OK....not terrible but just not Rolex/Patek ) the IWC Pilot is really a fantastic piece. Here's a picture I just took of the IWC on my wrist.

[nosignalbmwdriver]

none why iwc?

[Farsh14]

I always felt IWC is overpriced and better watches out there for that money

[ltmgeller]

Can't go wrong with a sub, but I also like the green IWC. Happy hunting.

[danwang0520]

Here's a rundown of your collection:
GMT 116710BLNR (2017) => Air(Pilot + GMT watch)
214270 Explorer Mk1 (2018) => Land
Speedmaster Pro (2017) => Space(Chronograph watch)
Omega PO 2500 (2009) => Sea (Diving watch)
Omega Seamaster Pro 300m white dial (2021) => Sea(Diving watch)
Hamilton Khaki (2021, impulse buy at the mall for $400, worn it twice) => Land(field watch)

You already have two diving watches(don't really have to add a Sub for the purpose), I recommend the following:
1. get the IWC 41mm Pilot’s chronograph, green dial IW388103 or IW388104. This will be Air(Pilot + Chronograph watch) - also adding green can diversify your colour palette.
2. get the Datejust 36/41 next. This will be versatile Land(Classic watch), can be worn to the office or on weekend.

By then, you have pretty much covered all bases for your collection to complete a sea/air/land collection.

If you want, you can add a calendar moonphase watch or an annual/perpetual calendar later on to further diversify your collection.

[Shazbot302]

Fluted dial DJ 36 of your choosing. Maybe even TT to add some pm to your collection

[youthagainsttt]

As others have said you have a couple of divers already and I may get flamed for this but if you have Rolex/Omega then IWC may not be the brand to go for.

I think you need something new to add to the collection or a new centrepiece. The 1st category may be a new type of watch that you don't have or material such as world time, precious metal or other complication etc. It may also include something by a brand which is higher up the horological scale like AP, Vacheron, JLC etc. Just a few ideas

[ArtieFufkinPolymer]

How about a Grand Seiko as a dress watch, or a Seiko Prospex Willard type watch? All easily accessible

[travisb]

Sub is a can't miss.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Cru Jones

Most importantly, cheers to your health and newfound perspectives!

How about something with a bit of color (for variety) and precious metal (for specialness) to mark the occasion? Like a TT YG blue dial Sub 126613LB?

If you want to stick with SS or Ti, consider a destro Panerai since you are left handed. The form, look and straps will mix things up nicely for your collection.

Good luck with the hunt!

I’ll echo what my friend says above Justin … to your improved health first and foremost.

I’m always impressed with Cru’s recommendations… he tends to think a bit out side of the box and has really good knowledge about the Panerai brand. I’d take a look

[RazorD]

A 5 digit submariner is a very classic comfortable watch. In todays market, you might even call it a “value” as far as the cost relative to its peers. Lol

[ExplorerGuy]

DJ36 fluted/jubilee for me would fit in to your great collection nicely. Something a bit different to what you currently have, whilst still being a Rolex which you're keen on.
Many fantastic dial options if blue isn't possible as well

[CoveWatch]

First off, really appreciate the pictures! It makes it fun to look through.. solid collection! I personally feel you have your steel Rolex base covered and wouldn't add another unless it were vastly different or TT or PM.

Really like the green dial on the Portugieser and I think its a really nice watch, but the handful of times I had it on the wrist (never seen the green dial tho), it didn't do much for me. That blue and black aquatimer looks pretty damn cool tho, but I get the size thing even tho these are meant to wear larger.

A few others to consider off the top of my head: Moser Pioneer, Hermes H08, TT Daytona Sub or GMT, a clean AP 14800 example if 36 is good with you, Ceramic IWC Pilots, GS, GP Laureato, Chopard alpine eagle..... and if you really want another Rolex, maybe something with jubilee or OF. Great position to be in and I'm excited to see what you decide.