One watch collection

I know I know this is an impossible task. As long as I’ve been on watcrunch I’ve yet to see this question asked so here it goes. If you can only have one watch, a do all watch what would it be???

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Grand Seiko SBGE201!

  • Spring drive, so you can look at the smooth sweeping seconds hand all day long
  • 72 hour power reserve, with PR indicator on front so you always know exactly how much you got left
  • +/- 15 seconds per month!
  • 200 meter water resistance
  • GMT function, with rotating bezel, enabling 3 time zone tracking
  • Fully-lumed sapphire crystal bezel!!!
  • Put it on a leather strap for a more formal look, and given all the amazing faceting and diamond-polishing, it can easily serve as sorta dressy
SBGE201 | Collections | Grand Seiko
SBGE201 | Collections | Grand Seiko
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sinn 556 or rolex explorer 1😂

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I've always disliked the term "one watch collection", since as far as I'm concerned, a single watch is not a collection, but rather just a single watch.

If I had to get rid of all of my watches except for one, I'd have a really hard time deciding which one to keep. I really like chronographs, and I find a date complication to be useful, so for me it would probably be one of chronographs with a date complication, such as my Omega Speedmaster Racing or my Sinn 144. Then again, I'm still in the honeymoon phase with my Santos De Cartier, so it would be in the running as well.

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CW C63 white dial. 

Inexpensive enough to replace if it gets lost/stolen, nice enough to dress up, and durable enough for anything I ever do. All it takes is a strap change and it can go from the field to the evening out.  

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I love all of the watches in my collection, but without a doubt my explorer I would be the one to keep if I could only keep one

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Rolex Explorer 1. I know because I’m avoiding to get that watch, so I have excuses to have more watches. 

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a G-Shock DW5600 (world time, stopwatch, timer, digital, great lume, solar powered). 

otherwise, a Reverso should suffice in any other days/occasions

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For me it would have to be my Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean (ref. 23263422101001). 600M of water resistance, 60 hours power reserve, automatic, 42mm, 20mm lug width so lots of strap options. You can wear this one in the boardroom and on your surfboard. One watch collection for sure.

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Audemars Piguet 15202 ST

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tempus

I've always disliked the term "one watch collection", since as far as I'm concerned, a single watch is not a collection, but rather just a single watch.

If I had to get rid of all of my watches except for one, I'd have a really hard time deciding which one to keep. I really like chronographs, and I find a date complication to be useful, so for me it would probably be one of chronographs with a date complication, such as my Omega Speedmaster Racing or my Sinn 144. Then again, I'm still in the honeymoon phase with my Santos De Cartier, so it would be in the running as well.

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I agree with your first paragraph totally! Otherwise everyone would be collecting cars coz they own one 😂

Btw my BB58 would be my single keeper.

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Too many with sentimental attachment. With a clean sheet possibly the Explorer or my JLC Extreme with Alarm. Latter isn‘t an obvious choice (it is a biggy) but is robust, world time and I’ve always been fascinated by the mechanical alarms. 

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I know this will come out of left field for all my watch nerd peers but, the definition of Collection (through certain synonyms) is:

"A group of things, assembly, gathering, stock, accumulation, conglomeration..." You get the idea 😅.

There is no such thing as a one watch collection, sorry. The concept of THE ONE IDEAL watch can be true in the eyes of the beholder. Nevertheless, it can not be defined as a collection; only as: "This is the only watch I have decided to own and I am proud of it 💪".

All of the watches mentioned above are  wonderful, but a collection implies plural⌚👍🙌 😀. 

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The Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Compressor Extreme LAB 2:
 

  • The case is made from JLC exclusive TiVan15 their own proprietary titanium technology which is 15% more scratch-resistant than regular titanium.
  • The bezel is made from black Zirconium ceramic, good luck scratching that.
  • The crown is also made from ceramic and has an integrated button that switches the modes from winding, GMT, and time setting.
  • A patented radial power reserver indicator.
  • Fully integrated movement, a column-wheel vertical clutch chronograph that displays the time in digital minutes (at 12). The chronograph hours (at 9).
  • An additional column-wheel for the mode selection.
  • A Date (at 3).
  • The GMT has a shorthand sticking out from the center of the dial and a 24-hour indicator (at 6).
  • Free-sprung escapement requires no lubrication and is made from silicone parts that are used to regulate timekeeping.
  • Large balance wheel for better accuracy which is held by a full balance bridge for stability.
  • The winding mechanism has ceramic ball bearings that require no lubrication. The rotor itself uses a solid platinum mass.
  • There's a slider on the left side of the case. When you slide it down it will hack the seconds. Pushing out the crown will reset the chronograph but the timekeeping will continue.
  • Lastly, the buckle has a micro-adjustment and the strap can be changed without any tools.

Pictures from Hodinkee

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A one watch collection end's up being all about compromises, and risks being boring.   However, here's how I got to my choice:

Must be of a style that is wearable in all occasions (casual and dress)

Must be the right size for all occasions (39mm)

Must consider whether a complication is required, and which one is most useful to me (GMT)

Must be robust (Stainless Steel)

Must work on multiple straps and bracelet so I avoid boredom

Must have a movement that is easily serviceable and reliable (ETA / Selita based, or high quality Quartz)

Must have horological significance I can talk to and feel good about wearing

Must have a dial that is interesting, but will go with anything I wear

I landed on the watch I currently wear as my everyday, and on reflection these were all the questions I asked myself when choosing it.  Sorry to be boring and predictable: its the Grand Seiko SBGN 003. its a compromise in so many ways, and yet it ticks all the boxes for me.

And that the key bit in this analysis: for me. 

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My choice would be Omega Seamaster 300M quartz model.

I used to own it, but I sold it.

If I could have only one watch, I would probably buy from used market.

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If I had to choose just one, the GS SBGJ201

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SimplyVintageWatches

I know this will come out of left field for all my watch nerd peers but, the definition of Collection (through certain synonyms) is:

"A group of things, assembly, gathering, stock, accumulation, conglomeration..." You get the idea 😅.

There is no such thing as a one watch collection, sorry. The concept of THE ONE IDEAL watch can be true in the eyes of the beholder. Nevertheless, it can not be defined as a collection; only as: "This is the only watch I have decided to own and I am proud of it 💪".

All of the watches mentioned above are  wonderful, but a collection implies plural⌚👍🙌 😀. 

My collection consists of a sports watch, a dress watch, a GADA and a beater. It is a Certina DS Action Chronometer. My one watch collection.

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A lot of Rolex's catalogue could be applicable, the Submariner can deal with some knocks and won't get f*cked by any contact with water but it's a Rolex so you can wear it to a nice party. 

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Rolex GMT master 2 batman. Anywhere from ultra casual to semi-formal. I don't do suited and booted anyway so to me that's everything id  need. Plus its drop dead gorgeous

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TheGreatEscapement

My collection consists of a sports watch, a dress watch, a GADA and a beater. It is a Certina DS Action Chronometer. My one watch collection.

I totally understand the concept Bro👌. And the Certina DS Action Chronometer is a very versatile quality watch 👍.

The fact is that by definition, collection means a few or many 😅. Therefore a one watch "collection" does not exist 😊. It applies to any other category as well. It's like saying: "I have a comic book collection" and only have one 😉.

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SimplyVintageWatches

I totally understand the concept Bro👌. And the Certina DS Action Chronometer is a very versatile quality watch 👍.

The fact is that by definition, collection means a few or many 😅. Therefore a one watch "collection" does not exist 😊. It applies to any other category as well. It's like saying: "I have a comic book collection" and only have one 😉.

Pedantry is so tiresome.

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TheGreatEscapement

Pedantry is so tiresome.

You're right, I'll try to loosen up 👍😃🤜🤛.

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SimplyVintageWatches

You're right, I'll try to loosen up 👍😃🤜🤛.

Cool! Let's have fun with this insane hobby. I do NOT need 21 watches. But now I want 22. Makes no sense. I can't/won't defend it. It's my insanity and no one can take it from me. I'm same with guns. Too many and never enough. Cheers!

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I'm not sure if that watch exists.  I want it to have a dive bezel, but be thin, comfortable, somewhere around 38mm, probably titanium...  a slightly smaller & thinner RZE Endeavour with nicer finishing would be in the ballpark.

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I personally love the idea of a watch that could be dressed up or down based on the strap or bracelet. So finding a watch that rides the line between a dress watch and Sport watch would be important for a 1 watch collection imo. To me, a sea master Aqua Terra 150m, could fit the build. On a rubber band wears like a "sport" watch, but on a black leather strap could be worn as a dress watch. 

I personally have been doing this with my sbga413 :)

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This may be the ultimate question for many of us.  Lifestyle, budget, and general tastes are so different, and they evolve with life.  While I have pondered this many times, I have never really encountered one watch that satisfies all of my desires.  That said, the closest I have come is with the Bond Seamaster (early model, 2531.80 I believe).  

The 1st "nice" watch I owned.  Wore it to work, the beach, everywhere.  The blue dial on that watch was far more subdued than the current iteration (which I greatly appreciate).  You could take it off the bracelet and throw it on a nice suede strap, or even a NATO.  It really did cover all the bases.  

About a year ago I found a local repair shop that had mint 41mm and 36mm versions that had been bought by a married couple and then traded in.  I was so close to pulling that trigger and giving the smaller version to my wife and calling it a day.  I did not and regret it.  

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Years I ago I say Casio G shock. Hmm... right now thats a toughie I have to get back with you. dam so many great watches out there.

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It would be a hybrid Watch comprising of

  • 25% Dress + 25% Diver + 50% G-Shock

A Frankenstein watch? 🤣

Just kidding. I would probably go with GADA Rolex Explorer I. And grab a few Nato, leather, and other different straps to mix and match.

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I'm back since I don't have a Rolex or Omega which I'm glad because I still have a hard time I would stay with the Gshock one watch survivor mode.

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One watch collection:

Rolex explorer

3 watches collection:

Rolex Explorer, Omega Moon watch , Cartier Tank Must

The Explorer for spring and Summer.

Speedy for autumn and Winter.

Tank for dress up occasions.