What do you own from the Top 10...and why/why not...
So I was going through a recent issue of Revolution Watch...the one that has mini summaries for each brand together with what watches they released in the past year.
I was thinking as I thumbed through the magazine that despite the size of my collection overall, there were a number of the Top 10 that I don't own a single modern watch from (I might own one or two vintage watches from the brand, but nothing in the last 20 years).
And I tried to assess why that might be...
So here is my unvarnished explanation that is sure to rile up some of you who are fans of the brands, but hey it's all in good fun.
Rolex - in one word...boring...ok another word...overpriced
Cartier - too feminine for me (I hear you calling me out @Porthole )
Omega - loads of Omega in the collection - awesome brand - love most of the references
Audemars Piguet - love my Code 11.59 Chronograph - just not a fan of Royal Oaks in any form
Patek Philippe - can I say boring and overpriced again? I love vintage Patek, but modern Patek...I think they have mostly lost the plot
Richard Mille - the ultimate douche watch - I'll leave it at that
Longines - love Longines...have a number and want to keep adding more - fantastic brand.
IWC - can I say boring and overpriced again? Just not getting the attraction to this brand
Breitling - great watches - have a number of their references
Vacheron Constantin - my favorite of the Top 10 - VC can do no wrong in my book and I would put them at #1 - come on the 222 alone puts them there let alone the Overseas, and the FiftySix.
So go ahead and say your piece...do you own watches from the Top 10? If so, which are your favorite and which are not...and why?
OK...some eye candy to finish this one out...
I really like chronographs especially vintage ones.
Hefty.
I used to research and have a bad itch for Rolex until I realized there’s plenty of other options, so I gave up hope. Cartier is my first important buy, the one I repeatedly tried on and choose to pull the trigger on. Omega, meh. A lot, a LOT of good references, too many? RM I’d like, but couldn’t wear, so what’s the point. VC vibes like a ‘60’s romance, love it. I kind of hear “where do I begiiiiiiin” every time I see one 🤩
I’m starting to look seriously at Longines, particularly the 2023 Conquest. I actually really like IWC, but their too highly priced for me. Not really a fan of dress watches so that’s Cartier out, Richard Mille I find a bit too big and in your face. Otherwise I’m a fan if alltmer others I just don’t shop in those price ranges.
I own zero out of the top ten.
Agree with most of your comments on the brands,apart from cartier,owned omega breitling cartier flipped them all out,were my first watches learning curve,really happy to see longines in the mix they more than deserve it,would buy a longines also vintage of most the other brands,not a fan of RM obviously out of my price range anyway but even so don't like them,more of classic watch guy,most adventurous watch styles are textured dials and jump hour complication 😂I was born old school might just buy a pocket watch.
3 Omega's, Mrs has a Ballon Bleu.
Longines and Breitling are the only others that appeal ,the majority are out of my price range
Stunning collection you've got there 😍.
Which do I have? None. Why? They cost big money and I have small money.
I like Breitling, but probably not enough to buy them.
I like Omega and Longines enough to maybe buy a diver from one or both of them at some point.
Most of the other brands don't have anything I want, and a few of them I wouldn't even wear for free.
I have 4 out of the 10, with an eye on 2 of the others I don't.
Cartier - always my first love in watch design with the Santos, Tank Francaise & Pasha being favourites.
Rolex - I've always loved the most simple & understated of the Brand, the OP.
Omega - Probably now my most favoured brand. A Speedmaster, Seamaster & Aqua Terra all in my collection.
Longines - Recently bought a Hydroconquest & really enjoy wearing it.
IWC & Vacheron Constantin - would love to have the Ingenieur or a vintage Yacht Club. An Overseas from VC would mean a few of the above getting sold.
I was given a Cartier Ronde which I like for sentimental reasons and wear on formal occasions.
I own two Longines pictured below. I love the design and value for money. I can’t really think of another brand with similarly priced, heritage inspired offerings (maybe KS?). I’d like to try on the big eye and dolce vita.
I sold an Omega Aqua Terra in exchange for a Grand Seiko. Turns out the AT wasn’t the right Omega for me. Lately, I’ve been fixated on the Railmaster and monitoring Chrono24. Not even close to purchasing it though.
Cartier- santos Dumont - anniversary present seemed appropriate at the time and I kinda like it… even though it doesn’t get much wrist time…
Omega - The SMP and the Speedmaster, why I love the movement but I always have the the SMP up on the trading block lol
Longines - quartz conquests and Zulu , we’ll Zulu I love the color combo and when it first came out I hell fell for it, the conquest I might trade in for something else hmm…
The rest I don’t have why, it’s. A bit out of reach for me at the moment … 😁
Omega, Longines & Breitling
Edit:
Was expecting the Longines today but apparently it is now coming tomorrow.
Nos. 2,4, 11 & 13 are very nice.
All of those brands, either out of my price range or overpriced (by my standards)
Rolex- Powerful, classic, marketing. Love their watches I’ve owned many and will buy more. But, I will probably never buy from an AD, I’ve owned 7 total now and they have all been Grey Market buys. This really upsets me because one day I would like to experience walking into the store and buying my new Rolex.
Cartier- Don’t know much about the brand it’s just not my style.
Omega- Great brand, Hairitage, value in the product. The Seamaster 300m is one of my favorite watches, I just wish they would make some changes. The bracelets are horrible at best and that Helium Value doesn’t do the watch any favors but I can deal with it because it’s a great watch. Also I just think they have to many watches to choose from.
AP- Great watch brand, Quality, good designs, quality. I do think they are over priced due to the hype.
Patek- Quality quality quality!, classic. Just not my style.
Richard Mille- great design if that’s what you’re into, trend setters, great marketing. I like the brand and what they design but it’s a little to flashy and out there for me.
Longings- Value, classic watch designs, good brand. I would buy one for sure one day I’ve just not had the chance to try many on. I will say I tried one on in Florence Italy this summer and the watch fit great I was just not impressed with the clasp, it’s felt really cheap to me for the price.
IWC- Just ok to me.
Breitling- Good brand, colorful, would buy again, good designs. The SO is one of my favorites! The real problem I have with Breitling is the value retention, I’ve owned many and I’ve lost money on all of them.
VC- Not my style but the are a very good watch and brand.
I’ve owned #’s- 1,3,5,8,9
Which do I have? None. Why? They cost big money and I have small money.
I like Breitling, but probably not enough to buy them.
I like Omega and Longines enough to maybe buy a diver from one or both of them at some point.
Most of the other brands don't have anything I want, and a few of them I wouldn't even wear for free.
Sums up my stance pretty much exactly. Except I’d buy most of Omega’s catalog. Some of Longines stuff is cool. Agree on Breitling and everyone else.
I’ll never understand RM.
Here’s a new Longines for ya the 1935 Aviator Mazatek :)
I think that's mostly it....included are my dull Rolex watches and my feminine Cartier 🤣
Errr, I don't suppose you're looking to move the Longines Single Push Piece Chrono on, are you??
Agree with almost every brand point you brought up. I will say that I have a soft spot for Patek, especially “neovintage” Patek.
I have to say - that speedmaster and malachite seamaster are really making me think I should spend more time looking at Omega.
I think that's mostly it....included are my dull Rolex watches and my feminine Cartier 🤣
Right arm watch wearer 🤯
Here’s a new Longines for ya the 1935 Aviator Mazatek :)
I love this reference...almost purchased one. Great reissue of the famous Czech pilot watch.
Thanks for sharing!
Right arm watch wearer 🤯
Both arms....
Errr, I don't suppose you're looking to move the Longines Single Push Piece Chrono on, are you??
Sorry ....no....
Holy smokes, that’s some selection of watches.
Omega, Longines & Breitling
Edit:
Was expecting the Longines today but apparently it is now coming tomorrow.
Did you get it?
Did you get it?
I did!
Love your analysis! I agree 100% on virtually every comment. Your thoughts on 1,2,4,5, 6, & 8 are especially dead on!
I'm a number 3 guy, only. Because they have such a broad & diverse range, I haven't enough reason to look elsewhere yet.
Rolex - No. In general I lean more towards dressy pieces than sporty pieces, and although Rolex watches (at retail) are great value, other brands' designs just speak to me more.
Cartier - No. I honestly don't know why, it's just that none of their watches have wowed me. Yet!
Omega - Yes: Speedy (sapphire sandwich). Such a timeless classic, I love it.
Audemars Piguet - No. I simply prefer other designs more, in their price range.
Patek Philippe - No. I love a lot of their dressy pieces, but I honestly think they're overpriced compared to what you can get from others (A. Lange & Söhne in particular gives you more for your money, on my opinion).
Richard Mille - No. Too expensive, and not my style.
Longines - No. I came close to getting the new panda Conquest Chronograph, however the case is too thick, and the bracelet looks too small and flimsy on the big case. Longines have a lot of "almost" watches for me.
IWC - Yes: Portofino 40mm date with black dial, on a black letter strap. Dressy, classic, subtle.
Breitling - Yes: Navitimer 43mm, blue sunburst dial with black sub-dials and an off-white colored outer ring (out of production since 2022). My first watch purchase, great piece.
Vacheron Constantin - Yes: Overseas with the blue dial. In my opinion the best looking integrated sports watch piece on the market as of 2023. Absolutely amazing, and it baffles me why this is so far behind (in terms of popularity) the others from the Holy Trinity: Royal Oak and Nautilus. Lucky for me, because I would never pay 2-3x retail for it!
Love your 1 sentence reviews - I align with you pretty closely. But either don't love enough (Omega, Longines or IWC) or have enough horo-power (VC) to own any of the 10 😂.
(horo-power ©️ is my new catch all metric that combines AD connections with general financial prowess)
Rolex - The Explorer Ref 124270. It's a classic. And a watch I'd lusted after for years. But I decided I'd only get one if I could get it at retail. Plus it's the only Rolex I'd spend my own money on...so I did.
Cartier - The Tank Must Large. It's a classic. Technically my wife's watch (an anniversary gift), but I wear it from time to time. As for too feminine? Nonsense! Gen Blackjack Pershing, Muhammad Ali and Steve Mcqueen all wore Cartier watches. You couldn't find three more manly men if you tried.
Omega - Two here, first the Speedmaster Moonwatch (hesalite, ref 311.30.42.30.01.005). My first luxury watch. A watch that accompanied men to the Moon. And, continuing with the theme, it's a classic! Second, the Seamaster Diver 300M (blue dial, ref 210.30.42.20.03.001). The coaxial escapement is the most significant mechanical watch escapement technology in...checks notes...centuries. Plus it's a great looking watch.
thru 10. None. Either due to lack of interest or money, but mostly money! I did purchase two Longines Dolce Vitas as Christmas gifts for my adult daughters this year though, so I've bought Longines, just don't own/wear them.
Very nice wristshots 👌