What period in watchmaking history speaks to you the most?

I know what my answer is, and I know what the broader watch buying public thinks (at least according to the watch news outlets and sales figures). Screw that, I want to know what the Crunchers think. Let me know what yall think. -ps, I kind of have to paint with broad strokes here, only 4 poll options available…
119 votes ·
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I love modern watches that have a bit of a 1940s military inspired look. 

Field watches and pilot's watches mostly.

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I feel the need to say that I know modern watches are objectively better from a technical point of view. Maybe I should have clarified that before posting but it will not let me edit so oh well. The watches of the 50s and 60s speak to me the most in terms of style. 

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Modern watches have a bit of every period in them, that's why I chose D. 

It's the same with lots of things. The longer it continues the more it's a case of standing on the shoulders of giants.

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I only had 4 poll options! I am sorry!

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Keeping technical progress out of the equation: Broadly 1920's to about ~1965 for me. There are fantastic designs that came in the decades thereafter, but for me, those were the days when proportions, wearability and classically informed aesthetics came first when designing a watch. The boldness of later years was much more prone to missing all of the above.

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There was an aesthetic evolution from the 1940's to the 1960's. After that the technological evolution became more important than the stylistic one. There are glorious mistakes after 1970, but peak style had already been achieved. 

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A large percentage of today's watches are homages to earlier models but built with 2022 technology.  Isn't that the best of both worlds?  

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Midcentury had reserved timeless style. Earlier was a bit ornate and doesn't hold up as well in a modern context. Later starts looking postmodern wonky, for a differently dated look. Modern starts lacking originality or looking too period trendy again.

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Mid-century for the best in design language and aesthetics, modern for build quality, material and techonological advances. 

That being said please somebody depress watch prices? I'm just a poor boy...🥲

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I love my Reverso so I chose option A. But I love the tech of today. I agree with @Velomax   

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I love the early days of diving ("Blue Water, White Death", that sort of thing), so most of the watches I like fall aesthetically into the 60s and early 70s diver style.  If it shows up on a crew member in a Cousteau movie, I'm into it.

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I think we're living in something of a golden age right now, in terms of choice and sharing in a love of collecting at least. There are so many microbrands out there, and of course it's a bit of a mixed bag, but a lot of them are making some original and gorgeous watches and providing incredible value for money. 

If I could have anything from anywhen, though, I'd love an original piece of Art Deco on my wrist. I've got some modern Art Deco-inspired pieces (my Vario Empire, for example, perfectly encapsulates what I'm saying above). But yeah, if I had the money and confidence in the dealer, I'd really love an original piece of vintage Art Deco.