Horological Monogamy: The Allure of the “One Watch”

That white dial OP is gorgeous! My wife is a one Watcher, it’s a Rolex. There is something magical about those watches. I feel it a little when I wear my Tudor(s). If you had a white dial OP and a beater, I suspect you’d be pretty happy or worst case keep you’d keep collecting great watches…. Do whatever makes you happy 

My father in law has worn a 1016 (I think) every day since ~1970.  

He still loves it, and it absolutely has that "my dad's watch" thing for my wife and her siblings that we forum dwellers romanticize.

I would strongly consider making that play.

Since a watch will never file for divorce and sue for alimony, I really don't get the analogy.

P.S.: It also doesn't work because I like to match my watch to my outfit.

I think about this all the time. And I want it to be a reality.  But all the things I want dont currently exist in a single watch (that I’m aware of) so I find myself with a collection of watches that separately amount to all the tech and design language I desire. 
 

Hopefully one day. 
 

If I had to choose only one from my current collection it would be my GS SLGH009. 
 

I feel you my friend. 

Variety is the spice of life, so I hear 😉

So last year I walked into an AD (one where I had already gotten the Milgauss earlier that year and would get the Explorer II later that year) and the sales associate I work with told me if I had come by the night before (and I had gotten into town the night before), a white DJ41 was just sitting there ready to be bought.

I know you are talking about an OP, but just saying, the white OP/DJ is just the kind of watch that could be a watch that would work for an everyday type watch. Rolex does white spectacularly.

After having a collection, not sure I could go back to one watch.  If I did, the Polar Explorer II would be a finalist...cause man, that white.

The white OP is SO choice… but 1 watch?!

After the #1wc (praise @Aurelian , may he terrorize WatchCrunch with his capricious rule changes forever), I'm pretty convinced I could do it with my JLC Master Geographic which has proven so much more versatile than I ever thought it would.

It's honestly not bad, not having to think about watches a ton.  I found it oddly refreshing in many ways and think most watch lovers should consider a periodic watch fast.

Maybe do what I did and plug all your watches into a random number generator and commit to a multi week period watch fast.

You might find it suits you! 😈😃😈😃

Oh, but that is a great watch, not merely a very good watch.

I can really appreciate the idea of having a single watch, but I enjoy the variety too much for that to be a reality for me. Before I became interested in watches, I'd only ever have 1 watch at a time, and would wear it exclusively. I had no problem with that, but it often meant wearing a watch that didn't really suit the occasion, but that was due to the watches themselves always being either too formal or too casual to be truly versatile. A watch like the OP or an Omega Aqua Terra would be ideal for most people contemplating always wearing the same watch, since they tend to be extremely versatile.

Here's the watch that, if by some miracle I could have ever gotten, I would gladly have as my one watch.

Buuuuuut, since that will never happen, I doubt I'll ever go down to one.

We’re still talking about watches, right? 🤪

I could live everyday with a FXD, but somedays i would like to unwind with a GS or Cartier. I cannot unwind with the FXD, its like a dog begging to be walked.

I don’t know man, one watch doesn’t work for all occasions. It means you wouldn’t wear it in ‘some’ circumstances. You wouldn’t really take that OP into the ocean, while hiking, or most any adventure. So then you’d want a second watch for adventures like a g-shock. So, back to two watches. 

I think it's completely feasible to wear one watch all the time.  That said, I have two points to make.

Think about this all you romantics.  How are your children going to have memories of you and a watch you gift them later in life if you change watches every day?  If you can't pick one, are any of them really special?

The other thing I'll mention, that kind of agues the other side of things is this:  if you sell all your watches and just wear one, what will you do with your time?  What's going to take the place of this hobby?  Because let's be honest here.  If you aren't going to buy any more watches, looking at and reading about watches is going to be painful.  And a hobby shouldn't be painful.  At least not like that.

I used to always have only one watch at a time, but it was a bit boring. I never thought about my watch, I just wore it... I like watches, so I like thinking about my watches. I don't want to go back to just wearing a watch for the utility of having a watch on my wrist at all times. 

I can see going from 12 down to six, but that's about as low as I'd go. I like variety, and having the right watch for each situation I find myself in regularly.

I'm working on something similar myself. I have stayed at 3-4 for my collecting journey, but there has been a lot buying and selling. I'm getting a grail now in the hopes that one will settle the collection and the buying and selling will stop or at least almost halt.

I think that a beater is a good thing to have if you have a house, garden, car, gym routine and/or help out friends, family or neighbours with stuff.

I also agree with the time and money wasted on this hobby in theory. But I have experienced how additions/obsessions can move around. Check out one of my earlier post about being sober. If you replace this addiction unconsciousally with another it's not necessarily a better situation. So be aware ☺️

I own a black 36mm version, although purchased as an investment if I am honest. Initially I was left a bit flat, but after a short while appreciated the quality. 

Interesting... However for me, 1 watch only would be too less of a variety :p. I'm also trying to reduce the number of watches I own. I feel personally for me, I would like to stick to 4 watches, 1 dress, 1 diver, 1 field and 1 beater watch (probably digital) and keep upgrading watches within these 4 categories. That sounds like a sweet spot to me. 

One for the daily Monday to Friday grind - a workhorse, tough as nails, but also something you love. One for the weekend - same attributes as the daily, but a completely different look. One for going out; something extra special perhaps. And one watch to rule them all.

I think this is kind of a Rolex thing, that quest for the "One Watch". I know very few brands that can be the only one in their owner's mind. And I know very few people looking for a "One Watch" that is not a Rolex.

Personaly, if I had to stick with one and only watch for the rest of my life, it would never be an OP, 36 or 39 don't mind, neither a Rolex. I would go with something more dynamic, versatile, playful and rare. I think of a Moser Pioneer, an AquaTerra 38mm, or in my budget, a Chr. Ward C60 - C63 or C65...

I already have only ONE wife, ONE house, ONE car, ONE daughter and ONE job in my ONE life, let me have some polygamy please !

This is my ultimate Rolex! You are extremely lucky sir. Never sell this one, but if ever you choose to do, drop me a text 😅

I have an OP39 and it is my most worn watch. Depending on my budget I can imagine this could be a perfect one watch collection, but I can afford to own more hence I do. Hence I think thia is a question of personal preference. As I really like my OP39 I find it hard to imagine I would swap this for 16 other watches in the same value. But that is just me. 😉

I don't feel comfortable with 1, maybe 3-5 watches is my sweet spot. 

It's good to have variety. The truth is, I actually do have different watches for different needs. A Citizen Nighthawk is super useful for radio controlled functions, whereas a dive watch bezel is crucial for everyday events. Its nice to have different options. 

I don't think I could do just 1 watch, but only 2 or 3 maybe. I love the white OP39 though. It's such a shame they only made that for a couple years.

You can be an enthusiast without being a collector. The only real question is whether you would get bored with only one watch.

The good thing is that you can give it a go, and if it isn’t you - you can rebuild a collection - and this might be just as exciting.

Have fun either way!