What are some watches that grew on you? (Whether you own it or not)
(Photo credits: https://monochrome-watches.com/audemars-piguet-code-11-59-new-collection-review-sihh-2019-live-photos-price/ )
When I first saw the Code 11.59 3 hander, I thought "why?" A couple years later, I kinda get it. It's the modern dress watch, with tons of intricate details most people will ignore/won't realize. An ultimate if you know, you know kind of watch. I guess I would have loved the 3 hander more if it lost the outer ring, but now that I know more about watches, I get it. I would totally rock this, especially the white lacquered dial... if I had a lot of spare change.
Were there any watches that you ignored/despised/etc. at first but grew on you? What made you change your mind?
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HS
Armchair watch collector
NYC, NY, USA
Member since
Last active: 11 hrs ago
7.00” / 17.78 cm
Great topic!
There are 2 types of watches that when I first saw, I thought, "That is soooooo ugly. Who in the world would ever wear that?"
#1
#2
Great topic!
There are 2 types of watches that when I first saw, I thought, "That is soooooo ugly. Who in the world would ever wear that?"
#1
#2
I second #1, though this is the image in my head when I see a power gauge:
Yes, great topic, and funny take there @Omeganut 😜
For me, since 2018 when I began mulling over if I should get into the hobby or not, I did not really appreciate the Mercedes hour hand. I found watches with such an hour hand "meh", especially when they called too much attention to itself by being imbalanced with its partner minute hand. I prefer sword, fence, or pencil hands on both hour-minute hands in a good symmetrical and complementary size, and I still do today. But, when I found out more about this Mercedes hand, and saw how Timefactors implemented it much better than Rolex, IMHO, in their Smiths Everest, I got a better appreciation for its function and style.
Anything Rolex, particularly the Datejust. I never really liked their look, but over the years, they’ve taken over my biases. I still however could do without a Submariner.
Needless to say, a Datejust is on my radar.
Yes, great topic, and funny take there @Omeganut 😜
For me, since 2018 when I began mulling over if I should get into the hobby or not, I did not really appreciate the Mercedes hour hand. I found watches with such an hour hand "meh", especially when they called too much attention to itself by being imbalanced with its partner minute hand. I prefer sword, fence, or pencil hands on both hour-minute hands in a good symmetrical and complementary size, and I still do today. But, when I found out more about this Mercedes hand, and saw how Timefactors implemented it much better than Rolex, IMHO, in their Smiths Everest, I got a better appreciation for its function and style.
Very interesting! I suppose on a similar note, Snowflake hands were very meh for me but now I really like them!
Anything Rolex, particularly the Datejust. I never really liked their look, but over the years, they’ve taken over my biases. I still however could do without a Submariner.
Needless to say, a Datejust is on my radar.
My love for Rolex ebbs and flows, one minute they're brillliantly made and the next they're overpriced hype pieces 😂🤷🏻♂️
Anything Rolex, particularly the Datejust. I never really liked their look, but over the years, they’ve taken over my biases. I still however could do without a Submariner.
Needless to say, a Datejust is on my radar.
Same here re. the Submariner.
Same here re. the Submariner.
Right? I’d rather scoop up a, dare I say it, an AirKing.
My love for Rolex ebbs and flows, one minute they're brillliantly made and the next they're overpriced hype pieces 😂🤷🏻♂️
Same. It’s a love hate relationship with Rolex. Sometimes they piss me off, but damn it if I don’t come running back. 🤷🏻♂️
Very interesting! I suppose on a similar note, Snowflake hands were very meh for me but now I really like them!
Hehe... speaking of the "snowflake" hour hand (which actually is more a baseball diamond than a snowflake, hehe)... Yep I still find it meh on the hour hand, but looks distinctive and unique on the seconds hand, akin to a lollipop seconds hand. But that's just me. 😉
Right? I’d rather scoop up a, dare I say it, an AirKing.
Indeed. And IMHO, there are many more microbrands that make more robust, better spec'd, and more intuitive and aesthetically pleasing divers. In my example above, the Smiths Everest resonates with me more than the current Rolex Explorer. To each his own, of course. 😉
Cheers to that. I have a one off bronze diver with a sapphire domed crystal, waffle dial, superluminova markers, drilled through lugs, running on a NH35. We had 200 commissioned as a watch club. It’s way more aesthetically pleasing than a submariner, IMHO.
2. Dress watches. The opposite issue I guess. I used to think they were boring and had nothing to capture the interest. Now I am captivated by the beauty of the simplicity.
Anything Rolex, particularly the Datejust. I never really liked their look, but over the years, they’ve taken over my biases. I still however could do without a Submariner.
Needless to say, a Datejust is on my radar.
Same here, and I'll raise you a yachtmaster.
Seiko Captain Willard
Rolex Yacht Master
Panerai Luminor Due
There's very little that springs to mind when it comes to anything growing on me.... not even mold.
There's plenty that have gone the other way though. So many times I've seen a watch that I simply must have but, for whatever reason, not pulled the trigger and then, 6 months later, being very happy I didn't pull the trigger as I decide I actually don't like it at all. Wish I'd done that with my first wife. 🤣
Yeowch! Learning experiences 😅
Piaget Altiplano 3 hander. I totally didn't "get" it until an AD friend made me try one on.
Just wondering but did you not have a preference for dress watches in general? Or just the Altiplano?
Just wondering but did you not have a preference for dress watches in general? Or just the Altiplano?
They're ok, but not my go-to style. I had walked right past the case to go look at another brand (ALS, maybe), when she called me back and said basically "you gotta try this on".
I'm still not going to buy one, but it wore beautifully. If I were in the market, it would be neck and neck with a Moser.
When I first got into watches, I didn't get the Royal Oak (AP) and the Nautilus (Patek).... as well as (and I know this may stir the pot) the Omega Speedmaster. I just didn't get the hype and still don't know if I love the Omega brand as a whole.... but over the years, I am much, much more of a fan of the Royal Oak and the Speedy.... I'm still working on being a fan of the the Nautilus!
Tag Heuer Kirium
Definitely an initial dislike. It’s a weird shape, strange integrated-but-not-integrated bracelet situation, odd bezel, some initial quartz snobbery from myself. Not sure when I started to warm to it, probably during my mad Tag buying phase. The chronograph is like butter - the reset motion is just so smooth. It’s lovely in the flesh, it’s got good proportions, it wears well; there is a lot going on which actually just works collectively. The crystal has a slight doming to it which is subtle. Very well-made. Almost vintage now apparently 😂
They're ok, but not my go-to style. I had walked right past the case to go look at another brand (ALS, maybe), when she called me back and said basically "you gotta try this on".
I'm still not going to buy one, but it wore beautifully. If I were in the market, it would be neck and neck with a Moser.
Wow, I mean I have never held watches from either brands but comparable to a Moser good huh? I guess I'll have to try one on when I get the chance!
When I first got into watches, I didn't get the Royal Oak (AP) and the Nautilus (Patek).... as well as (and I know this may stir the pot) the Omega Speedmaster. I just didn't get the hype and still don't know if I love the Omega brand as a whole.... but over the years, I am much, much more of a fan of the Royal Oak and the Speedy.... I'm still working on being a fan of the the Nautilus!
With regards to RO and Nautilus, I believe history plays a huge part in appreciating the watches (i.e. making SS sports watches cool).
Speedy, I was on the same boat. It seemed like another boring black dial sports watch. After experiencing my Hamilton though, it clicked: it's how well the watch is designed to be a tool watch. I still don't have any interest in acquiring one but I can respect it a lot more now!
Tag Heuer Kirium
Definitely an initial dislike. It’s a weird shape, strange integrated-but-not-integrated bracelet situation, odd bezel, some initial quartz snobbery from myself. Not sure when I started to warm to it, probably during my mad Tag buying phase. The chronograph is like butter - the reset motion is just so smooth. It’s lovely in the flesh, it’s got good proportions, it wears well; there is a lot going on which actually just works collectively. The crystal has a slight doming to it which is subtle. Very well-made. Almost vintage now apparently 😂
That is indeed a fairly odd watch at first glance!
I could definitely say that a number of Longines have grown on me. I fell in love with the Spirit, so I bought it, but I was also considering the Silver Arrow, HydroConquest 41mm (ceramic bezel), Avigation BigEye chrono and the Heritage Conquest.
Winner:
The other options:
I could definitely say that a number of Longines have grown on me. I fell in love with the Spirit, so I bought it, but I was also considering the Silver Arrow, HydroConquest 41mm (ceramic bezel), Avigation BigEye chrono and the Heritage Conquest.
Winner:
The other options:
I don't think you could have gone wrong with any of the choices! Lovely watch!
Where did the name "Snowflake" come from anyway? Diamond hand sounds more luxurious, albeit direct 🤷🏻♂️
I think it came from a visual pattern the hand creates as it goes around the dial...?
But that's if you do a time lapse and stare at your watch for 12 hours straight! Only a lunatic would do that! 🤣 It's a diamond hand, plain and simple. Hehehe...
Speedy Professional. This was for several reasons. First, I had a g-shock and that was truly accurate for 1/1000th the price, so I didn't understand the need of a chronograph. This was when I first got into watches. Plus the dimensions (on paper) were too large for my wrist. Tried it on several months ago on a whim. I was at an AD after going in trying to get a chance to see the No Time To Die Seamaster. I have been mesmerized ever since. It fit my wrist like a dream and the new bracelet is so comfortable. It's been added to my "future" watch list.
Speedy Professional. This was for several reasons. First, I had a g-shock and that was truly accurate for 1/1000th the price, so I didn't understand the need of a chronograph. This was when I first got into watches. Plus the dimensions (on paper) were too large for my wrist. Tried it on several months ago on a whim. I was at an AD after going in trying to get a chance to see the No Time To Die Seamaster. I have been mesmerized ever since. It fit my wrist like a dream and the new bracelet is so comfortable. It's been added to my "future" watch list.
Awesome! Modern Omega watches never really tickled my fancy but I have a feeling I'll feel different about them when I try them on in person too. Speedy looks too... clean but I think that's the appeal for those who own it.
Another entry: the Panerai Radiomir. It’s taken nearly 20 years but for some reason it’s the one watch I find myself lusting over constantly…
Another entry: the Panerai Radiomir. It’s taken nearly 20 years but for some reason it’s the one watch I find myself lusting over constantly…
It's a cool watch... just so very expensive 😂