2020 1-Watch Only Challenge

[BDL]

Seeing Jack’s story of wearing the same 1803 for 50 years got me thinking about an experiment of wearing only one watch, everyday in 2020. Call it a horological New Year’s resolution.

I have narrowed the field to a Rolex No Date Sub 114060 and an Audemars Piguet 25682BA Quantieme Perpetuel. Really different watches.

The rules would be simple. Starting January 1, wear a watch everyday for the whole year. Strap changes allowed.

I’ll state up front this is also driven by the fact I can’t keep both of these, one has to go.




I’ll start with the No Date Sub-



Pros: Perfect daily wearer. It is 100% worry free, tough as nails and weather/activity proof.

It is also automatic so it is ready to roll every morning. The balance of the dial of the No Date is what I love most. It also is a wink and nod to other watch folks that you have been on a journey. You can know very little about watches, and make a wise and valid choice to get a Date Sub to mark an occasion or buy “a nice watch”, but in my opinion you don’t just stumble on getting a No Date.

You are choosing historical reference and dial balance over the convenience of having a date function. Real watch nerd stuff. It’s one real complication, a timing bezel has real world functionality that can not be ignored.

Short version: it is beautiful in its simplicity.

Cons: While there are not many, compared to the AP this is a bit more cliché. Imagine you are waiting for a flight and see someone wearing a 114060 on a NATO strap. Here is what would pop into my head....this person knows a thing or two about watches and more than likely would be willing to strike up a enjoyable non pretentious conversation about the subject. To folks that do no care or know much about watches, they might simplify things down to the Rolex script and make certain conclusions...good, bad or indifferent.

Now for the AP-



Pros: Let’s go back to that hypothetical airport and you see someone wearing what looks like a Cartier tank or a JLC Reverso but you can quite tell. It puzzles you so you look closer and realize you don’t know what the heck this is. Non watch folks have have only realized it is not an Apple Watch and gone back to checking Instagram. If you decide to ask, you find out it is a AP Perpetual Calendar Moonphase in a tank case. Bizarre. As I mentioned earlier you have to go down a watch rabbit hole to land on a No Date Sub, you have gotten to the bottom and attended a Mad Tea party or two to end up with this strange object on your wrist.

Unique is an understatement.

I also love gold. My class ring and wedding ring are gold, and it has a warmth and charm for me personally as my late father loved it as well. I’ll mention one last Pro...AP’s customer service. This watch has a double digit serial number (not a typo). The original papers are blank, including the case and reference number. I called AP in Clearwater, FL and the person on the phone could not have been more helpful. She explained for $250 they will extract the paperwork and give me a new set. Amazing. She also sent me info on all the straps I could order and offered to send me a shipping kit to get the papers and anything else I wanted done. A+ AP.

Cons: While I tend to wear my watches without worry, a precious metal Perpetual Calendar is not a Sub. Wearing it everyday seems a bit scary. I also worry about my assumption that this will fly below the radar (very important to me) it is gold and I might be wrong about that. I also worry about wearing a leather strap everyday in rain, in and out of a golf bag, playing with my kids and dog. I also might be dead wrong about this being a concern, it is just unfamiliar territory for me.

Last, this is a manual. While winding everyday can be called poetic by some it might just be a pain.

I really want to give the 2020 1-watch challenge a go. But as you can tell I have not finished the conversation in my own head. Writing this out is perhaps a part of me working that out.

I welcome anyone’s thoughts and wish everyone a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year.

Be in good health.



-BDL




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[LandWatch]

Two very different watches and rather complementary. Why not keep both? If I had the choice of one only, it would be the 114060 hands down. The perfect watch for a one watch person.

[LandWatch]

I should have said, since I bought my 114060 roughly 5 years ago, I’ve worn little else. I can probably could on one hand the number of days I’ve worn a different watch. So, I can vouch that it can be done. I’m up for that challenge too!

[Blansky]

The horror.

I just cringe at the thought.

One watch.

I'm running to my room in tears and slamming the door..... NOOOOOOOOOOOOO.

I can't, I can't, I won't do it.

[dafuture]

I say go with the AP. The Sub is great without a doubt, but we all know it can be a daily wearer. I think the AP is more of a real "test" to see if this can be done.

[BDL]

Originally Posted by dafuture

I say go with the AP. The Sub is great without a doubt, but we all know it can be a daily wearer. I think the AP is more of a real "test" to see if this can be done.

Solid point.

[JasoninDenver]

The AP just does not look right on the Nato.

I could not see the AP as a one watch solution either.

[dafuture]

Originally Posted by JasoninDenver

The AP just does not look right on the Nato.

I could not see the AP as a one watch solution either.

On the contrary, I actually dig the look. It's out there for sure, but I don't mind it being a little different.

[Maxy]

I think only 1 watch - 1 day challenge is apt for this forum!

[~JJ]

Not for me, I enjoy watches. Have fun!

[tudorbaja27]

AP - for the uniqueness - for me.

[trippinjimmy]

So like I can only buy one watch next year?


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[SunTzu]

If one had to go, I'd drop the Rolex. That AP is gorgeous and an awesome piece of horological technology.

But for EVERYDAY 365 day practicality, I'd go with the Sub for the challenge.

Good luck! And try to keep both!

[derekhayden]

I am going to put this one watch for 2020 challenge aside since you stated you can only keep one anyway.

If I had to choose which one to keep it would be the AP without hesitation. The Sub can be picked up anytime but that AP is truly special IMO. You can try and over shadow this by saying it's a Sub and more WIS than a Sub Date. That may be true but it's still just a Rolex Sub when sitting next to that AP.

[efthi]

This is very hard mate, I wish I could go on with one for a straight week
Good luck though


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[Burlington]

Great thread idea !

I would also love to see the AP as a daily wearer as it was intended to be when manufactured.

This is why I like my AP Diver so much. No compromise between robustness and horological finishing / craftwork

[TK-710]

You can do it! I have worn my SD4K for 1223 straight days. Admittedly there have been about half a dozen days where I took it off and put another watch on but that watch has never lasted more than 8 hours before the SD4K went back on. Since I sleep with a watch on I would estimate its total time off my wrist in that time is less than 72 hours.

If you find the right watch not only is it possible, it’s actually easy and believe it or not completely painless.

It’s only been the last month or so where I’ve gotten the itch to buy another watch. But it hasn’t won yet. I’m really liking the whole one watch mindset.

[Old Expat Beast]

Tough challenge for a watch enthusiast. A bit like eating the same meal every day for a year, however delicious it might be.

[Db7566]

I am in with my own no date sub. The g shock will have to relax for a year.

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[Kyle3130]

Submariner, I’ve been doing this every year for the last 6 years as the 14060M is the only watch I own and I love it! Good luck whichever you choose!

[denmanproject]

I’d be down for a January challenge, a year? no way lol

[Chewbacca]

Nah. I was once challenged to stay married for a year. I failed three times. I’m not falling for this again.

[007timer]

The submariner is a much more versatile watch than the AP. The SS, black dial and the ability to change the strap every 4 months and not run out of options is nice. The Rolex will wear well in many occasions, swimming, board shorts and board rooms. You can’t do that with the AP.

I love the AP, very unique and rare. But for what you are asking. The Rolex takes the cake.


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[007timer]

Originally Posted by Chewbacca

Nah. I was once challenged to stay married for a year. I failed three times. I’m not falling for this again.

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[GradyPhilpott]

Not going to happen.

[Andad]

I don’t like this idea one, little, bit.

[Ian Macdermott]

Wear just one watch for a year ?

I sometimes have trouble wearing one for a day. I might have been up to the challenge of wearing one for a week but a year good grief that's 365 days 52 weeks 8,760 hours 525,600 minutes 31,536,000 seconds.

Sorry no.


I would keep the AP.

[jareemy8]

I have trouble getting through a week with one watch. I say go with the sub if you must.


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[BDL]

Originally Posted by chewbacca

nah. I was once challenged to stay married for a year. I failed three times. I’m not falling for this again.

ha!!!

[cruise_bone]

I couldn't do that AP for more than a day, let alone a year.
But good luck wearing one watch for the entire year.
I couldn't do it. First world problems, but I have too many that I love to wear.