What three watches are required for every serious collector?

[scarlet knight]

I will lead off. Rolex Submariner, Omega Speedmaster and a JLC Reverso.

[themast]

It is difficult to generalize. Seems like you have used as criteria “mainstream icons”.
However one can have a ”serious collection” of Genta designs (RO, Nautilus, Ingenieur), chronographs (Daytona, Speedmaster, El Primero) etc etc. It depend on the criteria

[77T]

Setting brands aside, a serious collector - aka an ACE - might want a Tourbillon model, a sports model, and a thin dress model.

Accurate
Competitive
Elegant

Simple...ACE...


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[DLRIDES]

Originally Posted by scarlet knight

I will lead off. Rolex Submariner, Omega Speedmaster and a JLC Reverso.

This




Of course “serious” is a subjective term. For some the above is a dream start to a collection. Others will try to shame the above in favor of PM icons from PP, VC, and AP.

[Reddy_Kilowatt]

Whatever floats your boat.

[superstarmar]

Originally Posted by Reddy_Kilowatt

Whatever floats your boat.

Exactly...

[socalwatchcollector]

PP-5980, AP-26579CE, PP-5970j This should be an interesting thread...

[henrylee]

Whatever three you want and makes you happy. I'm not a serious collector but I'm happy with my SubC date, BLNR, and 16710 with many bezels.

[DCheeta]

The three watches that he/she loves the most.

I would say that the less "serious" collectors feel it necessary to have certain pieces that forums and social media tell them they should have. As a collector becomes more serious they develop their own taste and can decide for themselves what they want.

[Cauhauna]

For me:
Submariner
Navitimer
Royal Oak

[MrWeha]

Nautilus, Royal Oak and Daytona

[jsuarez]

Any 3 that you love.

[superstarmar]

Submariner, Daytona and GMT-Master....

[Old Expat Beast]

What three watches are required for the most predictable, unimaginative collection?

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by DCheeta

The three watches that he/she loves the most.

I would say that the less "serious" collectors feel it necessary to have certain pieces that forums and social media tell them they should have. As a collector becomes more serious they develop their own taste and can decide for themselves what they want.

This

[Mick8moses]

Originally Posted by 77T

Setting brands aside, a serious collector - aka an ACE - might want a Tourbillon model, a sports model, and a thin dress model.

Accurate
Competitive
Elegant

Simple...ACE...


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Agreed. Depends on your lifestyle. For me: a daily wear sports model, PM dress watch, and a true beater.

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[tyler1980]

ALS, FPJ, Patek. That is a serious collector

Im not there yet... maybe someday

[aquatimerfla]

As above poster said. Depend on how serious and what your flavour is.

In general I would propose:

Rolex Submariner
Omega Speedmaster Professional
Grand Seiko Hi Beat 360000

This covers all 3 bases and situations

next level you could go for example:

AP Diver
Rolex Daytona
Grand Seiko Hi Beat 36000

Again, covers all 3 bases

Both lists are for the serious collector:

[HL65]

Originally Posted by DCheeta

The three watches that he/she loves the most.

I would say that the less "serious" collectors feel it necessary to have certain pieces that forums and social media tell them they should have. As a collector becomes more serious they develop their own taste and can decide for themselves what they want.

Exactly

[yannis]

LV, BLNR, Sky-Dweller, Sea Dweller 126600, Deepsea 116660 JC. Pick any three. :)

[Terrakot]

LV, Pepsi and PP Aquanaut please and call me the serious collector

[VFA]

Datograph, daytona, a complicated patek, vintage grand seiko, a piece from a truly independent brand (de bethune, KV, VH, GF etc.)

pick 3

[Takonwong]

AP Royal Oak
GS Springdrive
JLC perpetual calendar

Because they float my boat

[Takonwong]

Those are my realistic three

[1William]

Rolex Submariner, Omega Speed Master, number 3?

[PJ S]

Originally Posted by DCheeta

The three watches that he/she loves the most.

I would say that the less "serious" collectors feel it necessary to have certain pieces that forums and social media tell them they should have. As a collector becomes more serious they develop their own taste and can decide for themselves what they want.

Never a truer word was said!

[scarlet knight]

My backup 3: Patek Calatrava, Rolex BLNR, AP Royal Oak.

[asiparks]

this is where I landed, though I'm a fun collector. They are, after all, just watches.......

Blancpain fifty fathoms,
IWC 3717
Rolex 216570 Explorer II

I have a few others kicking around, (including the obligatory Speedy Pro), but if I had to pare back, these are the ones I'd likely keep as my 3 watches.

[seal13il]

Whatever the collector appreciates I guess?... My 1st one when I was a early 20 something doing contracting was a breitling.... I'm attracted to bigger chronos... Especially being a bigger guy... I like complications.... Therefore Rolex was never a top lister.... More of a "work watch".... For me I guess the ultimate will consist of Patek, VC, ALS....

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[AK797]

Originally Posted by DCheeta

The three watches that he/she loves the most.

I would say that the less "serious" collectors feel it necessary to have certain pieces that forums and social media tell them they should have. As a collector becomes more serious they develop their own taste and can decide for themselves what they want.

I agree with this and would say this kind of thread is useful for new members who are looking for some guidance on the generic "must haves", much like the car equivalents are a quick shorthand way for newbies to get their bearings. And as Dave says watches are such a personal and emotional decision that the best path is to sample as many as you can and then settle down with the ones that mean the most to you.

So some brands to eventually sample are Patek, Lange, AP, Breguet, Journe, Moser, RM and Greubel Forsey.