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Old 29 January 2023, 12:02 AM   #1
superdog
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Watches I Respect

A couple threads got me thinking.

And please don’t flame me. If you don’t like the thread, please move on. As most of you folks know, I do try and keep it positive as much as possible. It’s a daily struggle, but it’s a worthy fight imho.

So I’m going to go with what I respect rather than the opposite direction.

That out of the way, there are a few watches that I tend to very much respect. And therefore, right or wrong, my first impression of the wearer reflects that. Certainly, that is not a good barometer as I’ve learned from experience. But even so, my thoughts still stand.

Why? I’m not sure. Providence maybe. History of the watch and brand. Proof that the individual wearing it is not following the pack, but rather the beat of their own drum. Maybe even it’s simply my own bias based on what I like.

Even so, some of these I respect greatly, but have no desire to own or wear. Would love to hear feedback and learn the watches other folks respect and think are cool.

In no particular order:

Omega Speedmaster
Breitling Navitimer
Any Rolex GMT (less so on jubilee, sorry).
Cartier Santos or Tank
Pretty much anything from IWC
Tudor Black Bay
Hueur Monaco
Any perpetual calendar

I think that’s it. But I feel like I’m forgetting a few. I’m sure there are more.

And to be sure, there are tons of cool watches out there. These are just the ones that stand out to me personally.

I happen to think Bremont is a neat brand as a whole. But not enough so to put on the list.

And yes, if I see someone wearing one of these, and the situation feels right, I’ll start a conversation by giving a compliment. Or, if the wearer looks grumpy, I’ll move on.
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Old 29 January 2023, 12:08 AM   #2
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I like your list, and feel the same on most of them. I would add JLC Reverso, not for me personally but if I see someone wearing one I am intrigued!
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Old 29 January 2023, 12:09 AM   #3
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I would say rolex explorer 1 36mm. Smaller watches in general. Breguet and simple Lange. Omega 1957 trilogy. Older vintage type stuff. That's where my head went.
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Old 29 January 2023, 12:10 AM   #4
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I would have a significantly broader list of watches that would suggest to me that an interesting conversation was a possibility...but I get your point. It's also one of the few instances where a car analogy would work.
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Old 29 January 2023, 12:20 AM   #5
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I like your list, and feel the same on most of them. I would add JLC Reverso, not for me personally but if I see someone wearing one I am intrigued!
Oh yes!!!

Great call!!
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Old 29 January 2023, 12:21 AM   #6
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I would say rolex explorer 1 36mm. Smaller watches in general. Breguet and simple Lange. Omega 1957 trilogy. Older vintage type stuff. That's where my head went.
Also great additions.
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Old 29 January 2023, 12:21 AM   #7
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I would have a significantly broader list of watches that would suggest to me that an interesting conversation was a possibility...but I get your point. It's also one of the few instances where a car analogy would work.
Let’s hear em!!
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Old 29 January 2023, 12:48 AM   #8
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anyone wearing a Grand Seiko or other high-end Seiko. These folks tend to be (or at least were in the past) enthusiasts, or to have a connection to Asia, where Seiko has a bit more brand cachet.
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Old 29 January 2023, 12:50 AM   #9
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Watches I Respect

I pretty much respect all watches and all brands, including Hublot and Tag Heuer, which get a lot of hate on the internet. However, I do respect some brands more than others. I’m definitely more of a Rolex/Omega kind of a guy than a Cartier/JLC kind of a guy.

Also, a lot of the German and Micro brands deserve a lot of respect too, because you just know the person that wears these watches are watch enthusiasts. Plus, they’re great watches. For example, Sinn, Damasko, Nomos, Monta, Farer, et al.

When it comes to brands like MVMT & Invicta, that’s when things start to go off the rails for me.


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Old 29 January 2023, 12:56 AM   #10
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Great list. I would add a thin eloquent time only dress watch in PM on a strap in a traditional size of 33 to 38mm.
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Old 29 January 2023, 12:57 AM   #11
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Good list Seth.

But I feel compelled to ask. Why no respect for the sub?
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Old 29 January 2023, 01:03 AM   #12
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Initially this was how I decided to go about building a collection.

I can respect names on the list and still not own them, some were watches I could never bond with like the JLC Reverso which is an icon it its own right.

Omega Speedmaster
Rolex GMT
Breitling Navitimer
Heuer Chrono
Patek Perpetual Calendar Chronograph
Vacheron Complete Calendar
Lange 1

Theses would be a basic list for me

To me at its core, this is what watches, horology and collecting should be about.

Thanks for a great thread
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Old 29 January 2023, 01:04 AM   #13
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Good list Seth.

But I feel compelled to ask. Why no respect for the sub?
I am sure I will catch heat but this forum is very low on quality discussion.

To me the Submariner is the Toyota of the watch world. Popular, robust, efficient and boring. I have had one and I prefer my GMT although I am nearly done with the brand entirely.
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Old 29 January 2023, 01:11 AM   #14
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I pretty much respect all watches and all brands, including Hublot and Tag Heuer, which get a lot of hate on the internet. However, I do respect some brands more than others. I’m definitely more of a Rolex/Omega kind of a guy than a Cartier/JLC kind of a guy.

Also, a lot of the German and Micro brands deserve a lot of respect too, because you just know the person that wears these watches are watch enthusiasts. Plus, they’re great watches. For example, Sinn, Damasko, Nomos, Monta, Farer, et al.

When it comes to brands like MVMT & Invicta, that’s when things start to go off the rails for me.


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Please know, I too respect all brands. And actually have a hublot. Tag was my first love alongside movado.

This list is just what resonates with me.
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Old 29 January 2023, 01:12 AM   #15
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Great list. I would add a thin eloquent time only dress watch in PM on a strap in a traditional size of 33 to 38mm.
Absolutely with you. I’d likely say patek dress of some sort. Or JLC
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Old 29 January 2023, 01:14 AM   #16
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Good list Seth.

But I feel compelled to ask. Why no respect for the sub?
I respect it. It’s a good watch. Clearly a legend really.

For me though, it’s the quintessential Rolex. A ton of folks wear the sub simply because of what it is. A Rolex. Not due to a real love of watches and horological passions.

I think that’s one of the reasons I prefer the gmt. It’s more of a “if you know, you know” watch.
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Old 29 January 2023, 01:20 AM   #17
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I am sure I will catch heat but this forum is very low on quality discussion.

To me the Submariner is the Toyota of the watch world. Popular, robust, efficient and boring. I have had one and I prefer my GMT although I am nearly done with the brand entirely.
Agree. Subs are ubiquitous, but not very interesting. I bought mine decades ago for diving, and it’s an excellent watch for old school diving. But Subs are boring compared to the watches on the list. Today’s colored subs, ceramic, and PM are lipstick on a pig. The basic design of the watch is still a boring utilitarian tool watch.
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Old 29 January 2023, 01:22 AM   #18
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I will second ALS Lange 1. An aficionado’s watch.
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Old 29 January 2023, 01:51 AM   #19
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I respect every watch I own.

Except for the one that the hands fell off.

He's a two timer (dual time) so he already had a reputation.

But after a spa visit and surgery he's climbing back into the respect column.

But I'm keeping a wary eye on him.
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Old 29 January 2023, 01:57 AM   #20
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Agree. Subs are ubiquitous, but not very interesting. I bought mine decades ago for diving, and it’s an excellent watch for old school diving. But Subs are boring compared to the watches on the list. Today’s colored subs, ceramic, and PM are lipstick on a pig. The basic design of the watch is still a boring utilitarian tool watch.

I bought my sub specifically because I can beat the hell out of it and it will stay with me through every step of the way. Thanks for the tool watch reference as I agree, nothing better for beating the crap out of and still keeping time.


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Old 29 January 2023, 02:03 AM   #21
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I bought my sub specifically because I can beat the hell out of it and it will stay with me through every step of the way. Thanks for the tool watch reference as I agree, nothing better for beating the crap out of and still keeping time.


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I think that's a very good point about a tool watch garnering and deserving respect. More so than some pretty and often fragile dress watch.

Personally I'd never consider a Sub style boring. Classic to me is not boring. It's iconic for a reason and has barely been changed visually in 70 years.

I rotate 10 watches and always look forward to my SeaDweller, and marvel at it's perfection.
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Old 29 January 2023, 02:06 AM   #22
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I am sure I will catch heat but this forum is very low on quality discussion.

To me the Submariner is the Toyota of the watch world. Popular, robust, efficient and boring. I have had one and I prefer my GMT although I am nearly done with the brand entirely.
Understand Brian, and horologically and objectively, your position has merit. But subjectively, except for popular, I respect the other attributes - robust, efficient, and yes, perhaps most of all, boring.

At work, I am the guy in a traditional cut charcoal suit, button down collar white shirt, with a rep tie. If I am feeling sporty, a blue shirt.

At play, plain Levis and plain t-shirt. Makes my day. So, the sub fits right in.

I like simple, sturdy and boring. It is in my DNA. So, I respect the Sub, particularly without a date.

However, I have misgivings about where the Rolex brand is going. The hype is anathema to a person who values boring. The popularity is a detraction in my book. And the AD games and barriers to entry are down right silly.
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Old 29 January 2023, 02:10 AM   #23
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For me though, it’s the quintessential Rolex. A ton of folks wear the sub simply because of what it is. A Rolex. Not due to a real love of watches and horological passions.
Unfortunately this is true and becoming truer every day. It is my only issue with wearing a sub. But I still wear it and try to ignore the hype.
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Old 29 January 2023, 02:15 AM   #24
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Definitely support the idea of a positive thread!

My list would include well-kept vintage watches worn by the original owner and still functioning military watches that have seen action and lived to tell the tale.
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Old 29 January 2023, 02:16 AM   #25
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Nice list.

My collection is built on watches that have some type of history and “persona/look” that can be recognized. There are many that fall under this that I respect but wouldn’t buy, Reverso perfect example.

For example, a Daytona, Big Pilot, and a Pam Submersible all have “classic” looks us watch nerds recognize.
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Old 29 January 2023, 02:17 AM   #26
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I think that's a very good point about a tool watch garnering and deserving respect. More so than some pretty and often fragile dress watch.

Personally I'd never consider a Sub style boring. Classic to me is not boring. It's iconic for a reason and has barely been changed visually in 70 years.

I rotate 10 watches and always look forward to my SeaDweller, and marvel at it's perfection.
The Sub has a great design I think. It’s attractive, legible and durable. Also, how “ubiquitous” a sub is depends on the environment. At Goldman Sachs NY HQ? Totally ubiquitous. But in other contexts, it’s not all that common to see them.
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Old 29 January 2023, 02:19 AM   #27
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anyone wearing a Grand Seiko or other high-end Seiko. These folks tend to be (or at least were in the past) enthusiasts, or to have a connection to Asia, where Seiko has a bit more brand cachet.
This. If you're wearing a GS, you're generally someone that understands the watch game. I would say same with Tudor, for the most part.

I'm a social person and will start a conversation with anyone , but I've noticed most of the Rolex wearers either don't know what they're wearing (model) or don't care - it's about the Rolex name more than anything to them. Having said that, there were a select few that I struck up an excellent conversation with, but that's few and far between.
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Old 29 January 2023, 02:24 AM   #28
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This. If you're wearing a GS, you're generally someone that understands the watch game. I would say same with Tudor, for the most part.

I'm a social person and will start a conversation with anyone , but I've noticed most of the Rolex wearers either don't know what they're wearing (model) or don't care - it's about the Rolex name more than anything to them. Having said that, there were a select few that I struck up an excellent conversation with, but that's few and far between.
Great call out on GS.

Absolutely should be on my list. I see one, I know that person knows.
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Old 29 January 2023, 02:26 AM   #29
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This. If you're wearing a GS, you're generally someone that understands the watch game. I would say same with Tudor, for the most part.

I'm a social person and will start a conversation with anyone , but I've noticed most of the Rolex wearers either don't know what they're wearing (model) or don't care - it's about the Rolex name more than anything to them. Having said that, there were a select few that I struck up an excellent conversation with, but that's few and far between.
And that’s my problem with Rolex today.

Imo, they took the best branding in the world, and went a bit too far. Too far for a business? Not likely. I’m sure the bean counters love it. But imo, it’s now tacky. I know they are amazing watches. And imho, the best all around watches. Bar none. But…

I don’t love that everyone wants a Rolex. Turns me off.
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Old 29 January 2023, 02:36 AM   #30
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And that’s my problem with Rolex today.

Imo, they took the best branding in the world, and went a bit too far. Too far for a business? Not likely. I’m sure the bean counters love it. But imo, it’s now tacky. I know they are amazing watches. And imho, the best all around watches. Bar none. But…

I don’t love that everyone wants a Rolex. Turns me off.

While I tend to agree with you on the modern fare, vintage are another matter, IMO.

Oh, don’t forget this is a positive thread!
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