A "go anywhere, do anything, any outfit, any occasion" watch

[SeventyThree]

Suggestions for the above please!

I want to buy a nice watch to celebrate my freeing myself from the ball and chain. However I don't have the time, inclination, space, or wherewithal to start a collection or have different watches knocking about.

So what I'd really like is a quality watch that is a real all-rounder. Something that can be worn with a suit or with more casual clothes.

I prefer tasteful and understated to big, brash and gaudy. I have slim wrists too so nothing much bigger than say 40mm.

New or used, up to say £6k but would happily spend less. Bonus points for something a little unusual and different that not everyone would recognise.

Thanks for reading.

[mikees]

I have a ss sub and a PO. Both fit the bill.

[huwp]

+1 for a SS Sub or maybe a GMT.

Glasutte Original sports (used) would be a good choice and a bit different too.

[marcgti6]

+2 for the Sub. I've had mine for a week now and I can't stop looking at it.

[Spice_Weasel]

It's not possible! Your thread title suggests you need four watches at least!

Seriously though, a Sub would be ideal. If you travel a lot (but don't dive), you could opt for a GMT IIc or the new Explorer 2

[dave87]

I went for an Omega Speedmaster Day Date in blue - http://www.omegawatches.com/gents/speedmaster/day-...

I like to think it is a pretty good allrounder

[CarlT]

TAG Carrera or Monaco

[johnfm]

Jeez, what boring suggestions - thanks to interest free credit, virtually EVERYBODY in the western world has an Omega or a Rolex sub or both. (No offence intended, but it is unavoidable!)

How about some more imaginative suggestions - where the production numbers are less than 89,0000,0000 per month OR maybe a watch that doesn't use an ETA movement...

Glaschutte Sports Evo

JLC

Frank Muller

Audemars Piguet

In fact, here is a good list of watch makers

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0...

[SeventyThree]

There's some good suggestions here - thanks - but the slight issue I have with Rolexes, Tags and Omegas is that they are quite popular - I see them all the time. Not ruling them out or anything.

I'm thinking about something a little more individual/unusual.

[marcgti6]

How about a nice JLC chrono? http://www.blowers-jewellers.co.uk/jaeger_lecoultr...

Found here - http://www.blowers-jewellers.co.uk/watches3.htm

[SeventyThree]

Marc/John - you seem to be on my wavelength. Cheers fellas. I'll check some of those suggestions out.

[anonymous-user]

Big fan of IWC:
Aquatimer chronograph, this is slightly outside your budget at 15k but the galapagos version is also nice and all black. Quite rugged too but would also look nice with a suit:
http://www.iwc.com/en-us/collection/aquatimer/IW37...

Although there is a great deal of snobbery about them, a breitling emergency is a nice watch for big wrists and goes well with anything. Plus people look at it and think you're a bit of an adventurer.

Other than that I don't know much about watches. I have a 15year old IWC der fliegerchronograph with an absolutely beautiful strap. Wear it all the time.

[RemainAllHoof]

By "go anywhere" you mean "many places" and "do anything" you mean "many things". For instance, I wouldn't take any of those watches rock climbing in Guatemala.

[RemainAllHoof]

bulldong said:

Big fan of IWC:
Aquatimer chronograph, this is slightly outside your budget at 15k but the galapagos version is also nice and all black. Quite rugged too but would also look nice with a suit:
http://www.iwc.com/en-us/collection/aquatimer/IW37...

I think the Ingenieur is supposed to be the tough watch of the IWC family.

[SeventyThree]

I won't be rock climbing in Guatemala. I might have a brisk stroll in the lake district.

[anonymous-user]

RemainAllHoof said:

I think the Ingenieur is supposed to be the tough watch of the IWC family.

It's big, sapphire glass etc it's not going to break

[johnfm]

RemainAllHoof said:

By "go anywhere" you mean "many places" and "do anything" you mean "many things". For instance, I wouldn't take any of those watches rock climbing in Guatemala.

Why not?

Most, if not all the sports watches will be tough enough - and if you can't bear a bit of patina, what is the point in owning one? To look at on a stand?

[RemainAllHoof]

johnfm said:

Why not?

Most, if not all the sports watches will be tough enough - and if you can't bear a bit of patina, what is the point in owning one? To look at on a stand?

Because there's a good risk you don't just get patina but a smashed crystal/dial or serious graze doing something like rock climbing or mountain biking compared to hiking in the Lakes. Assuming a Guatemalan peasant hasn't cut your arm off for the watch. I'm all for wabi especially on an expensive watch but still...

In any case, who said anything about sticking it on a stand? You can wear it anywhere else but for rock climbing in Guatemala so take your straw man elsewhere. Otherwise, I counter your straw man with mine: why on earth are you suggesting using a Rolex Sub as a hammer?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Straw_man

Edited by RemainAllHoof on Tuesday 6th December 22:07

[RemainAllHoof]

bulldong said:

It's big, sapphire glass etc it's not going to break

Just saying they market the Ingenieur as the watch for heading into the wilderness.

[p-car]

How about about a Ulysse Nardin Marine Chronometer? Nice low profile brand and this, their signature model, has a fantastic history with more horological awards than you can shake a stick at

http://www.ulysse-nardin.ch/en/swiss_watch_manufac...