Rolex Collection: One Watch Choice

One day just one watch · 2022-01-05T15:38:54Z

Explore the ultimate 'one watch' challenge with a veteran collector's journey through Rolex, Patek Philippe, and more. Discover why a Rolex Day-Date became his daily wearer and the community's take on minimalist collecting.

One day just one watch

WPS member · Rolex forum

30 replies4406 views1 photos

In a thought-provoking post, 'One day just one watch' shares his decades-long journey through luxury watch collecting, culminating in a personal challenge: selecting a single timepiece from his extensive collection. His reflection on the practicalities of watch ownership and the emotional attachment to specific models offers a relatable perspective for any collector grappling with the 'one watch' dilemma. This article explores his ultimate choice and the community's diverse reactions to the concept of a minimalist collection.

I read an interesting story a while ago about a collector who after many years of collecting watches decided to sell everything except one. He had many brands in his collection from Patek Philippe to IWC and from Rolex to Seiko. Complicated and Sports watches, dress watches and simple watches. Expensive and cheap. His collection covered all bases. But it turned out there was too little time to wear them all and after all those years he made up his mind and decided to keep just one: a Grand Seiko GMT if I remember correctly. I have been buying watches for almost 35 years now. It all started with a Swatch and after that I have had IWC, JLC, Patek Philippe, Audemars Piquet, Tag Heuer, Omega, Vacheron Constantin, Cartier, Panerai, Sinn, Eberhard&Co, JeanRichard, Breitling, Zenith, Seiko, Oris and Rolex many Rolex watches. I have recently done a few acquisitions and also sold quite a few watches which I hardly wear. And from time to time I like to ask myself which one I would keep if there was only room for one. I have narrowed my choice down to three watches and from these three it would be the Yachtmaster I would keep. It has everything, sporty rubber strap, some gold, waterproof, automatic, nice power reserve and also important a low profile. But the one I wear the most is not the Yachtmaster but…

Guess which one is my daily wearer.

Key Points from the Discussion

The original author reveals his daily wearer is a Rolex Day-Date, despite initially considering a Yacht-Master for its versatility. He notes that seasonal attire influences his comfort in wearing the Day-Date.
One contributor suggests that a collection of 12 watches offers a more practical and satisfying balance than a single watch, a sentiment that resonates with the original author, who then considers expanding his collection rather than reducing it.
Another collector emphasizes the difficulty of choosing just one watch, highlighting the need for a timepiece that is durable for daily use, discreet yet made of precious metal, and possesses significant horological value.
A fellow collector from Finland correctly guesses the Rolex Day-Date as the author's daily wearer, noting that many collectors naturally gravitate towards certain pieces based on their activities.
One member states that if forced to choose a single watch from a collection of 23, their 20-year-old Rolex Explorer II with a polar dial would be the keeper.
A commenter observes the prevalence of leather bands in the author's collection, interpreting it as a reflection of old-school and classy taste.

The Discussion

Michael Reilly

Jan 5, 2022

Gold day date is the king of Rolex collection That would be my guess

Jari from Finland

Jan 5, 2022

collection down only to one watch wold be more than difficult. Surely many of us wear some pieces more often than the others depending on each's activities. My guess is that your daily watch is DD.

One day just one watch

Jan 5, 2022

Now that it is wintertime I am not afraid to wear the DD with long sleeves and coats. I wonder if i will feel the same when spring/ summertime starts and everybody can see what’s on my wrist, maybe i will start wearing the Cellini and Yachtmaster more. Time will tell….

pmh6000

Jan 5, 2022

If I had to choose one watch from my 23 collection would be almost impossible but if forced it would be my 20 year old Rolex Explorer 11 polar dial.

Michael Reilly

Jan 5, 2022

Very interesting buddy. Very eclectic to say the least. Leather bands mostly. Says old school and classy .

p2517s

Jan 6, 2022

The most comfortable to wear.

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