Horological Meandering

Hi All, What are the watches that every watch tragic should have experienced? Watches that define the various classes of horology and become a yardstick by which other (often newer) offerings may be assessed. They don’t necessarily have to be watches that...  

the Zenith El Primero ref. A 386? Not only an example of the first automatic chronograph, but also in this particular reference a design which is attractive, distinctive and widely recongnized....  

casio gshock swatch seiko diver ap royal oak pp calatrava rolex daytona/explorer (I & II) IWC Portuguese Panerai base rad and luminor jlc reverso I'm sure there are more......interesting question J

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... you are right. Very significant for the Swiss watch industry. Andrew...  

I don't doubt what you say, but can you articulate exactly how and why such significance is attached to this Swatch piece? I must say...I really haven't followed this development that much and am curious about why one would say that. Thanks DB Darien

.... my candidates (some are in my collection, others aren not): Omega Speedmaster (specifically pre-moon) Patek 96 with AM caliber Seiko Quartz Astron (the first) AP Royal Oak 5402ST (the first RO with cal. 2121) VC Historique Chrono Lange 1 Seiko Spring... 

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Rolex GMT -for creating a new "genre" Lange 1 - return of German watch making Lange datograph - for superlative finishing in a movement, that is relatively affordable or achievable in one's lifetime Casio G shock - for being the quartz watch that everyone... 

I would recommend a daytona. Also a simple calatrava from PP Also something from ALS and Breguet Julian

How so do they have similar DNA? One is a chrono and a space watch, and the other is a divers watch with no complications, excoet for date in some versions. Just enquiring, not meant to be offensive in ANY way. Best, Horo

I am also interested in Julian's line of thinking, but it may well depend on the level you consider them in the tononomic ranking. As a Family of watches, they are both Sports watches, at a Genus level the Rolex is a diver and the Omega a chronograph (tha... 

I am not saying they are similar but what I am trying to say is that they have a similar background. Towhit- the subbie ref 5513 and speedmaster ( or very similar to the daytona) . I think that both are iconic watches but if you are looking for the essenc... 

I thought you might. ;-) Andrew

Now I understand. The Daytona is an iconic watch, which stood the test of time very well. That's is a reflection of correct market strategy and an evergreen design, and it's longevity brings about to it cult status, in fact, I just another one to kickstar... 

Hi all, I think Omega has an icon concerning contemporary watches - the central tourbillon! In the vintage sector Omega has set a milestone with the simple 30 mm caliber which made the wristwatch a success! It was simple and reliable and broke records at ...  

thanks for showing! Andreas

. This message has been edited by mac_omega on 2011-01-06 05:18:42

and it really helps that I don't have a lot of cash to play around with as the choosing becomes really more refined. 1) Speedmaster Professional - it's the regular production moonwatch for me... for EVERYTHING chronograph. i understand that there are a to... 

I'd look to, The watches that really were path-breaking and timeless classics, which have left lasting impressions on the market. The first watches in a Rolex oyster case. Patek's Calatrava Ref 96. JLC's Reverso. Cartier's Tank. GP's triple bridge. Movado... 

This has to be one of the better posts in a really long time on HM. Thanks Andrew, Rishad

Not sure I should take that as a complement, Rishad. But I like to think there's something for everyone on HoMe. Pleased you're enjoying this thread. Me too! A

I really loved the post, and hearing what these special timers were in other peoples opinion. Rishad

I would nominate: Omega Speedmaster Rolex Submariner JLC Reverso Patek Calatrava AP Royal Oak Lange 1 Swatch Seiko Diver Casio GShock I could go on (and on and on), but hopefully that covers most bases. No independents though, and no FPJ, no Panerai, no B... 

like a 111 or a 112 or a 0. I think everyone should have owned one before chipping in on the big watches vs. small watches debate, I know it has been an eye-opener for me. Other than that, fully second the Speedy and the Sub No Date (a watch that I still ... 

Hi Andrew, I do not know a clearer, simpler and yet more beautiful approach to display the time. Like the Calatrava or the JLC Geophysic/Geomatic (which are far more expesive for the average customer!) I treasure their essential qualities. Kind regards, a...  

I would also start with Rolex GMT..... a timeless watch.... I would then say the Royal Oak and followed by the Nautilus... Two watches that are also timeless is design and desire.... I would end with a PP chrono that speaks by itself.... Cheers

. . . "essentials" for me - the Speedmaster and the Submariner. [photo from Google images] They're the only watches I can think of that have simultaneously withstood the test of time, with fifty-odd years of production and no end in sight, and consistentl...  

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. . . of the cal 321 than an entirely different movement. It's a debatable point, and certainly there's a demarcation between the cal 321 and all the succeeding movements.

Speed/Sea Master and the Submariner/Sea Dweller… Would also like to add the Reverso: And the Memovox: The AP Royal Oak and PP Calatrava also pop in to mind as classics that one day should be experienced… Best Blomman...  

with obvious nods to Sea/Speedmaster almost every sport Rolex ever made... and of course AP RO and ROO.

As much as I love the Reverso, and it's well established iconic status, and longevity in design and concept....it has not inspired watch making or watch genre in any way. It remains...reverso, and it hasn't evolved, nor have other brands or watchmakers in... 

And I think you are right. But, when the Reverso was borne there ware several brands that made them. And more recently some versions of the Reverso have been spotted… (Web pics, sorry don't know who to credit) I agree that it might not be the most &...  

So I'll add few more that were important for me to sink deep into abyss of horological madness ... my Magnificent seven Panerai Logo AP RO JLC Reverso PP Calatrava and last but not least JLC Atmos Cheers Damjan

those big glass-encased thingies! And no doubt unmatched in the horological world. BTW if you have tons of cash, the Paris JLC has both variations of the Mark Newsom Atmos, the Marquetry Klindt Atmos, the homage to the original, etc. All numbered 7...  

but I was so crazed by Andrew's beautiful writting that I just couldn't go by a) " watch tragic should have experienced" b) "that define the various classes of horology" c) " understanding of their design and significance" so I put 1 clock among 6 watches... 

I suggest the Chronoswiss Regulateur - the first modern regulator that opened the door for many others to go down the quirky dial path. Also for the unashamed use of existing materials and movements without pretense that it was their own work. The Bulova ...  

Hi Here's my list and yes its JLC centric but so are my preferences, in no particular order Reverso Memovox Futurematic Seiko 5 Rolex Submariner Vulcain cricket Patek Calatrava Swatch Fifty Fathoms Omega Speedmaster Bulova Accutron And finally something d... 

Interesting inclusion of the 2892, and I have to agree with you regarding its significance. We need a separate thread on significant movements! Interestingly, many of the watches that posters have mentioned also have iconic and significant movements insid... 

The Opus V: For me it defined a lot of trends: original time display, innovative design, size... Fr.Xavier...  

and surely they deserve honourable mention? The Santos is one of the very first specific wristwatch designs and, as it is still manufactured today, the oldest surviving design family. Also the Tank: a classic design of extreme longevity that has pretty mu... 

The mother of all concept watches, in my opinion. And one of the first, if not the first, to use silicon for the escapement, in silence, while others communicated a lot on this new material ... Later. Best, Nicolas.

1) The Rolex Submariner - This is the watch that I am reminded of, when the word diving is ever mentioned. 2) The original Heaur Carrea. 3) Rolex Day Date on a president bracelet - I believe that this watch was the first one that the day of the week was s... 

in general. I am partial to the fifty fathoms because I recently acquired one. Am I correct that the fifty fathoms is considered the first modern dive watch with a rotating bezel, etc. I would think Cartier would be on the list due to being involved in ma... 

It has been written that it was the first " modern " diving watch, born in 1953.... With the Rolex Submariner. Hard to tell which of the FF or the Sub came first, though. Best, Nicolas.