The Real "10 Greatest Watches Ever Made" List

[Adeodatus]

1. Perrelet 1770

For the invention of the self winding mechanism, which we use until this very day

2. Breguet Tourbillon Perpetual Calendar

For invention of Turbillon

3. Patek Philippe Calatrava

For innovative movement and iconic design

4. Seiko SpringDrive

One of the most accurate mechanical watches ever made

5. A. Lange & Sohne Lange 31

For extraordinary design and craftsmanship and one of the longest power reserves

6. Vacheron Constantin Tour de l’Ile

One of the most complicated watches ever built

7. Breitling/Heuer Caliber 11 line | Zenith El Primero

The first automatic chronograph, can't choose one because they all were introduced together.

8. Seiko 6139

The first production automatic chronograph. Disputed, but nevertheless.

9. Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso

for the iconic design and innovation

10. Rolex GMT Master 6542

For the concept. A sign of a new era, global village, first time a man needs to know not only his own time but respect other's.

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Honorable mention: Seiko Astron

The First production quartz wrist watch

This list is my personal opinion, would be interesting to read your own lists

[ubiquitous]

In general, I agree with a lot of your list for the innovation involved and the significance that each design/concept represents.

However, somewhere in there I'd probably include something with a tuning fork

Even if just an honorable mention.

[Adeodatus]

Absolutely. The Bulova Accutron should be there as well, but it I preferred the Astron, since the significance of the quartz wrist watches is obvious, but I wanted to keep the list mechanical watches oriented. In reality the Accutron and the Astron probably should take the 6 and 7 place, if not higher.

Edited March 1, 2012 by Adeodatus

[maxman]

Very very Impressive list you have here. I honsetly cant take exception with any of your choices.

Now all you need Is a Australian accent.

Good job Adeodatus.

Mike

[gran]

How did ROLEX get onto the list????

Walnut and the magician This watch is made in a walnut shell and incorporates a magician automaton and music. It was made in Geneva in 1810 of walnut shell, wood, and enamel.

Made in Geneva in 1810, this incredible watch was made in a walnut shell. It incorporates a magician automaton and music! This is just one of the treasures to be found at the Patek Philippe Museum near Lake Geneva. It houses one of the most important collections of watches in the world, going back six hundred years.

http://schoolruiner.appspot.com/www.cnet.com/2300-1_1-10009026.html?s=0&o=10009026

[Adeodatus]

How did ROLEX get onto the list????

Have no idea... Never thought I'd include any Rolex on any list, but I though that GMT movements are important.

Just think about it. It couldn't be invented 150 years ago, people just didn't think that way. They never thought of themselves as a part of a global community. When do one needs to track dual time? Only when people, form different places, recognize each other and feel the need to keep track of the other person's life and events, to know and feel closer to the other person, even if that person is on the other side of the globe, from another culture or of another language. This is a huge change in a personal perception of who you are as a human being and the GMT symbolizes this change in my mind.

This need and this change, that has driven Rolex to create the GMT, are the embodiment of the Zeitgeist, the Modern era.

As an owner of a company with branches in two different countries and clients all over the world, from different cultures, speaking different languages, I feel this on a daily basis. Just look at this forum - we are different people, from different backgrounds, different ages, thousands of miles away from each other, sharing the same interests, keeping in touch, making friends. I find it absolutely focking ridiculously awesome. For me, the GMT watch is a very nice reminder and a symbol of this state of mind.