If you could only have three...

[RobbieG]

I love these threads as it is most fun to read the outcomes. I tend to do a post like this every so often. I thought about doing it with only one watch, but as collectors of our magnitude it just isn't ever going to happen. I'll eat my hat if anyone here will ever realistically have one watch and only one watch. But three is a reasonable goal for a quality/not quantity move. I think it is a good challenge for any collector to ponder what he would chose if face with this decision as it helps us to force ourselves to think about not just what we like and don't like which is the usual, but more on the lines of what we can't live without so to speak. In any case, have fun...

So the basic idea is starting tomorrow, you have decided to sell all your reps and gens and come up with three realistic watches for your budget that you will have to live with for the rest of your life. Please be honest in choosing watches that you know you can afford - assuming that all of us could figure out how to buy say, three 5K-ish or less watches. In other words, even if you can't really afford it, imagine that you had 15K to spend for the three and that would cover everyone. The point of the filter here is I don't want to read people choosing Lange Double Splits unless he really could afford one, so try to be honest about your choices. I must admit that one of my choices is definitely more than I would ever want to spend on any one watch, but since I can technically make it happen I am allowing myself to include it.

I would also like to see pics of the choices along with why you chose it. Choose carefully. Remember, you have to live with them forever. I'll start.

I am fortunate enough to have two of my three already and I should have the third before long. Waiting for some metals pricing to move through the industry. LOL. Anyway my first is the PO because we all need a black bezeled dive watch right? The PO to me is great and beats my second choice, The Sub because of its versatility and because I love the AR on this watch. I feel like I get two for one as changing between the bracelet and rubber gives two totally different purposes for me.

Next up is the UN MMD for the same reason. I want to have a slightly more blingy/dressy yet sporty watch and this is the best of the best in my mind. Kind of like the same use as one would have for a Yachtmaster but mo' bettah as they say in the islands! As with the PO, the rubber strap with metal elements adds a nice dimension of versatility here - although I prefer the bracelet. But knowing I have the rubber makes me feel like I could always squash boredom if I felt the need to...

Finally, everyone needs a dressier watch and for me after searching far and wide the classic 36MM Rolex design tugs at my heart strings. I have a rhodium roman DJ now , but I am going to trade up to the ultimate dressRolex - the Glacier blue dialed platimum Day-Date with smooth bezel and roman dial on president bracelet shown here. I also like that you could swap in the fluted bezel if you liked as well as changing to an Oyster bracelet if you wanted a change, but I can't imagine ever wanting to. It's just - well..., perfect if you ask me. It is only 36MM but it literally jumps off the wrist at yards away in person and I have never seen a pic that does it justice, nor have I seen any larger watch of any size command the presence of richness that it does. It is in large part the design but also the materials, particularly the metal. Nobody does metal like Rolex.

So those are my three and believe it or not I wouldn't be surprised if I actually lived out this exercise in real life pretty soon. I can't imagine ever really feeling like I was bored if I only had these three as they get 80%+ of my attention now even with the SS DJ instead of the PT DD. I'll look forward to seeing what you all would choose. Fun exercise no?

[wheaton26]

i am having internet issues right now so i'll post pictures later ... but, i too have two out of three ...

1 - omega planet ocean 2900.50.91 (got it)

2 - panerai 091 (got it)

3 - iwc big pilot 5002 or 5004 (need it)

i would like to say that this would satisfy me for the rest of my life, but who are we kidding. fun post!

[FxrAndy]

Ingy

Blackbird

and maybe my railmaster or something a bit dressier maybe i would make something to fit the bill like the skeleton i made for the wife.

[freddy333]

You need a formal watch - Patek 5107 in Pt (nearly bought 1 last year & if I were to part out my collection, I would just hand the cash over to my Patek AD)

In the meantime, I will make due with this

A sports watch - 5513 Sub

In the meantime, I will make due with this

And an iconic wow watch - Daytona 116520

But I think this does just as well

[TeeJay]

Interesting question... I would go with these:

Generally versatile watch... Smart/Casual/on SS, with date and second functions:

Casual watch... On leather, no need for precise time or date:

Rugged watch... (when I wouldn't want to risk smacking up the others) :

Maybe not to everyone's tastes, but I think they'd meet my needs

[RobbieG]

Interesting responses guys. Many are not what I would expect. Keep them coming...

[b16a2]

The first of the trio that I would choose is the IWC Portuguese. For me it finds that balance between elegance and everyday wearability. I cannot think of a watch I would rather own than this one! I can never decide whether I prefer the white/black or the 3714/5001, but at the moment Im looknig to get the following as a graduation gift for myself this coming summer....

The second is a watch that I have actually owned quite recently, but sold it...and really regret doing so. So I will purchase one at some point in the future, because again its so good for everyday wear, and its very versatile;

And the third...my word, its when you restrict your choices you suddenly realise how many beautiful timepieces there are out there!

My final choice comes firmly down to my roots, I am a massive Breitling fan, and the Navitimer has always really been the one watch that has always stood out among all other watches. It'd a very complicated watch, something I don't usually like, but it has such a unique look to it, and for me it is the iconic Breitling;

A very tough thing to decide on three watches there Robbie!

Among the rest that I can think of off the top of my head;

UN Big date/MMD

Omega Deville

Breitling Skyland

Pam 127

IWC Portofino

Tag Carrera

BP FF

oh dear I could go on all night so Il stop haha

[jeff g]

These three forever.

Best of them all (rep of the year 2007) - MBW/MBK PP Nautilus

Could be the rep of the year 2008 - Heritage on rubber OR strap

Classic of the classic (rep of the decade) - EL IWC 3717

All three of these watches have gone to The Zigmeister for service/lume/etc.

All are ETA's. I expect these beauties to last a lifetime.

CLASSIC 42 mm Jumbo - MBW/MBK PP Nautilus

CLASSIC 45 mm Diver - Breitling Heritage

CLASSIC 42 mm Chrono - IWC Pilot Chrono

What more could one man ask...if you want to have it last forever...send it to The Zigmeister.

[Pugwash]

The reason I collect replicas is because I can't pick just three. If I could, I'd get them in gen.

[RobbieG]

Well that is just it, so humor us Pug. If, and I understand you might not want to ever have to choose as many here don't, but if you did, what three gens would you own (or reps if you would rather have then than gens as some would)?

The reason I collect replicas is because I can't pick just three. If I could, I'd get them in gen.

[Pugwash]

Well that is just it, so humor us Pug. If, and I understand you might not want to ever have to choose as many here don't, but if you did, what three gens would you own (or reps if you would rather have then than gens as some would)?

I'll humour you:

Portuguese Chrono (White and Gold), Daytona (see Freddy333 for the exact model) and 42mm PO.

Ask me again tomorrow and it'll be different.

[By-Tor]

Sports watch:

GMT Master II (already own it)

Dress watch:

Ebel BTR gold

I couldn't afford this next one without selling my apartment but who cares...

Dream watch and a collector's piece:

Omega Mega Tourbillon

[RobbieG]

I would have thought sure an IWC sport watch would be in there - The Slevin or the GST...

I'll humour you:

Portuguese Chrono (White and Gold), Daytona (see Freddy333 for the exact model) and 42mm PO.

Ask me again tomorrow and it'll be different.

[RobbieG]

Wow. This is why I come here. Learn something new every day. Never saw this before. Now that is one amazing looking Tourby. Such an interesting design...

[deltatahoe]

this is definitely a tough one....i'd probably go with the following:

i) iwc big pilot 5004

ii) pam 112 (i'm assuming i can keep my strap collection )

iii) rolex 1675 (i'm banking on the fact that i can have both an all-black and pepsi bezel insert to change things up )

reasons why i chose what i did:

i) the big pilot is an iconic watch and my favorite iwc

ii) i think the base 112 pam epitomizes the brand; it is such a simple, classic design and versatile with a whole host of straps

iii) the 1675 is one of the most comfortable watches i've ever worn (it's actually very thin), and there's nothing like the warmth of a vintage rolex

oh and just in case you didn't notice, i went for big, medium and small

deltatahoe

[RobbieG]

Yes Delta. You can have all the straps and bezels/inserts you like. That is part of the fun in gaining versatility with less watches and for me a criteria for selection on a couple of my choices. Two or more watches in one is always better...

PS - I like your three a lot. Well thought out. BTW, I had a 5004 for some time. I think it is the nicest quality watch IWC makes. All I have is an Aquatimer now which design wise is really cool, but is just average fit an finish wise. I love the design of the 5004 also - a ton, but its size turns me off. I have 7.5" wrists but I'm only 5'8" / 160 with a slim athletic build. It just looks cartoonish on me. Even 44MM PAMs are pushing it for me. I do well with 42MM in sports watches and as long as the proportions are correct 44MM is the outer limit, but some 44's are too clunky. And as such things like DJ's and DD's don't look tiny on me either. But if I could wear larger watches I might also have the 5004 and some sort of PAM in my three.

[dieselpower]

Simple question, simple answer.

1. Good waterproof watch that tells you what date it is.

Rolex 1665. either DRSD or GW makes no difference.

2. Robust chrono for precision timing.

Omega Speedmaster Professional.

So, now you know what time it is, what date it is and you can make precision timings down to a few tenths of a second.

Now you need a dress watch and the picture is complete.

3. Sorry can't answer. Too many choices, too many price variables. Oh what the hell lets go for a decent rectangular 1930's longines - very affordable, very good quality. There you have it, a perfect set.

[RobbieG]

Just a side note that in order to have a chrono I could maybe sacrifice the PO and swap in the Aquatimer for my three. But since I have a hard time living without the PO it may be more practical to swap in a chrono UN as opposed to the MMD as an alternative. Diesel brings up an interesting point. I think everyone needs a chronograph in the three to be practical...

[Pugwash]

I would have thought sure an IWC sport watch would be in there - The Slevin or the GST...

I would pretty much stick with one watch per brand and I'd need a dress watch. The Portochrono is ideal, and that means no IWC sport watch.

It's a tough world, the three-watch world.

[RobbieG]

Yeah that makes sense, the Portugese chrono is really nice all around. Just curious which configuration you happen to like? People seem pretty split on these. I think I like the silver dial with gold hands lately, but mostly because I'm sick of viagra blue on watches lately despite its rich history and supposed coolness of flame bluing. The black dial with polished steel hands is a runner too...

I would pretty much stick with one watch per brand and I'd need a dress watch. The Portochrono is ideal, and that means no IWC sport watch.

It's a tough world, the three-watch world.

[greg_r]

Only 3? Damn, that's difficult.

I can see myself buying a gen Panerai 113 sometime within the next couple of years, so that would be one. A decent rep Fiddy would make two. I'd have a hard time giving up my PAM111, but I'd have to have something different for a third watch - the problem is choosing just one as there's far too many to choose from. For today I'll choose a Rolex DeepSea, but ask me again tomorrow and you'll get a different answer...

[deltatahoe]

PS - I like your three a lot. Well thought out.

thanks after some serious thought about my watch wearing habits (ie, what do i find myself actually wearing most, not what do i like best in theory), these were the three that i think i could make due with in the long run.

Diesel brings up an interesting point. I think everyone needs a chronograph in the three to be practical...

this would throw a real kink in my three. pugwash is right -- the three watch world is tough

after some thought, my revised three with a chronograph would be as follows:

i) iwc big pilot 5004

ii) pam 112

iii) rolex daytona 116520 (picture courtesy of gioarmani)

it's definitely hard to see the 1675 go, but i think i could make due with the daytona

deltatahoe

ps, given i NEVER use my chronographs, i think i'd still prefer to stick with my original three

[scoobs1971]

For me it would be:

1. IWC Portofino chrono black

2. PAM111

3. Tag Heuer Link Chrono

[Pugwash]

Yeah that makes sense, the Portugese chrono is really nice all around. Just curious which configuration you happen to like?

[Miss Understood]

Only three? Tsk!

I suppose I could possibly be satisfied with my succulent salmon, Ken the Beast from Oz, and Chuck Norris. Possibly.

Oh my, were we discussing timepieces here?