What do you look for in a watch?

razumny · **Posted:** Fri Aug 12, 2011 3:25 am

This is meant as the opposite to http://www.breitlingsource.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=32285.

What I'm asking, is basically, what is it that sells you about a watch; what's your preference?

For me, it looks like this:

Weight: Heavy-ish
Material: Stainless Steel
Strap or bracelet: Bracelet
Dial: Blue, preferably with a mother-of-pearl effect, with stripes or points, not numbers
Date display: Yes, no magnification
Complications: Chronograph please
Bezel: Rotating

Alinfrance · **Posted:** Fri Aug 12, 2011 4:16 am

Size -large
Weight -heavy
Accurate -very
Bling -sort of
Colour -Blue

Roffensian · **Posted:** Fri Aug 12, 2011 4:39 am

Well not to pick nits, but technically chronometer rating isn't a complication.

I don't have a list of specific things, depending on the niche that I am looking for the watch to fill I want different things - a sporty weekend watch needs different characteristics than a dress watch.

That said, in the last couple of years I have been looking to add watches that were different to what I already owned so have become much more interested in unique or unusual watches so if I had to sum that up it would be something like a watch that is different from 99% of the watches on the market.

Scott · **Posted:** Fri Aug 12, 2011 11:53 am

My wants are determined by where I am on my watch journey, and it evolves over time.

Nine years ago, I wanted an iconic, stainless, black dial watch that could work as sports or dress. Between the Moon Watch and a Rolex Submariner, I decided on a Sub but ended up with a GMT.

I discovered the Navitimer shortly thereafter, and wondered if I bought too soon. That's the other specific-model watch I pursued, and I pursued the "right one" for years. Just this year the "right one" came along.

In the meantime, I wanted a blue dial, something a little sportier. Got an SMP electic blue dial. Still want a blue dial in the collection and I have gone from a blue dialed old Chronospace to putting a pepsi bezel on my GMT, which has so far satiated my need for blue.

Then, a while dial. Had a couple of other watches, then moved up to my Navi.

I needed a chrono about a couple of years into it, but not all chronos. They're great, until its time to service them.

Earlier this year I had a number of nice watches, but not a "high line" model. Through a number of transactions I worked my way up to my Breguet.

Now I'm at a crossroads of sorts. I have fewer watches than I have had in some time, but better quality across the board. I have also blown the budget for this year. I'd love to have a luxury dive watch or maybe a more dedicated formal watch, though the Breguet XXI does a pretty good job of that. I am nuts over the new style Fifty Fathoms, but realistically, its a year away, maybe. Even tougher to find preowned, and just as desirable to me, is the new-style VC Overseas. I'm trying to determine if these are realistic acquisitions or not, and if not, what's next that is. I popped on the Bay earlier today to look at IWC Aquatimers again. My watch guy has an old Seadweller that I loved on my wrist. These are a price level down. I might consider getting a Steelfish again, or a black CSO. Again, another price point.

I think a lot of people here go through the same sort of thing. Many here started with or moved up to a Breitling, and then moved up from there, though they still contribute here.

razumny · **Posted:** Fri Aug 12, 2011 12:04 pm

Roffensian wrote:

Well not to pick nits, but technically chronometer rating isn't a complication.

Ah, I meant to say chronograph...

boogiebot · **Posted:** Fri Aug 12, 2011 12:32 pm

when i first started in this watch hobby, i use to look for the biggest bad ass watch that i could find. that lead me to the bentley motrs t speed and then the super avenger. then while looking at some pics of my watch on my wrist I came to realize that those pieces were just too big for me to pull off.

so now my requirements are how the overall watch sits on my wrist. i no longer limit myself to dial sizes. it all really depends on how the lugs match your wrist. as long as the lugs dont go past the width of my wrist i will pretty much try anything. granted the style is something that i like.

Driver8 · **Posted:** Fri Aug 12, 2011 1:13 pm

I look for just something that "speaks" to me in some way. I can look at many different types of watch - sports, dress, divers, whatever - and some will just speak to me, while others won't. I can't put my finger on what it is, but I certainly know it when I see it.

The only thing I am particular on is the size. Anything too small (sub 42mm) just doesn't look right on my wrist IMO, and nowadays I'm also quite picky about anything too big as well. Anything over 47mm is generally too big IMO these days, although it does depend a little on the lug length. Oh and if a watch is on a bracelet, it MUST have micro-adjustment!

Scott · **Posted:** Fri Aug 12, 2011 2:38 pm

Okay, having done my general preference soliloquy above, my basics now are:

Size: 41-44mm
Case: Stainless, maybe rose gold
Strap/bracelet: Usually bracelet, though I will wear a strap
Movement: collection-based: and in-house, and flexible on the others
Dial: I want variety
Weight: Again, a little variety

thomasenlow1 · **Posted:** Fri Aug 12, 2011 4:10 pm

I mostly look for watches in the 40-44mm range and prefer a smooth bezel and crystal. (no bezel protectors for me)

I also look for a case height under 15mm so cuffs are not a problem

AF_Rob · **Posted:** Thu Aug 25, 2011 11:08 pm

For me this is where my taste is right now.
size - 40-44mm
weight - low-med
case - stainless (used to be a 2 tone guy)
white face
strap
no bling at all.
I'm trying to find that sweet spot that is a timeless, yet somewhat sporty look. I want a watch that can go anywhere I go. I'm in a tie, and in the ocean at least once a week. It's nice to have a watch that's at home in either situation.

archie42 · **Posted:** Fri Aug 26, 2011 1:31 am

Archie looks for the following:-

1) BANG PER BUCK!
2) Must be a "Holy Trinity" Member or next rung down at the least
3) Ability to "PULL BIRDS!"

Hence the reason for all the Ultra Slim dress watches in my collection!!!!

nr123 · **Posted:** Fri Aug 26, 2011 3:08 am

archie42 wrote:

3) Ability to "PULL BIRDS!"

I'm going to assume this is the reason for the multiple divorces?

mjfur · **Posted:** Fri Aug 26, 2011 4:38 am

archie42 wrote:

3) Ability to "PULL BIRDS!"

A "Bird" that knows or cares about your watch? Does it exist?

AF_Rob · **Posted:** Fri Aug 26, 2011 9:07 am

mjfur wrote:

archie42 wrote:

3) Ability to "PULL BIRDS!"

A "Bird" that knows or cares about your watch? Does it exist?

Actually, those birds do exist... My girl has actually spent more money on watches than I have. It's like two addicts in one household. We watch shop together. She knows what she likes, and appreciates a well made watch. She mainly wears men's mid size watches.

UofRSpider · **Posted:** Fri Aug 26, 2011 1:00 pm

Interesting. For me the following are requirements for my next purchase (and basically apply to my former):

1) Must be aesthetically appealing to me (extremely important)
2) Must be a terrific deal - I have never paid retail nor close to retail for any watch
3) Must have appeal or "want" regarding the possibility for resale
4) Must be mechanical and in-house
4.5) Must have an exhibition case back
5) Must be capable of being worn on a leather strap

I am really torn right now with my collection. I am tossing around dumping several (with additional funding) and buying an A. Lange & Sohne (Time Zone), Glashutte Original (Panomaticdate), or a Breguet (La Tradition). I want something different you don't see on many wrists (or hardly ever see). Something in white gold that has the "wow" factor when I study the dial and movement.

Fun topic.

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