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Posted: 4/22/2023 3:11:13 PM EDT
It’s no secret that I really enjoy this sub-forum. While I belong to other watch related sites, there is something nice about sharing my watch obsessions with other “like-minded” (by that I mean firearms loving) members here on ARF.COM. It’s just not the same with the skinny jeans crowd elsewhere. The “What watch are you wearing today” threat is one of the best on this site. I think the beauty of that thread is seeing the variety in all your collections. On that note I thought it would be a cool idea to start a “Your favorite watch” thread, in hopes that others will share views on their favorite piece. Not objective reviews but the subject “why” behind your choice – with pics of course. We get all types here … some with 100 watches and some with just one or two. My thought was it would be nice to share more about our collective watch-loving/collecting experience, and for me at least, the why behind that piece that has emerged as a current favorite.
It is really hard to settle on a favorite watch, but for me it is the Tudor Black Bay 58 in black w/gold glint. For most of my life I was a Seiko diver guy. I loved them (and still do). But I always wanted a Rolex Sub. For many, many years I said “someday I’ll get a Sub” but things always got in the way – marriage, a house payment, kids, $ spent on guns, more guns, etc. Little did I know back then how I was missing out: no shit a Sub back in ’95 was $2K at the PX. I thought that was crazy $! When I finally retired from the Army I decided I was going to finally get that Sub. The only problem was this timing coincided with the much-lamented great spike in Rolex prices and ridiculous AD games that make acquiring a Rolex a total PINTA. I settled. I picked up a 2nd gen 41mm red bezel Tudor Black Bay Heritage. I actually loved that watch … it was really sharp looking, high quality (up to this point my main reference had been Seiko divers) and something about the red bezel was just very, very cool. However, it was thick, a bit too thick for me. So, when I found out about the 39mm BB58, I flipped the red heritage jumped on the Tudor BB58 train. The BB58 was amazing. Same high-quality feel, no-date (which I prefer), super accurate (less than +/-1-2 SPD), 70 hrs of power reserve and what I would call the “old-school Sub” vibe. Personally, I think the black with subtle gold glint is retro cool and beautiful. I would describe the 58’s style as a blend of pre-1959 vintage Sub with Tudor accents, mainly the cross shaped hands made famous by the Tudor Subs. Aluminum bezel insert instead of that modern Rolex glossy ceramic. On the negative side, I was not crazy about the faux rivets on the bracelet or the lack of adjustment in the 58’s bracelet. The hands are without question divisive. I have a good friend that I know can’t stand Tudor cross hands, but I like them. In fact, long before the Black Bays appeared I once had a SKX modified to look like a “Tudor Sub” – so the hands are perfect for me. All of this was great. YET – I still lusted after that Rolex Sub. Finally, last Spring I got “The Call”. The local AD had a no-date Sub for me which I happily snapped up. In rookie mistake I flipped my BB58 as being “redundant”. But here is the thing, the more I wore the long-anticipated Sub, the more I realized, I actually preferred the BB58! For a couple of reasons. First, the 58’s 39mm size was much better for daily wear. Second, in retrospect the quality of the 58 really felt “on par” with the much more expensive Sub. OK, so not with the lack of adjustment in the bracelet, but besides that, pretty damn close. Also, and this is hard to explain, I just felt more comfortable wearing the smaller BB58. The modern maxi-case 41mm Sub has come to represent something else these days, and I just sort of got turned off by it all. It’s a flex watch so to speak. All that to say finally getting that Sub was anticlimactic to say the least. I’ve since come to realize in an ideal world I’d probably love the size and feel of a vintage Sub, but the prices on those are still stupid high and oh by the way vintage Rolex is not even close to the specs (accuracy/power reserve/anti-magnetic resistance etc) that the BB58 is! Here is the shocker: I flipped the Sub. Nowadays, my only Rolex is a very low-key Explorer I, which I much prefer, and I think it will likely stay that way. In the end, I went back to the BB58. I sourced a second one NIB one off Watchrecon (this is a great site BTW if you are a watch guy). I also figured out the bracelet fix: I found a new 39mm Ranger bracelet on Ebay and it fits the 58 perfectly. Now I have no rivets and an excellent adjustable clasp. I hope Tudor puts this clasp on all their watches soon, it’s a game changer. This set-up is my summer daily and my current favorite watch. Sure, I still wear my Willard, Speedmaster, and I love the low-key Explorer. But if it came right down to it, the BB58 could be my “one watch”. I hope you enjoyed reading this and if you have time, post a few pics and the “why” behind your favorite watch. I’d really like to see what some of you narrow down as “The One” …or at least the current one! Regards - 5L Attached File Attached File Attached File Attached File Attached File Attached File Attached File |
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[#1]
I liked my suunto observer enough to write this about it
https://loadoutroom.com/46919/the-story-of-my-suunto-observer-to-hell-and-back/ |
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[#2]
I suppose my favorite (and only) watch is the '70's era SeaDweller that I bought in '85 and have worn pretty much every day since. I still enjoy it every time I look at it. Let's see, checking it 10 times a day for 38 years is 138,700 times that I've gotten enjoyment from that $750 investment I made at 21. I'd call that a pretty decent ROI.
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[#3]
Quoted: I liked my suunto observer enough to write this about it https://loadoutroom.com/46919/the-story-of-my-suunto-observer-to-hell-and-back/ View Quote Great write-up, thanks for sharing that. Suunto makes a great watch. I was lucky enough to be issued one in 2001. Wore it on OIF I&II. Funny story- we actually had a big crack down on team issued gear in 2005 in the groups - It was called “Total Recall”. Long story short we had to put a bunch of OPFUND purchased items like Suuntos, holsters, concealable BA, etc on the team property book. So I gave mine back to the team when I left in 2006 for school. WTF right? I bought a g-shock to replace it when I returned to Group. |
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[#4]
My SKX007 is by far my favorite. I keep buying nicer watches and the SKX keeps finding its way bock on my wrist.
When I was 19 or 20 I received the SKX as both a birthday gift from my mother and as a gift to celebrate receiving my first white collar job in my career field. My SKX has since been with me to every job interview, every vacation, it has seen more 5.56 and 9mm than any of my individual guns, its been in two oceans, a dozen lakes, a half dozen rivers, worn on an absolutely ridiculous number of miles trail hiking, and has been run into an irresponsible number of door frames. Its still my everyday watch, but due to my emotional attachment to the SKX now my g shock 5610 gets the worst of it in the gym, hiking, at the range, and dog training/exercise, etc. Last year my SKX became unacceptably fast and the dive bezel was frozen so with the guidance of some wonderful people on this forum it made the trip to be serviced for the first time and has run perfectly since. Attached File Attached File Attached File Attached File |
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[#5]
my parents wanted to get me a graduation gift from med school a bunch of years ago. I got to shop for anything that was within the budget provided, and always liked the classic dive watch look. Had owned a bunch of random low end stuff and wore fossils, swatches, timex, etc since as long as I can remember.
I picked an Omega Seamaster because i didn't want to come out of pocket the extra $400 or something to get a rolex. Welp the values are disproportionate these days but it doesn't matter. the Omega has been on my wrist almost every day of my life since then. Dating who would become my wife, timing the contractions as my sons were born, through work struggles and successes, funerals, parties, afternoons in the back yard, you name it, it's been at this point my ~5th longest owned physical objects I still have (pocket knife, Oldsmobile convertible, first gun, other watch I still have). It was a good choice since it still looks good with gym clothing or going out in a blazer. I'm happy I did it and I am actually waffling on a new watch purchase. I am hitting a new financial milestone I always said I'd reward myself for, and after going through a rough year (watching a double homicide and wife in the hospital and almost dying) I think it's time to enjoy some of pennies I've been pinching for the better part of 20 years now. |
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[#8]
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[#11]
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[#12]
Some great watches on here, especially the old Seikos. Have not seen an Orange Monster in a while!
@ramairthree your 5-digit Sub is awesome. The new ones just don't have that same charm. Also I think the new 32xx movements have some issues. I have been looking for a clean "neo-vintage" Sub at a reasonable $ ... no luck yet! |
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[#13]
Quoted: I just got an orange monster in today. 2nd birthday present to myself ! Love it so far. https://i.postimg.cc/L6hrgydt/20230424-140733.jpg View Quote @teats , you seem to get yourself a lot of “ birthday presents“ For the past few months when it comes to the time pieces , but YOLO man Unless it is the lighting, the orange on yours looks like it has a patina, like it has seen some action! Since I’ve been participating in this thread the last year or two, I really come to greatly appreciate a nice time piece that looks like it has been there and done the deal. Before this I would treat my old TAG Like it was a fine piece of Tiffany crystal And only broke it out when it was time to dress up and head to town |
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[#14]
Quoted: I liked my suunto observer enough to write this about it https://loadoutroom.com/46919/the-story-of-my-suunto-observer-to-hell-and-back/ View Quote That is awesome. And also makes the case that these multifunction hockey pucks are not going to be around and being used 50 - 100 years later like their mechanical, analog analogues have been and will be. |
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[#15]
Quoted: My SKX007 is by far my favorite. I keep buying nicer watches and the SKX keeps finding its way bock on my wrist. When I was 19 or 20 I received the SKX as both a birthday gift from my mother and as a gift to celebrate receiving my first white collar job in my career field. My SKX has since been with me to every job interview, every vacation, it has seen more 5.56 and 9mm than any of my individual guns, its been in two oceans, a dozen lakes, a half dozen rivers, worn on an absolutely ridiculous number of miles trail hiking, and has been run into an irresponsible number of door frames. Its still my everyday watch, but due to my emotional attachment to the SKX now my g shock 5610 gets the worst of it in the gym, hiking, at the range, and dog training/exercise, etc. Last year my SKX became unacceptably fast and the dive bezel was frozen so with the guidance of some wonderful people on this forum it made the trip to be serviced for the first time and has run perfectly since. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/369083/skx_para3_jpg-2792079.JPG https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/369083/skx_kuhl_crop_jpg-2792080.JPG https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/369083/skx_night_jpg-2792081.JPG https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/369083/skx_mug_jpg-2792082.JPG View Quote Nice. That line spent about 20 years as the greatest bang for the buck auto diver available. |
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[#16]
Quoted: Some great watches on here, especially the old Seikos. Have not seen an Orange Monster in a while! @ramairthree your 5-digit Sub is awesome. The new ones just don't have that same charm. Also I think the new 32xx movements have some issues. I have been looking for a clean "neo-vintage" Sub at a reasonable $ ... no luck yet! View Quote Yeah, five or ten years ago I wish I had snagged some ~ 1998-2004 or so 14060Ms, 16610s, and 16600s. While not cheap, they were a bargain compared to new and did not have “vintage” premiums. Something about that period-a shift to Lumi-Nova that lasts forever, luxury touches like framed hour indices, old school tool features like drilled lugs, improved touches like SEL instead of folded end links, the more classic sized case, the lack of extra Rolex engravings, etc. and that is my favorite model/type era. Sure, they don’t have super extra feature bracelets or ceramic bezels, or quite the volume/size/intensity of Lume indices. But kind of a great high point of the evolution of the classic before the shift to the modern. |
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[#17]
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[#18]
Attached File
Why? It is my grail watch. Saved for 2 years to purchase. Purchased from an Authorized Dealer, who was a close friend. Purchased on my 50th birthday. AD friend was killed a few weeks later. So, has unfortunate sentimental value as well. Additionally, now discontinued. Too many outside factors. It is definitely my favorite fir reasons other than the watch itself. Favorite for pure attributes… Hands down. Attached File |
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[#19]
It was made Febuary 2001.
It really isn't as dull as that pic shows. I'm going to wear it tomorrow, so I'll get a better pic out in the sunlight. The Landshark was from my wife, and the Monster was from money I got in cards ! Today, I'm wearing a Mod I couldn't pass up because it's serial number is 970425. I got married today, 26 years ago ! The skx031j I just bought, I just had to have a set of skx0040's. I'm still out from back surgery, bored, and buying stuff. |
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[#21]
Citizen ecodrive.
I have 2. Never wind them, no batteries. I prefer ease and function. |
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[#22]
I would say my ‘89 GMT Master II just because it’s been halfway around the world and was worn through most of my major life events. However, just to mix it up a bit, one of my favorites is this IWC 3536. It’s the successor to the IWC Porsche Design Ocean 2000 and they didn’t make very many of them. It’s a tad on the thick side but it is one of my favorites because it is very legible and the lightweight titanium case/bracelet make it extremely comfortable:
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[#23]
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[#25]
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[#27]
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[#29]
Quoted: https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/164007/F2365188-44FE-4100-98C8-89499BFF2387-2774474.jpg View Quote So it’s official? ?? |
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[#30]
Quoted: So it’s official? ?? Book it. |
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[#31]
My Marathon GSAR black dial 41mm.
Attached File Why? Well, first of all it’s the first Swiss watch I ever bought. I’ve wanted a higher end watch for years. Last year I got obsessed with these watches for a variety of reasons. The three main reasons are because they have a radiation symbol on them. (I’ve gotten very interested nuclear technologies) I have an image in my minds eye of one of my favorite fictional characters receiving one as a gift for saving someone life. (Although I’m pretty sure the one she got was a 36mm.) And finally the GSAR symbolizes perfectly how I’ve changed compared to the person I used to be. I got interested in watches when I was around 16 years old and teenage me would have hated this watch. Would have hated it’s brutal aesthetics, hated the radiation symbol. Hated the fact that Marathon is a Canadian company. Then there’s the serendipities of this thing. I have this GSAR only because of an absurd sounding coincidence. I was dropping off my Vostok Amphibia for maintenance at a shop in Reno Nevada. I was trapped in Reno for years and I was really looking forward to getting the fuck out of that town. I asked the guy at the shop if he had any Marathon watches for sale and he said, “heard of them. But we haven’t seen one here in years.” The day before I leave I get a call. “Hey, you know that very specific model of Marathon GSAR you were looking for? We just had a guy trade one in. You want to see it?” As soon as I put my hands on it I realize that I have to have it. It’s been lucky for me. Even when I don’t wear it I’ve been using it as a bedside clock. The tritium makes it very legible in the dead of night. It has fulfilled exactly the purpose that I intended for it. Something to remind me where I am going as opposed to where and who I have been. I’ve taken it clear across this country. Down to the SpaceX site in Boca Chica, Dyess Air Force Base, all the way to Cape Canaveral. |
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[#32]
Rolex Sea-Dweller ref 16600
Attached File I’ve worn a watch since I was 5. Around the same time, my parents started a subscription to National Geographic Magazine. Every month, I got a glimpse into the bigger world beyond my neighborhood. And every month, there was a full-page, color advertisement for a Rolex. The models varied from month to month, but I found myself drawn to the underwater photography that accompanied the Submariner and Sea-Dweller ads. I had no concept of what a luxury watch was - it just looked really cool to a 10 year old. It remains the most precise, yet easy to read dial anywhere. |
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[#34]
Quoted: Mine would be my issued CWC SBS. Has some nice patina on it from honest use, and keeps time within 10sec/yr. I've had a few of these over the years, but they either didn't keep time all that great, or the seconds hand hit between the indices most of the time, so I ended up flipping those. This one's a keeper, and is from one of the last runs that actually had a stamped NSN on the caseback rather than all lasered. https://i.ibb.co/LvnhyX6/D9-CFB132-9615-437-F-AB7-C-3744637559-E5.jpg View Quote What exactly is that thing under the nice watch? |
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[#35]
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[#36]
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[#37]
Quoted: Rolex Sea-Dweller ref 16600 https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/47409/image_jpg-2812509.JPG I’ve worn a watch since I was 5. Around the same time, my parents started a subscription to National Geographic Magazine. Every month, I got a glimpse into the bigger world beyond my neighborhood. And every month, there was a full-page, color advertisement for a Rolex. The models varied from month to month, but I found myself drawn to the underwater photography that accompanied the Submariner and Sea-Dweller ads. I had no concept of what a luxury watch was - it just looked really cool to a 10 year old. It remains the most precise, yet easy to read dial anywhere. View Quote I had not thought about it but this is 100% also my experience. My grandparents had a subscription and for a middle class kid from VT it really sparked my imagination regarding what else was out there in the world. Most of my watches are themed on some type of adventure. |
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[#38]
I have owned over 200 watches in my lifetime. I can’t say which one is my favorite, but I have a crush on this one right now.
Attached File Attached File |
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[#39]
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[#40]
I gotta go with the Turtle reissue.
The way it wears, the way it looks, the way it keeps time, everything. Turtle Behind The Wheel by FredMan, on Flickr |
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[#41]
I hover around tool/sports watches, so I have favorites for certain events or activities. I confess my Apple watch used most for hikes, workouts, etc. But, if I had to pick one (today) it would be my Explorer 114270. Not fancy, but all around versatile.
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[#42]
My wife bought me a Seiko 7002 in '96, the year we got married. I rarely put it on anymore for fear of breaking it in my current job. (even though I wore it all over the place in the Army)
I missed a smoking deal on a Rolex Sub that was priced incorrectly at the PX earlier that same year. It was gone when I went back to get it. (That would have been a favorite for sure) One day, I will have an Omega Seamaster. Attached File |
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[#43]
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[#44]
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[#45]
Update- wore my BB58 almost all summer. Only a few exceptions. It is a great piece. Yes, I would like drilled lugs and maybe crown guards (no biggie on the crown guards - it’s true to the “original”). Labor Day I plan to switch to the Exp 1. Honestly the BB58 and Exp I might be the perfect two watch combo. Hard to put into words but somehow I just feel like the 58 is just cooler than the modern Sub.
Now the only real competition in my view is the Pelagos 39mm. I am seriously considering one. I think I would still keep the 58 however, just out of nostalgia. To me the 58 falls into heirloom category- to be passed to one of my sons one day. This was your dad’s summer watch. There is a timeless quality to the piece, just like my Explorer. I like watches like that. |
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[#46]
I have a BB58 but want to try the BB54. Also agree on the Explorer I.
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[#48]
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[#49]
1937 Hamilton 992E in a Wadsworth model 10 case. This watch is sporting a Montgomery dial.
Why? America baby! Attached File Hamilton Watch Company in its heyday |
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[#50]
Rolex explorer 1 36mm 124270. Best all around do everything watch I own.
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