The watch you have always wanted but never owned

[sandman]

Is there a watch that you have always wanted but for some reason never bought? For me it is the standard Omega Speedmaster Pro. This is the watch that get me interested in watches about 20 years ago when, at the time, I was researching the space race. I bought myself a speedmaster date at the time because I thought the pro was a bit big for my skinny 21 year old wrist. 20 years later and I have still never owned one. I was close to getting one last year but talked myself out of it because I wasn't sure I could live with the manual wind. I'm sure I will get one some day though.

[Geralt]

Hanhart Pioneer Mk I. Wanted one for years, but has to be new. Not particularly expensive (~£2K) but can never quite get the funds together.

Pic from Hanhart

[Carl.1]

I'm with you Sandman, the Speedmaster pro. I did get the money together after a few years but went with the Seamaster Chrono 2599.80 instead, it was a toss up between the two and this one did and still wins out.
However, i still want the the Speedmaster but doubt i will have that money to spend on such a watch. Happy though, i have the Seamaster

[Seang]

For me its a JLC Reverso, stainless steel with a plain back, so far I haven't come across one in the wild at the right time, when the fund is full enough. It doesn't help that the fund keeps getting used up on other pieces all the time - DOH!

Of the ones mentioned above, about the closest I can get is a MkII Speedy pro, I know its not a case shape that appeals to everyone but I love it, and the dial just commands attention every time I look at it

[KavKav]

Lange 1 or PP 5127R.
I cannot justify the cost of either of them!

[benny.c]

Breitling Aerospace - Love it and hate it with equal measure.

[Dave in Wales]

Lange 1 or PP 5127R.
I cannot justify the cost of either of them!

Wish I still had mine

IMG_0095-RS by Dave in Wales, on Flickr

[wakarimasen]

I'm with you Sandman, the Speedmaster pro. I did get the money together after a few years but went with the Seamaster Chrono 2599.80 instead, it was a toss up between the two and this one did and still wins out.
However, i still want the the Speedmaster but doubt i will have that money to spend on such a watch. Happy though, i have the Seamaster

The Seamaster you mention was my first ‘serious’ watch. Quite a few years later I bought the Speedmaster Pro as well, because......well, it’s the moon watch! Both are super watches, and have been pretty accurate for me.

The watch I’ve always wanted is a Rolex, but the model has changed over time. Originally I coveted the Daytona, but a real life viewing put me off it. Now it’s a Submariner or Sea Dweller, but again the latest versions are either not to my taste (Sub) or too expensive (SD). I did see a nice SD on the Miltonaires website at the weekend though......

[unclealec]

Good question.
With me it would be the Blancpain 50 Fathoms. That holds the sum of all that I regard as the epitome of watch design and engineering.
There is no way that the position I occupy on the socio-economic scale would make such a purchase sensible, and I am a sensible person.
I am happy to include a Seiko 5 Fifty Five Fathoms in my modest collection and that also fills the criteria of design excellence but with frugality added to the mix.

Coincidentally one of my rare forays into the world of the watch megapurchase was for a Speedmaster Professional; I endorse the OPs choice of heart's desire and consider it to be iconic.
All this is highly subjective of course, as is my view of a Blancpain FF as being financially unattainable. Before anyone feels so sorry for me that they start a fund, I should point out that if I had reserved the money I have spent on support and research into the retail arm of the British brewing industry I could probably have bought the Blancpain factory, never mind a watch.

[Lukeott]

Good question.
Before anyone feels so sorry for me that they start a fund, I should point out that if I had reserved the money I have spent on support and research into the retail arm of the British brewing industry I could probably have bought the Blancpain factory, never mind a watch.

For me it would be a 1940s Universal Geneve Tri-Compax.
It’s not out of reach, but would I really spend that sort of money on a watch I would be afraid to wear in the rain?

[Gomers]

IWC 3536 Aquatimer Ti for me.

Tried one on in Harvey Nix in Manchester many years ago and I still think it's the best put together watch I've handled to date. Crown action was sublime and the locking bezel, the whole thing oozed quality. Alas, I could in no way afford it back then so it remained a bit of an enigma. Having said that, I now couldn't see myself going for one nowadays, prices are more than they're worth now IMO. Also, not confident with IWC servicing and very few independents will touch them.

Another one is the Bvlgari Scuba DP42, tried one on in Brent Cross ages ago and loved it but knew it would be worth roughly half what I'd end up paying for it as soon as I walked out the shop. Again, very limited in servicing options and for some reason can't see a Bvlgari service going without a hitch.

Oh well........

[JP Chestnut]

IWC 3536 Aquatimer Ti for me.

I owned the SS version. It was indeed superb compared to my Rolex collection - with one exception...

Crown action was sublime...

Those fish crowns are anything but sublime over the long hall. The crown is vastly inferior to Rolex.

[nunya]

PPN and/or PPNC, well not yet anyway

[JP Chestnut]

My list of watches like this is pretty long, but the top two are a 14060M and a 36mm Explorer 1. Every time I've gone to buy the Sub it's been "too expensive", including when I was offered a new AD sourced last of the line for $5,000. I didn't even think twice before saying "no" - stupid. Now I'll pay about 60% more to buy a used one.

[jamestmusic]

Good question.
With me it would be the Blancpain 50 Fathoms. That holds the sum of all that I regard as the epitome of watch design and engineering.
There is no way that the position I occupy on the socio-economic scale would make such a purchase sensible, and I am a sensible person.
I am happy to include a Seiko 5 Fifty Five Fathoms in my modest collection and that also fills the criteria of design excellence but with frugality added to the mix.

Coincidentally one of my rare forays into the world of the watch megapurchase was for a Speedmaster Professional; I endorse the OPs choice of heart's desire and consider it to be iconic.
All this is highly subjective of course, as is my view of a Blancpain FF as being financially unattainable. Before anyone feels so sorry for me that they start a fund, I should point out that if I had reserved the money I have spent on support and research into the retail arm of the British brewing industry I could probably have bought the Blancpain factory, never mind a watch.

Exactly the same for me with Blancpain and Omega Speedmaster Pro.

Funnily enough I was looking at Seiko FFF mods five minutes ago!


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[Mark lowman]

For me it would be an AP Royal Oak stainless steel 3 hander.
Gloriously expensive in every way. Highly unlikely to ever own one.

[Exiztence]

Always wanted a tribute to 1931 Reverso, doesn’t matter which color (even If rouge is the prettiest), always been discouraged by lack of WR and sense of fragility...

[RustyBin5]

2 - 1969 zenith El primero trio colour and Glashutte Original panomaticlunar


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[Piemuncher22]

Easy one for me, the Patek 5146g.
I tried one on about 10 years back in the jewellers whilst buying my wife’s wedding ring. Fast forward to about a year and a half ago and there was a beautiful example for sale on SC at a very reasonable price. I contacted the seller and went into the nearest Patek boutique to try one on again. Even the wife agreed that if I really wanted it I should buy it (as I said, it really was a very good price). The instant I strapped it on in the shop I was racked with feelings of self consciousness over the value of the thing. I have always been a ditherer, but even after 10 years of desire, for some reason my brain simply wouldn’t let me spend that kind of money on a watch all the time I had kids to feed clothe and put a roof over. And I just couldn’t see myself ever being comfortable wearing something of that value.
The seller was most understanding and I hope it’s now gracing the wrist of someone who will appreciate it and give it the wrist time it deserves.
All I have left is this picture of me in the Petek shop.☹️


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[mjc1216]

Probably a forum favourite an Omega 2254.

Due to my OCD always wanted one but every one i looked at was too abused for me although i did track down a LNIB a few years ago but it was in Greece and i didn't pull the trigger.

I know someone on this forum who has one but says it's never for sale but never say never.

[MartynJC (UK)]

Easy one for me, the Patek 5146g.
I tried one on about 10 years back in the jewellers whilst buying my wife’s wedding ring. Fast forward to about a year and a half ago and there was a beautiful example for sale on SC at a very reasonable price. I contacted the seller and went into the nearest Patek boutique to try one on again. Even the wife agreed that if I really wanted it I should buy it (as I said, it really was a very good price). The instant I strapped it on in the shop I was racked with feelings of self consciousness over the value of the thing. I have always been a ditherer, but even after 10 years of desire, for some reason my brain simply wouldn’t let me spend that kind of money on a watch all the time I had kids to feed clothe and put a roof over. And I just couldn’t see myself ever being comfortable wearing something of that value.
The seller was most understanding and I hope it’s now gracing the wrist of someone who will appreciate it and give it the wrist time it deserves.
All I have left is this picture of me in the Petek shop.☹️


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Maybe you should have gone for the 5146J it’s cheaper! I wear mine daily. Nobody knows what it is.

Martyn




Anyway. The one for me is this: Aquanaut 5167A

[Omegamanic]

Aquanaut also. But I decided to order one Nov/Dec 2016, so hopefully I'll remedy that this year when mine is available.

[subchris]

Universal Geneve Tri Compax Moonphase

This is the 4 Subdial version with the black bezel!!
About 6 or 7 years ago maybe more I found one in a random auction online and I bid on it between me and one other guy who it said was online in the US but I had enough for £2000 plus fees and it sold to him for £2200 plus fees😢
You can see these for £20-40k now so my dream of owning one has long gone which is a shame as it was just a masterpiece of engineering to me not an investment!!
Although if I had bought it and then found out 8 years later it was worth £30k I doubt I would be able to bring myself to keep it!!!
Might have to put up with a black bezeled polerouter diver !!!


Chris

[degsey]

When I was looking for a watch for my 50th I was lucky to get a speedmaster but being greedy I was also after a seamaster 2250.

I'm very happy with the choice I made and it was always going to be the first choice in that two watch race.

However I still hanker after the seamaster and even this morning was looking at ones for sale on the internet.

[NickRed71]

May I ask, what's the watch in the background of the photo?

Easy one for me, the Patek 5146g.
I tried one on about 10 years back in the jewellers whilst buying my wife’s wedding ring. Fast forward to about a year and a half ago and there was a beautiful example for sale on SC at a very reasonable price. I contacted the seller and went into the nearest Patek boutique to try one on again. Even the wife agreed that if I really wanted it I should buy it (as I said, it really was a very good price). The instant I strapped it on in the shop I was racked with feelings of self consciousness over the value of the thing. I have always been a ditherer, but even after 10 years of desire, for some reason my brain simply wouldn’t let me spend that kind of money on a watch all the time I had kids to feed clothe and put a roof over. And I just couldn’t see myself ever being comfortable wearing something of that value.
The seller was most understanding and I hope it’s now gracing the wrist of someone who will appreciate it and give it the wrist time it deserves.
All I have left is this picture of me in the Petek shop.☹️


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[Piemuncher22]

May I ask, what's the watch in the background of the photo?

Course - that’s my 16710.


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[gex23]

Nothing quite as special as the watches posted here - but for me it's the Seiko MM SBDX013

[Integrale]

Two of my favs on here already.

The Seamaster 2254 I got last Feb. On everyday until this week. Perfect all round watch. Sword hands are terrific.

The PP 5146G is a bit of a grail. Just like you Piemuncher, I've tried it on and just couldn't come to spend that much on even a used one. Mind you we waste that much regularly on disposable cars and never blink! Would perhaps be a more rational decision if I had kids to pass one on to.

Life's for living.......maybe this year.

[gbn13]

I first hankered after an Aquanaut in 2006, long before they became fashionable. I still have the brochure from that time.

The reality as that the steel Aquanaut was the only PP I could stretch to and I liked that it was different. Dithered and the following year ended up buying a RG Reverso instead.

Considered it unfinished business and went on a list for the 5167 mid 2016. Got a call a couple of months later, which due to my useless phone didn't register as a missed call, or voice mail until weeks later - too late! I put it down as fate and a message to myself that it wasn't supposed to be, and perhaps confirming that I am not comfortable spending that amount on a watch.

However each time one appears on SC I still think maybe.

[Lampoc]

If I ever find it, I'll own it.

[Tenko]

1016 Explorer.

Always wanted, never owned...

[TomGW]

Is there a watch that you have always wanted but for some reason never bought? For me it is the standard Omega Speedmaster Pro. This is the watch that get me interested in watches about 20 years ago when, at the time, I was researching the space race. I bought myself a speedmaster date at the time because I thought the pro was a bit big for my skinny 21 year old wrist. 20 years later and I have still never owned one. I was close to getting one last year but talked myself out of it because I wasn't sure I could live with the manual wind. I'm sure I will get one some day though.

I'm with you Sandman, the Speedmaster pro. I did get the money together after a few years but went with the Seamaster Chrono 2599.80 instead, it was a toss up between the two and this one did and still wins out.
However, i still want the the Speedmaster but doubt i will have that money to spend on such a watch. Happy though, i have the Seamaster

I fully accept that it will take around £2k to buy a recent, minty, used Speedmaster and that's not an insignificant sum of money. However, for anyone unsure about spending that amount on a watch that may not live up to their expectations, I would point out that a standard Speedmaster must be one of the easiest watches to resell at the right price. If you can pick up one of the last 3750.50 (smaller red box c.2013/14) in close to mint, for no more than £2000 you will always be able to sell it quickly. About a year ago I was offered a 2014 for £1675 following a WTB on this forum, so it's certainly doable.

[KGB1961]

Rolex Daytona SS white face and I'm one off on the waiting list, so could be yrs

Love A Lange & Sohne too but dislike the obvious financial loss ..

.... one day though

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[j4ckal]

Probably not to some people's liking but it's always been a Tag Heuer/Heuer re-issue Monaco for me.

I've wanted one since prob early 2000's before I actually got into watches.
Tried one on in the states in I think around 2008 (2 years before I really got 'into' watches) whilst working out there. It was around 2 for 1 on the dollar or something like that so it was ridiculously cheap, but alas I didn't buy.
Wanted one even more since then but never actually made the jump.
I will have one some day but other things/other watches always seem to get in the way.

[Templogin]

Speedmaster. When it came to buying it though I realised that I didn’t need the functionality or dial complexity, so bought a Seamaster. I can't swim, am never likely to do saturation diving, so will never use the He control, but I just liked the look of it. Of course I am already considering it’s replacement, a Planet Ocean.

[paskinner]

ALS 1815 'Up and Down'. One day, maybe.

[HEKTOR]

Patek aquanaut is a watch I have wanted for a while now. Simply can't get one as I can't get on the waiting list.

I can't bring myself to buy one from a grey dealer at a premium so the wait continues.

[Omegamanic]

Patek aquanaut is a watch I have wanted for a while now. Simply can't get one as I can't get on the waiting list.

I can't bring myself to buy one from a grey dealer at a premium so the wait continues.

Why cant you get on a list?

[E_2_Right-Force]

Is there a watch that you have always wanted but for some reason never bought? For me it is the standard Omega Speedmaster Pro. This is the watch that get me interested in watches about 20 years ago when, at the time, I was researching the space race. I bought myself a speedmaster date at the time because I thought the pro was a bit big for my skinny 21 year old wrist. 20 years later and I have still never owned one. I was close to getting one last year but talked myself out of it because I wasn't sure I could live with the manual wind. I'm sure I will get one some day though.

My experience is almost exactly as yours.
I visited the Omega dealer as a first-time `expensive` watch customer and tried on the Speedy Pro fully intending to buy but decided against it as at the time i thought it was a little bit too `stand-out ish` - i didn`t want to draw attention to myself wearing such a distinctive watch.
Instead i plumped for something more subtle - a Speedy day-date. The extra complications and all those hands attracted my gadget-minded tendencies.

I don`t know whether i`ll get a Pro now as i`ve peaked as far as my watch collecting is concerned but maybe one day if i start selling and changing things around it`d be the first on the list.
They were only £1400 at the time, too....

[wolf]

Daniels Space Traveller. You'd all have to line up and donate a kidney, and I know you wouldn't, so that's that.

[Normunds]

Explorer II polar, previous model.

[OliverD]

I’m with everyone who has said the speedmaster.

I always think about it but when the time comes I talk myself out of it.

And then a few months later it starts all over again and I think about getting one


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[-Ally-]

A Patek 5146, I could trade a few watches in and buy one but the preciousness of it gives me the fear.

[NickRed71]

Occasionally I look at a Royal Oak, but not enough to get anywhere near the "always wanted" category. Two that come closer are the white gold Rolex Thunderbird ref 1625 and a grey dial Datejust on jubilee.

I'm probably lucky, in that my tastes haven't generally ranged beyond my budget. Though in many cases, once the itch has been scratched I have sold and moved on.

As for the Speedmaster...

I’m with everyone who has said the speedmaster.

I always think about it but when the time comes I talk myself out of it.

And then a few months later it starts all over again and I think about getting one


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I agree with others in suggesting you take the plunge. Brilliant watch, very wearable even at 42mm, the most easy-to-read chrono I can think of, and very easy to sell if you don't get on with it. If you buy right, you will lose little or no money if it doesn't work out.

I have a sub-7" wrist but like the SP on a leather strap. I had an early 90s tritium dial 145.022 about three years ago, sold it in a fit of boredom and found myself regretting it three months later--with the twist that I had sold it to a colleague and so occasionally caught a glimpse of it. I managed to buy a similar one at the back end of last year, and I won't willingly let it go. At some point I'll repair another bad sales decision by getting a polar 16570. I have no regrets about selling a dozen or so other watches.

[OliverD]

As for the Speedmaster...



I agree with others in suggesting you take the plunge. Brilliant watch, very wearable even at 42mm, the most easy-to-read chrono I can think of, and very easy to sell if you don't get on with it. If you buy right, you will lose little or no money if it doesn't work out.

I have a sub-7" wrist but like the SP on a leather strap. I had an early 90s tritium dial 145.022 about three years ago, sold it in a fit of boredom and found myself regretting it three months later--with the twist that I had sold it to a colleague and so occasionally caught a glimpse of it. I managed to buy a similar one at the back end of last year, and I won't willingly let it go. At some point I'll repair another bad sales decision by getting a polar 16570. I have no regrets about selling a dozen or so other watches.

I think you're probably right. I'll keep my eye on the sales corner. It's such an iconic watch - I ought to give it a shot

[Lawbreaker5000]

Ceramic Daytona.

On a few lists but don't hold much hope.

Done a deal with myself and when I (or if) I achieve it sod the premium I am having one.

[HappyJack]

EZM1 - I could have bought one in 2009 for around $2500, but I'd only just bought my Fortis B-42 Cosmonaut LE, with the Lemania 5100 movement, and it would have been a bit excessive to have bought two watches so close together, with such similar functionality.

Rolex SD - In 2010 I missed a mint 16600 from a local dealer for around $5k, by an hour. Someone else had bought it whilst I was dithering. It turned out the dealer also had a NOS 16710 Rolex GMT II, though, which I didn't miss out on, though it took until 2015 for me to get it. In the meantime, I turned down a re-cased 4.4 million series SD 1665 with SL dial and hands - my ideal SD for usability and looks - and then did the same again last year, when offered a near straight trade of the GMT for another re-cased SD 1665.

[Thom4711]

Daytona. Still like them, but daft money now while so far over rrp

[halfpasttwothirty]

EZM 1

[ALindsay]

L&S 1815 up/down. I let one slip by several years ago, a private sale for 8k in platinum. Trouble was everything lined up except the buckle which was WG! Anyway, he sold it to Watchfinder who promptly moved it on priced at 12k within a week. Another used 39mm WG came up last year at an AD. They had it ages then dropped the price considerably, but someone beat me to it. Oh well, one day........