Do you have a perfect watch?

[Papa Hotel]

Of course, no watch is perfect, at least not for everyone. Some people might look at a 1016 Explorer and see perfection, some will see a tiny little boring nothingness. Some people will see perfection in a Yachtmaster, normal people will hate it. Such is life, and such is the game of watch collecting.

Everything I have, there's one or two things I'd prefer were different. I wish my Black Bay and Radiomir were a couple of mm thinner. I wish the Explorer had a dab, even the tiniest hint, of anti-reflective stuff on the crystal. I wish my Monster had a decent movement. I wish my Speedbird didn't have a date window. I wish my CWC G10 was a couple of mm bigger. I wish the lugs on my Zenith were a couple of mm taller but lower in the case.

All annoyances that I can live with, and I love every one of those, but I cannot describe any of them as perfect. Have you got one that you can strap on, safe in the knowledge that you don't secretly hate it?

[Qatar-wol]

It's a good question. I've flipped watches on for being a few mm too small (36mm Ex I) or a few mm too big (Eterna Four-Hands). I've condemned watches for the tiniest defects (the MkI dialled D66, with it's lack of 5 minutes marks for the 30-min subdial!!).

I've had few perfect watches. My Vertex M100 is perfect, in my eyes. THe red at 12 puts some off, but the proportions are just right. I've said before - if you make a simple watch, it has to be right.



The titanium G-Shock 5000 is about right, too - I can't think of anything I'd change.

[wileeeeeey]

I haven't found the perfect watch either. I don't think one exists. I have favourites but even then there are always one or two things I'd change.

The SD43 is close to perfect for me but a monstrosity for others. I wish it had a thinner caseback and I wish it had the same clasp as the DSSD. I used to wish it didn't have a Cyclops but I think I like it now.

[Foxy100]

SLA023 does it for me. Excellent build quality, excellent design, excellent movement and it glows all night like a torch. Yes, the bracelet leaves a lot to be desired (actually the bracelet is fine, the clasp is poor) but on an Erika's Original it's perfect. I've worn it every day since I bought it from MikeMS at the end of July.

[Tetlee]

Close enough for me...

[AlphaOmega]

Yes, 2264 on a Nato.

Good enough quality but not too OTT.

Suits my character. Mid-range, dependable, accurate. Fairly common. Not too flashy. Did someone say boring? Damn cheek.

[Tom-P]

The SD43 is close to perfect for me ... I wish it had a thinner cashback and I wish it had the same clasp as the DSSD. I used to wish it didn't have a Cyclops but I think I like it now.

Pretty much in the same boat. Lack of instant adjustability renders imperfect some other watches I love aesthetically, leaving the SD43 as consistently the most comfortable, though like you I wish it was a fraction slimmer; I was always pragmatic about the cyclops but have become more appreciative of it as the eyes age.

[Normunds]

Do you have a perfect watch?

I have a watch I wanted 25 years ago. I like it, but it is not a parfect watch.

[Evangelos]

the watch for everything

[julian2002]

For me it'd have to be this:


Works well in both dressy and casual environments and has a sentimental attachment for me as well.
As someone remarked above it'd be the last material thing I sold if things were bad and even then I'd avoid doing so by any means necessary.

[wainy001]

I haven't found the perfect watch either. I don't think one exists. I have favourites but even then there are always one or two things I'd change.

The SD43 is close to perfect for me but a monstrosity for others. I wish it had a thinner cashback and I wish it had the same clasp as the DSSD. I used to wish it didn't have a Cyclops but I think I like it now.

Same for me but I love all of it.


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[JIG67]

I think most come with caveats. I love my 1016 but wish it wasn’t so damn important to keep it in good shape although I wear it a lot - I also wish that was still the Explorer they made. I wish my Seiko SLA033 ‘6105 8110 Willard’ limited edition from last year had the exact case shape and crown positioning of the original but again, I love it. I think it’s a toss up between my Sea Dweller 16600 or my 36mm Everest (which arrives tomorrow); the first I know I couldn’t improve and the latter I doubt I could improve even though I haven’t handled it yet. Actually, my Seiko Tuna SBBN031 is just right too.

[RAJEN]

Yes SD43 and SD4k with DSSD close on the heels.

[blackal]

The Sewills Carmania.

Buy one in your 40's and the style will see you out ..............

Also - not so expensive that it will get nicked when you go in to a care home.

[PawG]

For me it’s the Grand Seiko SBGX261. 37mm, under 10mm, perfect size and to me also perfect design.


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[JPE]

I've owned 15 Rolexes and at the end of the day the steel Submariner Date is the best one.

Yeah... boring choice perhaps but can't help it... it's my all time #1 favorite and I wear it the most of my watches. Super comfortable and looks fantastic.

[Sinnlover]

I don't think the perfect watch exists
The MM300 is close, I think the bracelet is poor compared to modern equivalents / rival brands but I think the clasp excellent... I have often thought it’s the only watch I need.

My CWC auto from 2012 has poor lume, if it were better it would be perfect for me.

The Heuer 1550SG is a lovely looking watch and would be my perfect Chronograph but the aluminium bezel is so easy to damage.

[Hood]

I love the SLA017 as a great all rounder
Comfortable wearing it wherever

[Itsguy]

No, there’s always something. I’m not sure a perfect watch could even exist unless it’s made from something you can’t scratch, that looks as good as steel or white gold, with a movement that never needs servicing, and a seamless clasp that’s somehow micro-adjustable. The most you can hope is that a particular watch seems perfect for a moment in the right situation.

The nearest I have are the 16000 Datejust and 17000 Oysterquartz, their vintage quirks are part and parcel of what they are and there’s very little I’d change. The 16000 DJ is wearable in any situation, it’s just never wrong. The Grand Seiko SBGX061 also exudes faultlessness on the right day in the right light, though the dial looks better in the evening than the day and 38mm wouldn’t have hurt, so there’s always something. Finally my ‘67 Seiko Skyliner always strikes me as just right. Perhaps having GS on the dial would have been a bonus, but it’s affordability is part of its perfection.

[M1011]

The titanium G-Shock 5000 is about right, too - I can't think of anything I'd change.

I can think of something I'd change... the price!

[markbannister]

I keep coming back to the Datejust, which doesn’t make it perfect at all but the G-Shock GW-M5610 must come close and have one of them too.

[earlofsodbury]

Chronograph with day/date - check
Hardened-steel case - check
100m WR - check
Drilled lugs - check
Sapphire crystal - check
Fabulously ergonomic crown - check
Reliable, serviceable movement - check
Supreme legibility - check
Strapwhore - check
Refreshingly Bull****-free - check

I have pricier watches, smarter watches, watches that exceed it in every quantifiable way, but the Damasko DC57 is the watch I wear the most, the most versatile, the most useful and if I had to boil everything down to one watch, it'd be the one I kept.

Probably.



It's close to perfect, but if it really was the only watch I owned, then for the last 1% of OCD perfection I'd scale-up to an even-easier-to-read 43mm, add some Tritium tubes for all-night visibility, and, most heretically - a solar movement, so I'm not worrying that using it as I want to is harming the movement...



Got my coat, I'll see myself out...

[Caminos]

Chronograph with day/date - check
Hardened-steel case - check
100m WR - check
Drilled lugs - check
Sapphire crystal - check
Fabulously ergonomic crown - check
Reliable, serviceable movement - check
Supreme legibility - check
Strapwhore - check
Refreshingly Bull****-free - check

I have pricier watches, smarter watches, watches that exceed it in every quantifiable way, but the Damasko DC57 is the watch I wear the most, the most versatile, the most useful and if I had to boil everything down to one watch, it'd be the one I kept.

Probably.



It's close to perfect, but if it really was the only watch I owned, then for the last 1% of OCD perfection I'd scale-up to an even-easier-to-read 43mm, add some Tritium tubes for all-night visibility, and, most heretically - a solar movement, so I'm not worrying that using it as I want to is harming the movement...



Got my coat, I'll see myself out...

This damasko dc 57 is really nice. First time see this watch. Thanks for sharing


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[seabiscuit]

Chronograph with day/date - check
Hardened-steel case - check
100m WR - check
Drilled lugs - check
Sapphire crystal - check
Fabulously ergonomic crown - check
Reliable, serviceable movement - check
Supreme legibility - check
Strapwhore - check
Refreshingly Bull****-free - check

I have pricier watches, smarter watches, watches that exceed it in every quantifiable way, but the Damasko DC57 is the watch I wear the most, the most versatile, the most useful and if I had to boil everything down to one watch, it'd be the one I kept.

Probably.



It's close to perfect, but if it really was the only watch I owned, then for the last 1% of OCD perfection I'd scale-up to an even-easier-to-read 43mm, add some Tritium tubes for all-night visibility, and, most heretically - a solar movement, so I'm not worrying that using it as I want to is harming the movement...



Got my coat, I'll see myself out...

I’d show more interest in Damasko if they’d ditch the day/date combo. I much prefer no date watches, but I suppose I can tolerate a date feature. But adding the day feature is just rubbing my nose in it.

[earlofsodbury]

I’d show more interest in Damasko if they’d ditch the day/date combo. I much prefer no date watches, but I suppose I can tolerate a date feature. But adding the day feature is just rubbing my nose in it.

My other Damasko:

[helidoc]

I think the perfect watch is whatever I’m wearing at the time! My daily wearers are a bit marmite, Seiko Tuna, B&R instrument, so not really “perfect”, except to me on my wrist.

Both the 16610 and 16570 have an excellent balance of virtues, Sub is the iconic one, and the Explorer II the most comfortable. What stops them being perfect is that the damn things are too expensive to wear easily

Dave


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[tz-uk73]

This is pretty darn perfect

[Omegamanic]

I have at least 5 different watches that I wouldn’t change a thing about:

16600
14060
16610LV
5711
SMP300
G Shock 5000

others are close but I’d probably like to change something in some way.

[TomGW]

2254.50 (on bracelet) and '68 Moonwatch on well worn OEM croc & deployant. Wouldn't change anything on either of them.

[Crowsfoot]

This is pretty darn perfect

Looks great, would look daft on my wrist but awesome watch


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[Quality Man]

Whilst on the bracelet no, now on the nato, yes!






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[FellBasher]

Whilst on the bracelet no, now on the nato, yes!






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Loving that combination! Not seen it before, although I do like the OEM bracelet this looks great.

I'm lucky to consider two watches I have as near damn perfect in my opinion; my Planet Ocean gen 1 42 mm and Expl II Polar 39 mm. The PO gets a new lease of life for me every time I change the strap, currently on leather white stitching and the Expl to me is a classic - wouldn't change anything about either.

[Skip]

Although I was always an admirer of Rolex, I've never been a fan boy, and owning one was never seen as an option. Somehow the stars aligned late last year, and I become the owner of a SubC. I have to say hand on heart, that there is not one thing I would want to change on it, and its about as perfect as a watch can be (to me)

[wainy001]

Mine is definitely my SD43 it’s big and bulky and bold and readable and it has a date..... took me a long time too find something I could wear to the pub the club the rave an the pool and the beach but this is most definitely it.


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[pete-r]

I think all of my watches have had something about them I’d rather they didn’t.

In terms of any watch made, I think a white dial AP RO 39 on bracelet is just about perfect.

[Onelasttime]

I've had this long enough now not to worry about bashing it, which is an important part of enjoying a 'perfect' watch – the lack of fear wearing it – and it just fits and works for me …



The only niggle with it is I haven't had it pressure tested, but once I get it serviced and the 100m WR guaranteed, it will be 100%

[Marios]

Wouldn’t change anything in my old Heuer 1153. Perfect.

[Dark Side of The Loon]

I’d be pretty happy with a vintage Daytona with screw-down pushers - that had passed a pressure test - and cost, say, five or ten thousand pounds.

Silver dial or Paul Newman, I’m not fussy.

Or something with Comex written on the dial, for the same sort of price.

[oldoakknives]

At the moment it's this one. (just beat the Exp II)

[sweets]

Nope
I would change something about everything I have, and have ever had.

The EZM1 needs a uni-directional bezel and pushers that work underwater.
The A-13A needs a bezel and better lume
The Siduna M3440 needs to be a bit slimmer and lighter with better lume.
ZUZ Tutima needs a better bezel edge
Tudor snowflake needs lume that works (this is a problem with all vintage stuff, the lume looks lovely but is useless)
Pelagos is near, but the internal lug corners are too sharp
etc etc etc

Part of the fun is the chase for perfection, even if it is never completely achieved

Dave

[monogroover]

I'd like it more if it didn't have a date. So no, it's not perfect.

[seabiscuit]

I'd like it more if it didn't have a date. So no, it's not perfect.

You’re right, it would be even better without a date. Even so it’s one of IWC’s finest, complete with JLC movement. I have the later XV model.

[Rev-O]

Nope
I would change something about everything I have, and have ever had.

[...]

Part of the fun is the chase for perfection, even if it is never completely achieved

Dave

^^^ This

Talk of the "perfect watch" (one watch to rule them all) is dangerous sedition. We ALWAYS need more!

But for me the ones that come closest are Eddie's "Everest Explorer" (Time Factors PRS-25; although maybe it would look better with 18mm lugs? I don't know.) And another Smiths, the classic militrary-issued W10 (although you need an example with a good dial -- i.e. perfected aged tritium. And if it had an automatic movement and 18mm lugs rather than the awkward 17mm that hates 99% of bracelets)

[Murdoc]

I’ve never owned the perfect watch. I’m rather picky though, and can usually find something about any watch I’d rather change.

High level requirements for my perfect watch would be :
No numerals on the dial
Date
A dive type bezel to help protect the watch (I can be clumsy)
Made of something heavier than titanium
Not too thick
No cyclops (though as my eyes get older this may change!)
Must have micro adjust in the clasp as my wrist tends to change size through the seasons
Mechanical automatic movement - I love other technology, especially Spring Drive of which I’ve had three, but my perfect watch would be mechanical

Of my previous and current watches I can easily rule out most for failing at at least one of the above, though don’t get me wrong, I love them all.

Rolex 16600 - tinny / rattly clasp
GS Ti Diver - Not mechanical / automatic,
Seiko MM600 SD - Not mechanical, too thick
Patek 5711 - Easily damaged bezel, no micro adjust
GS Snowflake - Not mechanical, easily damaged bezel, no micro adjust, rather lightweight
Rolex 116600 - Comes very close, if I’m being very picky it’s a bit thick but apart from that it ticks all my boxes
Seiko SKX007 - Probably hits most of my perfect watch criteria, but isn’t premium enough to be perfect

I think a current Sub date with no cyclops is the closest I can think of to my perfect watch, but the fun is in trying different watches!

[crazyp]

For me absolute comfort becomes top priority to allow consideration. I currently have two which I think for the category.

One has already been mentioned by Qatar-wol, the Ti metal G, which is rather brilliant.

Secondly is my new Ming 27.01 - just disappears on the wrist and has tons of visual style. Nothing I’d change about that. Incidentally both watches purchased this year, not sure what that says about my previous buying!


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[davidj54]

Varies from person to person but for me my most recent acquisition - the Sinn556i, is as close to perfection as I’ve ever got. For my wrist size (6.75”) the proportions of 38.5mm case, 45mm lug-lug and 20mm lug width are the absolute sweet spot. Combine that with it’s toughness (anti magnetic, 200m WR etc), a movement that is running at +1.3 secs per day, drilled lugs, lovely H link bracket and an understated, under the radar but beautifully done clean, legible dial, with a subtle date window and I’m just about as close as I can get. Office clothes, sports wear, beach, jeans & tee, I’d wear this with anything and it would look spot on. Versatile for strap changes too. The only change I’d make is a slightly more refined clasp, but what you get still isn’t worth grumbling about.






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[Jo Hande]

This is the perfect watch for ..... paragliding! (Casio G-Shock-GW-M5610-1ER)

[Rev-O]

Got this a few weeks ago and it hasn't been off my wrist since (except for fishing / swimming)

Seamaster 165.002 from 1968

Crown could be bigger / easier to wind but it's looks great and matches the rest of the watch. Also it's an automatic and fantastically accurate so there's no need to use the crown anyway.

If it was waterproof it would be ideal but that's the trade-off with vintage.

Case (size, shape, proportions etc) is perfect.

Dial is a sort of very dark slate grey with a slight and subtle metallic gunmetal sheen that shimmers when it moves in direct light. 4/5ths tool, 1/5th dress. Smart yet also casual. And very very cool.

But the lume! Speedmaster layout in vintage tritium aged to a creamy vanilla. Gorgeous.





Fuller write-up and extra pics here:

https://forum.tz-uk.com/showthread.p...on-quot-c-1967

[chrisparker]

It's close but not quite perfect.

70 hour power reserve is genuinely brilliant. I've worn it for a few days, put away for few days and have been surprised a number of times that it's still running.

The size is perfect.

The look is perfect.

The lume is perfect.

The bracelet links are perfect.

But I'd prefer a smaller clasp, the 14060 version was slimmer and shorter. And it's too valuable for every day messing about. This is third Sub I've owned and was much more comfortable when they were worth 2-3k.

In conclusion, the perfect watch doesn't exist. If it did, it would be a 124060 sub, with an 39mm Explorer sized clasp, with glidelock, and an RRP of £3000, a used value of £2500, with free lifetime servicing.

[rgwarden]

It's close but not quite perfect.

70 hour power reserve is genuinely brilliant. I've worn it for a few days, put away for few days and have been surprised a number of times that it's still running.

The size is perfect.

The look is perfect.

The lume is perfect.

The bracelet links are perfect.

But I'd prefer a smaller clasp, the 14060 version was slimmer and shorter. And it's too valuable for every day messing about. This is third Sub I've owned and was much more comfortable when they were worth 2-3k.

In conclusion, the perfect watch doesn't exist. If it did, it would be a 124060 sub, with an 39mm Explorer sized clasp, with glidelock, and an RRP of £3000, a used value of £2500, with free lifetime servicing.

I think two forum members have now mentioned the issue of high value actually spoiling enjoyment (in this case ‘perfection’) and it’s really rung a bell with me. There is no question for me that I’m much more comfortable wearing watches that I don’t ‘worry about’. I had a ‘sought after’ Rolex and was forever drawing my wrist in as i walked close to door handles! And the more valuable it became the worse it got, until i put on my older Seamaster and immediately felt more comfortable again. That optimal ‘value’ will obviously vary for all of us but however ‘perfect’ an Aquanaut may be i doubt i could relax enough to appreciate it!


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