It’s a vexed, but frequently asked, question. “You’re into watches? I’ve been thinking about watches lately… So, if I was going to get one good watch, what’s the most versatile choice?”
I came up with five recently for The Age and Sydney Morning Herald, also applying a filter of affordability, these are mainstream daily papers after all, but the truth is there are many, many more that fit the bill for quality, value, adaptability and swagger.
Read the full story here, including the Mark Zuckerberg quote that gave the angle a little more gravitas:
The recent Mark Zuckerberg bombshell regarding his wardrobe choices should be very good news for those wanting to buy one great watch and be done with it. Quizzed on his daily ensemble, which consists primarily of a grey t-shirt, he told London’s The Telegraph: “I want to clear my life so that I have to make as few decisions as possible about anything except how to best serve this community. There’s a psychology theory that even making small decisions around what you wear … or things like that make you tired and consume your energy.”
The Classic – Tudor ‘Snowflake’ Submariner The even fading of the bezel on this 1967 model back to a denimy blue gives it a patina edge over newer models and sure gives you a story to tell about its uniqueness. The vintage Tudor ‘Snowflake’ Submariner (the nickname referring to the shape of the handset) is not only a great choice in terms of its classic, adaptable style, it’s also a wise investment as an affordable – well, compared to Rolex – collector piece.The Latest – Tudor Pelagos The Pelagos model introduced in 2012 as a modern variant of the original Tudor Submariner has been at the vanguard of Tudor’s recent charge back into the mainstream market as its own brand – rather than a Rolex offshoot – and it presents as tough, as adaptable and as capable as a Navy SEAL. The updated Pelagos homage model introduced in 2012 is the ultimate wrist warrior, with a stealth, matte appearance which contrasts with the current slew of dressier dive watches. Would look absolutely mean with a tuxedo.
The Classic – IWC – Big Pilot 5002 The original and the best Big Pilot with nuances like a bronze date aperture at 6 o’clock, the numeral ‘9’, and slimmer hands than the current version. You don’t need to be a complete watch geek to pick up that there is something of a cult following for the fabled IWC Big Pilot watch, which always leaves an impression thanks to its size and simplicity. When you discover that its more famous devotees include John Malkovich, Bradley Cooper, Orlando Bloom and Jude Law the myth only gets spicier. “It’s a fantastic everyday watch and it has serious wrist presence,” says Chylinski. “The huge jewel-shaped crown will start conversations and the curved lugs make it far more comfortable on the wrist than it looks. It suits a business shirt as well as it does a leather jacket.”The Latest – IWC – Big Pilot 5004/6 A slightly more clinical and less classic execution of the pilot watch with a modified, darker dial, an indice where the ‘9’ should be and chunkier hands.
The Classic – Omega – Speedmaster Professional The ‘Moonwatch’ is the ultimate functional chronograph, with a supremely legible matte dial and a chameleonic character which completely changes on bracelet, NATO or leather strap. There is no need for a ‘vintage’ and ‘latest’ image here as they are one and the same: the ‘Moonwatch’ has remained practically unchanged since it was worn by Buzz Aldrin when he walked on the surface of the moon in 1969. “The Speedmaster Professional as it is is what the consumer wants,” Omega president Stephen Urquhart says. “And NASA are very happy with the watch as it is too.” “Few watches fit in the realm of the ‘Speedie’ when it comes to value, quality, true icon status and of course its story. Nothing can hold a candle to it,” Chylinski says. “And the plexiglass and matte dial is the perfect recipe for hackability. You can wear it on a canvas NATO, a distressed leather strap or its bracelet and it will look great.”The Classic – Omega – Speedmaster Professional (on NATO) The ‘Moonwatch’ is the ultimate functional chronograph, with a supremely legible matte dial and a chameleonic character which completely changes on bracelet, NATO or leather strap.
The Classic – TAG Heuer Carrera (version two) The first production model of TAG Heuer’s heavily marketed 1887 movement, the second version of the Carrera was only released in select countries and was soon replaced by version three. Along with perennial favourites like the Rolex Daytona, the Carrera, first released by Heuer in 1963, is one of the classic chronographs. “The difference between the second and third version of the Carrera is that the earlier version, which was the first production of TAG Heuer’s 1887 movement, doesn’t have the tachymetre or the anabolic look of the chrome edged subdials,” Chylinski says. “It’s clean, it’s less busy and it wears really well on bracelet and leather strap.” “The second version was only made for a short time and only sold in selected countries, so they can be hard to find,” says the founder of leading TAG Heuer fan site Calibre11.com “But if you love the look of the Carrera 1887 and want something a little different, it’s well worth trying to hunt one down.The Latest – TAG Heuer Carrera (version three) The third version of the Carrera adds a tachymetre and a slightly shinier more blinged up look via chrome accented subdials. Along with perennial favourites like the Rolex Daytona, the Carrera, first released by Heuer in 1963, is one of the classic chronographs. “The difference between the second and third version of the Carrera is that the earlier version, which was the first production of TAG Heuer’s 1887 movement, doesn’t have the tachymetre or the anabolic look of the chrome edged subdials,” Chylinski says. “It’s clean, it’s less busy and it wears really well on bracelet and leather strap.” “The second version was only made for a short time and only sold in selected countries, so they can be hard to find,” says the founder of leading TAG Heuer fan site Calibre11.com “But if you love the look of the Carrera 1887 and want something a little different, it’s well worth trying to hunt one down.
The Classic – Rolex Explorer 36mm While it will feel slight next to most modern watches, the smaller version of the Explorer is in fact truer to the model that conquered Mt Everest, its most famous feat. “Ironically, it’s one of the least ‘Rolex’ looking Rolexes on the market, and yet it fits the bill. “It’s simple, it’s a wristwatch from the golden ‘50s era, it has a matte grey dial, luminous numerals and indices and a history of adventure,” Chylinski enthuses. The original Explorer was 36mm but the current has grown in proportion to 39mm. “It’s a ripper looking watch. It’ll pass as a casual watch with a hoodie at South Melbourne market or slip under the cuff of a shirt at a formal occasion. It’s one of the most adaptable watches you can get and is dressier than a non-date Submariner, which is why it ousted it from this spot.”The Latest – Rolex Explorer 39mm Note the chrome finishing of the numerals which gives the watch some extra lightplay and a slightly more refined, dressy feel. “Ironically, it’s one of the least ‘Rolex’ looking Rolexes on the market, and yet it fits the bill. “It’s simple, it’s a wristwatch from the golden ‘50s era, it has a matte grey dial, luminous numerals and indices and a history of adventure,” Chylinski enthuses. The original Explorer was 36mm but the current has grown in proportion to 39mm. “It’s a ripper looking watch. It’ll pass as a casual watch with a hoodie at South Melbourne market or slip under the cuff of a shirt at a formal occasion. It’s one of the most adaptable watches you can get and is dressier than a non-date Submariner, which is why it ousted it from this spot.”
