Your ideal 3 watch collection.

Inspired by a recent thread I wonder what options people would come up with for an ideal three watch collection. But not just any old collection, there are some rules...

The Rules.

Movement. At least one manual and at least one automatic. Free choice for third.

Style. At least one tool watch. At least one dress watch (to be clear, a Rolex Oyster would be OK, an Explorer wouldn't) Free choice for third.

Dial. At least one with black dial. At least one with non-black dial. Free choice for third.

Strap. At least one on a bracelet. At least one on leather. Free choice for third.

Origin. At least one Swiss made. At least one non-Swiss made. Free choice for third.

Provenance. At least one bought new. At least one with sentimental value, either inherited, gifted, purchased for a special occasion, or with a special person. Free choice for third.

You can include watches you currently have but you can only have three. Choose wisely...

I think you're gonna have to create a spreadsheet for all those conditions!

Go on then.

1) Sub 16610 LV
2) Speedmaster Pro
3) This Alexander Shorokhoff

https://www.poljot24.de/media/catalo..._prdkt-min.jpg

3 of my favourites match those criteria - Marathon are Canadian right?
https://thumbsnap.com/s/FHtPwJu2.jpg

If pushed I could probably manage with these 3 from the current collection.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...9da6afc7a1.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...d89b7b13b0.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...d765ebb518.jpg

Edit just realised I overlooked some criteria so this Avia would have to replace the Damasko.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...12c8b6f496.jpg

So I think I'd go for

Speedmaster Apollo 13 silver snoopy
Ticks off manual and non black face

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...e44b3b4826.jpg

Rolex Explorer 39mm
For auto, Tool, Swiss and sentimental.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...8a59434d1f.jpg

Alange & Soehne Saxonia pink gold with grey dial.
For new dress watch, non Swiss and leather.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...58d7dee78b.jpg

Think that's all the boxes ticked and a collection I'd be very happy with.



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I am struggling here, maybe I was a bit strict on the rules! I would have to amend my current collection as I don't have any non-swiss, but I am struggling to think of what I would buy on a leather strap...

Late '50's Rolex Oyster Royal - black face, sentimental value as it was my Dad's, Manual wind, kind of dressy as it has Dauphine hands.

Oris Big Crown Roberto Clemente. White dial, automatic, leather strap, didn't buy it new which limits my third option a bit. Nice summer watch to balance the collection a bit...

3rd one - hmmmm - I would have to buy something new. Probably a blue Seiko Willard would fill the gap, new, tool watch. My other two Oris watches would have to go of course, which is a pity.

Frustrating this...

Question for the OP - does a datejust count as dress?

Can you have many?

https://luxurywatches635.files.wordp...group_shot.jpg

https://luxurywatches635.files.wordp...group_shot.jpg

https://luxurywatches635.files.wordp...classics-3.jpg

Seriously... I don't know. I'm not really into "high horology" watches so I'd just stick with the standard stuff.

Sub 16610
GMT 16710
Some larger Breitling chrono (actually I prefer my Ebel BTR over any other chrono but that's just me). I think chrono should be at least 42mm or larger.

If I followed the rules it wouldn’t be my ideal collection!

Rolex Sub 124060
PP 5712 - Nautilus
AP 26574TI - Titanium perpetual calendar

It’ll probably change if we did this again in six months.

Sorry OP - but my ideal 3 that I own do not fit your criteria as they are all Swiss.

From my current collection:

Dress - PP 5146J
Tool - Rolex 124060
Other - VC 4500V Blue or Omega X-33 Mk2 as an outsider (HEQ)

Speedy Pro
U50 SDR Tegimented.
Reverso Duoface


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I'd be content with these three. I know they don't fit the criteria of the post, but yeh.

https://i.imgur.com/m90HWJK.jpg

I think I can fit that outline.

Grandad’s Seamaster = vintage / dress / leather / non-black dial / sentimental / automatic

Zenith Rainbow = Swiss Tool watch / bracelet/ bought new / automatic / sentimental (engagement gift from my wife. Worn daily for 18 years) / complication

Smiths Navigator = Not Swiss / manual / leather / black dial



Omega Seamaster – 1965 – Grandad’s Watch
https://i.postimg.cc/T3wDQPZR/Omega-Seamaster-1965.jpg

Zenith Rainbow Elite 670 – 1998 – Engagement gift
39mm; 9mm thick. Model 02.0473.670
https://i.postimg.cc/GtXpsF3v/Zenith-Rainbow.jpg

Smiths Navigator PRS-48

https://i.postimg.cc/YCHL87Gh/8-A574...-FBB0-FAB3.jpg

Hmm one major category missing. One watch must have a complication!

For me at the moment

Tool - panerai 111 (first expensive watch)
Dress - Ming 1901 (on bracelet or strap)
3rd - Ming chrono (incoming)

Edit - despite being Swiss made, i classify the Mings as non Swiss.

Edit 2 - I wanna add a wildcard beater. Seiko Landmaster

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by wileeeeeey

If I followed the rules it wouldn’t be my ideal collection!
.

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This. Fun idea but too many rules for me to find a set I’d be really happy with

Tool
Sub 114060. Personal to me, Swiss, bracelet, black dial, automatic

Dress
GS SGBW231. Opposite of the above

Wildcard
Black dial ceramic Daytona or Chronomaster Original 38

Game over

Whilst I could come up with three that I own, that tick all the criteria in the OP, they would be far from my ideal three.

This type of thread also confirms to me that if restricted to only three watches:
- I wouldn’t include a “dress” watch (or beater, whatever that is considered to be)
- I wouldn’t include a watch that had to spend all of the time on a strap

And more importantly I can’t envisage selecting less than six to ten watches in an ideal collection.

Sticking to the rules (other than the non Swiss bit):
Reverso GR - dress, strap, manual, personal
16570 Polar - tool, non black dial
114270 - other

If sticking to the non Swiss bit:
GS SBGA01 - non Swiss, non black dial, pretend that it’s a dress watch
Standard Speedmaster Moonwatch - personal, manual, happy to wear on a strap, as the bracelet is poor
114270 - tool

"Your ideal 300 watch collection" might suit my collection trends a little bit better. ;-)

I cant match all the rules because my ideal 3 within as many parameters as possible would be all Swiss, and more than likely bracelet mounted but useable on a strap.

Not black, bought new, "dressy"

https://i.ibb.co/WWzWcnk/a91056a6-42...2896bf22bb.jpg

Manual, on leather.


https://i.ibb.co/9NPBmvK/64d8d7db-48...130b700c0c.jpg

Sentimental - the only one that will never be sold, black dial, tool watch.


https://i.ibb.co/wLz6Frq/Screenshot-...t-11-47-44.png







* If I could get away with it I would switch out the Apollo 8 for my older speedy and stick it on leather just to bend the rules, but I dont have a photo of it without bracelet.

So, manual that COULD go on leather.

https://i.ibb.co/NWn7vzc/567a2ee0-3f...7bdb2681d1.jpg

So this one is for definite.

https://forum.tz-uk.com/attachment.p...1&d=1653397796

Manual, sentimental value, black dial, bracelet. Could you call it a dress watch? Well I am...

And maybe I will keep this.

https://forum.tz-uk.com/attachment.p...1&d=1653398081

Automatic, leather strap, tool watch.

So I would just need a new non-swiss, non-black face watch with any movement at all. Surely that is possible...

Interesting and pleasingly-specific challenge.

I really only have one contender for the 'sentimental value' condition - the Christopher Ward Bluebird SE chrono my wife bought for me on my 50th birthday, it will also have to do service as the 'dress watch' contender.

Although it's as devoid of snob-appeal as humanly possible, it's a beautifully made and finished thing, with the nicest enamel inset in the crown (a tiny Bluebird motif) I've ever seen on any watch at any price, plus it resonates with my childhood love of all things Malcolm and Donald Campbell perfectly. (Please excuse the godawful pic!)

https://ams03pap001files.storage.liv...&cropmode=none


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Covering the automatic category has to be the finest all-rounder in my collection - Damasko DC57: it covers all the bases for me - great legibility, great robustness, chronograph functionality, and day-date complication; total strapwhore, too, FWIW.

Gets more wear than anything else I own...

https://db5pap001files.storage.live....&cropmode=none

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For this last one, I'm simply going to have to cheat grotesquely - I almost never wear watches on Bracelets, and I have not the slightest desire to own a hand-wound watch of any kind. Further, my perfect 3-watch collection includes something with a Tritium tube dial for night-time dog-walks - a tool watch that is tough enough to deal with bad weather and knocks - light, comfortable and ever-ready even if I forget to wind it.

Oh well, at least the movement is Swiss...

https://ams03pap001files.storage.liv...&cropmode=none
https://ams03pap001files.storage.liv...&cropmode=none

My choice for sentimental also ticks the non black dial, non Swiss and dressy boxes, Cartier tank francaise chronoreflex, bi metal. Tool watch would have to be my SD 43. Wild card is more tricky, would be one of my panerais, but choosing one is difficult. My most worn by far are the two submersibles, 614 and 243, but as I already have the SD 43 in the frame, I would have to choose the 213. Like most PAMs it is a strap monster, so leather, canvas and even rubber or NATO, all work.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...0b79ad45cb.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...22231188f6.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...7c722ff9b6.jpg

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by chrisparker

I'd be content with these three. I know they don't fit the criteria of the post, but yeh.

https://i.imgur.com/m90HWJK.jpg

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I’d be very happy with those three too!

I am not sure how to attach pictures, but here goes again...

https://forum.tz-uk.com/attachment.p...7&d=1653464471

and again...

https://forum.tz-uk.com/attachment.p...6&d=1653464463

I’ve been thinking about this recently as have debated whether to simplify the collection somewhat. If so, these are the 3 that would remain that meet the requirements except for manual wind…

Casio G-Shock all-metal Vintage DLC - black dial, bracelet, non-Swiss, tool watch.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...86475e91f6.jpg


Patek 5212A weekly calendar - leather strap, dress, Swiss, bought new, non-black dial.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...bf6b433ac5.jpg


Rolex 116619LB Smurf - non-black dial, bracelet, bought new, City-retirement present.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...db108537b8.jpg

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Sorry, no non-Swiss, and no dress watch. Either that, or "ideal" :D

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/B9...O9r5H5cE=w1200

I am not sure that my current 3 fit entirely the OP’s criteria but I can’t be too far off..

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...20120f1fe8.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...82ce202938.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...32f09e5e05.jpg


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Maybe these...
But, there are others.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...7a5d5006fc.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...5246434370.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...2b8064e689.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...a70d64807c.jpg

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Nealywheelie

Maybe these...
But, there are others.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...7a5d5006fc.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...5246434370.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...2b8064e689.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...a70d64807c.jpg

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Sorry, it's three, & I've posted 4, my bad.


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