What watches do you have / wear / love?

[VeryPC_Colin_M]

Top man @Dos_Box and yes I have a (currently broken as the minute hand came off) Smiths Vintage Cushion LOL

[jthompson]

I seem to have recently developed a taste for looking at pretty watches on the Internet in recent months. Most days now there is some watch or other spending time loitering in my brain's shopping basket. I've traced it back to being left by my OH waiting in front of the watch cabinets in a department store. A cabinet full of Mondaine watches stole my heart.

 

I've been wearing an Omega Seamaster (mid-size, quartz, "Peter Blake") pretty much every day for 20 years, and in all of that time only two people have ever said "Is that a Seamaster?!" and asked for a closer look, so it's quite clear to me that pretty much nobody cares/notices what watch you wear. I recently bought a Wenger chronograph on clearance from TK Maxx just because I really liked the look of it, but that's tought me a few of things:

1: a 30-minute chronograph is almost useless to me. No use for timing parking or cooking, really.

2: a chronograph can look pretty in pictures with the hands at 10:08:40, but when the main second hand spends most of the time parked at 12, a chronograph can look a bit 'dead'.

3: NATO straps FTW!

 

I'm enjoying getting more familiar with watch terminology. One thing that really puzzles me though is why G-Shock watches seems to enjoy near universal acclaim amongst watch people, despite appearing to have such a naff design language. I like the idea of an indestructable solar atomic watch with 5 vibration alarms and 10 countdown timers, but I'd rather it not look like a tractor tyre with a cheapo LCD display in the middle.

[Dos_Box]

7 minutes ago, jthompson said:

I seem to have recently developed a taste for looking at pretty watches on the Internet in recent months. Most days now there is some watch or other spending time loitering in my brain's shopping basket. I've traced it back to being left by my OH waiting in front of the watch cabinets in a department store. A cabinet full of Mondaine watches stole my heart.

 

I've been wearing an Omega Seamaster (mid-size, quartz, "Peter Blake") pretty much every day for 20 years, and in all of that time only two people have ever said "Is that a Seamaster?!" and asked for a closer look, so it's quite clear to me that pretty much nobody cares/notices what watch you wear. I recently bought a Wenger chronograph on clearance from TK Maxx just because I really liked the look of it, but that's tought me a few of things:

1: a 30-minute chronograph is almost useless to me. No use for timing parking or cooking, really.

2: a chronograph can look pretty in pictures with the hands at 10:08:40, but when the main second hand spends most of the time parked at 12, a chronograph can look a bit 'dead'.

3: NATO straps FTW!

 

I'm enjoying getting more familiar with watch terminology. One thing that really puzzles me though is why G-Shock watches seems to enjoy near universal acclaim amongst watch people, despite appearing to have such a naff design language. I like the idea of an indestructable solar atomic watch with 5 vibration alarms and 10 countdown timers, but I'd rather it not look like a tractor tyre with a cheapo LCD display in the middle.

 

I do like G-Shocks, but only the 'traditional' models, the new versions with dials and a gazillion LED windows are very off-putting IMO.
I've always tried to avoid 'fashion' watches and usually buy one new watch per year, but for some reason this year have been putting it off, although, this Baltany, based on the Omega Constellation Pie-Pan from the 50's and 60's, and pretty much an upscaled direct copy, has my eye - https://baltany.co.uk/product/classic-pie-pan-vintage-watch/

 

 

It is currently about £280, although should go down to about £220 on the next AliExpress sale. It has a high-beat Miyota movement, sapphire glass and looks amazing!

[Davit2005]

I only wear a Garmin Fenix 5 on run days. I found I have sensitive skin reaction towards watches and as I was a mechanical engineer for 18 years previous to IT career I never really had the chance so don't really miss it TBH.

 

 

Edited September 12, 2025 by Davit2005

[jthompson]

That Baltany is certainly pretty. I'm getting after-dinner mint vibes, too.

 

The watch I've been contemplating the most of late is the Redwood Kilroy, a solar field watch that looks nice and hardy. If it had a date window I'd be even more sold. I like the look of pretty much all of their watches.

 

https://www.redwoodwatches.com/

 

 

 

[jthompson]

On 12/09/2025 at 10:31, jthompson said:

One thing that really puzzles me though is why G-Shock watches seems to enjoy near universal acclaim amongst watch people, despite appearing to have such a naff design language. I like the idea of an indestructable solar atomic watch with 5 vibration alarms and 10 countdown timers, but I'd rather it not look like a tractor tyre with a cheapo LCD display in the middle.

 

Well, guess what...

I've bought a G-Shock. Haha. It's a square so hopefully dodging most of the "designed by a teenager" aesthetic. There is something undeniably appealing about an indestructable, unstoppable watch that will charge itself and set itself and work maintenance-free until the year 2100.

 

It's like an antidote to all of the obsolescence that I find myself in a constant battle against in this job.

Edited January 12 by jthompson

[gaz350b]

I love a good chucky watch. I'd never buy a smart watch.
Current watch I know when its not on my wrist thats for sure!

Precisionist Stainless Steel Black and Blue Chronograph

[lparry]

After years of not wanting a smart watch and always sporting an automatic fossil - finally made the plunge and got a Huawei D2 following some health scares last year!

 

Still blows my mind that the cuff inflates!

[pipsyp]

Love a watch.  For me its all the jewellery a man really needs.  I just wish I had more wedge to justify buying more!

 

I'm fortunate enough to have the following - though to be honest I rarely wear most of them for fear of them being damaged, stolen or lost!

 

* 2004 vintage Tag Heuer F1 Chronograph quartz.  First "nice" watch I bought after starting my first proper job after Uni.  Wore it literally all day, every day until it got bashed up to a stage I didnt want to wear it anymore.  I in recent years had a good friend (who is a very very good amateur horologist) fully refurbish it (new main case, crown, bezel primarily) with it now looking like its been worn only a few times.  I went to wear it for the first time in an age the other day......the battery was dead 😞

 

* 2010 vintage Tag Heuer Carrera automatic date.  Bought for me by my wife as a wedding present (much to my huge surprise).  Gorgeous thing, again don't wear a great deal as its just too nice for daily wear, and has obvious sentimental value.

* 2003 vintage Zenith El Primero Chronograph automatic.  Left to me by my Dad when he passed 10 years ago (my brother got a very nice Breitling Bentley 6.75). Anyone who knows watches will know that Zenith arguably makes one of the finest (if not the finest) watch movements on the planet.  Again a gorgeous thing, but sentimental value, and its current financial value to replace (a relatively absurd amount) means it sees very little airtime.

 

Occasionally the thought crosses my mind to sell them and bank the cash, but I definitely just could not bring myself to do it, particularly with the Zenith.  May be that my kids benefit from them some day!

 

I do rather fancy a Rolex Sea Dweller or an IWC Big Pilot if I did ever treat myself!

Day to day I wear a CMF Watch Pro 2 (made by Nothing, as in the NothingPhone) - was cheap, amazing build quality for the price and has a very nice look (I don't personally like that very obvious Apple/smartwatch vibe).  The smart side of its not amazing, but it does a great job as a general timepiece and the battery life is incredible.  Highly recommended.

 

 

Edited January 13 by pipsyp

[jthompson]

On 13/01/2026 at 16:06, pipsyp said:

I rarely wear most of them for fear of them being damaged, stolen or lost!

My thinking is that the safest place for my Seamaster is actually on my wrist, rather than left behind in an empty house!

I agree with the jewelry aspect, although I'll add wedding ring to that.

 

It sounds like a really nice list. Mine is:

• Omega Seamaster Pro, black dial, quartz, 36mm. Had this since new in the late 90's and was my only watch for ages. Only now beginning to fully appreciate how good it is!
• Pebble 2. Still just about going, after fitting a new battery and replacing the failed silicone buttons with some 3D-printed ones. Absolutely zero splash resistance as a result, and I just use it as a vibration alarm to wake me up without waking up my OH. No longer interested in getting notifications on my watch, and having near-infinite choice of watch faces is not all it's made out to be (IMHO one of those mile-wide-but-an-inch-deep things).
• Wenger Urban Chronograph. Bought on a whim as it looked nice on the Internet, but in reality it's too big, not a useful chronograph (30min max) and the dial legibility suffers in most real-world light. Works well on a few different NATO straps though, if I do decide to wear it.
• Redwood Pilot Type-B Solar. I quite like the look of pilot watches in general, and love the simple design of this one.
• G-Shock GW-BX5600. Only just got this. It has the new-style MIP display, with absolutely none of the viewing-angle washout that you get with the regular-style LCDs. Loving wearing it, but the alarm/timer sound is quiet and short (10s) to the point of being useless. I'd love for it to have vibration instead, but I appreciate that that might not be feasible in a solar watch with a whole bunch of shock-resistance around it. I used to have a Casio AE-21W growing up, so having a Casio again feels kinda nice.

Apart from the Omega, they're all watches that I could replace without issue if it came to it, but reckon 3 good choices is where my natural limit probably lies. I'd want to be wearing them. I'm not sure I want to spend too much on any one watch, unless I won the lottery or some such.

Edited January 19 by jthompson

[TheHyperTechie]

Currently using my Apple Watch Gen 1 - love it!

 

I am also a big fan of my "tactical" style watches Luminox, Traser, G-Shocks etc.

[LeMarchand]

12 Watch box <£12. May be of interest to some here.

 

https://www.hotukdeals.com/share-deal/4803773?utm_source=copy_url_dt&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=2026-01-28&utm_content=4803773

[SamanthaD]

I'm currently on a Garmin Epix Gen 2 - I do love analogue watches but health and stress monitoring right now is more important. Reason I went for this one is month long battery life - it never leaves my wrist except for the 2 hours when it needs charging. Love it over the Apple watches I've had in the past.

 

Part of me would love a J12 but I know I'd never wear it!

[tom_newton]

My watch had to have 2 particular features - no winding or battery, and set from radio signal. Hence, Milano solar from Junghans.

 

I do often think I should just get a cheap watch, from the market...

 

[sigma]

Rolex, which I’ve had for over 30 years.

[BKGarry]

After having a smart watch for several years, I upgraded last year to this bad boy and love it

[itskdog]

I've got a Pixel Watch 3, and the ability to use the mic & speaker on the watch for phone calls comes in handy to be able to communicate with others on the team, while not violating the safeguarding policy by having my mobile phone out of my pocket with children in the vicinity. Not the most comfortable position to be in when doing so, but it works in a pinch.

 

Plus getting notifications from the helpdesk without having to grab my phone to see what it is, in case it's something urgent I need to deal with, or to save going back to my office, then seeing it, then going back out to see the person who needs help.

[jthompson]

On 06/02/2026 at 11:36, tom_newton said:

My watch had to have 2 particular features - no winding or battery, and set from radio signal. Hence, Milano solar from Junghans.

 

I do love a solar watch. Something very satisfying in the energy independence of it, especially when it has an atomic sync as well.

 

Can the radio signal set the date also?

[tom_newton]

Yeah, it sets everything - the only PITA is you need to tell it where you are, and this is not super easy.

Because of that I have a travel watch which is (a) cheaper, (b) sets time off twisty twisty 

[jthompson]

I've been weighing up whether or not to buy a new Pebble, as my original is no longer water resistant (due to having 3d-printed buttons) and has a replacement battery that I would rather didn't catch fire.

 

With the vibration alarm being the only feature I actually want from it these days, I decided to instead fend off any risk of obsolescence (and fire) and instead spend a lot less money on Casio's new W-738H vibration alarm watch. It's not a new module, but it's now in a retro square design that I really like, with levels of water resistance and QC that a Pebble will likely never have.

 

Only a single daily alarm with no snooze, so not the flexibility of a Pebble, but the countdown also vibrates and serves well for snoozing purposes (a single press will dismiss and restart it).

 

A watch with vibration that will run for 10 years on a CR2032 battery seems pretty awesome to me. I can't think why Casio aren't adding vibration to more of their watches if it's that efficient. Only gripe is that the LCD viewing angles suffer in comparison to the MIP display on my G-Shock 5600.

Edited July 22 by jthompson