The TRF 10 watches of historical significance

[crossplatform]

These lists are all good, but I think people leave out some of the German brands and their innovations.

[etbdjr]

Any list must include the Breitling Navitimer as well

Rolex Sub
Cartier Tank
Patek Calatrava
Movado Museum
Rolex Oyster (original bubble back)
Breitling Navitmer
Omega Speedmaster
Pulsar digital..!!! can't remeber the model..1st digital display
Brequet with complications.. (true craftsmanship)
Bulova Accutron tuning fork movement

[Mockingbird]

Reverso
BP FF
Speedy
Sub
Any Breguet Tourbillon
Monaco
RO
Portuguese
Tank

[snowbird]

Just coming across this thread - a lot of fascinating information in here.

[beebleb]

Originally Posted by desperado

seiko 35 sq astron,

the first quartz watch to enter production (1969), this deserves a place on this list for sure

+1

[tzinc]

Originally Posted by crossplatform

These lists are all good, but I think people leave out some of the German brands and their innovations.

Why don't you tell us about them?

[JimSnyder]

Originally Posted by tr4driver

No Clive Cussler fans? How about the Doxa Sub 300T?

Originally Posted by Submarino

I agree with you. I think it should be on the list. Monsieur Jacques Cousteau used to wear it on his expeditions so that's enough good reason.

Not to mention that the helium release valve was a joint venture between Doxa and Rolex

[psv]

I know Explorer and GMT has a rich history, as well as the Daytona, but for the last 25 years of my life when I think watch I think Rolex Submariner.

[TyCoon53]

I think the main point is the technology jumps made.
So my list,
The first wrist watch
The first self winding watch.
The first truly underwater watch.
The first space watch.
The first tuning fork watch.
The first quartz watch.
The first digital watch.

[Goodwatch]

Originally Posted by TyCoon53

I think the main point is the technology jumps made.
So my list,
The first wrist watch
The first self winding watch.
The first truly underwater watch.
The first space watch.
The first tuning fork watch.
The first quartz watch.
The first digital watch.

Very nice and out of the box thinking You'll be surprised who made the first truly waterproof watch. None of the big makers. First quartz is on my list.

[asadtiger]

so tell us Frans who did actually make the first truly Water Resistant watch?

the oldest I can think of is the Omega Marine enclosed in its water tight case...I think thats the simplest way of keeping a watch water tight this Omega was around 1930 right? so thats my guess but would love to know your truly informed reply :)

[JimSnyder]

The Wittnauer All-Proof in 1918

[Hooper]

Originally Posted by chriseskew24

Why this one of course the first ever calculator watch





LOLLOL

Nice, takes me back to grade 9

[edge of midnight]

Heres one . Rado Diastar 1st non scratch watch case, originally tungsten now ceramic.
What about Omega Piepan 1st watch whose dial design was based on a baking inplement lol.

[Eurico]

My list:

Cartier Santos (first men's wristwatch, named after a countryman)
Cartier Pasha (first luxury waterproof watch)
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak (first stainless steel high-end watch)
Jaeger-Le-Coultre Reverso (for its unique technical solution)
Omega Speedmaster (the Moon)
Rolex Explorer (the Everest)
Swatch (savior of the Swiss watch industry)
Seiko 5 (first affordable and reliable automatic watch)
Seiko Quartz (began a revolution)
Casio G-Shock (first "indestructible" cheap watch)

[Eurico]

My list:

Cartier Santos (first men's wristwatch, named after a countryman)
Cartier Pasha (first luxury waterproof watch)
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak (first stainless steel high-end watch)
Jaeger-Le-Coultre Reverso (for its unique technical solution)
Omega Speedmaster (the Moon)
Rolex Explorer (the Everest)
Swatch (savior of the Swiss watch industry)
Seiko 5 (first affordable and reliable automatic watch)
Seiko Quartz (began a revolution)
Casio G-Shock (first "indestructible" cheap watch)

[safira218]

Originally Posted by Robertf

... great thread by the way!

I'll also give another vote for the bulova/accutron tuning fork watch and Zenith El primero chronograph.

Great list Dell. Your research, attention to detail and general grasp of any given subject, makes me look forward to reading your posts.

[RolexWatcher]

Reading this tread and some history of watches is great. Some of the watches below have already mentioned but I think they are of major significance.

1. Cartier Santos - the first watch to change the whole culture of wristwatches for men.

2. Rolex Oyster - first waterproof watch.

3. Seiko Quartz - first quartz watch which nearly destroyed the Swiss watch industry.

4. Swatch - brought the Swiss industry back from almost extinction.

5. Ingersoll Mickey Mouse - epitomises low quality and now part of our daily language.

6. Hamilton Pulsar - first electronic watch.

[bewithabob]

What about the Old Breitling Navitimer? That might deserve a place on the list. It rode with Scott Carpenter on Aurora 7, the second manned space flight...

[MikeyMouseWatch]

Casio G-Shock (first "indestructible" cheap watch)

You have GOT to be kidding me.

[DiamondJack]

Agree with most but definitely should include the Bulova Accutron Spaceview. The world's first electronic watch introduced in October 1960 and was the first watch to keep time through electronics and the revolutionary concept of not using springs or escapement. The tuning fork technology was used on 46 NASA space flights timing equipment. Bulova as a company also have a huge number of firsts like the first company to introduce a full range of mens jewelled wrist watches in 1919. The worlds first clock radio in 1928, the first television commercial in 1941. The accutron began development in 1952 and was the first breakthrough in timekeepingbin over 300 years. It has to be in the top 10 and every enthusiast's watch collection. Still quite inexpensive too I'll post mine tomorrow

Also Cartier Santos has to be in there as this was designed for the aviator Santos-Dumont in 1904 so he could read the time without taking his hands off the controls. He greatly contributed to the trend for wearing wristwatches by men. Prior to this time wristwatches invented by Patek Philippe were worn by women more as jewellery accesories.

[Beeper]

Breitling Navitimer for sure...oldest chronograph still in production, I believe it was first slide rule as well.

[Tmaca]

OK, most everyone seems to be going for fancy, and maybe innovation in appearance. But Horological HISTORICAL significance? That's easy and pretty much indisputable. The Bulova Accutron with a 214 tuning fork movement in 1960, the very first electronic wristwatch, and the first wristwatch that was precise enough to get Railroad certification (not even Rolex Chronometers could do it, they were accurate but not precise, which are related but are two different things.), and the watch that eventually killed the tuning fork movement wristwatch because it was just as precise and a lot cheaper to make, the Seiko quartz Astron in '69. Even Rolex tried quartz movements for a few years (altogether 19 years, I believe), but discontinued them as poor sellers, probably 'cause they didn't have the snob appeal of a Rolex mechanical. As timekeepers, quartz movements are unexcelled, but they're cheap, and Rolex and their prices live on the exclusivity. So do a lot of other top enders. Put a quartz movement in them and they really just aren't all that special anymore.

[DiamondJack]

Well here's my Spaceview :-) A Swiss made version from 1964

[Goodwatch]

Originally Posted by DiamondJack

Well here's my Spaceview :-) A Swiss made version from 1964

Droooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo ooooooooooooooooooooooooool!

[Subfiend]

Here is my latest contribution: http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=179377
JeanRichard Aquastar, the watch on Don Walsh's wrist when he made the deepest dive in history, the Trieste dive to the bottom of the Marianas Trench in January 1960.

A few other choices:

1. The iconic Rolex Submariner, the watch that has been on too many "firsts" to name here.
2. The Omega Speedmaster, cal. 321, the watch on Buzz Aldrin's wrist when he walked on the Moon in 1969 (specifically, Ref. 105-012-66) or the Ed White model (105-003-65).
3. Breitling Cosmonaute, as worn by Mercury astronaut Scott Carpenter.
4. The Rolex Explorer, for its connection to the conquest of Mt. Everest, even though it came after this event.
5. The Rolex GMT-Master, the other watch worn on the deepest dive.

[DiamondJack]

Just an updated and better photo. For those that have not come across these watches, they actually audibly hum if you put them to your ear which, I suppose given the tuning fork run mechanism, is not surprising.... but just very weird. The rotation of the second hand is actually smoother that any of my automatic watches.

It is a Swiss made version from 1964 (most were made in the US) and given it's the the first electronic watch and first real change in watch making for over 300 years, it is definitely the one with the most historic significance in my collection. A better photo below

[darkom]

I see the Cartier Tank mentioned in many of these posts. Are you guys referring to the small Tank with the leather strap of the artsy steel band one?

[AlbyCrowned]

I'd say:

Rolex: Submariner
Patek Philippe: Calatrava
Girard Perregaux: Laureato
Audemars Piguet: Royal Oak
Jaeger LeCoultre: Reverso
Cartier: Santos
Panerai: Radiomir
Omega: Speedmaster
IWC: Big Pilot
Vacheron Constantin: Patrimony

[Milgauss-Green]

Originally Posted by Goodwatch

I want to compile a list a 10 wristwatches that really made their footprint in history. I have a few contenders and shall name one example: the Omega Speedmaster Professional that was chosen as standard issue for the Apollo astronauts. You can name any 10 watches that YOU find are to be placed in this hall of fame. I hope for many contributions and if necessary will make a poll to establish the watches that are worthy of this honour.

Rules:

• The wristwatches in question must be, or have been, available to the general public.
• Just one wristwatch from a certain brand.

Fire away!

Patek Calatrava,JLC reverso,rolex submariner