AskMen.com: All-Purpose Watches

[S2000 Driver]

"There are really only four watches that can do it all, and half of those four happen to be made by Rolex."

Every now and then, you come across someone who wants only one timepiece in his life. Don’t ask me why anyone would want to limit themselves in such a way, but such people do exist. There are really only four watches that can do it all, and half of those four happen to be made by Rolex. These are the watches that are equally appropriate for a meeting with your lazy-eyed cousin Barry as they are for a visit with President Barry Obama.

1- Rolex Submariner
Sure, it’s a dive watch, but the Rolex Submariner has long been known to be worn with a fine tuxedo. James Bond wore an early Submariner in the first films (in a tuxedo, no less). Since then, we’ve seen them on the wrists of Steve McQueen, Brad Pitt, Robert Redford, and just about every other cool guy on planet Earth. But don’t make a beginner's mistake and buy the new Deepsea, which many sales folk try to upsell to new customers. It’s ugly, oversize and nobody cares about it. Buy a Submariner. Or if you want something a little bigger, find an old Sea Dweller. I repeat, never buy a Deepsea.

2- Rolex Datejust
The Rolex Datejust is a little more refined than the Sub, but similar deal. Countless presidents, dictators, rap stars, and general bons vivants have worn the Datejust over the years, and it uses the same movement as the Submariner (in some cases). It is a smaller watch and can’t withstand the shocks that a Submariner can, but some prefer it because it’s more refined. It really does look just as good with a T-shirt and jeans as it does with a three-piece, and not many watches can say that. Of course, the Day-Date is still a man’s Rolex, while the Datejust is nice but not on the same level.

3- The IWC Portuguese
Bet you thought you’d never see an IWC here, did you? Sure, I think a lot of what it does is mass-market bullsh*t sold as haute horology, but the IWC Portuguese is something special. There is just something so elegant and versatile about a two-register chronograph on a leather strap. Sheamus himself even keeps one in the box at all times, when he’s not in Journe or Patek. A fantastic watch, even if it is made by a company started by an American.

4- The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph
Ah, the Royal Oak -- one of horology’s untouchables. Sure, the modern chronograph may not have the class of the 1970s Jumbo, but this is one timepiece that few would argue with as an excellent, all-purpose watch. Buy it in steel and wear it to the beach or to the office. Even if you buy it in white gold or rose gold, you can wear it with jeans and a T-shirt. Just to avoid any confusion, this only stands for the regular Royal Oak, not the Offshore, which is really only to be worn by NBA players and those who wish to be them.

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Read more: http://www.askmen.com/fashion/mens-w...#ixzz2GJVGYxz7

[Armyguy03]

I dont think he likes the Deepsea. Great article. I LOVE my SUB and it is my one watch.

[Stonedcl]

That is funny , I have the sub and date just and want the 26300 ap next so I WIll have 3 of the 4.. The iwc is giant and I have scrawny wrists..

[Dennis2005]

I don't agree, but everyone is entitled to their opinion.

[kilyung]

Watch snob is exactly that... a snob.

[Monte Cristo]

Ah, the watch snob strikes again

[Armyguy03]

That article is two years old, however I still agree that the Sub is the do it all watch. The comments below the article are pretty entertaining.

[GradyPhilpott]

To that list, I believe that the Explorer (114270) could fit just as well. The Explorer is even more low-key than the Sub or the DJ.

[financeman]

Cool write up. I do agree that the sub can be worn for any occasion. It looks great dressed up or dressed down.

[mmmk604]

Sweet, I have 2 of 4

[afc1]

Good article. I agree the sub is great for any type of use. Can't comment on the others as I haven't owned them, but all seem like good choices. I don't agree with him on what he said about the Deepsea. I personally can't pull it off, but many people can, and many grow accustomed to the weight over time. While a Sub is probably a better all-purpose watch for most, a Deepsea can fill this role in some cases

[joe100]

Agree about the Deepsea. Great engineering exercise but a silly daily watch

[yonggoh]

for me if its only one watch that should have the bare minimum of complications....hours, mins, seconds and date...then it should be understated and be versatile in appearance...
The Rolex Datejust, Omega Aquaterra and AP 15300 instantly come to mind as such a watch...
I find the submariner too sporty to wear in a formal situation (yeap, i reckon bond is a caveman)

things like chronograph are virtually non useful in today's real world application

[wokafu]

weird..i kinda agree to all his opinion..im a snob in nature..?? hahahahaha

[iLLGT2]

I think he's terrible

[Rolexitis]

He probably has wrists the size of my wife's and just can't wear the Deepsea..... I think it's an awesome watch and can't wait to pick it up.

The sub will always fit the bill but It just keeps looking more like a mid sized these days.

[mjclark32]

I like the picks, but could do without the commentary

[Mickey®]

[floater156]

Originally Posted by iLLGT2

I think he's terrible

He's a troll

[landroverking]

Right on.

[zion_rasta]

I think he is just biased to what he likes.

The GMT IIc would beat any of the watches mentioned. It has most of the usable capabilities (100M-no one goes deeper than that) of a Sub while being dressy enough for a three piece suit.

I don't care who you are, the real man's watch is the DSSD.

The new date just II with roman numerals is a fantastic.

And.... He forgot that Jack Bauer used a Sub date.


All in all, as many threads have indicated, if you are only going to have one watch - the Submariner Date would do.

[masterserg]

I have zero respect for this publication and any opinions therein ... not that they would particularly care ...

[Roma315]

The Watch snob is a tool Most of his articles are BS

[mannyv11]

Originally Posted by financeman

Cool write up. I do agree that the sub can be worn for any occasion. It looks great dressed up or dressed down.

x2

[jay1988]

The thing about the watchsnob is he's just a walking cliche.

I mean seriously he's just listed 4 of the most famous watches out there. Apart from the Daytona. I don't even understand why the Daytona isn't there ? It's not an all-purpose watch for me but if a Sub is then why isn't the Daytona ? There's nothing revolutionary on that list. Frankly if the Sub and IWC Portugese are all-purpose then a lot of other watches are too. RO is the only one on that list I agree with.

He kisses Patek's *ss and loves ALS. Great it's well established how good they are and anyone with any experience in horology can tell you that. He talks up a few lesser brands like Nomos but anyone who follows watches will of heard of them before he mentions them.

I read it a few times and it's clear it's not for people who are really into their watches. Sure if you like watches to the extent that askmen is your only portal of information then you will learn a lot. He's never said anything that's made me go "wow that's interesting". The new and upcoming companies he mentions will of been on Hodinkee for atleast a month before he talks about them.

"Nautilus is a great watch"
"Datograph is one of the best chronographs"
"Big watches are bad"
"in-house movements are good"

Are these thought out quotes of a watch connoisseur ? No, they're more like the opinions of someone who read "horology for dummies".

He rarely embraces anything modern. He's that old bitter guy that sits in the corner at parties telling people things they already know and insulting anything that wasn't created at the same time he was.

[TattooedGQ]

Oddly enough I was just reading the Ask Men's series on what you need to have a complete collection....dress watch, Diver, Beater, Vintage& Complication..It's a good read, and NOT a watch snob post.

[al_bongo]

"You may think you know watches, but let's be real -- you just don’t. Let me, a true horological aficionado, enlighten your plebeian minds as to what makes a real watch..."

It's a light hearted humorous bit of writing with an element of truth. What makes it amusing are the reactions to his writing.

The article is rated as making 48% "a better man" and only 8% "furious". I think those ratings might be reversed on here.

[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by al_bongo

It's a light hearted humorous bit of writing with an element of truth.

You've hit the nail on the head.

I think the Watch Snob writers really know their stuff, even if I don't agree with them all the time, and they always give me a hearty chuckle.

[lig]

I enjoy reading anything from the snob. Acerbically hilarious, IMO. I don't always agree but it's still fun.

[Rolex74]

I officially do not like ASKMen.com

"But don’t make a beginner's mistake and buy the new Deepsea, which many sales folk try to upsell to new customers. It’s ugly, oversize and nobody cares about it. Buy a Submariner. Or if you want something a little bigger, find an old Sea Dweller. I repeat, never buy a Deepsea."