Favourite watches: Our most loved watch from our own collection

These are a few of our favourite things…actually, these are the favourite watch in each of our own collections.

What is your favourite watch in your collection? Here are ours.

Favourites are of course, very personal choices. So we thought we would let you in on a glimpse of our world view and biases with this selection. And we tell you why it our favourite. So without further ado, lets go! Listed in alphabetical order of our surnames, with the Chief Editor rounding up the list:

Frank Chuo: A. Lange & Söhne Zeitwerk Striking Time

My pick is the Lange Zeitwerk Striking Time. There is much to love about this watch. Beginning with the unique design, where Lange chose to display the hours and minutes digitally and horizontally across the dial with huge numerals. This aesthetic alone makes a magnificent watch. But Lange goes one further with the visible gongs and hammers encircling the dial. Coupled that with the visual theatre of the disc change, and it becomes quite a spectacle. But the Striking Time tops even that. It strikes a note on every quarter. Each note is clean, crisp and clear. And delivered at the precise pitch. If played back in tempo, strikes the first four chords of Beethoven’s Symphony No 5.

Needless to say, finishing is absolutely top notch, and for me, the nice size and heft for a contemporary non-dress watch is perfect.

Chester Lau: Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Small Seconds

My pick is the JLC Reverso  Reverso Tribute Small Seconds Red. This is my favourite piece as to me it is an iconic watch. In my mind, a Reverso is an essential watch in any serious watch collection. I find the size to be perfect for my wrist, and the ability of the Reverso to take multiple strap options increase its versatility for dressing up or dressing down.

The dial is classical, with a well balanced layout. The petite seconds and faceted and polished appliqué stick markers with polished Dauphine hands over the lacquered dial makes a lovely aesthetic, and puts a smile whenever I gaze on it. Mine has the brilliant red lacquered dial, which I think makes the piece stand out even more. The only nitpick is the C. 882, which is a rather older movement. It lacks power reserve (42 hours in today’s relative norm of 72), and does not have a hacking seconds hand, which I would really have liked for precise time setting.

The Reverso Tribute Small Seconds is also somewhat accessible, pricing wise. But most of all, it has sentimental value for me, as it is a milestone watch to commemorate my wedding.

Robin Lim: Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch

My pick is the Omega Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch. In my opinion, it has everything that a collector would wish for: great history, chronograph complication, and a manual-winding movement.

The watch is very versatile, and can be worn in casual or business settings. Dress up or dress down, the Moonwatch does it very well. The iconic and timeless good looks is a big factor. To me, this represents the hallmarks of a great design. And of course, in terms of historical significance and providence, the Speedmaster Moonwatch is unmatched with the singular distinction of being the only watch selected by NASA and worn to the Moon.

Given the pricing these days, I hesitate to say that it is modestly priced, but I got mine at SGD 3.5k about 5-6 years ago in the secondary market. And I felt then, as I do now that in all honesty, there are not many watches that that price point. Especially one with such a rich history.

Stanley Leung: Rolex Submariner ND Ref. 124060

Editor’s Note: Stanley is the latest addition to our editorial team. His collecting journey story will appear shortly.

The history behind submariner fascinates me. It is one of the most iconic sports watch in the market and the Submariner ND Ref. 124060 is a throwback in honour of OG. In Ian Fleming first Bond book – the Casino Royale, James Bond wore a Rolex. In the first Bond movie Dr. No in 1962, Sean Connery as Bond, was wearing an ND Submariner. And as a hard core Bond fan, the Sub ND also became a favourite.

The watch fits my current lifestyle. Time only watches, without date allow me to grab and go during the hectic work days where now I am always caught with a wrong date (no pun intended). The glide lock enables the bracelet to be adjusted for size on the fly so I can share it with my date (now the pun is intended 😜). I love that it is constructed in 904L steel (now known as Oyster Steel), which Rolex claims to be more corrosion resistant than standard 316 steel. The ceramic bezel is also more scratch resistant and finally the white gold indices makes for a timeless aesthetic, able to stand test of time. Many just buy the watch for the fact that it is a status symbol failing to understand the intricacies behind the R&D is so amazing.

Finally, the most special and personal story. One day, I was with our Chief Editor to check out the then newly opened boutique of local Singapore Authorised Dealer Kee Heng Hung at 18 Robinson Rd. We went in without any preconceived expectations and Peter introduced me to the owner Max How. We enjoyed in the environment and beauty of the new boutique, and suddenly, out of the blue, Max leaned over the counter and asked if I were interested in a Submariner. What a complete surprise! And for many watch collectors, a minor miracle. Of course I immediately handed over my credit card and walked out immediately with the watch.

Peter Chong: Patek Philippe Nautilus Ref. 5711

Difficult choice. Having being known for my work in the promotion of Lange over the last 25 years, I might have put a Lange in my list, and that might perhaps be the Lange 1 Ref. 101.032. Mine is possibly the first of the series to be made in pink gold, which I bought in 1997/98. Or the original Datograph in platinum, bought circa 2000. But perhaps also quite as deserving is the grail of grails for many – the Dufour Simplicity which was delivered circa 2001. But when it comes down to making this one final choice, it has to be a watch that I do wear regularly. And with that criteria, the honours would have to go to my Patek Nautilus. Other than my fitbit, the Nautilus is the watch I wear most often.

All the hype you hear about the Nautilus is true. The superb workmanship clearly exhibited on every element of the watch – from the case, dial, hands, indices to the bracelet and of course the movement. All excellent, and top notch. The watch is surprisingly thin for those encountering it for the first time. And supremely comfortable on the wrist. And stainless steel is the perfect material for a daily wear watch. It is robust, strong, and a more technical material than precious metals. If there is a nick to pick on the 5711 is the difficulty to open the clasp of the bracelet, a nit that Patek fixed in the latest versions before discontinuing it.

Concluding thoughts

So there it is. We made our picks from our own watch collection. What is your favourite watch in yours? Pray tell us in the comments.