So on a recent episode of my favorite WIS podcast (The Grey Nato), they did a "One Watch Challenge". The idea behind this challenge is that you have to imagine a scenario where you only have one watch that you wear every day (I know, the horror!), but you get to pick that watch based on different price points.

Remember, you are not building a collection using different price levels. You are choosing one watch at each level that you would be content with being the only watch you own. Somewhat arbitrarily, I propose the following price points for this challenge.I'm a Yank, so I hope you will forgive that I'm basing my levels on USD and then converting to GBP (with some rounding).

- Under 500 USD or 450 GBP
- Under 2,000 USD or 1800 GBP
- Under 5,000 USD or 4,500 GBP
- Under 10,000 USD or 9,000 GBP
- Over 10,000 USD or 9,000 GBP (go ahead, shoot for the moon!)

By the way, you can totally go pre-owned prices to fit under the cap. And also, VAT need not apply.

Here are mine. I am purposefully not choosing any watches I already own, but you don't have to.

- Under 500 USD or 450 GBP: Hamilton Khaki Field Ref 695190
- Under 2,000 USD or 1800 GBP: C63 Sealander GMT White
- Under 5,000 USD or 4,500 GBP: Tudor Pelagos 39
- Under 10,000 USD or 9,000 GBP: Grand Seiko White Birch
- Over 10,000 USD or 9,000 GBP: A. Lange & Sohne 1815 Chronograph Ref 414.026

Those numbers illustrate how much the pound has been trashed.

This is a bit ridiculous @Peteo There is WAY too much alignment.....just a couple of quick edits required....
I have the first 4....

- Under 500 USD or 450 GBP: Hamilton Khaki Field Automatic 38 Black
- Under 2,000 USD or 1800 GBP: C63 Sealander GMT White
- Under 5,000 USD or 4,500 GBP: Tudor Black Bay 58 Blue
- Under 10,000 USD or 9,000 GBP: Grand Seiko SBGA373 (Champagne 44GS Spring Drive)
- Over 10,000 USD or 9,000 GBP: A. Lange & Sohne Lange 1

Richard D wrote: ↑Sat Oct 01, 2022 1:10 am Those numbers illustrate how much the pound has been trashed.

I was going to suggest that to make the maths easier for us Brits we just use parity for the USD/GPB rate.

Neil

I am assuming from the OP that it is one watch only that is owned and that the watch must be worn at all times, regardless of activity. I certainly wouldn’t pick anything dressy, as it would be no good for outdoors activity, hiking, swimming, gardening etc. would also need to ensure that it wasn’t a watch that drew unwarranted attention, when eating in rather nice restaurants.

£500 - a preowned CW, to be decided.
£2,000- White sand C65 GMT Aquitaine on bracelet.
£5,000 - Tudor Black Bay 58 black dial
£10,000 - Rolex Explorer 124270 new at RRP £6,000.
Any amount - Rolex Explorer 124270 new at RRP £6,000.

Neil

Noush wrote: ↑Sat Oct 01, 2022 3:58 am This is a bit ridiculous @Peteo There is WAY too much alignment.....just a couple of quick edits required....
I have the first 4....

- Under 500 USD or 450 GBP: Hamilton Khaki Field Automatic 38 Black
- Under 2,000 USD or 1800 GBP: C63 Sealander GMT White
- Under 5,000 USD or 4,500 GBP: Tudor Black Bay 58 Blue
- Under 10,000 USD or 9,000 GBP: Grand Seiko SBGA373 (Champagne 44GS Spring Drive)
- Over 10,000 USD or 9,000 GBP: A. Lange & Sohne Lange 1

Well, Noush, you're clearly my Watch Brother From Another Mother! I would probably have a hard time picking which AL&S would be my Over 10K watch. So many good choices, but I'd probably be too scared to wear half of them!

nbg wrote: ↑Sat Oct 01, 2022 8:55 am I am assuming from the OP that it is one watch only that is owned and that the watch must be worn at all times, regardless of activity. I certainly wouldn’t pick anything dressy, as it would be no good for outdoors activity, hiking, swimming, gardening etc. would also need to ensure that it wasn’t a watch that drew unwarranted attention, when eating in rather nice restaurants.

Yes, those are considerations definitely factor into the thinking. One the one hand, it does maybe force you into a lot of similar choices, but on the other hand, it should focus your selections on what you really find essential in a watch choice.

Around 500 USD - Tissot Visodate
Under 2,000 USD - Christopher Ward Dartmouth v1
Under 5,000 USD - Tudor Black Bay GMT
Under 10,000 USD - Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra
10,000 USD+ - I’d just keep the cash honestly

Peteo wrote: ↑Sat Oct 01, 2022 3:57 pm

nbg wrote: ↑Sat Oct 01, 2022 8:55 am I am assuming from the OP that it is one watch only that is owned and that the watch must be worn at all times, regardless of activity. I certainly wouldn’t pick anything dressy, as it would be no good for outdoors activity, hiking, swimming, gardening etc. would also need to ensure that it wasn’t a watch that drew unwarranted attention, when eating in rather nice restaurants.

Yes, those are considerations definitely factor into the thinking. One the one hand, it does maybe force you into a lot of similar choices, but on the other hand, it should focus your selections on what you really find essential in a watch choice.

Pete for me it also shows, what I already knew, that I am not (and have not been) a one watch person for about 40 years.

If I had to pick one watch, suitable for everything, it would have to be an Explorer, but it’s really not something that I would do.

I could though, at a push, probably go with have a total of £x sunk in watches, spread over say 12 watches at widely different price points. Albeit that the most expensive probably wouldn’t drift much above £10k. I certainly can’t envisage any circumstances in which I would sell many, many watches to buy something exotic, at a significantly different price point to watches I have and am happy with.

A bit like cars, where spending a stupid amount on a car, holds no attraction to me.

Neil

Under 500 USD or 450 GBP - Casio G-shock GW-2310 (I have two)
- Under 2,000 USD or 1800 GBP - Christopher Ward C60 #Tide
- Under 5,000 USD or 4,500 GBP - Christopher Ward C60 Concept
- Under 10,000 USD or 9,000 GBP - Omega Seamaster 300m 100 days to Tokyo
- Over 10,000 USD or 9,000 GBP (go ahead, shoot for the moon!) - Omega Speedmaster Canopus with the white gold bracelet

I'm worried about the higher value brackets! I'm new to watch collecting and despite getting the bug, I can't imagine spending that much on a watch. Concerning that I may end up man mathsing to that level!!

Richard D wrote: ↑Sat Oct 01, 2022 1:10 am Those numbers illustrate how much the pound has been trashed.

So, I feel like an apology is in order. I guess I have been out of the loop news-wise for a bit (maybe too focused on hurricanes and work here). I wasn't trying to rub anyone's nose in the UK Pound crisis. Just wasn't aware. Sorry, to anyone across the pond who felt tweaked.

Nah man be proud of the mighty American dollar soaring like an eagle to near parity with a struggling currency. Think nothing of our own hyperinflation and impending economic collapse.

I already own my choices for under $500 and under $2000. Under $5000 is a tough choice as there are more than a few that intrigue me in that range. Under $10000 is a slam dunk. Over $10000 is tough in that it's not a price range I spend much time looking at, and my grail isn't something I would own as a One Watch or an active life. Having said all that:

$500 - Hamilton Khaki Field Automatic 38mm
$2000 - 1997 Omega Seamaster "Bond" Midsize
$5000 - IWC Mark XV
$10000 - Rolex Explorer 124270
Over $10000 - AP Royal Oak 39mm. The steel Jumbo Extra Thin 50th Anniversary will do fine.

Well it's a bit of fun, but the morning coffee hasn't full kicked in yet...so

- Under 500 USD or 450 GBP Elliot Brown Canford, quartz - the horror!
- Under 2,000 USD or 1800 GBP Hanhart 417ES
- Under 5,000 USD or 4,500 GBP Tudor Black Bay 58 blue dial
- Under 10,000 USD or 9,000 GBP Cartier Santos
- Over 10,000 USD or 9,000 GBP Blancpain Fifty fathoms

*This collection is not based on horological kudos, but watches that I would be happy to wear all day as an only watch.

Des