As self-confessed watch geeks there is, naturally, a never-ending list of watches that we have our eye on in some capacity, but the reasons these watches haven’t made it into our collections *yet* can vary. It might be a case that we simply can’t justify the price tag, or perhaps it wouldn’t really “go” with the rest of our collection due to its wearability or style. Though sometimes I think we watch lovers just like playing the long game. There’s a certain giddy excitement to the chase of obtaining a watch you’ve been dreaming about, of knowing you’ll eventually obtain it, if you just bide your time and wait for exactly the right moment.
We asked our WatchGecko authors which watch, above all others, is their “favourite” and the only condition was that it must be a watch they’d never owned. We expected a battle of the “grail” watches to ensue, but it seems our authors had varying interpretations…
Omega Speedmaster
Chosen by Corbin
When I think of a watch I’ve never owned but always admired from afar, I think of the Omega Speedmaster. I love the watch and its association with space and the moon landing, and I especially love the new white dial release (by which I mean this Speedmaster Moonwatch Pro. The “White Side of the Moon” watch is a little too much white for me).
Omega Speedmaster on ZULUDIVER Mayday Regatta Sailcloth Divers Watch Strap
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Omega is also the luxury watch brand I've had the most exposure to in person. My father owns a Seamaster, and multiple other family members have owned Omega watches through the years, so I've gotten to admire them over time.
I suppose the only reason I don't own a Speedmaster is because I don't own any luxury watch yet. I'm just not yet at the point in my collecting where I've ventured into the luxury realm (or really into the four-figure realm, meaning $1000+ USD for a single piece).
If I sold my whole collection, it would certainly be in the low four figures. That of course brings to mind the debate of whether you should own four to five timepieces or one luxury piece. Personally, I prefer to own a handful of watches I love rather than just one.
Omega Speedmaster on the ZULUDIVER 1973 British Military Watch Strap: CADET Marine Nationale and Bulova Lunar Pilot on ZULUDIVER 1973 British Military Watch Strap: CADET Bond - Classic
ZULUDIVER 1973 British Military Watch Strap: CADET Marine Nationale - Green & Yellow
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ZULUDIVER 1973 British Military Watch Strap: CADET Marine Nationale - Burgundy & White
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Another factor, perhaps, is that I own the Bulova Lunar Pilot, which has certainly helped satisfy my speedy craving. In fact, it's made me question it a bit. I know many are reticent about the large case size of the Lunar Pilot (45mm) but I have thick wrists and it works perfectly for me, and is also extremely comfortable. Will I finally get my hands on a speedy, only to find it is too small in comparison? I guess time will tell. For now, if I was going to make a luxury watch purchase the Speedmaster would still be the top contender.
Girard Perregaux Laureato
Chosen by Neil
In a world brimming with choices, the quest for the next watch to add to my collection becomes an intriguing puzzle. Over the years, my tastes have meandered through various horological territories, but there remains a lingering curiosity: what might be my favourite watch that I have yet to possess?
Girard Perregaux Copper Laureato 38mm. Credit: Girard Perregaux.
Enter the Girard Perregaux Laureato 38mm, adorned with a resplendent copper-hued dial. During a recent visit to a boutique in London, I had the pleasure of donning this exquisite creation and fell for it.
With a price tag of £12,700, the Laureato resides comfortably beyond my budgetary constraints. Nevertheless, its aesthetic prowess is undeniable. A seamlessly integrated sports bracelet harmonizes with the mesmerizing Clous de Paris motif adorning the dial—a tapestry of countless tiny pyramids that dance in the play of light, captivating the beholder from every angle.
Girard Perregaux Copper Laureato 38mm. Credit: Girard Perregaux.
The craftsmanship of the octagonal case and bracelet is nothing short of exceptional, evoking a distinct 70s flair reminiscent of the legendary Genta designs. Though the likelihood of ownership remains slim, I find solace in the sheer beauty of the Laureato and the ineffable sense of satisfaction it imparts when gracing my wrist.
While my ownership of this horological masterpiece may remain a distant dream, I take comfort in the joy it brings and the tantalizing possibility that, perhaps, fate may one day smile upon me. After all, in the world of horology, one never knows what the future may hold.
Girard Perregaux Copper Laureato 38mm. Credit: Girard Perregaux.
Junghans Meister Damen Lady
Chosen by Charlotte
I’ve never been good at picking ‘favourites’. My favourite film, song, food, destination; they all change daily depending on the mood I’m in. That goes for watches too. I have several watches I’m yet to own that I could list off as favourites. The Cartier Tank is up there; it’s an iconic dress watch with a fantastic history. I also fell in love with the Nomos Metro 33 Sage watch more recently which we had in for review. These are two watches at the top of my bucket list.
Nomos Metro 33 Sage. Credit: WatchGecko.
But, for the sake of today’s article, I’m going down more of a sentimental route and claiming my favourite unowned watch as the Junghans Meister Damen. When I first got into watches, I was just 21 years old and working as a content writer for a jeweller. At the beginning of 2016, I was invited on my first ever trip to Baselworld (RIP) but since I was just out of university, I had few funds to play with and thus nothing to wear on my wrist. So, I was kindly loaned a rose gold-plated, 30mm wide, Junghans Meister Damen watch to wear.
Junghans Meister Damen - Credit Junghans
I seriously loved wearing this watch. It was the first “nice” watch I’d ever had the chance to properly wear for an extended time. It was simple in its design; it had an unusual white dial with printed brown Roman numerals that matched a brown silk-like strap. It’s definitely not a watch for the masses, but I loved it. Sadly, after Baselworld ended, I had to give the watch back and despite planning on purchasing it for myself someday, it was discontinued before I got chance. The Junghans Meister Damen collection remains on my bucket list though, for this reason. I particularly love the automatic winding reference 27/3343.00 with the deep green minimalist dial. I’m swapping out that strap though…
A. Lange & Söhne 1815 Rattrapante Honeygold
Chosen by Rob
As far as article topics go, this one is about as simultaneously fun and challenging as they come. On the surface, the question is simple: it seems to be asking you to describe your Grail Watch, right? How could the watch you aspire to own more than any other not be your favourite watch? To suggest anything but seems more than a little counterintuitive…
A. Lange & Söhne 1815 Rattrapante Honeygold. Credit: Lange Uhren GmbH
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And yet, the more I thought about it, the more I started to question my interpretation of the task at hand. I also started to question whether or not my “Grail” was my favourite timepiece, or, rather, the timepiece I feel best expresses attributes of the craft I value above my own personal (and sometimes totally weird) preference.
I’m sure I didn’t always feel this way. I’m sure that once upon a time, my Grail and my favourite were the same thing. Somewhere along the way, I fell too deeply into the philosophical corners of this hobby, and it messed with my head to such an extent that, nowadays, I can’t even answer a simple question.
And so, to answer it well, I went back in time, to a moment in which I know categorically that my favourite watch was also the one I desired above all others and, curiously, still do to this day.
In 2024, my grail watch is the A. Lange & Söhne 1815 Rattrapante Honeygold “Homage to F. A. Lange“. My favourite, though? The Omega Ploprof.
I could handle never owning the Lange. I’m not even sure I want to. But a life without ever hearing a Ploprof call my wrist home? That’s a life poorly lived, and the moment Omega releases the latest version of this classic model in a standard colourway, expect to see me standing in line.
Rolex Datejust ‘Turn-O-Graph’
Chosen by Reece
This question is a difficult one to answer, especially as I could say ridiculous unobtanium such as the white gold Rolex Daytona with meteorite dial on the Oysterflex rubber strap, reference 116519LN, which is a bit of a grail watch for me. Admittedly, it’s a bit of a win-win, as I love chronographs, and I’ve always had a certain thing for rubber straps and weird designs.
Rolex Platinum Daytona - Credit WatchGecko
In terms of a slightly more ‘obtainable’ piece, the Rolex Datejust ‘Turn-O-Graph’, reference 116264, has been on my radar for some time. It’s perhaps one of the obscurer Rolex references from the last few years, being a model that Rolex discontinued back in 2011 after nearly six decades of service. The combination of its historical significance and mix of tool and dress watch in one package is appealing to me, especially in the black dial variant with signature red second hand.
Allow me to explain further. Rolex introduced the ‘Turn-O-Graph’ back in 1953, the year before the Submariner, and it became the first production Rolex to feature a rotating bezel. It also offered the same Oyster case as the Submariner that followed, which remains a smash-hit to this day. The year after, it was integrated into the Datejust collection with a new movement and the Datejust’s signature cyclops at three o’clock to read the date. The ‘Turn-O-Graph’ also received the nickname ‘Thunderbird’ after being adopted as the official timepiece of the US Air Force Thunderbirds display time.
More modern iterations, such as my desired 116264 followed similar trends with a fluted, rotating bezel and a 36mm case that’s the ideal size for my smaller wrists. It’s a functional yet classy watch that receives far too little credit in the main, but one I’d love to own in time.
