There are some timepieces that are so classic, so well-respected and so legendary that any modern man should have them on his radar. This goes beyond just being able to identify them when he sees them adorn the wrist of a colleague or boss, but rather he should be able to speak to their provenance, what makes them interesting, and what makes them worth owning. In this must-read list, we’ll run through ten of the most unmistakable and unforgettable watches on the planet. Study with close cause, because we can guarantee you someone you know owns one of them and our guess is they love to talk about it. Enjoy.
1. Jaeger LeCoultre Reverso: This dual-sided watch was designed in the 1930s for professional polo players in colonial India. The face is hinged and can be hidden away so that it won’t be scuffed during competition. The Reverso is considered a very aristocratic timepiece.
2. Patek Philippe Calatrava: Patek Philippe is often referred to as the finest watch company in the world and the Calatrava is their least expensive yet most popular piece. Originally produced in 1932, the Calatrava is a simple watch that rarely features anything more complicated than a simple date window. It is the quintessential “dress” watch.
3. Blancpain 50 Fathoms: The archetype modern diving watch, this was the first timepiece designed to be worn under water for a lengthy period of time. It was quickly adopted as standard issue for many nautical fighting teams around the world.
4. Rolex Cosmograph Daytona Steel: A classic watch if there ever was one; worn by everyone from Brad Pitt to Paul Newman. The Rolex Daytona is the most identifiable chronograph in the world and it has remained an icon since its release in the late 60s, although it did not gain cult status until the late 1980s.
5. Omega Speedmaster Professional: The first and some say only watch ever worn on the moon. The Speedmaster Professional beat out 5 other chronographs (including one from Rolex) to become NASA standard issue. The Speedmaster is still made today just as it was back then.
6. Tag Heuer Monaco: This Heuer represents a first in watch making. Until the release of the Monaco in 1969, all chronographs were manually wound. In addition to being the first automatic chronograph, it became iconic when Steve McQueen wore it during the filming of 1972 racing classic “LeMans”.
7. Audemars Piguet Royal Oak: The Royal Oak was introduced in 1972 as the only true “luxury sport watch” in the world. Less of a diving watch and more of a yachting accessory, the Royal Oak continues to be one of the most respected timepieces on the planet.
8. Panerai Radiomir: The Radiomir was Panerai’s first watch and was designed in the late 1930s for use by the Italian Navy. The original Radiomir featured a Rolex movement and they are now considered some of the most sought after vintage watches in the world, but luckily Panerai makes a modern-day Radiomir that is much easier to obtain.
9. Cartier Santos-Dumont: When aviator Albert Santos-Dumont complained to his friend Louis Cartier that it was difficult to check his pocket watch during performance flights, little did he know that he was about to change timepieces forever. It was the Cartier Santos that first popularized wristwatches for men in the early 20th century and the Santos is as much an icon in timepieces today as it was 100 years ago.
10. IWC Ingenieur: IWC’s most iconic model, the Ingenieur was introduced in 1955 as the first anti-magnetic watch marketed to the public. Originally popular with engineers and military personnel, the Ingenieur is still made today and it remains one of the best all-purpose watches in the world.
