Could one watch cover everything you need? It can, if you choose for your real routine rather than trying to collect every complication in a single case. Fratello’s Robert-Jan Broer tackled that question in 2017 with ten personal picks, from below €500 to above €30,000. The list remains a useful snapshot of how one enthusiast weighed versatility, function and appeal—but its prices, references and availability are historical, not current buying advice. Read the original 2017 list.
What makes a good one-watch choice?
A one-watch collection is a compromise by design. A diver may offer robust water resistance but wear bulky under a cuff; a chronograph adds timing utility but can make the dial busier; a second time zone is useful for travel or remote colleagues but unnecessary for many people. A battery-powered watch may offer convenient timekeeping without daily winding, while a mechanical watch may be the point of the exercise for its owner.
Before choosing by price, consider the factors that matter in your own day:
- Total budget: include taxes, servicing and any strap or bracelet changes, not only the purchase price.
- Movement: decide whether you want a mechanical watch or prefer a battery-powered option.
- Fit and comfort: case diameter alone does not determine wearability; try the watch on if possible and consider thickness, lug shape and bracelet adjustment.
- Daily versatility: think about legibility, clothing, work and how often you want to wear it.
- Water exposure: match the watch’s documented rating and maker’s guidance to your actual use. A water-resistance number alone does not establish that a watch is suitable for diving.
- Complications: choose a chronograph or second time zone only if the function earns its place in your routine.
Seiko cautions that water resistance is not permanent: seals can age and parts can deform after shocks. Check the watch’s marking and the manufacturer’s instructions for the specific model. Seiko’s water-resistance guidance distinguishes everyday use from diver’s watches and scuba use.
#1 Best Overall
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The 10 original picks, from under €500 to over €30,000
The selections below reproduce Broer’s 2017 price-band choices, in ascending order. The listed prices are the article’s period figures, not current market quotes. Some recommendations are tied to specific historical versions; do not assume the same name or collection has identical specifications today.
| 2017 price band | Original pick | What the article highlighted |
|---|---|---|
| Under €500 | Seiko SKX007 | The 41 mm diver had a Seiko 7S26 automatic movement, day and date display, and strap or bracelet options. Broer cited a then-list price of €299 and said market prices were lower. |
| €500–€1,000 | Longines HydroConquest | The version discussed had a screw-down crown, unidirectional bezel, and bracelet or rubber strap options. The article cited a €940 suggested retail price. |
| €1,000–€2,000 | Sinn 857 UTC TESTAF LH Cargo | Broer noted a 24-hour second time zone, a limited run of 777 pieces, and a then-price of €1,890. |
| €2,000–€4,000 | Tudor Heritage Black Bay Dark | The article placed this model in the band and discussed the collection’s positioning at the time. Check the exact reference and movement before treating it as current product guidance. |
| €4,000–€6,000 | Omega Speedmaster Professional | The article traced the lineage to 1957 and cited a then-list price of €4,400. For the reference covered, it discussed a hand-wound, Lemania-based caliber 1861. |
| €6,000–€8,000 | Rolex GMT-Master II 116710BLNR (“Batman”) | The recommendation focused on its extra time-zone function and Oyster bracelet, in the context of that historical reference. |
| €8,000–€10,000 | Omega Speedmaster Grey Side of the Moon | The article emphasized its ceramic case and caliber 9300; it also mentioned the Dark Side of the Moon and Jaeger-LeCoultre Geophysic as alternatives. |
| €10,000–€20,000 | Ressence Type 1 | The 2017 article described the independent watchmaker, founded by Benoit Mintiens in 2009, and the Type 1’s rotating-disc time display. It gave an approximate price of €17,500. |
| €20,000–€30,000 | Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711/1A | Broer highlighted its port-hole design and historical influence; alternatives included the Ressence Type 3, A. Lange & Söhne Lange 1, and Patek Philippe Calatrava 5227. |
| Over €30,000 | A. Lange & Söhne Lange 1 Time Zone 116.025 | The example price was €51,900. The article described a platinum case and hand-wound L031.1 movement, while acknowledging the breadth of possible choices in this category. |
These are personal editorial picks, not an objective ranking or a claim that each watch is the best choice for every wearer. The models and price bands are useful as a record of one enthusiast’s 2017 framework; prices, availability and specifications should be checked against current, reference-specific information before a purchase.
Rank #2
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How to use the list as a current starting point
At the entry end, compare current models by exact reference
The SKX007 is the article’s historical under-€500 pick, but the original list does not establish a direct successor. Seiko’s official US 5 Sports collection currently lists models including the SRPG35 at USD 315 and other examples at USD 450 and USD 495; these are US-market prices and may change. The collection page does not establish that every model shares the same specifications, so check the page for the exact watch you are considering. See Seiko’s current US 5 Sports listings.
Seiko’s collection history says Seiko 5 Sports launched in 1968. The original Seiko 5 promise covered an automatic movement, day-date display, water resistance, recessed crown, and durable case and bracelet; the Sports range added enhanced water resistance, a strengthened crystal, and luminous hands and markers. These are historical collection statements, not specifications to assume for every current model. Seiko’s Seiko 5 Sports history.
Recommended Free Tools
Rank #3
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- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Pay for the function you will use
The list includes watches chosen for different kinds of utility: the Sinn and Rolex picks provide a second time zone, while the Speedmaster choices bring chronograph heritage. A diver-style design, a travel complication and a chronograph solve different problems; none is automatically the most versatile option. If you do not need the extra function, a simpler dial may suit you better. If you do need it, assess legibility and ease of operation alongside the watch’s styling.
Separate historical appeal from present-day suitability
Several recommendations are recognizable historical references, including the 116710BLNR and Nautilus 5711/1A. Their inclusion explains the 2017 author’s taste; it does not verify present-day prices, availability or value. Likewise, specifications cited for a particular Speedmaster Professional or Lange 1 Time Zone should not be transferred to another reference. Identify the exact reference and consult its current manufacturer documentation before relying on a specification.
Quick Recap
Best Value
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- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Rank #4
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
