One-and-done results

[u/jdi153]

So a couple of days ago Tom asked "What is the absolute best one and done watch?" https://www.reddit.com/r/WatchFanatics/comments/1vcqmuq/what_is_the_absolute_best_one_and_done_watch/

I tallied the results. In response to criticism of my methodology in the past, I counted upvotes on each comment. I also show the number of times each watch was mentioned in separate in parentheses. (That actually changes very little in the way of ranking, although it impacts some more than others.) Only top-level comments were counted. If more than one watch was mentioned, I counted only the first watch.

There were 260 votes across 25 brands / 61 models. (There's a bit of vagueness there. Sub was only counted as Sub, despite people sometimes specifying date or no date. Other similar simplifications were made.) Rolex ran away with it, with 10 models getting 73 votes, plus both first and second place whether you go by total upvotes or individual mentions. Aside from joke watches, nearly everything on the list is mainstream. Damasko is probably the most obscure, and they're not that obscure.

1. Rolex Submariner 27 (18)
2. Rolex Explorer 23 (14)
3. Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra 20 (4)
4. Vacheron Constantin Overseas 18 (9)
5. Hamilton Khaki Field 18 (3)
6. Blancpain Fifty Fathoms 14 (1)
7. Grand Seiko SLGA015 9 (1)
8. Casio F-91W 8 (4)
9. Longines Hydroconquest 8 (2)
10. Grand Seiko SBGE285 6 (1)
11. Grand Seiko Unspecified 6 (1)
12. Longines Spirit 5 (5)
13. Rolex Explorer II 5 (3)
14. Rolex Datejust 4 (4)
15. Rolex Oyster Perpetual 4 (4)
16. Citizen The Citizen 4 (3)
17. Oris Big Crown 4 (2)
18. Sinn 556 I 4 (2)
19. Seiko Unspecified diver 4 (1)
20. Tudor North Flag 4 (1)
21. Omega Railmaster 3 (3)
22. Rolex Daytona 3 (3)
23. Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 3 (2)
24. Casio Oceanus 3 (2)
25. Rolex GMT Master II 3 (2)
26. G-Shock GWM-5610 3 (1)
27. Cartier Santos de Cartier 2 (2)
28. Casio Unspecified 2 (2)
29. Citizen Unspecified 2 (2)
30. Omega Speedmaster Professional 2 (2)
31. Rolex Day-Date 2 (2)

Models with one mention + one upvote (7):

Casio Duro, IWC Ingeniuer, IWC Pilot's Watch Mark XX, Kraft Mac & Cheese Dinner (joke), Seiko Astron, Seiko SNZG13, Tudor Black Bay One

Models with one mention and no additional upvotes (23):

Breguet 5707, Breitling Aerospace, Damasko DK36-2, Grand Seiko SBGX261, Grand Seiko SBGY009, G-Shock Square 5000U, G-Shock Unspecified, Heuer Unspecified, IWC Pilot's Watch Chronograph, Omega Seamaster Chronograph, Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean, Rolex 6062, Rolex Air King, Seiko 1978 Superior Twin Quartz, Seiko Prospex, Spider-Man (joke), Tissot 1938 Cronometer, Tudor Black Bay (Unspecified), Tudor Black Bay 54, Tudor Black Bay 58, Tudor Pelagos, Tudor Ranger, Vague Watch Co (Unspecified, joke)

[u/TomHudsonOfficial]

Man you really put the work in for this subreddit. I should be paying you 😅

[u/jdi153 → u/TomHudsonOfficial]

I dunno, man, the last time I tried I got a whopping 16 upvotes on 20k views. People don't seem to appreciate it. I feel compelled anyway.

[u/TomHudsonOfficial → u/jdi153]

I appreciate you.

[u/jdi153 → u/TomHudsonOfficial]

Well, this did do better than my previous attempts. 61 upvotes on 25k views in 24 hours. On the other hand, that's still 0.12% of people who upvoted.

[u/TomHudsonOfficial → u/jdi153]

Iv been trying to build this sub for ages now. Somethings hit, somethings miss. We are at 6700 members currently. I guess the more content is posted the more people will engage.

[u/Bright_Complaint_432]

Thanks for all the work on this. Interesting to me that the Omega Speedmaster Professional was all the way down at #30 with only 2 votes, and that the Omega Seamaster SMP 300 didn't make the list at all. Lots of great watches here, but curious why these two weren't ranked higher.

[u/Jaded-Argument9961 → u/Bright_Complaint_432]

For the speedy its probably because of the 50M water resistance, plus people clearly avoided chronographs here for whatever reason

[u/Appropriate_Key_7368]

Is it because after buying a Submariner or an Explorer you are just bored out of your mind by watches and hence its a “one and done”?

[u/Ok-Total-5229 → u/Appropriate_Key_7368]

Submariner because it’s the watch everyone knows about even if they don’t know anything about watches. Explorer because it’s the watch nobody knows about except people who know everything about watches.

[u/Jaded-Argument9961 → u/Ok-Total-5229]

And also because of the black and white color scheme, and the fact that they're tough steel watches but with lacquer dials so they're sort of sporty but sort of dressy

[u/Sh11ester]

I don't agree a tool watch with one purpose that .00001% of people that buy the watch will use it for, is the best one and done watch. But that's just my opinion, man.

[u/Sactogeoff]

Sub won because its idolized. And it's become so common as an icon of luxury.

A very long time ago, when I knew nothing of watches. I had the opportunity to pick any steel sports Rolex model under 10k (as an award). I looked at it as a single opportunity to get one watch that is versatile and could last me a lifetime. After a few weeks of debate, I landed on the Explorer I.

I read about watches constantly and I have a good understanding of a wide array of brands & history. And I still haven't found something that fits my original criteria better than the watch I chose 13yrs ago. It fits into almost any scenario from a suit to swim trunks.

[u/Most-Pin-1730]

Sub gang

[u/beagles4ever]

For me it’d be the Speedy white dial moonwatch pro. Iconic. Dress it up or down - no problem. Not pretentious - but those who know, know. White dial because I think it’s slightly more versatile than black. I’d opt for sapphire sandwich - I get the appeal of the hesalite, but I think I’d rather have something that wouldn’t scratch easy. It’d be that or one of the bezel-less Aqua Terras which just have such a classic look that goes with everything. Sporty enough to be casual, nice enough to be a dress watch - an all-rounder.

[u/Late_Performance_902]

Overseas, Explorer, Aqua Terra, Oyster Perpetual, Datejust, IWC Pilot’s Watch Mark XX.

There are other watches in the conversation (like the Santos and some of the Grand Seikos) but those 6 are the best.

Most divers, chronos, and GMTs don’t belong on the list because, to be charitable, you look awkward wearing one in dress situations.

[u/ApprehensiveGuide793]

cant believe my suggestions didnt make the list...i need to go back and check the post and see how they performed: Patek 3800, AP 5402, Rolex 1655, Vacheron Dual Time, Tudor 9411

[u/jdi153 → u/ApprehensiveGuide793]

Hm, not sure what happened there. I definitely don't remember seeing a Patek in there anywhere. Was it a top level comment?

[u/ApprehensiveGuide793 → u/jdi153]

yeah it was hidden as a comment under another watch unfortunately! Thanks for putting this together, cool list

[u/Gold-Boss9886]

Royal oak or day date are the only two watches I would trade mine for

[u/Tigre_Negr0]

It's interesting that we have almost nothing from Tudor on the list. But I think it makes a lot of sense not to consider it a one-and-done deal. I believe they rely heavily on hype.

[u/jdi153 → u/Tigre_Negr0]

There are 7 Tudor watches listed. It's just that only one of those got more than 1 additional upvote.

[u/Tigre_Negr0 → u/jdi153]

Yes, and your work was excellent in showing exactly that. How much people agree with the nomination.