Tony

I also have an stainless steel Omega Constellation that was my daily wearer for 27 years but I had to get it serviced early this year when some water got inside it and it misted up.

I bought a Rolex Explorer in January and this is a gorgeous watch, very understated and it does not scream Rolex which is something I normally like.

Having said that I like understated watches, I bought another Rolex last week ( a Submariner) on impulse for when I am in Spain but you got to treat yourself once in a while.

I am now not buying anymore.

Regards

Mick

PS   That is a very nice Daytona.

I believe patek-Philippe attain the highest prices at auction which must mean something I suppose. Whereas Rolex has some rare and sought after models that fetch high prices overall I'd say the brand is a tad common. I agree understated is best. I'd have a Breguet. 

At a far lower level I have had two 'middling' german watches. One Archimede, the other Sinn. They are very nice, very robust and have a simple style. They are also a darn site cheaper than Rolex etc whilst still (to me anyway) feeling quite special. I also feel I can wear it every day.

http://www.archimede-watches.com/

Bruce

I have a Sinn (656 in matt black) as my casual wear watch. Nice and robust. 

I also like German watches. I have a Nomos Tangente and almost bought a Stowa Marine to go with my Omega Seamaster.

I'm no collector but I have a Rolex GMT Master II and an Omega Speedmaster (aka the Moon Watch). The Rolex was bought to mark the birth of my first son 25 years ago and the Omega shortly after my second son's birth. They'll get one each when I'm gone.

I believe NASA went for Omega as they weren't sure how an automatic mechanism would work in zero gravity. No doubt the Rolex is vastly more robust than the Omega and neither is anywhere as accurate as a couple of Seiko quartz I have. A fraction of the price but still beautifully built.

I love my Omega Speedmaster; the classic and understated design - for a chronograph, the history and its functionality. The Rolex GMT II c is another true classic watch designs. I'll probably buy one later on, but next time I'll spend a significant amount of money it will be on Naim separates.

The idea that lack of gravitation poses a problem for the self winding mechanism is a myth. It isn't and the movement of your arm have enough torque to enable the rotor to wind up the main spring. NASA was aware of this too and it is a fact that the Speedmaster was the only chronograph to pass the abusive test program the watches were put through. It was repeated on two later occasions and one of these tests was carried out after a senate hearing which focused on the dilemma caused by choosing a Swiss product rather than an American made watch (Bulova). It still is approved by NASA as "Flight qualified for all manned space missions". 

I have several less expensive watches; a couple of Seikos and three Tissot watches. 

Been interested in watches for a long time, and have some nice items.  It doesn't need to be a Patek to be a nice watch. 

Omega Seamaster (Planet Ocean version) for me. I've got the smaller face (40mm?) to fit my wrist, I don't like the oversize look. Love the understated, but special, looks.

Tudor Prince Oysterdate: Rolex case, innards, looks and reliability, cheaper bracelet. Had mine 28 years: waterproof loveliness.

Some of my latest acquisitions:

1969 Speedmaster pre moon.

Jaeger Le Coultre Reverso Ultra thin.

Tutima Pacific.

Three lovely pics of three lovely watches

Seconded! 

I have a very understated Omega Titanium and Gold Seamaster which I bought in 1989 for £400. It was a real bargain as I bought it from a jewellers that was closing down. It was in the window for £800 reduced from £1600 and they were just about to close for good when I walked in and offered £400 which they took. I have worn it daily since. A few months ago the bracelet broke. Local watch repairers said it couldn't be fixed and it was sent to Omega who said the same. They quoted £4500 for a replacement bracelet. Luckily my Naim dealer recommended a friend of his who is a watch specialist in Birmingham and he repaired it for free. Result. 

This is the first decent watch I bought, a Longines Conquest VHP quartz. It's tiny and very light by today's standards, keeps incredibly accurate time (less than five seconds out per year) and was bought in Dhahran in 1991. I've a real soft spot for the ol girl.

Nice, I suppose "VHP" means Very High Precision" like in a super quartz? 5 seconds a month is an amazing time keeping! Looks good too

Mine G

My favourite. Understated and just lovely. 

They refined it to perfection with the MKXii imho. Later iterations are too mannered. The Jaeger Le Coultre movement has proved faultless over the years too.

G

I have Tag Heuer 1500 classic watch which I was givn free many years ago. It has travelled with me all over the world and has been bashed, dropped you name it has never given me a moments trouble.

Mind you I think it is about time I repaid it for it's years of loyal service by giving it a full service this year.