Singapore Watch Club

Top 10 most iconic watches

Discussion in 'General Watch Discussions' started by 19eightyeight, Nov 30, 2016.

  1. 19eightyeight

    19eightyeight Member

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    Wrist watches have been around for awhile now and many designs today can be attributed to previous iconic watches. What are the definitive top 10 icons that influenced the designs we have today? I understand that everyone might have a different list but here's mine:

    1. Rolex Submariner
    2. Jaeger LeCoutre Reverso
    3. Omega Speedmaster
    4. Audemars Piguet Royal Oak
    5. Rolex DateJust
    6. Cartier Santos
    7. Rolex Daytona
    8. Patek Perpetual Calendar Chronograph
    9. Zenith El Primero
    10. Cartier Tank

    Would love to hear your list and why.
     
    Last edited: Nov 30, 2016
  2. Time2Shine

    Time2Shine New Member

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    Good list but personally I'd pick the DayDate over the DateJust... And maybe the Nautilus in there somewhere. Just my 2 cents.
     
  3. 19eightyeight

    19eightyeight Member

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    Personally i find the datejust more iconic that the day-date because it was launched in 1945 as the first watch with an automatically changing date function. the day-date only came out 11 years later and had its designs based on the datejust. but no doubt, they're both icons in their own rights.
     
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  4. shaneisbadong

    shaneisbadong New Member

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    Although the Cartier Santos was one of the earliest in the aviation line of watches, I always had more love for Zenith pilots. I think it stamps itself harder in the pilot watches category. Plus it is one of the first watch to be worn on Louis Bleriot who was the first to fly across the English channel. correct me if I'm wrong.
     
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  5. OngZhiZhong

    OngZhiZhong New Member

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    How about tag heuer monaco?
     
  6. 19eightyeight

    19eightyeight Member

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    Not familiar with its history but definitely an interesting piece... the cafe racer really caught my eye recently. :rolleyes:
     
  7. 19eightyeight

    19eightyeight Member

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    another great historical piece with it's unusual pushers on the opposite end from the crown. not sure if it's made a huge enough impact on the horological industry as a whole. but definitely one of the first blue dial watches if im not mistaken. any can confirm?
     
  8. shaneisbadong

    shaneisbadong New Member

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    Give you good offer liao! you wont see it come by that often leh! ahha
     
  9. 19eightyeight

    19eightyeight Member

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    hahaha. sadly i already have an incoming... the cafe racer's wonderfully antiqued dial and case are still on my mind no doubt...
     
  10. Blur_Shadow

    Blur_Shadow New Member

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    Love the list, but I would drop the Cartiers in favor of the Monaco (as mentioned above) and the IWC / JLC Mark XI.
     
  11. Blur_Shadow

    Blur_Shadow New Member

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    Thinking about the question a little more, I realized that I had misunderstood the question - I had looked at the question from a historic and mechanical significance, rather than a design perspective. If the question is such that the watch has served as an icon or inspiration, then here's my thoughts on the list.

    First, watches that are deservingly so on the list:

    1. Rolex Submariner
    Ah yes. The eternally recognizable watch. Amusingly a diver'a watch too. Who knew that a watch designed for diving will have such recognition?

    2. Omega Speedmaster
    While arguably plain in design (round dial, black bezel with 2 pushers and a crown - this can probably describe any chronograph), this watch shot to fame when it brought the astronauts back safely. An instant spot in watch history.

    3. Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso
    A watch designed for polo players, it is hard to mistake this for any other watch out there. Definitely a winner.

    4. Audemars Piguet Royal Oak
    The iconic octagon bezel, this is definitely one of the best designs from Gerald Genta. The first stainless steel sports watch too. What a masterpiece!

    5. Rolex DateJust
    Indeed, an icon, worn by many and served as an aspiration for even more.

    However, I have some questions on these watches:

    Zenith El Primero
    I think the El Primero has great historic significance, with a wonderful story leading to the rivival of Swiss watchmaking. Mechanically, it is also the few high-beat chronograph around. However, as a watch, is the Zenith El Primero significant from a design point of view?

    Cartier Tank / Santos
    I think perhaps only one or the other should be in the list?

    Oddly, I can't think of 10 watches to form up me list... Perhaps the late night isn't doing me well! Let me sleep on this as I come up with my list!
     
  12. The_horosexual

    The_horosexual New Member

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    Hmm.. it's kinda hard Putting my hand around a top 10 list from most iconic to least..but one thing's for sure:

    1. Rolex Submariner

    Probably hands down the most Iconic watch of the most iconic brand. Very timeless design and simple but immaculate piece at a crazy good price point. seems like everyone agree that this piece deserves the number one spot.

    Next few 9 arent in any particular order but here's what I think:

    2. Rolex Daytona

    3. Rolex Day date

    4. Audemars Piguet Royal Oak

    5. Patek Philiippe Nautilus

    6. Jaeger Le-Coultre Reverso

    7. Zenith El Primero

    8. Panerai Pam 000 (Or any of the 2 hand pams)

    9. IWC Portuguese

    10. Omega Speedmaster

    And I cant believe I'm saying this but, I think the Apple watch deserves an honorable mention. Though it doesnt hold any mechanical complexity or decorations worthy of praise, It has grown recently to be an icon on its own and instantly recognizable by many.
     
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  13. 19eightyeight

    19eightyeight Member

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    Good mention of Pam. Possibly the most iconic of all, but very hard to pick one specific reference. Whats the significance of the portuguese again?
     
  14. 19eightyeight

    19eightyeight Member

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    The El Primero was the first automatic chronograph. An important accomplishment at that time. Also, it was used in the Rolex Dayotona.
     
  15. UrbanTurban

    UrbanTurban New Member

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    Shall we attempt to define an icon first? My noobish inputs:

    1. Has to be very recognisable
    2. Significant production life/quantity
    3. Influenced the industry in terms of aesthetical design/movement innovation
    4. A sexy historical story (optional)
     
  16. langenthusiast

    langenthusiast New Member

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    Excellent list - agree with almost all the choices.

    I'd pick a Monaco in lieu of the datejust though. Two places for Rolex are quite enough... lol.

    Just an observation - it's interesting that Vacheron, despite its heritage and status as one of the "holy trinity", does not seem to have released any truly iconic pieces (or at least, one that would in most of our minds make it to the top 10).
     
  17. 19eightyeight

    19eightyeight Member

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    Agreed about VC. the most iconic VCs to me would be the patrimony, overseas and the historiques 1921. none of which satisfies UrbanTurban's criteria to be an icon.

    What about the house of Breguet? La Tradition? Queen of Naples?
     
  18. Blur_Shadow

    Blur_Shadow New Member

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    I think while VC may not have an iconic watch series, they possess some defining, possibly iconic features, such as the teardrop lugs.

    Ultimately, I suppose even icons need enduring support from both the manufacture and consumers.
     
  19. BasonJourne

    BasonJourne New Member

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    Does VC have teardrop lugs? i'm not sure if i've seen a VC with teardrop lugs before. the same ones on voutilainen watches?
     
  20. Blur_Shadow

    Blur_Shadow New Member

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    Hi! VC does occasionally feature the teardrop lugs in the current lineup, like the current Historiques Cornes De Vache 1955, powered by the Caliber 1142. In this rendition, VC prefers to refer it as "horns of cow" as opposed to the simpler "teardrop".

    The teardrop lugs appeared frequently enough from the 30s to the 60s.
     

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