One-Watch Collections: Top Picks | The Great Watch Debate Ep. 4

NAVIGATE THIS VIDEO

Join the Bob’s Watches team as they debate which watch makes up the best 1-watch collection. A watch that is the perfect one-and-done timepiece to serve every season of your life.

WRIST CHECK

Ripley’s Wrist: Everose Rolex Cellini Moon Phase Ref. 50535

Emily’s Wrist: Gold Rolex Cellini Ref. 6621

Justin’s Wrist: Breitling “Pan Am” Navitimer B01 Chronograph 43 Ref. AB01212B1C1A1

DEBATE WATCH #1: RIPLEY’S CHOICE

Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra Blue Teak Dial Ref. 220.10.41.21.03.002

About this watch:

The name “Aqua Terra” says it all…it’s for land or sea. It hails from the broader Seamaster collection, offering up to 150 meters of water resistance. At the same time, it resembles a dress watch with a smooth bezel and date function – a versatile design set that will suit nearly any lifestyle.

Ripley’s pick also sports stainless steel, a finish that tends to weather ever-changing fashion trends better than precious metal. It’s inherently versatile and an easy choice for a one-watch collection.

A reliable, life-long movement is another must-have for a one-and-done luxury watch, which the Aqua Terra has in spades. Even decades from now, we expect this Omega will continue to keep perfect time if the watch is properly serviced and cared for.

Ref. 220.10.41.21.03.002 is a modern Omega, which means that it also has a caliber 8900 self-winding mechanical movement with a coveted Master Chronometer rating, anti-magnetism up to 15,000 gauss, and a 60-hour power reserve.

A domed AR scratch-resistant sapphire crystal covers the dial to safeguard the watch face from normal wear and tear. Lastly, ref. 220.10.41.21.03.002 features a desirable 41mm case and wears on a classic three-piece link bracelet closed by a durable butterfly clasp.

This model is instantly recognizable as an Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra because it displays the time on the collection’s trademark teak-concept dial via dagger hour markers and arrow hands filled with long-lasting Super-LumiNova luminescent material.

It has the brand recognition, durability, and precision many seek in a life-long luxury watch.

DEBATE WATCH #2: JUSTIN’S CHOICE

Rolex Datejust 41 Ref. 126334

About this watch:

Like the Aqua Terra, ref. 126334 measures 41mm in diameter. However, it wasn’t always that way. For decades, Rolex only produced the men’s series with a 36mm case. The first 41mm model came in 2009, followed a few years later by the current production Datejust 41 in 2016. This case size is a sweet spot for many collectors with average to larger-sized wrists.

What’s also worth mentioning is that this model is instantly recognizable as a variation of the Rolex Datejust, a model that has been in continuous production since 1945. Who wouldn’t choose a watch with that much staying power? Particularly a one-watch collection.

There are many iterations of the Datejust 41, but ref. 126334 is the best option for a one-watch collection because it has a versatile white metal finish called “White Rolesor,” which pairs 904L-grade Oystersteel with 18k white gold.

It boasts up to 100 meters of water resistance via a Twinlock screw-down crown and a singularly reliable self-winding mechanical movement with an impressive 70-hour power reserve.

CONNECT WITH BOB'S WATCHES

X: X.com/BobsWatches

[robertp]

I have to agree with Ripley. The Omega Aqua Terra is one of the most underrated timepieces around. I have a vast variety of watches. I always go back to the Aqua Terra. The same blue dial you have shown. It’s really a great watch.

[igorstanisavljevic]

if I should pick 1 watch collection, my pick would be also Omega aqua terra

[AdityaKhorana]

Owned both. Sold the DJ cause I picked the AT 99.9% of the time. Both great watches but omega gets my vote

[speedyspooley]

Currently wearing a Rolex Explorer 124270...my dream watch, acquired a couple months ago. Zero buyer's remorse....I love it.

[dhoran]

Have to go with Team Ripley. And I own a great two tone Datejust II that I absolutely love, but I think Ripley’s arguments were stronger. Omega is an incredible brand as good quality as Rolex and quite a bit more affordable. Tons of features that make it really cool too. Well done Ripley!

That being said I would still go Omega Speedmaster moon watch over both! I mean it’s the Speedie and it literally saved astronauts lives…. Nuff said

[hunterphan]

That dial on the AT is so stunning. I’d go with the Explorer, however.

[Mac]

Currently wearing Aqua Terra 220.10.41.21.06.001 and I must say the bracelet sucks on it lol should have got it on the rubber strap instead. But that said if I could get my hands on a Rolex date just blue dial, fluted bezel with a jubilee bracelet, I would get rid of the omega in a heart beat .

[VMIyanks]

Currently wearing a Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical while watching! My everyday watch is my Moonwatch, the new one with hesalite. It’s my 20-year Air Force retirement gift from my family, and is my hero piece that I wear everyday and really don’t need any other high end watches. It’s simply the best!

[tabGator]

People who don’t own an AT love to tell the rest of us that we should. Believe what’s on the arm, buy the DJ. The AT is a nice watch, but that bracelet takes it out of any consideration over the far superior DJ.

[andrejensen]

Just bougth an 22 year old Chopard LUC sport 2000, in top condicion for 3000 CHF . It got high horology for a price where I'm not scared to wear it.

[RiceMan]

Currently wearing a large Cartier Santos white dial. One of my best looking pieces that I owned.

[oMadHouseo]

The best one watch collection on planet earth is a Rolex sub date. End of debate.

[watchbydesign]

Sorry guys, but "one" of anything is NOT a collection. How do I know? I was a one watch guy for 32+ years of the 40 years I've owned my Pepsi 16750. When I purchased my GMT Master in 1983, I had the chance to get both a Daytona 6263 and a Submariner 5513. I reasoned who needs two let alone three Rolex watches?

As a professional pilot and a trained Industrial Designer, I've always been drawn to pilot/ travel watches and the icons of watchmaking. When I discovered watch collecting in 2018, I began the "collecting" journey by getting a Speedy Pro 1861 and a Reverso Grand 976... Now that's a collection.

So one watch is a watch, two watches are a pair and at three curated items is when you start a collection. So just stop with the "one watch collection" phrase. Oh, and BTW, once you have multiple watches good luck going back to just one. It's rarely if ever going to happen.

[TheWatchOut]

I've owned both and love both. After weighing both options, my head says the Aquaterra but my heart says the Datejust.

[micaljimenez]

For me rolex and omegabare great watches, but for the same price i realy prefer the rolex, i think omega have to give more for less than rolex, because even if they are good watch, rolex have a more iconic image, a lot of people will look your wrist and say wuaa look at this rolex, not hapen with an omega, everybody look a nice mercedes in the street not an opel, opel is probably good as a mercedes but dont have the same reputation...

[johnmoore]

Datejust and Aquatera are both excellent choices but I would suggest moving over to the Grand Seiko counter and pick out the case, dial, and movement option that suits you best. Mine is my SBGP007 60th Anniversary LE that cost me less than half of the Datejust or Aquatera plus its accurate to 5 seconds per year.

[NKKK]

Aqua Terra any day, everyday. More competent, infinitely more versatile. If its the only watch, then get me something that displays the movement.

DJ is just a stepping stone towards a Sub (or 1 of many stepping stones towards, maybe, eventually, approximately, a GMT Master II). Thats if you do not mind the unwanted colours.

[darellhunter]

More power to the person who can actually stop at 1. They have so much better will power than me. Lol.

The Rolex BLNR on oyster is my all time favorite (also on wrist today) and if I only had to have ONE this would be it!

My Explorer II Polar dial is a close second, but something about my Batman feels special. Another great video, cheers!

[garysteiner]

If I were limited to a one watch collection, it’d be my Rolex Explorer II (“Polar” dial) Ref# 226570. I’ve taken off the OEM bracelet and have a variety of leather and rubber straps (with quick release pins) that allow dressing it up or down in just a couple minutes. The GMT function makes this daily driver perfect for travel too!

[denbo]

Rolex Explorer 1 is the obvious champ here. The only Rolex I own and the only one I want. All my other watches lean to one purpose…casual, sporty, dress