So you have 2500 Euro (about 3400 USD) for a watch, and you can have only one…. which one would you choose?

My friend Rob L. asked this on the Public Forum at TimeZone, which didn’t provide him with much new insights. Most people advised him watches he already had (and sold). Among them a Seamaster Professional by Omega, a Panerai 40mm (because Rob thinks the 44mm is not really his style), a Submariner etc.

Anyway, he went for a Rolex Date-Just ref.16234 (which stands for a stainless steel model, jubil?© bracelet and white gold lunette) which is an excellent choice I think. A simple and classic watch which suits about every clothingstyle and which is, most of all, rugged and reliable due to the oystercasing and the fantastic caliber 3135 movement.

Personally, I would probably go ‘sports’ Rolex, like a Sea-Dweller, Submariner or GMT-Master II. Used ofcourse. A Date-Just is very nice, and I do have one in my current collection, but I got used to larger watches, so 38mm/40mm is some sort of requirement for me. My ‘only watch’ should at least meet these ‘features’:

– at least 38mm in diameter;
– stainless steel;
– date feature;
– mechanical (with a good finish);
– a waterresistancy of ATM10;
– stainless steel bracelet;
– of a brand with history or at least ‘a story’;
– saphire crystal;
– not vintage;

As an alternative to the Rolex models mentioned, I could settle for a Speedmaster BroadArrow if I could be sure that the movement would be functioning correctly (caliber 330x problems here). An IWC Mark XV would be an option, if these are available on stainless steel bracelet for this kind of money which I really doubt. Breitling is no option, not my kind of watch.

What would you buy as ‘only watch’ for 2500 Euro?