My Favorite Watch Brands & Watches

Watch collectors have unique tastes and resources in collecting watches. These are a selection of what I like to collect and the reasons why.

[@clyde2801]

THIS is why I recommend this channel as mandatory viewing for any everyone in the hobby.

[@watchartsci]

Hey Clyde, thanks man! BTW, I think I found a watch in the '40s' for you if you're still interested. Take care, Bill

[@relsanat7872]

Anything you like I know I should like. Thanks for everything you do.

[@watchartsci]

Careful, Rel, you know that when it comes to watches, I'm a crazy man! Take care, Bill

[@jeffreyblue627]

Proud owner of three watches you’ve highlighted Bill: 1. The JLC Master Geographic (circa 2000). I’ve always loved this watch and have traveled the world with it. 2. VC Historique 1942 Triple Calendar. I bought this beautiful watch in 2019 at a significant discount. Mine is in blue so perhaps I followed the herd (or maybe the herd followed me?). This is my go to office watch. It’s not showy at all but the dial is drop dead gorgeous. Something tells me you might have added this watch to your collection if it ran on a movement that you didn’t already have in your VC 1921, and 3. The FPJ CS in platinum, exactly like yours. I credit you and your channel for this addition as I confess I’d never heard of Journe until I began following your channel; and I was fortunate to buy mine unworn for 26K USD just a couple of months before the pandemic hit and everything Journe exploded in price. I treat my CS almost as a daily wearer (in good weather, of course). I’ve had better luck with mine as it’s been extremely robust and has never been magnetized. So thanks again for another terrific video and special thanks for for turning me on to Journe. Cheers 🥂 from Chengdu.

[@watchartsci]

Glad you got your FPJ on time Jeffrey! I'm still hankering a VC Quai De l'Ile ! Take care, Bill

[@jacobjensen408]

I like many brands but Seiko (with GS and Credor), Citizen (with Campanola), Dornbluth (one of many great small famlily brands) and JLC is always on my watch heaven.

[@watchartsci]

All good choices, Jacob. Take care, Bill

[@h111551]

I am a fellow Campanola buff.

[@jacobjensen408]

@@watchartsci Thanks Bill today i own a custom made Dornbluth 99.1, Seiko SBDB013 and a Citizen NH6930-09FB + som beaters, take care to Bill.

[@cedshred1676]

What a spectacular grouping! There are so many nice watches out there.

[@watchartsci]

Thanks, Ced. Take care, Bill

[@mell3109]

I am currently in love with all of these, what a wonderful array of horological masters and refreshing to see, makes Rolex seem like a fashion brand!

[@watchartsci]

Yes M ell ... I see your point. Take care, Bill

[@Sams911]

my favorite? Vacheron Constantin and Rolex... Omega on certain models... like the Cal 321 Ed White.

[@watchartsci]

Hi Guy, yep I'm good with the 321 and a big fan of VC. Rolex...🤔... some. Take care, Bill

[@andycandyOK]

great selection of top brands in watch making!

[@watchartsci]

Hey Andy, thanks man! Take care, Bill

[@AbdulRWatches]

I have the almost the same list of manufacturers you have on the list, hopefully will add more from them to my collection, in addition to Lyrique. Thanks Bill 🙏🏽

[@watchartsci]

Getting ready for two more, Abdul....from Lyrique. Scary! Take care, Bill

[@Javi_C]

Thanks Dr.! Have a great Friday.

[@watchartsci]

Yes, the weekend is upon us Javi! Enjoy! Take care, Bill

[@obesetuna3164]

A great overview as always Bill. The Ovale Pantographe is an interesting looking watch.

[@watchartsci]

Hi Tuna,... at one time Patek Philippe also made a Pantographe ... I saw it in NYC at a traveling Patek Philippe museum show. Take care, Bill

[@orcawhale9883]

I had learned a lot from your videos , Bill! Especially for the hidde gem like Parmigiani fleurier or other underrated german watch manufacturers only known by real watch enthusiast. Thank you so Much! 😍 🤩

[@watchartsci]

Totally, my pleasure Orca! Take care, Bill

[@0MarcBee0]

Great sharing as always! Learnt a lot

[@watchartsci]

Marc, my pleasure as always. Take care, Bill

[@gobricklaying106]

Great and informative video. Thanks👍

[@watchartsci]

Glad it was helpful, Goldbrick! Take care, Bill

[@ahrzb]

Looking at FP Journe prices hurts, others I can imagine myself saving up for. It’s sad when a nice thing becomes a status symbol.

[@watchartsci]

Look for excellence in watches that have been overlooked Amir. Take care, Bill

[@juniorjohnson5961]

Thanks Bill 🙏

[@watchartsci]

My pleasure Junior! Take care, Bill

[@ericfreutel8240]

Great review. Many thanks!😊

[@watchartsci]

My pleasure, Eric. Take care, Bill

[@owenoconnor2700]

Thanks Bill, looking forward to Étude no.1 arriving!

[@watchartsci]

Right now mine is in the 15-day chronometer trials at HSNY, Owen ... and as soon they're finished with it (November 16), I'll have it again. I'm hoping it's homecoming with coincide with the Jean Rousseau gator band I ordered for it.(They make the bands in Paris...so it's a short trip to the Emerald Isle...: www.jean-rousseau.com/us/product-category/watch-straps-us/ ) The delay is with the case-maker, V&C. Agenhor says they're just waiting for the cases. So, I'll start whining like a kid in the back seat ... "are we there yet..." with V&C. Take care, Bill

[@meson183]

I am finally in the position to buy a watch or two. I have started the process of buying an H. Moser et Cie Heritage Centre Seconds Funky Blue Fumé. So looking forward to that. I also have an interest in a Glashütte Original SeaQ Panorama Date Bicolor. But I want to see it in the flesh first, before I commit to buying one. I am also interested in a black dial Blancpain Fifty Fathoms 5015 on the bracelet. I presently cannot decide between the Stainless Steel one and the Titanium one. I love the polishing on the Stainless Steel one. But the Titanium one has the exhibition caseback and the movement is lovely. So I'm conflicted on these ones.

[@watchartsci]

Hey Meson! That H. Moser et Cie Heritage Centre Seconds Funky Blue Fumé is a fantastic watch. Avoid watches with silicon hairsprings...😬 Take care, Bill

[@derricksmigh1665]

Good morning bill. Best way to start my day ia some great watch content

[@watchartsci]

Hey Derrick! Great to hear this video helped kick off your day. Take care, Bill

[@gilbertombp]

I like many of your choices here, Bill, particularly the VC triple calendar, Patek Gondolo, and the Journe Chronometre Souverain. I have a Laco Aachen Blaue Stunde 42 and an IWC Pilot's Watch Mark XX in the same collection, and I enjoy both pilot watches for different reasons. I was truly happy to get my Wempe Chronometerwerke Tonneau, Seiko Presage SARX029 Urushi dial, and Omega Aqua Terra 41 because I get a lot of variety and versatility from them. From Glashutte Original, I want the Senator Observer though it's really out of my price range. Here's hoping you get an Omega soon. I remember you said you'd want a co-axial movement, though you're thinking twice about the silicon hairspring.

[@watchartsci]

The Omega that I like is their moon model without a silicon hairspring, Gilberto. Take care, Bill

[@TimG--]

Mine in this order : 1) FP Journe 2) FP Journe 3) So Journe No discounts either in a watch collapse that is happening. Great video mate 🥃. Thanks Bill

[@watchartsci]

Makes life easier, Tim, when you're not cluttered with unnecessary decisions! Take care, Bill

[@jameshoward9700]

Inspired by your advice and enthusiasm for the brand, I recently bought a Parmigiani Tonda GT, one of the black dial 1/250 models. Wow. You're not wrong. Normally I prefer smaller watches, but fit and comfort is quite extraordinary. A really beautiful watch with a case, bracelet and dial that I've seen few equal in steel. I'm not entirely keen on the new PF models - beautiful quality and great movement, but as you say, lacking the distinctive style of their genius founder. I'd forgotten the Breguet connection, but that makes me like them all the more as I think there's something of the ALB in the innovative style and finish of the watches. As for favourite others, well for me its Breguet and Blancpain, followed by Habring2 and JLC. But for my everyday farming/forestry/diving workhorses, well not much beats Rolex. Except Seiko!

[@watchartsci]

James, you've probably already seen this Breguet by Michel Parmigiani, but it might be worth re-visiting. watchesbysjx.com/2017/11/hands-on-with-a-breguet-masterpiece-made-by-michel-parmigiani.html Take care, Bill

[@jameshoward9700]

@@watchartsci Thank you, Bill - what a piece and a bargain to boot!

[@ollik8192]

Glashütte Original is one of my favourites. I am aspiring to own a Panomatic Lunar. The Annual Calendar version is tempting, but I am not so sure about the overall balance in the dial with that one. These don't have silicon hairsprings and the double swanneck regulator just would not work with one. The Senator collection also boasts some of the best complications, and by and large, bargain prices too. I don't mind the silicon, because it's practical. Anyway, the Senator Excellence Perpetual Calendar has one of the clearest presentations of a perpetual and the Senator Cosmopolite has to have the best implementation of a time zone mechanism I've seen. The time zone mechanism, can be switched to all current time zones, including ½ hour and ¾ hour differences!

[@watchartsci]

That GO Lunar is a honey of a watch, Olli. Take care, Bill

[@johnmonachelli5256]

that ovale is mesmerizing

[@watchartsci]

Hi John, if only could afford an Ovale....🤔 Maybe one will drop that I can afford. Take care, Bill

[@JohnDoe-ub8fq]

Unfortunately, my experience has not been good with many; 'kind of high end watches'. My Gerald Genta and Parm needed several services in 1 year and I was able to return them. My Breguet Marine 5817 was running +18, so I sent it in for service. They said there was some water damage and wanted to replace the the dial!! An 18k gold dial, needed to be replaced?? I said , no. ($1,800). My Roger Dubuis Easy Diver is back to service, because of running +/- 15, three months AFTER a service!. It appears to me, these watch movements are just 'too delicate'. Pull out my Tudor or Ball COSC, after sitting for months, always within COSC.

[@watchartsci]

That can happen, John. My modestly priced Habring2 keeps better time than any of my other watches. Take care, Bill

[@mbire831]

Interesting - so many make a big play on inhouse movements - but I always wonder what the risk/return is on this ? Parimigiani is not truly inhouse, but is a great brand (despite the rebrand to Pf). My own favourites : VC, A Langhe, JLC, UN, Grand Seiko

[@watchartsci]

@@mbire831 Parmigiantri is truly in-house. The movements were designed by Michel Parmigiani, and as part of the vertically organized Sandoz Family Foundation, they are part of the organization that actually does the manufacturing... Vaucher. Take care, Bill

[@gelmibson883]

Woo!

[@watchartsci]

Woo to you too, Gel. Take care, Bill

[@almeladze]

I actually ordered a Laco with upgraded movement 3 days ago. That JLC Geographic i was soo excited about (i used to love gen 1) bht in person it turned out to be so underwhelming! I am surprised we didn't see faberge among your favorite brands 😂😂😂

[@watchartsci]

Yes, Fabergé, Alexander, with Agenhor movements and modules are real gems. Take care, Bill

[@almeladze]

@@watchartsci yeah but anybody can order those movements these days and stick'em in their third-party-ordered watch cases. Even you did it! That's not the same as making a watch soup to nuts like JLC, FPJ, Zenith...

[@watchartsci]

@@almeladze Go ahead and let's see you do it...😉

[@almeladze]

@@watchartsci Not my cup of tea. To me these things are a status symbol among other things, not a do-it-yourself project.

[@andreasd6857]

🤔hmm this Lyrique is such a nice friendly looking watch, i would like to have one😃

[@watchartsci]

The Lyrique Étude N° 1 turned out beyond our expectations. There are some available from collectors who bought more than one. Take care, Bill

[@jordanglassheim1806]

What should I pay for a Roger Dubuis rd14? What’s a good deal? Box and papers. Same one you are holding in the video?

[@watchartsci]

Jordan you will always pay the best price you can negotiate or locate! Good hunting! Take care, Bill

[@GShockWatchFan.]

Bill. Where do you recommend to get good deals?

[@watchartsci]

I look everywhere with Google-lots of good places, Pavlos. JomaShop, Shopworn, eBay, 1stDibs, TheWatchOutlet.com, RealReal.com, Fashionphile.com ... just Google search everywhere and then click the 'Shopping' button for the lowest or the 'Image' button. Take care, Bill

[@russellseah2347]

When are we going to see your SOTC?

[@watchartsci]

I've got to get to it Russel. I've got some sell / buy plans right now and there will be changes. Take care, Bill

[@andal7404]

What about George Daniel's protoge, Roger Smith.

[@tc3804]

Anyone know the make and model of the ""Franck Muller-like" watch in the thumbnail for the video? Its incredible but isn't shown in the video!

[@watchartsci]

TC, I'm not sure which thumbnail you're referring to? What's the time on it? Thanks, Bill

[@tc3804]

@@watchartsci HI bill i wish i could show you the thumbnail but i went through the full video several times for this video and the thumbnail you have for it is not in the video at all!

[@arentjanlinde6159]

After this lecture and great arrangement of grail watches, I’ll just keep quit and say thank you

[@watchartsci]

Hey Arent, thanks man. Probably lots of times I should do the same thing! Take care, Bill

[@arentjanlinde6159]

@@watchartsci please don’t

[@RazrIllusion]

Were you in Dublin recently? I thought I saw you...

[@watchartsci]

No Ben, but I would be very happy to visit Dublin and the Emerald Isle! Take care, Bill

[@pedramtajeddini5100]

What do you think about bovet?

[@watchartsci]

Should have included Bovet as among my favorite. Great watches... and unique! Take care, Bill

[@oatmongen4263]

Do you know the accuracy on your Étude yet?

[@watchartsci]

Oatmon, it is currently undergoing Chronometer testing through HSNY, and sometime after the 16th we should know. It was not designed as a chronometer, but initial testing on my timegrapher were so good, I thought, "Why not?" Take care, Bill

[@AlejandroTorres262]

What about Breguet Bill?

[@watchartsci]

Swatch ownership hasn't done Breguet any favors ... silicon hairsprings ... Take care, Bill

[@AlejandroTorres262]

@@watchartsci so do Patek and Rolex right?

[@vishalshah7043]

well in German watch brands i thought A. Lange & Söhne would be your favorite

[@watchartsci]

Vishal, AL&S is probably the most popular high end German brand, but I prefer Lang & Heyne ... and Marco Lang watches (if I could afford one!)- both are independent while AL&S is owned by Richemont. Take care, Bill

[@vishalshah7043]

@@watchartsci Many Thanks for the reply sir Regards .

[@mogenshyldgaard6067]

Hi Bill. I like the facts, that you have an opinion to "that silicon stuff". Here is a link to a meeting in the horological society of New York. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jIKtiap5rMhrpq8. The watchmakers opinion in relation to "silicon" is rather positive. Best Regards Mogens

[@watchartsci]

Mogens, yes, I too am a member of HSNY (in fact they're doing a chronometer test on my watch now), and I know the reasons ... all very practical ... for employing silicon hairsprings. At the WatchTime Show in NYC a couple of weeks ago, I asked Kari Voutilainen if he would ever use silicon hairsprings and he simply said, 'No.' Neither would H. Moser et Cie, and apparently neither would Rolex [except on women's watches]. So, I'm well aware of the value of silicon hairsprings. I just don't care for them in watches I buy. Take care, Bill

[@ivansmith4242]

Laco the watch that all aspiring IWC Big Pilot owners should get instead and save their money. Most probably the same movement inside and level of finishing outside. Holy trinity brands are stale and overrated but the yes man army will never let them see who the fairest in the land is now. They belong in the era of the pocket watch. That was their golden age that only the lost generation can recall. The sun also rises.

[@watchartsci]

Don't be so cynical, Ivan. Watch lovers come from all different corners, and no group needs to be snobbish about any other.🤫 Take care, Bill

[@ivansmith4242]

@@watchartsci snobbery is resting on reputation and phoning it in hence the aristocracy. Merit has its place you know.