Reacting to the 50 Most Important Watches of All Time (I Don't Agree)

[@TeddyBaldassarre]

I am sure there will be some disagreement here. Were there some watches that you felt were left out? Do you agree with my takes?

[@jennifervanwerkhoven4274]

I miss the Cartier Ballon Blue, as worn by the late princess Diana. And some Citizens, with their groundbreaking technology.

[@Judah.Rosenthal]

@@jennifervanwerkhoven4274 a The Citizen would have been nice, for sure.

[@waynecastleman1363]

Seiko Marine Master

[@miztahfrawg]

Why did you not mention the Lego Star-Wars Yoda glow in the dark digital watch that came in the boxes of general mils cereals

[@rautikd]

You can't have a consumer electronic on such a list... No way in Horology.

[@joshuam4614]

You are wrong about the Ingersoll Mickey Mouse watch. It absolutely belongs on that list. 1933 was the height of the Great Depression. The unemployment rate was 24.7%. Millions of Americans were waiting in lines at soup kitchens every day and the number one cause of death for senior citizens was starvation/ malnutrition. It was the most dire economic time in our nation's history. Despite this, according to the article, Macy's in NYC sold 11,000 Mickey Mouse watches on the first day! $3.75 in 1933 is $90.10 in today's dollar. That is an insane amount of money to spend on a kid's watch when Grandma is literally starving to death. It became the world's first watch to surpass one million in sales. The watch saved both companies from bankruptcy and they both are still in business today. Ingersoll changed their name to TIMEX in 1969 and they have gone on to sell BILLIONS of watches thanks to that Mickey Mouse watch.

[@danieldevore4421]

Well said

[@bscott8478]

I'm so glad you wrote such a thorough assessment of the Mickey Mouse watch. The number of people for whom Mickey was central to their first, second, third (?) watch over the next 5 to 6 decades is enormous. My guess is that Teddy just missed that period in his youth. There was so much greater emphasis on today's watch trends than what we experienced back then and continues with the pop culture wristwatches of today.

[@drbuckley1]

The piece left an indelible mark on American culture, forever damning shoddy workmanship as "Mickey Mouse."

[@carltonnnn]

Damn, what a thoughtful reply. I’m converted.

[@meanmistermustard2485]

I would put the Casio Calculator watch on this list.

[@alexwinslow5]

Nerds unite! Ok yeah I had one in HS

[@shannons1886]

Agreed!

[@jefflogsdon4772]

My first watch. 5th grade.

[@ttoalva7294]

Agree

[@MakkyTakiStoleYourBaki]

Literally have one on my wrist right now

[@murrayschindel1848]

I give this list a C- at most. So many truly "important" watches are missing: Hamilton Ventura (first watch powered by a battery) Timex Marlin ("Takes a licking and keeps on ticking" - was an icon of the 1960s-70s) Bulova Accutron (first electronic watch) Pulsar (first digital quartz watch) Casio G-Shock Citizen Eco-drive Timex Indiglo Grand Seiko Springdrive etc... And Teddy, the original Mickey Mouse watch absolutely deserves to be on the list. That watch was the gateway for loads of children into the watch obsession. It was also the first "collaboration" between the worlds of watchmaking and pop culture.

[@rbsafe]

Great counter-list. And not just the Timex Marlin, but the ubiquitous drug store Timex models sold everywhere, often a person's 1st watch. The Easyreader worn by millions of teachers and librarians.

[@chrissprang226]

I have my Dad's gold ventura; it doesn't run, but it looks very cool; I think he got it in the early1960's.

[@darkeye77]

The Ventura was the first battery powered watch? Wow! Did not know. Thanks!

[@TheThatoneguy12121]

Ide also like to add the Omega T17 Movement and any watch that it was in due to it being the first (as far as I'm aware and read) wristwatch movement available with a 60 hour power reserve. That had the largest power reserve made by omega until the caliber 8500 of 2006.

[@CM-me8gc]

​@@rbsafeand when we were kids. I have the frog one .

[@friskjidjidoglu7415]

I don’t understand why one would omit the Casiotron, Date-Just, and the G-Shock. Those are just stunning omissions. A Timex Marlin should surely be there, too

[@Judah.Rosenthal]

G Shock for sure. The Datejust isn’t necessary since Day Date is included.

[@BarrowX]

How can one omit the Seiko SKX???? 😤😤😤

[@Judah.Rosenthal]

@@BarrowX That’s a miss.

[@jrsong9503]

⁠@@BarrowXaren’t Seiko skx included in the Seiko 5 lines?

[@KimiRai-lf3gn]

@@jrsong9503no a skx is not a 5...

[@c.d.muljono6582]

no hamilton khaki? or doxa 300T? or even zodiac seawolf?

[@thaiwin6173]

Oh boy, we're in for a ride... And Teddy's driving.

[@TeddyBaldassarre]

😂 put on your seatbelts

[@talarnaadams4010]

Actually it’s esquire, but never mind

[@markikn3183]

Obvious misses: Bulova Accutron Seiko SKX At least one Vacheron (puleeeze!) And yeah, a gshock square Possibles: Hamilton khaki Most Rolexes, frankly Seiko Bullhead Seiko Willard

[@stuffhappens5681]

Accutron for sure!

[@hasantopcu2213]

No Vacheron Constantin, not even the 222? No Bulgari Serpenti? No Tissot Prx? No Porsche Design Chronograph 1? I don’t know if I agree with this list either 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@TeddyBaldassarre]

VC is another good point I forgot to mention at the end.

[@EiferBrennan]

I agree with omitting the Tissot PRX. It's a nice watch, but it's not an important watch in the grand scheme of things.

[@andreabianchi439]

yaa the holy Trinity​@@TeddyBaldassarre

[@romko4496]

Lol I wouldn't inclue any of the recent KZbinr overhyped watches you listed either😂

[@appleratpipe]

Prx????? 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@michaelcsizma3996]

Definitley needed to include the Hamilton Ventura.

[@frankpentangeli7945]

Rolex Submariner, Bulova Accutron, Universal Geneve Polerouter, Hamilton Khaki, Hamilton Ventura, Lange 1, Lange Datograph, Vacheron Constantin Historiques American 1921, Vacheron Constantin 222, Nomos Tangente, Breguet Classique, Timex Marlin, JLC Memovox, Tissot PRX, etc, etc, etc.

[@TheBajamin]

Y’all need to stop with the PRX. It’s not even in the top 10% of iconic watches. It’s just the flavor of the month.

[@vidunaweerasinghe7882]

Yes to the PRX

[@waymok2789]

Maybe about 30 years ago, when I was a teenager who knew nothing about watches, I loved Fossils and ended up buying a few of them. But of course there’s no specific model that comes to mind so I can see why it was left off, but as a brand I think it was the gateway for a lot of people my age.

[@michaelstrauss6587]

Citizen's eco drive.... Vostok's rugged performance....

[@rbsafe]

Indeed. No Eco? c'mon...

[@earlbee3196]

Vostok Amphibian. Founded at the height of WWII, Vostok Watch Makers Inc. ...

[@TheRobSJ]

“Takes a licking and keeps on ticking”. C’mon, we’ve all heard that slogan. So yeah, no Timex on the list? Almost as big of a fail as omitting the G-Shock. Esquire should have made it a YT video, as nothing stirs up comments more than a “list” video.

[@o.o-vt1rc]

Well, the Mickey Mouse watch came from Ingersoll, which became Timex in 1969, but yeah, a proper "Timex" branded watch belongs on the list, IMO.

[@andhenny]

I’d rather wear a Mickey Mouse watch than a Hublot.

[@wengjai]

Because?

[@swedishguy83]

@@wengjai Hublot is overpriced/overhyped garbage.

[@MrPleers]

Agreed.

[@RHelenius]

Who cares what you want to wear. I don't own a Hublot, but they are some of the best bang for the buck on the used/grey market. But you can keep listening to some fatter James Corden lookalike for watch advise

[@jereenmoniislam8118]

Who cares about your opinion?​@@RHelenius

[@Pelin_and_Andrew]

C+. You know the richer guy in the room - the one who is senior to the others and whose orders are followed - shouted over the others and wanted his funky rich man's toys in there, over the SKX, G-Shock and Airman.

[@nicholaspietrzak9992]

Not including those three and maybe the seiko turtle was ridiculous.

[@Realmikesambo]

Waiting 28 minutes for a Bulova to be included is nonsense. Let’s forget they built the most accurate watch ever made? Hence Accutron?

[@azamatfleming5427]

The list definitely needs G-Shock on it, possibly even the Casioak as it also helped to bring even more watch buyers and make watches appealing to a younger audience. Aside from Casio, I'd say that Seagull 1963, Vostok Amphibia, Longines, Vacheron Constantin, and either Waltham or Elgin for being the vintage watch that spurred on Swiss watch industry.

[@edmonguy]

Puzzling how no Timex made the list. Growing up in North America, I think anyone who ever wore a watch at some point wore a Timex. Indiglo alone was a significant influence. No Citizens is also puzzling. I think of Citizen as the real force behind solar movements. And no G-Shock, as you said, is just ridiculous. How can they make the case that the best-selling watch of all time hasn't been one of the most influential? But the Vianney Halter X Jeff Barnes Antiqua has been?

[@joshuam4614]

Ingersoll changed their name to Timex in the 60's.

[@JMunchen-wf2yj]

You made the best comment out of everyone the timex omission is huge, bill Clinton’s wore one !

[@earlbee3196]

Timex Group USA, Inc. (formerly known as Timex Corporation) is an American global watch manufacturing company founded in 1854 as the Waterbury Clock Company in Waterbury, Connecticut. In 1944, the company became insolvent but was reformed into Timex Corporation

[@storageaddict]

Outstanding video. Even though you added your own thoughts in the end, and I agreed with all of them.. It would still be interesting to see your "Top 50" and the reasoning behind each one. Then, take it a step further and reach out to peers like Nico and others to get reaction videos to your list and get their thoughts. Would make a great series of videos for all.

[@mikemorenilla7444]

Unless I missed it, I didn't see a Vacheron Constantin on the list. For being one of the "big 3", that's interesting. I thought maybe the Historiques American might make it.

[@Loonie1029]

Timex Ironman

[@jsusna1972]

Totally agree with you that a Grand Seiko Spring Drive should be on the list. With regards to the Harwood Automatic, how did you set the time? I didn't see a crown. ETA: I found a video on the Harwood. The bezel rotated and turned an internal crown. I don't think I've seen that before.

[@rbsafe]

Timex Easyreader, and the other models sold *everywhere* in post WWII America. Very often a person's 1st watch.

[@alfredbalurandavocol5769]

No complete iconic watch list without Casio F-91W. God Tier!

[@mikevu6071]

Not even mentioning the god tier Casio Gshocks ???

[@ludovicoc7046]

You cannot have a list of the 50 most important watches without a having a Timex on it. Ironman, Indiglo, Easy Reader, collabs with Peanuts characters, most famous tagline, etc. So much heritage! Even "A Man and His Watch" features two Timex's.

[@jeffforbess6802]

Yes, the BRAND is iconic, but I can’t think of a particular WATCH. It’s like Chevy, without the Corvette.

[@robertkanterman7840]

Completely agree

[@Msgt_Slim]

No SKX? No Glycine Airman? No Vostok? No Timex Marlin? No Smith's? No Breguet? No Nomos? No Navitimer? No thanks... Not a great list, but a great video!

[@tlookste]

good point about vostok

[@angikarchmer5633]

Teddy mentioned the Glycine model toward the end.

[@Msgt_Slim]

@@angikarchmer5633 Teddy did. But this wasn't Teddy's list. This was Esquire's list. Hence, my comment.

[@KimiRai-lf3gn]

The navitimer is mentionned in the list of 50.

[@AndreiLucaa]

Nomos def not on the list, since even Junghans is questioning. This doesn’t take anything away from Nomos. An incredible watch brand with phenomenal value for money.

[@jacobbwalters8133]

Another watch that I think MUST be on this list is the original Garmin Forerunner. Garmin doesn’t get much (any) love from watch enthusiasts, but its impact was huge. It was the first mainstream watch to do pace and mileage well, which is incredibly important for runners and athletes in general. Garmin really produced the first mass market fitness watch and I would argue that without the innovations introduced by Garmin you would never have seen brands like Fitbit and even the Apple Watch take off. To this day, most serious runners and bikers use Garmin over the competition because of their superior location accuracy compared to the competition.

[@speedracer2please]

This is tough for me to agree with, but I do think a list with the Apple Watch and so many military watches should include something actually widely used by the current military

[@BruceCross]

Yes, the inclusion of Garmin hurts, but it was a big influence.

[@mitchellsteindler]

100% agree. The only actual sports watch brand (worth buying).

[@burbinghard]

8:38 There is a difference between most important and “iconic” those words are not synonymous. The Braun isn’t iconic, but the design language absolutely ushered in a wave of functional watch designs that is common decades later. It’s the next generation Bahaus design.

[@mariobcab]

This list is a C- : I don’t understand how G-Shock is left out.

[@za7v9ier]

Yeah G Shock is so iconic, and changed the industry.. yet they left out G Shock. LOL

[@pz1791]

Dufour Simplicity for bringing attention back to hand finishing. Citizen Eco Drive. Grand Seiko VFA. A Breguet pocket tourbillon. This list is basically 80% a facebook poll of “best watches” + 20% random historic watches to try to legitimize the list.

[@Voltanaut]

With FP Journe, I always found his sideways tourbillon watch to be a gift from Zeus. How he made that is a level of genius and creativity I genuinely can't fathom. A real true accomplishment in watchmaking.

[@jesusreyesXYZ]

Missed a citizen eco-drive and the Longines Legend Diver.

[@NICO-zl3vd]

Seiko 6139! I mean the first ever automatic chronograph?

[@drticzon]

No Seiko Pogue?

[@SlCKB0Y-sb1kg]

I agree with this.

[@TheBajamin]

Sometimes first doesn’t mean iconic or important. In the car world the first cars are nowhere near iconic compared to special Ferrari or special race cars.

[@alanwanchorlytellc194]

No Pogue on the list and no mention of the Speedmaster being on Buzz Aldrin's wrist on the Moon?

[@SlCKB0Y-sb1kg]

@@TheBajamin And yet a Swiss chrono was mentioned for no real reason other than being the first auto, I think?

[@chillerhr3804]

Teddy make your own list for us 😀❤️💯👊🏻⌚️, C grade for Esquire 😂

[@majornature7878]

I miss the whole eco-drive family. All the solar powered watches.

[@MR2D2AL]

Teddy: you REALLY need to invite Matt Farah from The Smoking Tire to your event. He’s a huge fan of Grand Seiko, knows lots about watches, and could be a very interesting interview on your channel!

[@TeddyBaldassarre]

Matt explaining to Joe Rogan Grand seiko was massive for the brand. This event is already on the way but I agree for future events.

[@SPMinerva]

Matt Farah explaining to Joe Rogan about watches makes me interested in watch in the first place. And John Mayer of course

[@travisogden9426]

Doesn't Pewdiepie have one too?

[@schmidtythekidd]

Missing Bulova Accutron.

[@blackmoor40k]

The Micky Mouse watch definitely belongs on this list.

[@nuffaction5464]

Sure..if you're a boomer.

[@TabbyLavalamp]

@@nuffaction5464 It's an all time list, not a Gen Z list. Mickey showed that watches can be playful and that licensing can be lucrative. Even if someone doesn't care for them personally and the mouse isn't the cultural powerhouse he once was, denying the historical importance of the Mickey Mouse watch is just denying history. I suspect it's also a lot of the watch snobbery that infects the hobby colouring people's views on the mass market appeal of the piece.

[@LeonardoBuntemeyer]

I woud include JLC Reverso, Hamilton Pulsar, Seiko DK001, Timex ironman, Casio Calculator, Texas Instruments rg07, Citizen Aqualand, Breitling Emergency. All of these were a great evolution. adding never seen before features to a wirstwatch. Cheers from Rio de Janeiro/ Brazil 🇧🇷

[@jeffforbess6802]

I agree with the Casio calc.

[@yellingatcloud]

Breguet Reine de Naples. It is the first wristwatch and it is still an iconic design!

[@TeddyBaldassarre]

Not having a Breguet did feel strange.

[@miguelossetalvarez4979]

I felt the same. If you talk about history, you just cannot leave breguet out. First wristwatch ever, patent of the tourbillon, I mean, come on!

[@Christophe-k8s]

So many other ones could have been in the selection : the Frank Muller Crazy Hours, the Yema Superman, the Konstantin Chaykin Joker, the an0rdain Model 1, the Sea-Gull 1963, the Roger Dubuis Excalibur, the M.A.D. 1 from MB&F, an Accutron, A Movado, perhaps a Pulsar, ...

[@Judah.Rosenthal]

The Crazy Hours, totally. Weird that they picked a “high complication” FM instead. Not sure about the others. I’ve even owned a Superman more than once (reissue and original). It’s mostly derivative.

[@KimiRai-lf3gn]

The movado yes, the others no.

[@Judah.Rosenthal]

@@KimiRai-lf3gn Frank Muller really is the godfather of independent watchmakers. Movado might be the Museum piece. I don’t think the M95, nice as it is for collectors, is an influence in the overall industry.

[@tomhohum4275]

Bulova Accutron?

[@TeddyBaldassarre]

Good catch. I agree.

[@TheLute70]

Totally agree. The Acutron was ground breaking

[@meijiturtle3814]

From reading American literature over the years got the impression that the Mickey Mouse watch was somewhat iconic in the USA but not so much abroad.

[@EiferBrennan]

It definitely was iconic for a period of time but that was like the it's like the late 60s 70s something like that.

[@SteveBoniface-u7w]

Citizen ecodrive/dive watches…. Excellent video as ever

[@jeptime657]

Id add a timex in there. The marlin from the 60s, or even the expeditions from their modern catalogue, just because od the brand and value proposition of the watches.

[@kyleviola1024]

1- Flieger Style is iconic 2- Ball literally reinvented railroad timing and standards 3- Probably should have at least one solar watch 4- Lange reinvented German watchmaking

[@chateaubullion2560]

Yes, on Mickey Mouse watch. Back in early 1960's when I was 8 or 9 years old my parents gave me my very first watch. A Mickey Mouse watch. I think that's what got me started on this crazy watch collecting journey.

[@vmarsch]

I've never had one, but I strongly disagree with Teddy's view on it. Maybe it's a generational thing.

[@AJHall-y4z]

Love your thought-provoking video. In no particular order, Fabergé Visionnaire Chronograph, Patek Philippe's reference 5035 the first annual calendar watch, Grand Seiko Spring Drive, Citizen Eco Drive, BULGARI OCTO FINISSIMO ULTRA (1.8mm), PIAGET ALTIPLANO ULTIMATE CONCEPT (2mm), IWC Portugieser Eternal Calendar, Zenith El Primero Captain Winsor (probably the only annual calendar chronograph watch with 5Hz movement), Alain Silberstein Krono, Omega Louis Brandt minute repeater, Vacheron Constantin Tour de l’Ile Grand Complication, Rolex Datejust, A. Lange & Söhne Grand Complication 912.032, Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime 5175R-001, Vacheron Constantine Celestia Astronomical Grand Complication 3600, Konstantin Chaykin Joker, The Jaeger-LeCoultre Hybris Mechanica Grande Sonnerie, Universal Genève Polerouter.

[@kdailey4315]

That Mickey Mouse watch is a huge reason kids got into watches. It's the watch that got me into watches. It deserves its place.

[@nikkimiddlekillsday5161]

If they wanted to do him then they should have put the Genta watch on the list instead

[@sheldon6531]

@@nikkimiddlekillsday5161not at all. Genta has his place, obviously, but this was the first MM watch.

[@TheRobSJ]

The term “Mickey Mouse” is used to describe something shoddy and cheap. And I’d say 99% of versions of the Mickey Mouse watch made over the years (including ones you could actually buy at Disneyland) epitomizes the term. Because it was a term my grandpa used so much, I picked up a $17 Mickey Mouse watch from Amazon. I hardly wear it because it’s silly. But it does make me happy to have it since it reminds me of him. Ironically enough it keeps time far far better than my wife’s Brietling Navitimer.

[@boldmeregarden637]

Its also a gateway watch for kids to learn to read the time. For me thats why it should be on the list

[@JonniHeberg]

Should there not be a solar watch, maybe an ecodrive. Something like a Certina DS? And i defintely agree on a Seiko diver like the 62MAS affecring watches worn today.

[@BruceCross]

Strange they ignored solar-powered watches, which were big news for Citizen (1976) and Seiko (1978).

[@jhunendaya8014]

Grand seiko spring drive and Gshock missing on the list is a bummer.

[@StAntonioStefanov]

For some cheap watches that needed to be on the list - Vostok amphibia - half of Europe spent years wearing russian watches you need to have one on the list, citizen aqualand was the last dive watch before dive computers and seiko pogue of course.

[@TheChrisBycz]

50 is a big number when considering "the most important" examples of anything, especially watches. A more discerning number might have been 20 or 25.

[@TeddyBaldassarre]

50 was a tough number as it makes the omissions much more noticeable. When I began I was more accepting of the takes as I thought it would include mostly everything, but I gradually started to realize as I was going through it that there were going to be some obvious picks left off.

[@TheChrisBycz]

I think you did great work@@TeddyBaldassarre . For me when the number of examples reaches a certain number, the lines between important for a brand vs. important for watch-making, or iconic vs important, start to get blurred.

[@danzigrulze5211]

Hamilton Pulsar. Really advanced tech for the time period and proved to everyone that quartz could also be on par with any other luxury watch brand. Not having a Hamilton on the list is just baffling.

[@JohnnyJohnJon83]

I seriously wonder which muppet considered Braun AW10 on the list 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@TN48005]

TEDDY’s brand = Class, Elegance and longevity! From a watch novice and long-time executive, you have a bright future my friend!

[@michaelwhite1175]

Yes to the Micky Mouse it's not an expensive Swiss made but as my first watch ever in the mid 70's it made me and a lot of other people fall in love with watches

[@mk84142]

Great video as always. Thank you. Just wondering would glycine GMT be potentially more influential than the patek gmt given that glycine gmt came first? They have similar design queues as well? More curious than disagreeing. I dont really have a strong opinion on this.

[@punkbassist98]

Did I miss Vacheron or was it not mentioned? Surely the 222?

[@Judah.Rosenthal]

Is that really the VC you’d pick? The 222 was uncomfortable to wear, the design was derivative and the reissue is already waining because it’s nothing but a call back. Honestly, I disagree with almost none of the selections and can’t think of many others I’d add. I can’t think of any VC I’d say is important - except maybe their “most complicated” models. Well made? Totally. But iconic in the larger industry or even the consumer level?

[@davidjb3671]

Though I love the 222 I'd say the VC 1921 is their most iconic design. Fortunately I have both 😊

[@Newerasamearea]

It's nice. Not important

[@mclaughlinja1995]

I’d personally put the Overseas first, then 222 if there’s room …. But regardless of which you prefer, it does seem crazy not to have any VCs in the top 50.

[@mclaughlinja1995]

Or the 1921 - fair point. Not my cup of tea but it is an iconic design.

[@DavidLarsen-q1y]

I think of the Bulova Lunar Pilot as the greatest of all time quartz movements. The accuracy achievement is only the beginning. The purpose-built watch head is the only timepiece made specifically for conditions on the Lunar surface. The caseback is the coolest, the canvas DOM strap adds to the astronaut aesthetic, the uniquely legible dial, well suited to sun glare, the sapphire disk crystal that facilitates light reaching the dial, the chrono pushers designed for a user wearing thick gloves, and a huge crown also to allow for use by a gloved hand. I respect your opinion Teddy, as the only watch purpose-built for use on the Moon shouldn’t the Lunar Pilot we on the list. (Btw, the .262 movement was used in the command module as well as at Ground Control in Houston.)

[@JFrusci]

They should’ve included the Brosnan era Omega Seamaster.

[@TheLute70]

They have the Seamaster Pro on the list

[@JFrusci]

@@TheLute70 Yup. I’m the idiot that missed it.

[@artekdote]

Watches that should’ve been on the list: 1. Casio Gshock square (dw5600 or gwm5610) 2. Seiko Pogue 3. Tissot PRX 4. Seiko SKX 5. Seiko Turtle 6. Timex Ironman/ Timex Marlin 7. Doxa Sub 8. PP Aquanaut 9. Grand Seiko “snowflake” 10. Hamilton Khaki *Orient Bambino and Casioaks as honorable mentions

[@mountainjay]

Totally. Those are good calls

[@friskjidjidoglu7415]

1:27 What was this event? Is there a video of it? 24:02 I have a hard time accepting this because the design is so generic. It looks like any old 1950s watch.

[@jimscimonetti1457]

Teddy, I love your watch videos. I just saw the most profound video on watches this morning, and you made it. The video you made about The Ball Watch Co. and their importance to the North American Railroad System absolutely blew my mind. It was a riveting story you told. I am 76 years old now and yet I've never heard of Ball watches before. The brand never comes up in the list of "usual suspects" in any cool watch discussions that I've ever heard. Your video made me curious to see what Ball watches are doing today, so I went to the website and I was totally blown away with what I saw. So why is that brand with such a rich important history never given any love? I love watches but I do not own anything one would consider a Luxury Watch, but after seeing your Ball Watch video this morning, there is no question for me. The Ball watch would be my #1 choice for owing a luxury brand. I am curious why you didn't mention anything about Ball watches as making the "Most Important" list. Thank you for the great job you do. Much respect - Jim

[@JustJereme]

Timex indiglo, Seiko Willard, Seiko Pouge, Hamilton Ventura, rado diastar, doxa 300t, bulova lunar pilot… just a couple of my suggestions

[@stephenbaluran3298]

I give this list a C. It has things like the Halter-Barnes, the Altiplano, the Octo Finissimo, but it has no SKX, Eco-Drive, or G-Shock models. This is like when a student crams for a test: he gets most of the multiple-choice items right, but flunks the essay. Or like when a guy cooks a steak medium rare, but forgets to season it.

[@m0h.z0rg]

While the concept of 'most important' can be subjective, curated based on my own fascination with watchmaking, I consider these the most important watches ever made (categorized alphabetically): A. Lange & Söhne Datograph A. Lange & Söhne Lange 1 A. Lange & Söhne Zeitwerk Apple Watch Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Breguet Type XX Breitling Navitimer Breitling Superocean Cartier Santos-Dumont Cartier Tank Casio Databank Casio F-91W Casio G-Shock The “Dirty Dozen” Doxa SUB 300T Glashütte Original Senator Navigator Glycine Airman Grand Seiko Snowflake Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical Harwood x Fortis Harwood Automatic Hublot Big Bang IWC Big Pilot IWC B-Uhr/Flieger IWC Ingenieur IWC Mark 11 IWC Portugieser Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Junghans Max Bill Longines 13.33Z Longines Hour Angle Omega Constellation Omega Seamaster Omega Seamaster 300M Omega Speedmaster Professional Omega X Swatch MoonSwatch Panerai Luminor Panerai Radiomir Patek Philippe Aquanaut Patek Philippe Calatrava Patek Philippe Louis Cottier Patek Philippe Nautilus Patek Philippe Ref. 1518 Perpetual Calendar Pulsar P4 Ressence Type 3 Rolex Cosmograph Daytona Rolex Datejust Rolex Day-Date Rolex Explorer Rolex GMT-Master / GMT-Master II Rolex Oyster Rolex Submariner Seiko 5 Sportsmatic Seiko 62MAS Seiko Astron 35SQ Seiko Prospex Turtle Seiko SKX007 Swatch Swatch Tag Heuer Carrera Tag Heuer Monaco Timex Weekender Tudor Black Bay Ulysse Nardin Freak Universal Genève Polerouter Zenith El Primero

[@TeddyBaldassarre]

Thanks for taking the time to do this.

[@lonewolfemcquade8133]

Very kool list but the Heuer Monaco and Carrera were not part of Tag Heuer back then. It was just Heuer. Heuer became Tag Heuer in 1985

[@halua1969]

A+ 👍 probably would put a Tissot in the list

[@user-ys4je7dg4m]

This gets an A+ from me as well. Nice job 👏🏻

[@m0h.z0rg]

@@TeddyBaldassarre Thanks a lot, I've learned a lot from you. I look forward to learning even more! :)

[@julians9297]

Great review Teddy. With any list of ‘the greatest’ appearing in a commercial publication, it would be interesting to have a table with ‘spend by watch brands on advertising in this publication’ alongside…

[@justinsmith1177]

No Tissot Touch, a smart watch 20 years before smart watches.

[@GinkgoJoe]

Great show. Dead-on with G-Shock, but also missing the Hamilton electric, the accutron, Seiko Arnie, and yeah, all those Seiko divers! Way too many chronos and perpetuals on the original list for sure. 👍

[@penelopeoates511]

It's ridiculous that the cuckoo clock isn't on the list. They are Swiss and perhaps the most famous timepiece the world over. They're unmistakable too.

[@rolandlickert2904]

Hm you're wrong they originated in the area of Black Forest

[@penelopeoates511]

@@rolandlickert2904 What a strange comment. You think clocks are made in forests?

[@imarod78]

This is a list of wrist watches...and he means black forest Germany...the cuckoo clock is German not Swiss, along with the other mistaken stereotype, leder hosen.

[@penelopeoates511]

@@imarod78 There's also the grandfather clock missing from the list.

[@rolandlickert2904]

@@penelopeoates511 The Black Forest area has many towns I'm from Freiburg the watchmakers don't need a large town they prefer a smaller town!

[@angikarchmer5633]

Esquire did a pretty good job and your comments were also spot on. I think there are two that were not mentioned that deserve consideration. One is the JLC Memovox Alarm. The other is a watch/jewelry design hybrid that although iconic is rarely mentioned among great watches probably because it is for women. That is of course the Bulgari Serpenti Tubogas.

[@TeddyBaldassarre]

Nice point about the alarm. Memovox or Vulcan cricket probably deserve to be in the conversation.

[@travr6]

It is insane that there is no Longines.

[@TeddyBaldassarre]

They had two if you count the dirty dozen.

[@Judah.Rosenthal]

13.33Z. Right after the nautilus.

[@travr6]

@@Judah.Rosenthal Completely missed that one.

[@Judah.Rosenthal]

@@travr6 Hard to see the Longines after the hype machine that is the Nautilus.

[@travr6]

@@Judah.Rosenthal It was definitely very brief on the Longines.

[@earlbee3196]

Samuel Smith (1826-1875) began trading as jeweller and watchmaker (S Smith & Son) in 1851 at 149/151 Newington Causeway, London. His son (also Samuel, 1850-1932) took over the business aged 25 after his fathers death. By end 19thC

[@gladlawson61]

The omega swatch is more like #1 ona marketing and selling crap to unsuspecting people

[@TKYNY011]

Rolex Turn O Graph 1625 "thunderbird"

[@bunaldiaries6418]

Missing Watch/Watch Brands: 1. Vacheron Constantin 2. Casio G-Shock 3. Rolex Datejusts 4. Hamilton Pulsar 5. A. Lange & Sohne 6. Seiko SKX 7. Casiotrons 8. Orient Bambino Overall Equire Grade: D- (at best)

[@zbla13]

Citizen Eco-Drive

[@CameronM-mr9ky]

The Ingersoll Mickey Mouse Watch was the first Mickey Mouse watch & second Character Watch ever been made. It was the ancestor of all Character Watches. For many people, their first watch was a Character Watch which Ignited their interest in watches. If Ingersoll was acquired by LVMH and was making character watches at Gerald Genta’s quality and price point, then you may not have problem with the Mickey Mouse Watch being on the list?

[@TabbyLavalamp]

Being against this being on the list is watch snobbery, pure and simple. The list is historically important watches, and a mass market watch showing that pieces can be playful and licensing can be lucrative is historically important.

[@TheBoujiman]

The article is the definition of clickbait

[@timeisahumanconstruct9251]

for sure the octo finissimo deserves it. it still holds several world records and is a truly unique design.

[@petercharron3268]

I agree with their take on Mickey Mouse watch. Is there another watch every child wanted.

[@TeddyBaldassarre]

They knew what they were doing putting that second on the list to stir up conversation. There were many missing that probably deserve it a bit more. This is a hard list to draw the line on as there is no question subjectivity.

[@Judah.Rosenthal]

The idea of marketing cartoon, movies, pop culture through a functional wearable? I def think it’s top 50.

[@trthib]

Speaking of watches for children Flik Flak were huge at some point ! How many people have actually learn to read time with hands on a Flik Flak ?!

[@sanjinpetrovic]

The same argument you made for Junghans Max Bill fits perfectly for Braun as well. Otherwise, good overview..

[@jameswilkes3186]

Mickey Mouse watch was a staple in the 40's - 70's and after. Belongs.

[@glowz9680]

I personally love when you do reaction videos. Feels like we get to see a more personal side of your view on the watch world. Would love if you did more of them

[@dimarg00]

Mentioning the Apple watch was insulting

[@arturinrabag5683]

It’s the most sold watch today, and the #1 killer of classic watches, it’s in the top 5 most influential watches of all time easy

[@gtobruin]

I think the Mickey Mouse Watch absolutely deserves a spot on the list. For many, this watch started their love for watches, and at a very young age. Can you make another that can claim that impact? Maybe the Casio. You mentioned the Seiko 5 was an entré for many. I’d argue that the Mickey Mouse Watch was as well.

[@TAGStudioNY]

The Pulsar for sure.. first digital watch

[@angikarchmer5633]

And it ushered in 12 years of Roger Moore 007 movies.

[@7eSens17]

Not validating octo finissimo but junghaus instead there is a bit of subjectivity there 😊 also not having only one VC on the list but 3 iwc ...

[@emaic]

More misses than hits for me.

[@petequintanilla4237]

This was fun! I would say that Piaget is way more than just ultra thin. They’re great dress watches suited for daily wear. Respect for anyone not sporting one at a ballgame

[@dustinlee2310]

If it's open to all watches, not just upscale mechanicals: Definitely the G shock. I'd also add the Hamilton/Elgin field watch. Seiko Skx. Timex Ironman. Garmin Fenix series. Seiko Tuna. Buships canteen. Geez there are so many more that have had a major influence

[@digitalentinc]

Not having the Vacheron Constantin Overseas was a huge miss-forgot about this one Teddy! Props on filling in most of the blanks on the rest though like the Patek Aquanaut and G Shock, also I agree with every last one of your “fringe” picks on this list.

[@ahha6304]

I stared laughed crying at Nico section

[@ThinMantheGhost]

I think one of the most telling things about this list is how little non watch people know about time keeping and its importance to the history of the world. This is especially glaring when it comes from a publication with the resources at its disposal. The Citizen atomic time keeping watches, or the most accurate wrist watch in the world, the Citizen caliber 0100. There are many others that have been mentioned but the omissions say more than what was included to me.

[@NICO-zl3vd]

The should've put a Breguet Tourbillon. Also a Casio Calculator watch.

[@chrisedwards4382]

Casio World Time (Royale) Obviously not among the best watches of all time. But in terms of functionality, price, units sold and Icon status. It’s a very important watch.