Watch Wishlist 2023

As I grow and learn more about watches (A.K.A. watched more Youtube), my taste for watches has understandably changed. I am still a big fan of all-rounder and chronograph. Still not as excited as others about divers, GMT or military watches. However as I spent more time in watches I started to be willing to put more hard-earned money in watches. Last year I was a very budget-watch person. This year I started to really treasure the value of watch. Not resell value but more about the enjoyment and timelessness of a watch.

This is shown by the fact that I only bought 1 watch this year, and it’s a Rolex. Buying Rolex is kind of controversial given how much love and hate it received. Another controversial thing is I haven’t even got my hands on it yet. And it’s been months after purchase. I think I will write all about it later.

Order from latest interest to the oldest interest.

All-purpose

Brand	Model No.	Picture	Case size	Case height	Owned	Notes
Tudor	Black Bay 39 (M79660-0001)		39mm	??mm		For some reason I often prefer smooth bazel. Even in the Black Bay collection I think this is more interesting than traditional divers as well. Also I like it more than the Tudor Ranger. However the Tudor brand has been hurt badly in China because of its selling strategy. I don’t know if I would ever spend my money to get one. It is poisoned by Rolex’s success. MSRP $4025
Rolex	Explorer 40mm Oyster Steel (224270)		40mm	12mm		Was never my interest after watching a lot of Youtube videos. But I immediately fell in love after trying it on in the Rolex store. Much better than the Submariner when trying it on.
Seiko	“Alpinist” SPB121J1		39.5mm	13.2mm		Movement 6R35. See my post last year

Chronograph

Brand	Model No.	Picture	Case size	Case height	Owned	Notes
Zenith	Chronomaster Original Triple Calendar (Ref 03.3400.3610/38.M3200)		38mm	??mm		No more weird different-color subdials. Daytona next best thing? A great upgrade from my Orient panda. Also an interesting 1/10 second chrono and moonphase and all the other complications. Is there a see-through case back? MSRP $13900
Hanhart	417 ES 1954 Flyback Reverse Panda 39		39mm	13.3mm		Heavily influenced by TGV… But this is a gorgeous watch.
Orient	Neo 70’s Panda (WV0041TX)		42mm	11.7mm		From 2016. My review post
Seiko	Spirit Solar Chronograph SBPY119		41mm	11.4mm		My review post
Rolex	Daytona (126500LN)		40mm	11.9mm		It’s funny I had interest in this watch before I had any knowledge about watches. And I like it because it looks like a Seiko (not the other way around) a waiter weared. After I became aware of the Daytona situation I don’t think I will ever want to own one. It’s just not safe to wear it. Still this is a perfect look to me and I am impressed by the thickness which no other watch brand seems to be able to deliver. (Actually there are: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Ref. 26331ST.OO.1220ST.01 or .02. But they are self-winding and way too expensive.)

Dress

Brand	Model No.	Picture	Case size	Case height	Owned	Notes
Seiko	King Seiko SPB279		37.0mm	12.1mm		The look of the watch checked all my boxes. However I have already had another watch of the same crappy movement with only half the price… The movement is just not worth the price tag.
Cartier	Santos (White Dial. Medium Model)		Width 35.1mm	8.83mm		The medium model white dial Santos is just so classy. I used to make fun of a friend who bought it for being a “niche Cartier watch”. But after trying it on and getting more knowledge of its history, this becomes my most wanted watch now. I did hear some bad things about how fragile it is and I need a very good reason for another luxury purchase.
Jaeger-LeCoultre	Reverso (Ref TBD)					For a very long time I wanted to own a blue-dial Master Control Ultra Thin Moon. But when I tried on a Reverso I immediately understood why this is the most popular JLC model. It’s just special.
A. Lange & Söhne	Lange 1 (191.039)		38.5mm	9.8mm		Maybe I will be able to get one before I died :) Who knows.