--- title: A Guide to Great Watches description: A well-made watch is a special and lasting investment. Here's co-founder Joe Lotuff's guide to the best of the best timepieces. image: https://blog.lotuffleather.com/hubfs/DSC_0931_2048x2048.jpg --- [** ](https://blog.lotuffleather.com/a-guide-to-great-watches#) [![black_Lotuff_logo.jpg](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0213/4994/t/13/assets/logo.svg?10524817447150324571 "black_Lotuff_logo.jpg")](http://lotuffleather.com) ## The Essentials:   A Guide to Great Watches By **Liz Silvia** on Mar 7, 2017   •   Topic: [The Essentials](https://blog.lotuffleather.com/topic/the-essentials) --- - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ![Guide to Great Watches: Rolex, IWC ](https://blog.lotuffleather.com/hs-fs/hubfs/DSC_0931_2048x2048.jpg?width=1143&name=DSC_0931_2048x2048.jpg "Guide to Great Watches: Rolex, IWC ") In the age of smartphones and laptops, it’s often nice to have a timepiece that does exactly what it’s supposed to and won’t lose its luster with the introduction of a new edition. Long-lasting and increasingly beautiful with age, a watch is one of those things that acts as a perpetual reminder of where it came from and why it’s still around. It’s not just about the workmanship: oftentimes, an item like this is a gift or heirloom passed down from one to another, and the associated memories render it all the more valuable and special. As a watch aficionado himself, co-founder Joe Lotuff comments below on an assortment of eight pieces whose stories and history are as varied as their faces and bands.   ![Rolex Daytona and Rolex GMT Master II watches](https://blog.lotuffleather.com/hs-fs/hubfs/DSC_09311_1360x.jpg?width=1143&name=DSC_09311_1360x.jpg "Rolex Daytona and Rolex GMT Master II watches") Of all the watches in this collection, the **Rolex Daytona** is the one I like most. This company has such a great, varied history, and because the Daytona model varies slightly in construction over time, it’s easy to date and interesting to observe the changes that it’s undergone. Popularized by Paul Newman, the Daytona passed its 50th anniversary in 2012, making its design slightly newer than the **Rolex GMT Master II**. The Master II style launched in 1954 and is a bit more classic in terms of appearance, although no less sleek. The cyclops and lug holes on this particular one indicate that it’s on the older side, although it hasn’t gone “tropical” yet. A few more days out in the sun, and its face might just develop that coveted brown, leather-like patina.    ![A. Lange Sohne Sax-O-Mats watches](https://blog.lotuffleather.com/hs-fs/hubfs/DSC_09267_1360x.jpg?width=1143&name=DSC_09267_1360x.jpg "A. Lange Sohne Sax-O-Mats watches") Similar to the Master II is the 1994 **IWC Aquatimer 3719**, an automatic style made of titanium and offering a clear, modernized dive timer. It’s clear that this is a sturdy, well-made watch, but it should be noted that a watch doesn’t have to be obvious to be extraordinary. Take the two **A. Lange Sohne Sax-O-Mats**, for instance; these German watches are extremely subtle and craftsmanship-focused, but the proof is in the details. The exposed back shows off their gorgeous inner mechanisms- but this isn’t visible unless the watch isn’t being worn. The calendar date is large and blissfully easy to read- but this doesn’t register until squinting at the tiny numbers on the face of another.    ![Omega Seamaster, Seth Thomas, and Bulova Accutron watches](https://blog.lotuffleather.com/hs-fs/hubfs/DSC_0926_1360x.jpg?width=1143&name=DSC_0926_1360x.jpg "Omega Seamaster, Seth Thomas, and Bulova Accutron watches") Of course, simplicity has its place, too. The **Omega Seamaster** has been around since the late 1940s, and I find this 1952 edition to be a really appealing design for its worn-in look and unusual date window at the 6:00 hand. The **Seth Thomas** and **Bulova Accutron** are likewise deceptively unique, with the former being quite rare — the company is mainly known for its grandfather clocks —and the latter offering an innovative Swiss tuning fork.    ![Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Grande GMT watch](https://blog.lotuffleather.com/hs-fs/hubfs/DSC_0915_1360x.jpg?width=1143&name=DSC_0915_1360x.jpg "Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Grande GMT watch") Lastly, there’s the **Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Grande GMT**, a watch in a league all its own. With a day-night indicator, GMT display, and more, the sheer number of complications alone make it stand out- not to mention the fact that it’s a dual-faced model, allowing for two different time zones to be captured in one watch. Any discrepancies aside, what these watches all share is that they’ve built a good reputation for themselves and have proved they can stand the test of time. Regardless of whether they’re Swiss or German, classic or modern, they’ll keep running through the years and from wrist to wrist.  ### Subscribe to Our Blog ### Leave a Comment ### Posts by Topic - [12 Days of Gifting (12)](https://blog.lotuffleather.com/topic/12-days-of-gifting) - [A Lotuff Life (3)](https://blog.lotuffleather.com/topic/a-lotuff-life) - [Gift Guides (2)](https://blog.lotuffleather.com/topic/gift-guides) - [Gifts with Personality (7)](https://blog.lotuffleather.com/topic/gifts-with-personality) - [Making the Best (116)](https://blog.lotuffleather.com/topic/making-the-best) - [Meet the Team (13)](https://blog.lotuffleather.com/topic/meet-the-team) - [The Essentials (112)](https://blog.lotuffleather.com/topic/the-essentials) - [The Weekender (145)](https://blog.lotuffleather.com/topic/the-weekender) - [Travel Guide (76)](https://blog.lotuffleather.com/topic/travel-guide) ### Popular Posts ### Blog Archive - [May 2017 (20)](https://blog.lotuffleather.com/archive/2017/05) - [October 2016 (18)](https://blog.lotuffleather.com/archive/2016/10) - [March 2017 (18)](https://blog.lotuffleather.com/archive/2017/03) - [August 2018 (18)](https://blog.lotuffleather.com/archive/2018/08) - [August 2016 (17)](https://blog.lotuffleather.com/archive/2016/08) - [April 2018 (17)](https://blog.lotuffleather.com/archive/2018/04) - [May 2018 (17)](https://blog.lotuffleather.com/archive/2018/05) - [October 2018 (17)](https://blog.lotuffleather.com/archive/2018/10) - [September 2016 (16)](https://blog.lotuffleather.com/archive/2016/09) - [November 2016 (16)](https://blog.lotuffleather.com/archive/2016/11) - [April 2017 (16)](https://blog.lotuffleather.com/archive/2017/04) - [June 2017 (16)](https://blog.lotuffleather.com/archive/2017/06) - [March 2018 (16)](https://blog.lotuffleather.com/archive/2018/03) - [July 2018 (16)](https://blog.lotuffleather.com/archive/2018/07) - [February 2018 (15)](https://blog.lotuffleather.com/archive/2018/02) - [July 2017 (14)](https://blog.lotuffleather.com/archive/2017/07) - [June 2018 (14)](https://blog.lotuffleather.com/archive/2018/06) - [September 2018 (14)](https://blog.lotuffleather.com/archive/2018/09) - [March 2019 (14)](https://blog.lotuffleather.com/archive/2019/03) - [November 2017 (13)](https://blog.lotuffleather.com/archive/2017/11) - [November 2018 (13)](https://blog.lotuffleather.com/archive/2018/11) - [December 2019 (13)](https://blog.lotuffleather.com/archive/2019/12) - [February 2017 (12)](https://blog.lotuffleather.com/archive/2017/02) - [August 2017 (12)](https://blog.lotuffleather.com/archive/2017/08) - [January 2018 (12)](https://blog.lotuffleather.com/archive/2018/01) - [September 2017 (11)](https://blog.lotuffleather.com/archive/2017/09) - [October 2017 (11)](https://blog.lotuffleather.com/archive/2017/10) - [April 2019 (10)](https://blog.lotuffleather.com/archive/2019/04) - [June 2016 (9)](https://blog.lotuffleather.com/archive/2016/06) - [December 2017 (9)](https://blog.lotuffleather.com/archive/2017/12) - [December 2016 (8)](https://blog.lotuffleather.com/archive/2016/12) - [January 2017 (8)](https://blog.lotuffleather.com/archive/2017/01) - [August 2019 (8)](https://blog.lotuffleather.com/archive/2019/08) - [December 2018 (7)](https://blog.lotuffleather.com/archive/2018/12) - [May 2019 (7)](https://blog.lotuffleather.com/archive/2019/05) - [July 2019 (6)](https://blog.lotuffleather.com/archive/2019/07) - [September 2019 (6)](https://blog.lotuffleather.com/archive/2019/09) - [June 2019 (5)](https://blog.lotuffleather.com/archive/2019/06) - [October 2019 (5)](https://blog.lotuffleather.com/archive/2019/10) - [November 2019 (5)](https://blog.lotuffleather.com/archive/2019/11) - [January 2019 (4)](https://blog.lotuffleather.com/archive/2019/01) - [February 2019 (4)](https://blog.lotuffleather.com/archive/2019/02) - [September 2015 (3)](https://blog.lotuffleather.com/archive/2015/09) - [July 2016 (3)](https://blog.lotuffleather.com/archive/2016/07) - [May 2016 (2)](https://blog.lotuffleather.com/archive/2016/05) [Contact](https://lotuffleather.com/pages/contact) [About](https://lotuffleather.com/pages/our-story) [Stockists](https://lotuffleather.com/pages/stockists) [Terms & Conditions](https://lotuffleather.com/pages/terms-and-conditions) [Customer Service](https://lotuffleather.com/pages/customer-service) [Sitemap](https://lotuffleather.com/pages/sitemap) ![](https://blog.lotuffleather.com/hubfs/Lotuff%20Logo/logo.svg "logo.svg") [EMAIL US](mailto:info@lotuffleather.com) [  Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/lotuffleather/) [[fa icon="twitter"] Twitter ](https://twitter.com/LotuffLeather) [[fa icon="facebook"] Facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/LotuffLeather) [[fa icon="pinterest"] Pinterest ](https://www.pinterest.com/lotuffleather/) 1 Sims Ave, Providence, RI [info@lotuffleather.com](mailto:info@lotuffleather.com) [888 763 2247](tel:18887632247) © 2026 Lotuff Leather. 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