Hard to believe that I have already completed 10 hands-on watch reviews! Hopefully many more to come! I hope you have enjoyed reading the reviews as much as I have enjoyed writing about the watches and taking photos of them. In honor of this small milestone, I would like to take a look back at my first 10 watch reviews and share with everyone some of my personal highlights.
Highest Overall Score: 92 points
Coincidentally, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph (26400SO) is also the most expensive watch of the group. With a retail price of $33,400, this watch better have the highest overall score! The quality, fit and finish, plus the various remarkable design elements, make this piece a well-rounded champ.
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph
Lowest Overall Score: 60 points
Though the Swatch Sistem51 (Blue) scored the lowest, it is important to keep in mind that it is also the cheapest watch of the group at only $150. As much as I appreciate the fun and unique spirit of the watch (and price!), I cannot help but notice that it lacks in too many ways.
The first four variations of the Swatch Sistem51.
Most Surprising Overall
This one has to go to the Devon Tread 1 (Version C). The unique technology is obviously commendable, but one of the things that I most enjoy about this watch is how comfortable and easy to wear it is despite its large size. Seeing people’s faces when they notice the watch is priceless.
Devon Tread 1 (Version C)
Most Disappointing Overall
Probably the most disappointing watch reviewed to date is the Girard-Perregaux Chrono Hawk. I had high expectations for this one... a seemingly beautiful watch that simply fell short in terms of features, comfort, and value.
Girard-Perregaux Chrono Hawk
Highlight in Case Category
Audemars Piguet is king when it comes to the cases of their watches and their related components. The brushed finish and polished chamfered edges are simply gorgeous... hard to beat.
It is all in the details.
Highlight in Dial Category
The dial on the Maurice Lacroix Masterpiece Gravity is simply stunning… what is there not to like?
Maurice Lacroix Masterpiece Gravity, limited to 250 pieces.
Highlight in Strap Category
The Oyster bracelet from Rolex is arguably the best bracelet in the market. They are adjustable in multiple ways, beautiful to look at, extremely comfortable on the wrist, and the quality is excellent.
Rolex GMT-Master II
Highlight in Movement Category
The two winners here are the Swatch Sistem51 and the Devon Tread 1. The Swatch has an innovative manufacture movement with only 51 parts, one screw, and fully assembled by robots. The Devon, which is just as innovative as the Swatch (albeit completely different), will give you the butterflies when you see the belts on the dial move.
An automatic movement with only 51 parts for $150. Need I say more?
Microstep motors move the belts on the dial with speed and precision.
Highlight in Legibility Category
The biggest shocker here is probably how hard to read the Swatch Sistem51 can be (blue and red versions). Due to the constellation design on the dial, finding the hour and minute hands is quite challenging.
Swatch Sistem51
Highlight in Operation Category
Most watches were easy to operate and functioned as intended. Unfortunately, the CT Scuderia Dashboard has a crown that was hard to manipulate due to its location. The Swatch Sistem51 also suffered from a hard to pull crown.
CT Scuderia Dashboard
Highlight in Features Category
The watch with the most features (in terms of aesthetics and functions) was the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore. The ceramic bezel, ceramic crown insert, and ceramic chrono pushers are b-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l.
Audemars Piguet wins again.
Highlight in Comfort Category
It should be no surprise that the Rolex Oyster bracelet received a perfect 10 on both watches (GMT-Master II and Explorer II). It is hands down my favorite bracelet in the market in terms of comfort and quality. The surprise in this category has to be the Devon Tread 1. Despite its behemoth size, it is incredibly comfortable and easy to wear.
Rolex Explorer II
The massive rubber strap matches the massive watch case, but it is also extremely comfortable on the wrist.
Highlight in Value Category
Rolex ranked highest in this category. With their undeniable global brand recognition and strong resale value, buying a Rolex is usually a safe proposition. The Maurice Lacroix Pontos Chronographe Retro tied with the two Rolexes with 13 points for a good reason. The fit and finish on the Maurice Lacroix Pontos Chronographe Retro is fantastic... and the price is stupid affordable. If you are able to pick one up in the second hand market, you will be getting insane bang for your buck (even at retail, you get a lot of watch for what you pay IMHO). The SevenFriday P1-1 scored the lowest in this category with only 8 points... at over $1,000 I certainly expect the watch to have sapphire crystal and a Swiss movement.
One of the few watch brands with a strong resale value.
Great bang for your buck.
MY FIRST 10 HANDS-ON REVIEWS (alphabetical order)
• Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph (26400SO)
• CT Scuderia Dashboard
• Devon Tread 1 (Version C)
• Girard-Perregaux Chrono Hawk
• Maurice Lacroix Masterpiece Gravity
• Maurice Lacroix Pontos Chronographe Retro
• Rolex Explorer II (Polar)
• Rolex GMT-Master II (BLNR)
• SevenFriday P1-1
• Swatch Sistem51 (Blue)
My first 10 watch reviews, ranked by highest overall score.
This Monta Oceanking was reviewed on 10 different criteria. The review is for this specific watch, other models may perform differently. Evaluation is based on my wrist size, personal opinions, experiences, and preferences.