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Jeremy Kirkland's Must-Haves: Timeless Style at Different Price Points

The Blamo! tastemaker offers up a curated selection of his favorite watches on Bezel, including picks from Tudor, Rolex, Jaeger-LeCoultre, and more.

By

Jeremy Kirkland

July 12, 2024

/

6 min read

Blamo! host Jeremy Kirkland’s honest enthusiasm for all things fashion, design, and contemporary culture is simply infectious. Likewise, his perspectives on collecting bring an always-welcome sense of truth and levity to the wild world of watches. With this in mind, we tasked the tastemaker with creating a curated selection of his favorite watches on Bezel, including picks from Tudor, Rolex, Jaeger-LeCoultre, and more. 

Shop the entire Blamo collection here.

Jeremy Kirkland’s Must-Haves

A lot of folks who get into watches love to gatekeep since they don’t want everyone collecting the same watches they’ve got. Personally, I’ve always been somewhat confused by this, as, in my opinion, telling everyone why I love certain watches is one of the most enjoyable parts of the game. So, dig into my favorites and what I’m staring at most days while I ponder my next purchase.

Longines Avigation BigEye Ref. L2.816.4.53.2

If you find yourself mumbling “Wow, all of these are too expensive” under your breath, allow me to recommend the Avigation BigEye from Longines. I love new and vintage Longines, including but not limited to this model from the brand’s Heritage collection. It’s one of my favorites from the past few years, and you can even get it under retail.

Tudor Black Bay 58 Ref. M79030B-0001

If you’re looking for one of your first nice watches, and want something that’ll make you walk a little taller, you need a Tudor Black Bay 58. Everyone should have one in their collection, even if the collection is just one watch. Pssst–I go for the blue over the black. 

Rolex Day-Date Ref. 18238

I will admit, if I had to sell my collection and consolidate things down to one single watch, I’d buy a Rolex Day-Date. More specifically, a double-quickset. Yes, it holds its value, yes, it’s a nearly-unchanged design, and yes, you can wear it for almost every occasion. It’s still the flagship Rolex, and for me, the brand’s most important watch since its release in 1956.

Patek Philipe Calatrava Ref. 5196P-001

When you’re in the market for your fourth or fifth watch, and realize the stainless sport watch isn’t hitting like it used to–jump to a time-only PLATINUM Patek Philippe with Breguet numerals. The Patek Philippe Calatrava Ref. 5196P-001 is a faithful evolution of the original Calatrava (Ref. 96) and is just right at 37 mm across. Also, it’s platinum. Holy moly, it’s platinum!

Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin Ref. 145.1.79.S

Jaeger-LeCoultre continues to be one of the most underrated brands. Yes, we all know the legendary Reverso series, but the Master Ultra Thin is my jam.

This 34 mm (yes, that’s right) Master in yellow gold is just perfect. It’s a manual-wound, neo-vintage dream. The dial is beautiful, and it strikes that perfect line between understated and “Wait, what is that!?” Did I mention the price is spot on?! Also, the JLC 839 movement sings, and is not even 2mm thick—there’s a reason it’s unchanged from its debut in 1962. Someone buy it before I do.

Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin Perpetual Ref. Q1302520

If you find that reference too small and want a big dog, go with a MUT Perpetual for less than 20k. Flex on, my friend.

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