The Quest for the Perfect 3-Watch Collection (And Why It Might Just Include a Rolex)

Ask any watch lover what the perfect three-watch collection looks like, and you’ll open a floodgate of opinion. The Reddit thread that recently took over r/Watches made that clear: there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but the formula tends to follow a familiar rhythm—something for daily wear, something for dress, and something with a bit of edge or heritage. The real magic? Balancing variety, personal taste, and versatility across just three pieces.

Most collectors agree that three watches can cover nearly every situation life throws at you—from the office to a weekend hike to a black-tie event. That’s the appeal. It’s intentional, edited, and forces clarity. It also means that every piece in your trio needs to earn its keep. No passengers. Only purpose.

The Reddit hive mind threw out hundreds of suggestions, but a few themes stood out. The everyday watch is often a diver or field watch—something rugged, water-resistant, and wearable with anything. Think Tudor Black Bay, Omega Seamaster, or yes, the ever-iconic Rolex Submariner. These watches are the workhorses. They’re the ones you forget you're wearing until someone else notices.

Then there's the dress watch—clean, understated, thin enough to slip under a cuff. This is where Grand Seiko, Cartier Tank, or a vintage Omega De Ville come into play. But don’t sleep on a Rolex Datejust here, either. With the right dial and bracelet combo, it glides effortlessly between casual and formal.

Finally, the third slot—the wildcard. This is your flex piece, your statement, your emotional pick. It might be a vintage chronograph, a funky G-Shock, a MoonSwatch, or even a mechanical oddball like a Nomos or Ming. It’s where your personality lives in the collection. But for some, that wildcard could be a gold Day-Date or a Batman GMT—something iconic, indulgent, but still steeped in watchmaking legacy.

Across all the examples in the discussion, one brand kept reappearing: Rolex. Not always in every slot, but almost always somewhere. Why? Because Rolex watches do it all. They’re durable enough for everyday life, refined enough for formal wear, and recognized enough to make a statement. The Submariner. The Explorer. The Oyster Perpetual. The GMT-Master II. Pick your flavor—they’ve all earned their place in three-watch lore.

And now, with Rolex’s expanding Certified Pre-Owned program (which recently changed its rules to include watches as young as two years old), there’s never been a better time to build your trio the smart way. You don’t need to be on a boutique waitlist or overpay on the grey market. A CPO Rolex gives you peace of mind, official backing, and that same crown-on-the-dial confidence.

At One More Time Watches, we believe every great collection tells a story—and we’re here to help you write yours. Whether you’re starting with your first piece or hunting for that perfect third slot, we’ve got the Rolex (and more) to match your vision. Come explore our curated lineup and build your perfect three-watch collection—one more time.