Do you remember your first watch? Whether it was a plastic watch or a toy, watches do more than tell the time; sometimes they are a gift from a loved one or from ourselves. For some watches are milestones of different achievements in life, a promotion, a marriage, or a gift. In these times, luxury timepieces from brands like Rolex, Jaeger-LeCoutre, or Cartier have been the go-to choices for such a big purchase. So if you are looking for an unforgettable gift for yourself or a loved one, here are the most iconic first watches to consider!
Our picks for the most iconic first watches for you first luxury timepiece
When deciding which of these iconic first watches to include in this list, we had to consider three main things: iconic status, versatility, and visual appeal. Since you will be spending a lot of dough on this timepiece, it had better be an outstanding one. Your first luxury timepiece may also be your only watch for awhile, thus it needs to fit a variety of situations. Finally, the watch needs to take your breath away every time you look at your wrist. Checking the time should feel like a pleasant distraction and not a mundane task.
The watches we have chosen are not the most bombastic blinged-out pieces, rather they showcase modesty and elegance. These watches are recognisable from afar but won’t blind those admiring your timepiece. And as they are robust and well-made pieces, they will prove to be great personal heirlooms. Whether it’s a dressy Rolex, a sleek Grand Seiko, or a tough Breitling, these iconic first watches will stand the test of time.
hottest slim watches in town this month" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, (max-width: 650px) 75vw, (max-width: 900px) 40vw, 1000px" loading="lazy"> (Hero and feature image credit: Rolex)
1 /7
Nothing symbolises success and achievement quite like a Rolex Datejust. Here we have suggested a classic 36mm size in modest silver dial, but feel free to choose gold, rose, or platinum variants if it fits your budget. Apart from it’s iconic design with it’s signature jubilee bracelet, this Rolex model has a lot of history behind it.
Seen on the wrists of U.S. Presidents, Golden-age movie stars, and musicians, the datejust has become a symbol for class and gravitas. It’s design has gone through tweaks and material changes overtime but it’s core identity with a the fluted bezel, cyclops crystal and jubilee bracelet have remained unchanged.
The current version of the datejust is powered by the 3235 movement, a Swiss chronometer certified movement which runs at -2/+2 seconds a day. It also features a Paramagnetic Oscillator that gives greater resistance to magnetism. You could also get vintage models from the 1990s with the 3135 movement that can be found for more reasonable prices on the used market.
Retail price: RM40,850
Image by Rolex
2 /7
Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso is distilled sophistication. Originally designed in 1931 for polo players who wanted to protect their watch glass, the Reverso’s signature case flips over to shield the dial—combining mechanical ingenuity with a timeless aesthetic.
And surprisingly, its geometric lines and rectangular case design have remained mostly unchanged for nearly a century, making it one of the most recognisable dress watches ever made. The watch has been worn by all sorts of iconic figures like Amelia Earhart and Christian Bale’s Bruce Wayne in The Dark Knight. It brings an old-world charm that feels both vintage and modern.
The Reverso Classic Large Small Seconds is powered by the in-house Calibre 822/2, a manually wound movement with 42 hours of power reserve. This specific reference comes with a silver guilloché dial with Arabic numerals and an elegant leather strap. This makes it the perfect understated companion to any formal attire.
Retail price: RM58,000
The Cartier Tank is a watch that is a cultural icon. It’s design was originally inspired by the Renault FT-17 tanks of World War I, its elongated Roman numeral dial and chemin-de-fer minute track have made it a staple on the wrists of fashion icons, politicians, and royalty for over a century.
From Princess Diana and Andy Warhol to Michelle Obama, the Tank is a universal signifier of elegance and power. It’s unique square shape may look simple, but Cartier’s masterful execution ensures it feels like jewellery on the wrist.
The Tank Must Large runs on a high-efficiency quartz movement, offering ease of maintenance and extreme accuracy. You can also purchase a version with an automatic 1847MC movement (named after Cartier’s founding year) or a manual-wind 430MC movement.
Retail price: RM14,200
Image by Cartier
If you’re a fan of dive watches, the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms should be on your grail list. It was the first modern dive watch developed in 1953 (predating even the Rolex Submariner) and was built for French Navy combat swimmers and later adopted by militaries worldwide.
Its large luminous indices, unidirectional rotating bezel, and water resistance of up to 300 metres helped set the standard for all diving watches to follow. This version comes in a compact 38mm satin-brushed steel case with a sleek black dial and stainless steel bracelet.
Powered by the in-house calibre 1315, the Fifty Fathoms offers an impressive 120-hour power reserve and anti-magnetic properties, making it a powerhouse for any underwater adventurer or collector of serious horology.
Retail price: RM83,100
Image by Blancpain
5 /7
The Breitling Navitimer is a pilot watch with great history and an iconic design. Launched in 1952 and embraced by aviation professionals, the Navitimer’s signature slide-rule bezel allows pilots to make quick calculations for flight time, fuel usage, and conversions.
This modern 41mm iteration keeps the classic three-subdial chronograph layout with a sunburst black dial and contrasting silver registers. Its stainless steel case and bracelet also keep it robust yet dressy at the same time.
At its heart is the COSC-certified Breitling Manufacture Caliber 01, an automatic movement boasting a 70-hour power reserve and column wheel chronograph. Perfect for those who want a complication-packed timepiece with serious aviation heritage.
Retail price: 44,800
Image by Breitling
The Seamaster is Omega’s most iconic watch. It started in 1948 as a durable watch made to resist all the elements. Eventually, it evolved into a diver watch, way before it was made famous by Pierce Brosnan’s James Bond in GoldenEye. Today, the Omega Seamaster Diver 300M is the gateway into luxury dive watches. With its distinctive wave-pattern dial, scalloped bezel, and helium escape valve, the Seamaster is both beautiful and tough.
The latest iteration features a 42mm stainless steel case, ceramic bezel with white enamel dive scale, and a laser-engraved blue ceramic dial. Inside, it houses the METAS-certified Calibre 8800 with co-axial escapement and magnetic resistance up to 15,000 gauss. In other words, it’s a watch you can bash around without worrying too much.
The market for vintage Omega Seamaster’s from the 1990s is also attractive, particularly for the models with the smaller 36mm cases. You can find the smaller Seamaster’s in the used market for around RM5,000 to RM10,000
Retail price: 29,100
Image by Omega
We could not have wrapped up this list without mentioning Seiko’s luxurious older brother Grand Seiko. The Grand Seiko ‘Snowflake’ is named after its delicately textured dial that mimics freshly fallen snow. The 41mm titanium timepiece is a symbol of Japanese craftsmanship and is set to become the next iconic watch from the respected Japanese brand.
It’s light on the wrist thanks to the high-intensity titanium case and bracelet, but what makes the Snowflake truly special is its Spring Drive movement—a unique fusion of mechanical power with quartz-level accuracy. The calibre 9R65 offers a power reserve of 72 hours and is accurate to ±1 second per day. A power reserve indicator and sweeping seconds hand round out the details. Looking at the smooth sweeping seconds hand is mesmerising and will keep your eyes fixed on the dial.
Retail price: RM 27,800
Image by Grand Seiko