Today’s independents aren’t battling over complication, they’re battling to perfect simplicity. Erik & Max asked you for your most expressive formats of Time Only watchmaking. Now, it’s time to relay some of the best three-handers the world has ever seen and why. This reaches far beyond the known models to Tortoise automatons, dad watches, 530s, Elegantes, and Klings. 

Links Mentioned:

Max’s Goldberger Correction:

https://www.monacolegendauctions.com/auction/exclusive-timepieces-35/lot-110

Greatest Number of Votes:

https://www.phillips.com/detail/philippe-dufour/CH080221/115?fromSearch=simplicity

https://hairspring.com/finds/rexhep-rexhepi-chronometre-contemporain-rrcc1/

https://hairspring.com/finds/2526-patek-philippe-calatrava-white-gold/

Mid-Range Votes:

FPJ Debate:

CS:

https://hairspring.com/exclusives/fp-journe/chronometre-souverain-pink-gold/

Vagabondage:

https://hairspring.com/finds/fp-journe-vagabondage-ii-platinum/

https://hairspring.com/finds/fp-journe-vagabondage-iii-in-pink-gold/

Remaining Calatravas:

530:

https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/patek-philippe-reference-530-most-important-2017

https://le-monde-edmond.com/patek-530-black-dial/

2508:

https://www.phillips.com/detail/patek-philippe/CH080224/131

565:

https://www.phillips.com/detail/patek-philippe/CH080122/280

570:

https://www.phillips.com/detail/patek-philippe/CH080319/43

Tool Watches:

https://hairspring.com/finds/king-sub-6200-rolex-submariner/

https://hairspring.com/finds/1-of-150-blancpain-barakuda-fifty-fathoms/

https://hairspring.com/finds/mark-3-dial-1016-rolex-explorer/

https://hairspring.com/finds/honeycomb-dial-6350-rolex-explorer-2/

https://perezcope.com/2017/03/17/the-history-of-panerai-watches-at-a-glance/

Cartier:

https://hairspring.com/finds/cartier-cpcp-tank-a-guichets-in-rose-gold/

https://hairspring.com/exclusives/cartier/prive-tank-normale-platinum/

https://hairspring.com/finds/salmon-dial-nso-cartier-crash/

https://hairspring.com/finds/78086-cartier-paris-tank-louis-grande-with-beads-of-rice-bracelet/

https://hairspring.com/exclusives/cartier/tank-cintree-100th-anniversary-yellow-gold/

LF:

https://hairspring.com/exclusives/laurent-ferrier/galet-traveller-red-gold/

Chopard 1.96:

https://hairspring.com/finds/16-1860-2-chopard-luc-calibre-1-96-2/

Lange:

260.028 PLM:

https://langepedia.com/a-lange-sohne-richard-lange/richard-lange-pour-le-merite/

239.050 Homage to FA:

https://hairspring.com/exclusives/a-lange-sohne/239-050-1815-thin-homage-to-fa-lange-honey-gold/

222.048 Side Step:

https://www.europeanwatch.com/blog/a-lange-and-sohne-1815-side-step-222-048-wempe-review

Single Replies:

5072:

https://shop.hodinkee.com/products/1950s-audemars-piguet-oversized-ref-5072-with-small-signature

https://www.acollectedman.com/blogs/journal/interview-raul-pages

https://www.haldimann.swiss/en/

Tortoise:

https://pageswatches.com/automaton-tortoise/

Only Wrist:

https://hairspring.com/exclusives/fp-journe/elegante-48-titanium/

https://www.phillips.com/article/106928748/interview-christian-klings-on-psychology-the-calming-effect-of-geneva-stripes-and-georges-80th

https://quillandpad.com/2023/06/17/collecting-and-patronage-two-unique-watches-from-independent-watchmaker-christian-klings-reprise/