I have two decent watches - an Omega with the coaxial escapement invented by George Daniels (auto biography well worth a read but his book on watchmaking can be hard going if, like me, you have dyslexia) and an IWC pilot's chronograph. I bought the latter because it's so clear you can read it across the room - handy when speaking at conferences. Together they cost in the region of ten grand but I've had them a while and was fortunate to buy them tax free. One is slow (Omega) and the other is fast (IWC) but both within chronometer standards. If you want something that will keep exceptional time without exceptional costs ignore 'certified chronometers' and buy a Grand Seiko or something quartz from a supermarket. My everyday watch carries the Superdry brand, keeps very good time, costs less than 20 quid and the face and strap glow in the dark - how cool is that?
I see an automatic watch as romantic. I have so little energy thanks to the drugs that keep me on the planet that any device that can capture it to be a thing of wonder.
