A Wish List of 5 Iconic Watches for the Holidays

Iconic watches are the lifeblood of the second-hand watch market and this wish list of five such timepieces from StockX is notable.

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Every watch collector has their own taste. But there are some watches everyone agrees are testaments to style, horological feats and technical innovation. These iconic classics are watches that any watch enthusiast would love to have in their collection.

The pre-owned watch market used to be a very confusing place. But the emergence and growth of online marketplace StockX has shored up that skepticism. Watch buyers know exactly what theyโ€™re getting when they purchase on StockX, and thatโ€™s a big help during the holidays. Master watchmakers and technicians assess every facet of every timepiece to determine the condition and verify the watchโ€™s authenticity โ€” which, in turn, assures buyers theyโ€™re getting exactly what theyโ€™re paying for.

If you, or the watch enthusiast you know, is looking to add an iconic timepiece for the holidays, then StockX should be your first destination. Weโ€™ve assembled a list of five legendary timepieces available on StockX that are good jumping-off points for any watch collection.

Omega Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch

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The Omega Speedmaster Professional was the first watch on the moon โ€” it doesnโ€™t get much more acclaimed for a watch than that. Even before the infamous moonwalk in 1969, the Speedmaster was already heavily utilized by American astronauts. This 42mm version is a modern evolution of the early chronographs that Omega provided to those space pioneers. A hesalite crystal and steel case back help this model retain a retro quality that is an admirable tribute to the engineering prowess of the Omega Speedmaster.

Oris Divers Sixty-Five

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There arenโ€™t many vintage-inspired dive watches better done on a consistent basis than the Oris Divers Sixty-Five. A revival of the iconic diverโ€™s watch that first appeared in the Oris collection 50 years ago, the modern version shares the retro looks of the 1960s original. The 42mm case is made of anti-corrosive stainless steel and the bubble-curved glass is made of scratch-resistant sapphire crystal and comes with anti-reflective coating on the inside to reduce glare and increase legibility underwater. The dark brown leather strap and blue dial round this timepiece out as a treat on the second-hand market.

Rolex GMT-Master II

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The Rolex โ€œBatmanโ€ is undoubtedly one of the most esteemed GMT timepieces on the market. When it was released in 2013, it was the first watch to ever achieve a multi-colored, one-piece ceramic bezel โ€” the blue and black color combo is where it gets the โ€œBatmanโ€ nickname. Additional elevated details include white gold Mercedes hands, Rolexโ€™s renowned in-house automatic caliber 3186 movement, the patented Triplock crown and a GMT hand that cleverly matches the blue on the multi-colored bezel. You canโ€™t go wrong with this 40mm Rolex GMT-Master II.

IWC Big Pilot IW5002-01

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The 5002-01 was the first series of the Big Pilot timepiece IWC Schaffhausen resurrected in 2002 to pay tribute to its historical aviation instrument watches. The Big Pilot has since become a staple for IWC, but this first series has some standout details that IWC altered in most of the following iterations of the Big Pilot series. This 46mm behemoth offers a unique dial with a complete index at 12 oโ€™clock, a bold counterweighted seconds hand and a railroad style chapter ring around the power reserve. The 5002-01 is an essential watch for any fan of pilotโ€™s watches.

Patek Philippe Calatrava 5196G

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The Calatrava series from Patek Philippe has become something of a โ€œholy grailโ€ for modern watch collectors and newbies alike. And the Ref. 5196G is the contemporary reinterpretation of the historic Ref. 96 (the first in the Calatrava series). This 37mm manually wound watch comes with a white gold case and customary alligator strap. The dial features impeccable details like applied hour markers and outer minute ring, dauphine hands and a minimalist sub-dial. While the 5196G pays homage to the original it is also very much an icon itself.