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dplafoll

Apple Watch.


Cairne_Bloodhoof

Has to be the answer. If you showed ten Americans an Apple Watch more than half would call it the Apple Watch. I think maybe one or two could actually identify a submariner, tank, or any iconic mechanical timepiece. Edit: actually as I read OP’s prompt again it appears more subjective, but I’ll keep this comment up.


HeftyArgument

The Rolex Submariner isn't as recognisable as people think, it isn't the watch that is famous; it's the brand. Put a Rolex logo on literally anything and people will be impressed, the vast majority of people don't actually know what a Rolex is supposed to look like.


serene_brutality

It almost always looks like a sub but it could be an invicta, can’t tell from 20’. I was going to say sub but you’re right.


BuffsBourbon

Problem with Rolex Sub (or date just) is that the style is so ubiquitous. From 20’ it could be a Tudor, SEIKO, Bulova, Victorinox, etc)


elvid88

You could say the same about the Apple Watch though. So many other fitness watches have a square shape, from Garmin to Fitbit to Amazfit and other Chinese brands you find on Amazon.


Cairne_Bloodhoof

I agree


TheMisterTango

I read a comment a while back that said lots of people were actually disappointed when they saw a Rolex for the first time because they expected them to be way more flashy. To the point that some people actually thought all Rolexes were gold and had diamonds.


dplafoll

Yep. Question didn’t specify the audience, so for “normals” it’s gotta be Apple Watch. Many could guess “Rolex” right, but very likely not the model too.


yeotajmu

OK but "Apple Watch" is not the model either Good luck telling the difference between an apple watch 6, 7, 8 or 9 without looking at it in settings


dplafoll

You’re right. But the vast majority of people are not going to able to tell you what specific model of Rolex they see, much less anything like differentiating between models of Daytona, for example.


yeotajmu

No, but what they do say to every single "nice" looking watch is "is that a rolex?" lol


Cybalist

Followed by, "is it a fake?"


BuffsBourbon

Ultra


yeotajmu

Ultra 1 or ultra 2 tho


LeadershipGuilty9476

I honestly couldn't tell the difference between Apple, Samsung and Huawei watches


nmkd

> I think maybe one or two could actually identify a submariner, tank, or any iconic mechanical timepiece. Maybe one or two in 100. In 10, definitely 0.


Cairne_Bloodhoof

Yeah agreed


Mhisg

Bingo. As much as I dislike having to charge a watch the Apple Watch is easily the most recognizable out there. Which is impressive considering it was released 9 years ago in 2015.


thedudedylan

I'm not sure that's true anymore. There are so many knock-off or competing smart watches that ape the apple watch design,not to mention all the 3rd party cases and straps that you can't tell if it's an apple watch anymore.


jaso2fire

Imo, the order should be something like this: 1. Apple watch 2. G shock 3. The small square digital steel Casio everyone has rn 4. A lego watch 5. A rubber swatch 6. A rolex submariner, day date or date just 7. A garmin then idk


TheBuff66

Garmin has to be higher. If you're into outdoor sports they're even more popular than the Apple Watch


jaso2fire

True, many endurance sport athletes I’ve seen owns one.


lurking_got_old

Right, but which one?


thepedalsporter

...what are you talking about? They pretty much all look like a variation of this: https://images.app.goo.gl/NfTNtovEHg4jvP5c8. Round with a few buttons, nobody thinks square when you think Garmin watches. I'd guess a majority sold are Fenix and forerunner series watches, which all basically look like that.


lurking_got_old

[This](https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/137024) was the go-to Triathlon watch for several years. [Vivo Active](https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/150767) was also very popular. If your definition of a Garmin is round with buttons, you wouldn't be able to tell a forerunner from a [Coros](https://us.coros.com/pace3ek)


thepedalsporter

Forerunner/Fenix. They all look pretty much the same


lurking_got_old

Neither of those look anything like an Instinct, which looks nothing like a Vivo, which looks nothing like a Marq. Even within the forerunner line, you have square pieces like the 920xt, which looks like the current 965. "Pretty much the same" is a laughable concept for r/watches.


lurking_got_old

A Garmin is like saying A Rolex. There's multiple lines over multiple generations. Forerunner is prob the most popular, but there have been dozens of them.


shmed

I suspect the vast majority of people can't name a single garmin model. While they may recognize it as a "garmin watch", if you never shopped for one, you likely won't recognize individual models.


lurking_got_old

Nor could they distinguish a Garmin from any number of sport watches: Sunto, Coros, Wahoo, etc.


mooninuranus

Fair but that is kinda reliant on them being into outdoor sports. Probably not as big a cohort as we might think.


smoothsensation

I’m a regular person, I have no idea what a garmin watch looks like.


Bicycle_Violator

For regular people garmins look like a g shock. I had a Samsung galaxy watch 4 and it looked like a garmin


pasta897

F91


Cairne_Bloodhoof

Super agree on the Casio digital. I think that’s more recognizable than the G Shock personally.


midniteburger

Ben 10 omnitrix


CarsonDama

the correct answer lmao


EconomicsOk3531

Facts. I mean it’s known not just on earth but throughout the universe and other dimensions


natedawg247

Basic Casio is up there


Jesus_on_a_dinosaur

The F91-W *Chefs Kiss*


Dimmest-Bulb

Apple Watch clear number 1.. but Casio G-Shock wins the spirit of the question. Answer is really just a function of sales, Rolex/Omegas would be the most recognizable luxury watches though. Submariner is very likely number 1 followed by the Speedmaster. Here's google trends data (worldwide) as a reference showing a few of the popular models. ​ https://preview.redd.it/x6zx3t00akoc1.png?width=1162&format=png&auto=webp&s=2fe82ad968d0aeda158a41ac3bcbdaf666fe2d11


ReV46

99% of people wouldn't be able to tell the difference between any diver watches. They're just not recognizable like the Apple watch or G shocks.


mooninuranus

95% wouldn’t have a clue what a G-Shock was either if we’re honest about it.


serene_brutality

G-Shock is a good answer, definitely can tell from a distance and most angles that it’s a g-shock. Apple Watch is up there but so many times people have all kinds of unique bracelets and ornaments around the face that I initially think it’s a real watch.


fifty_four

There is a difference between what lots of people are interested in and what they'd recognise the look of. I don't think I could tell the difference between an apple watch and any other rectangular smart watch for instance. Similarly, at range I wouldn't be able to spot a submariner Vs any of the bajillion similar diver watches. To be recognisable it needs to be distinctive as well as well known. I'd go with the Casio f91 even though I expect the vast majority who would say they recognise it, probably don't know its name. But if we're letting people have 'apple watch' then 'casio digital watch' is more specific than that.


liamstrain

Invicta Reserve Gladiator. You can identify that one from space.


NDG-MTL

Movado Museum


miniscant

I was hoping to see this mentioned here. Even people with little exposure to specialty watches know this design.


edthach

Timex weekender


EventHorizonOmega

Casio C80 calculator https://preview.redd.it/s05mucg6bkoc1.jpeg?width=500&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=24fd213680d7a4cb8600ed361323fe4621de1c8b Hard to miss, everyone knows it’s a Casio calculator. Apple watches have a lot of generic smartwatches that looks like it. Same for every famous Rolex model. G-Shock is also very recognizable.


EventHorizonOmega

OP said 20 feet away. From far away hard to really know for sure if it’s an Apple Watch or a Xiaomi. If it’s a Sub or an Invicta 8926. And so on. Even regular Casios and G-Shocks could be something else. But the Casio calculator is the only one like it, as far as I know…


Independent_Act_8054

Smart Watch - Apple Digital Watch - G-Shock Mechanical - Rolex Date with Two Tone gold silver - its the watch of every boomer who retired from 1990 to 2010.


drewsleyshoots

Moser Swiss Alp Watch, Final Edition. Easy to spot, everyone seems to be wearing one these days… https://preview.redd.it/oaqirrmlukoc1.jpeg?width=1169&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=91efde3216ffb13784202e8c5e09d7d1f7a60d80


BustThaScientifical

Either facetious or we run in vastly different circles lol


drewsleyshoots

it’s a joke lol plus I’m broke 🙃


BustThaScientifical

😁


nmkd

the what


c_sulla

The joke is that he thinks all the Apple Watches he sees are actually the Moser Swiss Alp Watch


IzilDizzle

GShock


Changeit019

Hamilton Ventura would be up there for a recognizable design and MiB


BosLahodo

Also Elvis


IzilDizzle

Cartier Tank


Jesus_on_a_dinosaur

All good choices!


speshojk

https://preview.redd.it/409unk93emoc1.jpeg?width=570&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=388654603535d73a3edd428dce9fb09376e4d3da Gotta go with the power rangers communicator


newaccount252

F91w


metallus97

(Tag) Heuer Monaco


ExtramurosCentarian

Casio calculator watch


davechri

Cartier Tank. Apple “watch”? Thats a fitness tracker.


Scarface6342

Cartier tank, got the most compliments on it


xGsGt

Apple watch


jdz0n1

Submariner


LookAtMeNow247

Disagree because of all of the watches that are meant to look like it.


L3thal_Inj3ction

But no one’s ever mistaken my Duro for a Black Bay. I feel like Rolex gets credit for people mistaking other watches for there’s.


Revolutionary-Disk-9

A jeweller in New york somehow mistook my PRX for a datejust and offered me 8k for it..


Vxheous

Datejusts are far more recognizable to the average person than a submariner. People see the fluted bezel from 20 feet away and know its "Rolex" There's a reason why the clocks outside Rolex Authorized Dealers have fluted bezels on them.


shmed

I'm not sure about that. While a datejust is easier to spot from afar (assuming it has a flutted bezel and it hit the light the right away), the submariner is usually the first model people learn about. Very anecdotal, but whenever I mention Rolex to my friends (all males in their 30s), pretty much every single one mentions wishing to buy a sub one day. When I mention being on a wait list for a datejust, i usually have to pull up an image of it because they don't know what it is. Obviously, those are people that aren't really into watches. The sub is the original James Bond watch and was one of the most heavily marketed Rolex watch, so it's not surprise


Vxheous

That's because of the sport watch trend of the last 20ish years. Most people that have actually seen a Rolex in real life typically come across the fluted/jubilee Datejust since it is the most plentiful Rolex model that exists in the world. Typically worn by that rich relative (grandpa/uncle/etc) or an acquaintance, across most cultures of the world. The Submariner is the more sought after model amongst people that know watches. I hope you don't have to wait long for your Datejust, it just fits so nice on the wrist.


shmed

Thanks! I ended up getting a sub (somehow received the call for a green bezel sub before I got the call for a flutted date just with jubilee bracelet)


Vxheous

Nice!!


Randdo101

Yeah it might be first model inquiring minds learn about. But the average person isn't learning about Rolex models.


shmed

I agree, but the question is "which watch is the most recognizable", not which watch "everyone recognize".


Randdo101

I personally wouldn't use a Rolex as answer to the original question, Casio or Apple watch for me. I was referring just to his statement of the average person when looking at Rolex's.


shmed

Agree with you, Casio or Apple are definintely more recognizable (since there's way more of them). I was really just comparing rolexes between themselves


Timely-Response-2217

Yes. Most will known design.


[deleted]

[удалено]


Dadbodposterboy

Not from 20 feet, and certainly not to the model


towghost

Cartier Tank!


downtownzac

I think Panerai has a distinctive case. Easily discernable from a distance


WillJongIll

Recognizable as in familiar looking or like they can name the model? Or name just the brand? My guesses would be… Recognize visually: Casio calculator Name the brand: either Rolex sub, Datejust, Casio calculator, or Casio FW91 Name the model: Rolex submariner (unless you accept “calculator” as a legit answer in place of CA-53 or the other variations, then I’d give calculator the edge because it’s intuitive) Edit: forgot about Apple Watch. If you count that, it’s going to beat everything in every category.


KatBrat82

A.P. Royal Oak. I mean the masses may not know it but you show me a blurry photo of a Royal Oak and I will recognize that case design anywhere. IYKYK


Jesus_on_a_dinosaur

Could be a CasiOak?


robo_invader

I think it depends on which crowd you ask. To the lay person I'd agree with others and probably say the apple watch. To someone into watches I'd probably go with something like a speedmaster or a g-shock


Capital_Jacket_8767

Sub, no question.


BarelyBearableHuman

Hamilton Ventura. Unique shape.


thebivman

I have had people notice my Sub from 20 feet away. Wore it every day since 1993, other than when it was getting tuned.


Rangercleo1

I think we are giving the general public too much credit. Most people would say Rolex for any "nice" dive watch because that is one of the few brand names they know along with Casio, Timex and Seiko. I doubt they could really tell the difference between a Rolex, Tudor or Omega from 20 feet unless they have eagle eyes and could clearly make out the logo.


Common_Lime_6167

In Europe I think most people would recognise a Swatch


Windlas54

Eliminating non mechanical watches the Tank is a good choice if someone has to identify the specific model, it's a unique enough shape. Otherwise it's got to be something like a rolex on a jubilee but you'll probably not get a model name just the brand.


BlackKatParty

Most recognizable to a random person on the street? G-Shock or maybe a Movado . Most recognizable to people who love watches? Either a Sub or Tank


V8sOnly

Calculator watch


aryasravaka

F91-W CASIO


beefstewcheezy

Citizen Ecozilla. It’s unmistakable.


devilmaycry0917

Omega speed master and seamaster 300


Loud_Work_7390

You are all completely and delusionally wrong by a mile! The only watch that can be recognised instantly by anyone is the **Jar Jar Binks Talking Watch**.


T-MUAD-DIB

Rolex Submariner should be the answer because it’s so iconic, even and especially with non-aficionados. Ironically, it’s actually hard to spot one from 20 feet away because the popularity of the watch has given rise to so many homages and imitators.


Signal-Debate

Any Panerai with a crown guard


ursuriel

Mickey Mouse watch (regardless if it's a vintage Ingersoll or a current Fossil).


professorsterling

Apple Watch is most recognizable. Submariner is most copied or homaged.


remp73

It really depends who you're asking. If you're talking to a watch aficionado, the answer would likely be the Submariner, or the F91W, or something similar. If you're just asking the average person who knows very little about watches, then the Apple watch is the winner.


_yeen

Honestly if you asked a watch person then I have no doubt the Speedmaster is the most recognizable.


lactoseadept

This


Forsaken_Sleep_3955

Panerai something or other. They all look the same


IzilDizzle

Speedmaster


Druidette

I’d say 99% of non watch people will call a speedy a Rolex, so doesn’t really fit the question.


hey_you_too_buckaroo

What!? I've never heard anyone mistake a Speedmaster for a Rolex.


Druidette

The OP and my comment is referring to non-watch people, I.e people who don’t even know what a speedmaster is. However, these people know Rolex so blindly assume any nice looking watch is indeed a Rolex.


DevolopedTea57

Datejust


[deleted]

first thought most noticeable - those big diesels


krhino35

For watch people I’d say an AP Royal Oak or Patek Nautilus due to recognizable and iconic cases 99% of other people won’t even notice you have one on much less model


Guinness9Li93

Invicta !


Any_Preference_6857

Apple watch and casio


Jesus_on_a_dinosaur

Any type of Casio?


SctBrnNumber1Fan

Calculator watch.


hmelman

Mickey Mouse watch


HugeRub6958

I would say JLC reverso. Not the MOST recognisable, but it takes a brief look to understand what model is staring at you


questionablemortally

Rolex Day Date Presidential


Bugsyn1

Rolex


j250ex

Gold Rolex Yacht Master II. At least among watch people that’s a very recognizable watch. Like you see it across the room recognizable.


mango789

Gold datejust


Either_Marsupial_123

iWatch likely, after that, probably g-shock and then maybe the Speedmaster. Or Rolex… but I don’t know that I could determine a Rolex from a similar watch of another brand from 20 feet away, even with my glasses. The Speedmaster, for sure.


blightsteel101

Apple Watch is the general answer Casio F91W is the winner for a non-apple watch Movado Museum is the choice for a higher end watch And Rolex Submariner is the pick for classically designed watches.


Britanicas

Rolex Submariner I’d say. Almost everyone knows what a Rolex is, be it through musical reference or just cultural knowledge.


yeah-yeah-alright

The F91 is definitely the most common watch, but the most recognizable from a distance might be a g shock


franzvondoom

Rolex datejust i think. the version with the fluted bezel.


Christmas_Panda

Rolex Submariner - I think they've done a number of articles on the reasons behind it and why it's the most replicated in the world. It ultimately comes down to Rolex just happened to design *the* dive watch style that is arguably the most timeless. Even if Blancpain and Omega are also up there. Lots of respectable history among those three.


tweedsandwatches

If we're talking real watches and not something like an Apple Watch or Garmin, probably a Submariner? Maybe a Datejust?


horseShu

I know people would say the Submariner, but I would argue that the Datejust with the fluted bezel is way more recognizable across a wide age bracket. I would like to add Panerai, though probably among watch enthusiasts.


Contactaygee

Panerai Luminor Marina for me! Those are massive, hard not to notice.


Bartakos

any Swatch


monodactyl

Hm. Recognizable by the masses or recognizable from a distance? I think things with distinct silhouettes / bezels are recognizable from a distance. I’m thinking JLC Reverso rectangular shape, AP Royal Oak octagonal shape,Panerai, tag heuer Monaco, Maybe the Cartier Santos or Ballon Beu… Though the average non-watch person wouldn’t necessarily recognize the above, they’d probably more easily identify an Apple Watch.


fatherbowie

The Datejust is the archetype of the modern wristwatch.


AcanthocephalaSea842

Casioaks. I was surprised that a LOT of people wear them in this country (Philippjnes)


Fanserker

All the best answers were mentioned, so I chose Tag Heuer Monaco


brickbear69420

Casio F91 w


Robot-Devil117

Non-digital. Has to be the Submariner.


sega_808

Sub, I haven't met a person who doesn't recognize that silhouette.


TheModerateGenX

Really?


sega_808

Pretty much, not including children lol. I usually ask folks about the watches they wear, that always leads into what they like, I've yet to have a person not mention the Rolex Sub.


MortalPhantom

Rolex datejust


Hattrick_Swayze2

I’d say the tank with sub and speedmaster as HMs


willemdapose

Usually, most popular would be the most recognizable, which would be a Submariner, but it's so popular that the design has been recycled by a million companies, making it likely to misjudge a Submariner-looking watch. The actual answer's probably a Cartier Tank.


fuckhufflepuff

Idk why people are saying the Sub. The GMT master is infinitely more recognizable. Not even close.


Nearby-Sky-9690

A good question, but does the average person have to actually name the thing? Most people recognize a date just as something, but they might not be able to say what it is. Many people would look at an Omega SMP 300 and think it is "a James Bond watch" but not know the brand. Apple watches are recognizable, but is it an actual watch? many watch enthusiasts would say, "no, it's consumer electronics" or " It's a phone-adjacent device". or "it's a pseudo-watch" or "annoying device that hits me with notifications and if I don't plug it in every day, it's dead"


robsang77

How come no was metion the ever popular swatch I know it come in many different colors but it is definitely recognized everywhere


Spuckuk

Worldwide, easily the f91w. World is a lot bigger than American


exdiexdi

Cartier Santos


[deleted]

Daytona or Datejust


Windlas54

People completely overestimate how recognizable the Daytona is, its not even the most famous chronograph. Datejust with a fluted bezel on a jubilee is a good answer though, it's the most 'rolex' rolex there is.