Daryn Schnipper

Chairman of Sotheby’s, International Watch Division

My first watch: A bracelet watch — meaning the dial is on a metal rather than a leather band — my parents bought it at the local jewelry store. I still have it.

Why wearing a great watch still matters: Unlike other accessories, watches signify a degree of refinement and colorconnoisseurship.

Advice for first-time buyers: Don’t be afraid to ask questions — specialists enjoy sharing their knowledge.

Best watch to gift a child: A Rolex Submariner [above]: It’s sporty, waterproof and well-built (in other words, hard to do any damage to).

Celeb watch icon: Arnold Schwarzenegger [above]. About 25 years ago, I showed him some watches we’d be offering at auction. He loved the big ones, which is not so unusual today, but this was when oversize watches weren’t yet a thing. I have always thought that he was responsible for inventing the big-watch craze.

My first important watch: Patek Philippe stainless-steel Calatrava from the 1930s, with a salmon-colored dial and white-metal Arabic numerals.

Watch I’m coveting this season: Patek Philippe Aquanaut [above]. I love the understated style of the case, and I adore the rubber strap. I’d probably want the white-gold version with the loden-green rubber strap.

Favorite watch book: “The Watch: A Twentieth-Century Style History” by Alexander Barter [with an intro by Schnipper] — hot off the press! It looks at watches by decade throughout the 20th century.

Paul Croughton

Editor in Chief of Robb Report

My first watch: A Casio and a black Swatch [similar vintage above] with a rather nice off-white dial.

Why wearing a great watch still matters: For those who value style, craftsmanship, expertise, precision and heritage, strapping a living machine to your wrist is a very important ritual.

Rookie watch-buying mistake: Not doing the research. Whether buying new or vintage, there’s so much information at your fingertips.

Best watch to gift a child: I bought my boy a watch after he was born. It’s an Omega Speedmaster with an open caseback, so he can see the movement work. I have a hope he’ll sit on my lap and watch it tick, and I’ll give it to him when he’s 18. Or 21. Or 35. Depends how well-behaved he is.

Celeb watch icon: James Bond [above] — watches that blow things up, unzip things, contain razor wire — all those vital additions for the modern assassin on the move.

Watch I’m coveting this season: Patek Philippe’s Annual Calendar Regulator in rose gold with a two-tone dial [above] was particularly striking, and its new movement is wonderfully clever.

Favorite watch book: Nick Foulkes’ recent history of Patek Philippe, and a book I’ve given as a present three times but don’t actually own: Matt Hranek’s “A Man & His Watch.”

Misha Daud ( @watch_fashionista

The UK- and Oman-based fashion and fragrance guru shares watch wisdom with her 153,000 Instagram fans.

Personal style: I like good pieces but hate pretentiousness. A watch could do a triple somersault aerial flip while making me coffee, and I still wouldn’t be impressed. I can hear all the watch folk screaming, “Burn her at the stake!” But hey, why lie? I wear watches as jewelry.

First watch: A Cartier Panthère from my father in my mid-teens; the first watch I bought was a Cartier Tank Américaine. I love that watch.

Watch count: It’s like shoes. I would never reveal the actual number in case my husband sees it. My collection includes pieces by Rolex, Patek, Audemars Piguet, Cartier and Bulgari.

Watch I’m coveting: I quite like the Van Cleef & Arpels Lady Arpels A Day in Paris watch [above] in yellow gold — it’s fun — and the Piaget Altiplano in rose gold with a diamond bezel.

Favorite feature: Not sure it’s classified as a feature, but I love a skeleton. I have an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak in rose gold. She is the only watch I “underdress.”

Watch icon: If I had to choose someone contemporary, it would be Eric Clapton or Ralph Lauren.

Favorite watch city: London, but I’m biased.

Joseph Caleca ( @thewristwatcher_

The Staten Island local, who says, “I always make watch contact before I make eye contact,” shares his timepiece finds with 115,000 Instagram followers.

Personal style: It leans heavily towards the sporty look. I love that watches can be dressed up and dressed down.

Watch count: 11, including a recently acquired Tudor Black Bay GMT “Pepsi” [above]. I love the numbers Tudor used on the bezel to give it that vintage touch.

Watch I’m coveting: I’ve grown to love the stealth-wealth factor of the white-gold Rolex Submariner in blue, also known as “The Smurf.” There is just something about that bright, bold blue that really catches my eye.

Favorite feature: I love the Glidelock clasp on the Rolex dive watches. My wrist tends to swell up daily, and the luxury of adjusting the clasp so easily and quickly is a huge benefit.

Watch icons: Scott Disick and Ellen DeGeneres. I continuously find myself noticing the pieces they are wearing while I am watching television.

Favorite watch city: Hands down, the motherland, Geneva. Not only is it home to some of the most famous watchmakers, the picturesque scenery elevates the city to a whole different level.

Marko Koncina ( @swisswatchgang

A Zürich-based watch enthusiast with a passion for high complications, daring design and unusual pieces, Koncina boasts 240,000 Insta followers.

Personal style: I dress in a more street-style way, but I also love to put on a nice suit for special occasions.

First watch: Vintage automatic Omega Seamaster Day-Date from the 1970s on a dark-green leather strap. I bought it in 2010, which launched my journey into watches.

Watch count: 15 and counting, including a recently acquired Bulgari Octo Finissimo [above].

Favorite feature: The minute repeater; I love the sound of the gongs once you activate it. In my opinion, it’s a very romantic function, and it also ties in to my love for music and the piano.

Watch icon: René Beyer [above]. With a beautiful museum in Zürich’s Bahnhofstrasse, the Beyer family has an outstanding collection.

Recent watch travel: Stockholm, Sweden, in August, where I went to photograph some extremely beautiful watches from Rolex and other brands.

Favorite watch city: Singapore. A great city for rare watches, great watch-culture and last (but definitely not least) amazing street food.