Go Anywhere, Do Anything
As enthusiasts, sometimes having a daily wearer seems to contradict the idea of adding more watches into the collection. However, it’s relatively common to have days where we will need to be in multiple locations. That’s where the “go anywhere, do anything (GADA)” watch comes into play. A GADA piece isn’t necessarily a daily wearer, but has to be versatile and practical just like how a good daily should be.
So, what makes a good GADA piece? Personally, it really boils down to four aspects. Firstly, water resistance. No, my job doesn’t involve being anywhere near water, but it’s always good to have a sense of assurance in terms of what the watch can and can’t do. Of course, most watches have a certain degree of water resistance, but hear me out. I tend to sweat easily under Malaysian weather, so having the peace in mind that I can rinse my watch once I’m home makes more sense to me. And yes, I don’t have the guts to do so with my vintage watches.
Next up, two closely related aspects, sizing and comfort. As the watch is supposed to be on your wrist for long hours, it only makes sense that it needs to be comfortable. And if we’re speaking about comfort, case size has to come into play for me as something above 42mm might just be a little obstructive on my 16cm wrist. Through some trial and error, it seems like a 36mm case is the sweet spot for me. To add on to comfort, the watch has to be on a great bracelet or strap to make it feel like I’m wearing a good pair of running shoes. Again, bonus points if it can be rinsed along with the watch.
Lastly, a good GADA watch in my eyes is something that is low profile where it only attracts the right amount of attention or doesn’t attract any at all. But at the end of the day, just like all aspects of this hobby, there’s never right or wrong. How each enthusiast labels a watch as a GADA piece might vary as it all boils down to preference and lifestyle. So, if you had no budget restrictions, what would your ultimate GADA watch be?
