Choosing a luxury watch can be a daunting task – we know not everyone can recite reference numbers or explain exactly what makes a hand-wound chronograph from Vacheron Constantin such a sought-after proposition. There are also a great many brands and models to choose between. How best to know which one will fit best on your wrist, do the job you’re asking of it and look right for you? We often think we’d totally rock a statement timepiece, but given the chance to find out, feel like the watch is wearing you rather than the other way round. With this in mind, our Senior Watch Editor Mr Chris Hall quizzed some of the more watch-curious members of the MR PORTER team about their horological needs, and recommended something to match.

My watch history is long and varied – from the natty digital Casio aged 11 or 12 (quite the thing back then I can assure you) to the TAG Heuer Formula 1 that I received for my 18th and the assorted new and vintage watches I’ve fallen for over the years, mostly from the likes of Omega and Rolex. For my next major milestone, I’m looking for something understated and utilitarian, but I want it to have gravitas. It feels like I should be considering one of the undisputed icons from a heavyweight brand, and that’s led us directly to the IWC Mk XVIII. I’ve got a soft spot for the elegant logo and Arabic numerals (brings out my inner typography geek), so this fits the bill perfectly. A decent case size and very versatile design. I’ll likely wear it with Nato fabric straps and keep the leather for special occasions (when they ever return).

I’ve always loved the Cartier Santos watches, particularly the one with the full steel bracelet, but I don’t know how one of these would go with what I wear or do as I love the outdoors, going climbing, taking photos and mountaineering. And as a result, I often fall, get into scrapes, get muddy or soaked through to the bone, so would probably be better off with something designed to take a bit more punishment. We’ve settled on the Bremont Argonaut (one of three watches the brand produces for the Armed Forces). It’s a simple, rugged design, with a hardwearing sailcloth strap. But it also doesn’t look too “technical” to wear for just regular, everyday use.

I like the idea of a more utilitarian watch, perhaps one with some kind of military background, but I don’t have the rope-like Schwarzenegger or Stallone-sized wrists to pull off a Panerai or a Breitling. In fact, wrist size is a big factor when I’m choosing a watch. I have slender wrists and quite prominent wrist bones, and I often find myself loosening the strap and pulling it further up my arm to stop it from banging against my wrist when I type. I don’t know what the solution is here – smaller lugs? Smaller casebody? I’m not the kind of guy to own different watches for different occasions, and I don’t go dressy very often, so my default is “casual”. The answer, it turns out, might be this Bell & Ross: a nod to a military aesthetic and a simple layout, plus, the stretch-fit fabric strap will wear more comfortably than a steel bracelet or leather strap.

Before this exercise, I wouldn’t have considered myself a “watch person”, but I seem to have a lot more opinions than I first thought. I prefer round faces to squared dials; I think rose gold looks better than yellow or white; and I’ll take metallic bracelets over leather straps. But I think I’m ready to branch out from what I’m used to and try the exact opposite of what I like, to see how it feels: a square watch with a touch of silver and a black leather strap. Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Reverso Classic to be precise, thanks to its Art Deco-style dial, stainless-steel case and alligator leather strap. Square or rectangular watches go really well with smart looks, which means I can now start planning all the dressy outfits I’ll be wearing once we’re allowed back outside.

I’m looking for a watch that I’ll wear all day – for work, cycling maybe, plus all the grunt work that comes with parenting. So, definitely something robust rather than dressy – stainless steel or bronze or suchlike – and I think a metal bracelet. My dad was a diving instructor, so I’ve always had a thing for diving watches. Something dependable, relatively inexpensive. But nothing boring; I’m happy with a bit of colour. This Oris will do – in fact, it looks like it could deflect a bullet, so I’m sure it can take whatever my kids can throw at it.