For me, the Omega Seamaster watch is both a premier personal time piece and my symbolic touchstone for helping clients focus on what is truly most important to them in negotiations.

I'm a mediator (negotiator) by trade, so my first inclination is always to encourage the folks I'm working with to craft their own solutions to conflict. The alternative — courtroom litigation — costs about the same as a pre-co-axial Omega Seamaster watch where I practice here in Southeast Michigan.

Before any last alternative is rejected, I'll often ask, "If you wouldn't spend that much money to indulge yourself in a luxury watch, what do you expect to come away with before a judge that will be worth spending that same amount of money?"

Seamaster is becoming a pretty broad line for Omega. But it's still most commonly known as "The James Bond watch." To me that means only a few models from the Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig films; others broadly say more.

It's a professional diver's watch, although most owners never get them wet. On the other hand, true aficionados will tell you this sports watch is inappropriate for formal wear — despite its 3-digit price tag and 007 pedigree.

In my opinion, the Omega Seamaster represents the perfect blend of style, versatility, and durability. I can and do wear this precision timepiece through just about everything I do in life.

If you're worried about keeping yours in pristine condition, buy two. (More than incentive enough to stay out of court and negotiate resolutions to your conflicts, right?)