What Price Beater? Defining the Daily Wear Watch

remarque · 2018-02-01T18:55:49Z

Explore the debate: What truly defines a 'beater watch'? Is it price, durability, or a collector's mindset? Join the WatchProSite community discussion.

remarque

WPS member · Horological Meandering forum

32 replies6480 views6 photos

Remarque's thought-provoking post challenges the conventional definition of a 'beater watch,' questioning whether price should dictate a watch's suitability for daily, worry-free wear. He delves into the paradox of luxury timepieces designed for robustness yet often treated with extreme caution, inviting the community to reconsider what truly constitutes a 'beater' in a collector's world. This discussion remains highly relevant as collectors navigate the balance between enjoying their watches and preserving their value.

In reading Amanico's review today of the new JLC Polaris Automatique, he calls it "the new daily beater". And starting at US$6600, I immediately wondered: Would I call this a daily beater? A beater at over $7000 including taxes? Seriously? Ahhh, first world problems, as we might say.

But then, I started thinking more about the issue at large. What makes a "beater" watch? And does price matter in this regard? So lets look at some examples.

Seiko 5 at under $500

Sinn circa $2000

Tudor Pelagos LHD $4400

JLC Polaris Automatique $7000

Rolex Sea Dweller circa $13000

Richard Mille RM53-01 Tourbillon Pablo Mac Donough $900,000!

At first thought, it seemed ludicrous that I, or anyone, would consider a $10,000 watch a "beater". I mean, what is a beater watch. At its simplest, I would call a beater watch any watch that one wears and does not worry about what may happen to it. It doesn't matter what the water resistance rating is, nor whether the watch is shock resistant, nor steel, nor precious metal nor anything. Who cares if the watch is "tough".

Now, $10,000 is a lot of money. When I bought my Tudor Pelagos LHD, I said to myself, this will be my ultimate tool watch. But tool watch and beater watch are not synonymous. $4400 is a lot of money. Do I really want to risk beating up my Pelagos?!! If don't, well, then, my Pelagos is not a beater, at least not for me.

Recently, Jocke posted a great photo diary of servicing his daily beater, which was... a Rolex Datejust! And yes, the Richard Mille watch, for a cool million dollars (so I'm rounding up a little... at that price point, what's the difference?), is built to take more shock than any human would live through. So why not. Yes, a million dollar beater. You can't take it with you when you die, so you might as well enjoy it now.

If you can stomach it, any watch can and will be a beater. Give the watch whatever you can throw at it. At worst, the watch will stop working. And you'll have a great story. As long as you don't care about the money, money, money

Please click and enjoy the following link!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMxX-QOV9tI

Key Points from the Discussion

The definition of a 'beater' is subjective and tied to one's personal financial comfort and willingness to accept potential damage, rather than the watch's inherent toughness or price point.
Some collectors, like vitalsigns, have successfully used robust luxury watches, such as a Rolex Submariner, as true beaters for decades, accumulating wear that tells a story.
The concept of a 'beater' is relative to a collector's journey; as one's collection value increases, so does their comfort level with higher-priced watches for daily, less-cautious wear.
While some watches are built for durability (e.g., Sinn, Rolex Sea-Dweller), many collectors still avoid wearing any mechanical watch during activities like golf, DIY, or working around heavy machinery to prevent potential damage.
A watch's aesthetic can influence its perception as a 'beater'; some find the JLC Polaris Automatique's design too refined or thick to be considered a casual, worry-free watch.
The ability to afford potential repairs or replacement is a key factor in designating a watch as a 'beater,' implying a certain level of financial detachment from the object.

The Discussion

patrick_y

Feb 1, 2018

The side of the case is too masculine and brutal looking. Looks like a German IWC to me from the side. The side of the case doesn't look anything like a French-Swiss design to me. And it's thick like an IWC. Give me the Tudor on your list or a Rolex GMT Batman as a beater anyday.

cazalea

Feb 1, 2018

I still wouldn’t wear it fixing the car - no watch is safest when working around hot, electrical and rotating machinery- but my Sinn watches have been used everywhere else. Cazalea

kesharoo

Feb 1, 2018

a Seiko Diver for all other strenous activities including water sports. Keeping my nice watches to just office and non-active functions. I would not consider the JLC Polaris as a beater.

vitalsigns

Feb 1, 2018

I wore a Sub for 15+ years everywhere before I bought other nice watches. It’s dinged, scratched, a chip missing from the bezel, the clasp is slightly bent. It’s all good though. A fine watch to wear anywhere and to do anything. I still have it but rarely wear it now for anything other than hard labor. The perfect beater. I could see the time only Polaris as a similar piece, but on the bracelet. Some watches are too precious for heavy wear, but I think the Polaris would mostly do fine even if it

zabreg1 Mr White

Feb 1, 2018

If you don’t care about the price, or more correctly, are willing to part with the amount with no regrets, any watch you can afford can be a beater. I don’t have one, I have a few. There are some at lower price levels (Seiko divers, etc) as well as some at higher prices (Omega Speedy/Seamaster) I also use. For me, it depends on how I feel a watch will stand up to daily abuse. As for the Polaris, I like the aesthetics. I haven’t handled one yet so will refrain from having a definitive opinion.

Alkiro1

Feb 1, 2018

Maybe that’s stupid as a watch is made to “live” but even if it’s a lot of money or not, I want to take care of them. Best wishes Alkiro

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What Price Beater? Defining the Daily Wear Watch

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