Subexplorer
[Moderator - WristScan]
33555
Hello dear Art! You make a good question here. I confess I had not thought about this characteristic when I answered our Captain: just thinking on my favorite tool watches in my present collection...
... which includes more expensive watches like the Sub and Omega divers but also more affordable ones like the Seiko divers or other brands like Hamilton or a couple of Chinese watches.
But now that you are asking I must recognize that it could be interesting to add the price and replaceability as a characteristic.
I also own several watches which I bought a really low prices and give me a lot of joy wearing them and are the watches I use rather often when my duties take me to some unsafe places in my city (which regret to say are most of the places I´m usually visiting) so an expensive watch (and specially if a Rolex) is a very dangerous option. But I wouldn´t classify them as "tool watches" but as my "working watches".
So, if the question is which would be your "ideal tool watch" and its characteristics, yes, I would include affordable and easily replaceable among their characteristics.
Best, Abel.
October has arrived ..,
I’ve been on the beach contemplating to best “tool watch” in the real world and keep coming back to the Doxa. I always enjoyed a Rolex Sub or GMT- Master over the years notched up many dives and sailing exploits with my Sub and will continue to do so, but...
I think your Duksa is an amazing to watch dear captain!
I am actually considering getting the new Longines ultra chron as a tool watch! Until then these two will have to do: ...
Two powerful contenders ….
For this title, do you think the current Rolex situation has changed your thoughts on this ?
Yes and no. It is a consideration but I also like the idea of having an incognito tool watch (well, an incognito watch period!) in general.
That being said while I love Longines for example, I realize I don’t really wear the one I have that often so maybe I need to reconsider my approach!
Thanks. I must admit I am struggling to find a good strap pairing with my Explorer that I can keep on…so far I keep getting back to the metal bracelet!
For example that nice looking Barton strap stayed on for only 3 hours!
I am a believer in the supremacy of the Rolex bracelet
I like changing straps, but Rolex bracelets are too perfect not to be worn in my opinion The barton strap looks pretty cool though.
Yeah, I think you might be right on that one!
The best choices for these are still their original bracelet
My nominee for a compelling tool watch would be . . .
. . . the new Damaskos. Tough as nails matte-finished case, in-house movement(!), sensibly sized at 39 mm, Bauhaus aesthetics, and best of all, relatively affordable. I just might get one. 😉 ...
Hi Art….
Good to see you putting forward an alternative to the usual suspects. I would like to see this one on a Tropic or rubber strap. What’s the water resistance on this one ?
200M per the website . . .
. . . and available in calendar as well as date-less versions. My preference would be date-less, and black dial over blue.
The case is made from a tough submarine steel . . .
. . . so it's tailor-made for knocks and scrapes.
Interesting choice you share here dear Art. I´m not familiar with this brand but it looks attractive and its submarine steel case and depth rate makes it very tempting.
I would opt for the no date version no doubt. Cheers! Abel
I have it,
from 2008 ,and was the year that Deepsea came out but that one was way over my possibility at that time,anyway I had the Deepsea years later and traded for a Panerai after a while,but the SKX is still with me .
Good to hear your experience with
the Seiko. I’m sure others here will be very interested. You only really know a watch when you own ine.
Stunning shot dear Captain! And of course with the Doxa Sub 1200T you are well prepared for any contingence. I real tool watch. I would love to be in that lovely place!
I´m very fond of Doxa watches and as a matter of fact I own four and a fifth is coming soon (the new Doxa Army, steel case). They are reliable, accurate and tough. What else? Ah, yes, they have a classic vintage look to boot. As you know, my first choice ...
Question of the hour, Abel: should a tool watch . . .
. . . be inexpensive? 🤔 Of course, the ruggedness and durability of your Rolex and Omega 'tools' are unquestioned, but they're not exactly cheap, either. My impression was that an essential characteristic of a tool watch is that it should be easily replac...
I vote along with Art for Affordable & Replaceable & German
I'll nominate my Sinn which has been with me since about 2006. It's been on a number of voyages though not much actual diving. It replaced this earlier watch (obviously worn by Northumbrian monks on their way to safety in Scotland) which I foolishly sold ...
Hi Mike …
The Sinn is definitely a contender with a serious history of being a tool watch by the very definition. 100m water resistance and cases made from titanium rate highly.
Guess you have a great tool watch there dear Mike. Regret to say they are not available in my Country (as it happens with many other brands) but I would love to own one myself.
I have a good old friend here with a high end watch collection and he is a real fan of a couple of Sinns he owns and he is always praising them. He bought them in his travels to Germany. Best, Abel
Hello dear Art! You make a good question here. I confess I had not thought about this characteristic when I answered our Captain: just thinking on my favorite tool watches in my present collection...
... which includes more expensive watches like the Sub and Omega divers but also more affordable ones like the Seiko divers or other brands like Hamilton or a couple of Chinese watches. But now that you are asking I must recognize that it could be interes...
Good to hear your opinion Abel …
Firstly, your opinion as a diver and a long term collector is invaluable in this conversation so thank you for sharing your thoughts on this subject. As I said in my opening post, the Rolex Submariner is and was my idea of the ultimate tool watch. My defi...
Ha ha ha!! Loved reading and viewing your options dear Captain!! I understand the Ursula Andress test is not easy to pass with flying colors... except if we wear a Submariner!! Lol!!
Thank you so much for your kind comments my dear friend. Cheers! Abel
The Nekton is also….
A worthy contender and overlooked. The Diver 300M in stainless steel with the laser ablated black ceramic [ZrO2] dial, grade 5 titanium bezel and caseback embossed with Nekton submarine all add up to a very cool divers watch I think she would approve.. ...
Agree with your thoughts about the Nekton dear Captain.
Yes, I also guess that she would approve. Lol!! Cheers! Abel
My rule of thumb for what constitutes a tool watch is would I tear down . . .
. . . an engine with it on my wrist. Or, to put it more elegantly, . . . [photo credit: Jocke] . . . Jocke's Razor*. * with apologies to Occam ...
An interesting idea Art …
If a manufacturer designed a watch specifically for the owner to be able to “self service”. It’s the sort of project that could prove very popular especially if you could swap dials and hands to change the look.
For me it would be Seamaster PO Chrono without doubt.
The key for me is being able to time two events simultaneously. I use that a lot especially legs of a trip on my boat vs total elapsed time. ...
Art made a valid point..
A tool watch is meant to serve some functions - diving, timing, etc and has to be durable. In the universe of tool watches, whether expensive or not, the manufacturer has to ensure minimum durability and reliability for the intended purpose and function. ...
I agree with your thoughts on this S.F.
for many of us it does boil down to how much one is willing to spend or if one gives a hoot if the watch is banged up. Watches that can withstand some harsh handling and environments qualify the Doxa in this category. My Doxa has survived many exploits an...
You paired very well your swimming trunks with your Doxa, dear Capt.!
Nice trunks by the way. Also I like your watch, superlative tool watch I must say. My favorite tool watch that goes well with everything, and you know this was coming is my Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean 42mm What do you think? Best. René ...
Hello René …
Your Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean 42mm would definitely qualify as a definitive tool watch. This Omega has been used by many in the British Military including the SAS. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us on this subject and my shorts ! Best regard...
Jacques Cousteau
wore the Sharkhunter, so this is a legit diver's watch. Still a favourite of the US surfers and divers community. The design is practically unique. I would have pulled the trigger on this one 2y ago, if it wasn't for the brand's poor/inexistent after mark...