Horological Meandering

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 am actually considering getting the new Longines ultra chron as a tool watch! Until then these two will have to do: ...  

For this title, do you think the current Rolex situation has changed your thoughts on this ?

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!

For example that nice looking Barton strap stayed on for only 3 hours!

I like changing straps, but Rolex bracelets are too perfect not to be worn in my opinion The barton strap looks pretty cool though.

The best choices for these are still their original bracelet

. . . 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. 😉 ...  

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 ?

. . . and available in calendar as well as date-less versions. My preference would be date-less, and black dial over blue.

Deep enough for any of us.

. . . so it's tailor-made for knocks and scrapes.

Unlikely it will leak 😉

I would opt for the no date version no doubt. Cheers! Abel

I’ll take this one…. ...  

Have you had this one for long ?

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 .

the Seiko. I’m sure others here will be very interested. You only really know a watch when you own ine.

Thank you

I would say

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 ...  

. . . 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'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 ...  

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.

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

... 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... 

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...  

Thank you so much for your kind comments my dear friend. Cheers! Abel

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.. ...  

Yes, I also guess that she would approve. Lol!! Cheers! Abel

. . . an engine with it on my wrist. Or, to put it more elegantly, . . . [photo credit: Jocke] . . . Jocke's Razor*. * with apologies to Occam ...  

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.

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. ...  

Certainly the specification of this Omega is comprehensive.

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. ... 

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... 

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 ...  

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... 

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...