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Horological Meandering

When asked by a dinner companion, "why do you and PuristS not like Rolex?"

 

it ended up being a 3 hour discussion.

I started out with "Rolex is a great watch; it, to me, is not a fine watch..."

You could hear his jaw hit the ground...

I also quickly, as clearly and unequivocably as I could, corrected the misperception that I and "PuristS" (whatever that means) "don't like Rolex."

Whether I like Rolex or not, personally, is irrelevant, to me. I RESPECT THEM (and their watches.)

Yes, Mostel has put together a pretty comprehensive and very well thought out "criteria" of what makes a great/perfect "daily beater watch."

Rolex fits this almost to a perfect T, EXCEPT...it is a victim of its own success.  I know of some good friends in Mexico, Indonesia, Philippines, etc who have been the victims of car jackings; walk by robberies (at gun point); home and office invasion robberies; even kidnappings and yes, killings.

When I visited Mexico City (with all due respect to Mexico City residents; I like the city very, very much) I was advised to avoid the Rolex and Mont Blanc icons. Why tempt fate?

And therein lies the main reason, for me, why Rolex is NOT the ultimate "beater."

A victim of its own success...

Mostel, why not the unknown and unrecognized (outside cognoscenti circles) PuristSPro ABR?

TM

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25 Comments view entire thread 

The Elusive Beater

 
By: Mostel : August 5th, 2008-11:24
I was thinking about my search for a good beater watch--the watch you honestly can wear everyday--to 90% of all the places you go including work. It's the watch that you feel bonking against a wall but you don't want to kill yourself. It's the watch that ... 

Wow, this is an Ode to the friendlier watch of the world, my friend

 
By: amanico : August 5th, 2008-11:51
This is just a beautiful definition of the watch... A perfect, trustful companion... I'd say..R...X. Model: D.J. Best. Nicolas

We all need one of these

 
By: fernando : August 5th, 2008-12:40
I think I have just found this friendlier watch in the new GMT II - C by R---x cheers fernando

Not bad, either!

 
By: amanico : August 5th, 2008-13:16
I triend it again today, and yes, you're right, this is a very smart choice! Best. nicolas

Agree on brand...

 
By: pplater : August 5th, 2008-16:22
...but picked the S--------R. Absolutely bulletproof. Cheers, pplater.

IWC UTC.

 
By: mkvc : August 5th, 2008-14:10
A strong and versatile watch. I like the Rolex suggestions also, but I think that there are many circumstances in which Rolex has too high visibility. (My primary concern is theft or mugging risk.)

When asked by a dinner companion, "why do you and PuristS not like Rolex?"

 
By: ThomasM : August 5th, 2008-16:57
it ended up being a 3 hour discussion. I started out with "Rolex is a great watch; it, to me, is not a fine watch..." You could hear his jaw hit the ground... I also quickly, as clearly and unequivocably as I could, corrected the misperception that I and ... 

From my own personal experience from the watches I currently own

 
By: AnthonyTsai : August 5th, 2008-19:47
and have owned and worn on the wrist for a good amount of time, a perfect beater for me is the forged carbon Audemars Piguet Team Alinghi w/ rubber strap. It's probably THE most comfortable watch I've ever worn. You do not have to worry about getting the ...  

My most relaxing and liberating times were accompanied by a Seiko Monster Diver...

 
By: Z3 : August 6th, 2008-00:09
It is all-steel construction, incredibly legible, with "in-house" and extremely reliable seiko movement, and water resistant to 200m. Best of all, it costs less than $200! A true tool watch should sincerely serve its "tool" purpose and liberate its owner'... 

Thanks for all replies

 
By: Mostel : August 6th, 2008-08:20
I like these sort of 'on the side' discussions.... There are so many merits to a watch besides the usual 'what kind of movement does it have', such as the clarity of the dial, does the dial become glare-y in sunlight? Accuracy matters in principle--once y... 

no doubt for me...

 
By: merchandisers : August 6th, 2008-21:04
for me it has to be the IWC Ingenieur 7 days Power Reserve (Jumbo). No matter the occasion, formal or casual it fits in. More subtle than the Big Pilot, and this watch definitely looks good over time with some "beating". Nice, simple and clear display wit...  

That Inge 7 day

 
By: Mostel : August 7th, 2008-15:23
is a hardcore SOB. Looks like a swiss tank. Me like!