Horological Meandering

I am looking for watch to wear as a beater watch....   doing work around the house, washing car, on a hike, etc. etc.   Curious about ideas that might include pre-owned and new watches.  I want something more beefy than a simple plasticy, department store sports digital watch.    Having scratched a few of my nicer pieces by carelessly wearing, this is actually an important acquisition.
 

Solid as a Rock, you can give it hard life, it loves that.

Best,

Nicolas

A seamaster gmt looks like an excellent option.Or a speedmaster day date.I would prefer the seamaster because it is less complicated at easier to read.With the new price range for a rolex,i would not use it as a daily beater for extreme activities such as washing clothes and sweeping the floor.If u don't like scratches,get a sinn u1/2 and abuse it.Have a great week ahead.

No message body

. . . less than dinner at a swanky restaurant, which will leave you more to allocate elsewhere. A beater can cost a fortune, but ideally shouldn't . . . cordially, Art

A good old Omega would do the deal I think , nice and sturdy and has gone to the Moon.

Best regards?

George

I get a bit confused by definitions of beater.  I sometimes think people are looking for a high-end watch for the rough-end of casual wear, which for me isn't a beater.

For me, the key is that I mustn't care if it gets damaged, which excludes anything that costs more than about a hundred dollars.  If you have the cash that enables you to not care when the Rolex, Omega, fancy diver (or whatever people are suggesting) gets trashed when you hit a rock coming of your mountain bike, or floods when you hit it against the side of the pool, or gets lost hiking etc then go for it.  Otherwise, go for a Seiko 5.

In the workshop I don't wear a watch at all and rely on the wall clock.  I don't wear a watch gardening as I dislike the mixture of sweat and grit under the strap.  I don't wear one cooking (digging pastry dough out of a metal bracelet...shudder!).  If I have to wear a watch for this stuff I have an el cheapo Swatch that's half beaten to death but still hanging in there.

nick

I concur with your definition of beater.

It's not a watch that you don't mind getting a scratch or ding on.

It's not a 'robust' watch for doing physical activities in.

It's a watch that you are blithely prepared to have ruined in the course of activities.

Personally, by the above definition, not even my g-shocks are beaters and definitely not my divers. Personally, I dislike the term, it seems strangely macho, yet implies a prissiness at the same time.

Can the OP clarify his requirements?

Oris, Hamilton, some Omega's, some Rolexes .....too many to list but it it was me I would get a variation of a Seiko SKX031K2 automatic Divers . I'm sure it can take a beating and beg for more. I guess it all depends on how much you want to spend on a beater .

Goodluck

Drew

It is the kind of watch that can take brutal treatment without looking bad...

No message body

Go find a preowned, or new,  Oris BC3 or something similar. Fair price, cool look, automatic, not big, not small, day and date, rubber and SS, what else?

There are many options but this one is a nice one.

 

A TAG Heuer F1 as a quartz option would be nice also.

 

 

Vte

A Tag Heuer F1 quartz is a great suggestion if you're not determined to get a mechanical.  All quartz are tough, but I think the F1 models also manage to avoid looking really beat-up too, inspite of a hard life. Quality cases and bracelets.

Tom

 

(electric blue dial) has been perfect. The 2892 is a robust movement. Now, if you were thinking up-stream, I'd go with a Master Compressor GMT, since the Autotractor is JLC's most robust, ever. On the down-stream side, I'd say a Hamilton or Tissot.

-Dean

My Sinn U1 is my go to beater watch.  It "takes a licking and keeps on ticking", not a scratch on it to date (other than the clasp which is not the same quality as the case). It's certainly beefy and would be fine with the tasks you mention.
This message has been edited by centrax on 2010-05-06 10:08:25

...Hamilton, Oris, Sinn, Fortis.

If you want a watch you can really beat and not worry too much, go for Seiko or a military brand like Ollech & Wajs.

I wouldn't spend any more money than is absolutely necessary, especially if it's gonna take a beating!

Dan

If you have money to spend, I think that the best daily beater which you can buy and enjoy is a Rolex.

If I could only have a watch.... probably, it´d be a Rolex (vintage, if it´s possible, of course )

Best

Emilio

If money could be a problem, one of the best choices is a Tag Heuer, IMO.

A daily "cheapest Rolex"...

Best

Emilio

This message has been edited by E.J. on 2010-05-06 13:09:44

Speaking sadly out of complete ignorance would a Bell and Ross not be a good beater watch? Looks like it could take a good beating.

Don't know the price range, but I used to own IWC Mark XV as my beater watch.  Very solid built and most of all very accurate.  Highly recommended.
Or, Seiko 5 is a good one, too, although I haven't owned myself.  Cheaper model of or vintage Grand Seiko is also a good candidate.

Ken

How about a Mühle-Glashütte SAR Rescue-Timer? Solid ETA 2824 movement. Rubber bezel to take the knocks.

I concur with the Omega suggestion.  For my daily driver I sport an Omega Seamaster 2254.50 purchased on the forums about 4 yrs ago and it is a great daily beater.  Takes a continuous pounding throughout the week, yard work, construction, dings scratches you name it.  It cleans up well, can be dressed up a bit if need be.  A Omega is a great name at a great price.  For a tool watch -2254.50. thumbs up

 I was just this afternoon thinking about this very subject while mowing the lawn, 3.5 acres and lots of time to think!  I was considering the differences between my watches and what I consider as a beater...that would be a 63 connie 168.004 and what I refer to as my "work watch" which is a Casio duo analog digital chronograph with alarm (cheap). I have had this watch for about 10 years and it has taken a beating but I wear it when I would never consider wearing an Omega, today I changed the oil&filter on both the vehicles, mowed the lawn and changed the seals on the pto of the IH tractor. This consisted of lots of oil, grease and dirt and dust and I just couldn't imagine wearing one of my vintage and beloved Omegas. In fact I have been quite impressed with the Casio, light weight and the battery lasts for around 4 years, I've polished the crystal at least 6 times and 2 straps. I generally just wash it off under the faucet with dawn dish washing liquid and an old toothbrush (good on grease and great for under the fingernails) again I couldn't imagine doing that with any of my vintage watches.   Jim

 

(Sorry, couldn't resist. Photo by L Joel - a gentleman with a fine sense of humour).

 

Cheers,

pplater.