Can A Tool Watch Be Elegant?

[jbravo]

This for example: beadblasted titanium, rock solid 2,000M depth strength, 60 atmosphere over pressure protection, great lume, and on the optional nylon strap - all tool hallmarks.

Yet its borderline pretty...

[Daddelvirks]

Daddel.

[bydandie]

Define 'tool watch', is it a Damasko, Sinn 757, Bremont MB2, IWC flieger Mk whatever, Rolex Sub?

Personally I think that elegant isn't the same as refined, is the 3538 pretty? No but then it's also stunning in the metal.

[Pascal S]

I'd be tempted to believe Longine's slogan stating that "Elegance is an attitude", because it is to a large extent true. The very concept of elegance has evolved a lot over the years, and there was a time not so long ago when only a gold watch could be defined as "elegant". If we go back further in time, only pocket watches were deemed elegant while their wrist-worn cousins were considered too utilitarian to be considered as such.

Nowadays, whether we admit it or not we're largely conditioned by media-exposure and marketing. As a result, we accept more easily things that might have looked outlandish only a couple of decades ago. As for me, I tend to believe that there is a certain measure of elegance in wearing a true tool watch...

[Omegary]

All watches are tools, some are just more refined/elegant than others.

Cheers,
Gary

[Josh B]

i have seen many elegant tools wearing watches. But then I do work in the City....

[jbravo]

i have seen many elegant tools wearing watches. But then I do work in the City....

Touche!

[MartynJC (UK)]

this one is IMHO


5513 out on the town..

[darrenw]

^^^^ as above, it's a winning formulae that Rolex hit upon with their sports watches and no doubt one of the reasons they've changed very little over the years.

The Explorer & 5513 would be the two I'd put forward.

[will852]

Possible contender?

[Umbongo]

Its a strange one this, but many rolex owners believe the submariner to be elegant.
I suppose it is - compared to, say, a G-shock.

[Umbongo]

this one is IMHO


5513 out on the town..

To illustrate my point... put this lump next to a PP Calatrava (for instance) and cringe at the rollies' inelegance. It IS, however iconic and a classic.

[proby24]

Agreed there is nothing elegant about a Rolex sports model (and I love them). Elegance is sophistication.

Perhaps a Nautilus or original RO might just scrape it.

[Ray]

I tend to believe that there is a certain measure of elegance in wearing a true tool watch...

I couldn't agree more.

[darrenw]

this one is IMHO


5513 out on the town..

To illustrate my point... put this lump next to a PP Calatrava (for instance) and cringe at the rollies' inelegance. It IS, however iconic and a classic.

Nope, not with you on that at all.

For me, this pic shows just how elegant the 5513 is with its flowing lines, great proportions and simplicity (although to be fair, b&w pics always add a certain aura and it is a great pic).

But others may interpret elegance in a different way, perhaps more dainty and effeminate, but each to their own.

[Pablo]

It all depends on how you define elegance, and I suspect we all do that in our own way.

regards,
Nick

[Scouter]

this one is IMHO


5513 out on the town..

Educate me? Is something wrong with your pic, cufflink, crown or wedding ring? Does a 5513 have the crown on the non conventional side?
Scouter

[Chris W]

I think the picture has been flipped.
Bezel numbers are going in the wrong direction.

[pashmolean]

I suppose if your watch world consists of only tool watches you will eventually start to define sub categories within that genre. If you look at watches as a whole you'll soon realise that putting a tool watch next to the like's of the Patek Philippe Calatrava, JLC ultra thin, Piaget Altiplano and many, many other simpler designs you soon realise that a tool watch is anything but elegant.

[Pascal S]

If you look at watches as a whole you'll soon realise that putting a tool watch next to the like's of the Patek Philippe Calatrava, JLC ultra thin, Piaget Altiplano and many, many other simpler designs you soon realise that a tool watch is anything but elegant.

Again, it depends what your definition of elegance is.

Compared to a nicely tailored Saville Row suit, a Barbour jacket may look pretty bad, and yet in the right setting it can very much be a symbol of understated elegance. If your lifestyle consists mostly of wearing formal wear, I agree with you that a dress watch is the correct choice. But on the other hand, a tool watch can look extremely good on someone wearing more casual clothes. There, an ultra-thin dress watch might actually look out of place, so it really is a matter of balance...

[GlennO]

The term 'tool watch' seems like a load of bunkum to me in any case.
A tool is an instrument designed for a specific purpose is it not?
So why is a dive watch considered to be tool and a dress watch is not?

[adrianw]

I think my Deep Sea is elegant, just means I can't wear tight cuffs

[Chris W]

I think it can.
Here's my PRS18Q doing what it was designed for:



An elegant, yet unusual shape.

[Tam]

I guess a watch can be elegant without suiting elegant clothes/surroundings.

[jjnijholt]

Being from the school of 'form should follow function' and a big fan of Modernist architecture and design... a resounding yes from me. To me an IWC Mk XV or a Speedmaster or a Sinn 356 look really elegant.

[bydandie]

Def won't categorize OP's IWC as elegant.

Would say Exploerer I or Sinn 556 would be c close IMO.

What about this one then?

[triguy]

Sinn 756/756 Diapal. Tool, elegant and refined all in one package!

[igorRIJEKA]

Can a hammer be elegant?No....

Only tool watch that can be called "elegant" is vintage Submariner (IMHO)

[MMC]

I'd argue this is a tool watch:

- manual wind, so fewer bits to break and therefore robust
- it does this:



So you can get the glass out of the way.

OK, I'm pushing my luck, I know.

But this most certainly is a tool watch and, for my money, as elegant as:



'Cos it'll do this too:

[Orange Peel]

I reckon so yes

[clicker]

I think dress watches will always be more elegant than tool watches. To every rule there are exceptions of course. A simple dial, leather strap instead of steel means a well mounted sub, explorer or such look elegant yet slightly understated say versus a Portofino.

I reckon so yes

[MartynJC (UK)]

Educate me? Is something wrong with your pic, cufflink, crown or wedding ring? Does a 5513 have the crown on the non conventional side?
Scouter

Nothing wrong with pic - It is a literally a "mirror image" - Picture taken using a mirror - useful technique to actually see what your watch looks like rather than the usual close-up distorted view when taken direct.

e.g.



direct shot of same watch:

[zelig]

Tool watch?

The Rolex Oyster Perpetual Milgauss is a highly collectible model introduced by Rolex in 1956 with the model number 6451. The Milgauss was designed as an antimagnetic watch specifically for those who worked in power plants, medical facilities and research labs (like those in Geneva) where electromagnetic fields can cause havoc with the timing of a watch (source wiki)

- check

Elegant ?


- check (imho) - or you could even put it on a black croc.

So, I'd have to say yes.

z

[markc]

Maybe...



Cheers,