Less of the old.
Im a little more offended by people who buy expensive things just to own them and keep em in a safe to be honest, but ymmv.
Offended probably the wrong word. Puzzled maybe.
Last edited by SockToy; 18th February 2016 at 18:45.
How is this wrong? Rolex are in general "beater" watches, particularly the SS Sport ones. They were originally made for this exact purpose, to be real tools, a GSHOCK of the mechanical watch. Ofcourse they have gold, and dressier ones which will classify less as a beater. Nothing "wrong" with the world.
If you need to ask the question you won`t understand the answer.
I own watches that might get worn 3-4 times a year; I`m fine with that, I still enjoy owning them. Some folks can`t grasp this concept of enjoying ownership of an item whilst rarely using it, they don`t see the point and trying to explain the appeal doesn`t work.....they still don`t get it.
As a collector you set out to acquire a certain model and once you've got a nice example you want it to stay nice. That means wearing them carefully, thinking about where you're going and what you're doing with the watch.
Even if I`ve refinished a watch myself I`m loathe to get it battered again, although that does depend on the watch in question. Some are everyday wearers, some have been restored to stay looking like new. I always advocate watches that can easily be refinished for everyday wear so the watch can be brought back to good condition again with minimal hassle and expense.
Paul
Just to fan the flames, here is my 'beater';
I work in a garage and wear it every day. I wear it doing DIY at home and very rarely take it off.
It's not to show off. It's not because I don't respect the value of a pound coin. It's because I like watches and I really like Sea Dwellers. Therefore, I like to wear one all the time. So I do.
I guess the word "Beater" means a watch you would wear without giving any thought or concern about it getting damaged even to the point of destruction!,even loss,for me that would not be a sub or any watch over a tenner!.
That DOES NOT cover most watches described as beaters in this thread...
A Rolex CAN be a beater.
I agree more or less with P9CLY's definition of a beater, more or less.
It is like splitting hairs but there IS a difference between a daily wear watch or an 'everything' watch and a beater.
The term beater implies you do wear other watches at other times when you are not indulging in activities that pose the potential risk of scratching/damage. So, if there is only one watch that you wear at all times, it is not a beater even if you are subjecting it to abuse. An expensive or luxury watch can be a beater- like say you wear a Patek or a RM or an ALS at other times and switch to a Sub or an SD when working in the garage or the garden. But, if SD is the only watch you ever wear, it is your 'everything' watch, not a beater.
Sounds complicated? May be it is.
And, strictly my opinion.
Others may think differently.
Thing is, my watches are insured so if the worst happens, it's covered. If it gets beaten up to the point it looks horrid, then a (admittedly expensive) trip to St James will have it looking new again.
I do agree with Rajens definition. I wouldn't wear any watch if the risk of smashing it in was massively high but I will take off what I'm wearing and put on the SD if there is a chance of damage. So I suppose that's a out as beater as it gets for me.
Just my two pence
I can't afford a Rolex! then again I'm not a fan of them but I have a omega I saved for over three years and a tag I was given as a pressie and a brietling I'm about to buy if I can get the deal I want I admire the watches I see on the forum and the people who have them have earned them.
and so fair play to them for wearing them and sharing with the rest of us
Personally I wear what I fancy on a given day: I don't wear my vintage watches if I'm going in the water but that's the only consideration I give to everyday wear and tear. In fact, my PO (while clearly not "haute": I haven't got anything "haute") probably gets the roughest deal as I wear it as my default weekend and holiday watch. It's been bashed on bits of engine, dragged through sand, dropped occasionally and once got so muddy I couldn't read it. It's got its share of scratches and scrapes (including one on the ceramic bezel. Oops) but I don't care - I seen them as patina, evidence of use.
And for me, ultimately, there's no point in having nice things if they don't get used.
Does it count that I spent several hours with a bench magnifier and diamond files getting weld splatter off a Breitling last year? I just get wrapped up in things some times and forget what I'm wearing. My wedding ring has a good pip of weld stuck to it too (who knew steel stuck to gold?)
Well, this should put the cat amongst the pigeons, both old, both loved and both worn and both jumbo's.
ss/g and Wg/diamond dial
I'm not sure what counts as haute horology and I am instinctively careful with all my watches regardless of value, so I think I don't have any watches that can count as a 'haute horology beater'. But I wear this watch relatively often, especially when travelling.
Some people may find this offensive as it's a Bell & Ross 😂😂 It's not haute horology. But it's my beater and I love it. It's got loads of dents and scratches and the PVD is now worn through in places. For that reason it gets better with age. These big old square things aren't for everyone. But my 8" plus wrists love 'em.
I must have done the Rolex sports watch 24/7 thing for the best part of 15 years. Never gave it a thought tbh, wasn't being flash just never thought about it. Then kids arrived, changing nappies, food being thrown around, reaching down toilets to retrieve toys and teddy bears etc. Ever tried getting poo/yoghurt/mashed banana/urine/felt tip/dribble/paint/craft glue out of an Oyster bracelet, from under the bezel, and between the crown and case? - that's what a Casio DW5600 is for, or even better the old mudman.
I know we all think macho DIY and power tools, working on V12 engines and high impact macho sports, high fiving our 20 stone 6 foot 8 mates whilst drinking beer and falling out of helicopters (and extreme gardening ?!?) when we talk about beaters, but try getting the smell of baby sick or diarrhoea off your Swiss timepiece.........ugh......sorry guys!
Lol,Robdad- that was an amusing post and I totally get what you are saying!
I've got a beater, but it's not a true beater as I don't wear it whilst beating, or gardening, assembling endless barbecues, polishing my Audi etc. So more of a "false" beater. I also have a beater for my beater, whenever I fancy a quick beat and my beater isn't to hand.
...but what do I know; I don't even like watches!
Haters unhappy at me and several others for wearing our watches in less than optimal situations, take a look at this! Downright abomination!
Credits to MackAttack
Gasp! The things people do for "likes" on instagram...
Credits to MackAttack.
It's not so much the leather lining as it is the padding on the inside of the strap that you have to worry about. If it isn't dried out properly, it starts to stink something awful.
If I know it's gonna get soaked, I wear it on a custom canvas strap I had made for it.
Regards,
Adam
This is my daily weather. I love this watch and will never part with it. No safe queen though (far from it) comes with me skiing, to work (not manual stuff though) and on a couple of stag dos....don't do gardening though!
Each to their own re how they use their watches.
Cheers
The AP is lovely but not a beater, is it?