SS Sub - Tool or Luxury

[lexar]

There have been a lot of people on this forum that keep saying "true tool watch" and I would like to know if anyone actually dives with a $6000 watch rather then get a professional dive computer for about $500.

Why would you do that?

[Akira]

Voted second question, swimming pools and beer, but the PADI is for this year, so...

[snow_rocks]

you forgot,

'I stare at it only'.

[snowbird]

Well the SS Sub is a very tough watch that certainly does qualify as a tool watch in that it can handle all kinds of conditions, and at least in past years (when the prices were much lower in real terms) they were commonly used that way . . . just look at all the wear on many of the early vintage Subs.

Now however IMO it's really more of a luxury watch just based on price . . . for someone looking for a functional tool alone there are lots of less expensive choices that are just as tough and with the same or more functionality. Having said that I think the SS Sub is a great watch!

[DWdrummer]

I dont own a Submariner or a Rolex of any model yet.
My feelings are these though. I intend to wear it doing anything and everything I would do. If it is a watch with a mechanical movement it just doesnt get tougher than the Submariner really. They were always used hard by many people. Im the kind of guy that doesnt mind scratches and blemishes on my things. It adds character and tells a story.

If I were to buy a vintage Sub, I would prefer it well used and with that character. Rather then have a mint example that I am to afraid to even wear for fear of scratching it or anything else.

I think owning a Rolex is an achievement in and of itself to many of us here. I have been saving for nearly two years, and Im almost there. To ME my Rolex is meant to be used, not abused, but used every day. When the time comes it will be left to my son. The new Rolex today is the vintage Rolex of tomorrow after all. Even if the current Sub models are not viewed as "vintage" in thirty years time, with the price increases going on they will be incredible money makers. I would like to buy as many as I can and put them somewhere safe. At the current rate the Submariner will be a $10K USD watch before we know it.

That is my take on it.

[watchnut]

Originally Posted by DWdrummer

I dont own a Submariner or a Rolex of any model yet.
My feelings are these though. I intend to wear it doing anything and everything I would do. If it is a watch with a mechanical movement it just doesnt get tougher than the Submariner really. They were always used hard by many people. Im the kind of guy that doesnt mind scratches and blemishes on my things. It adds character and tells a story.

If I were to buy a vintage Sub, I would prefer it well used and with that character. Rather then have a mint example that I am to afraid to even wear for fear of scratching it or anything else.

I think owning a Rolex is an achievement in and of itself to many of us here. I have been saving for nearly two years, and Im almost there. To ME my Rolex is meant to be used, not abused, but used every day. When the time comes it will be left to my son. The new Rolex today is the vintage Rolex of tomorrow after all. Even if the current Sub models are not viewed as "vintage" in thirty years time, with the price increases going on they will be incredible money makers. I would like to buy as many as I can and put them somewhere safe. At the current rate the Submariner will be a $10K USD watch before we know it.

That is my take on it.

Well said. I myself would almost rather buy a watch with some wear and not have to worry about the first mishaps. Maybe we should be able to buy a bnib watch that has been "distressed" like jeans or chinos.

[Gonerafting]

I considered trading my father's 5508 for a Deep Sea which I consider the best example of a Rolex Tool Watch today. My dad's 1958 watch keeps excellent time and was worn by him until his death in 2000. He wore it 24/7 and did not at all baby it. I decided not to part with it, it's smaller than the current ones, feels better on my wrist, slides under sleeves better, has not crown guards, and has a genuine no frills look to it. Even better, no one even comments about it and I feel comfortable with that. It's in some ways very stealthy and a wonderful object.

[DWdrummer]

Originally Posted by Gonerafting

I considered trading my father's 5508 for a Deep Sea which I consider the best example of a Rolex Tool Watch today. My dad's 1958 watch keeps excellent time and was worn by him until his death in 2000. He wore it 24/7 and did not at all baby it. I decided not to part with it, it's smaller than the current ones, feels better on my wrist, slides under sleeves better, has not crown guards, and has a genuine no frills look to it. Even better, no one even comments about it and I feel comfortable with that. It's in some ways very stealthy and a wonderful object.

THAT is absolutely beautiful. The fact that it was your fathers adds to that even more so.
Enjoy it for many years to come.

[snow_rocks]

Originally Posted by Gonerafting

I considered trading my father's 5508 for a Deep Sea which I consider the best example of a Rolex Tool Watch today. My dad's 1958 watch keeps excellent time and was worn by him until his death in 2000. He wore it 24/7 and did not at all baby it. I decided not to part with it, it's smaller than the current ones, feels better on my wrist, slides under sleeves better, has not crown guards, and has a genuine no frills look to it. Even better, no one even comments about it and I feel comfortable with that. It's in some ways very stealthy and a wonderful object.

trade this 5508 for a Deep Sea? Only a non-WIS would do that.

the history of this 5508 makes this far more valuable than a SDDS,

and it was your father's watch!

[Barracuda]

If you dive, whether it be recreational or commercial (which the following one was), make sure you have it serviced regularly. Times, prices and technology have changed obviously....but:



This is what happens when you have a brain-fart...fixable yes, cheap no.

On the whole watch or computer thing, seems like a no brainer to me. It's like having a Ford Cobra and not cruising with it on a Sunday afternoon, but I still use my seatbelts.

[sea-dweller]

It is luxury, based on it's price and prestige. There are substitute items, which are priced far less, which can do the job as a diving watch.

[BASSETHOUNDS]

I guess it is a luxury tool in SS , luxury in TT and jewelry in solid gold .

[deserted]

I always swim with it , no problems......

[DWdrummer]

Originally Posted by deserted

I always swim with it , no problems......

I would too. I cant begin to comprehend the people who wont even "risk" getting their Rolex or Submariner for that matter wet. They are famous because they were the first widely made and available watches that WERE waterproof and impregnable because of the oyster case design.

The Sub is a professional DIVERS watch. It is MADE to be in water, very deep water from day one. Why would someone worry about getting it wet or going in 6ft of water with it? I just do not understand that at all.

[Clay]

After all, that's what it's made to do.....

[f16570]

I own an Exp II and wear it as it was intended. It has swam, dived, surfed etc etc.
The price, here is not the issue. Are you comfortable with what you own maybe more the question.

[lexar]

I suppose it is not a matter of worrying that it is not waterproof. Its more a matter of why would I want to risk $6000 when a perfectly good $300 watch will be sufficient.
I am sure the Sub is built tough and waterproof but if something happens while diving and the clasp open and you lose it? or you hit the crystal on a rock or scrape the watch badly?

Why would you want to take the risk when it will cost a fortune to fix?

For example if I owned a very expensive suit would I mow the grass with it? I am sure it will hold up and not tear but why take the risk?

[Yoreese]

OPPS! I used to swim with my SS Sub or DJ no issues. Just make sure the crown is screwed down.

[JJ Irani]

I enjoy my Sub and swim with it when I have to. Here I am with my grand-daughter, Annika!!

[moviefreak]

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

I enjoy my Sub and swim with it when I have to. Here I am with my grand-daughter, Annika!!

Nice picture JJ...

[datejust1]

Originally Posted by Bullyterrier

JJ, Annika has stolen your glasses!

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

I enjoy my Sub and swim with it when I have to. Here I am with my grand-daughter, Annika!!

Wow! JJ without glasses! He looks like Telly!! This picture may be used against you!

[lexar]

wow now that is a picture! cute grand daughter

[f-du-27]

In 1964 in the Pacific every body had a watch and usually a water-resistant one.

Rolex was considered a good brand as well as some others.
I had a Tudor, my father an Omega. We did use the watches all the time for swimming etc, but I used to take it off for water skiing because you lose everything on skis.

Now that you can get the exact time everywhere (car-phone-computer-etc) and live without a watch, it is difficult to remember that back then all social life worked with planified meetings. When someone was late the question was : and now, what do I do ?
Nowdays, you just make a call and that's it.

And last, there where no good cheap watches that you can wear in the worst conditions and change when the battery is over.

The sole option was to get a good watch and use it.

[snow_rocks]

Calling a Sub a luxury watch,

sorta like a wolf in sheep's clothes.

Till a tool!

[nko51]

I have a SS Sub date that I wear all the time.

[JBat]

It's a tool watch and a luxury watch. The perfect combination.

[chriseskew24]

Me personaly if I was really needing to know when exactly I need to be out of the water because of air supply or anything like that. I would not rely on a automatic watch.. Just my .02

[maza]

My father wore his GMT all the time in the military ..it did 3 years in Viet Nam and 6 months in Antartica amongst its many travels. My philosophy is safest place is on your wrist...I wear the same watch all the time although my life is much less action packed ...but I regularly swim with it.

[Green Arrow]

In this day and age a dive computer is your first line of defense, but a watch is a nice back up. I don't dive these days, but I've always used my Rolexes (mostly TT) except for solid gold, for anything and everything. Why have it, if you can't use it. In fact my next watch will be another Submariner, although I'm rethinking the Smurf blue ceramic and thinking of going with classic black. Just trying to decide whether to go with TT again or wait for the all stainless.

[Polizeifritz]

Here is the bottom line...

If you had a 2009 Porsche Cayenne SUV and an old Suzuki beater SUV which one would you take off roading? They are both equally capable and do a great job off road, but one will make you cringe when you brush up against a tree. I look at it the same way when it comes to diving with watches, just because it can do something doesn't mean there aren't different viable options to suit the same purpose. That said, I do swim wearing all of my watches but would probably only take my Oris diving.