Calling BS- Rolex still a tool watch !

[JR16]

Over the past few years I’ve read numerous posts on how the 5 digits were the last true tool watches and that modern Rolex are more status symbol and jewelry than tool... well I think that is total crap. It’s really up to the end user- they are designed as tool watches and can take a beating - if someone chooses to baby it , keep it in the safe, etc well that doesn’t make it any less of a tool.

I just got back from 2 weeks in Germany and Austria and didn’t take off my BLNR... used it to change and track time zones, used it for extended periods in the saunas (185 degrees farenheight) and steam rooms where I used the bezel to track my time in each, hot tubs, cold pools, regular pool, water slide... workouts at gym including weights; went mountain biking 30km up 1300m elevation in the alps, road biking, hiking, trail running on the mountain and in the hills of the Black Forest, dressed it up w a suit for a wedding, and to tell time (gasp!) at night w the great lume (no plugs for iPhone near bed). Have had it on my wrist for 3 weeks now and it is +3 seconds over that period of time ... ie gained average of 0.14 second per day. And rinsed it off and not a scratch on the bezel , no damaged oystersteel case , etc.

Some pics, of course...













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[edolecki]

You used it as a tool as it should be used. Well done and excellent watch.


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[jcdeng]

agree, I always take mine on trips, and I do use it for keeping track of NYC time, since the iphone automatically changes to current location time.

[tyler1980]

i wear mine for absolutely everything. I do think the intent is no longer tool watch but thats OK as they can still function like one.

Rolex is way, way further upmarket in brand positioning than in the true tool watch days. Its a luxury brand now and that wasn't always the case especially with the professional watches.

[ap1]

Awesome - they can take it

[Chewbacca]

Originally Posted by JR16

Over the past few years I’ve read numerous posts on how the 5 digits were the last true tool watches and that modern Rolex are more status symbol and jewelry than tool... well I think that is total crap. It’s really up to the end user- they are designed as tool watches and can take a beating - if someone chooses to baby it , keep it in the safe, etc well that doesn’t make it any less of a tool.

I just got back from 2 weeks in Germany and Austria and didn’t take off my BLNR... used it to change and track time zones, used it for extended periods in the saunas (185 degrees farenheight) and steam rooms where I used the bezel to track my time in each, hot tubs, cold pools, regular pool, water slide... workouts at gym including weights; went mountain biking 30km up 1300m elevation in the alps, road biking, hiking, trail running on the mountain and in the hills of the Black Forest, dressed it up w a suit for a wedding, and to tell time (gasp!) at night w the great lume (no plugs for iPhone near bed). Have had it on my wrist for 3 weeks now and it is +3 seconds over that period of time ... ie gained average of 0.14 second per day. And rinsed it off and not a scratch on the bezel , no damaged oystersteel case , etc.

Some pics, of course...













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Congrats on a great trip and using your watch as intended.

I still believe the jury is still out with one part of your comment.

[Obeliskgem]

Agreed! I wore my lady date everyday for 19 years. Ocean, sauna, gardening, swimming, shower, bartending, hot tub, muddy camping you name it, my watch went through it! Especially as a part-time bartender all those years! It was my daily driver and I never took it off. It did sustain a mild surface chip about 16 years ago because it hit something of equal hardness (my boyfriends Rolex). Even after the chip no problems whatsoever, none. I certainly got my money’s worth and look forward to getting my next one. I won’t even consider another brand because I know Rolex is the watch that can handle me.

[droptopman]

Cool trip and pics! Agree with you. I was a 4/5 digit hold out for a long time, but now that I own a couple modern Subs, IMO they are everybit a tool watch as their older brothers. Solid link bracelet, maxi dial, better lume, easier to read. In many ways the 114060 feels more substantial on the wrist to me than previous versions. Do not get me wrong, love vintage, but yes modern sports models are tool watches.

[Fishrus]

Watches are meant to be worn. Great that you are enjoying urs to the fullest. I don't understand the rationale of keeping them for investments when there are tons of better alternatives out there.

[jlafou1]

I wear my 114060 in a chemical plant all the time without a second thought.

[Fujiman]

Of course they're still "tool" watches. The difference is they cost a crazy amount more than they did and are far more blingly with delicate bezel inserts. Rolex decided somewhere around 15-20 years ago to change their marketing. However, even in the 80's, they were also considered luxury watches.

[GradyPhilpott]

Rolex watches are made to higher standards today than they ever have been, so they are as much tool watches as they ever have been.

The problem for many people is that they aren't much willing to use a $15,000 watch for abusive tasks, when there are many watches that cost well under $1,000 that can do the job just as well.

It is good that Rolex builds watches as robust as they do, but let's be honest.

Not many people today are buying Rolex watches just because they're great tool watches.

The fact that Rolex watches are so robust is just another aspect of the Rolex mystique.

[Fujiman]

Tell you what, while I've worn my Sub on some vacations and outdoor activities, I almost always wear a less expensive quartz field watch. Then again, I don't post a dozen pictures of a watch on my wrist showing off blurry vacation pictures in the background.

[adawil2002]

I've worn a Rolex daily for 37 years with zero issues. We had a trip all planned for spending a month in in Austria & Switzerland, yet life threw us a curve ball and had to postpone...so I bought a BLNR instead.

[Rashid.bk]

Cool story. Rolex makes great watches and when you buy them, it's to do as you please.

[Uggi]

Originally Posted by Fujiman

Tell you what, while I've worn my Sub on some vacations and outdoor activities, I almost always wear a less expensive quartz field watch. Then again, I don't post a dozen pictures of a watch on my wrist showing off blurry vacation pictures in the background.

You having a bad day kiddo?

[Fujiman]

Having a great day, thanks, um, kiddo. What's the matter? Don't like any opinions different than yours?

[theloxmyth]

Originally Posted by Obeliskgem

Agreed! I wore my lady date everyday for 19 years. Ocean, sauna, gardening, swimming, shower, bartending, hot tub, muddy camping you name it, my watch went through it! Especially as a part-time bartender all those years! It was my daily driver and I never took it off. It did sustain a mild surface chip about 16 years ago because it hit something of equal hardness (my boyfriends Rolex). Even after the chip no problems whatsoever, none. I certainly got my money’s worth and look forward to getting my next one. I won’t even consider another brand because I know Rolex is the watch that can handle me.

Welcome to TRF, fellow Keystone State'r.

I like how you state that IT can handle you!

[Bxtek]

Glad to see you enjoying your BLNR to its fullest! I love these kinds of threads and love seeing these watches actually being used. There was one thread awhile back of a guy that used his GMT for everything, even while working in the yard and garden. It was scratched up, dirty, beat up, but it's cool to see that kinda stuff!

[enjoythemusic]

THANK YOU for using your Rolex for true daily wear and fun.

[Porsche]

You used it wrong! Did you use the dual time-zone feature, 3rd hand and 24 hour bezel????

Just kidding.

Glad you gave it a beating. I remember first time I used mine playing volleyball at the beach, diving fist first into the sand. Some great battle-scars, and still keeps excellent time 10 years later...

[GTC]

Originally Posted by Fujiman

Having a great day, thanks, um, kiddo. What's the matter? Don't like any opinions different than yours?

Having an opinion and being an acrimonious curmudgeon are not the same thing. Uggi’s point is legit. Maybe just move on to the next thread next time.

Glad for the post and the narrative represented by the pictures. Using my scuffed up Explorer II in Accra, Ghana below; my daily wearer beginning this month will be my days old 126660 DSSD. And yes, I dive, but certainly nothing in the realm of those who would wear a DSSD professionally.

One of the great things about Rolex is that it can be a tool and a jewel, so arguments about which it is are perhaps unnecessary. No where did I put my Apple Watch? :-)

Originally Posted by Lemonvr6

Not picking on the OP, but this site has some truly dreadful photography posted

I know right? Makes one thankful it is a watch forum. :-)

[MTBer]

Some people buy high end sports/super/hypercars because of their esteemed pedigree and performance specifications, yet have no intention of ever using that performance, only driving a few gentle miles each year...and for the price I really can't blame them.

Relatively delicate ceramic bezels aside, I don't think people with this argument against newer Rolexes being 'tool watches' has much anything to do with their performance, but rather the intended buying demographic and their reluctance to use the watch under the conditions for which it was ostensibly designed and marketed. Let's face it- what fraction of those who buy a Sub will ever take it beyond even the depth where a Datejust is still safe? This isn't to say some owners don't actually dive with their Sub, but I would bet the overwhelming majority don't. The DSSD is proof that even Rolex is in on the joke- how many of these are honestly going to see any kind of conditions under which a Sea Dweller or even a regular Sub would fail? I love the DSSD and would own one if my wrist could pull it off, but I wouldn't be buying it because I need the performance; I'd own it because it's an incredible feat of engineering...not unlike the guy who buys a Ferrari and parks it in a carpeted garage with no intention of racing it.

I think the people who tend to get sensitive about their 'tool watch' being seen as ornamental jewelry first and a 'tool' second are possibly the same ones that hold smart watches in such contempt.

[Lemonvr6]

Originally Posted by Fujiman

Tell you what, while I've worn my Sub on some vacations and outdoor activities, I almost always wear a less expensive quartz field watch. Then again, I don't post a dozen pictures of a watch on my wrist showing off blurry vacation pictures in the background.

Not picking on the OP, but this site has some truly dreadful photography posted

[173rdabn]

It's a great tool watch, doesn't need to wear combat boots to prove it's tough. Beat the snot out of it, works better than anything else you can buy.

[Knappo 1307]

Well played...

[77T]

The debates I’ve seen about Rolex 5-digit tools vs. 6-digit ones appeared to be mostly about the cases & bracelets. There’s no question that the movements inside each have equally stout components.

Glad you had a good time using the new GMT-II.


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[ferrissteve11]

Germany and Austria for 2 weeks and no pictures in a proper Beer Garden ?
Say it isn't so...

[Patton250]

Tool watch. Lol

Sounds like a good plan as an excuse to your wife to buy luxury watch.

“but honey I need the GMT function to tell time in other countries. It’s a tool watch.”

Lol

[JR16]

Originally Posted by droptopman

Cool trip and pics! Agree with you. I was a 4/5 digit hold out for a long time, but now that I own a couple modern Subs, IMO they are everybit a tool watch as their older brothers. Solid link bracelet, maxi dial, better lume, easier to read. In many ways the 114060 feels more substantial on the wrist to me than previous versions. Do not get me wrong, love vintage, but yes modern sports models are tool watches.

I feel the same way.. and am more care free with my SubC and GMTc than w their 5 digit brethren.


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