Can a Rolex Submariner (no manouche) be worn as a beater watch?

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As a certified watch nut , I can assure you a classic stainless steel Rolex Submariner is not a beater watch. It was made to be a DIVER's watch. One may consider it to be a beater watch if it is indeed the least expensive watch one owns. I personally own a classic submariner 16610, Stainless/Gold submariner 16613, 1988 mint Datejust, the 1st year the Presidential came out as a DATE watch, Dunhill Bobby watch, Hermes. My beater watches are my technomarine's, Beuchats, Omega, and Gevril. If your only watch is a Rolex submariner and you use it as a beater watch, you are out of your mind! Some older submariners such as the "RED" submariner or the "5513" are worth up to $25,000. So, go buy yourself a Gevril or Raymond weil W2 to use as a beater. fred kroll

They are hardy! They are made from a solid block of 904L steel and as you said have sapphire crystal to protect the dial. If COMEX used them for diving, explorers like Erling Kagge used them for trekking to the North Pole and Jean Claude Killy used them for skiing his ass to multiple championships I think us mortals can use them as beaters in the normal course of our lives!

James Bond even battered to death an enemy in OHMSS with one (ok, in the Fleming novel at least )

Us "MORTALS" are not climbing mountains or exploring the depths of the Marianas trench! One wears a Rolex if one needs a waterproof watch at the beach while swiming or sailing. One does not need a submariner for a power lunch at Sardi's. Watches, like shoes and suits, should be worn for the proper occasion and or purpose.If you are wearing a Kiton suit one wears a "DRESS" watch. But, then again thats just my personal opinion. Read " The Handebook of Style" A Man's Guide to Looking Good by Esquire. It really tells it like it is if you want a classic look. I guess if you are at an award dinner for climbing Mt Everest ,a Rolex would be a good watch to wear.

I still struggle with the idea of buying a watch that's designed to be indestructible and then treating it with kid gloves. If you're buying a watch as an investment, fine, put it in a safe and treat as such. However, if you're buying a tool, albeit a very nice tool, use the thing.

The OP's question was 'Can a Rolex Submariner be worn as a beater watch' not 'Should' it be worn.

The answer to the question is YES - it can be worn. Physically it is robust and strong enough to withstand wear and tear and the 3XXX series movements have stood the test of time for 50 years now.

Whether it should be worn as a beater is up to the wearer. Personally, I do not choose to follow what some magazine tells me I should wear to look good, or what people may think if what I wear is not de rigeur If that were the case we would all be dressing the same and wearing the same type of watches.

Also, as the before mentioned post stated. One must remember all those super athletes were given Rolexes to wear by Rolex as their sponser. Just as the Omega was the first watch to be worn on the moon. If you need to wear a Rolex with a suit , wear a Datejust or Presidential. If you are hanging out on the boat on the weekend wear the submariner. Just remember anyone who wears a "COMEX" submariner while changing a tire on their car has a screw lose. Another thing to take into consideration is that all the older Rolexes(pre 85) had plastic crystals that were very easily cracked.

+1

Most certainly. It is up to the individual as to how they define "beater" but for everyday-without-a-care wear the sub would be ideal. The watch is designed and built to perform under trying circumstances. It is only when one considers the price of the watch do they start to ask the question "should I wear this everyday and subject it too normal wear and tear and the elements?" If you can afford it and want to wear it as it should be worn, do so. If you can afford it and want to maintain it in pristine condition, do that. It is yours to do whatever you want. Some will buy a classic automobile to drive daily and enjoy what it was built for while others buy it to hermetically seal away to appreciate in value.

Ask yourself this: is it a "pretty thing" to be protected and admired or is it a well made tool that you are using for its intended purpose irrespective of cost?

I vote yes! Both the Rolex Sub and the Omega Speedmaster Moon watch (I'm sure there are other good examples) were made and developed to be tool watches. That they have become collectible may mean that one chooses not to use these watches as daily beaters, but they are certainly up to it. I think watches are meant to be used, shoes are meant to be worn, nothing wrong with character. Do I kiteboard and mountain bike in my Speedy (or would I if I had a sub)? No. I probably could, but I have a "sports" watch for those sorts of things, but I wear my watches otherwise. I'll never look to sell any of them, so no need for them to be pampered.

Yes. Its a tough watch.

Beat at will...

Where is the poll? I vote yes. Best looking subs and SDs I've seen are the ones that got beat up a little. A little dent in the case, a blemish on the bezel, scratches on the clasp - all these make the sub look better than out of the box IMO

It doesn't matter who's wrong or right. Just beat it.

If you own it you can do whatever you want with it!

Rolex-hate or not, they're built tough. Definitely a beater watch.