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Bromo33333 3T WIS 
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I have always labored under the assumption that a Tool watch is one that is designed for utilitarian purposes only, with no or little consideration given to its appearance. For me my working definition of a tool watch: 1. The design is economical - it passes the "hit it with a hammer test" - meaning you can afford to utterly destroy the watch periodically and buy another one and not set yourself back significantly financially, or even be particularly concerned about its value. (This would limit me to about $50-300, and of course, it doesn't mean you would, but you could) 2. It keeps accurate time first and foremost, but not necessarily ridiculously accurate (i.e. atomic). (for me, this means quartz, but I would not rigidly adhere to this notion - mechanicals could qualify as well as atomic - but keeping good enough time for intended purposes). 3. You don't need to fuss with it to keep it going - either maintenance or day-to-day adjustments. Meaning you can let it sit unused while you don't use its function, and don't have to have it serviced very much. (For me this would mean quartz, but it depends upon people's tolerance) 4. Is rugged enough for the use you actually put it through, and not much more. (Meaning, if you have one that you can swim in and you swim, then it is a tool to you for swimming. If you never swim or never go more than 20' under water, and have a watch rated for 5000m, it isn't a tool watch for you, well the last 4900m is superfluous). 5. Other functionality is for the purposes you use it only and no more, and has enough functions for you to use it properly. (i.e. a GMT watch, you actually use the GMT function because you are an avid HAM radio operator and participate in or run contests, or you are a world traveler and need a universal time to offset. If you only tell the time of day during the particular thing you do, then that is all you need. If you have a Tachometer and it does not have speed markings on the dial, it isn't complete, for example and would not be a tool therefore. Or a poor one anyway ... ) 6. No decorations - this means no gold, diamonds, or other precious markings. Dial clear and plain, easy to read hands, etc - I'd even question crystal backs to see the mechanism (like on a mechanical watch) For me, there are no "pure" tool watches, but the more superfluous capability, and decoration there is, and romance built in to the watch, the less of a tool and the more a piece of jewelry it is. (For me, a Rolex is a piece of Jewelry because it utterly fails the "hit it with a hammer test" - most people who own one could not demolish it with a hammer without much thought) So ... what are your thoughts? |
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oagaspar Site Founder 
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imo I think this definition of the word "tool" best describes a tool watch:Something used in the performance of an operation; an instrument ..ie:.a dive watch-diving....a pilots watch-flying...chronograph-timing and event,etc.,etc,....all these specific designs/types of watches were created to perform specific duties for the wearer and have crossed over to daily use by the general public based on aesthetics or actual use but considered "tool watche because they serve a purpose more than just telling the time of day imo ....I guess if you only wanted to tell time a simple 3 hander would suffice :D |
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armandsv 3T WIS
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so to sum it up, only buy a watch that serves your purpose and dont pay extra for complications you wont use. function over form! sounds about right to me. Although the hammer test is ludicrous, I get banging the watch into things when you are wearing it, but purposely hitting something with a hammer to judge quality does not make sense. The only time something should have to survive a hammer test is when it could be used as a hammer. (could you imagine someone using a wristwatch as a hammer lol) |
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Darkman 3T WIS 
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I'm closest to Oscar in my definition, I think - I'd consider it something primarily designed for its function (i.e., a "tool"), but not necessarily excluding aesthetic considerations, only suboordinating them to function where there is conflict. It generally makes me think of more value-oriented and substantial, chunky, sturdy watches like the Fricker-cased divers, Benarus, the Cave Dweller, or our own BaliHa'i, but if you wanted I think you could make a credible case that a Seadweller (for example) was a "tool" watch. At the end of the day, it's very much in the eye of the beholder... |
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Paladin 3T WIS 
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I think to clarify a bit; a watch should be chosen based on the intended purpose and enviroment, i.e.; a dress watch may not serve well in an industrial enviroment (Military, Diving, Factory work or Manual labor) but it sure looks better with a suit than a G-Shock which would be better suited for the work enviroment. But, there many watches (and not necesarily inexpensive ones) that perform in the realm that Oscar defined, for example a Sinn U2 is a relatively expensive tool watch... imo I think this definition of the word "tool" best describes a tool watch:Something used in the performance of an operation; an instrument Bill |
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Bromo33333 3T WIS
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Point of clarification - the "hammer test" isn't hitting the watch to see if it survives - but could you hit the watch with a hammer and FINANCIALLY survive. (Meaning it is inexpensive enough *to you* that it is not a financial problem if you lose/wreck etc. it) |
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BA1970 3T WIS 
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I think you hit it on the head coyote2.gif ... I wear a tool watch every day. It happens to be a Rolex GMT Master II (pepsi bezel), and I use it entirely as a tool for telling time in my time zone as well as in others. It is all tool for me. |
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Nabco 3T WIS 
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I always thought it meant you were "a tool" if you didn't wear a kewl watch go figure yourock.gif |
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Paxman 3T WIS 
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I'm with BA... every watch I wear is a tool watch given I use it to tell the time of day at a minimum. I try to keep it simple in most all cases. If I require timing its a chrono. For travelling a GMT. If I am getting in the water I prefer a diver of course. And I have no real reason to wear a flieger/military watch other than it is simple, functional and tells me the time. If I am in the board room with the high rollers I'll wear something recognizable that makes a statement. today, for example I spent 4 hours training neuro surgeons on my new system at work. I chose the GMT Master II not because of its GMT function but because I knew it would keep the docs transfixed and scratching their heads... I think in common parlance we have created the term "tool watch" to describe somewhat overbuilt dive watches which can withstand a good dunking and beating. Let's face it... very few of us are taking our 1000m dive watches anywhere close to the bottom... unless its in the pool.;) |
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romano 3T WIS 
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Useful for performing task like timing an event. Form follows function. Durable |
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Skipdawg 3T WIS 
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Debatable. :cool: |
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joecb 3T WIS 
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A tool watch .....I agree alot with Oscar's definition...I have certain watches I wear strictly for work... If I am diving, I have specific watches I wear just for that day...For daytime boat patrol I have others Night time boat patrol..since I picked up the Deivas Zeta phantom ..that is my night time work watch. Obviously alot of my watches all could perform the same functions, but being an anal collector...I have designated my work watches for specific tasks and only wear them for that function |
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DM71 3T WIS 
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To me, a tool watch (either diver's, pilot's, chronos...) should first be extremely legible in any light conditions, should be overbuilt for it's main function(s). Diver's watch are a good example. Very,very few diver's get close to 200m while diving so forget getting even close to 1000m! Since the bathycasphe Trieste set a record of 35000 feet in 1938, mankind never went back that deep. There is presently no submarine that I know that can go deeper than 1000 feet + -, and that doesn't stop companies like Swiss Army and their CX12000 or Rolex DeepSea (Mmmmmmm!hearteyes.gif), Bell & Ross and others to push the limits. Then, if it can be beautiful, why not? One of my favorite tool watch is the Marathon J-SAR. Built like a tank, amazing lume, clean and easy to read dial, huge bezel with a lot of grip, very precise movement, water resistant to 300m . I do not dive but I do snorkel and the deepest I go is about 50 feet so 1000ft  ... On top of that it's a beautiful watch and it's very well finished. Actually I'm wearing this watch today with a suit and i love it! ( I know some will say it's a sin to wear such a beast with a suit but...)If i damage a watch while in the water or at work? Well, each time i hit one of my watches, my hart stops. So it could be a $200 watch or a $4000 one that it would not change a thing for me. I hate damaging my watches no mater how much they cost and this will not stop me from wearing them, just makes me more meticulous with them. Tool doesn't mean ''Come on, beat me up badly!yourock.gif'' tool mean '' If you beat me, i can take it woohoo.gif'' So in conclusion, for me to call a watch ''Tool Watch'' It has to meet the following criteria: -Overbuilt for functions -Solid construction -Relyable -Extremely ledgible day/night -precise in any conditions (-40c to +40c) -There is no price range, can be $50 or $200000 -and please, it as to look nice in it's own way ;) |
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