What is the ultimate tool watch?
For the last year, I’ve come to love this idea of buying one tool watch for the rest of my life. This for two main reason:
Prevent collection bloat: Often times, when I buy a watch I find the specs as an excuse to purchase it- “oh, I can wear this doing anything.” If I have a watch that can truly do anything, that logic becomes a bit more faulty than it already is.
Establish a parasocial relationship with my watch: I feel a general lack of meaning and fulfilling relationships in my life, surely another watch will fix my problems.
Okay, jokes aside, there’s only one clear answer to what the ultimate tool watch is:
However, the problem with a g-shock is that they’re desposible. Once they have a problem, you just toss it aside and order a new one. This is much more practical approach, one that aligns with the tool watch ethos.
But…it’s a little too practical to maintain my attention long term. A watch that I will have for the rest of my life must have some degree of ridiculousness to it; while still being easy to wear.
Recently, I was killing time and somehow found myself in a Tudor AD. There I may have fell in love with the Pelagos 42.
The true monochrome design really appealed to me. The watch has an exorbitant spec sheet and comes with a chunky feel while still being comfortable (for me).
This feels like the right amount of overkill I was looking for- no one needs a helium escape valve but I’m pretty sure I want one.
It also has about 470 meters more water resistance than I need: so it’s perfect.
It’s going to be a while before I “pull the trigger” but it will be this year! So, I still have some time to think it over. However, the pelagos 42 is hard to ignore especially when I look at the prices on the secondary market.
What do you think? Is it possible to just have one ‘ultimate’ tool watch or will there always be another?
Also give me some of your ideas for the ‘ultimate’ tool watch!
Thank you! 🍻😊
Welcome to my WatchCrunch profile.
Are you a professional diver? Because if you are there are digital ones that do it better. Hell the Apple Watch Ultra is better.
If not, it’s not really a tool is it?
(Snark aside, that Tudor would be a great daily you could bond with and it’s sharp looking)
Id say the Pele is up there. Solid robust and good looking.
Agree with you about G-Shocks, used them years ago but wouldn't have one now.
My choice was the SM300 heritage, for the same reasons you chose the Tudor, I just opted for something a bit more dressy. Had it 3 years & already had to have it repaired as I broke off the crown - I don't baby my watches 😜🖖🏻
I’d go FXD or U50
The Pelagos is a great tool watch, but I think the P01 is more tooly. The hybrid leather bracelet isn't quite as water friendly as rubber or titanium, but a quick strap change can sort that.
So long as it’s not a limited edition, everything on a G-Shock can be repaired at home with a basic tool kit and internet access. They’re not throw away watches. It’s just that the general layman throws them away after something breaks. True lovers of G-Shock will never do this. They will make the repair and keep it. I know a guy on YT who buys and refurbishes old g-shocks from the 90s, 80s, etc
in my case it is one of two pieces that i seem to wear more often . They are quality watches that dont break the bank. JMO Enjoy the hobby
FXD all the way!!! I own 3 the Blue Marine National, Black US Navy and the Redbull. They are perfect tool watches and you can change the straps in seconds to change the look.
G-Shocks are extremely overrated as tool watches. A tool watch is something you wear for work, not something you use as a hammer. My Jack Mason Strat-o-timer is a tool watch when I'm working and need to know the local as well as Zulu time, and I'm not at a computer.
More to the point of this thread, I think the Pelegos works well for what the OP wants. I think I'd be inclined to go for a TAG Aquarecer Solargraph, or an Aquarecer 200. Expensive enough to be "nice" watches, but affordable enough that damage/loss isn't as much of a hit as with a watch costing twice as much.
If you're willing to forgo the luxury brand name, I think a CW C60 Pro 300, or C63 Sealander is absolutely perfect, for the same reasons as the Aquarecers mentioned above.
I’ve done it all with this watch. It’s not my only one, but would be the ONE if I had to choose.
The Pelagos line up certainly fits the bill for ultimate tool watch. I'd go FXD. Eliminating the possibility of spring bar failure seems a fair trade off for getting rid of the Helium escape valve and a few 100 meters of water resistance I'll never need.
Unfortunately for me this watch came out after I bought my 'ultimate' tool watch. I went with a Sinn 857 UTC VFR. Tegimented steel, caller GMT, able to handle massive swings in temp and air pressure, elapsed timing bezel, screw down crown and 200m wr. Because we all need a watch who's crystal won't blow out in the event of a dramatic change in cabin pressure while flying. Talk about overkill for a pilots watch.
No one does needless spec overkill better than Sinn. I'd recommend going through their lineup. They have a tool watch for every occasion.
To my mind, there are 3 separate definitions of "tool watch":
Watches that are specialized tools, such as Milgauss for MRI technician, ISO certified for the driver.
Watches that take punishments for vigorous activities (e.g. machine working with oil and grime, playing with active children, hiking, etc)
Watches that look like either 1 or 2.
Look, if you need a tool, I would suggest something cheap and even disposable. A watch that takes punishment will break, soon. When you roughhouse with toddler and they hurl your tool across the room, well, you need need tool. Same for watches worn in oil and grime. They will need regular cleansing and/or replacement. They can't be your The One watch. They are tools. You have tasks to do.
On the other hand, if you just want something looking like it can take a punishment but actually doesn't take that much punishment, well, whereever your taste takes you.
So long as it’s not a limited edition, everything on a G-Shock can be repaired at home with a basic tool kit and internet access. They’re not throw away watches. It’s just that the general layman throws them away after something breaks. True lovers of G-Shock will never do this. They will make the repair and keep it. I know a guy on YT who buys and refurbishes old g-shocks from the 90s, 80s, etc
True it’s just hard to spend 2 hours fixing something that only cost $65. When mine breaks, I will be tempted to fix it but we will see.
G-Shocks - full stop
True it’s just hard to spend 2 hours fixing something that only cost $65. When mine breaks, I will be tempted to fix it but we will see.
I repair watches for others as a pastime hobby. I have repaired my neighbor’s watches, and I have repaired friends and families’ watches. Those were all traditional analogs. Unless I’m repairing the movement, I generally get the repair done well under two hours. A g-shock on the other hand would take me less than 30 minutes.
You’re generally only exchanging modules, straps, bezels, gaskets, and batteries out for new parts, which is a quick, easy job. All these parts can be found online for cheap. With tutorials on YouTube, a beginner should be able to do the same within the same timeframe as me.
The Vostok Amphibia, automatic, water resistant to 660 feet, 10 year service interval all for under $200.
I use both a Gshock and a Pelagos.
The Gshock is used when there’s high likelihood of blatant scratches and dings - e.g. carrying armfuls of bricks, retrieving that one dropped bolt from the depths of an engine bay, trips to the garbage dump, opening beer bottles. You KNOW your watch will get buggered up, but you need a watch to keep track of time.
The Pelagos is used for all other regular tool watch duties where it may take a knock or two, but it’s not guaranteed to get smashed to hell in 5 minutes - e.g. Hiking, fishing, camping, beach days, bike rides, BBQing, swimming, diving, etc.
Sure there are other good watches out there which can do similar, but with Tudor being Rolex’s affordable sister, and as Tudor’s flagship beast, it’s very hard to ever feel outgunned in a Pelagos.
The ONLY downside I find, is that it IS a little on the thick side. It can get caught on things from time to time - gear straps, sleeves, door frames etc. I’m wondering if, counterintuitively, the subtler 39 might be MORE practical, because it’s slightly less susceptible to snags.. but I think the benefits of being able to dive the Mariana Trench probably outweigh this minor point.
Oh, I also find the bracelet is also too chunky for my smaller wrist (6.5”). But the watch looks great on a Rubber, NATO or MN strap so this OSS not a biggie for me.
I guess I took it literally 😂. Nice tool watches everyone!
This is a great photo, but that wire brush will savage a SS case given half the chance. This is where the Gshock plays its part for me.
Hate to be cliche and predictable but if it’s 1 watch for everything tool watch it’s very very hard to beat a Rolex submariner. It literally has no weakness I can think of apart from perhaps a somewhat higher price point and design may be too iconic and main stream. but if you look at it objectively, it really is the best.
I use both a Gshock and a Pelagos.
The Gshock is used when there’s high likelihood of blatant scratches and dings - e.g. carrying armfuls of bricks, retrieving that one dropped bolt from the depths of an engine bay, trips to the garbage dump, opening beer bottles. You KNOW your watch will get buggered up, but you need a watch to keep track of time.
The Pelagos is used for all other regular tool watch duties where it may take a knock or two, but it’s not guaranteed to get smashed to hell in 5 minutes - e.g. Hiking, fishing, camping, beach days, bike rides, BBQing, swimming, diving, etc.
Sure there are other good watches out there which can do similar, but with Tudor being Rolex’s affordable sister, and as Tudor’s flagship beast, it’s very hard to ever feel outgunned in a Pelagos.
The ONLY downside I find, is that it IS a little on the thick side. It can get caught on things from time to time - gear straps, sleeves, door frames etc. I’m wondering if, counterintuitively, the subtler 39 might be MORE practical, because it’s slightly less susceptible to snags.. but I think the benefits of being able to dive the Mariana Trench probably outweigh this minor point.
Oh, I also find the bracelet is also too chunky for my smaller wrist (6.5”). But the watch looks great on a Rubber, NATO or MN strap so this OSS not a biggie for me.
Well said 👍
I actually prefer the larger size of the 42 and the stark white hands. The 39 actually has a touch of off white to the hands and indices I wasn’t a fan of. From what I can tell, the pelagos is the only watch Tudor makes that doesn’t use off white in the indicies and hands.
Hate to be cliche and predictable but if it’s 1 watch for everything tool watch it’s very very hard to beat a Rolex submariner. It literally has no weakness I can think of apart from perhaps a somewhat higher price point and design may be too iconic and main stream. but if you look at it objectively, it really is the best.
Too many douchers here in NYC wearing subs. I guess it’s a sign of weakness that I can’t separate my feelings for the brand from the people that wear them but I can’t see that changing anytime soon.
Ultimate tool watch Is the 36mm Explorer 1. Unless you're an actual diver or pilot. You don't need anything too big or heavy and you certainly don't want complications you don't use. If considered too expensive you have a choice of 100's of homages.
Is this Evan from ‘Your Terrific’??? I have no idea why I read this in his voice - love the sense of humour 😄
I think it is possible to just have one watch but it would also mean giving up and deleting the watch crunch app, resetting your social media feeds, unsubscribing to various watch-related content, etc, etc.
Can you do it? What are YOU prepared to lose for that one watch, @playswiththelight ?
And at the end I shall ask “was it worth it?”
Oh…for me, it has to be the Explorer II #16570 white dial (I own the black one and intend to enjoy it till I do a dial swap next yr me thinks…).
After that it would perhaps be the Pelagos, OR the white dial SMP 300m.
I’ll take that as a compliment. I enjoy his videos quite a bit 😊🍻
Too many douchers here in NYC wearing subs. I guess it’s a sign of weakness that I can’t separate my feelings for the brand from the people that wear them but I can’t see that changing anytime soon.
Sure you and I can be both correct in this sense. There are plenty of douches wearing it but at the same time a tonne of cool dudes and ladies wearing it too. One thing is for sure that if you just look at the watch itself, it’s the best one watch solution (mechanical) one can probably buy in the market today.
Sure you and I can be both correct in this sense. There are plenty of douches wearing it but at the same time a tonne of cool dudes and ladies wearing it too. One thing is for sure that if you just look at the watch itself, it’s the best one watch solution (mechanical) one can probably buy in the market today.
For sure 👌
The Pelagos is Tudor's most distinctive watch. The absence of colour makes it appear no-nonsense and functional, and that adds that its tooly personality. If I wanted a Tudor this would be the one.
Too many douchers here in NYC wearing subs. I guess it’s a sign of weakness that I can’t separate my feelings for the brand from the people that wear them but I can’t see that changing anytime soon.
Mind if I step in?
I agree about the douchiness but I disagree that your reaction is a sign of weakness. It's first and foremost an indication of self-awareness.
A big part of how I experience watches is how they're regarded by others. It's why I try to shield myself from opinion and - when that becomes hard - just tune out from watch media and commentary altogether.
We all need mental space to allow for internal dialogue. That's the most precious thing, actually. Protecting it means actively pushing back against company branding and community noise.
Tool watch.
These two would be my tool watches
Ahh, a question most of us have asked ourselves from time to time. I have a two line Pelagos. Once I put it on, it is a real chore to pick something different out of the watchbox. Best of luck on your quest!
The black Pelagos 42 is an excellent choice. I wear mine all the time, apart from exercise (Aquaracer quartz) and suit and tie (GS spring drive). Recently I holidayed somewhere I wasn't sure about crime, so took the Orient Kano. I couldn't wait to put the Pelagos on when I came back! The combination of the uncompromising starkness and the elegant long white second hand is utterly compelling. So yes - I've bonded with it. If I had to give away all my watches bar one, it would be the Pelagos I'd keep. 👍