Suitable for daily wear?

[Tallbark]

Maybe a stupid question but here it goes;

I see questions rather often at this forum, asking if the model X is suitable for daily wear. I am not sure what's behind these questions, and can think of some alternatives;

1. Style - is it too much/blingy/elegant for an informal everyday situation?

2. Is it reliable enough/has it delicate complications that makes it unsuitable for daily situations?

3. Is it too expensive/nice to be exposed for daily wear and tear?

Maybe all of these alternatives are in scope while discussing daily drivers?

For example - a Patek Aquanaut and lets try the bullets above,

1. No - should be fine

2. Yes - basic functions and reliable movement

3. Depends on the owner I guess. You could say that the brushed bezel and polished areas are scratch magnets, but again it is up to the owner I guess to determine if it is worth it.

How do you see the "suitable for everyday wear thing"?

[Kenny G]

For the PP Aquanaut:

1. No. I don’t find the Aquanaut blingy at all…unless in gold I suppose.

2. It’s reliable enough but it’s not as robust as a Rolex and will cost significantly more to service and should be serviced 2-3x more often.

3. This depends 100% on the owners financial position.

[Tim Plains]

I think it's more of a "Will I be safe with this $40,000 thing on my wrist and will people I know shun me for flaunting my wealth?"

[JRell]

For me this means versatile enough to wear with anything from sweatpants to a suit.

[996marty]

Originally Posted by JRell

For me this means versatile enough to wear with anything from sweatpants to a suit.

This would definitely be a consideration

[Roger Lococco]

1. Is it comfortable for continuous wear day after day

2. Am I comfortable having it get banged up over time


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[HMHM]

Any watch can be worn daily…. It’s a matter of preference and also what are the other watches in a collection.

[Nads786]

Originally Posted by JRell

For me this means versatile enough to wear with anything from sweatpants to a suit.

I’m in a tux after 6pm every night




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[Roddypeepa]

What was once too high value-wise for daily wear has shifted. For example a friend with a zenith 16520 paid maybe £8k a decade ago, barely wore the watch apart from “special occasions” a handful of times and sold it for 25-30 k a year ago. Nowadays, a 30k watch, while clearly a great luxury isn’t necessarily a 1 %-er. I’d wear a zenith as a daily or a 116520. Times change.


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[Calatrava r]

To me any watch is suitable for daily wear except a minute repeater but only because it is only humidity protected and should not be worn on rainy days.

[fskywalker]

Originally Posted by HMHM

Any watch can be worn daily…. It’s a matter of preference and also what are the other watches in a collection.

This!


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[Vasco]

There is no real definition but I believe, for me, it's about comfort of use first (not too heavy, not too wide, not too thick) and the discretion vs your usual week life (no colored gold for instance).

And finally being "automatic" can be a big + as an everyday wearer for some (like me).

I guess that knowing what the criterion are, comes obvious after having experiencing different watches. I loved a 45mm watch I possessed (on a 16cm wrist) but after a while, it didn't stand the test of time as an everyday wear because of the size.

[dchang81]

Originally Posted by Calatrava r

To me any watch is suitable for daily wear except a minute repeater but only because it is only humidity protected and should not be worn on rainy days.

not that I'd ever get to that level, I don't get how you can feel comfortable wearing just humidity resistant watches. need to check the weather forecast before taking it out. I had a vintage breitling navitimer that I got rid of and that was only a couple g vs a couple hundred g

[jmporsche944]

This question is plaguing me right now!

I have daily worn an Explorer for the past few years. I recently bought an Aquanaut because conceptually I love the daily wearability factor, how casual it is, and general IYKYK aspect of it. And, it’s not a rolex �� But, I am struggling to wear it daily…

Much has already been said here, but I think for me it’s:
- I like having something specific for special occasions. This is purely based on the rest of one’s collection. But, something naturally has more ‘occasion” to it when it is used more selectively. I have found the same holds true with cars.
- It’s now by far the nicest piece I have… so, I find myself treating it as such. Sort of impossible to ignore that factor.

And, probably the most spot on comment was already made - it’s purely a matter of one’s financial position. I’m not in a position today where I love the idea of banging up a $50k watch. That will require having something far more special in the collection first.

I imagine everyone goes through the continuous cycle of buying a watch that leapfrogs the rest of the collection, becomes the special piece, and the rest are daily wears. And so on it goes until we’re buried in the dirt.

[LaLaLife]

Got rid of an AP diver for this reason. The wrist presence was just... a bit too much for daily wear. Currently rotate every other day between a stainless GMT II and a white gold aqua. I will say I'm surprised by how beat up the 5168g gets, probably due to the softer material.

[Token74]

I had a 5990 and wore it as a daily for over two years, watches are to be worn and I wouldn’t own one that I couldn’t wear daily.


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