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Mike1066 · 14 July 2012, 04:09 AM

Gents:

This being the vintage forum, I think most of us would agree that Rolex divers are no longer the tool watches that they started off being?

If I get flamed for that comment, I get flamed. So be it...

Anyway, if you agree with the above comment, when do you think Rolex divers stopped being tool watches? Was it the white gold surrounds? Was it the $pricey$ ceramic bezels? Was it the loss of the maxi dials?

Would love to hear everyones' thoughts. And, if you think it is still a "tool" watch - then feel free to flame away

V/R

Mike

mldaytona · 14 July 2012, 04:24 AM

The current sports models from Rolex (Sub C, Deepsea, Explorer I & II, GMT C) are no less tool watches than their older siblings from decades ago. What makes them appear fragile is that disease called OCD.

Jason71 · 14 July 2012, 04:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mldaytona

The current sports models from Rolex (Sub C, Deepsea, Explorer I & II, GMT C) are no less tool watches than their older siblings from decades ago. What makes them appear fragile is that disease called OCD.

I do think it depends on how much you are willing to pay for the repair of a damaged part on a given watch. For me, the tool watch ended with the introduction of the ceramic bezel inserts. It is too expensive to replace a ceramic insert for me to chance breaking one while diving since it is more brittle than the aluminum.

Hence the reason that I dive with my 5513 or 14060m. I also prefer my watches used for diving to have drilled-through lug holes.

Mike1066 · 14 July 2012, 04:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason71

I also prefer my watches used for diving to have drilled-through lug holes.

Ahh, yes. Another modification I forgot to mention in my original post.

patek.wis · 14 July 2012, 04:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason71

I do think it depends on how much you are willing to pay for the repair of a damaged part on a given watch. For me, the tool watch ended with the introduction of the ceramic bezel inserts. It is too expensive to replace a ceramic insert for me to chance breaking one while diving since it is more brittle than the aluminum.

Hence the reason that I dive with my 5513 or 14060m. I also prefer my watches used for diving to have drilled-through lug holes.

Playing devils advocate - $1000 for a ceramic insert. Over $1000 for a 5513/1680 original insert. =)

ecsub44 · 14 July 2012, 06:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patek.wis

Playing devils advocate - $1000 for a ceramic insert. Over $1000 for a 5513/1680 original insert. =)

$1000 for a 5513 insert? Not for a 5513 from 1990...

Racer X · 14 July 2012, 06:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason71

For me, the tool watch ended with the introduction of the ceramic bezel inserts.

+1. IMO, this was the point at which fashion trumped function.

SennaFan · 16 July 2012, 12:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason71

I do think it depends on how much you are willing to pay for the repair of a damaged part on a given watch. For me, the tool watch ended with the introduction of the ceramic bezel inserts. It is too expensive to replace a ceramic insert for me to chance breaking one while diving since it is more brittle than the aluminum.

Hence the reason that I dive with my 5513 or 14060m. I also prefer my watches used for diving to have drilled-through lug holes.

This

padi56 · 15 July 2012, 03:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mldaytona

The current sports models from Rolex (Sub C, Deepsea, Explorer I & II, GMT C) are no less tool watches than their older siblings from decades ago. What makes them appear fragile is that disease called OCD.

Have to agree with above after reading the thousands of posts on TRF over the many years I sometimes wonder why some buy a Rolex watch.Perhaps today many just wear the brand because if they knew the watch.And that it is one of the toughest mechanical watches made today then perhaps all these can I do this or that post would stop.But perhaps pigs might sprout wings and start to fly afraid today Rolex watches are now mainly jewellery gone are the tool watch days. With many today getting such a pampered life perhaps Rolex should start making them from glass.

jhupp · 15 July 2012, 03:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by padi56

With many today getting such a pampered life perhaps Rolex should start making them from glass.

Don't give Rolex any ideas!!! Sad thing is they would probably sell like hot cakes.

ABCWatchWerks · 29 November 2016, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mldaytona

The current sports models from Rolex (Sub C, Deepsea, Explorer I & II, GMT C) are no less tool watches than their older siblings from decades ago. What makes them appear fragile is that disease called OCD.

Agreed.

ABCWatchWerks · 29 November 2016, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mldaytona

The current sports models from Rolex (Sub C, Deepsea, Explorer I & II, GMT C) are no less tool watches than their older siblings from decades ago. What makes them appear fragile is that disease called OCD.

Agreed.

HogwldFLTR · 30 November 2016, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mldaytona

The current sports models from Rolex (Sub C, Deepsea, Explorer I & II, GMT C) are no less tool watches than their older siblings from decades ago. What makes them appear fragile is that disease called OCD.

Actually nothing makes them appear fragile; what takes them out of the tool realm is the expense associated with purchase and the potential loss in value through use.

patek.wis · 14 July 2012, 04:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike1066

Gents:

This being the vintage forum, I think most of us would agree that Rolex divers are no longer the tool watches that they started off being?

If I get flamed for that comment, I get flamed. So be it...

Anyway, if you agree with the above comment, when do you think Rolex divers stopped being tool watches? Was it the white gold surrounds? Was it the $pricey$ ceramic bezels? Was it the loss of the maxi dials?

Would love to hear everyones' thoughts. And, if you think it is still a "tool" watch - then feel free to flame away

V/R

Mike

Still a tool watch, I love my 1680, but I love the new models too. They have their own place in time.

conrail · 14 July 2012, 04:59 AM

Whenever it was that the first person said: "I got a scratch on my Rolex - help!"

pdoukas · 14 July 2012, 05:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by conrail

Whenever it was that the first person said: "I got a scratch on my Rolex - help!"

Lol

Sent from my mobile device. Please excuse my spelling, punctuation, and brevity.

phillycheez · 14 July 2012, 06:29 AM

When they stopped with the drilled lugs. The model that kept it going was the 14060 which is now discontinued.

Paladin · 15 July 2012, 03:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Racer X

+1. IMO, this was the point at which fashion trumped function.

Quote:

Originally Posted by phillycheez

When they stopped with the drilled lugs. The model that kept it going was the 14060 which is now discontinued.

+1 on both accounts.

IMHO, that transition away from tool watch began when people bought Rolex "tool" models as a fashion statement and rolex mArketing and design decided to follow the trend....ie no lug holes, ceramic bezels and most definitely with the maxi case.

liuk3 · 14 July 2012, 06:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike1066

... when do you think Rolex divers stopped being tool watches? ...

when they started making much cheaper watches with both depth gauges as well as bottom timers on them...

Darlinboy · 14 July 2012, 06:42 AM

I say still tool-watch CAPABLE,

But NOT USED as such by many!

Dr. Robert · 14 July 2012, 06:47 AM

bah humbug....when they (Rolex) got rid of lug holes in their SS watches.

Rebel · 28 November 2016, 12:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Robert

bah humbug....when they (Rolex) got rid of lug holes in their SS watches.

This.

Owterspace · 14 July 2012, 06:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mldaytona

The current sports models from Rolex (Sub C, Deepsea, Explorer I & II, GMT C) are no less tool watches than their older siblings from decades ago. What makes them appear fragile is that disease called OCD.

I agree :)

SubmarinerMariner · 14 July 2012, 06:50 AM

Didn't it stop being a tool watch the moment a buyer didn't actually buy it to go diving? The watch was designed for divers as a tool, therefore the moment a non-diver bought it cuz it looked 'good', it ceased its purpose as a tool watch for said consumer and became a fashion/jewelry/wrist ornament item...

I mean, I'm a diver - but I dive with more specialized watches for diving and seldom with a Submariner, SD, or PAM anymore...has it ceased to be a tool watch for me - probably, I DID buy it as a fashion/jewelry/wrist ornament to begin with...

Gold Crown · 13 December 2016, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SubmarinerMariner

Didn't it stop being a tool watch the moment a buyer didn't actually buy it to go diving? The watch was designed for divers as a tool, therefore the moment a non-diver bought it cuz it looked 'good', it ceased its purpose as a tool watch for said consumer and became a fashion/jewelry/wrist ornament item...

I mean, I'm a diver - but I dive with more specialized watches for diving and seldom with a Submariner, SD, or PAM anymore...has it ceased to be a tool watch for me - probably, I DID buy it as a fashion/jewelry/wrist ornament to begin with...

Bingo! we have a winner!!!

Arclight · 18 January 2017, 07:06 PM

If you don't drive nails with your hammer, is it no longer a tool?

River · 19 January 2017, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arclight

If you don't drive nails with your hammer, is it no longer a tool?

+1

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Check · 14 July 2012, 06:51 AM

Agree with all of the posts above.

When the person wearing it dreads damaging it for the cost to repair or replace it, it stopped being a tool watch. When cheaper alternatives...

Definitely still tool capable but with lots of finesse and style to boot!

Chipmunk · 14 July 2012, 07:03 AM

May not be a tool anymore but it's still a cool watch.

JohnnyS. · 14 July 2012, 07:05 AM

When steel watches started costing $8000.

14 July 2012, 04:09 AM	#1
Mike1066 "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: San Diego, CA Watch: 16600 Posts: 728	When did Rolex STOP being a tool watch? Gents: This being the vintage forum, I think most of us would agree that Rolex divers are no longer the tool watches that they started off being? If I get flamed for that comment, I get flamed. So be it... Anyway, if you agree with the above comment, when do you think Rolex divers stopped being tool watches? Was it the white gold surrounds? Was it the $pricey$ ceramic bezels? Was it the loss of the maxi dials? Would love to hear everyones' thoughts. And, if you think it is still a "tool" watch - then feel free to flame away V/R Mike __________________ V/R Mike

14 July 2012, 04:59 AM	#15
conrail "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Boston Posts: 3,177	Whenever it was that the first person said: "I got a scratch on my Rolex - help!" __________________ "Oh, you give a f****' aspirin a headache, pal!"

14 July 2012, 06:42 AM	#20
Darlinboy 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Real Name: DB Location: :noitacoL Watch: :hctaW Posts: 6,699	I say still tool-watch CAPABLE, But NOT USED as such by many! __________________ Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit.

14 July 2012, 06:47 AM	#21
Dr. Robert 2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Real Name: Bob Location: U.S.A. Watch: 1655 Posts: 61,402	bah humbug....when they (Rolex) got rid of lug holes in their SS watches. __________________ Founder & Card Carrying Member of the Global Association of Retro-Grouch-Curmudgeons

14 July 2012, 07:03 AM	#29
Chipmunk "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Real Name: Alvin Location: So Cal Watch: ROLEXES Posts: 5,390	May not be a tool anymore but it's still a cool watch. __________________ "A thing of beauty is a joy forever"............John Keats

14 July 2012, 04:24 AM	#2
mldaytona "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Real Name: Michael Location: USA Watch: me go all out Posts: 1,183	The current sports models from Rolex (Sub C, Deepsea, Explorer I & II, GMT C) are no less tool watches than their older siblings from decades ago. What makes them appear fragile is that disease called OCD.

14 July 2012, 06:29 AM	#17
phillycheez "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Portland Posts: 398	When they stopped with the drilled lugs. The model that kept it going was the 14060 which is now discontinued.

18 January 2017, 07:06 PM	#26
Arclight Banned Join Date: Mar 2013 Real Name: Rob Location: New York Watch: Rolex Posts: 577	If you don't drive nails with your hammer, is it no longer a tool?

14 July 2012, 06:51 AM	#28
Check 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Real Name: Matt Vera Location: So Cal Watch: Explorer (124270) Posts: 314	Agree with all of the posts above. When the person wearing it dreads damaging it for the cost to repair or replace it, it stopped being a tool watch. When cheaper alternatives... Definitely still tool capable but with lots of finesse and style to boot!

14 July 2012, 07:05 AM	#30
JohnnyS. Banned Join Date: May 2012 Location: Canada Posts: 139	When steel watches started costing $8000.

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