Leaving out dandy-s, we all want a watch that survives occasional debauchery and live for at least a few years to go telling about it. That essentially brings to the mind the term tool watch; but that doesn’t necessarily mean a vintage Patek (w/ perpetual calendar); though it will serve another purpose than time telling, it will not survive the surfs or the steep, rocky climb. So the basic definition of a watch doubling up as a chunky, rugged, useful/everyday tool is not met; the Casio G-Shock Gravity Defier fits the definition much better. And a tool watch must also give off an air of the substantial ruggedness to stand the whippings of a particular profession or sports; how much ever it is considered beautiful (from engineering standpoints), fact remains beauty fades before strength. Specific sports or professional activities; this is the first criteria they look for.
A few more that fits the definition equally good are the Seiko MarineMaster Professional 1000M Diver, , the Seiko Prospex MarineMaster Professional and the Seiko 5 Automatic Map Meter. However, for an extensive list, follow this link.
That was a whole lot of namedropping; okay, now back to the basic question: Where did it all come from? Still better: Who built the first tool watch?
It’s definitely big names like Rolex and Breitling the credit goes to (you must not look stumped); if you are familiar with names like Martin Skeet or Nick Urul, then you may skip the rest of this post. Else, welcome to a whole new world of madness.
According to these two authors, the first tool criteria was merely waterproofing (Rolex did it in the 1920s and named them Oyster-s) and the series continues even to this day. So a whole new horizon opened up and other innovative watch companies jumped into the bandwagon. So Rolex went on increasing its capacity to withstand water pressure and the Rolex diving watches (1940s) were the first tool watches that came into existence. Sadly, the order was placed by the Italian Panerai company (for Italian Navy), so you won’t find these with the Rolex emblem.
Now, Rolex’s director (Rene P. Jeanneret) set his target on making tool watch the middle name for the Rolex-s. That was in the 1950s. They took out a civilian version of the Italian Navy watch, what we know today as the Submariner. The only difference is: This Uber-Watch is not for every civilian and how much ever a tool it is, I would certainly feel a cold chill down my spine if the one I’m wearing scrapes on the underwater rocky surfaces. The Seiko MarineMaster Professional 1000M Diver, , the Seiko Prospex MarineMaster Professional and the Seiko 5 Automatic Map Meter at least, will spare me from that chill while at work, with their magnificent powers to withstand, which at times is equal – if not better – to the Swiss giants.
