The Breitling Watch Source Forums

I'm just wondering if anyone else has some reservations about wearing their good watches to work. My job can get messy at times and I'm always checking my watch to make sure I'm not scratching them or getting plaster or carbon fiber, resin, fiberglass etc.. on them.
Some days I'm removing my watch up to 6 times a day. But the only other option is wearing a beater during the day and limiting my watch enjoyment for the weekends.
Right now, I wear them all to work and just try to be as careful as I can and take them off if I know I will get something on one of them.
I don't want my watches to control me, but as I buy more high end watches or LE pieces, the more cautious I become.
How about you guys?

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Cheers,
Christopher

Currently...
Blackbird, Black Hercules, PAM 000
Down to a humble three...

haha well i work in a architecture office so it doesn't get any abuse what so ever, it gets more abuse when im out on the weekends.

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Pain is only weakness leaving the body.

I work in an office as well, so not really an issue. The only time that I'll swap out to a cheap watch is if I'm doing heavy work on my property - using a chainsaw for example.

thats what a seiko monster was invented for...indestructable...ish..i always wear a beater to work

I used to be manager in a biochemical mini-plant, running the production in a "hands-on" orientated environment. When I knew things could be messy I removed my watch. You don't want to get strong chemicals/acids/solvents on you, and especially not on your watch.

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Collection: http://s540.photobucket.com/albums/gg32 ... mview=grid

What time it was would be the last thing on my mind with a running chainsaw in my hand....

I do construction Management and wear a M1, I also ocasionaly take it off to protect it. I have an old Ernest Benz for a real beater but I rarley wear that one any more. The M1 is pretty rough and tough.

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Rolex 42mm Explorer
IWC Ingenieur

A few others too.

Scratches are going to happen inevitably. Its kind of endearing to look down at a watch and see it roughed up yet still ticking. I dont go out of my way to scratch or ding my watches but its nice to see that they can handle a little rough and tumble thrown at them. I say just wear 'em they can take it. Plus you can always send it back for refinishing if it gets too bad.

Scratches are fine but dipping it in glass fiber, carbon fiber or DMSO is different. And not in a good way.

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Collection: http://s540.photobucket.com/albums/gg32 ... mview=grid

I'm an office dweller too, so fortunately not too many issue for the timepieces.

However, I am Mr Careful when it comes to anything active, so my "good " watches are never worn to the gym/beach/for DIY, etc, etc.

Works for me anyway.

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Driver8

Site Moderator

I too work in an office which you figure would be safe (and it is most of the time to be fair)...however one cannot rule out the rare swing of the arm, dodging someone (or not ) resulting in connection with a wall/desk/door...sometimes the covering of the shirt adds a veneer of protection but for those times it doesn't much pain is felt

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Happines is Good Health and a Bad Memory.
"Ingrid Bergman"

This reminds of the time that happened to me when I was wearing my first generation Steelfish. I heard the muted noise of watch-under-cuff-against-wall and looked down in slow horror only to see that the watch was absolutely fine. However one of the rider-tabs had gone clean through the cuff of my double-cuff shirt! Scratch one shirt, but at least the watch was fine!

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Driver8

Site Moderator

When I did turn wrenches on helicopters I did not own a Breitling, I had my Rolex. I did replace two crystals on my Submariner though. Once I slipped with a torque wrench and cracked the crystal and the other the watch was closed on an engine cowling and smashed the crystal. I learned my lesson after the second time. It was getting expensive at $475 (10 years ago) to replace the crystal. Now that I am a Technical Representative for a helicopter manufacturer I don't turn wrenches that much and I can wear my Navitimer and not worry about it getting damaged....hopefully. When I do heavy work around the house or work with my wife I wear a Citizen Eco Drive.

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Garfield411
CH-53D & UH-1N
Crew Chief
Old Navitimer
Chrono Avenger M1
Colt Automatic (Early)
Rolex Submariner
Rolex Explorer II

This question is one of the biggest in my mind right now, as I'm considering buying a nice high-end watch like Breitling. I'm a pilot, so while my work is not just "sit at a computer", it's also not fully industrial like operating construction equipment or heavy machinery. I'm wondering if a Breitling would stand up to the test of time, over a prolonged period, without significant scratches or chips in the watch face.

My mid-grade consumer watches I've worn the last 15 years all get cracks and scratches and I have to replace them every 4-5 years or so.

[EDIT: I do take off the watch or wear a cheap-o rubber one if I do yardwork or work on my car or things like that]

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Chris
Club Member #0070
2009 TT Chrono Evo w/Rose gold, blue face
2009 Airwolf w/black face, Co-Pilot module
2009 TT Lady Cockpit w/Mother-of-Pearl, Diamond face for the wife

Breitling stainless is a scratch magnet - but polishing cloths like Sunshine or Cape Cod can do wonders. In terms of dings on the case - it can happen, but if you worry too much you'll never wear them - you could knock it at a fancy restaurant on a night out.

The crystal is sapphire - it'll take something like diamond to scratch it, and while the AR costing can be scratched they are usually such slight scratches that you need a loup to find them.

Wear it and enjoy it - that's what they're for.