The Differences Between Tool Watches, Sport Watches, and Dress Watches

Are modern Rolex watches really tool watches anymore? Should Apple Watches count as a watch, or just a piece of tech? Let me know what your think.
Join me for a walkabout while I discuss the differences between tool watches, sports watches, and dress watches. These are my thoughts more than hard and fast rules, so there is a certain level of subjectivity with the different classifications.

[@Mr.DippsChad]

Very spot on about the types of tool watches.

[@burbinghard]

Appreciate the feedback 🙏🏻

[@maureenahope]

This was a wonderful summary, thank you

[@Ali-Reza]

Man - the production quality here is great! Well done!

[@burbinghard]

Thanks Ali. 🙏🏻 learning slowly but surely.

[@NomadByNecessity]

You have done an outstanding effort at what most watch seller hide away from doing.. and most watch buyers are too lazy or greedy to adopt. I can't believe this video has this few view or indeed comments! This is the most fundamental thing in the ownership of watches.. differentiation of the different styles and uses of watches. You may however need a version 2 of this video where you feature more watches of every categorization. Well-Done!

[@chilli-badger]

Brilliant take on what does where when. I agree when you add precious metal your shifting gears up from tool to sports. Great location your walking around in...looks like maybe Florida ? Anyway cheers Burb take care & Happy New Year fella.

[@burbinghard]

Thanks The-Chilli-Badger, Happy New Year to you as well. I was in California for this one!

[@modestghost9732]

This was wonderful! I learned allot! Thank you!

[@jongoodman7448]

Well said, and with great examples.

[@burbinghard]

Thanks 🙏🏻

[@LaFritePerreGoat]

Great insight in your way of thinking.

[@burbinghard]

Thanks for the feedback Mr Frenchfries Monster

[@clifffordmendes9367]

Very informative, differences well laid out. However the background view is quite impressive.

[@burbinghard]

Thanks 🙏🏻 Cliffford Mendes,

[@DoveSharma]

Great video, what if a field watch is made of precious metal? Does that make it a sport watch?

[@Tripledigit0922]

Makes sense

[@TheLexiCat]

Why dont you bring your rolex diving/water activities?

[@burbinghard]

I have in the past, but as Submariners have gone up in value, and become harder to get, I seem to go with my Tudors or Omega more often for beach/swimming day. My Tudor Pelagos handles it well!

[@markdegaute2125]

For me there are fundamentally 3 categories of watch. They are Sporty, Dressy and Digital. Sports have writing on the bezel, e.g. Sub, Speedy etc. Dressy will have no writing on the bezel, e.g. Datejust, Santos, Explorer 1 etc. Digital are Smart watches or Casio F91W, G shocks etc. Just my opinion.

[@burbinghard]

We’re close. Digital watches didn’t exist prior to the 1970s. So were there only two classes prior to 1970, or do you think digital watches have completely replaced tool watches?

[@markdegaute2125]

Yes I do. The Rolex Professional line is defined by the Mercedes hand and flip lock clasp however how often do you see professionals using these watches as Tools? Ask yourself this question, if you were conscripted to the army, navy it air force would you wear an Explorer, Sub or GMT? No, you'd probably have a couple of Casio F91Ws or a G Shock.

[@burbinghard]

@@markdegaute2125 there are plenty of people in the military that own and wear luxury watches, including Rolex. Especially people that work in contracting, intel, and on the tac teams. I have no problem wearing a tool watch when I’m in training or on mission. There are some professional models with stick hands BTW. I think the price point and highly polished surfaces make them less common these days. Plus they don’t sell Rolex in the military stores anymore (in the US at least). Yes Garmin, G Shock, etc are more common though.

[@markdegaute2125]

@@burbinghard Those wearing luxury are very wealthy and/or they're traditional, like driving a stick shift classic car when realistically automatic is more practical. Great conversation BTW and FWIW I would probably wear an SKX007 on a NATO so that I could feel like "Bond on a budget" because like you, I'm a watch geek!

[@svenbruder9977]

Yes…Navy Seals wear Rolex because they are reliable but it’s more for bartering, in case they are compromised. Everyone knows Rolex has value even troglodytes lol

[@quickerthandrawing2822]

👌🙌👊