Wearing special 'never-sell' watch everyday - diff bracelet?
Discussion
Hi all.
I got my automatic Longines Hydroconquest from my father for my 21st birthday last week.
Before I recieved it, I told myself I'd wear it everyday, as it should be enjoyed, I'm a student so it wouldn't get much abuse, and it would be safer to keep it on my wrist for sure than in the watch box tucked in a drawer. If I scratched it, or took a chunk out of it, since i'll never sell it, I wouldn't think twice at getting it refinished one day.
I've been wearing it every day. I brushed the bracelet across my belt the other day and marked one of the polished centre links. No biggie really, easily could mask the brushed links and polish the polished ones it with a cape cod cloth? Any marks to the brushed stainless steel finish, I could use one those refinishing pens right?
Anyway, it's made me think twice about wearing it everyday. I still maintain it should be worn, and it's safer on my wrist, but I can't deny, I've become even more precious over it... and i'm a true perfectionist!
I'm considering buying a different bracelet for it for wearing everyday, and keeping the original bracelet... what do you think? I was seriously considering a wjean28 (ebay) shark mesh bracelet, but I think only to prevent me fussing over the original bracelet!
Should I just stop worrying, and wear it as it was designed to be worn, with the mindset that a mask up and polish is no biggie, and going over any marks on the brushed bits isn't exactly a big job?
I think i've answered my own question!
I got my automatic Longines Hydroconquest from my father for my 21st birthday last week.
Before I recieved it, I told myself I'd wear it everyday, as it should be enjoyed, I'm a student so it wouldn't get much abuse, and it would be safer to keep it on my wrist for sure than in the watch box tucked in a drawer. If I scratched it, or took a chunk out of it, since i'll never sell it, I wouldn't think twice at getting it refinished one day.
I've been wearing it every day. I brushed the bracelet across my belt the other day and marked one of the polished centre links. No biggie really, easily could mask the brushed links and polish the polished ones it with a cape cod cloth? Any marks to the brushed stainless steel finish, I could use one those refinishing pens right?
Anyway, it's made me think twice about wearing it everyday. I still maintain it should be worn, and it's safer on my wrist, but I can't deny, I've become even more precious over it... and i'm a true perfectionist!
I'm considering buying a different bracelet for it for wearing everyday, and keeping the original bracelet... what do you think? I was seriously considering a wjean28 (ebay) shark mesh bracelet, but I think only to prevent me fussing over the original bracelet!
Should I just stop worrying, and wear it as it was designed to be worn, with the mindset that a mask up and polish is no biggie, and going over any marks on the brushed bits isn't exactly a big job?
I think i've answered my own question!
I've considered buying something for my TT Sub as I got a replacement price for one from Rolex and then went and sat down for a stiff drink. That being said I didn't bother and have carried on as normal. Nothing to stop you buying a bracelet from Longines later on if you do completely bugger your current strap up.
Decent straps are fairly cheap in relation to the price of a watch. Your average Hirsch will run you about £30. Nato straps are a lot less.
Decent straps are fairly cheap in relation to the price of a watch. Your average Hirsch will run you about £30. Nato straps are a lot less.
Plenty of decent straps available for relatively little outlay...
I have 'gator and rubber straps that tend to get rotated round some of my watches.
However, what I would say is - just wear it!
It will get scratched and knocked and then it will become part of the patina and wear the marks with honour!
If you get really, really fussy, like you say; it's steel - it can be polished, welded etc etc!
I have 'gator and rubber straps that tend to get rotated round some of my watches.
However, what I would say is - just wear it!
It will get scratched and knocked and then it will become part of the patina and wear the marks with honour!
If you get really, really fussy, like you say; it's steel - it can be polished, welded etc etc!
I think you're right... Like I said, I answered my own question!
I've got nice leather, sailcloth/cordura, and cheap rubber straps in the watch box on a couple of homage watches, but they wouldn't fit this.
Before I got it, I intended to chuck it on a nice classy blue leather strap with white stitching, instead of my usual rugged looking thick handmade straps - and get a nice rubber strap and clasp for it... but actually, in the flesh it looks a million dollars, absolutely wonderful, on the part brushed part polished bracelet - it catches the light nicely... It doesn't pull hairs like I remember metal bracelets doing as a kid, and doesn't get nasty like rubber and leather can... but I still do fancy a shark mesh strap.
I think i'll wear it as is for a while, as it looks and feels fab, and as you say, it's stainless steel, so easily refinishable - so I won't rush into changing it to preserve it - maybe put a shark mesh on it just for the summer to change things up a bit.
I am thinking I'll get my hands on a spare blue bezel insert if I can though - in 20 years time I might regret not having a genuine spare!
I've got nice leather, sailcloth/cordura, and cheap rubber straps in the watch box on a couple of homage watches, but they wouldn't fit this.
Before I got it, I intended to chuck it on a nice classy blue leather strap with white stitching, instead of my usual rugged looking thick handmade straps - and get a nice rubber strap and clasp for it... but actually, in the flesh it looks a million dollars, absolutely wonderful, on the part brushed part polished bracelet - it catches the light nicely... It doesn't pull hairs like I remember metal bracelets doing as a kid, and doesn't get nasty like rubber and leather can... but I still do fancy a shark mesh strap.
I think i'll wear it as is for a while, as it looks and feels fab, and as you say, it's stainless steel, so easily refinishable - so I won't rush into changing it to preserve it - maybe put a shark mesh on it just for the summer to change things up a bit.
I am thinking I'll get my hands on a spare blue bezel insert if I can though - in 20 years time I might regret not having a genuine spare!
I guess you could go down the alternate strap or bracelet route to save the OEM one.
Or just wear it, collect scratches and scrapes over the years. If Longines are anything like other Swiss makers once it goes in for a full service the case and bracelet get refinished to as new standard as part of that service anyway. So no real need to worry.
I wish they did that for cars too. take your car for a service and get the carpark / shopping trolley 'rewards' taken care of on the paint work. that would be great
Or just wear it, collect scratches and scrapes over the years. If Longines are anything like other Swiss makers once it goes in for a full service the case and bracelet get refinished to as new standard as part of that service anyway. So no real need to worry.
I wish they did that for cars too. take your car for a service and get the carpark / shopping trolley 'rewards' taken care of on the paint work. that would be great
Wear it, scratch it, scuff it, live in it that way its got some character, I mean don't abuse it and kick it about but this way if you ever decide to pass it on they know its important to you and not just something that's been living in a box for the last 20 years.
That's the way I think about my watches anyway.
However if you want to wear it on a shark mesh then go ahead, after all your wearing it so may as well have it on what you want.
That's the way I think about my watches anyway.
However if you want to wear it on a shark mesh then go ahead, after all your wearing it so may as well have it on what you want.
Bit like with cars you should expect to get scratches on the bracelets and I wouldn't worry about them. Obviously if it was made of precious metal, that's another matter!
I'm saying this after arriving home in a new omega aqua terra having scratch the clasp already...within 2 hours of purchase! Ha!
I'm saying this after arriving home in a new omega aqua terra having scratch the clasp already...within 2 hours of purchase! Ha!
Bit like with cars you should expect to get scratches on the bracelets and I wouldn't worry about them. Obviously if it was made of precious metal, that's another matter!
I'm saying this after arriving home in a new omega aqua terra having scratch the clasp already...within 2 hours of purchase! Ha!
I'm saying this after arriving home in a new omega aqua terra having scratch the clasp already...within 2 hours of purchase! Ha!
As above, it's a nice watch but it's not a super rare high value watch that would be a loss to the world if it were damaged, the loss is to you as it's sentimental, but what's the point of having it tucked away not being used, if you like the bracelet fitted then just enjoy it, enjoy the marks and history the watch picks up over the years as you wear it. If on the other hand the bracelet is flawed in some way keep it for best and wear on a shark mesh or nato or whatever takes your fancy.
Thanks guys - you're definitely right! Also - I forgot that it would likely be spruced up when serviced in a few years time 
I will get a shark mesh bracelet at some point. wjean28 on ebay is often recommended for good quality ploprof style shark mesh bracelets. He does a discount too for members of many watch forums, so I think it worked out at £46 down to £36 shipped insured from Canada!
My only sticking point is deciding on a clasp - I like the idea of a seatbelt style clasp, which he can supply, but I'm thinking it will be harder to do up on a daily basis than a traditional fold over clasp?
As well as this, the standard push button fold over clasp with a safety clasp he supplies might be more secure? Riding a motorcycle every day I worry I could undo some clasps by mistake putting my gloves on etc. - it falling to the floor would be absolutely awful obviously! I guess this depends if the spring is as strong as the one in the pucker omega clasp.
Anyone got any experience with both types of clasp?
I will get a shark mesh bracelet at some point. wjean28 on ebay is often recommended for good quality ploprof style shark mesh bracelets. He does a discount too for members of many watch forums, so I think it worked out at £46 down to £36 shipped insured from Canada!
My only sticking point is deciding on a clasp - I like the idea of a seatbelt style clasp, which he can supply, but I'm thinking it will be harder to do up on a daily basis than a traditional fold over clasp?
As well as this, the standard push button fold over clasp with a safety clasp he supplies might be more secure? Riding a motorcycle every day I worry I could undo some clasps by mistake putting my gloves on etc. - it falling to the floor would be absolutely awful obviously! I guess this depends if the spring is as strong as the one in the pucker omega clasp.
Anyone got any experience with both types of clasp?
Edited by 13aines on Thursday 30th January 17:11
Just wear the bloody thing 
I never understand these people who buy a watch and immediately store the bracelet because they "don't want to damage it".
If your main eye is on getting back as much of the cost as possible when you sell it, save yourself the trouble and money and don't buy it in the first place.
My HC isn't on its bracelet, but that's only because I like it so much on a leather strap. I wore it diving a few times and the bracelet has some (real) diving marks, but I'm not worried.
Watches are made to be worn! Wear them!!!
M
I never understand these people who buy a watch and immediately store the bracelet because they "don't want to damage it".
If your main eye is on getting back as much of the cost as possible when you sell it, save yourself the trouble and money and don't buy it in the first place.
My HC isn't on its bracelet, but that's only because I like it so much on a leather strap. I wore it diving a few times and the bracelet has some (real) diving marks, but I'm not worried.
Watches are made to be worn! Wear them!!!
M
Is it possible to keep a SS bracelet unmarked anyway? I got a Seamaster in August and the clasp already looks like it's been dragged across a desert. The rest of it is immaculate but it's the nature of where it is. First time you lean on a desk to type, catch it on something, etc etc, it'll get scuffed up. No biggie.
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