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How hard is sand/the beach on bracelet pins, etc.

F
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Hi guys,

I have a Diver 300 that I wear all the time, and although I used to change straps fairly frequently, lately I've felt that I just want to keep the watch on its bracelet all the time. Works fine in every situation, apart from maybe the beach - which is what I'm trying to figure out.

I don't care about scratches/hairlines. What I'm worried about is sand getting in between the links, grinding down the pins etc. Is that something to worry about, or is the effect negligible. Keep in mind that I'm worried about the function and safety of the bracelet, not the aesthetics.

214655358_3302669669969865_5632859757897827142_n.jpg
 
JwRosenthal
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That you are thinking about it says you already know. Sand is an aggregate, it gets all the way up in your hidden bits. Getting inside the tubes and links of a bracelet is child’s plays for sand. If you flush the watch well with fresh water (salt water is bad news for Stainless over time) and periodically do an ultrasonic, it may help to losses up the gunk- but you will probably never get it all out without totally dismantling every link.
 
gbesq
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Why take the risk with a 5k watch? Get a beater for the beach.
 
J
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How much sand are we talking about? All I can say is I always wore mine to the beach without visible effects.
 
Wryfox
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I live by the beach. Sand and salt tears up everything. Half life on everything you own. Don't wear a nice watch near sand and salt. Just don't. Get a beater.
 
D
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Isn’t half the point of a dive watch to wear it to the beach? 😁 A bracelet will probably see some wear with sand, but wearing it on a strap and rinsing it with fresh water afterwards should help out a lot? I am planning on buying the same watch as OP, and I plan to use it whenever I am near a water activity and my speedmaster should stay at home, but it sounds as you guys mean we should baby it because going to a beach with a diver is bad for the watch 😵‍💫
 
SkunkPrince
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Clearly you can spend your money as you want but you'll have to exercise discretion. Not all sand is the same and not every beach activity will necessarily get your watch all covered with the stuff, either. Just look at how fine the sand is and gauge if it can really work its way into the bracelet.
 
dstfno
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Unless you plan to get wet and then roll around in the sand, don't worry. A diver can handle it no problem. I've worn Datejusts, Speedmasters and Seamasters to the beach without ill effect. Just make sure you rinse it well in fresh water afterwards.
 
blufinz52
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Did you catch any fish? Like the watch, btw...very nice.
 
Wryfox
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D dtd
Isn’t half the point of a dive watch to wear it to the beach? 😁 A bracelet will probably see some wear with sand, but wearing it on a strap and rinsing it with fresh water afterwards should help out a lot? I am planning on buying the same watch as OP, and I plan to use it whenever I am near a water activity and my speedmaster should stay at home, but it sounds as you guys mean we should baby it because going to a beach with a diver is bad for the watch 😵‍💫

I assume since the op is asking about wear and injury, he would rather prefer to keep his watch safe. Others may not be as concerned, but the op is.

Fact is, salt and sand will accelerate wear. Living here, I would not consider wearing a 5 or 10k watch at the beach. Plus all the other risks with beach/boat activities such caustic cleaners, blood, fuel, oils, etc etc.
 
Dan S
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I think you should enjoy your watch, but clean it thoroughly more frequently (maybe using an ultrasonic on the bracelet), and also budget for more frequent professional cleanings.
 
Bizcut1
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Been taking my dive watches to the ocean forever....why?

Because it's a dive watch. Shocking I know.

IMG_2677.jpeg IMG_2684.jpeg IMG_2685.jpeg
 
F
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Thanks for your replies, guys!

This is my beater, and I take it everywhere. So far its been with me both diving, fishing and building sand castles with the kids (with regards to the topic of this discussion). Sand between the links is my only concern, and what I wanted opinions about. Sand + metal = grinding to which degree. I don't want to grind down the pins too prematurely and have the bracelet fail on me.

Now this isn't my beater because I'm loaded with cash, and all my other watches are Pateks. It's my beater because I've been thinking alot about the stories connected to vintage/used watches. We like to know about the life lived with these watches, but we only experience this life from the outside. Well, I thought, no more! So I bought this Seamaster when my third daughter was born this spring (and another Omega for the wife, of course), and had the names of my kids engraved on the back. This is a watch I want to wear for a long time, all the time.

20210531_212233.jpg
 
Pete2021
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F frabr
Thanks for your replies, guys!

This is my beater, and I take it everywhere. So far its been with me both diving, fishing and building sand castles with the kids (with regards to the topic of this discussion). Sand between the links is my only concern, and what I wanted opinions about. Sand + metal = grinding to which degree. I don't want to grind down the pins too prematurely and have the bracelet fail on me.

Now this isn't my beater because I'm loaded with cash, and all my other watches are Pateks. It's my beater because I've been thinking alot about the stories connected to vintage/used watches. We like to know about the life lived with these watches, but we only experience this life from the outside. Well, I thought, no more! So I bought this Seamaster when my third daughter was born this spring (and another Omega for the wife, of course), and had the names of my kids engraved on the back. This is a watch I want to wear for a long time, all the time.

20210531_212233.jpg


Well said.
 
Charger_Vital
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Wryfox Wryfox
I live by the beach. Sand and salt tears up everything. Half life on everything you own. Don't wear a nice watch near sand and salt. Just don't. Get a beater.

I could not disagree more.

The beater-watch concept is a loser.

frabr.... wear your killer Omega in the sun and have fun. That's what they are made for. Give it a quick rinse on occasion. Send it in to get serviced when you are supposed to. It will not get ruined your your lifetime.
 
STANDY
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Wear a dive watch.
Always get seals changed every 2.
Get it serviced every 3 time.

A dive watch is a beater.
 
F
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STANDY STANDY
Wear a dive watch.
Always get seals changed every 2.
Get it serviced every 3 time.

A dive watch is a beater.

Again, just wondering about bracelet pins vs sand 😉
 
STANDY
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Sand is bad for everything. But if your watch is serviced it should include bracelet also.
I had a modern Speedmaster serviced and it included bracelet also. Your watch pictured would have the bracelet looked at in a service.
An Omega service centre looks at bracelets during services.
 
jaguar11
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I agree completely with the concept that you can actually wear your dive watch on the beach. If you are really worried about the bracelet (which will likely be subject to the most wear) you could use a NATO.... Good luck and enjoy your watch!!!!!!!!
 
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