Although many affordable and reliable watch brands exist, nothing screams style quite as much as a luxury watch. Contrary to watches that are only made for their durability, luxury watches also focus on being elegant and timeless. But, of course, durability is also important. So what is the toughest luxury watch?

The toughest luxury watch brands are Rolex and Tudor. These companies have spent a lot of research and time developing luxury watches that can withstand even the harshest of elements. The Rolex Submariner is one of the toughest luxury watches, while the Tudor Pelagos is a close second.

Understanding what determines a watch’s durability and what watches are considered luxury watches is crucial if you want to find the toughest one on the market. We’ll discuss everything about luxury watches and what makes them durable.

What Is The Toughest Luxury Watch?

Before we can discuss the toughest luxury watches, we must first consider what the term “luxury watch” means. In addition, we must consider how experts determine the durability of a watch. This will give you a clear understanding of why the watches on our list are there.

So, let’s consider the elements that make watches luxury watches and how they are graded according to their durability.

What Is Considered A Luxury Watch?

The first term we must define to find the toughest luxury watch is “luxury watch.” There are countless watch companies and brands, but not all offer the same luxury experience when wearing them. Most watches can tell the time, for example, but not all watches are equally adequate.

There are 4 measures used to determine if a watch is considered a luxury watch. Of course, you can look at the price tag, but what justifies the price of a luxury watch? Let’s take a look.

1. Accuracy Of The Watch

Since the primary function of a watch is to tell time, it is to be expected that luxury watches are superior in their function of keeping time. While most watches can keep the time, some are more accurate with keeping it correctly than others.

Have you ever noticed how your digital watch slowly starts losing its accuracy? It may be slow at first, losing a few seconds to a few minutes. Eventually, however, the watch will not tell the time as accurately as it once did.

Many luxury watches are sent to chronometer specialists who determine if the watch can accurately tell the time. A good watch is considered one that is accurate to 6 seconds. Some luxury watch brands, like Omega, also include a certificate from a chronometer to certify that the watch accurately tells the time.

2. Material Of The Watch

Another essential factor that determines the quality (and durability) of a watch is the material from which it is crafted. Steel and bronze are commonly used to produce the watch cases of more affordable watch brands, while titanium, platinum, and gold are used in luxury watches.

In addition, many luxury watch companies also produce their own materials or combine other materials to form something new to use as their watch. These watch cases are often more refined and durable than standard steel or bronze watch cases, which is also why they come at a steeper price.

3. Material Of The Strap

In addition to using premium materials to create their watches, luxury watch companies also use premium materials to manufacture their watch straps. For more affordable watch brands, silicone, synthetic leather, and steel or bronze are common materials.

On the contrary, luxury watch brands often use materials like full-grain leather, gold, or titanium. These materials are long-lasting. The watch straps are also often embossed with the brand logo, and the stitching is neat and uniform to ensure the watch has a polished finish.

The material of the watch strap is important, as premium materials are more durable and less likely to cause skin allergies.

4. Movement Of The Watch

Upon closer inspection, you will notice how the watch arms move. More affordable watch brands often insert quartz movements. While this isn’t necessarily a problem, it looks more smooth than the swooping motion many luxury watch brands use.

This is also a way to distinguish between a genuine and fake luxury watch, primarily if the watch company is known for using swooping movements in their watch arms. Still, the watch’s movement is less important than other factors, which is why some luxury brands also have models with quartz movements.

How Do They Determine The Durability Of A Watch?

The following term we need to define is “toughness or durability.” This will help you see which luxury watches are tougher and, therefore, more durable. If you want to determine how durable a luxury watch is, you must consider 4 things:

  • Is the watch waterproof?
  • What is the Case material made of?
  • What is the glass face made of?
  • What is the strap made of?

We’ve already touched on two of these points, however, they deem further discussion concerning their durability. First, how does a watch’s waterproof rating influence its durability? Well, your watch gets exposed to water more often than you might think.

People often forget to remove their watches before getting wet, whether it’s taking a shower, washing the dishes, or going for a splash in the pool.

This will be a severe problem if your watch isn’t water-resistant. So, for a luxury watch to have any toughness about it, it must be water resistant. It doesn’t necessarily need to be water resistant up to 328 feet (100 meters) since you likely won’t take it diving.

But good water resistance goes a long way to toughening a watch up. Being dustproof is also a factor since your watch will likely be exposed to dust and fine powders throughout its life. Fortunately, most luxury watches are waterproof and dustproof to some extent.

As we’ve mentioned, some watch materials are more durable than others. For example, titanium and platinum are some of the most durable materials you can make a watch from, which is why many luxury watch companies use these metals or alloys to produce their watches.

The watch needs to stand up against knocks and bumps it will undoubtedly counter when you wear it. So, the material of the watch influences its toughness and durability.

The glass face material is just as important as the watch material since it will be exposed to daily abuse (bumps and scratches). Sapphire is the hardest material used to make watch faces. It is durable, scratch-proof, and has a Mohs reading of 9/10.

Because Sapphire is so durable, it is often used to make glass faces for luxury watches, which also means that these watches tend to be more durable.

Finally, the watch strap also needs to be durable. There is no use in the watch being waterproof if the strap is ruined after getting wet. This is where silicone straps become an advantage. Silicone, titanium, and platinum watch straps are water-resistant.

However, you shouldn’t go swimming with your platinum wash regularly since the water will cause the metal to become dull with time. Still, these materials are all water resistant and won’t perish when exposed to a bit of water.

Unfortunately, leather and synthetic leather straps aren’t waterproof. They can handle a bit of sweat or splash, but you shouldn’t go swimming with a leather strap since it could cause the stitching to become undone.

Editorial credit: KatMoy / Shutterstock.com

Toughest Luxury Watches For Men

Of course, durability is a concern for men and women alike. But the market focuses more on building tough luxury watches for men.

Fear not, however, since the same brands that bring you the toughest luxury watches for men also promise that their women’s watches are equally as durable and will last you a lifetime.

We have established what it means to be a luxury watch and which factors you must consider when determining if a watch is tough/durable. It is now time we get to the main event – what is the most durable luxury watch for men?

Determining an overall winner is challenging. Instead, we have compiled a list of the top 5 toughest luxury watches. These watches are all so close to each other in terms of durability, which is why we cannot pick a clear winner. Here are the 5 toughest luxury watches:

1. Rolex Submariner

The Rolex Submariner is one of Rolex’s most popular watches, and with good reason. First of all, Rolex is a luxury watch brand (according to most standards), and these watches have an excellent reputation for being reliable and durable.

The Submariner is no exception. This watch is made with Rolex’s patented oystersteel, a durable alloy steel. This steel is resistant to corrosion and, therefore, durable and water-resistant.

Like the casing, the Submariner’s strap is made from oystersteel to ensure it is durable. The Submariner also comes with a Sapphire crystal glass face, the most durable and scratch-proof glass one can use for a watch face.  

The Rolex Submariner is water resistant for up to 1000 feet (300 meters). This means you can go swimming, shower, or do the dishes comfortably without removing your watch.

The 3230-movement design and chronometer certificate ensures that this watch provides you with all the luxury you could ever need.

2. Tudor Pegalos

The next watch on our list is the Tudor Pegalos. The company has recently released a new model, the Pegalos 39, which we reviewed for this list. Tudor is an established luxury watch brand with the same founder as Rolex watches.

As a result, you know you are getting trusted technology and excellent craftsmanship when buying a Tudor watch. But what makes the Tudor Pegalos a tough luxury watch? For starters, the Tudor Pegalos has a sapphire crystal watch face.

The watch is also water resistant for up to 660 feet (200 meters). Although this isn’t quite as waterproof as the Rolex, it is still plenty more security than you need for your daily activities. The watch case and watch strap are both made from grade 2 titanium with a satin finish.

Like the Rolex, the Pegalos comes with a chronometer certificate and has a luxurious self-winding mechanical movement.

3. Omega Seamaster 300

Next, we have another well-established luxury watch brand that brings you equal durability. It is the Omega Seamaster 300. The Omega Seamaster 300 has a sapphire crystal glass face on both sides, allowing you to see the beautiful craftsmanship inside the watch.

It is water resistant for up to 1000 feet (300 meters) and has a master chronometer certificate of accuracy. One downside of the Omega Seamaster 300 is that it has a stainless-steel case and watch strap, which is not as durable or luxurious as platinum or titanium.

Still, stainless steel isn’t a bad material for watches, and it is relatively durable and water-resistant. There is plenty to love about the Seamaster, and it falls between the Tudor and Rolex watches in terms of price. The Seamaster also displays the date, a feature none of the other watches have.  

4. Rolex Sea-Dweller

Rolex greets us again with another tough luxury watch. This time, we are looking at the Rolex Sea-Dweller. The Sea-Dweller offers many of the same luxuries as the Submariner and then some. The Sea-Dweller has an oystersteel and gold watch case and strap.

It comes with a crystal sapphire glass lens with a cyclops lens (magnifier) over the date. The Sea-Dweller comes with the Rolex-designed 3235 self-winding mechanical movement and is water resistant for up to 4000 feet (1220 meters).

The Rolex Sea-Dweller is a flashier watch than the others on this list. Still, it does not compromise on durability, which is why it is on this list of the toughest luxury watches. The Sea-Dweller is the most expensive watch (by far) on this list. In that regard, the watch doesn’t offer much more durability than other luxury watches.

5. Breitling Superocean Automatic 44

Finally, we have the Breitling Superocean Automatic 44. Breitling’s focus has always been to create luxury watches for sport-orientated people. Hence, it is no surprise that at least one of their watches is on our list.

The Breitling Superocean is intended as a diving watch, meaning that its durability and waterproofness come without question. The Breitling Superocean is waterproof for up to 1000 feet (300 meters).

It has a case made of bronze and a rubber strap for ultimate water resistance (though the bronze will fade over time). You can also switch out the rubber strap for a metal one if you don’t intend to use it for water activities.

The Superocean also has a cambered sapphire crystal glass watch face, making it durable and scratch-proof. Considering the brown and bronze finishes on this watch, it looks completely different from any other watch on our list. It is an alternative luxury watch with sufficient durability.   

Is A Luxury Watch Worth It?

One final question about luxury watches is whether they are worth their price? Let’s face it, you can get a durable sports watch with more features for a fraction of the price. So, why opt for a luxury watch?

Well, that depends on why you are looking for a watch. Luxury watches are considered investments and luxuries. Like jewelry, most people wear luxury watches as a type of adornment. Considering their price tag, most people would like it if their investments last for several years.

This is why luxury watch companies focus on creating stylish and durable watches. If you aim to buy the most durable watch on the market, you will have better luck elsewhere. But if your aim is to buy a luxury watch tough enough to withstand the test of time, the watches on our list are worth considering.

Conclusion

The Rolex Submariner, the Tudor Pegalos, the Omega Seamaster, the Rolex Sea-Dweller, and the Breitling Superocean are the toughest luxury watches. These watches are water resistant, have crystal sapphire watch faces, and are made of strong and durable materials.

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