A true workhorse

[Broker1981]

Hi!

I am looking to buy a watch to use in the kitchen where i work as a chef.

It needs to be robust, shock proof, water proof and easy to read.

Preferably with minute indicators between the numbers or even something digital. I am dependent upon being able to read minutes to calculate cooking time.

I'd also like something on a SS bracelet as it will be exposed to oils, water, flour, detergents, and anything else you may come by in a kitchen.

Any and all suggestions would be most welcome!

Thank you!

[Ronin]

Rep or Gen?

An (affordable) Gen suggestion would be a Seiko Diver. (I have had one for 15 years that saw off road motorcycle ADV riding, surfing, diving, etc)

Search Google/eBay for "Seiko Prospex"

Another option would be something like a Victorinox Swiss Army chronograph.

[Stephane]

This has it all

[Broker1981]

Rep or gen. Well i can go for an affordable gen, but i'd like to spend no more than USD 500.

I do also have to admit that although the function is the most important factor with this watch, a beautiful design and a reputed brand would appeal to my vain side. (All good chefs are vain to a certain degree )

[Broker1981]

This has it all

I have to admit that the Sub was in the back of my mind. However which vendor makes the most solid one? Waterproofing is probably one of the single most important factors as i will be wearing it while washing knives, pots and pans.

[nakortheblue]

WM9 by BK

[Stephane]

WM9 by BK

Exactly.

You will have an almost gen for the price you want.

Waterproffing these watches is really not difficult

And the ETA movement are workhorses too...

[Jkay]

All replica watches have the chance to leak. Even if it is supposed to be waterproof. this is due to very bad QC .. what if there is a missing gasket? No one checks! So when you intend to use a watch on a daily basis in this kind of environment, you should have it tested by a watchmaker once a year. It's a simple test.

NoobFactory makes the best Submariner under 500 .. WM9/BK have the best Submariner over 500.

Remember that you don't have to go with a modern watch! If you are considering replicas, then the world of vintage timepieces is wide open to you as well.

I would mention the Omega Planet Ocean in 42 or 45mm sizes .. the Breitling SuperOcean Steel Fish, and the Rolex Submariner as all strong basic watches with the right amount of flash. Also the Rolex GMT II C and the Rolex DSSD.

For a little extra bling, try the Rolex Yacht Master instead of the Submariner.

Also, I might add that if a watch has a movable dive timer bezel, the dial itself doesnt need to be graduated in minutes, like this DSSD.

[mastrmindalliance]

There are some great rep suggestions above so here's some reasonable priced gen workhorses for you.

For waterproof automatic go seiko. For no battery required ever, digital, auto lume, torture and shock proof go G-shock.

[Member X]

If you're looking for something that can resist a battering and a dunking then consider a G-Shock - used by a lot of guys in the forces, as I understand it, as they're so hard to kill! They're digital though so might not give the at-a-glance clarity you're looking for.

A Bell & Ross BR01 is super-easy to read at a glance, and a good rep will come with a rubber strap (easy to clean) and could be made waterproof pretty easily I reckon. Get one in steel and it will stand up to scratches pretty well You can also get a steel bracelet for them now, I think.

A Panerai (PAM) or a PAM homage of some kind would also be a good choice - again, a clear and easy to read at-a-glance dial, steel body, easily waterproofed and bombproof if you get a handwind 6497 movement. Also, it doesn't have a crystal with any Anti-Reflective (AR) coating on it so you wouldn't need to worry about scratching it. Check out http://www.jacksontse.com/ for a massive selection.

I was thinking something like these might be good?

http://www.jacksontse.com/mm206.html

http://www.jacksontse.com/mm092.html

http://www.jacksontse.com/mm032.html (flat cystal) / http://www.jacksontse.com/mm018.html (domed plexi)

or this, although this one is automatic: http://www.jacksontse.com/mm198.html

You also have getat who can do custom builds to what you want: http://www.siswatch727.com/index.do

I'm not sure he has the steel bracelets, you'd have to ask, but if not you can order one from Jackson: http://www.jacksontse.com/mm199.html or http://www.jacksontse.com/mm154.html

Add waterproofing at a good watchsmith for c.£30 and it's pretty cheap!

[fijikid]

The ultimate cooking watch would have to be a chronosport UDT or a breitling Pluton. Rotating bezel AND digital chrongraph AND alarm. You could be keeping a lazy eye on three pots! Waterproof and cool as hell looking. I'd sell you this one if I hadn't already replaced it with the Chronosport...

ps: shouldn't a professional chef have a timer built into his brain?

[freddy333]

Either a WM9 Sub (& have a watchmaker run a water pressure test before you wear it in moisture & yearly thereafter) or a G-Shock (good-to-go out-of-the-box). The Sub will sate your vanity & the G-Shock will tell people you mean business & never let you down.

[1976]

You could also consider the Ulysse Nardine Maxi Marine Diver,it comes both SS and rubber bands,it keeps excellent time,it costs under 200$,it is waterproof and it looks so sexy on the wrists.

[Broker1981]

ps: shouldn't a professional chef have a timer built into his brain?

Probably, but i changed it for the ability to be irresistible to all women...

[Broker1981]

Either a WM9 Sub (& have a watchmaker run a water pressure test before you wear it in moisture & yearly thereafter) or a G-Shock (good-to-go out-of-the-box). The Sub will sate your vanity & the G-Shock will tell people you mean business & never let you down.

Guess i'll just have to admit that my vanity takes a front seat in this...

[maxman]

There are some great rep suggestions above so here's some reasonable priced gen workhorses for you.

For waterproof automatic go seiko. For no battery required ever, digital, auto lume, torture and shock proof go G-shock.

If It were me I would also go with a G-shock. I would have my doubts about a rep surviving the demands of a busy cheif. I also would not want my watch on a ss bracelet In a cooking enviroment. Im thinking a rubber strap would be best for obvious reasons,easy clean up for one. The G Is a tough timepiece that can give you every function that a busy chief would need.They are also a good looking watch with different color combonations.How about the G-shock for cooking dinner and the Rolex for going out to dinner? Good luck with your search

[Stephane]

Guess i'll just have to admit that my vanity takes a front seat in this...

Go, go, go !!!

Here's for you Chef, an old version of the WM9 (that I should have kept btw):

You see, it likes water

[Ronin]

A WM9 Sub would probably be the "most likely to survive" kind of rep.

If you want to meet in the middle balancing Vanity and Gen Reliability, don't discount Victorinox Swiss Army, they are being market heavily in the fashion community (Nordstrom, GQ) and certain trade mag's (Wired). Not to mention they get mentioned in "Watch Times Buyers Guide" every year. Add to it "reliable" stop-watch functions, you may have something there....

[signumboy]

I see lots of calls for a wm9 in this thread and in others.

But can anyone tell me how available these are, because they seem to be like rocking horse sh*t.

[Jkay]

As member 1976 says .. the UN Maxi Marine Diver is awesome as well, but I didnt mention it because the list I provided seemed big enough already

Here it is on SS ... note that the dial is in direct Sun, so in real life, it wont be so electric blue. It just shines in that color.

[rek001]

Correct me if I'm wrong but I read somewhere that you have 9.5" wrist, yes?

In that case the latest version Rolex DSSD would fit your criteria superbly, it's big and thick, would look great on your wrist.

Get a watchsmith to epoxy the HR valve and waterproof it - perfect.