Best practices for beach vacation (aka bracelet vs nato straps)

[HerbStempel3186]

I'm hoping the wise and experienced sages can help with questions regarding safest practices for keeping my Rolex sports watch tanlines while on our yearly vacation to Cape Cod. Trying not to have this devolve into yet another edition of "is it safe...?" replete with trolling and eye rolling. So please be gentle and let's cut to the chase:

Nothing too heavy duty lies in store, but I want to take my one-week-old LVc and three-month-old BLNR to the Cape, where my family and I will basically be at the beach for 3 consecutive weeks for surfing, body boarding and SUP boarding. I'm inclined to leave my watches on their respective brushed and PCL bracelets while going in the water, but I thought about bringing along my Bergeon tweezers and bag-o-nato-straps for a changeup.

Which method is less likely to result in a springbar failure that is tantamount to a $9K charitable donation to the bottom of the sea? My take on it is, if it ain't broke, no need to fuss with the issue, so it seems to me there shouldn't be a problem leaving the bracelets on. I tested the bracelet method at the Jersey shore the last several weeks and had no issues. The waves I'll be in are likely to be more rugged at the Cape, but of course not to the level of Point Break.

On the other hand, I've always appreciated the nato strap for the extra security offered should one of the springbars fail. Something still feels uncertain given what seems to me to be the relatively easier wiggling I can make happen at the springbar location with a nato on as compared to the oyster bracelets, which have no movement at all. I haven't tried it quite yet, but I imagine I could torque a nato strap hard enough to yank it off axis and remove it from the lugs, whereas torqueing a seated oyster bracelet won't really do anything since there is such a tight tolerance and a full occupation of the lug area with a very solid material.

I was close to ordering a rubber Benetto Cinturini nato from Gecko, but am holding off for now, since I'm not even sure it would arrive before our departure this Saturday. I imagine there would be no real significant difference in risk between my existing collection of el cheapo natos from NATOZULU.com versus the Cadillac nato offered by Benetto. Is this a fair assumption?

Perhaps both methods are truly safe enough (Robert Frost was known to mock readers for overinterpreting The Road Not Taken, silently enjoying how human beings tried so hard to find the perfect and fully optimized choice when choices often don't really make much difference). I'm really inviting folks to tell me horror stories from either or both methods so I can dismiss my neuroticism once and for all or have the epiphany that I should leave the watches at the beach house while we hang at the beach. But then how will I snap picks of the green sunburst dial in the sun??!

Thanks for any help you chaps are willing to offer!

[watchmework]

If it were me I'd bring both to the Cape but I would only wear the LVc while surfing and tossing around at the beach. I wouldn't want to risk a ton of micro scratches on the PCLs and I would wear the BLNR for post beach activities.

I wear my Sub to the beach all the time wth the brushed bracelet and it handles everything I throw at it like a champ, the LVc would be the same way. I'm not a fan of swapping the bracelet for a rubber for the beach...to me the bracelet is far less likely to come off than a rubber is from snapping.

[HerbStempel3186]

Originally Posted by watchmework

If it were me I'd bring both to the Cape but I would only wear the LVc while surfing and tossing around at the beach. I wouldn't want to risk a ton of micro scratches on the PCLs and I would wear the BLNR for post beach activities.

I wear my Sub to the beach all the time wth the brushed bracelet and it handles everything I throw at it like a champ, the LVc would be the same way. I'm not a fan of swapping the bracelet for a rubber for the beach...to me the bracelet is far less likely to come off than a rubber is from snapping.

Thank you for your suggestion. Really appreciate it

It's also less work to swap out the bracelets. I'm sure no one in my family wants to hear me swearing while flinging springbars in the beach house while struggling with the tweezers.

[watchmework]

Originally Posted by HerbStempel3186

Thank you for your suggestion. Really appreciate it



It's also less work to swap out the bracelets. I'm sure no one in my family wants to hear me swearing while flinging springbars in the beach house while struggling with the tweezers.

This is also true

[watchmavan]

I'm a recent convert to a rubber OEM strap on one of my divers. The sort that curves to the case.


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[jcd]

I'm on vacation at the moment. I brought my 16710 and a watch I wear on the beach. I just brought a Stowa prodiver for that. It's been working well for me.

So, if it were me, I'd throw the the sub on a rubber strap for the beach and take the blnr for the rest of the time. Perfect vacation combo, imho.

[W44NEG]

If you're worried OP, I wouldn't wear either. Sounds better to wear a seiko or something in the surf, and the rolex watches to dinner etc, flipping between them.

[amh]

Originally Posted by W44NEG

If you're worried OP, I wouldn't wear either. Sounds better to wear a seiko or something in the surf, and the rolex watches to dinner etc, flipping between them.

I'd do that too.

The sand will get under the bezel, it's a PITA to get it out. Your watches are brand new, are you hoping to convert them into "tool watches"? The beach will do that in a hurry.

[BiH115]

Wore and swam with my BLNR in the sea in Croatia last month, all day, every day, not a scratch to be seen from that vacation. All you need to worry about is cleaning the salt deposits in all the nooks/crannies when you get out of the water. That will do the most damage to your watches. Easy to miss the small grooves between the links as well, clean it thoroughly.

[AJMarcus]

At the cape as I type this. My trusty 16710 Pepsi hits all the marks. In your case I'd go with the hulk at the cape. Enjoy

[watchwatcher]

Best practice for a beach vacation?

This.

[beshannon]

Originally Posted by HerbStempel3186

3 consecutive weeks for surfing, body boarding and SUP boarding.

I wear my watches to the beach, that is what they are made for.

I would not wear any watch for the activities you are describing. Not because I am worried about a spring bar failure but because I would be worried about a knock on a rock, surfboard or piece of coral.

[dubins930]

If you have any concern about wearing your rolex in any situation... SKX007

[sager]

Originally Posted by W44NEG

If you're worried OP, I wouldn't wear either. Sounds better to wear a seiko or something in the surf, and the rolex watches to dinner etc, flipping between them.

Definitely the right option if you're worried. Peace of mind is the way to go.

[crazycarlitos]

Take the LVc

Leave the Blnr at home.

Don't worry about the bracelet.

Enjoy the vacation.

[Mystro]

The LVc is all you need.
Rinse with fresh water when you get back to the room and enjoy.

[Romeojk]

On the cape too as a write this. I swim with my Sub all the time and it looks great (but it's not 3 weeks old). But since I scratched it good one week old I'd say go for it. I have three good scratches, none of which came from fun activities (I wish they did).

Keep the bracelet on. That is what it's made for.


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[Rentalcarman]

Originally Posted by watchwatcher

Best practice for a beach vacation?

This.

I agree.

[Hands90]

DRY polish.

https://www.amazon.com/Sunshine%C2%A.../dp/B004ILV1B4

Safer then cape cod. For a very light polish.

[mjclark32]

Leave them on their bracelets. I've been abusing my 16610 at the beach doing all noted activities for years and have not had a spring bar issue.
I've also done it using natos and the rubber nato you mention as well.
Don't worry too much, bring them both, and have fun

[HogwldFLTR]

Originally Posted by mjclark32

Leave them on their bracelets. I've been abusing my 16610 at the beach doing all noted activities for years and have not had a spring bar issue.
I've also done it using natos and the rubber nato you mention as well.
Don't worry too much, bring them both, and have fun

I agree; they were designed to be worn over a wet suit using the dive extension. No real reason to switch to a nato or bracelet.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by watchwatcher

Best practice for a beach vacation?

This.

Up to your old tricks I see

[watchwatcher]

Originally Posted by brandrea

Up to your old tricks I see

[AK797]

Originally Posted by watchwatcher

Best practice for a beach vacation?

This.

Originally Posted by Mystro

The LVc is all you need.
Rinse with fresh water when you get back to the room and enjoy.

Fully endorse these two beauties.

[rph08]

At the beach now wearing an SD4K on its oyster bracelet. My little girl buried my left arm nearly up to my elbow in sand. I just rinsed the watch off in the sea and kept trucking. I do give it a good fresh water rinse at night. So far so good! Enjoy your vacation!

[HerbStempel3186]

Thanks to everyone who responded. Lots of good ideas to contemplate. I appreciated having such a wide variety of perspectives and options to consider.

At this point, I think I will pass on the beater Seiko or GShock idea. I have bought jeans, t-shirts or even workboots thinking they will serve shitkicking, gruntwork duty. But the truth is, these items that I end up spending less money on and/or skimping on quality for end up never getting worn. I've thought about buying a Steinhart or maybe a Baltic watch for beater duty, but I realize that these expenses put me a fraction, however small, into a next watch (I'm looking at you z-Blue Milgauss or Speedy 1957).

I'm not afraid of Rolex-as-tool-watch. That's what they were originally made for, no? I've already let my 10-year-old bury me in the sand with my BLNR on. I've come home from the Jersey shore and enjoyed the thorough rinse out of my watch and de-sanding of my bezel as I replay the fun experiences of the day, whether it's diving and laying out in sand while landing on my oyster bracelet while trying to impress my son by making a "sick catch" or wrestling with my wife in the ocean waves during high tide.

I will bring my nato straps with me in case I feel moved to change the look of the sports watches while having extra time on hand during the vacation. Truth is, maximizing me wants to enjoy every minute of the time with my family following a very busy summer of work. So overall, I appreciate the chance to talk through my questions with you guys. I don't need to overthink this it seem. Trust in the Rolex engineering, don't let myself get worried about spring bars and end up not being emotionally present during a fun summer day, and remember that these aren't Rembrandts but that they are tool watches/jewelry pieces that were made to patina and to be enjoyed.

Thanks for helping me come back down to earth!!

[Etschell]

Bracelet or rubber imo.

[Ruud Van Driver]

The watches have depth ratings of 300 and 100 metres, respectively. I'm sure they can handle a bit of surf. Wear the Sub on the beach and save the BLNR for the evenings. If in doubt, invest in a cheap G-Shock for your water sports but please do not spoil those beauties with a ghastly NATO.

Enjoy your holiday

[highcotton]

I feel safer wearing a Nato band when I am in or around water. I had a steel band hang on something in the water one time and actually broke a spring bar. I recovered the watch but I was lucky.




Especially with wild animals around.



My son went with the bracelet. But he still has some learning to do.

[ForSure5120]

Have fun-sounds like you definitely will. I realize you saying no to g-shock beater but I paid $100 for a 5600-bb before my beach vacation and I really enjoyed it for beach and adventure. So stress free. It's like just ready to be tested....and the black on black has a military feel that's understated that doesn't scream I'm wearing a huge g-shock. I know that's not your original question-not derailing your thread-just telling from experience how much I (to my own surprise) enjoyed the watch on vacation. That said-wear that sub if you want-after all you bought a sport watch to sport

Obligatory pic below of 5600-bb




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