Green Rambles: Why I Dislike Safe-Queens


Recently a befriended trader showed me a Rolex Submariner 16610LV, also known as the ‘Kermit,’ that was bought by its initial owner and spent until recently every day in the safe. It was never worn, and the bracelet was not even sized. While this may be a dream come true for some collectors, I always look at those watches in horror. How terrible must it be not to use something the way it was intended just in an attempt to maintain its perceived value?

A Rolex Submariner Ref.16610LV that got (slightly) more time on the wrist than the one shown to me

To some extent, I understand the reasoning behind this, but the issue I have with it is that it changes something that should give you everyday pleasure into a commodity. Of course, it is the prerogative of the owner to do with the watch what they please, but in all honesty, I am more pleased seeing a rare watch with some evidence of daily enjoyment than one in mint condition.

The wrist is still the best place to enjoy a watch

Maybe I am a rare breed these days, but despite owning some (vintage) watches in excellent condition, they all get worn. I do this with respect for their age and purpose, as taking a 1950s gold Piaget to play a game of racketball is perhaps not the wisest idea, but going to dinner and the theatre with my wife suits it much better. Yes, I have scratched these watches, which sometimes hurts, but I have enjoyed them most of all. While this may decrease their value to others, it increases it for me. They are now not lumps of money in a bank safe but treasured objects of beauty that carry memories. While it might not put you on the road to becoming rich, I feel that being able to enjoy precious things for what they were made for, regardless of their monetary value, is true wealth.

Do you agree with me that watches should always be (sensibly) enjoyed on the wrist, regardless of their value, or do you prefer keeping them safe at the bank in their original condition? Let me know in the comments!

No Responses to “Green Rambles: Why I Dislike Safe-Queens”

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  1. Mark Benny

    Wear them. I have older watches that I rotate. Fun and a pleasure to look at but nothing can compare to wearing them.

    Reply
  2. Jeff Taylor

    I own my watches to wear and enjoy them. Then again none of my watches are worth a lot of money nor would they appreciate if I locked them in a safe. So it is a bit of a no-brainer to wear them.

    Reply
  3. Gordon Miller

    You are 100% correct. I wear everything I own from a SS Date Just to PP 5370 and wearing them gives me great pleasure. ENJOY

    Reply
  4. Humberto Pacheco

    I fully agree with you. I have tried to use my more than 120 timepieces, including the top complications, at least for periods of one week.

    Reply
  5. Michael Quiñones

    I completely agree that watches are to be worn! I wear all of my watches on a routine basis. I pretty much base my wardrobe on which watch I will be choosing for that day.

    Reply
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