Lifestyle

There are a lot of different watch types out in the world. Thankfully, the phrase “tool watch” does not actually refer to a separate specific kind of timepiece. In fact, it’s a whole lot simpler than that — to the point that you might actually already own one and not know it. You see, “tool watch” is actually a more generic term that describes a watch that does something useful other than simply telling the time. If you’re keeping up, that means any watch that performs a function besides gauging the passing of hours, minutes, and seconds could be considered a tool watch — including dive watches, racing or pilot watches with tachymeter bezels, GMT watches, survival watches, and even modern smartwatches. For reference, the aforementioned list doesn’t even cover half of the different types of tool watches out there.

There is a small problem with this, however. Since there’s not really an official definition, it can be difficult to pin down what, exactly, marks the difference between a tool watch and one that doesn’t qualify. That also means there are different interpretations of the term. For instance, some folks would suggest that a tool watch can’t be overly expensive, as a luxury watch seems inherently unlike functional tools. Similarly, if you’re clever enough, you may realize that a standard time-telling watch with absolutely no extra built-in complications or functions can actually be used for a number of tasks that aren’t related directly to telling the time — like working in conjunction with the sun as an ad-hoc compass. For our purposes, we’re going to keep it simple: if a watch is intended by the manufacturer to do something other than tell the time, it qualifies.

Casio G-SHOCK GW9400-1 Rangeman

By definition, pretty much every single G-SHOCK watch fits under the “tool watch” umbrella. That being said, the Master of G Rangeman you see here is amongst the best. Equipped with the brand’s legendary toughness and shockproofing, this digital quartz watch was designed to survive some of the harshest conditions in the world. It can also detect altitude, barometric pressure, temperature, and has a built-in compass. It can even tell you when sunrise and sunset are, can record time with just the push of a button, and so much more. It’s not the priciest watch around, but it’s got one of the most comprehensive suites of features around.

Purchase: $181

Leatherman Tread Tempo

Of all the watches on our list, the Leatherman Tread Tempo is undeniably the one that most closely fits the tool designation in the most traditional sense. And that’s not because of the timekeeper itself, but rather the included DLC-coated 17-4 stainless steel link band. That’s because the band is actually a customizable series of links, all featuring alternative built-in functions ranging from hex wrenches to drivers and more. Better still, the rear of the case comes with a removable link tool so you can swap out link modules as you need them, so you can craft the perfect multi-tool watch for whatever job you need. Of course, on top of that, the actual watch is powered by a reliable Swiss quartz movement — good for five years of operation — and boasts 200m waterproofing. For the most literal definition of “tool watch,” go no further.

Purchase: $312

Suunto 7 Smartwatch

Suunto has been one of the brands spearheading the outdoor smartwatch movement for quite some time. In fact, their catalog of offerings is amongst the best out there. That didn’t change in the least with their latest release, the Suunto 7. If anything, it only became more apparent. Capitalizing and expanding upon what their previous releases already did well, this smartwatch runs on a Google-powered OS, comes with a whopping 70+ built-in sport tracking modes — so you can keep tabs on your progress no matter what athletic activity you prefer — has a full-color touchscreen display with built-in GPS, and can even download offline maps for navigating when you’re not connected to data. If you prefer your tool watches to be more like high-tech fully-loaded toolboxes, the Suunto 7 is definitely worth checking out.

Purchase: $499

Luminox ICE-SAR Arctic 1202 Watch

In case you are unfamiliar, Luminox is actually the official watch partner of Iceland’s Search & Rescue squats — AKA ICE-SAR. And the icy waters of the Arctic require some pretty tough equipment, like the Luminox ICE-SAR Arctic 1202 watch you see here. Boasting a stainless steel case and Swiss-made quartz movement, this watch was made to survive some of the harshest conditions in the world. It’s also water-resistant to 200m, has self-illuminated indices and hands that will stay bright in any light for up to 25 years, a bi-directional rotating bezel that does double-duty as a sun compass, and even a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal. If this watch is good enough for some of the toughest emergency responders in the world, it can handle whatever you throw at it.

Purchase: $845

Ball Engineer II Watch

At first glance, Ball’s Engineer II watch may look more like a standard timekeeper or dress watch — albeit one with some interesting styling, thanks largely to its tritium dial markers that will stay self-illuminated for over a decade. However, appearances can be deceiving because this watch actually hides its secondary function inside its stainless steel case. You see, while this watch doesn’t have any obvious built-in features — besides, perhaps, its 3 o’clock date window — it does have an anti-magnetic movement housing designed to protect this timekeeper ticking accurately, even when surrounded by an electromagnetic field. And while that might not sound super special, it’s abundantly important to anyone working around these EMFs — like engineers at some of the world’s top manufacturing and scientific firms.

Purchase: $1,650

Garmin MARQ Commander Smartwatch

If, for whatever reason, the Suunto 7 is a bit too pedestrian a smartwatch for your purposes — perhaps because you’re a hardcore outdoorsman or you just prefer mil-spec gear — then the Garmin MARQ Commander should be more than capable. Not only is it exceptionally tough and light for a fully-featured smartwatch — due in part to its DLC-coated titanium case — but it was actually built to mil-spec standards, is equipped to survive extreme temperatures, and even includes a full suite of onboard features you’re not going to find many other places. For reference, that includes things like standard activity and fitness tracking, a HALO jump mode (for skydiving), and even a killswitch that will wipe everything onboard in a pinch. Most people probably don’t need a tool watch as hardcore and loaded with features as this one. Then again, some do.

Purchase: $1,950

Bell & Ross BR V2-94 Garde-Côtes Watch

One of the more unique picks on our list, the Bell & Ross V2-94 Garde-Côtes chronograph watch features a much less common style of bezel that was designed specifically for medical and first responder applications. Called a pulsometer, the markings are meant to help you track a patient’s heart rate and determine if they’re in good condition or if they require immediate medical attention. Of course, outside of that potentially lifesaving addition, it’s also an absolutely gorgeous and effective timepiece with an automatic chronograph movement, a subtle date window, a steel case with an exhibition back, sapphire crystals on both sides of the case, and SuperLuminova low-light markings for visibility at all times.

Purchase: $4,600

Breitling Superocean Automatic 46 Watch

One of the most classic tool watch categories around, dive watches are staples of style just as much as they are useful seafaring tools. And Breitling’s Superocean Automatic 46 is undoubtedly amongst the best of them. Not only is it a beautiful timepiece, but it features a super-tough black-finished steel case, a glare-proof cambered sapphire crystal, a two-gasket screw-down crown, and a dual timezone automatic mechanical movement. Of course, none of that would mean much if this wristwatch couldn’t handle the ocean. Thankfully, with waterproofing that’s good for depths of up to 2,000 meters, this watch is uniquely suited to SCUBA diving.

Purchase: $4,850

Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional Watch

At first glance, Omega’s Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional watch looks like a handsome, albeit fairly standard chronograph. However, if you know the history behind it, there will be no doubt that this is one of the most superb tool watches around. You see, this is the modern descendent and namesake of the very watch NASA chose to send on all six lunar missions (and then some). Worn by spacefaring greats including Neil Armstrong (though he left his on the lunar module when walking on the moon), Buzz Aldrin, Ed White (completed the first American spacewalk), etc, this watch has an abundance of history supporting its claim to a spot on our list. Of course, it’s also remarkably handsome, has a reliable automatic movement onboard, features a tachymeter rotating bezel, and is available in an abundance of different colorways and styles.

Purchase: $5,350

TAG Heuer Monaco Chronograph Watch

As mentioned, “tool watch” is a pretty flexible term. And we’d argue that even something as seemingly commonplace as a chronograph — which function like stopwatches and/or timers courtesy of sub-dials and pushbutton functionality — qualifies. And if we’re going to pick any one chronograph to represent the lot of them, it makes sense to pick TAG Heuer’s racing-inspired Monaco — the same watch seen on the wrist of film legend Steve McQueen (both on and off-screen). Of course, there are also even more reasons this one deserves a spot. For instance, it was the first-ever square waterproof automatic chronograph in the world. It also has an exhibition back, so you can revel at its revolutionary calibre 11 movement within. And if you, for some reason, don’t like the original colorway, they also make it with a Gulf livery-inspired color scheme.

Purchase: $6,150

Rolex GMT-Master II Watch

GMT functions — short for Greenwich Mean Time — on watches are some of the most clever, elegant, and simple additions to any watch. And you can see their brilliance in full swing within the iconic Rolex GMT-Master II right here. You see, while most of this watch functions as a normal timekeeper — including its date window at the 3 o’clock position — it also has a secondary 24-hour hand, along with a rotating 24-hour bezel, that allows the wearer to track a separate secondary timezone at-a-glance. Ideal for folks that frequently travel between two specific timezones, this watch has been a jet-setting staple for years. It also features a proprietary Oystersteel case, a self-winding automatic movement, a signature jubilee 5-link bracelet, a Cerachrom bezel, and so much more.

Purchase: $9,700

IWC Pilot’s Watch Timezoner Chronograph

For jet-setting world travelers, the most useful mechanical watch on this list is undoubtedly going to be IWC’s Pilot’s Watch Timezoner Chronograph you see here. And while its chronograph movement and date window are certainly contributing factors to its usefulness, the primary bezel function is the real star of this show. That’s because it’s a rotating worldtimer — meaning it is printed with the names of specific locales (be that cities, countries, islands, etc.) and can be rotated to ensure you can tell the correct time in said locales no matter which timezone you happen to be in at the time. It’s a simple addition, yet it is remarkably useful for anyone who needs to know different timezone hours around the world. Plus it boasts a beautiful combination of stainless steel and leather, has an automatic movement, and is even water-resistant to 6 bar.

Purchase: $11,900

For nigh on a week, Australia has been thrust into a state of mass confusion over what is and isn’t an essential service. Even our medical professionals are struggling to come to terms with the mixed messages coming from our national leaders. On Wednesday, Prime Minister Morrison announced a suspension of elective surgeries, but less than 24 hours later, he backflipped. The National Cabinet opted to extend the deadline for the suspension of non-urgent elective surgeries undertaken at private hospitals by a full week, infuriating doctors, surgeons and frontline health care workers.

You can view the Australian Government Department of Health’s official guidance here:

In a statement released last night, Tony Sparnon, president of The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) revealed he was appalled by the decision. “We are seeing decision making that can only be described as putting commercial interests before patient safety. Many of our surgeons who work in private hospitals are appalled and refusing to operate on non-critical cases. We want to see leadership from the federal government that puts people’s safety first,” he said.

According to Sparnon, the decision to allow elective surgery to go ahead places frontline health care workers and medical professionals in grave danger. At the moment our most precious commodities are the medical staff working to fight against COVID-19. By having doctors and surgeons undertake non-urgent procedures in hospitals filled with COVID-19 patients, it raises the risk of them contracting the virus, further stunting the already desperately understaffed industry.

To explain the urgency more thoroughly, patients awaiting elective surgery are placed by their doctor in one of three categories;

• Category 1 – Needing treatment within 30 days. Has the potential to deteriorate quickly to the point where the patient’s situation may become an emergency
• Category 2 – Needing treatment within 90 days. Their condition causes pain, dysfunction or disability. Unlikely to deteriorate quickly and unlikely to become an emergency
• Category 3 – Needing treatment at some point in the next year. Their condition causes pain, dysfunction or disability. Unlikely to deteriorate quickly.

By allowing category 2 and 3 patients to continue with their non-urgent surgeries, the Federal Government has pushed the national response to COVID-19 back by a week, a joint statement from the Australian medical colleges explains. The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS), the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA), the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG), the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists (RANZCO) and the College of Intensive Care Medicine Australia and New Zealand (CICM) have all expressed concern over the decision. The medical groups have suggested the move undermines their social isolation policy, dips into critically low anaesthetic medicine and personal protection reserves, while “certainly” exposing health care workers to the illness.

“We would ask all patients to reconsider their need to undertake non-urgent elective surgery at this time. We would ask all surgeons, anaesthetists and hospital administrators to work collaboratively to assess the need for a patient to undertake non-urgent elective surgery at this time,” the joint statement read.

It doesn’t require a medical degree to see the group’s logic certainly has merit. The more doctors spending time in hospitals performing non-urgent surgeries, the greater the impact on our already stretched-too-thin services, and this shouldn’t come as a surprise. Thousands of Australian doctors have already made a desperate plea for a nationwide lockdown, warning that without one, there could be an alarming escalation in COVID-19 cases and preventable deaths. Intensive care specialist Greg Kelly released a petition at 1am on Tuesday calling for immediate and decisive government action. By 5pm, he said 5000 doctors had already penned their name.

With the COVID-19 pandemic prompting Queensland officials to enforce strict measures over who can and cannot enter the state, the question remains, when will our hospitals get a similar treatment?

You can view the Australian Government Department of Health’s official guidance here:

Well, it might not feel like it, but the weekend is almost here. And while the last five days have seen a seemingly endless tirade of negative news stories and legislative bickering, it hasn’t been all bad. As Mr Rogers once quipped, “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’” And she wasn’t wrong. To help you get through the isolation blues, we’ve put together a list of stories that shine a light of good in all of us. Welcome to the first edition of Feel-Good Fridays.

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Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane Suspend Parking Tickets

In the CBDs of our three biggest capital cities, councils have made the move to suspend parking tickets for minor infractions (that’s the green signs). It’s a big boost for those few who are still travelling into work every day, with Sydney Lord Mayor, Clover Moore revealing parking rangers have been told to use their discretion with regard to large penalties.

Audible Releases Hundreds of Free Audiobooks

The audiobook platform made hundreds of titles available for free to help keep us entertained during isolation. Most of the audiobooks available are for younger readers, including Winnie the Pooh and Beatrix Potter books. But you can pick up a few young adult books and literary classics if you want to hit up Moby Dick or Frankenstein.

Check it out

Dolphins and Swans Appear in Venice Canals

With the country under intense lockdown restrictions, Italy’s famous floating city, Venice had a chance to recover from the years of pollution and debris left behind by tourists. The canals cleared up and few friendly creatures returned to say G’day. Swans and dolphins were filmed frolicking in the now pristine waters.

Check it out

TV Dramas Donate Medical Equipment to Hospitals

With hospitals in short supply of important medical equipment, Hollywood sprung into action. TV medical dramas have donated their surgical masks and gloves to real-life doctors in order to help health care professionals tackle the developing crisis.

Check it out

Sesame Workshop Launches Resource for Kids

As it has done for over 50, PBS icon Sesame Street answered the call of frustrated parents worldwide. According to a statement from Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit educational organisation behind Sesame Street, the brand and its cast of puppets will launch the Caring for Each Other Initiative, which offers “a broad variety of free resources to help children and families during the coronavirus pandemic.” The initiative features resources “designed to help parents provide comfort and manage anxiety, as well as help with creating routines, fostering playful learning at home, and staying physically and mentally healthy.”

Check it out

Pornhub Gives Back

Aside from making their premier product free for the whole world, the good people over at Pornhub have also donated thousands of dollars worth of medical equipment to hospitals and frontline services. The site also put forward €50,000 to various European organisations to purchase additional masks and medical equipment, with a further $25,000 being donated to Sex Workers Outreach Project (SWOP), helping to support sex workers impacted by COVID-19.

Check it out

Chris Hemsworth Makes Centr Free

If you worried about getting a bit pudgy over the isolation break, Chris Hemsworth has just the thing you need. The Aussie superhero has swept into action, offering a six-week free trial for his fitness app Centr, meaning you can keep the gain train rolling while you’re stuck at home.

Check it out

Elon Musk Delivers 1,000 Ventilators to California Hospitals

When the COVID-19 pandemic first made headlines, Tesla CEO Elon Musk was a little sceptical of the severity. Luckily enough, he’s changed his tune, donating more than 1,000 critically essential ventilators to hospitals in California.

Check it out

Melbourne Man Launches Dogs Working From Home Instagram

At the moment, many of us find ourselves working from home with no coworkers in sight (which is not always a bad thing), but that’s not the situation for Melbourne brand manager Mark Polchleb. Every day, Polchleb trudges from the bedroom to the home office to get started, and every day his coworkers are there to greet him. Lucky for him, his colleagues Billie and Ollie aren’t too bad to work with. After posting a photo of his new workspace, complete with coworkers, Polchleb started the Dogs Woking From Home Instagram, encouraging other remote workers to snap their situations. If you haven’t checked it out yet, you’re missing out on joy in its purest form.

Check it out

There, that ought to do it. If you’re still feeling down after that, we don’t know what to tell you. Maybe it’s time you crack out the bourbon and make an Old Fashioned, after all, it is International Whisky Day.

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