Beginner here trying to pick a sport-style watch I’ll actually sweat in, swim with, and wear to the gym. Beyond the obvious “100m WR” and “screw-down crown,” what should I really be prioritizing for long-term durability and comfort?
- Sweat/sunscreen/chlorine: Which materials actually hold up best over years of regular use? 316L vs 904L vs titanium vs ceramic? Do top-coated AR crystals haze from sunscreen, and is “underside-only” AR safer? Any rubber compounds that resist sweat stink/cracking better than others?
- Gaskets and servicing: If I’m swimming weekly, how often would you pressure test or change gaskets in the real world? Is annual testing overkill/just right?
- Micro-adjust clasps: If I’m clicking the on-the-fly adjust multiple times a day (gym, heat, flights), do certain systems wear out faster or stay slimmer on small wrists?
- Shock and movement type: For sports like tennis/MTB, is a higher beat rate more or less robust? Do modern shock systems and silicon hairsprings actually reduce service risk, or is it still “don’t play hard sports with an automatic”?
- Magnetism at the gym: MagSafe chargers, treadmill motors, speaker magnets-non-issue with modern anti-magnetic movements, or still worth keeping a demagnetizer around?
- Straps/bracelets: Any sport watches with integrated bracelets that still offer true quick-release options so I can swap to rubber for workouts? Comfort tips for caseback hot spots during long runs?
- Real-world no-gos you learned the hard way: ceramic links with weights? PVD/DLC and salt water? Screw-down pushers near the pool? AR topcoat and sunscreen?
I’m looking 38-40mm, under 12mm, >100m WR, with on-the-fly adjustment. Models that tick these boxes and have easy service access would be awesome. Real experiences and “if I could do it over again” advice welcome!