purpose-built watches designed to be utilized in professional situations such as diving, flying, and exploring (also referred to as “tool” watches). A professional watch is a watch that is designed for use in professional situations such as diving, flying, exploring, sailing, and military situations. Rolex virtually invented the category with the first water-resistant watch in 1926, the Oyster case. They were also the first company to introduce a wristwatch that could show two time zones simultaneously, the GMT 1954. According to Rolex, “In the early 1950s, thanks to the perfect mastery of chronometric precision and water resistance, Rolex developed professional watches that served as tools and whose functions went far beyond simply telling the time. These watches were intended for new professional activities, such as deep-sea diving, aviation, mountain climbing, and scientific exploration.”

(Omega, TAG Heuer, Tudor, Doxa, Breitling, G-Shock, and IWC also use the term “Professional” in marketing a segment of their sports watches.)