I'm getting closer to buying my third (THIRD!) watch. It'll be another sport watch. Right now my attention is captivated by a little known watch manufacturing company known as "Rolex". They concentrate on sport watches and, evidently, have a long history of involvement with such organizations and events as "National Geographic", "SeaLab", the "summitting of Mount Everest", and the "Descent to the bottom of the Marianas Trench".

Pretty cool stuff. But I'm interested in the thoughts of this group on two big questions that are floating around in my head.

1. How old is too old; or, the technical question.

I prefer the look of the older generation of Submariners to the newer Sub-C. In particular, I find the early 2000s, with their drilled lugs, to be particularly good looking. Especially on a NATO strap. But - if I'm intending to use this watch as a true sports watch - in the water for instance. Or around sand and dirt. Is a nearly15 year old watch going to be up to the task? Even if it's been serviced and pressure tested?

I know I'd never take a vintage watch into treacherous territory. And I know a new watch is up to the task. But where's the line drawn between the two? More to the point, if I buy a 15 year old watch, could I get another 15 years of serious use of it?

Or should I just buy new - deal with the slightly less appealing looks - and know that if I take the Sub diving it won't flood (or if it does I have recourse)?

2. How important is making that first scratch yourself; or, the emotional question

One of the most appealing things about sport watches is their ability to go anywhere you go, from day one. To grow with you. To wear down with you. I love the idea of buying a new watch and getting it banged up and scratched. The idea of having stories to go with the watch - that scratch is from climbing Machu Picchu. This one is from my BCD when prepping for a dive. This third one is from accidentally banging it on the counter when I was refilling my coffee at work. And so on.

This is personal, of course. But, is it completely insane to spend an extra thousand or two (and to have a watch that is a little less aesthetically pleasing) in order to have that 'blank slate' watch? I'm a little conflicted. Part of me thinks it is. Part of me thinks it isn't.