What does “Beater” mean?

A beater is a watch that has been worn hard as a daily watch, without much care about knocks and scratches. Expect visible marks all over: scratched case and bracelet, worn clasp, possibly a few dings and a scuffed crystal. The term is sometimes used fondly for a watch an owner wears without worrying, and some listings grade it as fair.

Beaters are usually priced well below watches in better condition. They can be good value for buyers who want a watch to wear rather than collect, or for dealers who plan to service and refinish them. The key checks are the movement and the parts that matter most to value: is the dial original and undamaged, are the hands and crystal intact, does the watch run well and is the bracelet badly stretched? Heavy wear on the outside does not necessarily mean a problem inside, but a service is often due.

A typical post: “Beater Seiko diver, heavy scratches, small ding on the case, runs well, ideal to wear or refinish, priced to reflect condition.”