I am a real fan of Rolex stainless steel watches because they impart discreet and muted elegance. But it is not just about looks, which, after all, are a matter of individual tastes. It is, above all, about strength.

Maybe that is why stainless steel is by far the most common material used for watch cases and bracelets. This alloy of chromium and steel is extremely durable and resistant to corrosion, rust and discoloration. It is a very hard metal, ideal for crafting professional sport watches. A steel watch is the most practical choice for "everyday" use, in contrast to precious metal watches, such as gold or platinum pieces, which are usually dressier and more fragile.

No wonder Rolex has a wide variety of steel models, especially in its Oyster Professional collection of sporty timepieces.

The Explorer and Sea-Dweller are made entirely of stainless steel, from their sturdy Oysterlock bracelets to rotatable bezels. More than any other material steel symbolizes ruggedness and robustness, and you just know that these watches are solid and reliable from the top of Mount Everest to beneath the ocean's surface.

Rolex's other sports models, such as GMT Master II, Submariner, Yacht-Master and Cosmograph Daytona, feature a combination of steel with gold (called Rolesor), or with platinum.

In Oyster Perpetual collection, the Air-King, a sturdy aviator's watch, is made of stainless steel, but the dressier models in the Datejust, Lady Datejust and Day-Date lines are all crafted out of gold, platinum, or the combination thereof with steel. The conclusion I draw from this is that all the functional watches are made from stainless steel, whereas more ornamental ones from precious metals.

Over the years I have owned several all-steel Rolex watches (along with a steel-and-platinum Yacht-Master) and they withstood all kinds of wear-and-tear with only the most minor of scratches.

Now, if only watches like these could impart one with nerves of steel -- would sure come in handy as one faces the exhilarating perils of the high seas!