How to wear a Rolex and Apple Watch together in 2026

The Submariner as dual wear base

Wearing a Rolex Submariner 124060 and an Apple Watch at the same time sounds excessive to some, but it is a real question for collectors who refuse to choose between a mechanical watch and connected technology. This guide looks at how to wear both comfortably and well, with the Submariner 124060 and the Apple Watch Series 10 as examples.

Positioning and daily use

The rise of dual wearing reflects a sophisticated approach to horology, where tradition and innovation coexist on the same wrist. This guide explores practical solutions for wearing both watches comfortably and stylishly, focusing on the Submariner 124060 and Apple Watch Series 10 as flagship examples that represent the best of both worlds.

The dual wear challenge

The collectors who tried to stack two watches before Smartlet existed know exactly what happened. The Submariner moved. The Apple Watch rotated. One of them got scratched.

There’s a lot of discussion on the r/Watches community about what pairings of watches work well and, which don’t, and naturally one of the most popular conversations revolves around pairing a Rolex with an Apple Watch. While to most people this will look hideous, it surprisingly works out quite well. The clash of the concept of a dive watch like the Submariner (like here with the 124060) and a smartwatch like the Apple Watch Ultra is initially rather unsettling – just like pairing two very different watches, and after a week or so you will stop focussing on the horror of the two concepts colliding and realise that, just like with any two watches you could choose to pair on one wrist, there’s simply no good reason to keep one safe and therefore no good reason to choose one over the other. The same is true for the Submariner 124060, the Datejust 41, the newer GMT-Master II, and more; as is the case with the Apple Watch. GMT-Master II: each one is a complete argument for the mechanical watch. The Apple Watch is a completely different argument. Both arguments are correct.es.

The same is true for the Submariner 124060, the Datejust 41, the newer GMT-Master II, and more; as is the case with the Apple Watch.GMT-Master II: each one is a complete argument for the mechanical watch. The Apple Watch is a completely different argument. Both arguments are correct.es.

The Apple Watch Series 10 is a very different object from a traditional watch: notifications, fitness tracking and apps, with health, connectivity and the iPhone at its core rather than horological tradition.

These fundamental differences create real challenges when wearing both simultaneously:

• Combined thickness and weight can cause discomfort during extended wear

• Movement interference occurs when watches bump against each other or surfaces

This is just my opinion, but I believe that most of you will be against the dual wear of smartwatches due to design rather than function. Although design and function are important, it’s often the design that is decided on an emotional level. Here is a quick design comparison. Comparing the 40mm Rolex Submariner to the 45mm Apple Watch Ultra will not be for those of you that are strongly against the case size of the smartwatch.

Making it work with Smartlet

I believe that the new design of the Smartlet works best when watches are proportional, or to say, when the case diameters are not more than about 5mm apart. Therefore, the design of the Datejust 36 compared to the 49mm Apple Watch Ultra is at best. But comparing the 41mm Rolex Submariner to the 46mm Apple Watch Series 10 is a completely different matter.

Tradition wearing two watches

The habit of wearing two watches started on two wrists. The question today is how to wear Rolex and Apple Watch together on one, respecting the design of both watches while keeping the wrist comfortable.

Although adding a 150-gram watch to a 25-gram smartwatch doesn’t seem like a balance of weight, some extra weight on the wrist is hard to avoid. While we can tolerate some amount of weight, it can’t be so much that we need to adjust our watch band frequently. Using two watches on each wrist is a solution to balance the weight, but defeats the purpose of a single wearables device. Although less of a concern for more affordable wearables, the weight of a luxury watch is a critical consideration, as even the slightest scratch to the watch’s surface can significantly reduce its value.

Smartlet One: the modular bracelet solution for dual watch wearers

The engineering question was never whether two watches could occupy the same wrist. It was whether they could do so without either one degrading the other.

The Smartlet One bracelet. The modular concept allows wearing a Rolex and an Apple Watch simultaneously - no modification to either watch, no tools required beyond a standard spring bar tool.

The Smartlet supports watches with lug widths from 18 to 24mm, covering virtually every Rolex model including the Submariner 124060, and both Apple Watch adapter sizes are in the box. On the Rolex, the watch adapters seat in the lug holes in place of the spring bars, so the watch is not modified, its original bracelet goes back on at any time, and its condition and resale value are preserved.

Standard spring bars attach each

Standard spring bars attach each watch without modification, preserving original components and resale value. This universal approach means collectors can swap between different mechanical watches and smartwatch models as their collection evolves.

The modular system addresses key dual-wearing concerns:

• Push-button simplify watch changes in seconds without tools

• Balanced weight distribution prevents wrist fatigue during all-day wear

• Premium materials match luxury watch quality and finish

Smartlet One Specifications

Smartlet is compatible with Rolex Datejust, Submariner, GMT-Master II and most other 18-24mm lug width references. Review the Rolex compatibility page to confirm your specific model.

No watchmaking skills are needed. Remove the spring bars with the tool included in the box, seat the Smartlet watch adapters in each lug and lock the bracelet sides into them. The push-button system on the central part provides a secure fit to the wrist, yet is easily released, so you can take the bracelet off or move it to another watch fitted with its own watch adapters.

Balancing style and function

WHERE TO WEAR IT So as not to compromise either the comfort or the appearance of the combination, the mechanical watch goes on top of the wrist and the Apple Watch underneath, against the skin, in the central part of the bracelet. In this way, the Submariner sits in its usual position on the wrist, with its face and bezel in the normal operating position. This prevents any risk of damage to the mechanical watch from splashing caused by the ‘desk diving’ of the wearer, or from scratches to the casing. To use a fitness tracking app or check a notification, turn your wrist: the Apple Watch screen is right there.

Choosing the watch straps is purely an optical decision. We recommend materials and colour schemes that fit into the polished steel of a Submariner and do not attract the attention away from the watch face. Scratch resistant bands made of brushed metal are also acceptable, but do not combine them with anything too colourful such as bright rubber straps. The purpose is to have a well thought out and composed design with the mechanical timepiece being paired with an additional watch, which is then also worn in conjunction with the former in a seemingly almost random manner.

Wearing the smartwatch on the underside keeps it out of sight, with its screen facing the desk rather than the room. Anyone who wants extra peace of mind can add a screen protector to the Apple Watch.

Scratches can appear very quickly

Scratches can appear very quickly, so you need to check your Apple Watch for any scratches. Wearing the smartwatch on the undersideReduces visual clutter, but increases contact with desks, tables, and other hard surfaces during daily activities. Regular inspection helps catch minor marks before they become noticeable damage. Consider applying a screen protector to your Apple Watch since the underside position exposes it to more potential impacts.

Practical wearing strategies for different situations:

1. Travel days: Utilize both for time zone tracking and connectivity management

Comfort optimization is about monitoring the conditions of the strap adjustment and watch position during the day. You need to account for the natural swelling of the wrist caused by heat and by doing high intensity exercise, and there should be some adjustment margin. Comparing two watches to one, is giving some considerable concessions that need to be accounted for in terms of wearability and in terms of having the watches sit comfortably in the intended position for at least the first few hours.

There are a myriad of reasons to consider watch case protection other than scratch prevention. Your watch cases serve to protect your watches from general damage while, not being worn. Consider the junction points between the watch band, and the watch itself. Dust accumulation in these areas can lead to scratches if not cleaned properly. Those who choose to dual wear a mechanical watch and a smartwatch on the modular band may choose to modify their behavior around water in order to make full use of the functionality of the smartwatch.

One factor can affect level

One factor that can affect the level of discomfort experienced during long periods of wearing the pairs is weight distribution. I found that the 150g of a Submariner along with the Apple Watch is rather heavy for the wrist. Using the Titanium modular bands that are 30g lighter than steel helps reduce the fatigue caused by the additional weight of the steel bands. Be sure to take fatigue into consideration, and if you feel it, then remove one watch and start a transition period to adapt to the modular dual wear.

Rolex Submariner vs Apple Watch Series 10

The Rolex Submariner is a real mechanical watch that combines centuries of traditional watch-making techniques with the modern requirements of a diver’s watch. The 300 meters water-resistance and mechanical caliber 3230 guarantee that this no-date version of the watch is a real tool watch, completely in line with the principles of a watch that can last for generations, as long as it is correctly maintained. The ceramic bezel, the luminous dial indices and the Oyster case mean that, not a single detail of this watch has been created unnecessarily.

The Apple Watch Series 10 is more of a smartwatch than a watch. It’s really designed to be a fitness device and notification device as well as an app platform. The Apple Watch doesn’t really keep time in the traditional sense. As with many other smartwatches, the ECG, blood oxygen sensor and fall detection are all electronically powered within the watch movement.

The Apple Watch Series 10 also has built-in cellular so you never have to carry an iPhone. The fitness tracking features are also a big part of Apple Watch Series 10. The fitness tracking features of the Apple Watch Series 10 include the new design of the fitness rings that encourage you to get more exercise every day.

Submariner 124060 vs Apple Watch Series 10

What are looking here are

What we are looking at here are two completely different watches, and it is the differences between them that make it desirable for collectors to wear both. The Submariner is a watch with a multitude of different emotions; the design, and the history of the watch is what stands out. The Submariner’s roots lie with the model from 1953.

Wind the crown and hear the rotor turn, and you will not help, but feel a sense of amazement at what is a 62 year old piece of precision engineering that has been completely hand built. Investing in technology that will be out of date in two to three years is not what you are looking at here. You are investing in quality and a piece that over time will increase in value.

It seems the Apple Watch is a pretty useful device and fully integrates with iOS. You can do things such as reply to messages, control your smart home devices and even track your workouts. Apple seems to release new features through software updates as well. The Apple Watch does feel more like an extension of my iPhone though, rather than a traditional watch.

Wearing two watches is not about being in the past, and the future, it is about having different tools at your disposal. As watch collectors, we know that horology and technology are suited to differing tasks and having a mechanical watch like a Rolex Submariner and a device like an Apple Watch will allow you to access the different strengths of each.

The Submariner is a watch with a soul. It keeps perfect time. The Apple Watch is a device that is smart. It links you with other people, objects and sources of information. These two watches are a good example of the possibilities in terms of functions that can be contained in a watch on the wrist.

Increasing number collectors are starting

More collectors now treat dual wear as a natural way to collect, rather than a choice between two camps. The compatibility between Apple Watch and mechanical watches adds to both: the mechanical watch keeps the link to watchmaking history, and the smartwatch handles the demands of the day.

The fact that one can now wear an Apple Watch on the wrist does not diminish in any way the pleasure derived from wearing a traditional mechanical watch. Rather, each watch can be considered to represent a different aspect of watch collecting.

A mechanical watch can serve to pay homage to the rich traditional roots of watchmaking, while a smart watch can bring the wearer into the 21st century. In this way, the two opposing concepts become the cornerstones of a new collecting philosophy.compatibility between Apple Watch and mechanical watchesEnhances rather than diminishes either piece. The mechanical watch grounds you in horological history while the smartwatch propels you through contemporary demands. This complementary relationship defines modern collecting philosophy.

Why collectors choose dual wear

Dual wear without choosing is what the Smartlet modular watch straps are for. Founded in Paris by watch collector David Ohayon, Smartlet makes a metal link bracelet that holds a mechanical watch on top of the wrist and a smartwatch underneath, with no modification to either watch.

With our patented modular system, developed by French engineering experts, both categories of watches are respected. Smartlet modular watch strapsOffer the precision-engineered solution you need. Founded by watch collector David Ohayon, Smartlet emerged from a simple frustration: why should collectors choose between mechanical heritage and smart technology? The patented modular system answers this question with French engineering that respects both watch categories equally.

We have chosen to make three different versions, to satisfy all tastes and needs: - Classic, in brushed SS316L stainless steel, with the typical watchmaking design standards of the highest luxury segment. - Shadow, in black PVD coating, for those who prefer a more contemporary, low visibility design. - Titanium, in Grade 2 titanium: at the same volume, titanium weighs about 4.5 g/cm3 against 7.9 g/cm3 for 316 steel. Whatever the version, the modular structure stays the same, and so does the compatibility with Rolex and Apple Watch models.

Wearing a Rolex and an Apple Watch is a statement to the world about, not wanting to pretend that one tool can be all things. The Rolex is a fine time piece that has real value. The Apple Watch tracks your heart rate, exposes all your messages and tracks your runs. Smartlet just holds them both without apology.