Rolex Submariner 124060 and Garmin Venu X1: six months of dual-wrist wear

Six months wearing a Rolex Submariner 124060 and Garmin Venu X1 on one wrist. An honest account of the setup, the benefits, the drawbacks, and the practical habits that make it work.

The Submariner 124060 is one of the most recognized mechanical watches ever made. Paired with the Garmin Venu X1, Garmin's thinnest and most refined smartwatch, the two form a complete system: one anchored in mechanical heritage, the other in daily connected intelligence.

A Rolex Submariner 124060 carries decades of mechanical heritage. A Garmin Venu X1 is Garmin's thinnest, most refined smartwatch. Neither does what the other does. Together, they are a complete system.

For years, the rule was simple: one watch, one wrist. Then collectors started asking why. The Submariner 124060 tells time with mechanical precision and carries decades of heritage. The Garmin Venu X1, launched in June 2025, tracks your health, navigates with GPS, monitors your sleep, and runs Garmin's full suite of training tools in a 7.9mm profile. Six months ago, I strapped both on using a Smartlet modular adapter, and I stopped choosing. Here is what actually happened.

First impressions: Living with two watches on one wrist

Week one was a revelation. The Submariner 124060 and the Venu X1 together create a presence on the wrist that feels deliberate, considered, and immediately different from anything a single watch can deliver. The Submariner sits at 20mm lug width, the Venu X1 at 24mm with a rectangular profile just 7.9mm thin. The combined stack is noticeable, intentional, and entirely worth it.

There is a brief calibration period of about two weeks where you naturally become more precise in your movements: a sharper awareness of surfaces, a more deliberate wrist position at the desk. It is not a burden. It is the kind of attentiveness that collectors already bring to their watches.

What helped most was the Smartlet adapter. It positions the Venu X1 above the Submariner on the same wrist via a standard spring bar connection, so the two watches do not sit side by side pressing against each other. By month two, the awareness faded. My wrist adapted to the weight, and the stacking felt normal.

Socially, the reactions were split. A few colleagues asked if I forgot to take one off. One watch collector I know nodded immediately and said 'finally.'

• Week 1: Heightened wrist awareness, learning the new geometry of the stack
• Week 2: Adjusted grip on steering wheel, started wearing looser on the wrist
• Week 3: Muscle memory forming, less conscious effort required
• Week 4: Forgot I was wearing two watches for the first time

The Submariner 124060 at 20mm and the Venu X1 at 24mm both fall within the Smartlet's 18-24mm compatibility range. No modification to either watch is required. Rolex compatibility and confirming the 24mm Venu X1 band fits within the 18-24mm Smartlet range before committing to the setup saved me from a sizing mistake.

Benefits: No compromise between legacy and daily tech

By month three, the benefits became obvious. The Submariner does one thing perfectly: it tells time with a mechanical movement that needs no battery, no software update, and no charging cable. That is engineering that has worked for seventy years.

The Venu X1 does everything else. Heart rate, VO2 max, sleep tracking, storm alerts, GPS routing, notifications, and Garmin Pay, all on a 2-inch AMOLED display. It brings training tools from the Fenix and Forerunner lines into Garmin's thinnest body ever.

The no-compromise approach is not about showing off two watches. It is about using the right tool for each job simultaneously, without sacrificing either. no-compromise wear approach is not about showing off two watches. It is about using the right tool for each job simultaneously. Here is how that breaks down:

The sensor consistency on the Venu X1 surprised me. After three months of daily wear alongside the Submariner, heart rate readings remained accurate throughout. Sleep data improved because I stopped removing the Venu X1 at night. The decision on which watch to wear simply disappeared.

• Fitness tracking stayed reliable even during strength training
• Sleep data quality improved with consistent overnight wear
• Notifications arrived without reaching for a phone
• The Submariner's heritage and value remained completely untouched

Real-world context: what to expect after the first month

Context is everything. In business casual and active daily settings, the setup draws genuine curiosity and appreciation. At the most formal occasions, positioning the Venu X1 further up the forearm and under the cuff keeps the Submariner as the only visible timepiece. Full heritage presence, full smart connectivity, zero compromise.

The combined weight is approximately 190 grams: roughly 150 grams for the Submariner and 40 grams for the Venu X1. That is lighter than most dual-wrist setups, and one of the genuine advantages of this pairing.

The micro-abrasion risk is real but manageable. After six months, zero scratches on the Submariner case. The adapter's brushed SS316L steel construction keeps contact surfaces consistent and non-abrasive. Smartlet adapter and the Submariner case is real but manageable. After six months, zero scratches on the Submariner case. The adapter's brushed SS316L steel construction keeps contact surfaces consistent and non-abrasive.

The Venu X1 delivers around 8 days of battery in practice. Setting a weekly charging reminder on the same day each week turns it into a simple ritual, as natural as winding a mechanical watch.

Real drawbacks in order of frequency:

1. Formal occasions: position the Venu X1 higher on the forearm, under the cuff, for full discretion
2. Venu X1 strap tension benefits from a quick weekly check for optimal sensor contact
3. Battery schedule requires more discipline than a perpetual movement
4. In warm weather, swapping the Venu X1 to a breathable nylon strap takes ninety seconds and keeps the setup comfortable all day. A small ritual that becomes second nature.

Practical tips: Making dual-wristing work for you

After six months, certain habits made the setup genuinely seamless. None of these were obvious at the start.

The Smartlet adapter uses a standard 20mm spring bar on the Submariner side. Installation takes under two minutes and requires no tools beyond a spring bar tool. That simplicity matters when you want to swap back to a single watch for a formal event. spring bar guide covers the process in full.

• Positioning: Positioning matters: wear the Submariner closer to your hand, Venu X1 toward the forearm. This keeps the sensors flush against skin and reduces desk impact on the Submariner.
• Strap tension: The Submariner can sit slightly looser on the wrist. The Venu X1 needs consistent skin contact for accurate sensor readings across heart rate, SpO2, and sleep tracking.
• Morning routine: Put the Submariner on first, then the Venu X1. Remove in reverse order to avoid any risk of case contact.
• Desk ergonomics: Rest your forearm flat rather than your wrist. This distributes the weight evenly and quickly becomes the most natural wrist position you will know.

The dual-wristing habits that work best are the ones that become unconscious. That takes about three weeks of consistent wear. After that, the setup stops feeling like a choice and starts feeling like a system.

The setup excels in every context. In formal settings, the Venu X1 sits discreetly under the cuff, keeping the Submariner as the only visible timepiece. Knowing when to wear one watch instead of two is part of the skill. dual-wear guide covers context-specific decisions in detail.

A collector's perspective: Why this pairing makes sense

There is a version of this conversation that treats dual-wristing as a novelty. It is not. The Submariner 124060 is a better mechanical watch than anything with a battery. But that argument was never really about quality. It was about identity. And identity does not have to be singular.

The Venu X1 is not a compromise smartwatch. At 7.9mm thick with a titanium caseback and sapphire crystal lens, it earns its place on the same wrist as a Submariner precisely because it does not try to look like one. The Submariner is the heritage centerpiece. The Venu X1 is the invisible infrastructure.

What six months of no-compromise wear demonstrated is that the hesitation is almost always about the first two weeks. After that, the question shifts from 'why would I do this?' to 'why did I wait?' The collectors who try it rarely go back to choosing. watch strap comfort guide documents exactly this transition across different wrist profiles.

Next steps: Gear for seamless dual-wristing

If this setup resonates, the right starting point is confirming your watches are compatible before you invest in anything. The Submariner 124060 at 20mm and the Venu X1 at 24mm both fall within the Smartlet's 18-24mm compatibility range.

The Smartlet modular strap is engineered in brushed SS316L steel or Grade 2 titanium, compatible with any watch from 18 to 24mm lug width via standard spring bars.

Smartlet modular strap is engineered in brushed SS316L steel or Grade 2 titanium, compatible with any watch from 18 to 24mm lug width via standard spring bar. No modification to your Submariner. The dual-watch accessories collection includes everything needed to configure your setup correctly from day one. Three versions available: Classic at 349 EUR, Shadow at 449 EUR, and Titanium at 599 EUR. All three share identical dimensions, differing only in finish and material. Do not choose. Compose.

よくある質問

Does wearing two watches on one wrist damage either watch?

Not typically, provided you use a well-designed adapter and correct positioning. A Smartlet adapter eliminates direct metal-to-metal contact between the two cases, which is where micro-abrasion risk would otherwise arise.

How heavy is the Submariner and Venu X1 combination?

Approximately 190 grams combined, with the Submariner at roughly 150 grams and the Venu X1 at roughly 40 grams. This is significantly lighter than most dual-wrist setups, making it one of the most comfortable pairings available.

Is the Garmin Venu X1 compatible with the Smartlet adapter?

Yes. The Venu X1 uses a 24mm band width, which falls within the Smartlet's 18-24mm compatibility range. No modification to either watch is required.

What are the biggest benefits of dual-wristing?

The Submariner brings 300m water resistance and a mechanical movement that needs no charging. The Venu X1 brings health tracking, GPS, sleep monitoring, and smart notifications. Worn together via the Smartlet system, each becomes more useful than it is alone.

Is dual-wristing socially acceptable among collectors?

In formal settings, positioning the Venu X1 discreetly under the cuff keeps the Submariner front and centre. In business casual and active daily contexts, the full setup is not only functional but gaining real acceptance and appreciation among collectors.

The Submariner does not need a smartwatch to be complete. Paired with a Venu X1 via the Smartlet system, each watch finds new utility without compromising what makes the other worth wearing.