Actually.....
There is a bit of an adjustable wrench. Sort of.
There is an item called a friction collar spanner. Its used in camera repair, under various special purpose names, in optical instrument repair, specifically on external fittings where a degree of oomph is desired in their removal.
Notably, the eyepiece and shutter release on the Leica M series cameras use these, and their proper use divides the pros from hacks in that regard.
Also notably, there are various designs, and like the Star Wars Jedi Knight's light sabre, a Leica camera repairman is supposed to be able to make his own tools from scratch.
The basic tool has a brass ring, with a split and small gap at one end. There are various means of closing the gap such that the ring fits the smooth nut quite tightly, and then the tool is used to get the nut loose or tight. Imagine it a near-circular jawed pliers of sorts. The tension is spread on a smooth surface across the entire nut - and it neither slips nor deforms the part.
As for paint chips, scratches etc. I just lay a bit of tape down so the tool will hit the tape - should I slip.
The problem with an adjustable tool - is that the knurling varies in shape, number of knurls, space between knurls, and overall diameter.