See full version: The Dive Watch: What They Are; Which Luxury Brand Makes The Best Ones
We can start with the fact that a majority of dive watches echo the look of the iconic Rolex Submariner, arguably the most famous watch design in history. By imitating the tried-and-true Sub aesthetic, even if only slightly, the watch is likely to be well-received. more
Yet the best watch manufacturers had been producing dive instruments long before the standard came into being, as early as the 1920s. Before the advent of electric watches, recreational and most importantly professional divers counted on their mechanical timepieces for timing their underwater excursions. Indeed, these were vital instruments required for safe subaquatic work.
Admittedly, you could’ve maybe guessed that a Rolex would be our top selection as the best luxury diver’s timepiece.
Upon release, the 126600 caused quite a stir due to some very specific deviations from the original Sea-Dweller design. The first of these was the case size, which was increased to 43mm vs. the original 40mm. The second, and perhaps most controversial, was the presence of a cyclops magnifier over the date. more
These include a unidirectional bezel marked at least every five minutes, the presence of an indication that the watch is running while in total darkness (like an illuminated second hand), magnetic, shock and chemical resistance, and the ability to be read from 25cm away in total darkness.
Visibility is key for a dive watch to pass the ISO 6425 standard. This means clear minute markings, and sufficient lume to be visible from at least 25cm in total darkness. The watch must also constantly show it is working while in total darkness (most easily achieved by having a constantly moving second hand with luminous tip). here
Despite most dive watches unlikely to reach depths beyond the swimming pool, there is an international technical standard they must meet in order to be truly called a dive watch. This standard is called ISO 6425, with the letters standing for the Geneva-based International Organization for Standardization. It’s the same group that determines the ISO rating you may have seen in relation to a huge number of proprietary, industrial, and commercial standards. here
Panerai Luminor submersible here
Reservoir Hydrosphere Air Gauge
IWC Aquatimer Automatic Expedition Jacques-Yves Cousteau [links]
Nomos Club Auto Date Siren Blue
This limited edition timepiece honors the black manta ray, which is listed as threatened under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. Part of the proceeds of this watch will be donated to the Manta Trust charity. The 44.6 mm stainless steel case is topped with a unidirectional ceramic bezel and contains a black dial with the silhouettes of two manta rays. Other important dive features include a helium release valve and water resistance of up to 50 bar (500 meters). A new version honoring the Black Manta Ray was released at Baselworld 2019 and will be available for purchase soon.
, a senior vice president at Tourneau , the international watch retailer. "Even if you never get your dive watch wet, it's nice to know that it could survive up to 2,000 meters." Block notes that one out of every five watches manufactured today has some sort of dive function: water resistance, for instance, or a rotating bezel for timing the amount of oxygen you have left in your tank--or, more likely, the time left until your next meeting. here
Most dive watches never make it anywhere near the water, of course. "Most consumers like dive watches for their attributes, even if they don't understand what they are," says
There are basically two types of dive watches on the market: those with the attributes and those with the computers. The former are much more about style than function, produced by high-gloss watchmakers such as Rolex, Panerai, Breitling and Blancpain with basic features including water resistance, a unidirectional rotating bezel and brilliant luminescence. The latter, on the other hand, offer a world of sophisticated functions to help divers track their underwater status, such as water temperature and depth readings; separate gauges for timing the breathing mixture in one's tank; and various alarms to warn of timely doom. Details can often be downloaded from such dive watches onto a personal computer for later analysis or sharing online--if you really must. [links]
Whatever dive watch you go with, if you're actually planning to wear it underwater, make certain it can take a beating. Most are put together with anti-corrosive materials and non-scratch crystals, have large and easily accessible buttons for data entry with gloved hands and are outfitted with extendable wrist straps that can fit over a wet suit.
Not just "water-resistant-down-to-some-absurd-depth" cool, but the kind of cool that pegs the wearer as a man or woman of action. Strap a dive watch to your wrist and suddenly you're someone who can go deep; who could risk the bends; who may have faced treacherous weather, hostile sea creatures or near disaster on the open waves and--with a little help from your dive watch--lived to tell about it. Now that's cool.