During the early years of scuba diving, in the 1960s and 1970s, the dive watch was at its peak. Watches were used by divers to keep track of their dive and surface intervals. You should have a fantastic dive watch in your collection. Even James Bond has one, and he can make wearing a dive watch look casual and trendy.
A dive watch and depth gauge combination are even preferred by certain dive organizations over contemporary computers. When deciding how to pick a dive watch, consider the following factors.
1. Your dive watch should be WATERPROOF!
Without this, a dive watch cannot even be called a dive watch if you can’t wear it in water. But the term “waterproof” doesn’t merely refer to repelling water. The term can be used to describe anything from waterproofness up to thousands of feet below the surface to splash-proof. Water under pressure must be kept out, which is quite different from simply keeping water out. More protection is needed to keep water out when there is dynamic pressure, such as when you are diving. A good recreational dive watch should, in general, be water-resistant to at least 30 bar, or 1,000 feet. Following the depth guide on a watch makes sure that it will always be waterproof.
2. Look for suitable materials!
The watch must be made from substances that can withstand exposure to water and that should also include seawater. Stainless steel is good but not flawless despite its name. Titanium is better. Although it’s a bit more expensive, it is lighter and significantly more corrosion-resistant. Rubber or metal bracelets work just as well, but leather straps should be avoided.
3. Have the dive watch case!
If you are purchasing a dive watch case, you should look for the brands that have their dive watch cases along with the watch purchase. Brands like Invicta take special care of it and in terms of protecting dive watches. You can find Invicta watches with dive cases at places like ShopHQ.com. Dive watches will always be in style, and dive watch cases give them the extra protection they need.
4. Your watch should monitor Dive time!
Additionally, a dive watch should feature a rotating bezel. This rotating bezel allows you to track the duration of your dive without having to recall the precise minute you descended. Place the dive start marker over the relevant minute marker, then start diving.
A good dive watch must contain a “time-preselecting device” that can be read in the dark from a distance of 25 cm, which is satisfied by a rotating bezel. It should be simple to read the watch, allowing you to determine your bottom time even in 100 feet of water.
Also, the watch must feature an indicator that may be used to quickly determine whether it is still in operation. This need is satisfied by a second hand. Although some straps are constructed of nylon or various composite materials, the majority of diving watches feature a steel or titanium bracelet or rubber strap. Some dive bracelets and straps have an extension feature that allows the watch to fit over the sleeve of a diving suit. Some dive timepieces come equipped with a depth sensor and/or a helium valve.
5. Depth Gauge is a PLUS!
A depth gauge is a huge benefit. In the event of a computer malfunction, you can utilize the watch as a backup dive computer. Most have a sensor on the side of the case that is affected by water pressure (usually a membrane or diaphragm). The depth in feet or meters is then translated into the degree of distortion, which is shown by the hands on the watch’s face. To determine how much decompression time is required to safely surface using decompression tables, you must be able to track the depth and length of their dive. This calculation is crucial since your body needs a specific amount of time to adjust while rising from a dive and you don’t want to stay underwater longer than necessary. It is crucial to use a dive watch with a depth gauge to measure the length and depth of your dive.
Conclusion:
If you need a dive watch for the style only, you might not need this many features, but if you are one of those persons who prefer it for diving, then please consider these 5 tips before buying.