Fashion has an uncanny way of transforming the utilitarian into the stylish. Take the dive watch, for instance: made to withstand depths up to 2,000 meters, dive watches can be found adorning the wrists of aquaphobics. Not only that, Tourneau executive vice president Andrew Block notes that one of five watches manufactured today has a dive function, whether it’s a rotating bezel to keep track of cumulative diving time or water resistance – a precaution against spilled coffee on timeless Invicta Swiss watches, or, god forbid, the clasp inexplicably breaks and the watch falls into the toilet.
With advancements in technology, the classic computer-less dive watch has become more of a style statement than a real necessity for divers. Nevertheless, it’s interesting to know that the following features are due to diving’s physical demands:
- Water resistance and anti-corrosion: Materials like stainless steel, ceramics, titanium and plastics or synthetic resins form a waterproof barrier and ensure that the watch can stand external magnetic disruption and shock.
- Generally made of synthetic sapphire, acrylic glass, and hardened glass, a thick crystal dial window can withstand underwater pressure.
- Watches powered by batteries have a power reserve indicator that warns the diver of a low energy reserve, typically signaled by a cautionary message on a digital watch, or a 2-4 second skipping of the second hand.
- “Saturation” or “technical” diving thousands of meters deep exposes divers to helium-rich environments. Helium buildup in a watch can cause its crystal dial case to shoot off. Helium release valves are meant to alleviate internal pressure by expelling excess gas.
- Deep dives mean little light and decreased visibility. As a result, dive watches feature high contrast, non-cluttered dials with clearly marked numerals and minute marks. A coat of radiant pigmentation can also improve watch readability.
- An extendable silicone, rubber, or polyurethane strap, or a metal watch bracelet that can fit over a diving suit.
Your motivation for purchasing a dive watch might be merely for its cool factor. But you never know when these specialized functions might come in handy.
-Kim
