Diving Wrist-watch, How to Choose?

Talking constructional discuss about the features of a good diving watch, there are numerous choices of diving watches but not all of them meet the minimum requirements of advanced scuba divers. The question is, we should pay attention at what details while carefully choosing diving wrist-watch?

Despite the fact of none of scuba divers nowaday diving without quartz-crystal computer device. Bringing real diving wrist-watch as a secondary control system will not only instill confidence but it will become a lifesaving gear in case of the primary one is malfunctioned.

So which criteria is needed to be taken into consideration regarding to choose real, functional and reliable diving chronometer? What functions they must have to serve all the needs of diving duties?

Criterias:

The first important factor, comparing to diving computers, they must to be mechanical devices. Today most manufacturers understand clearly that hermetically and firmly sealed body is a must for diving watches. The body must be made of massive high quality steel or pure titanium or should not be multi-pieces. TAG Heuer watches are a good example because of their one body covering.

Generally, diving watches have circular section thickening ring between their body and cover snap together with screwings.It should have considered side protection to protect from hammering and shock resistances. For such reasons, some manufacturers have moved clock winder from vulnerable place behind digit "3". For example, this construction feature is found on Citizen, Ikepod and Sinn watches. Another useful material is watches made from crystals of antireflective sapphire which can’t be scratch by coral reeves of hulls of sunk ships.

Wrist-watches that have all these features can easily provide water-resistant up to 10 atmospheres i.e. 330 feet. Most professional scuba diving watches can sustain much harder water pressures. With some models of TAG Heuer and Sector watches you can dive up to 3280 feet deep (if you dare)! Sunlight cannot reach such depth, so your diving watches need to have big and bright self-glowing digits so you can easily see the time even in very low light situation. Display should have markers placed with 5-minutes range and must be clearly seen from less than a foot underwater. Same requirements belong to hands and markers.

Diving in ocean depths we need to know not just the daytime but especially how much relative time passed from the start. For this reason, advanced diving wrist-watches should have rotating bezel with engraved dive time markers to limit diving time and safty stops. We advise you to look for a watch model where bezel is rotating only counter-clockwise not unidirectional in case of mistaken rotating, the diving time will only be less, not more, and avoiding possibility of dive overtiming and causing decompression sicknesses.

While purchasing a new or second hand diving watches, they should be tested to be qualified of these standards:

- Dial Readability
- Antimagnetic Behaviour
- Shock Resistance
- Bezel Rotating only counter-clockwise
- Reliability of bracelet, clasp and rim.

The watches should also to be unaffected by salt water and temperature swing difference. With all these conditions the watches must work excellent. Yes, it makes them harder to manufacture but while comparing to human life, it is very worthwhile!