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So, what are the requirements for a diving watch? What are the different types of depth gauges available? Are these features legible in low light? All of these factors will help you determine which diving watch is right for you. Read on to learn more.
Below are some of the most common questions people ask about diving watches. Also, read on to learn the basics about dive watch designs. Read on to discover which features are important for you to consider. Check out for more diving watchers features here.
Requirements for diving watches are as different as those for diving gear. In order to withstand the pressure of water, a diving watch must have a 100-meter water-resistance rating, which is far greater than most people can reach.
In addition to the depth rating, a diving watch must also meet requirements for shock resistance, protection against magnetic fields, and temperature changes. The following are some of the most important requirements for diving gear:
The case of a diving watch must be water-resistant and galvanic-corrosive-proof. Generally, this means it has to be made of materials such as stainless steel, titanium, ceramics, or plastics. Diver's watches may also have bracelets made of stainless steel, but they must be flexible enough to allow the diver to extend them. Some divers wear rubber bracelets to ensure that the watch will fit over a dive suit. Dive watches are special because of their features.
The case of a diving watch must be resistant to water pressure and galvanic corrosion. Common materials for the case include austenitic stainless steel, titanium, ceramics, and synthetic resins. The watch's bracelet is made of the same metal alloy as the case to reduce the chances of breakage. Sapphire crystals are less shatterproof, but they have an anti-reflective coating. This helps the user see the dial and the numbers more easily under water.
A dive watch that measures its depth by using a channel around its sapphire crystal is known as a Boyle's Law dive watch. This watch contains a watermark located at the 12 o'clock position.
When water is present in the channel, air pressure in the case will rise, so the watch's bezel will read the exact depth. The bezel is easy to turn while wearing gloves, and it includes a meter-to-feet conversion chart. Some diving watches are equipped with a lockable bezel to prevent accidental movement.
There are three types of depth gauges in dive watches. The Boyle-Mariotte and the Bourdon tube depth gauges use the same principle, but they have slightly different designs. A Bourdon depth gauge utilizes a curved metal tube that stretches when under water and recovers to its original curvature when under pressure. A Bourdon depth gauge's accuracy can vary depending on the water pressure, but it is the most accurate of all three.
A mechanical depth gauge consists of a dial with a scale that is placed at the outer perimeter. This type of depth gauge rests in an "off" position when the diver is above the water surface. To activate the depth gauge, a user presses a push-piece located at ten o'clock. Once activated, the hand travels to the deepest depth reading of the previous dive and returns to zero after six seconds. A diving watch measures depth every 1.25 seconds, so the margin of error is about 20 centimeters.
The lume of a dive watch doesn't need to be insanely high, as the diver is likely to use their own dive light to illuminate his immediate surroundings. Its purpose is more for timing purposes than being a mission-critical piece of equipment, so a low-luminosity watch isn't mission-critical. Even so, the watch's lume will be helpful for at-a-glance timing. A typical dive lasts between 25 and 45 minutes, so you don't need an insanely bright watch for timing purposes.
A dive watch must have legibility in low light to avoid confusion. This means that it must have a legible minute hand and hands. Most dive watches have numbers on the face or bezel to prevent read out errors. Moreover, a well-designed watch should be legible even in total darkness. It should be easy to read the minute hand, which is particularly important for divers who perform timed exercises. In addition, the seconds hand should be clearly visible to avoid mistakes when reading the time. How do scuba divers use these watches? Read more from us to find out.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aleksandra Djurdjevic
Senior Content Creator
Aleksandra Djurdjevic is a senior writer and editor, covering surf, kayak and various watersports activities. She has previously worked as ESL teacher for English Tochka. Aleksandra graduated from the Comparative Literature department at the Faculty of Philosophy in Serbia. Aleksandra’s love for the ocean / rivers, getting out waves, season after season, seeking epic adventures across the globe helps her continue to be a top expert at CSG.
