Dive watches - a show off piece or functional tool? ๐Ÿ’ฆ

While no actual diver would use a traditional dive watch today given the advancement of dive equipment technology, a dive watch may not be entirely outdated yet. Its water resistance and rotating bezel still attracts many as an all-round functional watch.ย 

How do you feel about dive watches? Do you own any? Is it a matter of design or functionality for you? ๐ŸŒŠ

Reply
ยท

When I started collecting all I owned were dive watches. Now I have a few selective ones. I love them because they just look so cool they can be used anywhere, can take a thrashing and still look good, has a timing bezel and high water resistance means it's sealed properly and I don't have to worry about taking it off if I'm getting in the water.ย 

ยท

My nature is to overdo everything so I don't have to worry about it for 99.9% of the rest of forever. Dive watches are overdone (Tough, WR) for my desk diver lifestyle, so they fit perfectly in it.ย 

ยท

I agree completely about the fact that instead of using a traditional dive watch there are better options out there for divers. Iโ€™m only an open water diver, so donโ€™t really need very much but Iโ€™ll use dive computer when diving. I have one dive watch which Iโ€™ll probably wear when snorkeling or swimming in open water as soon as I change the very nice leather strap, but any 20atm wr watch could do that. So I think itโ€™s more a matte of design. But what a nice design it is.ย 

Image

๐Ÿ˜‰

ยท

I have 4 and they get worn regularly, ย to work mainly because their a little bit more rugged than my other watches and I use the bezel at work while I'm welding railway tracks, very handy. My old SKX009 I've now modded with a fixed bezel, I felt it was time it got a break from being a work watch. My Seiko SNE solar, my son commandeered it so you could more or less say it's now his watch. That leaves me with my Seiko Marine Master 300 and my Dievas Marine 500 which both get used, as I said.

Image
Image

Don't get me wrong I'm no diver but knowing I can get stuck in a down pour or in a rush to leave work just jump in the shower and not have worry about either getting soaked is a bonus. I think for the majority of dive watch owners they will probably never see anything more than their own backyard pools or the beach but that will never stop watch enthusiasts from buying them, it's like a tradition that everyone just seems to follow.

ยท

I have 4 watches rated to 200M WR, but technically, only my Glycine Combat Sub is a โ€œdiveโ€ watch out of the four with a traditional bezel. ย I do use it for swimming in my pool on the regular.ย 

Image

My BB GMT doesnโ€™t have a diving bezel, so I donโ€™t qualify it as a diver, though it could be used the same way.
Iโ€™m open to picking up another/more divers in the future, but there are other watches and watch styles that I like just as much and want to obtain first.

ยท

I own one watch that I would consider an actual dive watch. The rest are dive-style watches, meaning the necessary water resistance either is not there at all, or especially the crown gaskets and crown threads are implemented in a way that I wouldn't want to dive with the watch. (I have no interest in diving, either.)

That being said, they are very functional watches with easy to read dials, and the bezel to time stuff is indeed useful. I don't want to become a pilot either, but I can appreciate simple and functional watch like a pilot watch.

ยท

While few use dive watches for diving, they get use swimming, washing cars, etc. where their water resistance is appreciated. Divers also have good lume, which is always handy in the dark. To be rated at 200M, they must have a robust build, which is also appreciated for when the wearer is active. Timing bezels are great for grilling, etc., and the bezels themselves help protect the crystal and the rest of the watch... so while looking cool, they are still functional tools. I have two, and they are my most-worn watches after my Apple Watch (which gets worn exercising and overnight for sleep tracking).

Of course, if it is blinged out with diamonds and gold and costs more than a Toyota Camry, it might be a show off piece.

ยท

I don't use them as a tool particularly but seeing as I don't really care what anyone else thinks I don't see them as a "show off" either.

I just like that aesthetic. I have a few.

Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
ยท

I have a couple of divers though never used them to dive I imagine in future I will learn to dive since i do love water sports, it's on my list. I'm more likely to sail/surf and thus need a watch with adequate water resistance. my alpinist is 200m water resistant but i find i miss having a way to time things... largely what i used the bezel for , timing things, cooking, pomodorros. If i'm TRULY honest with myself i'll probably dive/surf in my iso rated g shock square, sure doesn't look as good at a restaurant afterwards... but thats why you take a couple of watches... innit.ย 

ยท

There have been some threads in which old timers declare that they've been diving navy tables since 1970 and have no use for a computer. ย The response being that just messes with your profile...

I like to wear a dive watch on my other wrist, but it's just for the charm. ย 

I find the 'golden age of diving' of the 1950s-1970s very interesting, so my watches tend to gravitate to that aesthetic. ย I guess if I liked space, I'd want Speedies & Pogues.

ยท

i never use the dive watch and rotating bezel feature as i never dive before. but dive watch is the one that got me into the watch hobby, mostly because of the design and water resistant feature. its good to know that you can wear it anywhere and didnt need to worry about watersplash. last holiday im using my watch to swim and it turn out just fine๐Ÿ˜ƒ๐Ÿ˜ƒ. did you take that photo yourself? awesome๐Ÿ‘

Image
ยท

I own one dive-style watch to represent the genre in my collection. My diving-in-the-sea days are over - when I last did this the moonwatch hadn't gone to the moon yet. The look of the stndard dive-style watch does not appeal to me, and I don't know what to do with the stupid bezel.

ยท

I love dive watches and was my go-to for the last 10 years or so. However, I donโ€™t dive and never go below 10 feet of water.ย 

ยท

As others have mentioned already, dive watches tend to be robust, so they are well suited to a lot of activities beyond diving. I suspect that is a big part of why they caught on as a popular style many years ago.ย 

Personally I find the timing bezel to be useful in a lot of situations, and it's easier to use at a glance than most chronographs. Dive watches also tend to be much cheaper than equivalent tier chronographs, and have lower service costs.ย 

Lastly, I like the look of the designs, particularly vintage style divers. As I've mentioned before in other threads, what we wear projects how we want others to see us. A diver works well with my standard flannel and jeans/hiking pants in the winter, or button down shirt and shorts in the summer.ย 

ยท

I'll be honest in the days of Siri, Alexa, and Google I never use any of my watch features beyond telling the time. I have used the bezel for timing Steak Grilling in the past but today I typically just say "Siri set a # minute Timer".

Having said that I absolutely love Dive Watches, hands down my favorite design. I'm no diver, maybe some snorkeling but haven't even done that in years. However, I really like that I can jump in the pool/ocean with no worries. Admittedly most basic 3 hand sports watches are 100m water resistant so my lifestyle does not require a diver.ย 

Push comes to shove I just like the look of a Diver. Plus, as a hardcore fidgeter a clicky bezel is very satisfying and almost required some days.ย 

ยท

People buy divers because they're generally ruggedly built, look good, and have great water resistance.

Anyone who thinks people seriously dive with them... er... how to say this charitably... perhaps haven't dived before? :)

Maybe snorkeling or freediving... but you aren't really using the watch as a tool in those scenarios.

TL;DR, it's all about the look.

ยท

When I was young a relative gifted me some inexpensive dive watch that they got during a trip to St Thomas. ย I wore that watch every day for the best part of 15 years. ย Since then the charm of a dive watch is lost. ย I find them to be too utilitarian. ย The dial, indices and hands lack style and grace. ย The bezels on many can double as a bastard file. The color patterns are reminiscent of the empty soda cans lying about the design studio. I respect the love that millions of watch owners have for their dive watches and I may some day see one that changes my mind but until then I have moved on.

ยท

I started my collection with divers, for work related reasons: I work in a hospital, so I need something sturdy and resistant to fluids, water being one of them. A diver is the obvious choice, being built for durability and legibility. Once bitten by the bug, ofc I couldn't stay at only one!

ยท
Fieldwalker
Image

I've been on a dive watch kick since I accidently killed a 'sailing watch' that was rated for 100m of WR. ย It had seawater in it after a capsize in a hobie cat. ย Arg! ย Never was it 100m underwater but clearly it didn't have much of a safety factor against impacts with water and moderate dunks underwater. ย 

For someone with lots of ocean based hobbies (sailing, kayaking, swimming, skin diving, etc....) a dive watch gives some peace of mind.ย 

Beautiful Kayak!

ยท

Dive watches are Toolry = tools of a different time we wear as jewelry. Also great as a redundant back up on a dive. I do have expectations for new dive models. If manufacturers can increase prices I expect more. The metals, AR coating, ย AntiMagnetic Gauss rating, ceramics, clasp extensions, ย Shock Resistant, ย water resistance etc. Should all continue to improve as prices keep going up. People often tell me that no one who collects uses water resistance past 25 meters. My reply is always no one who collects will do an EVA next week either but Omega keeps selling Speedies with improved movements etc. In fact, Omega still rates for all NASA certifications on the new Speedie. It's wrapped into the price. ย Divers, Field, Pilot etc are all Toolry. It's great fun and these watches can handel a good rainstorm soaking or laps in the pool

ยท

Keep scrolling past these two pics. Awesome view and three of my favorites!

ยท
Bjester91
Image
Image
Image

For a while I couldnโ€™t imagine wearing anything but a dive watch. I live near the Chesapeake Bay and consequentially spend a good bit of time on/in/around the water. Itโ€™s nice never having to worry about whether or not I can get my watch wet. That being said, Iโ€™m too fat to be an effective diver. But maybe one day Iโ€™ll give it a shot.ย 

Never thought of Breitling for a diver until 6-8 months ago. Seriously putting it in my plans. ย Great oic and I love Seiko divers as well!

ยท

I use my divers for timing my cooking and that is an absolutely legitimate use for them. ๐Ÿ˜†

ยท

When I started collecting I was so eager to get a dive watch. Until I realize most of them are too big on my tiny wrist ๐Ÿ˜ญ

Then I look at G-Shocks and I realized if I ever find myself in need of a watch to bring for a dive, it would be a G-Shock. Dive watches are still cool, but I don't see it as a must have anymore.

I'm still bummed that I can't find a dive watch that's not the size of a dinner plate on my wrist tho

ยท

I own one dive watch and I'm using the bezel all the time to time sth or to remind me to get out the laundry. So I would categorize it as a tool.

ยท

I own exactly one dive watch, and overall I possess 40-odd watches. I don't like the aesthetic [not as in dislike but as in failing to establish a positive vibe], I have no use for their extra functionality.

Extra water resistance is all well and good, but do I need it for walking in the rain, or doing the dishes? Even if so, I reckon 100m is plenty for any such purpose.ย 

ยท

I own exactly three dive watches.

Image

This one is a gift from my brother and I hardly ever use it for anything. It just doesn't resonate with me.

Image

This one is my end-all, be-all sartorial accessory and use it at the office, or for special events, or whenever I have an important meeting or an event to attend to that requires me to wear a suit, or just generally whenever I'm trying to feel good about myself.

Image

This one I use to actually swim with, go to the gym (using the bezel to time my workout), wash the dishes, go to the toilet, wash the car, get caught in the rain, or sometimes to shower with.

So, while the Omega has the highest WR (300m) and is designed specifically to be used for water activities, I'm most comfortable using the Loreo (200m--and who knows if it's even accurate or true that it's really 200m water resistance) when water is involved. It could be the price. Water gets into the Loreo I'll probably just shake my head and shrug. Water gets into the Omega or the Tag Heuer (for both sentiment and economic reasons) you'll find me weeping in a fetal position under the shower.

ยท

I spend a lot of time in the water, so dive watch essential! Sure I could just wear my g-shock but that would be boring!

Image
ยท

Iโ€™ve got a few in my collection and my dive watches are nowhere near water. Only ones that come close to being wet are my modern ones. So I guess you can say a show up piece.

ยท

Excellent photo...๐ŸŽฏ