Diver mania?
Can someone shed some light on the popularity of Divers for everyday wear?
Just scrolling through What’s on your wrist today pics & seems 70% are divers of some sort. Features people will never use if not actually diving. The bezels take real estate from the dial, the bit we actually look at for the time & they are invariably very thick, so not too comfortable as an everyday wear, (IMHO) just curious & interested in theories?
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Curtis Tebbutt
67 yo living Noosa hinterland QLD Australia, had a passion for old watches since inheriting my Dad’s Titoni Airmaster c1960 which my wife got refurbished for me. I like more obscure brands rather than...
Cooran QLD, Australia
Member since
Last active: 10 hrs ago
19.50 cm
A lot of divers can be dressed both up and down. A lot of divers are tough enough to wear for every situation and of course have enough water resistance for any setting. It’s nice to have a watch on wrist and know wherever the day takes you that you won’t have to take your watch off. I’d argue divers don’t have to be think and can super comfortable on wrist.
I just like the look of them and I think they make great every day watches. They are usually built tough and can handle water just in case. I have a few divers and all of them are under 13mm and one is even only 10.5mm thick and all wear very comfortably.
What's your watches type in your collection then?
I spend a lot of time in and around the ocean. I like to not worry about it.
They look strong, shiny, colorful, like them myself but still prefer daily or field style watches
A lot of divers can be dressed both up and down. A lot of divers are tough enough to wear for every situation and of course have enough water resistance for any setting. It’s nice to have a watch on wrist and know wherever the day takes you that you won’t have to take your watch off. I’d argue divers don’t have to be think and can super comfortable on wrist.
What you said!
What's your watches type in your collection then?
I do have a bronze Combat sub which is thinner than most & comfortable but most are too thick for me. Ive got tool watches dress watches a couple of chronographs,vintage a mixture. I was just struck at how many wruw watches were divers compared to other styles
I spend a lot of time in and around the ocean. I like to not worry about it.
There are lots of 100/200 m water prof watches with screw down crowns that aren’t divers. Interesting though I get your point.
I’m obviously a bit of an outlier not being all that attracted to the style.
What you said!
Agreed that’s what makes it an interesting hobby I guess.
Agreed that’s what makes it an interesting hobby I guess.
It's my default because I know I don't have to worry about it. In my experience they tend to be the most robust. But I'm not everyone 😂
There are lots of 100/200 m water prof watches with screw down crowns that aren’t divers. Interesting though I get your point.
I’m obviously a bit of an outlier not being all that attracted to the style.
Yeah, I have a few of those, too.
I’m also just enticed by some divers, and the history behind them. I like that connection to the past. Hey, the mind likes what it likes. What can I say? Besides, most of this silly watch stuff we’re all obsessed with is driven by our individual emotions and tastes.
I notice you have a few chronographs. Do you race? How often do you use the complication? I’m sure you just like the way they look, even though there’s better and more efficient ways to time things down to the millisecond. I also have a few and like them. I don’t really need them, though. See what I mean?
A lot of divers can be dressed both up and down. A lot of divers are tough enough to wear for every situation and of course have enough water resistance for any setting. It’s nice to have a watch on wrist and know wherever the day takes you that you won’t have to take your watch off. I’d argue divers don’t have to be think and can super comfortable on wrist.
🎯I love how a Rolex diver pairs with colourful socks and crocs…that’s gold 👍
Yeah, I have a few of those, too.
I’m also just enticed by some divers, and the history behind them. I like that connection to the past. Hey, the mind likes what it likes. What can I say? Besides, most of this silly watch stuff we’re all obsessed with is driven by our individual emotions and tastes.
I notice you have a few chronographs. Do you race? How often do you use the complication? I’m sure you just like the way they look, even though there’s better and more efficient ways to time things down to the millisecond. I also have a few and like them. I don’t really need them, though. See what I mean?
Absolutely, you like what you like, same as the chronograph as you say. I use the timer on one chronograph to time my steak on the BBQ😂
Absolutely, you like what you like, same as the chronograph as you say. I use the timer on one chronograph to time my steak on the BBQ😂
Hey, I’ve used a countdown bezel to time things in the kitchen before! 😄
Shock resistance, splash/water resistance, (seals and gaskets) luminosity. Generally compared to dress, pilot, field style watches, divers are just a bit more sturdy. Of course, ymmv.
Dive watches are popular because they are good looking and incredibly sturdy. So they can take a lot of abuse from daily use. And very few are ever used for actual diving. They are just a good choice for anyone who doesn't want to fuss over their wristwatch.
Here is my idea of the perfect watch for everyday use:
Accurate, rugged, and good looking. And it cost me $50. (Plus another $15 for the bracelet.)
That value is hard to argue with, was that retail, surely not? Looks pretty good too.
Besides the iconic look, I like when I can throw on my diver and not worry were the day takes me. It’s a type of watch that is ready for anything work, water, and casual wear.
Makes sense
I personally like their versatility. As many have pointed out, they come in different shapes and sizes and cover a wide spectrum on the toolish to dressy scale. The BB54, for instance, due to its minute size and gilt accents can easily be worn as a dress watch. But you can also dress it down on a nato and just have fun with it on an adventure. It'd be more difficult to pull off a 43,5mm Planet Ocean with a suit, but it's not impossible. Two more winning aspects are water resistance and the bezel. Dive watches are, by definition, water resistant, so I don't have to baby them around water. This is a big plus for me, as I do not like to take off my watch when I shower. In addition, a dive watch bezel is, to me, the most useful and practical "watch complication". An easy way to time things, without the need for an extra complicated movement, that becomes more costly to maintain and that will probably add height to the watch. Added bonus for countdown bezels 😬
All good reasons.
Sorry if I seem annoyed, but this is just another click bait post. Do people get enjoyment by seeing how many comments or likes they have?
Here is my answer:
Because people like they way they look.
Why do you own a watch, you don’t need one just look at your phone.
I have a few questions I’m wondering about from your WRUW posts
Are you a pilot, you have pilot’s watches in your collection? If you aren’t a pilot you have a much better chance of going swimming with your watch than flying a plane….
I see a diver in your posts why? I also see large thick chronographs in your collection what are you timing?
Mate what’s your problem, I have no interest in click bait, it was just a question that popped into my mind as I was scrolling through the images
I think this is only the second question/comment I have ever posted on WC. The thing I was liking about watch crunch is the lack of aggressive comments, until now that is.
Nothing I said was aggressive . You asked why people have divers, you have a diver, why do you? As I was looking at your posts I saw you have a pilots watch so the question popped in to my mind. Why do you have a pilots watch. are you a pilot?
And in your “curiosity” you basically question why people own divers and essentially insult anyone’s taste in watches who owns a diver…
Even though you own one
Got the nylon strap on my seastar 2000, perfect for my environment. 👌
Because it looks cool 🤷♂️
Divers give you durability, and they give you a really handy complication in the elapsed time bezel, which is useful for so many things, and is cheaper than and chronograph
I primarily just like the aesthetics of a colorful bezel. Plus, I can wear a decent dive watch in 99% of the situations/locations I find myself in.
That value is hard to argue with, was that retail, surely not? Looks pretty good too.
Yes, that was the full retail price. I don't think anyone offers the kind of value that Casio does...
Got the nylon strap on my seastar 2000, perfect for my environment. 👌
looks like a good match, I'm still struggling to find the right strap for my Combat Sub (bronze)
Divers give you durability, and they give you a really handy complication in the elapsed time bezel, which is useful for so many things, and is cheaper than and chronograph
I'm realising there are quite a few "budget" divers with good specs & not too bulky, I might have to have another look into the concept. It might be just getting used to seeing a different look on the wrist. My eye just seems to get drawn to the bezel over the dial. I loved the look of my bronze combat sub in the reviews/images but on the wrist somehow it just looks "bezel heavy". Think I might bite the bullet on a Mako III to test the theory of a thinner bezel.😀
I'm realising there are quite a few "budget" divers with good specs & not too bulky, I might have to have another look into the concept. It might be just getting used to seeing a different look on the wrist. My eye just seems to get drawn to the bezel over the dial. I loved the look of my bronze combat sub in the reviews/images but on the wrist somehow it just looks "bezel heavy". Think I might bite the bullet on a Mako III to test the theory of a thinner bezel.😀
Also, i find just twisting the bezel around and listening to the clicks to be really calming. The seiko turtle sounds like a pack of cards being ruffled, and it's a very nice ASMR sound~
Some of the best looking watches are divers, I think most are fine as every day usage.. from jeans and casual shirt to beachwear...but a no no for buisness and formal..unless your 007.
Some of the best looking watches are divers, I think most are fine as every day usage.. from jeans and casual shirt to beachwear...but a no no for buisness and formal..unless your 007.
Since posting the question I’ve spent quite a bit of time looking at different Divers & I would agree now. I think my Glycine coloured my view as it’s the only one I see on my wrist & theres no bracelet option either.The bezel for me is just too dominant,also colour plays a big part. Have been eyeing a Tutima 7 seas ceramic bezel in green which is beatiful but a bit pricy compared to Certina & Mido options.