(Help) Automatic water resistant watch

Since summer is approaching, I want to add an automatic watch that is effortlessly durable for swimming and getting wet in general.

I don’t like bulky watches and the majority of the recommended water resistant watches appear to be dive watches if you absolutely want no chance of damaging the watch.

So far, other than the bulky dive watches which are out of consideration, I stumbled upon the Seiko Alpinist. It’s rated for 20 bar but has no implications of “diving watch”.

Even though 20bar is equivalent to pressure under 200m, I read online that watches that are not listed as dive watches still have a risk of water leakage so I’m still not sure if it’s a good option.

It also appears to have crown guards and a screw-down crown so it might actually be suitable for swimming, but I couldn’t find any information on it. It crossed my mind that it might have water leakage from the second crown which is used to set the compass.

I’d love recommendations on watches that are not bulky and are easily suitable for swimming. Maybe there are some sleek dive watches that I’m missing? Also I’m curious of what you guys think about the Alpinist option.

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I just got my Zelos Blacktip that’s not too bulky for a dive watch in my opinion.

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Otherwise Clemence watches are meant to be coming out with another batch of Photic Divers before the Summer and their Munro field watches are coming out soon. Their watches fit nicely, my Photic diver is one of my most worn pieces. Both of those should work just for swimming. I really don’t think you need to worry about a watch with 20atm of water resistance and a screw down crown. Yeah sure you probably shouldn’t actually dive down to 200m with your Seiko Alpinist but that doesn’t sound like what you’re doing.

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Lorier Falcon

100m is about 98 more than necessary.

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Or Wolbrook/Douglas Skindiver Professional II

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The Gladiateur collection seem to fit your requirements: 100 meter water resistance, screw down crown, screw down caseback so definitely suitable for swimming and 10.8mm in thickness!

https://www.heronwatches.com/en-ca/collections/gladiateur-mmlxv

Let us know if you have any question!

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The whole Alpinist range is worth looking at. It's not just the one with the internal rotating bezel, there's the mini Alpinist & my personal favourite the Laurel Alpinist reissue - it's thinner than the others , has it's own unique style and is available in a multitude of impressive dials (no idea how they are made, maybe 3d printed?), & can be found on eBay used for around the £500 mark.

Here's some pics.

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Matt84

I just got my Zelos Blacktip that’s not too bulky for a dive watch in my opinion.

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Otherwise Clemence watches are meant to be coming out with another batch of Photic Divers before the Summer and their Munro field watches are coming out soon. Their watches fit nicely, my Photic diver is one of my most worn pieces. Both of those should work just for swimming. I really don’t think you need to worry about a watch with 20atm of water resistance and a screw down crown. Yeah sure you probably shouldn’t actually dive down to 200m with your Seiko Alpinist but that doesn’t sound like what you’re doing.

Thanks, do you know any other field watches suitable for what i mentioned

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solidyetti

Lorier Falcon

100m is about 98 more than necessary.

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Screw down?

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Inkitatus

The whole Alpinist range is worth looking at. It's not just the one with the internal rotating bezel, there's the mini Alpinist & my personal favourite the Laurel Alpinist reissue - it's thinner than the others , has it's own unique style and is available in a multitude of impressive dials (no idea how they are made, maybe 3d printed?), & can be found on eBay used for around the £500 mark.

Here's some pics.

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Are all these alpinists screw down as well? Also the Alpinist you mentioned seemed a bit dressy for so do you have other recommendations on alpinist models. I saw some gmt ones what do you think about those

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kqpaaa

Thanks, do you know any other field watches suitable for what i mentioned

@Inkitatus had some great options otherwise the Munro I mentioned from @Clemence_Watches is a good option with 150m water resistance and Tom the owner of Clemence Watches is a fellow cruncher who is good at replying. Otherwise I have an Echo/Neutra Averau 39 field watch that I’ve been swimming with without problems.

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solidyetti

Lorier Falcon

100m is about 98 more than necessary.

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Cool shape change as well

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Matt84

@Inkitatus had some great options otherwise the Munro I mentioned from @Clemence_Watches is a good option with 150m water resistance and Tom the owner of Clemence Watches is a fellow cruncher who is good at replying. Otherwise I have an Echo/Neutra Averau 39 field watch that I’ve been swimming with without problems.

That echo you mentioned looks really good, does it have a screw down crown? Would love some pics if you want to share also

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kqpaaa

That echo you mentioned looks really good, does it have a screw down crown? Would love some pics if you want to share also

I’ve got a pvd coated moonphase one but they do have others without both.

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Hope that helps.

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kqpaaa

Thanks, do you know any other field watches suitable for what i mentioned

Check out Vaer. They have good water resistant field watches.

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The Perry Ellis Slimline (pictured below) is a collaboration between the fashion brand Perry Ellis, and Invicta. You can usually find them for less than $50. They look elegant, are very dressy, no frills, and have a workhorse Seiko VJ20 movement in them. And they are 100m water resistant. And if it breaks, you can just buy another one. I love mine.

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I don't know what your budget is, but the "Slim Willard"(Seiko SPB317) may be what you're looking for. It's 1mm thinner than the Alpinist at 12.5mm thick. The lug to lug is 47mm which wears well on nearly any size wrist. And since you're looking for a "divers" watch, this fits the bill with 200m of water resistance and a screw-down crown.

Though not a watch I own, looking at your needs, it is the one I would recommend.

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kqpaaa

tried it any water? also how do you just switch the bezel

In the water many times! It is a friction mounted bezel, the two seem to go on and come off with the proper tool/lever. Have not had any issues. It just has so many personalities with straps nd bezel changes. I really enjoy it!

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RFIMike

In the water many times! It is a friction mounted bezel, the two seem to go on and come off with the proper tool/lever. Have not had any issues. It just has so many personalities with straps nd bezel changes. I really enjoy it!

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where did you get it?

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kqpaaa

reminds me of a panerai, looks really good, thank you I might consider this as well

They are nicknamed 'Pamphibia'

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Specs on this one: 41.6mm cushion case, 45.75mm Lug to Lug, 20mm band/strap width, 14.8mm thickness.

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Have you thought about Vaer? I just got one of their solar field watches, but they also sell regular quartz and automatic watches. All of their watches are designed to be active lifestyle watches and the guys that founded the company are surfers, so I think I would trust their water resistance claims. The watches themselves are quite nice looking.

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You can find one of these fairly cheap. Under a couple hundred bucks. Sector Adventure. Screw down crown and caseback. This one is Swiss Quartz but I do believe that they make an automatic. I will see if I can find one. I found one and they are a little over $500. There are so many good watches out there other than Seiko. I wish people would see outside the box more often.

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You might want to look at Zodiac. Thinnest dive watches I have experienced so far. 😉

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squarestanley

I don't know what your budget is, but the "Slim Willard"(Seiko SPB317) may be what you're looking for. It's 1mm thinner than the Alpinist at 12.5mm thick. The lug to lug is 47mm which wears well on nearly any size wrist. And since you're looking for a "divers" watch, this fits the bill with 200m of water resistance and a screw-down crown.

Though not a watch I own, looking at your needs, it is the one I would recommend.

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Now with your review I'm interested. 😁

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MJ_WG_12

Now with your review I'm interested. 😁

It’s a great choice, for sure.

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Anything with a screw down crown and get the seals replaced every 5 years. (they harden or crack at 6)

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@wsjp007 recently posted about water resistance you should be able to find it somewhere. A lot of good information.

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Honestly your over thinking it. You should be fine for most water activities with a 200m rating. Just put it on and go👍🏽

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https://www.ebay.com/itm/204337430525 vintage so cool and a true diver, screw down crown and crown guards, 37mm case and about 12mm thick, lume for days and serviceable movement!

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riverstoneflyfishing

https://www.ebay.com/itm/204337430525 vintage so cool and a true diver, screw down crown and crown guards, 37mm case and about 12mm thick, lume for days and serviceable movement!

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This is a good find. Thank you

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DrewP94

@wsjp007 recently posted about water resistance you should be able to find it somewhere. A lot of good information.

Thanks for the mention! I have it pinned on my profile for anyone interested.