8 Tips for purchasing watches for Driving
Drive watches are popular for several decades. Perhaps it all started during the 1950s, when Fleming began writing the Bond series at his summer range in Jamaica, where he himself was a fanatical diver. it had been round the time that modern skin diving and Rolex dive watches were launched. Fleming himself wore a Rolex Oyster Perpetual Explorer.
Flash forward to 1962 when Sean Connery, aka Bond , appeared on the silver screen in Dr. No. He demonstrated the way to test for radioactivity by waving a Geiger counter over the dial of his Rolex Submarine. Subsequent movies would feature dive watches that performed incredible feats like converting to a buzz saw or employing a built-in magnet to repel bullets.
Of course, all those features are make-believe, but if you wear a dive await diving instead of looking cool like Bond , it’s important to seek out one that’s suitable. Fortunately, you don’t need to spend thousands on a Rolex. you’ll find a reasonable waterproof watch good for diving by following these eight tips:
1. Choose a Depth Rating Even above the essential Requirement
The required water resistance for a dive watch is a minimum of 200 meters. A watch that’s water-resistant to 100 is merely suitable for skin diving or a minimum of diving at a minimal depth. albeit you don’t plan on diving deeper than 200 meters, it’s an honest idea to seem for a watch with a deeper rating to get on the safe side. That’s because the rating depth by the manufacturer doesn’t consider watch or water movement. within the depths of the ocean, constant motion and current add pressure.
2. Choose a Drive Watch with a Thick, Sturdy Case
The case material should be corrosion-resistant and thick enough to stay water from leaking in. Materials to seem for include chrome steel and titanium. The case back should even be tightly sealed or screwed right down to resist outflow and pressure.
3. Confirm It’s Readable in Low Light
It’s important to be ready to see readings in murky, low-light conditions like underwater to securely calculate ascension time. Choose a dive watch that has luminous hands, numbers, or indices. to urge a far better idea, make it some extent to know how watches are illuminated within the first place.
4. Search for a transparent , Simple Display
In addition to well-lit markings, search for a display that’s simple and clear. Avoid added or unnecessary features which will be confusing under stress. search for contrasting colors like black on white. Bezel markings should be imprinted instead of painted on because the paint will eventually abrade after water exposure.
5. Choose a Drive Watch that Keeps Accurate Time
This tip should be a no brainer . Accurate timekeeping is critical once you are several hundred feet underneath the ocean with a finite air supply. this is often why divers should search for a superior timepiece.
6. Consider Mineral Crystal over Sapphire
Professional and high recreational divers usually prefer a dial cover made from hardened mineral glass. Although it scratches more easily than a sapphire crystal, mineral glass is more shatterproof. A broken watch deep underwater might be catastrophic.
7. Check the Band Material and Length
Like the casing, a dive watch’s band must be made up of a corrosion-resistant material. Rubber and silicone bands are comfortable and won’t rust or grow brittle over time. the disadvantage of those sorts of bands is that they will be cut. Divers employing a knife for an additional purpose might accidentally cut the band. a far better choice is chrome steel or titanium.
A good dive watch also will have a extended band to suit over bulky wetsuits or dive equipment. Another great band feature to seem for may be a folding link. this may allow you to fit the watch a wetsuit when folded out. Fold the link certain a cushy fit over your bare arm when out of the water.
8. Choose One with the proper sort of Bezel
A good dive watch will have a bezel that only rotates counterclockwise so you’ll set the index to the big hand to ascertain how long you stay underwater. This way, if the bezel gets bumped, it’ll show more time period and you’ll err on the side of caution and ascend sooner instead of later.