Dive Watches

The most important purpose of diving watches is to enable one to monitor the length of time spent under the water. As the human body absorbs nitrogen during a dive, it is critical to make sure that the nitrogen is kept within acceptable limits. This is easily achieved by using a diving watch which will help keep track of the time and depth of the dive. It is crucial not to surface above the water too quickly; the diving watch will allow one to time your ascent and descent during a dive.

For those divers making use of a diving computer, a diving watch would just be a secondary timing device, unlike those who scuba dive without a computer, where the watch would be the primary timing and safety devise.

When choosing a diving watch, first consider how much you're prepared to spend and what style of watch would be best suited to your personal preference. Also remember to consider that the watch should always be depth rated.

A genuine diver’s watch will define the features and test standards which are suitable for diving with scuba gear in water deeper than 100 metres. All diving watches meeting the special standards are marked with the word "DIVER'S" so that they may be distinguished from watches which may look like diving watches, but are in fact not suitable for scuba diving. Diving watches and wrist bands should be checked regularly for defects, preferably before every dive. This is imperative especially if the watch has been in contact with any strong magnetic fields or even if it was just knocked against anything while diving. Also remember to wind any watch which has mechanical movements, every time prior to use.

It is important to note that while many watches claim to be water resistant to a certain distance, many of these watches are unsuitable for diving.

Watches claiming to be between 30 and 50 meters water resistant are the primary bulk of the cheaper watches available. These watches, while water resistant, are intended for use in showers and swimming pools and should not be dived with.

While still sometimes present on the lower end of the cost range for watches, you may find watches claiming 100 meters water resistant. These watches are still not suitable for regular scuba diving, and should only be used for surface related water sports, swimming pools and snorkelling.

You will find that watches water resistant to 200 meters are actually suitable for scuba diving and if you're looking at buying a watch that is not specifically a diving watch, you should make sure it's at least 200 meters water resistant.

Diving watches are available in various basic styles:

DIGITAL

Many of the digital watches are, in fact, water resistant to about 200 metres and are suitable diving watches. The digital watch is designed typically with a stopwatch and is relatively inexpensive.

CLASSIC

These are mechanical or quartz analog watches and are available in cheaper models as well as more expensive and extravagant makes.

DIVE COMPUTERS

There's a selection of some of the latest dive computers which are in fact the size of a normal watch and can be strapped to your wrist. They perform exactly the same functions as a dive computer but can be used as a diving watch, as they also display the time. The dive computer automatically displays your elapsed time, unlike the digital watch which only has a stopwatch feature. However, these watches are generally more expensive due to the technology involved.

Once you’ve purchased the appropriate diving watch to suit your needs, remember that it is important to ensure that your watch is correctly maintained. It is recommended that the pressure be tested and the seals replaced, at least every two to three years. This should be carried out by an authorized repair facility. Besides that, watches should always be rinsed with fresh water after being used in sea water.