Diving watches are designed for divers who need to rely on an accurate and sophisticated timepiece, no matter their environment. A divers watch is designed so, at a minimum, they are able to offer a water resistance of ten atmosphere units. This is equivalent to one hundred meters, or three hundred and thirty feet. Typical diver watches, which are available on the market, are going to offer their wearers a water resistance of two hundred to three hundred meters, which is equivalent to diving depths of six hundred and sixty to nine hundred and ninety feet. Modern technology has been impressive in this field and today’s diver watches will allow their wearers to enjoy deeper diving depths without hurting or injuring the watch itself. The International Organization for Standardization, or the ISO, defines the test standards and features in order to help determine which watches are more capable as diver’s watches. A true diver’s wristwatch will often be in accordance with the standards set forth in ISO 6425. In order to distinguish which watches are in line with ISO 6425 and which are not, the watches that do adhere to the standards are marked with the word “DIVER’S”. If a watch has this word printed on it, it is a suitable one for scuba diving.

Some additional requirements for diving watches include the presence of a bezel that is unidirectional. The bezel needs to have at least every five minute markings as well as a pre-select marker to denote a specific minute marking. Minute markings on the face need to be clear and easy to read. These watches also need to have readability or visibility at 25 centimeters, or 9.84 inches, in total and complete darkness. These watches also need to be designed to be chemically resistant. In order to test this, the watches are immersed in a solution for twenty four hours in order to test the watch’s resistance to rust.

Diver watches have been improved upon over time, but in the early days of diver watches they were developed in response to the needs of military and professional divers. It is believed that Omega enjoys the distinction of creating the world’s first diving watch. While watch dealers offer a number of more modern Omega and other divers wristwatches, the first diver’s watch Omega had created was the Omega Marine, which was introduced in the year 1932. In addition to Omega, there are a number of companies that are able to offer consumers highly functional watches designed for diving. They are designed as tool watches, but they can also be designed with fashion in mind. Diver watches have been designed for both men and women, in either an analog or a digital format.

Diver watches need to have a case that is adequately water resistant. It also needs to be able to endure the seawater’s galvanic corrosiveness. Many, including those featured by online watch dealers, are made out of materials such as stainless steel, titanium, ceramics, resin or plastic. Some of the most impressive and popular diver’s watches include the Omega Seamaster 300 M Diver Chronometer, the Breitling Avenger Seawolf Chronograph and the IWC Aquatimer Minute Memory.

Joseph Levy