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Buying a luxury watch isn’t always a simple choice. There are so many types of timepieces from which to choose that it can feel overwhelming, even for a seasoned collector. That’s why I always recommend that people start by shopping for a dive watch and then move on to something else if they don’t find what they like. More often than not, a dive watch can scratch that itch and serve almost any purpose in your collection.
Luckily, luxury dive watches are far more accessible than they once were. That’s primarily because Japanese brands like Seiko and Citizen have made them so. Both companies have built solid reputations on the backs of their impressive catalogs. Many of the watches in those stables are solid and sturdy dive watches. One of the reasons that this style of watch is so popular is because it offers a great all-around experience for the wearer. It’s the type of timepiece that you can wear on almost any occasion, and you won’t be out of place. If it’s good enough for James Bond, it’s surely good enough for the rest of us.
What is a dive watch?
In order to be categorized as a dive watch, there are a few primary characteristics that a watch must maintain. While there can and will be some exceptions to these rules, they constitute a basic framework for deciding what is and what isn’t considered a dive watch. The first, and most obvious of these characteristics, is water resistance. After all, if you can’t even wade into the water with your watch, why would anyone consider it a diver?
It should be able to withstand at least 100 meters of water resistance in order to be considered a dive watch. If your watch has this bare minimum, then it’s perfectly safe for general swimming and snorkeling in a pool or in the ocean. This minimum level of water resistance is achieved by the use of pressure-resistant rubber gaskets on the inside of the watch case. Most (though not all) dive watches that have at least this minimal amount of water resistance also have a crown that screws into the side of the case, creating a watertight seal where no water can seep in.
Another hallmark of modern dive watches has to do with the bezel. The bezel is the area surrounding the dial on the outside of the watch case. Most dive watches include a rotating timing bezel. They are usually unidirectional and produce an audible click when you turn them. The bezel often has time markings around it. This is so that when you’re underwater during a dive, you can set the bezel to keep track of how long you’ve been on the dive. This is especially helpful for those who want to keep track of how much oxygen is left in their tank at any moment.
The final marker for determining if your choice is a dive watch concerns legibility. Most dive watches will include luminescent hour markers and hands. While a few watch brands still use tritium in their dials, which is a radioactive element that glows constantly, most use a less volatile substance. The majority of dive watches today utilize luminescent coatings that gain their brightness from exposure to the sun. Then, once you’re in a dark environment (or deep underwater), they have a dull glow to them, thereby allowing you to read the time.
Seiko dive watches
Seiko is one of the most classic dive watch brands on the planet. It’s made some of the most beloved divers in the history of watchmaking. That said, you have such a wide range of options when it comes to Seiko. Its offerings include quartz models starting around $100 and can go up to multi-thousand-dollar automatic watches worn by some of the world’s most experienced deep divers. In addition to the technical spec variety amongst Seiko’s models, there is also a wide variety of aesthetic options. It’s not hard to find a Seiko dive watch that looks as at home on the beach in Hawaii as it does in a fancy gala with a tuxedo.
Seiko SRPF03 Dive Watch
Seiko 5 Sports Automatic Watch
Seiko 5 Sports SRPK97
Citizen dive watches
Citizen is another famed Japanese luxury watchmaker, and one with lots of variety, like Seiko. Some of the best dive watches in Citizen’s inventory are Eco-Drive models. These are solar-powered watches that never need winding and never require a battery change. If you’re someone who likes a set-it-and-forget-it style of watch, then Citizen might be best for you. However, the brand has watches with every type of movement, so you can choose whichever suits your personal needs best. Much like Seiko, there is also a wide variety of looks when it comes to Citizen divers, so the world is your oyster when shopping for the right one.
Citizen Promaster Sea Dive Watch
Citizen Eco-Drive Promaster Dive Watch
Citizen Promaster Dive Red Dial Dive Watch
More dive watches
If you don’t see anything that works for your needs in the lists above, worry not. There are plenty of fish in the sea, and plenty of watches on the internet. Check out the following options to see if you find what you’ve been looking for.
Bulova Oceanographer Snorkel Ceramic Dive Watch
Timex Deep Water Reef Dive Watch
Casio Quartz Dive Watch
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