Four Common Features on a Diver Watch
There are many features found on a diver watch that vary between watch makers, but all genuine diver watches must comply with the ISO 6425, meaning that there are features that are standard on all divers watches. Here is a list of a few of them:
Watch Case
The case of a diving watch must be tougher than the case of a normal sports watch as it must be able to withstand the extreme water pressure and corrosiveness of seawater. Diver watch cases are typically made out of materials that possess
four common features on a diver watch
Elapsed time controller or Rotating Bezel
All analog diver watches feature a rotating bezel that only turns one way. The bezel is used to measure the elapsed time of a dive from a specific point in time. To use the bezel on a diver watch, turn until it aligns the zero with the watch’s minute ha
Terms
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nd. As the dive progresses, the elapsed time can be read from the bezel, saving a scuba diver from the need to perform mental arithmetic in their head.
The reason a bezel must only turn one way is so as not to inadvertedly increase the perceived lenght of time of the dive. Many modern day diver watches with 15 or 20 minute markings on their bezels have copied the Rolex bezel design that was popular back in the 1950s. Divers back then would plan their dives based on US Navy dive tables, diving
Category › Scuba Diving
Title › Four Common Features on a Diver Watch
according to the planned dive profile. The bezel is only used on analog dive watches, digital dive watches perform this function using an internal computer amongst their many other features like depth guage and logging.
Strap/bracelet
A diver watch features a silicone rubber, polyurethane, rubber or metal strap bracelet that is of adequate lenght to wear over a bulky wet suit sleeve. Many bracelets feature a concealed extension deplyment clasp that can exted the size of the bracelet by an appropriate amount when needed.
Crown
The crown is a sensitve area of a diver watch, that could easily flood without a mechanism to make it water resistant. Many diver watch crowns are required to be screwed in when diving and unscrewed to make adjustments to the date, time or other watch settings. Screw-down locking crowns and crowns that are traditionally operated can not be used underwater.