What characterises a dive watch?

Whether you’re a keen diver or a beginner, you’ll know that diving has a huge range of benefits both mentally and physically. The exercise can help to strengthen your physical health, improve your sleep, and reduce stress. Plus, being in nature can work wonders for calming your nervous system and boosting your mood.

If you’re keen to take advantage of the wellbeing benefits of diving and want to take your experience to the next level, then it may be worth investing in a luxury dive watch. Here, we explore the key characteristics of dive watches that make them such a popular choice today.

ISO 6425 international standard

It’s important to note that to be classed as a dive watch, the timepiece must undergo rigorous testing to meet the ISO 6425 international standard. This certification means that the watch has passed a series of tests, either undertaken in-house by the watchmaker or externally by a testing company. 

For example, the testing includes checking for condensation, the watch’s ability to work under pressure, and the impact of shocks. It’s worth mentioning that not all luxury watchmakers choose to undergo ISO 6425 testing, instead doing in-house checks for quality assurance.

Water resistance

One of the key features to look out for when searching for a dive watch is water resistance. The minimum criteria for dive watches is 100 metres, but many exceed this threshold – offering 200 metres or more of water resistance. 

Yet it’s not only the depth capabilities you should look for, but whether the watch can be submerged in salt water. The piece should be crafted from corrosion-resistant materials that allow it to perform both in and out of the sea, without the conditions impacting its function. 

Legibility

Another important characteristic of these luxury timepieces is their exceptional legibility. A dive watch is typically visible from 25cm in complete darkness – allowing you to track your time in the depths with ease. This is often achieved by using a material called lume which glows in the dark and sits on the watch’s face and hands. 

Most dive watches will also feature a running indicator which tells you the time that has elapsed under the water. This is usually in the form of an elapsed-time bezel with unidirectional movement, which works similarly to a stopwatch.

Durability

One of the characteristics that make dive timepieces so popular is their unrivalled robustness. These luxury watches are extremely durable and made with the highest quality materials, such as steel, aluminium, and crystal. 

They often feature metal or rubber straps that have been designed specifically to withstand underwater adventures. This means that they can be submerged in saltwater, have direct contact with sunlight and withstand the pressure of the depths without affecting their function.

Will you invest in a dive watch to enhance your underwater exploration?