If scuba diving is something you would like to do, it is fair to wonder whether or not it is fine to take your smartwatch for diving. This article will explore what you should consider if you plan to take your smartwatch for a dive.
It is not uncommon to find a CEO, manager, or even an accountant wearing a Rolex Submariner. When it comes to the world’s most famous luxury smartwatch, it is fair to say that the great majority of owners are not using it as intended.
What distinguishes a smartwatch for diving from the rest?
The obvious answer is that smartwatches to go diving are designed specifically for diving. Most diving smartwatches are extraordinarily well crafted. They must withstand water at great depths while still being able to withstand pressure and operate. The truth is that diving smartwatches are the most dependable, well-made, and durable timepieces available.
It is why they tend to be pricy but value for the price you are paying. If you can trust a dive smartwatch 300m below sea level, you can trust it to go surfing, sailing, rafting, or kayaking (not showing, here’s why). The truth is that it can get wet and take a hammering, making those smartwatches usable for different water-based activities.
Diving Smartwatch History
The Garmin diving smartwatch, along with its field and aviation smartwatches, is one of the most famous men’s smartwatch styles.
But what makes a smartwatch good for diving and what should you consider when adding one to your collection? It should go without saying that precise timekeeping is critical while hundreds of feet underwater with a limited supply of oxygen.
Divers have always needed better smartwatches than your average off-the-shelf smartwatch. Modern scuba diving did not truly take off until the 1950s, about the time Ian Fleming began writing the James Bond books.
Fleming wrote the books during his summer vacations in Jamaica, where he was an ardent diver. It was also the period that Rolex released the Submariner, and Bond, diving, and Rolex have been inextricably intertwined ever since.
What Does A Diving Smartwatch Look Like?
All those ISO requirements add up to an appearance that goes well with any suit, wet or dry. Consider the Submariner, the Fifty Fathoms, and the Seamaster 300m, all of which have a gratifying tool smartwatch feel. Due to the need for fast reading of any information on the dial and easily legible digits or indexes, the design is basic.
A uni-directional bezel, particularly one that must rotate while wearing gloves, adds elegance but is not unnecessary. The luminous marking at the 12, typically a triangle, gives it a military aspect. The strap, which must be flexible to fit over the cuff of a wet or dry suit, combines form and function. A diving Smartwatch is both reassuringly functional and elegant.
Diving Smartwatch Construction
You should search for particular characteristics if you want a smartwatch that can be used for diving rather than merely promenading. The crown should be screwed down and, in certain situations, guarded. The sapphire crystal and casing will be thicker than normal. Unseen details should include rubber O rings used to seal the crown, case back, and crystal.
For example, Omega’s Seamaster Planet Ocean 600m and Rolex’s Deepsea include domed sapphire crystals and steel rings to reinforce their cases, making them suitable for deep-sea divers. Some will have a helium escape valve, which is unnecessary unless you are a saturation diver, while others will feature a depth gauge.
It accomplishes this by mounting a sensor on the side of the casing, which deforms by water pressure. This distortion transforms into depth in feet or meters, which is then represented on the dial using a scale.
Oris’ depth gauge is a little unusual in that it employs Boyle’s Law – as the pressure of a gas lowers, the volume of the container rises – to flood a small chamber with water when the air within it compresses. Because the air is dazzlingly white and the water is darker, the point they meet may be read on a scale to determine depth.
Even if the deepest water you experience is a luxurious bath, the obsessive detail is part of what makes a diving Smartwatch so appealing.
What Makes A Good Dive Smartwatch?
A diving Smartwatch must be water resistant in addition to being accurate. A real diver will meet the ISO 6425 standard, which consists of a set of tests to assure resistance to at least 100 meters, while many may give considerably higher resistance.
Corrosion-resistant materials like stainless steel, titanium, silicone, and rubber are often utilized in Smartwatch cases and bands. To fit over cumbersome diving equipment, bands are often longer than usual.
While sapphire is often used for smartwatch crystals, divers may choose toughened mineral glass. Although it scratches more quickly than sapphire, it is more resistant to breaking, which may be disastrous when diving to great depths.
The uni-directional bezel is the diving Smartwatch’s distinguishing feature. A decent diving bezel will only turn clockwise. It allows the diver to tell how long he has been below by setting the index to the minute hand at the start of the dive.
If the uni-directional bezel is accidentally turned, it will display more time underwater rather than less. To prevent running out of air or giving improper time for decompression, divers should err on the side of caution.
Dive Smartwatch Buying Guide
For purchasing a diver’s Smartwatch, we need to consider more than simply the design and look. While looking for the finest diving Smartwatches, take a moment to consider if you are a hobbyist or a professional driver.
If you choose the latter, you will have to spend a little more, but be assured that a well-made diver’s Smartwatch will last you a lifetime. In this part, we will discuss some alternatives you should consider when purchasing a Smartwatch.
Accuracy
The primary reason you need a diver’s Smartwatch is to track how long you have been underwater. As a result, you may compute your oxygen level and activities appropriately. Consequently, accuracy is critical in this situation. Choose a diver’s Smartwatch with accuracy. The movement references all of the ideas we have considered. Make an informed decision.
Water Resistance
Make sure that the Smartwatch you buy is water resistant to at least 100 meters/330 feet. We know that all diver’s Smartwatches are water resistant. On the other hand, a true waterproof Smartwatch should adhere to the ISO 6425 standard.
If you are an expert, you should be familiar with the ISO 6425 standard. If you are not aware, It is a set of tests that ensures all internal components of the Smartwatch are safe and functional up to 100 meters, and in certain circumstances, even beyond. As a result, being waterproof Is yet another essential component of a diver’s Smartwatch.
Built Material
The material used to construct your smartwatch should be corrosion-resistant and scratch-free. As a result, you should choose a stainless steel or titanium casing. Please choose a band material such as stainless steel, silicon, or rubber.
The band should be longer than normal if you are a professional diver. If and when a heavier diving gear is required, the extra length will come in.
The Band
There are three kinds of bands to select for a diving smartwatch: rubber, titanium, and stainless steel.
If you want to buy a rubber smartwatch band, be sure it is genuine rubber and not a cheap copy. Rubber bands are helpful since they are simple to adjust and may be worn straight on your wrist or over your wet suit. One disadvantage of rubber diving smartwatch bands is that they may be cut; if you do a lot of wreck diving, you should consider a metal band.
If you like a metal band, choose titanium or stainless steel since these metals are resistant to corrosion and rust. Stainless steel has stood the test of time and is an outstanding choice for diving smartwatches.
Titanium has just become a viable choice. It is stronger than stainless steel and weighs half as much. Whatever metal you choose, be sure to acquire a wet suit extension so that you can wear the smartwatch over your wet suit while you are wearing one.
Glass
Everyone desires crystal material on a diver’s smartwatch, which is true since the material is scratch resistant. However, because of its durability, toughened mineral glass is another viable alternative.
Hardened mineral glass is prone to scratches, but it is very robust, and even intense water pressure cannot shatter it. In any case, breaking a water glass in the ocean is not a favourable omen.
General Ease Of Use
Look for features that will make your new dive smartwatch easier to use in real-world driving situations. Things like a non-scratch crystal, big and readily accessible buttons for use with gloved hands, and tough construction to ensure your smartwatch lasts for years.
Finally, read the reviews for the diving smartwatch you are considering. When looking at a smartwatch in a shop or online, it is difficult to predict how well it will perform in the water. You will have a better idea whether this diving smartwatch will work for you if you read the reviews of those who have used it.
Bezel (if applicable)
A diver’s smartwatch distinguishes by its uni-directional bezel. There were no questions. As a result, you should constantly seek the same. Look for distinct marks that may be seen from the water. If you make mistakes while reading the time, you will not be able to bring enough oxygen with you. Consider a stainless steel bezel for enhanced durability and utility.
The bezel should move counterclockwise, allowing you to determine how long you have been underwater. Set the index at the start and verify the period when you return to the water’s surface.
Analog Or Digital (if applicable)
Most diving watches classify as either analog or digital. Analog watches are conventional dial-faced timepieces. Some of those have smartwatch like characteristic but not the full features.
If you are thinking of getting one of these watches, be sure it has a uni-directional bezel and brilliant luminescence (to be seen in the dark), including on the bezel. Analog watches are more visually appealing than digital watches, but they often include fewer diving-related capabilities.
Digital timepieces nearly often provide many advanced capabilities to assist divers in keeping track of their dive state.
Water temperature, depth measurements, separate gauges for timing the breathing mixture in one’s tank, and programmed alarms are all included. Many digital smartwatches can also record dive data, which may subsequently be sent to your computer via your smartwatch.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Can You Wash While Wearing a smartwatch for diving?
Wearing a smartwatch while showering is not advised. Even though the Smartwatch is waterproof, it does not intend to use in warm water. Moisture enters the casing when the water cools after the shower. If you repeat the technique, you will find that your hand mobility has deteriorated.
What Is The Purpose Of A watch’s Revolving Bezel?
A diving smartwatch’s bezel is usually marked from zero to sixty minutes. So you may set the bezel to zero as you descend and read the dive length when you return to the water’s surface. The bezel had been designed to revolve only counterclockwise, so if it moves accidentally, it will only shorten rather than lengthen your journey.
How does the bezel on A diver’s watch Work?
A bezel’s purpose is straightforward. You must set the bezel’s zero using the minute hand. The minute hand and bezel markers make reading dive time easy. Accurate results need a well-made uni-directional bezel. To operate a diving watch’s bezel, you should know its two kinds.
External Bezel:
In 1953 and 1954, Blancpain and Rolex both used an external bezel. In time, the bezel and case may get smeary and soiled. Divers should be aware of the dangers of daring dives in dangerous areas.
Bezel-Inner:
Aquastar invented the attractive crystal-protected bezel in 1960. Crown-operated. The inner bezel seems less practical for diving.
Why Do watch Bezels Rotate?
To calculate the dive time.
Can You Dive While Wearing A 100m smartwatch?
Scuba diving requires a smartwatch that is water resistant to 100 meters. Although manufacturers claim that 100 meters is an acceptable depth for resistance, if you are an expert, you should always seek anything more than 200 meters.
Are Diving Smartwatches Water Resistant?
They are, indeed. However, they are not simply waterproof. A diving smartwatch has been tested for functioning at the specified water depth and pressure.
What Is The Definition Of 100m Water Resistance?
Water resistance of 330 feet/100 meters indicates that the smartwatch may wear to that depth without damage. It will perform correctly to the extent specified and will display the correct time and dive length.
Conclusion
A diving Smartwatch is more than simply a clock that keeps track of your time spent underwater. It may be your style statement, a display that demonstrates your enthusiasm for diving if selected right.
Furthermore, it is appropriate for most events, such as birthday celebrations or a wedding. Trust us when we say that choosing one is difficult, particularly when there are so many possibilities.
