Diving watch
The diver's watch is a waterproof and pressure-resistant wristwatch (waterproof to at least 20 atm , corresponding to 190 m water depth). It is used to measure the dive time and for this purpose is equipped with a rotating bezel with which the start time of the dive is marked by turning the 12 o'clock position of the bezel, which is marked with luminous material, to the current position of the minute hand. The elapsed dive time can now be read directly on the bezel in minutes. For safety reasons, the bezel can only be turned counterclockwise. If it changes unintentionally during the dive, the marked start time is always before the actual one. It is therefore unlikely that the elapsed dive time will be underestimated, so that the diver starts the ascent process early enough and can observe the necessary decompression time.
In the age of dive computers , the classic diving watch is now more of a fashion accessory and luxury item and is basically no longer required as a primary display for diving . However, it can take over the function of a backup instrument.
In Germany, only watches with the label diving watch or diver's (watch) that meet the criteria of DIN 8306 may be sold, for example:
- Tested watertightness
- Clear readability from a distance of 25 cm from the time , selected diving time, functioning of the clock - even in the dark
- Possibility to preselect a time period (timer or bezel)
The diver's watch was mainly used to comply with the decompression times (also called deco times). Today a dive computer is mostly used for this purpose, which automatically sets the values of the decompression table in relation to the dive time and depth. This can also be integrated into a wristwatch. The Fifty Fathoms, marketed from 1953, is considered to be the first diving watch with a unidirectional rotating bezel .
A pioneer in the development of diving watches was the Swiss watch manufacturer Rolex , which was the first manufacturer to achieve permanent water resistance in wristwatches. The first waterproof wristwatch to be marketed was the Oyster model from 1926. The Submariner from 1953 is considered the archetype of modern diving watches with an external rotating bezel and was the first to guarantee water resistance to a depth of 100 meters.
Web links
- Roger Rüegger: Dive (into) Watches - private website all about mechanical diving watches
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b Roger Rüegger: Chronology of the diving watch. diveintowatches.com, accessed June 15, 2019.
- ↑ The diving watch - Submariner. In: Franz-Christoph Heel (Ed.): Rolex. Heel-Verlag, Königswinter 2009, ISBN 978-3-86852-189-4 , pp. 48-59.