Diving with a timex watch?

[Scuba Bud]

Hey everyone,

So I dive without a computer. I have a depth/pressure gauge and I use a bottom timer/watch.

I was wondering if it's considered OK to use a watch like a timex as my bottom timer... It has all the functions I need but it says in the manual that it should not be used for diving.

The watch I'm talking about is the timex core 30-lap.

I says water resistant to 100m which is much deeper than I go in recreational diving. Is this watch OK or is it going to break? Do I really need an expensive dive watch?

Thanks!!

 

[themagni]

I've dived with an Ironman as my backup timer. (I have a computer that came when I bought all my gear.)

It works great, with the following caveat: pressing a button underwater will kill it and thus end your dive. Also, if you break one every year (I've had mine since about 1992) it's going to take at least 10 years to match the price on a dive watch.

 

[Scuba Bud]

I've pressed the buttons underwater and nothing has happened, be it this was done in a pool... At depth will pressing the buttons really kill it?

 

[mts0628]

Hi Nevalite:

Your Timex should be fine. I actually use a Casio G-Shock (WR 200m) as a backup timer and I have dove one for years. Our only issues could be the difficulty of pushing the buttons but that is something a little practice won't fix. Some may reply that pushing the buttons underwater is not good for the watch, leaks, self-destruction, and the like, but I have done so without losing my watch or the wrist it was attached to. YMMV though (Timex versus Casio).

And finally, good job not using a computer right off the bat. One day you may want one and that is ok, but starting out planning your dive and then diving your plan, I think is the best way until you decide you want a computer and then spending the time to pick the right one out. No rush though.

Good luck and I hope this helps.

With kind regards,
Thomas

 

[Scuba Bud]

Thanks for the reply Thomas. Yeah I like the idea of actually doing it the old fashioned way first so I actually understand what's going on inside those dive computers. Someday I'm sure I'll get a computer but not quite yet.

As for the watch this is good news, I'll use this one and I think it should be fine.

Thanks!

 

[Arizona]

I recently bought a Timex 1440 from Target while visiting in the US. My original plan was to use it as timer while teaching in the pool and sparing my more expensive dive computer from wear and tear that accompanies confined water training. I dived the Spiegel Grove with it to about 100ft with no problems. Tried the stop watch with no issues at depth. I see no problems with your use. I am thinking of diving with it as a back up timer as well.

 

[H2Andy]

i had a cheap Timex for a while (forget the model) ... i was aware of the fact that pushing buttons may flood the watch, but i went ahead anyway

i think i had about 20 or so dives with it when the watch finally flooded ...

ymmv

 

[Gombessa]

I had a 100m watch flood after a dozen dives or so. I'm now using a 200m Timex Ironman, which has held up great for 30+ dives now, many down to 100ft.

My rule of thumb about water resistance ratings:

50m: will probably flood sooner rather than later
100m: 50/50 chance of flooding or never flooding
200m: pretty reliable for recreational diving

 

[freshwater]

I dive with a timex and just as everyone seems to be saying it has worked fine. Mine is rated to 200m. I highly doubt that it would last to 200m but definatly to 130ft. And if it doesnt I'll abort the dive, go to target, and get another for 30 bucks.

 

[Arizona]

Advice from others and just re-reading the instructions - no button pushing to be on the safe side!