Any features (or appearance, anything) that'd get you to use a mechanical dive watch?

[divewatchguy]

I actually just recently became interested in diving because of my interest in dive watches. I figure these days people are just using fully digital dive computers for practical purposes. But I was wondering, are there any features, or anything about a watch's appearance (visibility, legibility, etc.) that would convince you to wear a mechanical dive watch instead? Are there any areas in that regard that dive computers are lacking in, that could be bettered by a simpler solution in a basic mechanical dive watch? Or will my foray into diving mean a switch to dive computers?

 

[ams511]

A dive buddy of mine uses a Citizen dive watch with a depth meter. The main reason he uses it is because it is easy to travel with. You don't need a computer for diving. You can always use a depth gauge and a timing device (watch). The main problem with a mechanical dive watch is people forget to rotate the bezel to keep track of the elapsed time. The dive industry then came up with a mechanical bottom timer that the diver winds and has a pressure switch for in water activation. After that came electronic bottom timers and computers. I am not sure which came first. Some divers carry a watch along with the bottom timer or computer, but usually it is a cheaper $50 Casio G-shock or the Timex equivalent not a more expensive mechanical dive watch.

 

[tajkd]

My 2c is that is all about styling. I often wear one of my 3 dive watches topside or to work but I seldom wear them diving now. I wear a wrist computer and backup spg. You get all the information you need from the ubiquitous computer and, I think, no mechanical watch can compete. The style, however, can sell the watch. I do use my watches when snorkeling or swimming but mostly for the waterproof and current time features. Good luck.

 

[RJP]

Or will my foray into diving mean a switch to dive computers?

Dive watches are the "buggy whips" of scuba diving.

 

[Tortuga68]

I guess by mechanical you mean analogue? Anyway, I have two non-digital dive watches; an automatic (self-winding) Seiko 6309 (elapsed time only) and a Citizen Aqualand (depth & time). I mostly use them as backups to my Liquivision X1 or Uwatec bottom timer, although the citizen I have used as a primary for recreational dives when travelling light on holiday. And I have used the Seiko on shallow-ish sites I know very well and don't need to worry about NDL.

 

[UGLY]

That Seiko 6309 is beautiful.