Buy a Dive Watch - Yes or No?

[lobbolt]

Hello ScubaBoard,


Do you personally dive wearing a dive watch? I own two air/nitrox dive computers so I do have a redundancy from that perspective.


I am currently thinking of buying a dive watch (a particular model I am really liking is in the $200-$300 range), but am wondering if it's actually a useful buy, and if it's common for divers to dive with watches, nowadays.


Do you recommend the buy? Or, would you recommend spending less?


Thanks?

 

[Cave Diver]

I have a couple of Casio G-shocks that I've bought for $90 or less. I love them as a dive watch and their rugged and attractive enough for everyday use. Never saw a need for a $200 watch personally, but wouldn't be without them on dive trips.

 

[rongoodman]

I bought a Seiko a couple of years back and wore it on a few dives, before realizing I never looked at it--it can't compare with the OLED display on my computer. I wear it all the time on dry land though--it looks good and impresses women(OK, it looks good).

 

[Tigerman]

Wether you want one or not is as much a matter of vanity as practicality when you have backups already.
If you want a new watch and like the look of the dive watch, go ahead.
I bought a Watch Details for Promaster Depth Metre Chronograph | Citizen Eco-Drive about a year ago and have used it every hour Ive been awake since, including diving.
To me it is a nice backup as I only have one computer and its actually has actually become what I primarilly use on my dives as my computer is mounted in the console.
I do check the computer every now and then just to make sure it says what I expect it to say (which it has always done)

That is NOT a $200 watch though.
Its not expencive but its not cheap either..

 

[Carlos Danger]

It's more of a personal preference. I use a Citizen Duratec Ti Pro Diver Automatic as a backup bottom timer, but it also serves as my regular timepiece on trips. Truth be told, I bought it mostly because it looked so darn cool, but it's also serious equipment that has served me very well over the years. It should; it cost more than my Galileo!!!

 

[Insta-Gator]

Only buy a watch if you need/want a watch. Being a dive watch is convenient because you don't have to worry about wearing it into the water.

Your computers have the diving covered.

 

[barilhu]

I have an old Casio dive watch that I used went, I only had one computer. I dont use it anymore, since I have a backup computer and SPG. The watch would be triple redundency, a bit much...

hb

 

[Hawkwood]

What do you plan on using the "dive watch" for? That would certainly help with your decision as well as choice.

I wear a watch, but really the only time it is used is for timing students. Other than that it is a piece of jewelry.

I have a DC and also wear a back up when it is available. I am sloppy in that more often than not I don't remember to set a start time with the watch, so as far as redundancy for dive timing is concerned I am pooched anyway.

Bill

 

[diverdoug1]

I like to wear a dive watch that is a back-up computer (mine is a Suunto).

 

[wpnorton]

Nope. I dive dry. A daily wear watch wont go over a dry suit.