Dive watch suggestions, Please.

[gyverpete]

Hello!

This is my first post. I currently wear a Citizen Promaster Quartz analog w/ day-date. I found my way here to SB while searching for a new dive watch. I am not a diver, sorry, but I like a dive watch because of the look and it's high resistance to dust and water, which I encounter frequently at work. And you guys probably know best about dive watches, so here I am.

I haven't found many options primarily because of my picky criteria, which are:

--Quartz or Kinetic (I prefer quartz accuracy over automatic/mechanical)
--Analog
--Sapphire or Sapphlex crystal. (I currently keep my mineral crystal scratch free by use of write right clear film that I cut to fit, and replace when the film gets scratched. A hassle I wish to avoid, and the reason I am looking for a new dive watch)
--Rated 100m or more
--38mm-45mm diam.
--Day AND Date. MUST display day of week.
--Dial color. Anything but white or silver.
--Can be had for under $400

ALL of these preferences are mandatory.
No preference on Brand or strap type.


So far I have found the following that meet ALL my preferences:
--St.Moritz Storm with Sapphire upgrade ($175)
--Seiko SMY089 Kinetic ($275)

I know this is a tall order. I would appreciate your suggestions on a watch or opinions of the two watches I listed. Thanks in Advance.

Pete

 

[Nemrod]

equationoftime.com

If the link does not work do a search for equationoftime. It is a huge watch web discussion site with discussions on dive watches.
I only own/use mechanical auto wind or manual wind watches with some few exceptions also quartz movements. My current favorite is the Seiko Monster and the DOXA Sub. N

 

[Diver Dennis]

Casio G-Shock. Lots of models, inexpensive and they work.

 

[Rafael]

I will agree with Dennis if you are not a diver save some monet by getting a G-shock or a Timex Triathlon, that will work fine for you.

 

[Randy43068]

do a search!! This has been covered in several threads.

But I use a G-shock..

 

[gyverpete]

Guys, Thanks anyways.

It appears my original post was too long and too specific. By your replies it's apparent that you didn't read my preferences or the note : "ALL of these preferences are mandatory". And for all my searches here, which I did before starting this thread, I could not find a thread that covered a watch with all of my spec's.

Nemrod, Thanks for the link. I've lurked there before. No results. I'll have to join and post. I hope someone there will read my post.

 

[laivindil]

Can't go wrong with either of those you've posted.

Casio sells some analog Gshocks.

 

[dulldiver]

I got one of these http://www.scubatoys.com/store/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=ZeagleWatch
about a year ago at my LDS. I'm not sure about the crystal spec. but, it has everything else you want.

 

[Nemrod]

Pete, please take this in the constructive way I mean it but you seem to want a REAL watch and yet your limit is 400 dollars. That amount of money just escapes the "cheap" watch catagory by about 50 cents. My boss and you would get along well. He loves watches and yet will not buy the watch he really wants. Instead he continues to buy 50 to 250 dollar watches he is never satisfied with, discards them and buys another--over and over. He would have saved money had he just gotten what he wanted to get in the beginning.
I bought one of those StMoritz dive watches, I consider it disposable, expendable. It is a cheap looking sort of a watch that no one is going to confuse with the real thing. It works fine but the hands lack contrast agaisnt the face, the case is chintzy looking but I wear it places where there is a high risk of damage--such as at work--my work is somewhat demanding on watches, chemicals etc.
I would look into a Seiko or a Citizen, I am positive they have models in your price range even if you have to order from Hong Kong which I have done before with no regrets.
Good luck. N

 

[Doc Harry]

The Suunto D3 gives you the best of all worlds. Very versatile. Unfortunately it is NOT analog.

-Basic bottom timer and travel watch (wake-up alarms, stop watch, etc.)

-Free diving depth gauge and dive profile recorder in 1-second intervals

-Scuba diving back-up depth gauge and dive profile recorder in 10-second intervals

-Programmable dive alarms

-Ascent rate indicator

-Back light

-330 foot limit

Here's good link to the details:
http://www.suuntowatches.com/d3.htm

You can pick up the watch for $350 or so on the internet (including Leisure Pro).

I recommend this replacement wrist band:

Get the C-shaped screw-in band adapters that come with:
Suunto Neoprene Wrist Strap
http://www.suuntowatches.com/36bands.htm

But then actually use this wrist band:
http://www.divesports.com/mall/waterborne_watchbands.asp
(The 3/4-inch band fits a little loosely, the 1-inch band is a little more manly)

The face protectors are a good way to protect your investment:
http://www.suuntowatches.com/guard.htm