Help me choose Dive Watch - Premium v Budget

[Belzelbub]

Hi, so new here, hey...I am an asthmatic and was always told I couldn't scuba, is that true?

I agree with @Nick_Radov

You can get some pretty good advice from the experts there. I’d also recommend having a discussion with your Dr. But, asthma is not a 100% contraindication to diving. I had asthma when I was younger. My pulmonologist was familiar and was comfortable signing off on the form. From what he explained, when he later signed off on my daughters is that the triggers for asthma attacks are what is important, as well as how well it was controlled.

And can someone please let me know about the asthma thing, I thought now, with full masks and no need for a regulator, the asthma issue would be resolved....

This isn’t right. A full face mask still uses a regulator. It’s just attached to the mask, not in your mouth. I can’t see how that would make a difference at all. You are still breathing cold, dry air. You just don’t have a mouthpiece between your teeth.

 

[DanBMW]

Pick up an inexpensive Times Iron Man for $40.00. It will last for years. I wear mine all the time and dive in an aquarium two days a week, skydive, work out in a gym and in the shower.. Get a separate computer so you have redundancy. No need to be wearing your dive computer all the time.

 

[Micko1974]

If your into fitness and working out just get a Garmin. In the end you will spend more money buying a cheap dive computer and then later realizing you want something better and buying it anyways.

Buy once cry once

I have the MK2S and I actually only use it as a daily watch and fitness watch. I have been using for about 2.5 years every day now and love it! It has only been on a handful dives just to test it out. Not because its a bad dive computer just I almost only dive rebreathers and all my rebreathers have Petrels so I am super familiar with the Shearwater platform and naturally I want a backup to have the exact same layout and buttons. But for regular diving I think it is a great multipurpose dive computer/daily wear smart watch. Far more practical than the Teric or apple watch

The Atmos Mission 2 is similar to the Garmin MK2, but with less of a price tag. It has all the same features. Both are great dive/fitness computers.

 

[rx7diver]

... And I'm a budding horologist and looking to specialise in dive watches ...

Do a search of this site; there are several excellent, long threads that discuss dive watches.

If you are thinking of a self-winding watch to wear while diving (i.e., to use as a bottom timer), you'll probably want something that has a stainless steel case and sapphire crystal, and a screw-down crown attached to a stem that is double- or triple-O-ring sealed, and a one-way, fine bezel. A chronometer will keep better time (of course). Safest if you wear it on a NATO strap, but if you wear it on a stainless steel bracelet, it's best if the clasp can expand (to wear over the sleeve of your wetsuit).

Note: Your watch *will* get beat up a bit. So, be sure you're okay with this.

Good Luck,
rx7diver