I want to design a Dive Watch. What would make the best watch?

[lowviz]

Keep the watchface info KISS and put all the Gucci stuff into an IRDA link.

I'd rather have a single, "push-button resettable" count-up timer than a bezel.

 

[Thiad]

I'd just love a watch that doesn't feel like a Mack truck on my wrist... I know, I know - that negates the ability to see all the wiz-bang stuff, but I have scars from my D9 cutting into my wrist.

 

[Jerry_]

Well, my criteria would be:

- accurate and reliabel
- waterresistant (200m real)
- high readibility (with good luminescense)
- no useless extras, eventually even minimalistic
- normal watch size & weight & look
- preference for analog indications
- almost zero need of operation (butttons, etc)

meters:
- (dive) time (& preference to show date for normal use as watch)
- depth gauge meter
- eventually for non tech divers: time until first deco stop (see 10)

How to achieve:
- purely mechanical approach:
(1) analog device as described by others, with normal indication of time
(2) analog depth gauge
(3) bezel

- electronic approach
outside the water:
(4) analog indication of time
(5) large digital indication of the date
(6) solar loading for batteries
(7) radio frequency triggered time setting

upon dive start:
(8) reset of minutes to zero and start counting dive time
(9) date display changes into depth meter mode
(10) set of hour indication to 55 minutes, used as a count down for time left until deco stop dive starts
(11) a light illuminates the watch

 

[rhwestfall]

$5k........

well, my criteria would be:

- accurate and reliabel
- waterresistant (200m real)
- high readibility (with good luminescense)
- no useless extras, eventually even minimalistic
- normal watch size & weight & look
- preference for analog indications
- almost zero need of operation (butttons, etc)

meters:
- (dive) time (& preference to show date for normal use as watch)
- depth gauge meter
- eventually for non tech divers: Time until first deco stop (see 10)

how to achieve:
- purely mechanical approach:
(1) analog device as described by others, with normal indication of time
(2) analog depth gauge
(3) bezel

- electronic approach
outside the water:
(4) analog indication of time
(5) large digital indication of the date
(6) solar loading for batteries
(7) radio frequency triggered time setting

upon dive start:
(8) reset of minutes to zero and start counting dive time
(9) date display changes into depth meter mode
(10) set of hour indication to 55 minutes, used as a count down for time left until deco stop dive starts
(11) a light illuminates the watch

 

[Jerry_]

All is a matter of what the production volume and what your taget group is.

If you produce the device in a sufficiently large quantity, without using brands like Breitling and Rolex, you can get down to 500$


Btw: if confributions given in the forum by any member would be implemented in a comercial product, it would be nice to receive - at a minimum - a prototype'.

 

[Tortuga68]

One of us is confused, yes:

Watch Water Resistance information for watches from PrestigeTime.com !

My Rolex Submariner's water resistance is warranted for one year after service

Not sure what that link is supposed to prove since I made no references to hot tubs or old, unserviced watches.

Try this one: Rolex Sea-Dweller extreme water resistance test

 

[Diver0001]

My Rolex Submariner's water resistance is warranted for one year after service.

Ugh!!!! Rolex.

Decent watch, well made: $500
Extra mile and good dealer network $200
Styling: colleagues will notice and chicks dig the James Bond factor: $300
Swiss ego: $4000

No thanks. Switzerland is known for two things. Banks that white-wash money for criminals and watches that cost more than they're worth.

Japanese ego only costs $200 so I'd rather have that.

Oh, and of course your service is guaranteed. You pay more to get the battery on a Rolex changed than most people spend on a new watch.

Actually this thread has got me thinking that I should buy a new watch. It's been such a long time since I bought anything "just because I wanted it" and this thread got me in the mood to reward myself for my awesomeness LOL

R..

 

[vladimir]

Not sure what that link is supposed to prove since I made no references to hot tubs or old, unserviced watches.

Try this one: Rolex Sea-Dweller extreme water resistance test

Interesting link:

As some a final critical words: We can never know if the Rolex Sea-Dweller really was 1200 meters under water, all we have seen was a monitor with the Rolex Sea-Dweller on it and a depth indication, not to hard to fake or change the order of photographs if you are a crazy Rolex enthusiast that wants to boost the brand, but on the other hand everything might be true.

Despite the disclaimer, I have no trouble believing that Rolex did hold up under that pressure. Thanks for the single, slightly dubious data point.

---------- Post Merged at 09:47 PM ---------- Previous Post was at 09:38 PM ----------

Oh, and of course your service is guaranteed. You pay more to get the battery on a Rolex changed than most people spend on a new watch.

You missed my point a little. They only guarantee it for a year. So, while a Rolex fresh out of servicing ($250 in Hong Kong) will probably perform to its rating, taking the rating on your watch face too seriously will eventually get you a flooded watch. It is, of course, irrelevant to most divers with watches rated to 1000 meters or even 200 meters. But that watch rated to 50 meters might flood in the pool.

Does Rolex make battery-powered watches? I don't think so.

Ugh!!!! Rolex.
....
Styling: colleagues will notice and chicks dig the James Bond factor: $300

I have $1,200 shoes, so I'm willing to pay more for this factor.

 

[miketsp]

Bracelets can fail. These (less fashionable) straps are less likely to fail and drop your nice watch into Davey Jones' locker:

..snip..

Too right. After my wife's Citizen strap failed and the watch went to the bottom (fortunately recovered) I replaced both our straps with a cheap piece of yellow velcro threaded through both pins. It doesn't look at all fashionable but so far seems totally reliable and is easily adjustable from bare wrist up to 7mm of neoprene.

 

[Diver0001]

I have $1,200 shoes, so I'm willing to pay more for this factor.

You must be older than I thought. Probably also explains why you live a lot closer to Thailand than I do I hope you're not one of those guys who's "too sexy for his car"

I obviously don't know all of the Rolex models, but I've actually never seen one with a battery in it. Wouldn't expect it either since the big players in the Swiss watch industry have an unnatural reluctance to modernize. They're betting the farm on people thinking that "the good old days" were better.

R..