Max depths for dive watches

[dougchartier]

I use a solar powered eco drive. 5 years on its still fine. No battery means no o-ring seal to go. Rated 200m and ive dived it down to 60 many times without incident.

I use a solar-powered GShock rated to, if I recall correctly, 200 meters. I've taken it on many dives, one down to 130 feet, and have had no problems at all. I agree with the benefits of not having to change the battery.

 

[Rhone Man]

My one experience of this is the reverse. I had a 50m rated Casio, and once for the hell of it, I tied it off on a line with a weight and dropped it down to (based on line length) about 240 feet (70m), and it was fine.

 

[jpitz31]

I use to dive with my Timex Ironman all of the time. When the batteries died I took the watch to a jewelry repair shop to replace the batteries. The next time I dived. The watch died.

I did some checking around. It appears that not all jewelry repairs are equal. There are watch repair shops who have the skills to replace batteries and them pressure check the watch in a small pressure chamber.

Make sure that when you take you watch in for any kind of service where they remove the back you then have them pressure test the watch for leaks.

Thanks

Joe

 

[SkipperJohn]

I use to dive with my Timex Ironman all of the time. When the batteries died I took the watch to a jewelry repair shop to replace the batteries. The next time I dived. The watch died.

I did some checking around. It appears that not all jewelry repairs are equal. There are watch repair shops who have the skills to replace batteries and them pressure check the watch in a small pressure chamber.

Make sure that when you take you watch in for any kind of service where they remove the back you then have them pressure test the watch for leaks.

Thanks

Joe

A lot of times it's hit or miss and the lie (yup, believe it or not!). After paying the ultimate price, as I said above, take it to your LDS. I went their to ask for a recommendation for a jeweler, they changed that batteries and pressure tested the watch.

 

[diver 85]

I use to dive with my Timex Ironman all of the time. When the batteries died I took the watch to a jewelry repair shop to replace the batteries. The next time I dived. The watch died.

I did some checking around. It appears that not all jewelry repairs are equal. There are watch repair shops who have the skills to replace batteries and them pressure check the watch in a small pressure chamber.

Make sure that when you take you watch in for any kind of service where they remove the back you then have them pressure test the watch for leaks.

Thanks

Joe

the only thing I change on my Casio's is the bands.When the battery goes, I throw it away......

 

[BradButler01]

Just go ahead and spring for the Richard Mille RM 025 Tourbillon Chronograph. It is depth rated to 300m, and comes in at a bargain basement $100...(thousand)

Richard Mille RM 025 Tourbillon Chronograph Diver's Watch - Luxist

 

[String]

Diver's 200 m or 300 m Suitable for scuba diving at depths NOT requiring helium gas. Typical ratings for contemporary diver's watches.

Does that mean it'll flood on a DIR diver at 30m depth but other people can wear it to 50m depth without issue ?

My solar watch is great but for a few days a year it does slow/stop. February/March mainly as it can go for literally weeks at a time without seeing direct sunlight and at best it sees indoor light or very dim cloudy daylight so cant keep a charge. This is due to short days, crap weather and the fact its cold so when worn its often under a long sleeve. Solution i found then is a few hours with a table lamp pointed at it. Its a minor inconvenience though for having something that doesn't need batteries. If you live somewhere less depressing its probably fine.

 

[Puffer Fish]

As a watch collector (ok, nut).. it seems to come as a surprize to most that watches have a somewhat limited life expectancy. Almost all the quartz (with some exceptions) watches are designed to last, at most, one battery change. They may last longer, but they are not jeweled movements. If they use the long life battery.. then the number of battery changes is "zero". Not that one cannot get lucky, just that they were not designed to last that long.

If you want a watch that never leaks.. get one of these:

Amazon.com: TechnoMarine Midsize MoonSun Abyss Watch #ABS19: Technomarine: Watches

As it is filled with silicon, if the seals fail, you would notice the stuff leaking out.. and without any air to compress, water cannot easily get inside...and changing that battery does require it to be sent in.

Regarding water resistant rating...

200 meters is the minimum level that one should get, if you dive with the watch. Any watch, with good seals may work, but 200 meter watches should have enough tolerence to allow for some seal degrading and still work (well, that is the industry belief anyway).

However, the normal leak point is the stem seal, from not being tight, or wearing out...as even a 50meter watch should be good to 50 meters when just out of the box.

I own two 500 meter watches.. and given the cost, would never consider taking them diving...

 

[OldNSalty]

My Timex Expedition (WalMart, $19.95) is rated "100M Water Resistant". It's been to 267' once, and 150'+ a few more times. It's been over 100' LOTS of times. It's also been beat to hell crawling through dry caves. It's still ticking along just fine. Maybe I'm just lucky.

I went diving with a couple of guys who had just gotten certified the day before. One of them had stopped on his way to the boat to buy one of those cheap watches that was 'water resistant' - he was opening the package on the way out to the boat.
The Cpt asked me to buddy with the guys as they were new and I had experience in those waters-no big deal. I am following them down the line when I see the guy stop, look at his watch and punch a button on the side (I assume to start the timer). I see 3 or 4 tiny bubbles roll out of the side of the watch and the face go entirely black. It was quiet amusing to see him shaking his watch and tapping it on the side.
Anyway, I am not sure why he wanted a watch, neither of them ever bothered to check any of the gauges they already had. They just naturally assumed I would watch their gauges for them and guide them along the dive (which I did)