Dive Watches: A Relic or a Necessity in Diving?
Do divers actually go diving with dive watches? This is a question that often arises among both recreational and professional divers who have shifted to relying on more advanced technology like dive computers. Dive watches have a rich history and are still cherished for their reliability, simplicity, and style. However, modern devices such as dive computers have revolutionized the diving experience by providing comprehensive data and safety features. Let's explore the reasons why divers still opt for dive watches and when dive computers reign supreme.
The Purpose and Design of Dive Watches
Dive watches are specifically designed to withstand the underwater environment. Key features include:
Water Resistance
Most dive watches are rated for depths of at least 100 meters (330 feet). This makes them suitable for various diving conditions, from recreational to more extreme explorations.
Durability
Their construction is robust enough to endure physical stresses such as pressure, temperature changes, and potential impacts. This ensures that the watch remains functional and dependable during deep dives.
Readability
Dive watches often come with large, luminescent markers and hands. This ensures that divers can read the time and important details even in low-light conditions under the water.
Timing Functions
Many models include a unidirectional bezel to track dive time. This feature is crucial for safety to avoid decompression sickness, which can be a serious risk for divers.
Modern Diving: Dive Computers vs. Dive Watches
Some divers prefer dive computers, which offer advanced features such as tracking depth, time, and no-decompression limits. These features provide a more comprehensive approach to managing dive safety and performance. However, dive watches remain a popular choice for their simplicity, reliability, and style statement.
Even though many divers now use dive computers, they often still carry a dive watch as a backup. This is especially true for experienced divers who rely on dive tables and depth gauges as additional safety measures. Divers who value mechanical watches or prefer a physical backup to a dive computer also often choose to wear a dive watch.
Personal Accounts and Real-World Scenarios
One diver, who learned to dive using US Navy dive tables before the advent of recreational dive tables, still plans his dives to use a depth gauge and dive watch as a backup. While he uses a dive computer for convenience, he finds value in having a dive watch for reliability. Another diver mentions that he only wears a watch during dives where a computer failure would be a serious issue, and even then, he brings a second or third backup.
Personal anecdotes highlight the diverse perspectives on dive watches and dive computers. Some divers find it odd not to have a backup, while others embrace the sun, swim, and dive philosophy offered by modern technology.
Divers who are not engaged in extreme diving generally do not wear watches outside the water and find the added bulk of a watch cumbersome. However, for many, a dive watch remains a cherished item that offers both functionality and a nod to the legacy of diving.
Whether a dive watch is a relic or a necessity ultimately depends on the diver's needs, preferences, and the specific diving conditions. Dive computers offer advanced features, but dive watches remain a classic and reliable choice for a wide range of divers.