You don’t have to be a professional diver to wear one of the many diver’s watches on the market these days; sporty timepieces are among the most popular in every brand’s portfolio and an increasing number of men, and women, are choosing one as their watch of choice.
However, these watches have been highly developed by brands to the highest specification with pro divers in mind. Some of the most complex technology developed by each watch maker goes into these watches producing a watch that is increasingly becoming much more than just a time piece and more a piece of essential kit.
We have picked four of our favourites for you to consider.
Rolex Deep Sea: Sea Dweller (DSSD)
Possibly the most impressive in terms of depth and from Rolex – probably the most iconic watch brand of all time – The Deep Sea is the ultimate Divers companion.
Water resistant to a depth of 3,900metres, that’s a whopping 12,800 feet, the DSSD is an exceptional time piece. Built with the most extreme divers in mind the DSSD is robust, reliable and highly accurate and since its release in 2008 it has been one of the most desired pieces in the Rolex sports watch range.
The sturdy 44mm case is by no means small but that’s what you expect from a divers watch. Crafted from 904L stainless steel and complete with a thick domed sapphire crystal and unidirectional bezel this watch is a real statement on your wrist. Rolex’s patented Cerachrom black ceramic bezel perfectly finishes off this classic sports watch.
The bracelet is made from sold 904L Stainless Steel links and the patented Rolex Glidelock system on the clasp allows the diver to adjust the length of the bracelet with ease to fit comfortably over a diving suit. This extension is easy to do and requires no tools so can be done on the side of a boat just before launch, it provides an extra 20mm in 2mm increments. This highly developed feature is integrated into the design of the clasp and provides a reliable closure for complete peace of mind.
The Rolex Deepsea is equipped with a Calibre 3135 self-winding movement that has been entirely developed in-house by Rolex’s master watch makers. Like all the movements made by the historic Swiss watchmaker the 3135 is a certified Swiss chronometer, an accolade reserved for only the highest-precision watches that have successfully undergone the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institution (COSC) tests.
The 3135 movement also features the Rolex patented Parachrom hairspring that offers greater resistance to shocks and to variations in temperature.
“After seeing the Deep Sea first hand, what a watch, there is nothing to touch this on the planet, under the sea or above it! The testing equipment developed with Comex has produced the ultimate diving watch for the professional diver and connoisseur of collectible watches.â€
Omega Planet Ocean Titanium
Upon its introduction in 2011 the Omega Seamaster Titanium (Ref: 232.90.46.51.03.001) became the first in the iconic OMEGA Planet Ocean Collection to be constructed in titanium. This, however, was not the only feature that this watch can claim; it was also the first in the collection to stray away from the iconic black and orange colour scheme – for which this model has become famous for. And, if this wasn’t enough the watch also features the in-house Calibre 8500 (Calibre 9300 in the Chrono) with the co-axial escapement and silicone balance spring.
Another point to note about this watch is the ‘Liquidmetal’ bezel. This is essentially a ceramic and zirconium alloy and a rarity on the Omega models thus far. As a keen stockist of second hand watches we have seen many a bezel that has seen better days! Bezels can become scratched, indices and numerals can fade and this can cost more than the watch may be worth to correct. Omega has taken on this age old issue and created of the Liquidmetal® bezel.
The highly polished bezel, thanks to the Liquidmetal® sits well with the blue dial and silver indices. The fact that the bezel and numbers are resistant to scratching and that the colour will not fade over time is a real added bonus.
The 45.5mm chronograph model uses the calibre 9300 which is a brand new column wheel chronograph movement. The two register display has a sub dial at 3 o’clock for the chronograph and uses a white hand for elapsed hours and an orange ProPlof deep sea diving-style hand for the elapsed minutes.
Running seconds show on the nine o’clock subdial, while chrono seconds show on the main second hand for easy reading.
This is a great new look for the Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Titanium. It’s classic, yet modern and stylish in design and would look great worn with a suit or a wetsuit. The Omega Planet Ocean Collection has become the most popular variant of the OMEGA Seamaster line and has a very passionate fan base and this new variant in the line echoes the DNA or the original line perfectly, complimented by the in-house movement.
This in-house movement we speak of is the Co-Axial escapement, developed jointly with the late Dr George Daniels and now featuring in many of the new Omega watches, this movement offers many features for the wearer; extended time between services and greater accuracy being just two.
Breitling Avenger Seawolf
The Breitling Avenger Seawolf (A1733010) is definitely one to consider when narrowing your choices for the ultimate dive watch. Breitling has produced a piece that is not only highly technical but is water resistant to 3000 metres (10,000 ft).
One of the main things to consider with this watch is its size… It has 45.5mm case and stands 18.4mm off the wrist. However, the sculpted, rounded lugs do offer comfort on the smaller wrist so its size is not too much of an issue – especially if you love your watches the bigger, the better! This definitely is a watch that you will not forget you are wearing! It can be quite heavy but that adds to the appeal – it’s a real ‘tool’ watch.
The dial is a matt blue/grey with baton markers; highlights of red and the white luminescent really set it off making for a readable, clear dial. The anti-reflective coating on the dial is exceptional; at first glance the domed Sapphire almost seems invisible. The professional II bracelet is sturdy, with solid steel links and a crisp fastener to the deployment clasp – it gives a reassuring click when closing so you know it’s going nowhere. It also comes on a leather strap with pin buckle or a Diver Pro rubber strap – both look great but for us it has to be the bracelet.
With both matt and polished finishes this is a great looking watch. The unidirectional bezel has a sturdy feel and the vintage design to the rider tabs will ensure ease of use when underwater and wearing wetsuit gloves. You will find the helium escape valve at 9pm – the same position as the Rolex Sea Dweller which deploys automatically when the necessary depth is reached.
Overall this is a great watch – with a very impressive depth range – for the keen diver. With so many of the great Breitling features it is definitely one to consider when choosing your Diving watch!
Bremont S2000
Following the success of the brand’s original divers watch – the Supermarine 500 – the English Brothers announced the release of their latest diving model the Bremont Supermarine 2000 late last year. Since arriving in store this watch has absolutely flown with customers falling for the larger case size and red highlights on the dial.
Always looking at ways to make timepieces with real people in mind the company has this time considered professional divers and have increased the size of the original Supermarine case from 43mm to 45mm and re-engineered it to withstand further depths of 2000m/6560ft. Although not the 3000m of the Breitling Avenger Seawolf this is still an impressing depth and I really challenge anyone purchasing this watch to swim to those depths.
Using all the design features Bremont has now become famous for, namely the Trip Tick three-piece case, hardened stainless steel and 9 layer coated anti-reflective sapphire crystal, this watch has really been put through its paces with rigorous testing in the UK that has allowed Bremont to design and produce the ‘Anti-Shock’ COSC certified movement mount that will help protect the balance, balance spring and escapement from any effects of magnetisation.
The developed model also features a helium escape valve.
The watch also features a crown protector and as mentioned the case has been treated for strength using Bremont’s B-EBE2000 technology. The sapphire bezel and Super-LumiNova coated indexes and hands offer luminosity in low light conditions – perfect for the murky waters off the UK!
This is both a great looking watch and a perfect diver’s accompaniment. You can also rest-assured that every Bremont comes with a three year guarantee just in case!
