As a non-diver (ok, I don’t even really like swimming much!) who wears a lot of diver watches, I’m a big fan of the CWC SBS - cos it tells me the day and the date as well as making me much more macho than I actually am! Knowing the day is particularly useful when stranded in the wilderness or in lockdown, when time just seems like a blurry illusion.
I literally did a full stop on what I have for a dive watches and why after this article. I have and will absolutely love a Tudor Pelagos but if I’m being real, what I want/need/use from the Pelagos can be found and loved for more reasonable and affordable options. And they don’t need a $1K service every 4-5 yrs, just a 3 or 10 yr battery change I can do myself. Hmmm.
What are your thoughts then on Solar powered movements? They strike me as the best of both worlds. The rugged and unassailable reliability of quartz but also they come without battery lives. Really anything in the Citizen Eco-drive promaster offers your specs (maybe not the aluminium case) but just about everything else.
I'd buy the Heaton diver in a heartbeat, gotta love a good reliable quartz watch! I never would have thought of anodized aluminum but I'm all for it. The lighter and tougher the watch the better. Bidirectional bezel is a win I love it on my X-33 Skywalker
Sooooooo how about we make a small batch for everyone who comments?!?!
Loved reading this, Jason. I also can't argue with the quartz thing, despite being a mechanical man like everyone else!! Quartz is actually pretty amazing. Sign me up for a Heaton Diver any day.
Funny, I just emailed The Grey Nato asking for y’all’s thoughts on smoothing out a gritty bezel on my Aquis. Turns out the solution is the ability to pop a bezel off and clean it! I actually tried this shortly after buying the watch a few years ago, and it took so much force to get the bezel off that I warped it and cracked the ceramic insert and clicking mechanism right before a drive trip to Grand Cayman (clearly not easily field serviceable). Also funny, I slapped the bezel back on and my Aquis had a gliding bi-directional bezel that whole trip (no issues with this like you stated, and I actually enjoyed it).
I sent it to the watchmaker to replace the parts after the trip, and it occasionally gets gritty as all dive bezels do. I’ve been toying with it since I sent that email to y’all, and some warm water and lots and lots... and lots of spins later it feels back to normal.
Anyway, I enjoyed this write up, and I’m always looking forward to more of them.
As for perfect dive watches that are available now- I’ll vouch personally for Scurfa’s Diver One. I’ve taken it diving multiple times, had it white water rafting Class V rapids, and use it every day at work in the brewery. It’s been bombproof. It’s the blue MS19 version, and I love it so much I’m tempted to try and get the MS21 later this year. One in steel and one in titanium! That’s different enough, right? (Don’t tell my wife...)
A rundown on dive computers would be great! I got my open water cert 20+ years ago, but after a long hiatus I want to get back out there. Tech has come a long way since I spent much time underwater and I would be interested in hearing your opinions on computers.
Love your stuff Jason! Great read.
- Paul (deepcdvr)
Thanks, Paul! Man, it's been ages. I hope you're doing well!
I'd buy one for the quartz mvmt and the bi-directional bezel, both great ideas.
As a non-diver (ok, I don’t even really like swimming much!) who wears a lot of diver watches, I’m a big fan of the CWC SBS - cos it tells me the day and the date as well as making me much more macho than I actually am! Knowing the day is particularly useful when stranded in the wilderness or in lockdown, when time just seems like a blurry illusion.
I literally did a full stop on what I have for a dive watches and why after this article. I have and will absolutely love a Tudor Pelagos but if I’m being real, what I want/need/use from the Pelagos can be found and loved for more reasonable and affordable options. And they don’t need a $1K service every 4-5 yrs, just a 3 or 10 yr battery change I can do myself. Hmmm.
Quartz is the way to go!! And now that it’s just another obsolete timekeeping technology, surely it’s cool again?
Haha, what’s old is new again, right?
What are your thoughts then on Solar powered movements? They strike me as the best of both worlds. The rugged and unassailable reliability of quartz but also they come without battery lives. Really anything in the Citizen Eco-drive promaster offers your specs (maybe not the aluminium case) but just about everything else.
I'd buy the Heaton diver in a heartbeat, gotta love a good reliable quartz watch! I never would have thought of anodized aluminum but I'm all for it. The lighter and tougher the watch the better. Bidirectional bezel is a win I love it on my X-33 Skywalker
Sooooooo how about we make a small batch for everyone who comments?!?!
Many great thoughts/insights and a fun read. You've hit the nail on the head about heart ruling the head when choosing watches.
Good job! Pragmatism for the win. #bluecollarhero
Great article. It exploded many myths I’ve had. It’s an almost, “keep it simple, stupid”.
Loved reading this, Jason. I also can't argue with the quartz thing, despite being a mechanical man like everyone else!! Quartz is actually pretty amazing. Sign me up for a Heaton Diver any day.
Funny, I just emailed The Grey Nato asking for y’all’s thoughts on smoothing out a gritty bezel on my Aquis. Turns out the solution is the ability to pop a bezel off and clean it! I actually tried this shortly after buying the watch a few years ago, and it took so much force to get the bezel off that I warped it and cracked the ceramic insert and clicking mechanism right before a drive trip to Grand Cayman (clearly not easily field serviceable). Also funny, I slapped the bezel back on and my Aquis had a gliding bi-directional bezel that whole trip (no issues with this like you stated, and I actually enjoyed it).
I sent it to the watchmaker to replace the parts after the trip, and it occasionally gets gritty as all dive bezels do. I’ve been toying with it since I sent that email to y’all, and some warm water and lots and lots... and lots of spins later it feels back to normal.
Anyway, I enjoyed this write up, and I’m always looking forward to more of them.
'Heaton Diver' is already a great name for a watch
I would happily buy that hypothetical watch.
As for perfect dive watches that are available now- I’ll vouch personally for Scurfa’s Diver One. I’ve taken it diving multiple times, had it white water rafting Class V rapids, and use it every day at work in the brewery. It’s been bombproof. It’s the blue MS19 version, and I love it so much I’m tempted to try and get the MS21 later this year. One in steel and one in titanium! That’s different enough, right? (Don’t tell my wife...)
A rundown on dive computers would be great! I got my open water cert 20+ years ago, but after a long hiatus I want to get back out there. Tech has come a long way since I spent much time underwater and I would be interested in hearing your opinions on computers.
Bi-directional bezel is key! And nice mention of Sangin.. they make some great stuff.
Oh and off topic... I was wearing my Submechanophilia hat last week and literally met someone with Submechanophobia! What are the odds!
Mmmmmm. Kickstarter the Heaton Diver microbrand. ⌚😎👍