Well said. We live in a world of people living their 'adventure lifestyle' through the vehicles they drive and the accessories they adorn themselves with. In the end, the simplest tool that achieves the desired result is often the best.
Watches are deeply personal. They certainly tell more than time and I think the connections to what they were initially designed to do are really important even if the wearer does not use them for the same purposes (i.e. diving). When someone chooses to wear a watch that was designed for diving, it can say a lot about that person's desires for adventure or dreams for exploration. If it is a super fancy and expensive dive watch then it can also say something completely different. I like to think that I fall into the heart of the explorer category but that is just my take. Thanks for another great read!
Just subscribed! Worth every penny. Proud to say I reread all your posts on Hodinkee a lot when I'm in the mood to enjoy long-form magazine articles over a cup of coffee. Swimpruf has just given me even more to enjoy.
The genuine disconnect between what divers need and what people want who are buying dive watches for their look leads to the problems Jason mentions.
Robust, reasonably accurate, easy to read, indexed bezel, good strap. These things are helpful for the diver...much of the rest that gets added detracts from the watches usefulness.
I know this (excellent) post is from over a year ago, but I have a follow-up question for Jason or anyone else who sees this: You talk about watches generally that have good or bad straps/bracelets; what are a few examples of watches (preferably at a few different price points) that you've found to be both comfortable and functional to wear when diving? I'm not necessarily looking for a new dive watch, but I am curious about what makes for a good wearing experience when actually diving.
I've been in the desk-diver crew for too long and am looking to take a scuba course here at the university where I teach. I'll be wearing my SKX013 or Scurfa Diver One when I take the figurative and literal plunge.
Not gonna lie being able to work the bezel with gloves is a big plus for me, but not at all for diving or anything remotely serious!
During the winter I drive my Miata with the top down to listen to the exhaust (sometimes even in the 20s) and I strap on a watch on the outside of my gloves (to make myself feel special and to put the watch features into use). I time all sorts of useless things while driving, so working the bezel with gloves on makes life easier. My go to diver for this is the Pelagos, works incredibly in every way!
Yes, I want the most practical dive watch ever made on my wrist when diving. I also want that watch to look good on shore after the dive. I want to adore it under the surface and it/and me to be adored above. No gold or jewels. I live in a shack down by the shore.
"Other than three or four watches that have leaked..."
I've never really thought about it much before, but what usually happens when a dive watch leaks? Do they actually fill with water where you would see it sloshing around under the crystal or do you just see condensation under the crystal from some more minimal water intrusion? I imagine it's the latter unless the seals have totally deteriorated down to nothing, but curious to know from someone with first hand experience.
Well said. We live in a world of people living their 'adventure lifestyle' through the vehicles they drive and the accessories they adorn themselves with. In the end, the simplest tool that achieves the desired result is often the best.
Look forward to more!
Having just subscribed, I really look forward to reading your very informative posts. Keep up the great work👏👏👏
Watches are deeply personal. They certainly tell more than time and I think the connections to what they were initially designed to do are really important even if the wearer does not use them for the same purposes (i.e. diving). When someone chooses to wear a watch that was designed for diving, it can say a lot about that person's desires for adventure or dreams for exploration. If it is a super fancy and expensive dive watch then it can also say something completely different. I like to think that I fall into the heart of the explorer category but that is just my take. Thanks for another great read!
Just subscribed! Worth every penny. Proud to say I reread all your posts on Hodinkee a lot when I'm in the mood to enjoy long-form magazine articles over a cup of coffee. Swimpruf has just given me even more to enjoy.
The genuine disconnect between what divers need and what people want who are buying dive watches for their look leads to the problems Jason mentions.
Robust, reasonably accurate, easy to read, indexed bezel, good strap. These things are helpful for the diver...much of the rest that gets added detracts from the watches usefulness.
“Talismans of derring do.”
"and more often than not, the simpler solution is the better one." - Colin Chapman, and good engineers everywhere, would be proud.
I know this (excellent) post is from over a year ago, but I have a follow-up question for Jason or anyone else who sees this: You talk about watches generally that have good or bad straps/bracelets; what are a few examples of watches (preferably at a few different price points) that you've found to be both comfortable and functional to wear when diving? I'm not necessarily looking for a new dive watch, but I am curious about what makes for a good wearing experience when actually diving.
I've been in the desk-diver crew for too long and am looking to take a scuba course here at the university where I teach. I'll be wearing my SKX013 or Scurfa Diver One when I take the figurative and literal plunge.
Not gonna lie being able to work the bezel with gloves is a big plus for me, but not at all for diving or anything remotely serious!
During the winter I drive my Miata with the top down to listen to the exhaust (sometimes even in the 20s) and I strap on a watch on the outside of my gloves (to make myself feel special and to put the watch features into use). I time all sorts of useless things while driving, so working the bezel with gloves on makes life easier. My go to diver for this is the Pelagos, works incredibly in every way!
Yes, I want the most practical dive watch ever made on my wrist when diving. I also want that watch to look good on shore after the dive. I want to adore it under the surface and it/and me to be adored above. No gold or jewels. I live in a shack down by the shore.
Great read, Jason.
"Other than three or four watches that have leaked..."
I've never really thought about it much before, but what usually happens when a dive watch leaks? Do they actually fill with water where you would see it sloshing around under the crystal or do you just see condensation under the crystal from some more minimal water intrusion? I imagine it's the latter unless the seals have totally deteriorated down to nothing, but curious to know from someone with first hand experience.