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Good evening everyone!
This week, we will be bringing you our new series, "Things you're too embarrassed to ask about now." In this new project, we will explain the basics of luxury watches in an easy-to-understand way, for those who are not very familiar with luxury watches and those who want to learn more about them.
This is the 23rd time
[ Introduction to luxury watches ]: " Diver's watches "
Diver's watches are popular among watch enthusiasts and fashion lovers alike. With their excellent functionality, including waterproofness, and sporty design, diver's watches are attractive enough to be worn in any situation, both on and off the job.
However, it is true that many people do not know the details of the term "diver's watch" or how it differs from a waterproof watch. In this article, we will explain the characteristics and definition of a "diver's watch" and the representative models. Please enjoy until the end.
What is a "Diver's Watch"?
*Source: ROLEX official Instagram
A "diver's watch" is a watch that is equipped with functions specifically designed for diving .
The "3 ATM water resistance" label on a waterproof watch indicates that the watch is waterproof when stationary underwater, and does not guarantee that the watch can be submerged to a depth of 30 meters.In fact, it only guarantees that the watch is waterproof to the extent that it can get wet from sweat, washing your face, or rain.
In contrast, "diver's watches" are designed for use underwater, and therefore have excellent performance in various areas such as water pressure and shock resistance. The standards are set by ISO (International Organization for Standardization) and JIS (Japanese Industrial Standards), and although there are minor differences between the two, they are broadly defined as "watches that can withstand diving at least 100m or more and have a time management system (anti-reverse bezel)."
Features of the "Diver's Watch"
Let's take a closer look at the features of a diver's watch.
1. [Waterproof]
*Source: https://www.seikowatches.com/jp-ja/news/20200305-68654250875
The most important feature of a diver's watch is water resistance.
According to ISO (International Organization for Standardization) and JIS (Japanese Industrial Standards), a watch with water resistance of 100m or more is considered safe for diving, but if you are planning to do serious diving, it is better to have a water resistance of 300m or more. Of course, diver's watches are designed with such water pressure in mind, but a higher water resistance is safer.
2. [Anti-reverse bezel]
*Source: ROLEX official Instagram
The next key feature after water resistance is the unidirectional rotating bezel.
For divers, the amount of oxygen remaining in a tank is an important factor that directly affects their life. A unidirectional rotating bezel is used to keep track of the amount of oxygen remaining in a tank. The bezel is rotated to check the amount of oxygen remaining, but if it happens to rotate in the opposite direction, it is naturally impossible to check the correct amount. To prevent this kind of mistake, watches are equipped with a bezel that only rotates in one direction.
3. [Helium gas escape valve]
*Source: ROLEX official Instagram
The last feature we would like to introduce is the helium gas escape valve, which is found in professional diver's watches.
The helium gas escape valve is a function required when diving to depths of over 100m (saturation diving). When saturation diving, a mixture of oxygen and helium gas must be absorbed by the human body in a high-pressure environment. Helium molecules are very small, so they can get into the watch during this process. If the watch were to surface in this state, the helium would expand, and there is a risk that the watch would explode. The helium escape valve was installed to prevent this from happening. As its name suggests, it allows the helium that has entered the watch to escape.
Representative model of "Diver's watch"
Finally, we will introduce a representative model of the "Diver's Watch."
[Rolex] "Submariner"
The Rolex Submariner was the world's first diver's watch, released in 1953.
With its highly visible dial and unidirectional rotating bezel design, this is an important model that became the prototype for today's "diver's watches." The sophisticated design has hardly changed in appearance to this day, so it can be said that it was already a complete design when it was introduced.
[Omega] "Seamaster"
The Seamaster originated as Omega's first professional-grade diver's watch, released in 1948, and is as popular as the Speedmaster.
The lineup is diverse, including the popular "Diver 300m," the highly functional "Planet Ocean 600m," and the elegant "Seamaster Aqua Terra" that is also ideal for business situations.
[Audemars Piguet] "Offshore Diver"
The "Offshore Diver" is a representative model of the popular "Royal Oak Offshore" collection.
This watch has the luxury feel of a luxury sports watch and is waterproof to 300m, and can measure diving time using a rotating inner ring on the outer circumference of the dial instead of a bezel. It is a highly popular diver's watch from Audemars Piguet.
summary
I have explained about "diver's watches" but what do you think?
Not only are diver's watches highly waterproof, but they also have the necessary functions for diving, such as a unidirectional rotating bezel, making them not only practical, but also attractive for their excellent design, making them suitable for both formal and casual wear. Designs vary greatly depending on the brand and model, so be sure to find one that suits you.
Once again, I hope that this article will inspire as many people as possible to become interested in luxury watches!
see you!