How Safe It Is to Dive With Your Watch?
Diving can be an exhilarating activity that allows you to explore the underwater world. For many divers, a watch is an essential piece of gear to include. But the question is, how safe is it to dive with your watch? It’s important to consider potential risks and evaluate the safety of using a watch while diving.
Understanding Dive Watches
A dive watch is meticulously designed so that it can fight against the harsh conditions that underwater environments provide. Their main key features typically include water resistance, the ability to endure high pressure, and other special functionalities, such as rotating bezels. On top of that, they are built with durable materials that can withstand the hard conditions lived underwater. These attributes ensure that the watch remains functional and reliable while diving, keeping the diver safe and informed about their time exploring the subaquatic world. Dive watches are practical and stylish, and that’s why they can also be a fashion accessory.
Water Resistance Ratings
Water resistance ratings are helpful to understand how much pressure a watch can handle. The most common ratings are 30m, 50m, 100m, and in some cases, even more than that. It’s imperative that, if you intend on diving with watches, you choose a watch with a rating that matches your needs. A 30m rating might only suffice for splashes of water, but deeper dives will require at least a 100m rating if not more.
Risks of Diving with a Watch
As expected in extreme sports, there are potential risks. These include things like water leakage, pressure damage, and temperature changes that can take place over time. Even dive watches can fail if they aren’t properly maintained or if their water resistance seals aren’t effective. Understanding risks like these is imperative if you want to protect your watch and make it your diving companion for a long time.
Tips for Safe Diving With Your Watch
Minimising risks can be done in several ways. Some practical tips include:
- Checking the water resistance rating before diving
- Making sure the crown is securely screwed in
- Avoiding rapid temperature changes that can cause seals to contract
- Regularly maintaining your dive watch to ensure its condition and testing the water resistance at least annually
Watch Repairs
After a dive, rinse your watch with fresh water to remove any debris, then inspect it to see if it could have any potential or future issues. Even if the watch stops working after diving, there’s a chance that it can still be repaired. Professional watch repairs are crucial to restore the watch to a better working condition so you can use it again for future dives.
Choosing the Right Dive Watch
Choosing the right watch depends on your needs and preferences. You should always consider different brands and not go for the first one you see. Whether you’re looking for an affordable option or a luxury timepiece, there are dive watches available for different budget capacities. Make sure to choose one that suits your diving habits.
