Dive watches have been around for many decades and have evolved immensely over time. Recently, they have become even more popular than ever, not only for the diving community but for the general public as well. Some people wear dive watches just for the style and not necessarily for the functionality, although it definitely comes in handy. Let’s deep dive into why these versatile timepieces have become so popular (no pun intended).
What Is a Dive Watch?
Simply put, a dive watch is a timepiece specifically designed to be worn underwater and be water resistant up to 100 meters. It has been most commonly worn by divers to help keep track of decompression and how much oxygen is in their tank. Nowadays, it also worn by non-divers for other recreational water sports as well as casual wear.
A Brief History of the Dive Watch
The history of dive watches dates all the way back to the 1920’s where the concept was first put into place. Hans Wilsdorf, founder of Rolex, created the first ever water-resistant wristwatch with the 1922 Rolex Submarine. This timepiece was attached on a hinge inside a second outer case, where the crystal and bezel were screwed down to make the outer case watertight preventing water from getting into the watch. The 1922 Rolex Submarine paved the way for the first “modern” dive watches including The Rolex Submariner and Omega Seamaster, which are still being manufactured and worn by many today. Multiple other dive watches were created during the 1950’s and it was around this time that dive watches started to become more common-they became especially common with military divers.
The Versatility, Style & Influence of a Dive Watch
One of the of the main reasons dive watches have become increasingly sought-after is because it goes well with most clothing styles, is extremely practical and has had major influence through pop culture. If you look at most dive watches, the general design can be both subtle and bold at the same time, making it the perfect pairing for any outfit and any occasion. The dive watch itself can not only tell time both on land and underwater, but it can also withstand humidity & direct sunlight, making it the ideal watch for most climates.
Dive watches have also risen to popularity through many of the classic movies we all know and love. These include the Rolex Submariner Ref. 6538 worn by Sean Connery in James Bond (1962), the Porsche Design Orfina Chronograph worn by Tom Cruise in Top Gun (1986) and the Omega Speedmaster worn by Tom Hanks in Apollo 13 (1995) just to name a few. This pop culture influence made a huge impact on why more people favored dive watches over the casual every day watches.
RESOURCES:
https://www.crownandcaliber.com/pages/dive-watches
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diving_watch#/media/File:Radiomircalifornia.jpg
https://pxhere.com/en/photo/1422921
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