Stupid question about my 16610...

[chriseskew24]

Just wondering why the bezel has the lines between 0-15 and not all the way around. Dose this serve a purpose or just design?

[chriseskew24]

No one????

[Rolex Lover]

Originally Posted by chriseskew24

Just wondering why the bezel has the lines between 0-15 and not all the way around. Dose this serve a purpose or just design?

I asked myself the same question, Chris!!!!! I didn't raise it up because I was shy!!!! So, now you get the initiative

[ijen0311]

Originally Posted by chriseskew24

Just wondering why the bezel has the lines between 0-15 and not all the way around. Dose this serve a purpose or just design?

I always thought of it as a scale...

[chriseskew24]

Originally Posted by ijen0311

I always thought of it as a scale...

Could be. But still dosent really make sence to me.. The numbers are a scale of sorts as well. You may very well be right..

[onkyo]

Good question.

Wish I knew the answer.

[angelic_demon252000]

Maybe JJ can answer it as he is the unofficial ambassador or Rolex.LOL

[Subexplorer]

Originally Posted by chriseskew24

Just wondering why the bezel has the lines between 0-15 and not all the way around. Dose this serve a purpose or just design?

Good question! I guess its purpose is not cluttering the bezel with all around minute markings.
If you need to measure short periods of elapsed time, of less than 15 minutes, with more accuracy, you got this part of bezel.
For general sport diving time depth control use, this bezel works Ok.

Anyway, in the past, some Sub variants for military issue, used bezels with minutes markings all around.
Also new DSSD got that markings.

Just my point of view.
Regards, Abel

[Wildwing]

Possibly a visual reminder to the the diver that he has 15 or fewer minutes left to get to the surface?

[biggums]

Fifteen minutes and under are critical when in the deep. Hours mean nothing to divers. Minutes to equalize pressure on ascent can be the difference between living and dying. Time of air is equally important as in combination with the watch and the tank gauge you get a redundant back up instrument. I used to dive caves in Alabama and North West Florida. Our subs were the only lights we had with their amazing lums plus our flash lights.

These watches serve an important function that can save one's life and are meant for what they are designed for.

Good question though as an experienced diver that has used my Sub for that purpose you need to learn the watch while diving as a tool as well as all the other equipment you rely on.

Just wanted to add. I have owned many Subs in my diving days and now a retired diver (recreational) I just bought my first GMT II C. This is a stunning replacement!

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by biggums

Fifteen minutes and under are critical when in the deep. Hours mean nothing to divers. Minutes to equalize pressure on ascent can be the difference between living and dying. Time of air is equally important as in combination with the watch and the tank gauge you get a redundant back up instrument. I used to dive caves in Alabama and North West Florida. Our subs were the only lights we had with their amazing lums plus our flash lights.

These watches serve an important function that can save one's life and are meant for what they are designed for.

Good question though as an experienced diver that has used my Sub for that purpose you need to learn the watch while diving as a tool as well as all the other equipment you rely on.

Just wanted to add. I have owned many Subs in my diving days and now a retired diver (recreational) I just bought my first GMT II C. This is a stunning replacement!

Good answer!! And the original question was good too!!

[CharlieG]

Here what I found:
Bezel markings
Most contemporary dive watches with conspicuous 15 or 20 minute markings on their bezels, are the result of copying a Rolex bezel design of the 1950s. Back then divers typically planned a dive to a certain maximum depth based on now obsolete US Navy dive tables, and dove according to the planned dive profile. If the dive profile allowed a bottom time of 35 minutes the diver, upon entering the water, would set the marker on the bezel, 35 minutes ahead of the minute hand. The diver calculated this with the 60 - bottom time formulae (60 - 35 = 25, for 35 minutes bottom time the diver would align the 25 minute bezel-mark with the minute hand). Once the minute hand reached the main-marker on the bezel the diver would begin his ascent to the surface. The 15 or 20 minute scale helped with timing the ascent and whatever safety stop the diver deemed necessary. For contemporary diving methods the 15 or 20 minute "count-down" bezel is quite antiquated.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diving_watches

[chriseskew24]

Originally Posted by CharlieG

Here what I found:
Bezel markings
Most contemporary dive watches with conspicuous 15 or 20 minute markings on their bezels, are the result of copying a Rolex bezel design of the 1950s. Back then divers typically planned a dive to a certain maximum depth based on now obsolete US Navy dive tables, and dove according to the planned dive profile. If the dive profile allowed a bottom time of 35 minutes the diver, upon entering the water, would set the marker on the bezel, 35 minutes ahead of the minute hand. The diver calculated this with the 60 - bottom time formulae (60 - 35 = 25, for 35 minutes bottom time the diver would align the 25 minute bezel-mark with the minute hand). Once the minute hand reached the main-marker on the bezel the diver would begin his ascent to the surface. The 15 or 20 minute scale helped with timing the ascent and whatever safety stop the diver deemed necessary. For contemporary diving methods the 15 or 20 minute "count-down" bezel is quite antiquated.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diving_watches

Thanks for that. I learn something new everyday..

[rescue7]

Chris that's a good question, I know my DSSD has the minute markings all around the bezel. They seem to be bigger between 1 to 15 minutes, then smaller in size the rest of the way.

I think Rolex designed the markings to be inclusive from 1 to 15 minutes for a couple of reasons.

1) Most deep dives of 110 feet or more are less than 15 minutes and it's very important to track correct time, mind you your dive computer and depth gauge will be very accurate and your watch will be used as a backup in case of failure.

2) Decompression times are mostly under 15 minutes and accuracy for decompressing is something one should not take for granted. On a couple of occasions you need to decompress for 17 and 18 minutes. Like Biggums said 15 minutes are critical in a deep dive.

I've included a pic of my DSSD in reference to the markings.

Hey ijen0311 you should try on a DeepSea, it would look great on your wrist.

[chriseskew24]

Originally Posted by rescue7

Chris that's a good question, I know my DSSD has the minute markings all around the bezel. They seem to be bigger between 1 to 15 minutes, then smaller in size the rest of the way.

I think Rolex designed the markings to be inclusive from 1 to 15 minutes for a couple of reasons.

1) Most deep dives of 110 feet or more are less than 15 minutes and it's very important to track correct time, mind you your dive computer and depth gauge will be very accurate and your watch will be used as a backup in case of failure.

2) Decompression times are mostly under 15 minutes and accuracy for decompressing is something one should not take for granted. On a couple of occasions you need to decompress for 17 and 18 minutes. Like Biggums said 15 minutes are critical in a deep dive.

I've included a pic of my DSSD in reference to the markings.

Hey ijen0311 you should try on a DeepSea, it would look great on your wrist.

Thanks now it makes more sence.. Is the lume on your dssd blue?
It looks great.. I may have to reconsider the GMT being on my short short list...

[rescue7]

Originally Posted by chriseskew24

Thanks now it makes more sence.. Is the lume on your dssd blue?
It looks great.. I may have to reconsider the GMT being on my short short list...

Yes Chris the Lume is blue, but a very light shade of blue.

[Lion]

Very informative, Thanx for sharing!!!

[Xenophon]

I like the answer though it leaves a couple of points. Why did the Royal Navy require full graduation of the bezel and what prompted Rolex to graduate the first fifteen minutes ? The earlier subs were only marked at 5 minute intervals. Personally I'd find it useful if the fully graduated bezel was introduced on the other subs.

[Jason71]

Originally Posted by Xenophon

I like the answer though it leaves a couple of points. Why did the Royal Navy require full graduation of the bezel and what prompted Rolex to graduate the first fifteen minutes ? The earlier subs were only marked at 5 minute intervals. Personally I'd find it useful if the fully graduated bezel was introduced on the other subs.

I think that most divers would echo this sentiment. Can a diver use a bezel that doesn't have hash marks all around the bezel? The answer is yes. Would it be better if there were minute-marks all the way around? ABSOLUTELY. It might not look as fashionable, but it sure would be useful on a tool watch.

[Rolex Lover]

Guys, you amazed me. Very professional answers!!!!!!!!!!!!

[txrob779]

This forum has ALL the answers one could ask. So many people all over the world with a lot of years of experiance. That is why I am here.

[rescue7]

Oh I forgot to tell you guys I read that in a Holiday Inn,

When someone asks an intelligent question, even a repetitive one it's always a pleasure to share some knowledge.

In saying that you know that there are some posters that will answer with arrogance and ignorance, we're all here to gain and share answers to
questions on our favourite topic, ROLEX Watches

[watchmaker]

Although the bezel is mainly for dive use, you will notice the same design on the yacht master and indeed on many non divers watches.

I have it from a very reliable source that the 15 minute graduations are distinct from the rest in three groups of 5 mins for 'tacking' prior to the start of a race. This is where you zig zag your yacht in 3 five minute sweeps in order to pass the starting line at the right time. 3 sirens are sounded at these 5 minute intervals to ensure you are tacking at the correct rate.

This is why on some bezel the forts 15 are red.
If it was for divers surely it would be the last 15

[chriseskew24]

Originally Posted by watchmaker

Although the bezel is mainly for dive use, you will notice the same design on the yacht master and indeed on many non divers watches.

I have it from a very reliable source that the 15 minute graduations are distinct from the rest in three groups of 5 mins for 'tacking' prior to the start of a race. This is where you zig zag your yacht in 3 five minute sweeps in order to pass the starting line at the right time. 3 sirens are sounded at these 5 minute intervals to ensure you are tacking at the correct rate.

This is why on some bezel the forts 15 are red.
If it was for divers surely it would be the last 15

another good post...

[jmjm]

Anything beyond 15, "Don't worry about it!"