Scuba diving with Rolex Daytona?

[Mfrankel2]

The consensus among most diving professionals (equipment repair techs, diving instructors, commercial divers, etc.) is that for actual sport diving (above 130 feet/40 M / 5 BAR), a watch should have a minimum rating of 200 meters. While this may seem excessive, there's more going on than just the "static pressure" of the water at any given depth. Any movement creates additional "dynamic pressure" Add to that seals that may not be brand new, sand, salt, and the overall SCUBA philosophy of water being an alien environment thus necessitating a bit of redundancy and we get to the 200M minimum rating.

[douglasf13]

Originally Posted by Mfrankel2

The consensus among most diving professionals (equipment repair techs, diving instructors, commercial divers, etc.) is that for actual sport diving (above 130 feet/40 M / 5 BAR), a watch should have a minimum rating of 200 meters. While this may seem excessive, there's more going on than just the "static pressure" of the water at any given depth. Any movement creates additional "dynamic pressure" Add to that seals that may not be brand new, sand, salt, and the overall SCUBA philosophy of water being an alien environment thus necessitating a bit of redundancy and we get to the 200M minimum rating.

FWIW, the "dynamic pressure" myth was debunked on watch forums long ago. IIRC, after seeing the math, even Michael Phelps swimming with a watch on would only create something like a meter or two's worth of "extra pressure" against the watch's actual rating.

Of course, no one take my word for it, but I personally wouldn't worry about a Rolex at only 30m (that is properly sealed and pressure tested.)

[longimanus88]

Originally Posted by Chiboy

This is very interesting. Why is it a worry that one might activate the pushers by accident? What happens if you time something you didn't mean to time?

Nothing serious will happen of course...but this doesn't mean that the purpose of the pushers is actually not to "just" prevent to time sth by accident. Here's a link to the post "padi56" was talking about: https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=92436

[longimanus88]

Originally Posted by Mfrankel2

The consensus among most diving professionals (equipment repair techs, diving instructors, commercial divers, etc.) is that for actual sport diving (above 130 feet/40 M / 5 BAR), a watch should have a minimum rating of 200 meters. While this may seem excessive, there's more going on than just the "static pressure" of the water at any given depth. Any movement creates additional "dynamic pressure" Add to that seals that may not be brand new, sand, salt, and the overall SCUBA philosophy of water being an alien environment thus necessitating a bit of redundancy and we get to the 200M minimum rating.

This has been extensively debated in French forums...and the consensus is that this dynamic pressure...is nothing to worry about!

[diverdoug]

Can you go diving with it? Yes.
If you ask SHOULD dive with it? It is up to you.
Is it a superior tool for. the task? No.

The reason anyone spends thousands of dollars for a watch that is less precise and accurate than a $150 Seiko radio corrected watch is form over function. Personally, my priorities change when I am in an environment that cannot sustain human life. I choose function over form when diving. I use a Suunto D9tx as well as 2 other dive computers when diving

[904VT]

Originally Posted by adnjoo

Can I go scuba diving with the Daytona? approx. 25-30m max recreational dive.

I've read that the pushers compromise the seals; I guess it would be smartest to not use the pushers at all but it would be a bonus to be able to time the dive with the chronograph function.

Any experienced TRFers have been scuba diving with Daytona before? Pics?

I'm looking to consolidate my collection and if this works out I may just get a Daytona and BLNR as my 2 watch core.

Thanks..

A Daytona is fine at those depths. If I was you I'd just pick up a cheap G shock for diving though. Why put the Daytona and it's polished pieces thru that wear and tear?

[ecdc]

I've dived with my Panerai hundreds of times, from Bora Bora to Iceland. Next time I go diving, I'll wear my Daytona, and take pictures and video. It's just a watch. And it's designed to go under water. So why not?

[Dr. Prunesquallor]

What possible purpose would it serve? Do you really need to know the time of day during a dive? I have used a $50 quartz Timex dive watch that provided more functionality.

From a water resistance standpoint, it should be fine, but on a dive boat, there are plenty of opportunities for metal-on-metal bumps and dings while switching tanks, climbing ladders, etc.

I don't get it.


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[Tools]

Diving with a Daytona isn't something that would cross my mind. However, if I am on vacation and swimming, snorkeling, or even shallow diving, I wouldn't worry about it being on my wrist..

But is isn't something I would do if I had the opportunity to do otherwise.

As to "timing" your dive with the Daytona.. Press the pusher to start before you enter the water and then lock the pushers. Your timer will run just fine for the entire time.

[Dr. Prunesquallor]

Originally Posted by Tools

...As to "timing" your dive with the Daytona.. Press the pusher to start before you enter the water and then lock the pushers. Your timer will run just fine for the entire time.

While this may be true, any dive watch that advertised this as a "feature" would be laughed out of the industry.



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[artschool]

it might get scratched. don't do it

[douglasf13]

Originally Posted by artschool

it might get scratched. don't do it

Wait...

[MovieGuy]

Originally Posted by uncufunc

A gmt would be better to dive with given the moving bezel

? The GMT's function is to keep track of two or three time zones. I doubt the OP is going to be in the water long enough to need to know what time it is elsewhere in the world.

[Mystro]

and the GMT is WR the same as the Daytona at 100m. Swimming shouldn't be a issue but diving???? Most industry standards don't list diving for a 100m WR watch.

Originally Posted by MovieGuy

? The GMT's function is to keep track of two or three time zones. I doubt the OP is going to be in the water long enough to need to know what time it is elsewhere in the world.

[Flstfirider]

It is unlikely that a recreational diver will go deeper than 1/3 of the watches advertised depth rating. Submariners from the 1950's were rated at 100m, the same as a modern Daytona. A modern Daytona, with a sapphire crystal and modern engineering should not have any issue at recreational dive depths.

[uncufunc]

Originally Posted by MovieGuy

? The GMT's function is to keep track of two or three time zones. I doubt the OP is going to be in the water long enough to need to know what time it is elsewhere in the world.

I know. OP mentioned a blnr. Given the choices, a gmt's rotating bezel could be used akin to a diver bezel

[MovieGuy]

Originally Posted by uncufunc

I know. OP mentioned a blnr. Given the choices, a gmt's rotating bezel could be used akin to a diver bezel

A divers' bezel is a unidirectional numbered bezel. A GMT bezel measures 24 hour time and is bidirectional. Nothing about a GMT's bezel performs anything for diving.

[uncufunc]

Originally Posted by MovieGuy

A divers' bezel is a unidirectional numbered bezel. A GMT bezel measures 24 hour time and is bidirectional. Nothing about a GMT's bezel performs anything for diving.

I know this, but given the choices the OP stated, the gmt can mimic a very basic diver. Ideal? No. But given the choices, I'd take a gmt over a Daytona to dive. Ideally I'd just take a dive cpu

[MovieGuy]

Originally Posted by uncufunc

I know this, but given the choices the OP stated, the gmt can mimic a very basic diver. Ideal? No. But given the choices, I'd take a gmt over a Daytona to dive. Ideally I'd just take a dive cpu

I understand. Why use a timepiece that can measure a dive to the exact second with 100% accuracy when you can use a timepiece that can tell you what time it is in England?

[Bigsykedaddy]

Originally Posted by MovieGuy

I understand. Why use a timepiece that can measure a dive to the exact second with 100% accuracy when you can use a timepiece that can tell you what time it is in England?

Some people use the GMT bezel as a timer, but yeah I agree I would get a used ND sub for diving if you want to wear a Rolex while diving. That said I think the Daytona would be fine and you should do it and take pictures for us, that would be cool to see

How old is your Daytona though? If it's quite a few years old maybe get it pressure tested before going?

[dba]

Originally Posted by 1William

I think that you can do it but why? I would strap on my Seiko Turtle or G-Shock and go diving. I think many times some of our members just do extreme stuff with watches just to show that they can. I already know the watches can do amazing things under adverse conditions, so most of the time I just think it is about the owner.

This.

[douglasf13]

Originally Posted by 1William

I think that you can do it but why? I would strap on my Seiko Turtle or G-Shock and go diving. I think many times some of our members just do extreme stuff with watches just to show that they can. I already know the watches can do amazing things under adverse conditions, so most of the time I just think it is about the owner.

If you know the watches do amazing things, why aren't you using them for all of those things? That's kind of the whole point of buying a Rolex vs. some other brands.

Buying a Rolex, but using a Casio for adverse conditions, is a bit like buying a $400 pair of hiking boots for walking around town, and then wearing cheaper work boots on the trail.

[diverdoug]

Originally Posted by douglasf13

If you know the watches do amazing things, why aren't you using them for all of those things? That's kind of the whole point of buying a Rolex vs. some other brands.

Buying a Rolex, but using a Casio for adverse conditions, is a bit like buying a $400 pair of hiking boots for walking around town, and then wearing cheaper work boots on the trail.

Not really. Buying a Daytona but using a Casio for adverse conditions is like buying a $4000 pair of Ferragamo loafers for walking around town, and wearing tennis shoes on the trail. The tennis shoes are not the very best tool for the job, but are far superior than the Ferragamos in the rugged outdoors. The Italian loafers are much finer footwear, but not for the trail.

[douglasf13]

Originally Posted by diverdoug

Not really. Buying a Daytona but using a Casio for adverse conditions is like buying a $4000 pair of Ferragamo loafers for walking around town, and wearing tennis shoes on the trail. The tennis shoes are not the very best tool for the job, but are far superior than the Ferragamos in the rugged outdoors. The Italian loafers are much finer footwear, but not for the trail.

Maybe if we're talking about a Patek Phillipe dress watch, but Rolex watches are still tool watches to many of us, rather than just jewelry. You take off a dress watch and put on a Rolex in adverse conditions. You don't take off the Rolex, especially a professional series model.

Now, obviously a Sub is more suited for the particular conditions in mind, but a Daytona would be fine. Are you not diving with your Hulk?

[diverdoug]

Originally Posted by douglasf13

Maybe if we're talking about a Patek Phillipe dress watch, but Rolex watches are still tool watches to many of us, rather than just jewelry. You take off a dress watch and put on a Rolex in adverse conditions. You don't take off the Rolex, especially a professional series model.

Now, obviously a Sub is more suited for the particular conditions in mind, but a Daytona would be fine. Are you not diving with your Hulk?

No, my dive watch is a Suunto D9 which has an integrated multi-gas dive computer. I also never wore luxury watches or jewelry when commercial diving. If a diver chooses to use a Casio digital watch, I would see it as a superior choice when compared with any analog watch.

[douglasf13]

Originally Posted by diverdoug

No, my dive watch is a Suunto D9 which has an integrated multi-gas dive computer. I also never wore luxury watches or jewelry when commercial diving. If a diver chooses to use a Casio digital watch, I would see it as a superior choice when compared with any analog watch.

Oh, I hear you about the dive computer, but a lot of divers around here wear their Rolex for redundancy.

[adnjoo]

Originally Posted by Tools

Diving with a Daytona isn't something that would cross my mind. However, if I am on vacation and swimming, snorkeling, or even shallow diving, I wouldn't worry about it being on my wrist..

But is isn't something I would do if I had the opportunity to do otherwise.

As to "timing" your dive with the Daytona.. Press the pusher to start before you enter the water and then lock the pushers. Your timer will run just fine for the entire time.

Oh this is a good solution!

Also why? Because Rolex; I'd rather wear a Rolex than a Seiko/Timex/etc/Dive computer .. just my opinion.. I've got depth (m) on the diving gauge console, time on the Daytona, elapsed time w/ the chronograph.. that's all I need haha..

I think if diving in warm water it's ok to pull up the left wetsuit sleeve and wear the watch there; that's what I did before without diving extension. *in warm waters :)

[QueueCumber]

Have never dived with a Daytona, and never would. I have the D-Blue and other dive watches for diving.

[Andad]

I have never been deeper than about 20 meters but would wear any of my a Rolex watches.
They have meaningful depth ratings compared to some other makes.

[QueueCumber]

I posted video awhile ago of the D-Blue on the Barbados SS Stavronikita deep water dive I took a few years ago, IIRC. That was over the Daytona rated max depth. The D-Blue felt so right on my wrist that day...