Recommendations on a dive watch

[masterserg]

What's your thought on the DeepSea Mike? I'd be interested to know.

[kilyung]

Originally Posted by WatchTimes

Panerai PAM243!!!

LOVE MINE!!!

Super easy to change straps.

I thought about using a PAM. I used my 111, 005, and 000 but they lacked a rotating bezel. The subs are great models but I'm not a fan of the cyclops so it'd be a 305 or 382. Diving with a bronze watch is probably silly though.

Originally Posted by masterserg

What's your thought on the DeepSea Mike? I'd be interested to know.

It's a THICK watch but when worn over a 3mil or 7mil suit it isn't as much of an issue - my DC is thicker/bigger. I'd even consider wearing it near the water post-dive where it would look appropriate near its element. It just looks out of place in an urban environment... JMHO. Having said that, I'm still considering giving it a shot.

[Solomander]

http://www.amazon.com/Citizen-JV0030...en+diver+watch

I have been using a Citizen Aqualand Duplex for 10 years and love it, but it's discontinued. This would be my next backup dive watch. I have a Submariner and a Sea Dweller. As much as I like them, I like having a back up depth gauge, timer, average depth and temperature functions.

Joel

[subtona]

Originally Posted by malarky_hk

The Marine Master has already been suggested; and I would second that. But more specifically the Marine Master Professional 300m Diver (SBDX001). A great looking watch and incredible value for money. The specs on this piece would seem to tick all the boxes you listed:

Movement: 8L35 Automatic 26j, Hack function & Hand winding, 50+ hour power reserve;
Case: One piece structure, stainless steel;
Crown: Screw-down crown
Bezel: Rotating with anti-reverse spin function - 42mm diameter;
Crystal: Dual-curved Hardlex with non-reflective upper coating;
Diameter: 44 mm (without the crown);
Thickness: 14.6 mm;
Weight (w/stainless steel bracelet): 210g;
Water resistance: 300 m water resistance for divers

Borrowed pics.

x2
for a pure tool watch i would choose this

Omega ploprof also in contention.

[masterserg]

Originally Posted by kilyung

It's a THICK watch but when worn over a 3mil or 7mil suit it isn't as much of an issue - my DC is thicker/bigger. I'd even consider wearing it near the water post-dive where it would look appropriate near its element. It just looks out of place in an urban environment... JMHO. Having said that, I'm still considering giving it a shot.

The same has been said about me (thick and out of place in a urban environment) ... Guess that's why it is my favorite

[Cebuano1]

Dive computers from Suunto and Uwatec are live-saving gadgets for me. I dive 100-180 feet with my Explorer II and a dive computer. Good match as I dont plan to go way beyond 300 feet anyway. Suggest you check out JLC Master Compressor Diving line, been dreaming of this for awhile now.

[How]

Mike,

- DSSD
- PO 8500 or 9300 (both 45.5mm)

With the PO's, you can buy on bracelet and also get their Omega rubber straps additionally as well

I have the DSSD and PO 9300. Highly recommend either!

[zeuloa]

Deep-Sea.

[DCgator]

1. DSSD
2. JLC Master Compressor 300m/alarm; or the Navy Seals model
3. Seiko GS
4. PO 9300
5. PP Aquanaut

[kilyung]

Originally Posted by DCgator

1. DSSD
2. JLC Master Compressor 300m/alarm; or the Navy Seals model
3. Seiko GS
4. PO 9300
5. PP Aquanaut

As much as I like the Aquanaut, it'd get crushed in the ocean.

[mltworldwide]

FF. nuff said. But I will elaborate . Size, depth rating, rugged, in house, great lume, and you can dive for 5 days and not have to wind it (it's automatic anyways). Maybe get the FF Tribute to Aqualung.

[Psmith]

Originally Posted by kilyung

BP FF: A pretty watch. I wasn't really enamored with the bracelet but the strap is nice. Flipped in search of the 40mm anniversary model which is difficult to find (anyone have one?) but may need to revisit this watch. It is one SHINY watch though - 'cuda bait?

Mike, the Aqua Lung version is all brushed and comes with a nice deployant on the 'tropical' strap

There is also a new, brushed version of the standard model (shown at Basel this year) with blue dial and bezel - should be at dealers this month...

[aboen]

I've owned these (a few simultaneously) …













Love them all (well…some did disappoint) but virtually all didn't make the cut for me with the exception of the FF.

[The Laird]

Hi,

What about possibly the Oris ProDiver Chronograph?

Till next time...

The Laird

[jvo300]

Originally Posted by WatchTimes

Panerai PAM243!!!

LOVE MINE!!!

Super easy to change straps.

+1! Sexy as it gets in my book!

[cedric]

wow... nearly all the popular dive watches are covered. Since your requirement is slightly bigger, first few that come to my mind is Blancpain FF, Rolex Deep Sea, JLC Navy Seal series, Omega Ploprof, Panerai 305 and of course AP Diver. Problem is that you mentioned that your dive watches tends to get knock about, so i am not too sure if the bezel for BP FF and DSSD can take your knocks. The rest already got a mention by everyone else, so I shall not add further.

One other dive watch brand that i can think of and which is fairly uncommon and non-mainsteam, which still meet your requirement, but not everyone's taste.. how about Ennebi.

[masterserg]

Left field idea ... if it is only to throw in the bag as a backup, why not a backup computer (unless of course you want the pleasure of a high end diver). Did you look at the Suunto D9?

[BH13GMT]

If the Depth gauge can be used on the IWC, I would go for that, If that isnt a priority then I would go for the ROO Diver. If the watch is going to take an absolute beating then I would go Deepsea. If you want a watch nobody has has with a Deepsea standard of finish, then go for a Grand Seiko Diver Spring Drive.
BB FF is a splendid watch but doesn't look that tough to me.

[RolexDivers]

My suggestion woulde be the CX Charmex Swiss Military 20,000feet watch

http://www.ablogtoread.com/cx-swiss-...-watch-review/

[psv]

I did have the 243 but two things happened: first of all, I owned it side-by-side with a Rolex DSSD and the latter just blows away the 243 in terms of engineering, heft, sheer quality and je-ne-sais-quoi feel. Secondly, the 243 mysteriously developed a crack in the cyclops (inside on a 5mm thick crystal) and it turns out Panerai USA cannot change a crystal under warranty on a watch that is waterproof to 1,000m or more, thus it had to go back to Switzerland and was gone for over 4 months! For a crystal change. Thanks but no thanks!

[liuk3]

What I don't understand is for you guys actually doing dives, how the heck do you consider a backup with out a depth gauge on it?

[RolexDivers]

Originally Posted by liuk3

What I don't understand is for you guys actually doing dives, how the heck do you consider a backup with out a depth gauge on it?

I believe any person who has a desire to resurface, will not dive with a Rolex or any other classic diving watch. Most if not all divers, use dive computers.
Now if all you are into is entertainment diving, then you can use these Rolexes. But if your plan is to descend into places where sunlight goes to zero, you better have a buddy and some serious dive computers....

[liuk3]

Originally Posted by masterserg

Left field idea ... if it is only to throw in the bag as a backup, why not a backup computer (unless of course you want the pleasure of a high end diver). Did you look at the Suunto D9?

I actually use an older Suunto D6 put on a strap. Been very happy with it.

[liuk3]

Originally Posted by RolexDivers

I believe any person who has a desire to resurface, will not dive with a Rolex or any other classic diving watch. Most if not all divers, use dive computers.
Now if all you are into is entertainment diving, then you can use these Rolexes. But if your plan is to descend into places where sunlight goes to zero, you better have a buddy and some serious dive computers....

I think I am confusing myself since not I'm not sure whether people are talking metaphorically about getting a diver's watch for their figurative "dive bag", or whether they really want a watch for actual scuba diving.

I actually don't use computers on my dives due to the methodology and style of my dive training, but I do need something (bottom timer or watch) that will tell me the depth and time so I can do the calculations in my head regarding my decompression profiles.

[kilyung]

Originally Posted by RolexDivers

I believe any person who has a desire to resurface, will not dive with a Rolex or any other classic diving watch. Most if not all divers, use dive computers.
Now if all you are into is entertainment diving, then you can use these Rolexes. But if your plan is to descend into places where sunlight goes to zero, you better have a buddy and some serious dive computers....

Originally Posted by liuk3

What I don't understand is for you guys actually doing dives, how the heck do you consider a backup with out a depth gauge on it?

I use a UWATEC wrist DC and Suunto analog console gauges as I like mechanical backups... ever had a DC die on you during a dive? Likewise, I use a mechanical watch as backup to my digital DC to tell the time.

[kilyung]

Originally Posted by liuk3

I actually don't use computers on my dives due to the methodology and style of my dive training, but I do need something (bottom timer or watch) that will tell me the depth and time so I can do the calculations in my head regarding my decompression profiles.

Yeah, I learned to dive before DCs became popular but there's no denying the convenience and extended dive times using DCs.

[kilyung]

Originally Posted by RolexDivers

My suggestion woulde be the CX Charmex Swiss Military 20,000feet watch

http://www.ablogtoread.com/cx-swiss-...-watch-review/

I'm looking for a back up watch, not a weight system.

[RJK]

As a watch that can take more abuse than most and not show it are the Sinn U series...with the tegimented cases.

I've owned the U1000S for about 5 years now and until just recentl was my daily "beater". It also has about 70+ dives on it. I've banged it on tanks, regulators, etc...and not a mark on it.

I like that the case, bezel, pushers, crown are all tegimented and very durable. Bezel won't move unless you push and twist. The crystal is wide and relatively uncluttered FOV for easy legibility in the dark or low light, and the pushers for the chrono functions work underwater.

When I dive, I put it on a Zulu strap and I'm good to go.

Compared to my other dive watches (3 Doxas, DSSD, PAM), IMO it serves the function the best.

I also like that it's a "destro", so no digging into the wrist.

For $15 K, you definitely have a lot of choices. If I was going to spend almost all of that 15K I think I'd go with a JLC Master Compressor Diving Chrono GMT Navy Seal.

The DLC'ed (or maybe it's PVD'ed) case adds some durability and it does the rest as well as, or better than the Sinn.

Rob

[liuk3]

Originally Posted by Solomander

http://www.amazon.com/Citizen-JV0030...en+diver+watch

I have been using a Citizen Aqualand Duplex for 10 years and love it, but it's discontinued. This would be my next backup dive watch. I have a Submariner and a Sea Dweller. As much as I like them, I like having a back up depth gauge, timer, average depth and temperature functions.

Joel

Yeah, I love my citizen Aqualand Duplex. Any idea why the heck they discontinued it?