Why are dive watches so big?
Dive watches, also referred to as diver’s watches and diving watches have a set of specific characteristics that set them apart from other watch types, and one of these characteristics is their size. Dive watches tend to be significantly bigger than other types of watches.
Dive watches are so big for the ease of reading the dial, the ease of making adjustments and pressing buttons even with diving gloves, and also because shock proofing and waterproofing requires bulkier case body.
Are dive watches supposed to be big?
Dive watches are designed to be big. This is mainly to make them much easier to use underwater.
The dive watches must be big and tough because of the kind of pressure and other environmental conditions they have to face while underwater. Having a larger size means that the watch can deal with the water pressure much easier.
Also, a bigger watch is much easier to see and read while underwater. It is very important to ensure that the time is as easy to read as possible, and a bigger dive watch ensures this. Having a bigger dial allows the diver to read the time and also gauge other indicators easily while underwater, even when wearing a dive mask.
The larger buttons also allow you to easily make adjustments by pressing them, even with diving gloves. The crown and bezel of the watch are also designed to be big so that your diving gloves don’t affect the accurate use of your timepiece.
You should also note that the process of waterproofing and shockproofing your watch will require it to have a bulkier case body. These are the primary reasons why your dive watch is specifically designed to be big.
Do dive watches have a big dial so they can be readable underwater?
Yes, readability underwater is the primary reason why dive watches are designed with big dials.
The dials in dive watches are produced to be bigger than those in regular watches so the diver can easily read the time underwater. The characters on the dial are also usually enlarged and bold, and they are also sometimes luminous, all to make reading the time much easier. Making the dial bigger is especially helpful in situations where the diver needs to just take a quick glance at the time.
Does a bigger watch mean more durability?
A big watch size does not always directly imply a very durable watch.
There are many different factors asides from the size of a watch that determines its durability. It is very possible for a large watch to be extremely fragile or even get damaged after the slightest contact with water.
This is why dive watches have much more than just size because they are created with the materials that ensure they can take any knocks and bumps when underwater. These watches are not just made to be big, but they are also very tough and this guarantees their durability.
Is a bigger watch more waterproof?
No, a bigger watch is not always more waterproof.
The size of a watch has nothing to do with how water-resistant it is because this is dependent on the structure and components of the watch.
Are diving watches big so they can be easier to handle with diving gloves?
One of the main reasons why diving watches are designed to be big is so the buttons can easily be pressed and adjustments can be made even when wearing diving gloves.
However, even smaller-sized watches can often be handled with diving gloves, so the size of the buttons just makes it much more convenient to handle.
Do people really dive with dive watches?
Back in the 70s and 80s, scuba divers used these dive watches to track time while they were underwater. However, most people today do not dive with the watches again as they opt for the more sophisticated option of dive computers.
Dive watches are now more popularly worn by divers as a symbol to identify them as scuba divers. You can choose to dive with your dive watch (because that’s what they are primarily designed for) or you can wear it like a regular watch.
How big are dive watches?
Dive watches are bigger and thicker than most other watch types, with the size helping in the watch’s functionalities while underwater. These watches come in a very wide range of diameters, with the standard size being between 40mm to 42mm.
However, there is a slight difference in the standard watches worn by men and those worn by women. Most men wear watches in the range of about 40-46mm with women usually wearing sizes smaller than the standard range for men.
What is the smallest-sized dive watch?
The Omega Seamaster 120 is a very small-sized dive watch.
The release of the original Omega Seamaster took place in 1948, and the very iconic Seamaster 300 was brought out nine years later. This Seamaster 300 was quite robust and it had a 38.5mm diameter with a high water resistance, and a rotating external bezel. However, this watch was too big for people with smaller-sized wrists, and a lot of people sought a cheaper and smaller watch that they could wear in their everyday lives. This is where the Omega Seamaster 120 came in.
The Seamaster 120 was introduced by Omega in the 1960s after the establishment of the Seamster 300 as Omega’s flagship model. The Seamaster 120 is 12mm in thickness and 36mm in diameter. This lovely watch comes with all the history and detail that Omega brings in a more compact package. The case is tonneau-shaped and it stays slim while wearing just a little larger than the measurement says. All the references of the Seamaster 120 have a rotating bezel, a matte black dial, as well as an automatic Omega caliber. This watch is very rare but it is an amazing watch to have.
This 36mm Seamaster 120 will make you splash a few thousand dollars, so you should ensure you watch out for any fakes. Because of how rare it is and its relative obscurity, it is a watch that has a lot of counterfeits.
What is the biggest dive watch?
There are several huge dive watches on the market, but the Seiko Baby Tuna might just top the list in terms of size.
Also referred to as the Seiko Prospex SRP637, this watch is packaged in a stainless steel case with a 47.5mm diameter. It is 50mm long and has a thickness of 13.5mm. This watch usually weighs around 202.5 grams, which is quite heavy, even for a dive watch.
There is a crown located at the 4 o’clock position, and this feature is about 7mm in diameter. This crown is quite big so it can give an easy grip without being obtrusive. At the 60-minute mark of the watch, there is also a unidirectional bezel that has an iconic luminescent pip.
The layout of the dial is a regular analog one, and it has thick hour markers as well as Lumibrite-coated hands that allow the time to be easily read even in the dark. Although all these numbers might seem pretty large and complex, this watch is known for being comfortable and well-fitting on the wrist.
Conclusion
Dive watches are a watch family that is becoming more and more popular. These watches are designed with specific features that are very useful when diving underwater.
There are many watch companies making dive watches today, and there are thousands of vintage dive watches available as well. Dive watches provide large hands, buttons, and clear dials that you can use to see the time even when water blocks the light. These dials can even be luminescent, which makes them even more beautiful and valuable to regular watch owners.
The size means that the watches are very easy to read, even when you’re not a hundred feet underwater.
Choosing the right dive watch based on the size has no 100% efficient formula, but you must consider the lug-to-lug distance. This is the distance between the bracelet or strap attachments from the top to the bottom. This distance should be just a little less than the width across the flat of your wrist. This would prevent the watch from overhanging. All in all, ensure you get a watch that fits you comfortably and have a great time diving with your dive watch.
