If you’re planning to pull on one of those uncomely wetsuits and don a scuba mask this summer, you should at least make sure you’re wearing an attractive watch. And a great dive watch not only serves a style function, it is essential equipment for divers who want to survive their plunge in the ocean. It should be water resistant to at least 100 meters. It should have a unidirectional rotating bezel so you can time your dive without the possibility of malfunction. It should have a screwdown crown and caseback, heavily luminated hands and markers, and a helium valve for really deep dives. Haute Time selected its Best five diver watches of 2013:
If you’re planning to pull on one of those uncomely wetsuits and don a scuba mask this summer, you should at least make sure you’re wearing an attractive watch.
Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe: Inspired by a vintage design but with a modern movement and water resistance to 300 meters. It comes with an optional NATO-style strap.
Girard-Perregaux Sea Hawk: The ceramic case is tough and water tight. Features a small seconds and prominent power reserve indicator at 6 o’clock, and water resistance to 300 meters.
Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean GoodPlanet: A portion of sales of this watch are donated to the GoodPlanet Foundation. It is water resistant to 600 meters, with a Super-LumiNova that emits a blue light.
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Diver: The watch is water resistant to 300 meters despite a crystal caseback. It has a ceramic case and bezel, and titanium caseback, with an adjustable strap.
Jaeger-Le Coultre Deep Sea Chronograph Cermet: The case is made of a proprietary material made of aluminum and ceramic that is highly resistant shock, temperature and scratches. It is water resistant to 100 meters.
