Your Guide to Dive Watches and Water-Resistant Timepieces
From water resistance ratings to strap materials and screw-down crowns, we’re answering the most common questions about dive watches and swimming-safe timepieces. Whether you’re headed for the pool or are a seasoned deep sea diver, this guide will help you choose with confidence.
Bell & Ross BR-03 Diver Blue Steel
What does water resistance actually mean and how is it different from waterproof?
Water resistance and waterproof may sound similar, but they aren’t the same, particularly when it comes to the world of watches.
- Water Resistance: This tells you how much water pressure a watch can handle, usually measured in ATM, BAR, or Meters. This is a more accurate and honest measurement, and the best way to know what activities your watch is safe to use in.
- Waterproof: This is a marketing term meaning an item is 100% protected from water. Technically, no watch is completely waterproof. Even luxury dive watches have limits.
Bell & Ross BR 03-92 Diver White
What’s the difference between ATM, Bar, and M?
- ATM (atmospheric pressure), bar, and meters (M) are all units used to describe a watch’s water resistance.
- Despite their different names, they all measure essentially the same thing: pressure and the maximum depth a timepiece can safely withstand.
- 1 ATM is equivalent to 1 BAR, which is equivalent to a maximum depth of 10 meters.
What is ISO Certification and why is it important?
ISO stands for International Organization for Standardization, and sets a global standard for quality, safety, and reliability. There are multiple standards of ISO, however the two most important when it comes to watches are ISO 22810 and ISO 6425.
- ISO 22810 – This is the International standard that outlines the mandatory qualifications and testing methods for all non-diving watches that claim to be water-resistant watches. A variety of testing conditions from condensation, shallow water immersion, and water overpressure helps give wearers reassurance on a watch’s suitability for every day conditions.
- ISO 6425 – When it comes to dive watches, this certification defines the minimum requirements for a watch to be officially labeled as such. It includes tests for water, magnetic, shock and chemical resistance, and pressure tolerance up to 100 meters or more. Additionally, a watch must also feature a unidirectional rotating bezel, secure strap, and magnetic resistance. These details matter for diver safety.
What water resistance depths are safest for swimming versus diving?
Water resistance levels vary widely and directly impact what your watch can safely handle. Whether you’re looking to make a splash in the shallow end or go on a deep-dive adventure, it helps to know what your watch is capable of handling.
Bell & Ross BR-05 36mm Ice Blue Steel
Guidelines
- 3 ATM (30 meters): Protects against light splashes like handwashing or rain, but not safe for swimming.
- 5 ATM (50 meters): Your watch can handle light swimming, but not diving or prolonged submersion.
- 10 ATM (100 meters): This is the recommended baseline for recreational swimming and snorkeling. Any watch with ISO 6425 at this depth or greater means your watch is certified to handle scuba diving as well.
- 20 ATM (200 meters): Standard 200 meter water resistance means you can enjoy high-impact water sports and skin diving.
- 30 ATM (300 meters) and beyond: This is a great starting point for deeper sea diving at depths not requiring helium gas. For saturation diving your watch should be noted with a mixed-gas diving marking.
- 50 ATM (500 meters): This depth is great for professionals who require the ultimate protection. Helium escape valves are often included for saturation diving.
- At the extreme end, 100 ATM (1,000 meters) provides robust protection during deep dives requiring decompression.
Bell & Ross BR 03-92 Diver Tara
Ultimately, always choose a water resistance level that matches your real-world activity, not just the depth on paper.
What water resistance do most recreational divers actually need?
The sweet spot for most recreational divers is an ISO 6425 certified watch with a 20 ATM (200 meters) water resistance. It ensures the watch can withstand underwater pressure during recreational dives, including swimming, snorkeling, and shallow dives. At the same time, this level goes above and beyond to safely handle typical scuba diving depths, and is more than enough for reliable performance and durability.
Bell & Ross BR03-92 Diver White
Why is the bezel unidirectional on a dive watch?
- The unidirectional bezel moves only anti-clockwise, which can only “increase” the amount of time you spent underwater.
- This is a safety measure to protect against accidental rotations making you believe you have more time underwater than you actually do.
- The uni-directional bezel provides a simple, yet effective tool to help keep you safe in your deep sea explorations.
Bell Ross BR-03 Diver Lum Outline
Why do most diving watches only have the first 15 minutes marked on the bezel?
Most dive watches mark only the first 15 minutes on the bezel because those minutes are the most critical phase of a typical dive. Divers need to track time precisely to manage air consumption and avoid nitrogen buildup, which can lead to decompression sickness. Minute-by-minute markings give fast, accurate readability during this high-risk phase. After 15 minutes, most bezels switch to 5-minute intervals. This is because timing becomes less urgent as divers begin their ascent or finish the dive.
It’s a smart, functional design that supports safety, precisely what a true dive watch is built for.
Bell & Ross BR 03-92 Diver Tara
What other features are important on a diver watch?
When shopping for a diver’s watch, it’s important to look beyond the surface.
- Super-LumiNova®: This luminous coating provides supreme visibility in the darkest depths, helping you read the time in low light or murky conditions. It’s usually applied to the hands, hour markers, and sometimes the bezel.
- Screw-down crown: This is essential for any serious divers. It locks the crown into place, improving the seal and preventing leaks during deep dives or sudden splashes.
- Water-resistant strap: We recommend a rubber, silicone, or treated fabric strap. These materials hold up better in wet environments than leather or untreated fabric. Together, these details help ensure your dive watch is as functional as it is reliable beneath the surface.
- Strap extension: This is mainly warranted if you’re planning on wearing a dry suit. The extension allows an additional length of strap to wrap around the forearm.
Bell & Ross BR-03 Diver Full Lum Ceramic
Is a helium escape valve always necessary for a diver’s watch?
No, a helium escape valve is not always necessary, especially for most recreational divers. This feature is designed specifically for saturation diving, a form of deep commercial diving where divers spend extended periods in pressurized environments breathing gas mixtures that include helium. However most recreational divers and dive watch collectors will never encounter conditions extreme enough to require it.
When is a depth gauge warranted?
A depth gauge is a nice feature, but it goes beyond the scope for the majority of divers. That’s because modern divers usually rely on dive computers, which provide real-time depth, dive duration, ascent rate, and more. However, a mechanical or analog depth gauge can be a useful backup. It offers peace of mind in case your main device fails, and some divers appreciate the simplicity and reliability of analog tools. Although, unless you’re doing technical or deep diving, a dive watch with standard time-tracking features, like a rotating bezel, screw-down crown, and 200 meters of water resistance, will more than meet your need.
Bell & Ross BR03-92 Diver White
Is a dive watch only for diving?
Not at all! A dive watch isn’t just for diving. While built for underwater adventures, dive watches are also loved for their rugged design, reliable performance, and versatile style. Their water resistance makes them great for swimming, sailing, snorkeling, or even just dealing with unexpected weather. The unidirectional bezel can be used to time anything, from workouts to pasta boiling.
Bell & Ross BR 03-92 Diver Brown Bronze
Many people wear dive watches daily thanks to their durability, legibility, and often sporty yet refined aesthetic. They’re built to withstand pressure, both in the ocean and in everyday life. Whether you’re diving into deep waters or just Monday morning meetings, a good dive watch has your back.
Disclaimer: These are suggested guidelines. Always check your brand’s water resistance recommendations for your watch protection and safety.
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