Orient Diver Watch: What Makes a Watch a Diver?

March 8th, 2010 Posted in Orient News | 6 Comments | Comment and Win a Free Orient Watch Comment and Win a Free Orient Watch



Diving is a pretty intense sport. To do it, you basically have to turn yourself into a marine animal. The Little Mermaid makes this transition seem easy; but in reality, it’s quite complex, and involves wet suits, fins, tanks, computers and a good watch.

200418747-001


In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the diver watch.


More than water resistance

Just because something says it’s highly water resistant doesn’t mean it can go to great depths. Or really any depths at all. Water resistance actually means water pressure resistance, so for instance, your 100m watch shouldn’t actually go 100m under water because it will probably be ruined.

If you’re unsure how far your watch can go, follow these simple rules of water (pressure) resistance:

  • 30m: minor splash or spill

  • 50m: swimming

  • 100-200m: swimming, snorkeling, water sports

  • Diver’s 100m: minimum International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 6425 standard for scuba diving

  • Diver’s 200-300m: scuba diving

  • over 300m: saturation diving

Several other factors also determine a watch’s water resistance. For example, older watches are probably not as water resistant as they claim because their water resistant seals have likely worn out or dried up. Exposure to chemicals can also damage these seals, making a watch more susceptible to water damage.

But remember, water pressure resistance isn’t the only thing that makes a watch dive-able.

Special diver features

In order to be called a diver, a watch must meet ISO 6425 standards. This involves undergoing several tests to ensure that a watch is capable of diving.

AA021001


Here are the main features that a diver watch should have:
  • Clearly distinguished minute markings

  • Unidirectional rotating bezel (to calculate the length of a dive)

  • Luminous second sweep hand (shows the watch is running even in complete darkness)

  • Readability at 25cm in total darkness

  • Magnetic, chemical and shock resistance

  • Solid band

  • Case material able to endure galvanic corrosion (e.g. stainless steel, titanium, synthetic resins)

  • Thick watch crystal

  • Water resistant crown (e.g. screwed down, locking)

  • Power reserve indicator

Some diver watches may have a Helium release valve, but this feature is not common on an everyday diver.

Orient’s top divers

The following details Orient’s best diver watches. Note that these watches are intended for recreational scuba diving, not for extended saturation diving.

CEM75001B

The CEM75001B is a simple Orient diver watch with all of the necessary features to spend a little time under the sea.

CEM75001B-f


Let’s take a closer look:
  • Diver’s 200m water resistance

  • Stainless steel case

  • Unidirectional bezel

  • Excellent lume

  • Screwed down crown

This watch would be suitable for someone who spends a lot of time in or near the water, not just diving but swimming, snorkeling and sailing, too.

Mako

The Mako is Orient’s bestselling men’s watch. It combines scuba diving ability with class in a variety of interesting colors.

CEM65002D-f


Here are some additional features:
  • Diver’s 200m water resistance

  • Stainless steel case

  • Unidirectional bezel

  • Excellent lume

  • Screwed down crown

This Orient automatic diver has become a bestseller because of its quality and its ability to show the wearer’s personality and good taste. Not only can this watch dive, but it can also make a bold fashion statement.

Another Orient diver with 200m water resistance is the OrientStar WZ0391FD.

CFD0C001M

The CFD0C001M is Orient USA’s most high-tech and durable diver watch.

CFD0C001M


Here are its important diving features:
  • Diver’s 300m water resistance

  • Stainless steel case

  • Unidirectional bezel

  • Sapphire crystal with anti-reflection coating

  • Excellent lume

  • Screwed down crown

  • Power reserve indicator

Because of these extra features, the CFD0C001M is a bit pricier than Orient’s other dive watches. However, the price is worth it if you’re a more serious diver or spend a lot of time in the water.


Tell us about your favorite diver watch. Comment below.




  1. 6 Comments | Comment and Win a Free Orient Watch

  2. By kim michelis on Mar 10, 2010

    I really like your Orient Watches their design and craftmanship are awesome.

  3. By Steve Poorman on Mar 11, 2010

    The CFD0C001M is probably one of the best bang for your buck diver’s watch out there.

  4. By Joe on Mar 11, 2010

    The CEM75001B should not be considered a diving watch. It has the worst lume of all my diving watches. It is even worse than that of the Mako.

    Regards,

    Joe

  5. By Steve Poorman on Mar 11, 2010

    Hey Joe,
    How would you compare the lume on the Mako? I really like the style of the watch but from that comment the lume sounds not so great.
    Thanks

  6. By Joe on Mar 12, 2010

    Hey Steve,

    I own 10+ diving watches, 2 Seiko Monsters, a Seiko SKX007, 2 Citizen Promasters, 8 Orients. I put all of them in a dark room for some hours, then turned on the lights for 10 minutes and turned it off again.
    Then I waited for some minutes and compared the dials. The Seikos rocked. Real flashlights!
    The Citizens were not far behind in visibility.
    The Orient Makos were fine, if darker than the others. The Orient Scubas (not featured in this post) were fine as well.

    I had trouble finding the Orient CEM75001B in the darkness. It is a beautiful watch, but the lume is terrible! I only hope that this is because it is a relatively new design.

    Regards,

    Joe

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