Author Topic: Dive Watches  (Read 14603 times)

Offline ancs88

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Dive Watches
« on: November 28, 2011, 09:15:34 AM »
Hi guys,

I don't dive but I love the look of dive watches and planning to get one below RM4k, if possible. I have been looking and looking but until now, I still do not find a suitable one which I like and within my budget. Maybe I'm too picky.

Btw, I like the UTS but it's way above my budget.

My criteria:
1. Depth rating more than 300m. 1000m-2000m will be great.
2. Would like a thick case, size  but the size from lug to lug should not exceed 54mm.
3. Of course with good lume.

Had already considered Helson, Prometheus, Steinhart, Nauticfish, Seiko, etc. but still can't make up my mind.

Give me your view, and also post your divers here! Any recommendations?

Cheers,
Alan




Offline TheHobbit

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Re: Dive Watches
« Reply #1 on: November 28, 2011, 09:50:48 AM »
The Helson Bronze would have been a great choice. Have you considered the Magrette Moana Pacific Diver watch? I believe it is rated at 500M. Cheap as well.

Offline jacky8888

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Re: Dive Watches
« Reply #2 on: November 28, 2011, 09:58:17 AM »
I would suggest the autozilla. Citizen 1000m. Less than RM4k..
Jacky Wong

Offline Time Capsule

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Re: Dive Watches
« Reply #3 on: November 28, 2011, 10:01:27 AM »
how about TAG HEUER AQUAGRAPH,dives for 500M...

Offline Enkidu

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Re: Dive Watches
« Reply #4 on: November 28, 2011, 10:27:02 AM »
If you like the looks of a dive watch, try the Seiko SBBN015 or SBBN017 professional dive watches (nickname: Tuna, 7C quartz movement, 300m). You can get it from the usual Japan-based internet vendor. Otherwise you may wish to consider a Victorinox. :thumbsup: 

Offline gloomis

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Re: Dive Watches
« Reply #5 on: November 28, 2011, 10:35:05 AM »
i dont dive but i love SUUNTO and the price is below 3k for the most comprehensive model

Offline khanwooi

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Re: Dive Watches
« Reply #6 on: November 28, 2011, 11:31:59 AM »
you looking for a Diver watch,

look for russian.

there is 1 is very great i found it.
here i attach the pic.



There are two words for "diver" in the Russian language - one is "diver" ("?????????") itself which means someone who dives with light equipment or even without it and another one is "vodolaz" which is used for professional divers in heavy equipment (in other words for divers who can't swim, only walk) and which is close to "aquanaut". So the name of these watches speaks for itself - Vodolaz is a watch for real depth, the watch able to work under high water pressure.

Vodolaz watch was designed for Soviet Navy in the middle of the 70s in Zlatoust not far from the Ural Mountains, and you can see the proud lines "Order of Defense Ministry of the USSR" on the box just below the logo of Zlatoust Watch Factory. Just like many samples of soviet military equipment or weapons, Vodolaz watch is big, rough and looks as it was made with an axe. But, again, it's also very reliable and it will work where your "Submariner" won't.

As it says in user's manual, case keeps the watch hermetic during at least one hour at a depth of 700 meters (~2300 foots), and judging by its look it seems to be true!

Vodolaz is a very massive and big watch, it's hardly designed for everyday wearing - 260 grams (0,57 lbs) on your wrist can be tiresome, so the only right suit for this watch is a diving one. Diameter of the watch is 58 mm (2,28"), but you should take into account enormous big winding head with a protective hermetic lid which increases diameter of Vodolaz up to 76mm (3 inches).

Protective grid can be detached (with some effort) and replaced by the spare padding (comes with the watches), but we should warn you against doing so - construction of Vodolaz may looks primitive, but you'll need at least a hand press to gather it back in a proper way.

Primitive means that not only protective grid can be detached, but you also can completely remove the thick glass (3 mm) of Vodolaz, and even dial itself can be removed easily, which is not typical for a diver watch. The back cover of Vodolaz watch is a solid metal part without any screws or slots, and all repair or maintenance actions should be perfomed through the top of the watch. Disassembling Vodolaz is easy process, and the assembling it back can be tricky.

The removable top cover of the watch firmly presses the padding, the glass and the protective grid to the case and if you press the glass too hard when assemblying it can brake, but if you don't press it hard enough the watch can loose required tightness. So if you want to try Vodolaz watch for a diving, we strictly recommend you not to disassemble it before using.

Metal buckle of strap is real tough, with inscription in Cyrillic "USSR NAVY" ("??? ????"), the same letters are engraved on the solid back cover. Regretfully, the strap itself is not worth mentioning and could be placed in a museum with the label "typical Soviet quality".

Luminous hands and hour marks are shining bright in the dark, but only after you keep Vodolaz in a sun light for some time. We failed to find an answer to which material was used for luminous coating, but in user's manual on the first page there is a pink stamp "no radiation", placed there evidently for tourists, because these are the only two English words in the whole manual.

Vodolaz watch is a rare Russian watch even in Russia, and collectible value of Vodolaz is more important than its functional purpose, so we hope that this watch will take a place in your collection and you will enjoy by Vodolaz, which is a very unusual and interesting diver watch.
Khan Wooi

Offline davidtth

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Re: Dive Watches
« Reply #7 on: November 28, 2011, 02:31:30 PM »
V.swissarmy 500m, Ball Diver 300m

Offline ancs88

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Re: Dive Watches
« Reply #8 on: November 28, 2011, 05:07:53 PM »
The Helson Bronze would have been a great choice. Have you considered the Magrette Moana Pacific Diver watch? I believe it is rated at 500M. Cheap as well.

The Helson bronze is a limited edition and sold out. I like the bezel and design of the sharkdiver but the lug to lug seems too big for me. For the Magrette, I feel it's too similar to PAM case.

What do you think of the Marathon GSAR? But don't quite like the dial and using tritium tubes. But currently, it's in my consideration!


Offline ancs88

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Re: Dive Watches
« Reply #9 on: November 28, 2011, 05:13:28 PM »
you looking for a Diver watch,

look for russian.

there is 1 is very great i found it.
here i attach the pic.



There are two words for "diver" in the Russian language - one is "diver" ("?????????") itself which means someone who dives with light equipment or even without it and another one is "vodolaz" which is used for professional divers in heavy equipment (in other words for divers who can't swim, only walk) and which is close to "aquanaut". So the name of these watches speaks for itself - Vodolaz is a watch for real depth, the watch able to work under high water pressure.

Vodolaz watch was designed for Soviet Navy in the middle of the 70s in Zlatoust not far from the Ural Mountains, and you can see the proud lines "Order of Defense Ministry of the USSR" on the box just below the logo of Zlatoust Watch Factory. Just like many samples of soviet military equipment or weapons, Vodolaz watch is big, rough and looks as it was made with an axe. But, again, it's also very reliable and it will work where your "Submariner" won't.

As it says in user's manual, case keeps the watch hermetic during at least one hour at a depth of 700 meters (~2300 foots), and judging by its look it seems to be true!

Vodolaz is a very massive and big watch, it's hardly designed for everyday wearing - 260 grams (0,57 lbs) on your wrist can be tiresome, so the only right suit for this watch is a diving one. Diameter of the watch is 58 mm (2,28"), but you should take into account enormous big winding head with a protective hermetic lid which increases diameter of Vodolaz up to 76mm (3 inches).

Protective grid can be detached (with some effort) and replaced by the spare padding (comes with the watches), but we should warn you against doing so - construction of Vodolaz may looks primitive, but you'll need at least a hand press to gather it back in a proper way.

Primitive means that not only protective grid can be detached, but you also can completely remove the thick glass (3 mm) of Vodolaz, and even dial itself can be removed easily, which is not typical for a diver watch. The back cover of Vodolaz watch is a solid metal part without any screws or slots, and all repair or maintenance actions should be perfomed through the top of the watch. Disassembling Vodolaz is easy process, and the assembling it back can be tricky.

The removable top cover of the watch firmly presses the padding, the glass and the protective grid to the case and if you press the glass too hard when assemblying it can brake, but if you don't press it hard enough the watch can loose required tightness. So if you want to try Vodolaz watch for a diving, we strictly recommend you not to disassemble it before using.

Metal buckle of strap is real tough, with inscription in Cyrillic "USSR NAVY" ("??? ????"), the same letters are engraved on the solid back cover. Regretfully, the strap itself is not worth mentioning and could be placed in a museum with the label "typical Soviet quality".

Luminous hands and hour marks are shining bright in the dark, but only after you keep Vodolaz in a sun light for some time. We failed to find an answer to which material was used for luminous coating, but in user's manual on the first page there is a pink stamp "no radiation", placed there evidently for tourists, because these are the only two English words in the whole manual.

Vodolaz watch is a rare Russian watch even in Russia, and collectible value of Vodolaz is more important than its functional purpose, so we hope that this watch will take a place in your collection and you will enjoy by Vodolaz, which is a very unusual and interesting diver watch.

Good read but don't have the feel for the long protruding crown.

Offline TheHobbit

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Re: Dive Watches
« Reply #10 on: November 28, 2011, 05:50:46 PM »
The Helson Bronze would have been a great choice. Have you considered the Magrette Moana Pacific Diver watch? I believe it is rated at 500M. Cheap as well.

The Helson bronze is a limited edition and sold out. I like the bezel and design of the sharkdiver but the lug to lug seems too big for me. For the Magrette, I feel it's too similar to PAM case.

What do you think of the Marathon GSAR? But don't quite like the dial and using tritium tubes. But currently, it's in my consideration!

The Marathon GSAR? I too do not like the use of the tritium tubes. If you want I can check with Jim if there are anymore 1st gen JSAR which you can modify into an auto movement. The JSAR is quartz powered but can be converted to use the ETA 2824. However please do note that the JSAR is  very large and thick watch. It is one of my all time tool watch. One very well made watch.

Offline ancs88

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Re: Dive Watches
« Reply #11 on: November 28, 2011, 06:20:14 PM »
The Helson Bronze would have been a great choice. Have you considered the Magrette Moana Pacific Diver watch? I believe it is rated at 500M. Cheap as well.

The Helson bronze is a limited edition and sold out. I like the bezel and design of the sharkdiver but the lug to lug seems too big for me. For the Magrette, I feel it's too similar to PAM case.

What do you think of the Marathon GSAR? But don't quite like the dial and using tritium tubes. But currently, it's in my consideration!

The Marathon GSAR? I too do not like the use of the tritium tubes. If you want I can check with Jim if there are anymore 1st gen JSAR which you can modify into an auto movement. The JSAR is quartz powered but can be converted to use the ETA 2824. However please do note that the JSAR is  very large and thick watch. It is one of my all time tool watch. One very well made watch.

Yes... my idea is to have a tool watch. Love the bezel! Thanks!

Offline TheHobbit

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Re: Dive Watches
« Reply #12 on: November 28, 2011, 08:00:57 PM »

Yes... my idea is to have a tool watch. Love the bezel! Thanks!

In that case can't go wrong with the watches from Marathon. I have the SAR and JSAR. Both issued (I stand corrected on this) to the Canadian and American SAR teams.

Some SAR poison:











JSAR poison



JSAR vs SAR



JSAR vs Panerai



JSAR vs BR01



Yet another JSAR photograph



Offline ancs88

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Re: Dive Watches
« Reply #13 on: November 29, 2011, 05:54:39 AM »
Wow..... damn poisonous!!! Is the JSAR is bigger than the GSAR? Is it possible to get one on ETA2824? I just love the side of the bezel.

By the way, does it wear bigger than the base 44mm PAM? What's the lug to lug size? I don't mind the big watch diameter as long as the lug does not extend out hanging on my wrist which will look very bad.

Sorry for so many questions asked! Anyway, thanks for the pics!!!

Cheers,
Alan




Offline rgbs

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Re: Dive Watches
« Reply #14 on: November 29, 2011, 07:45:05 AM »
Can try out the Orient M-force....200m, pricing is below 2k. a new design....ISO certified diver and Made In Japan....Dial 46mm.....very nice,i own a few orient but this my favorite...
http://www.orient-watch.com/feature/m-force/

Offline TheHobbit

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Re: Dive Watches
« Reply #15 on: November 29, 2011, 08:34:19 AM »
Wow..... damn poisonous!!! Is the JSAR is bigger than the GSAR? Is it possible to get one on ETA2824? I just love the side of the bezel.

By the way, does it wear bigger than the base 44mm PAM? What's the lug to lug size? I don't mind the big watch diameter as long as the lug does not extend out hanging on my wrist which will look very bad.

Sorry for so many questions asked! Anyway, thanks for the pics!!!

Cheers,
Alan

The lug to lug is 55mm. It wears thick but not large. I feel about the same as the PAM. It is a heavy watch though. Yes the JSAR is bigger than the GSAR. The lug width is 22 mm and the overall diameter is (bezel) is 46.5 mm.

I will check with Jim if he has any Gen 1 JSAR as only the Gen 1 JSAR can be retrofitted with the ETA 2824. Jim is the guy that was on the design team of the SAR and the rest of the watches.

Here are some wrist shots of the JSAR.





Here you can see the difference between the SAR (which is the same size as the GSAR) and the JSAR. Excuse the Breitling.



The JSAR quartz movement.



Offline ancs88

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Re: Dive Watches
« Reply #16 on: November 29, 2011, 09:09:16 AM »
Can try out the Orient M-force....200m, pricing is below 2k. a new design....ISO certified diver and Made In Japan....Dial 46mm.....very nice,i own a few orient but this my favorite...
http://www.orient-watch.com/feature/m-force/

Not bad... thanks for the recommendation!

Offline ancs88

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Re: Dive Watches
« Reply #17 on: November 29, 2011, 09:46:51 AM »
Wow..... damn poisonous!!! Is the JSAR is bigger than the GSAR? Is it possible to get one on ETA2824? I just love the side of the bezel.

By the way, does it wear bigger than the base 44mm PAM? What's the lug to lug size? I don't mind the big watch diameter as long as the lug does not extend out hanging on my wrist which will look very bad.

Sorry for so many questions asked! Anyway, thanks for the pics!!!

Cheers,
Alan

The lug to lug is 55mm. It wears thick but not large. I feel about the same as the PAM. It is a heavy watch though. Yes the JSAR is bigger than the GSAR. The lug width is 22 mm and the overall diameter is (bezel) is 46.5 mm.

I will check with Jim if he has any Gen 1 JSAR as only the Gen 1 JSAR can be retrofitted with the ETA 2824. Jim is the guy that was on the design team of the SAR and the rest of the watches.

Here are some wrist shots of the JSAR.





Here you can see the difference between the SAR (which is the same size as the GSAR) and the JSAR. Excuse the Breitling.



The JSAR quartz movement.



Please check for me as I would like the movement to be automatic. Anyway, the side profile of the bezel is awesome and the watch sits very nicely on your wrist.

Offline The Godzilla

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Re: Dive Watches
« Reply #18 on: December 01, 2011, 02:14:03 PM »
Seiko SKX series is a good diver watch, value for money and tough.

But since you budget not more than or close to RM 4K then I assume that you actually would go for something which is somewhere a bit high end.

In this case, I would recommend ORIS diver series, thick case, heavy and robust.

Offline Omnipotent

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Re: Dive Watches
« Reply #19 on: December 01, 2011, 02:29:23 PM »
Seiko SKX series is a good diver watch, value for money and tough.

But since you budget not more than or close to RM 4K then I assume that you actually would go for something which is somewhere a bit high end.

In this case, I would recommend ORIS diver series, thick case, heavy and robust.

 :thumbsup:



Offline nayo

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Re: Dive Watches
« Reply #20 on: December 01, 2011, 06:47:34 PM »
Davosa?
Sub homage.




Offline ancs88

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Re: Dive Watches
« Reply #21 on: December 02, 2011, 05:28:51 AM »
Yes... I'm also considering ORIS!

Offline siodee

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Re: Dive Watches
« Reply #22 on: December 02, 2011, 07:11:19 AM »
This one looks fit on yr hand, why not next round you come back, have a bet for this UTS from Jason (if not mistaken), sure memorable  :thumbsup:

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails.
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Offline ancs88

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Re: Dive Watches
« Reply #23 on: December 02, 2011, 09:08:46 AM »
This one looks fit on yr hand, why not next round you come back, have a bet for this UTS from Jason (if not mistaken), sure memorable  :thumbsup:



Well, it's his UTS that makes me search for something similar! Bet? Race? I'm no match against him!!!  :Cheers:

Offline johnjoux

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Re: Dive Watches
« Reply #24 on: December 02, 2011, 10:16:04 AM »
How bout seiko monster ?