Diver

A diver, or diving watch or dive watch is designed for underwater diving and features a water-resistance of at least 10 ATM / 10 bar / 100 meters / 330 feet. A contemporary diver’s watch meets the ISO 6425 standard, which defines test standards and features for watches suitable for diving with underwater breathing apparatus in depths of 100 meters / 330 feet or more.

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One of the key elements of a driver is an unidirectional bezel with time intervals of 5 minutes which can be set to elapsed time underwater. Another key-feature for the most serious divers is a helium escape valve. This to let out helium molecules after the decompression stage in a hyperbaric chamber after a saturation dive.

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Note the following (1 ATM = 1.01325 bar), especially when a watch does not meet the ISO 6425 standard:

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– 3 ATM / 3 bar / 30 meters / 100 feet: withstand splashes or brief immersion in water, or getting caught in the rain;

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– 5 ATM / 5 bar / 50 meters / 165 feet: withstand showering and while swimming in shallow water although it is not advisable as differences in temperature might be a risk;

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– 10 ATM / 10 bar / 100 meters / 330 feet: around household sinks, while playing (water)sports and while swimming, surfing, sailing or snorkeling. Differences in temperature might be a risk. Do not wear it while scuba diving;

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– 20 ATM / 20 bar / 200 meters / 660 feet: suitable for all kinds of water sports and scuba diving;

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– 30 ATM / 30 bar / 300 meters / 990 feet or more: suitable for saturation diving (helium enriched environment).

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Diver watches