How to really use a Dive Watch Bezel - Watch and Learn #69

[@Dan-56]

And when you’re not diving, it’s handy to use to remind you when it’s time to turn the chicken on the grill. 😆👍

[@islandwatch]

Yes, or the laundry.

[@kv9395]

Dan’l 56 exactly!!!

[@pandora8478]

Boiling eggs!

[@kv9395]

Penetration!

[@drewdown826]

You set a timer for chicken.? You'll learn to grill one day.

[@dantecubit42]

this is a much better explanation than the "so you don't run out of air" that you usually get from other sources. awesome stuff as always Marc

[@islandwatch]

True, thanks!

[@commandZee]

The only time I've used dive bezels to time something submerged in water is when I boil eggs 😆

[@islandwatch]

LOL

[@chrisgilligan4968]

Never been diving, and first time I ever looked this up. I always assumed it was way more complicated than that! 🤣 Love the alternate plans for flipping food, or laundry duty!!

[@ForbinColossus]

Thx for the deep dive ! I'm decompressing now

[@islandwatch]

LOL, thanks.

[@terriblepeople]

lol good one

[@josebuencamino]

Hi! I thought it might interest you to know another way you can use your bezel to plan your dives that my mentor taught me. Before your dive, you can check the no-decompression-limits of the depth to which you're descending with the nitrogen tables. Right before your descent, you can then move the bezel so that the bezel's arrow would show you the point at which you'd be crossing your NDL. For example, for an 18-meter non-repetitive dive, decompression would become mandatory upon the 51st minute. If you're starting the descent at 10:05, you would move the arrow to the 56th minute on your watch. This way the arrow plainly shows you your limits, and helps show you how much you've exceeded your NDL if ever that would happen - which is supposedly why the Seiko Pepsi watch's first twenty minute degrees are marked red. I myself have never dived with just a dive watch, but if the computer fails during the dive you'll at least have a clear track of your NDL :)

[@danielfrancis3660]

Thanks for this post. I don't dive and I don't know the failure rate of dive computers but as a backup I would buy another dive computer. I've seen them as low as $50.

[@josebuencamino]

@@danielfrancis3660 I agree 100%!

[@marcusjenkins]

Nice description. Plan the dive, dive the plan. Know your dive site, you'll know the maximum depth, set the bezel accordingly. I've always used a (Suunto) dive computer, but backup-anything is always a Good Idea when you're not surrounded by lots of lovely air.

[@islandwatch]

Thanks so much, maybe I'll check them out too :)

[@HarryStoneDotCom]

Marc, look at Shearwater.

[@juniorjohnson5961]

I always dove with a computer and a dive master and a buddy , we would set the time of the dive and I would look at the watch occasionally to see how long we had been under.

[@TheUltimateCrash1990]

I had bought my first watch (a SEIKO 4R36), and I had no idea how to use this until now, thank you for the good video. You narrate very well!

[@dougiefresh2521]

Man! This guy knows and loves watches. Thanks for sharing your knowledge

[@NWind-go9qn]

Marc, the bezel can also be used to time different rates of ascent when using decompression stops, as well as the length of the deco stops.

[@patrickmooney4135]

Excellent topic and instruction. I got NAUI certified back in the 1990s and they never discussed dive watches and how to use the bezels. It was purely the tables and the dive computers. Of course, I'd never wear any watch over my thick neoprene dive suit and risk losing or damaging it. Might consider wearing a watch in the warm waters of the Caribbean... Thanks, Marc!

[@islandwatch]

Thank you!

[@jacklaporte472]

That was very interesting. And oof! That picture 😳 😂. Congratulations on receiving your PADI certification.

[@islandwatch]

LOL, thanks Jack!

[@GabrielGGabGattringer]

Thanks Marc for this explanation! Very interesting. Makes me wanna rotate my SKX bezel again for some more desk diving ;-)

[@islandwatch]

Thank you!

[@rondrysdale9804]

Good on ya for this "I stand corrected" post. I got my open-water cert back in 1971!

[@islandwatch]

Nice and thanks!

[@krzysztofhadala9126]

I didn’t know what is a rotating bezel for and your explanations enlighten me . Thank you. However, I am not a big fan of scuba diving . The only thing that really fascinated me were divers watches. Lesson learnt and understood 😀

[@islandwatch]

Thanks so much!

[@salty_terminal_civilian5374]

I love using my bezel to track another time zone, as a compass, to count up or down from hours, minutes, and seconds, and it's fun to click when I'm bored lol.

[@diegocanale1124]

i don't wanna be messing too much with my new promaster bezel just yet :XD

[@JohnClarkW]

Good video. When I learned to dive, instead of remembering it, I was taught to mark the bottom time by moving the bezel to that minute marker. Of course that was over three decades ago.

[@themothmanreturns]

I'm not a diver but that makes perfect sense! Thanks for the input 👍

[@suikakujun]

Finally! Somebody who explains it right! Thank you from a PADI buddy!

[@monk3y5an]

Great video, but you're using the bezel wrong. If you set the arrow on the bezel to the minute marker when you start your dive, hen all you're doing is tracking elapsed time, and in order to know when to start your ascent, you have to do math to stay on track (bottom time - elapsed time). Instead, you set the arrow of the bezel an amount of minutes ahead that is equal to your bottom time. That way, all you have to remember is that when the minute hand reaches the arrow, it's time to ascend. At that point, your bezel is automatically timing the ascent. Of course, few people dive flat profiles now that we have computers, and even fewer dive from a watch alone.

[@kevinsellsit5584]

Congratulations on your diving cert. (years ago lol) I'm the more common PADI wearer who never gets below 10 feet (but was ocean lifeguard certified in my youth). Question for everyone: Would you take a non-Seiko watch to your Seiko dealer for repairs/service? (Specifically a 1982 Tag Heuer for a new bezel, sapphire crystal replacement and cleaning).

[@upan3259]

I just watched your older bezel watch N learn episode yesterday.

[@rohanie98]

Yeah same

[@islandwatch]

Hope this was better!

[@jirojosephesman8175]

Great video.. Quick question.. My seiko diver face moved while i was rotating my bezel.. What's next.. Thank you have a blessed day and be blessed

[@oscarpatino3583]

Congrats on the PADI certification Marc👌! And thanks for the free bezel lesson

[@islandwatch]

Welcome!

[@williamdavis2565]

Glad to see you revisit this. Welcome to the OW world. ~B

[@fr0stief0n]

good job on explaining the bezel on dive watches ✌️ I too use them as backup for recreational dives 👌🏽 congrats on getting OW certified 🎉

[@4730301]

I use it to remember when I fed my dog. He farts alot if I feed him one big meal, so I split it up in smaller meals every 6 hours. :p

[@islandwatch]

Whatever works!

[@markcoveryourassets]

Sounds like LW needs a GMT!

[@ХристоМартунковграфЛозенски]

:D

[@thisoldbelair]

Well I’m no diver, but that’s fascinating. I could see myself using the dive bezel for lots of different things. Thanks for the video!

[@phlogistanjones2722]

THANK YOU for the clear and straightforward explanation for a layman. CHEERS!

[@scottsj4625]

Thanks for the video, Mark. That's an interesting chart. Everything you said I was going to type you covered about divers using a computer and backup watch. I think most people who buy diver watches they buy for everyday use.

[@islandwatch]

Thanks Scott.

[@alanschroeder]

i love dive watches and now i can confidently know how to use it (as a non diver) lol but i love the easy explanation so anyone can understand

[@craig2100]

Congrats on your PADI cert and a great video

[@islandwatch]

Thank you, Craig.

[@Prokudak]

Congrats on Padi Open Water certification! I felt so happy when I got mine in Egypt 🇪🇬

[@kootch88]

My Mares Smart Air has the pressure gauge transmitter. Pretty cool setup, but maybe not the most friendly. If you measure in bars the pressure indication is clearer. I’ll be very interested to see what you end up with after you research it and talk to your dive buddies.

[@islandwatch]

That's cool! Yeah, when I choose, and put it to use, I'll let you know.

[@derekshearer9049]

Before dive verify pressure on tanks adequate for planned dive time. Reference chart for decompression stops on ascent if required. Just before entering water set bezel to max dive time less ascent and reserve. The graduations after the triangle on the bezel are for checking emergency reserve when max dive time is exceeded. This way you dont have to calculate how long you've been down. I have never used it any other way. Very simple and very easy never go past the triangle on a dive.

[@dga223]

Just found these watch and learn lessons. Well done.

[@Caribeno787]

Finally I know how to use these!!! I’m gonna be using my Tissot Seastar to time my employees lunch breaks 😂😭😭😭

[@totisanchez3607]

It's a one hour oven timer for me ! Thanks Mark for the video

[@islandwatch]

LOL

[@flatsix666]

Thanks, never knew this! ‘Every day’s a school day’ 👍

[@islandwatch]

Great to hear!

[@heathworsley8347]

Just bought my first watch with the rotating bezel function and had absolutely no idea what it was for mind spins both ways but with some resistance and I can't hear the click but thank you for the video

[@YOutsider]

i dig your surf colors on Islander watches. bold and beautiful

[@ivoryjohnson4662]

I am late to congratulate you. Welcome to the dive community. I will be getting a watch from you one day

[@TheAgaveSpirit]

I can the new Rolex Grill Master watch coming out. Far more useful than a dive watch.

[@2truckie]

Just received my 007 from you. Love it. Thanks.

[@YouTuber-mc2el]

Mark, I think I speak for us all when I say thanks for the "Watch and Learn" videos you do. I have learned a lot. One big question I have about the whole dive bezel use is: If the bezel is used to measure elapsed time what gives with the first 15-20 minutes that is sometimes highlighted with red or orange or some color that provides clear legible contrast? If you had a 38 minute bottom time dive what use is the red on a 009? I have read that the typical bottom time dive for recreational diving is 15-20 mins. at a depth of 30 meters. Could that be the reason? to measure that recreational dive time? Would then the diver not be susceptible to pressure sickness because he/she was not not down long enough? Please help me understand. Thanks

[@YouTuber-mc2el]

I got it I think. When you are ready to ascend you would reset the bezel pip to minute hand and then you would use the red portion of the 009.

[@CoordinatedCarry]

So what’s with the Pepsi color using red in the lowers numbers makes it seem like you’d be running out of time until you realize it would be counting up not down so what gives?

[@ryannewby447]

Wow. Thanks for this. Never really understood it. This is great explaination.

[@domgatrell651]

As a qualified BSAC sports diver (advanced open water/rescue diver PADI equivalent) i’ve found a dive watch handy for timing other peoples dives from the boat (to know if they are overdue) and the ticking seconds useful for the last minute of ascent after a safety stop from 18 feet (6metres) to the surface. Most of the rest is done on a computer as the computer dynamically recalculates deco time every few seconds. When abroad, you’ll often do deco wile swimming along a scenic reef at a shallower depth to extend dive time, this hard to do with a watch as you can only do a max depth max time calculation at the start. Still, every diver needs the time for other reasons (eg tide times ) and your generally on a wet boat so there will always be a need for a water proof watch one unless you get a watch sized computer but they are digital and look crap (pah!) :)

[@antic4mper819]

always thought it was to determine how much time is left, good explaination

[@TheLastRoman0000]

I went on an advanced dive in South Florida a few weeks ago. The crew did not allow me to use a dive watch alone. I was required to use a dive computer.

[@alanmentzer8756]

Congratulations, Marc!

[@tomfaranda]

My relatively extensive dive experience was long ago when I lived on Grand Cayman for two years. Dive computers weren't invented; I used a digital casio but It was even pre g shock!

[@islandwatch]

It works!

[@BrotherClint-eg7vf]

Interesting. I'm a cook myself, and I tend to be scatter brained in the kitchen. I use it to remind me when I put something in to bake etc. I also use it to remind me of appt times etc.

[@Jollopukki2]

Any updates about insert for Orient Triton ?

[@islandwatch]

Not yet.

[@ricktemmen6272]

It let's me know how long I've been jogging 😎👍

[@martincallery8862]

Great video Mark. Many thanks fella

[@islandwatch]

Thanks for watching.

[@indaleciomendez8442]

I wish you could've used a citizen promaster BN0150-28E so you can also explain what the latter's and numbers on the side of the rubber strap mean?

[@islandwatch]

No deco times

[@Sandman.68.]

Great video 👍I'm no diver, but I use my 'perfect rice' bezel all the time 😁

[@TamagoTamago77]

I'm so excited to recieve my SKX009J which I ordered from your shop. Thanks for all the great tutorials. I'd like to be able to use my watch properly, so this is perfect!

[@hans.lankamp]

So a Rolex Submariner doesn't have ISO 6425 specs, because their bezels don't have 1 minute increments?

[@5hanman]

Hans Lankamp Rolex never claimed that their watches meet ISO 6425 requirements

[@hans.lankamp]

@@5hanman I know, just thought it was interesting as they're "the iconic dive watch"

[@5hanman]

Yes, I guess you don’t need certification when you’re an icon and have been the watch of choice of professional divers for decades.

[@drgjs]

All a diver needs is a timer. Certification is silly. Serious divers used a computer and a back up computer. Computers monitor changes in depth many times a minute, which gives you a better/safer picture of nitrogen build up on your blood. The original navy dive tables assumed no change in depth, and was tried/tested on humans!

[@hans.lankamp]

@@drgjs Very true, but I feel like this argument is the equivalent of "your phone tells the time". Great for putting discussions into the bigger picture, but doesn't really solve the thing at hand.

[@perfectwatchquest3091]

Congrats on the cert! I often thought about it...but 🦈🦈🦈. Watch out! I think we are now on their food chain.

[@islandwatch]

Do it !!!!

[@MMID303]

I love dive watches! I've never dived in my life...I can't even swim!

[@rickewilde]

Now I know.thanks for that.i can speak with knowledge now.one question,I was told that the Pepsi bezel has a red section of 20min because a typical air tank contains that much air supply...Is thst not true?

[@digginstony1]

Not true. Though 20 minutes is a fairly safe driving time. Your oxygen supply will depend on how fast you breathe. Mark's quotation of 60 feet is a fairly average dive depth. 60 metres and an experienced diver would only be at that depth for a short period, unless using twin tanks.

[@kootch88]

Rick wallace, all depends on depth. 20 minutes would be a very short dive even at 60’

[@islandwatch]

NOT TRUE AT ALL. At 60 feet you can stay down for like 55 minutes and still have air. At 100 feet much less. But air usage is more about the diver, than it is about the quantity.

[@rickewilde]

@@islandwatch thank you for your reply.and very interesting vid.its good to know these things.

[@rp20832]

Fancy lighting looks fancy :)

[@ScotlandTheBrave_1]

I have no idea how diving works I just clicked this video cause I thought it was interesting. Surely this information is useless once you come back up to the surface? What do you do with this information afterwards? Thanks!

[@steveb4012]

Excellent video Mark, very Informative. I'm not a diver but gravitate towards dive watches. So will the bezel help me calculate how long I can stay in the shower or bath? 😀

[@jimfeldman4035]

Been using multi compartment dive comps since the mid '90s. I'll wear a dive watch, and carry the tables in a BC pocket, but they're only there in case the comp goes into timer/depth gauge mode, or just quits. They are handy for doing surface intervals, but most dive computers will let you do that plan too.

[@islandwatch]

Right on. Maybe that's in a future video.

[@innosanto]

Skx is visually a masterpiece.

[@aumkar2]

Cool stuff Marc, congratulations!

[@weldmishref]

👍🏻 but what about the 15 minutes highlighted in red in some watches or Pepsi SKX

[@lantzmania2069]

Such a great video as always!! I took my Orient Diver into a Ocean...front view hot tub in Santa Cruz 🤣 true story

[@emiltennismethod8544]

this is great stuff man ! Thanks for going over it !

[@dustinwray2819]

Great photo on your certification. Reminds me of my drivers license. lol

[@islandwatch]

LOL, thanks.

[@manny7886]

I didn't know why I watched this video because I don't even let myself get close to a swimming pool let alone go diving. All I knew was it was a video from Marc, therefore I have to watch it. It's ironic that diver watches are my favorite kind of watches.

[@islandwatch]

LOL

[@jamesmacdonald9516]

Had to laugh when I saw that the black turtle’s dual time bezel on the poster is misaligned. 😂

[@ThroatSore]

Good discourse of your experiance. This was interesting and thanks.

[@matthewgates4130]

I use my bezel multiple times daily. Perfect for woodworking...

[@TheMrFishnDucks]

Thank you for the video. Keep up the good work.

[@islandwatch]

Thank you.

[@kimsiewers]

It's correct that divers use computers today. If you want a backup diving watch, buy a Pyle snorkeling/dive watch PSNKW30O (amazon, walmart). Diver wristwatches are for telling time these days but they're still great.

[@islandwatch]

Thank you!

[@digginstony1]

That's a great instructive video

[@islandwatch]

Thank Tony!

[@gabrielreyes5910]

How much the skx007 j1 sit

[@MS-sy8ls]

Nearly at 100k 😎😎😎

[@islandwatch]

Gettin' there!

[@Mark-P]

Is it the same for desk diving?

[@BeckVMH]

Mark P ... no, not nearly as complicated. And you can use the dive planner chart for a coaster.

[@islandwatch]

LOL. Depends how deep in the books you're going.

[@Mark-P]

Long Island Watch I hope the LIW has a bezel!

[@JHunt6352]

Non-divers can use rotating bezel for: -countdown -countup -second time zone -compass

[@roberthudson8172]

I find the bezel to be useful. For instance, if my personal best for a certain activity is 3 minutes I can use it to keep track of improvements. 🤪

[@gogoat100]

can you do one charcoal vs gas ?

[@islandwatch]

I always use gas.

[@Santa1936]

The unidirectional thing totally makes sense now

[@provuksmc6619]

You could also use the bezel for the safety stop

[@metallicarockacion]

Great Info

[@hsj333hsj]

1:20 😂, we love you Marc!

[@islandwatch]

: - )

[@bubbab7792]

👍👍👍 Suunto has several pending on your experience.

[@islandwatch]

Thanks, will check them out

[@HarryStoneDotCom]

Suunto are quite well made and used to be something of an industry standard. They use a different deco algorithm to everyone else (which is largely based on an existing model -the reduced gradient bubble model, or RGBM). Some people swear by it, but its main practical advantage, as I see it, is that lots of other people you dive with will be using the same algorithm owing to the proliferation of Suunto dive computers. Well, that used to be true, it is getting less. The disadvantage is that the theory behind the algorithm is not as accepted or popular as some other models. Deco theory is always just that, a theory. Also, you should not be pushing limits in recreational diving anyway, deco model differences do not matter so much because you are not ever supposed to be going into deco. Personally I always recommend computers with Bühlmann ZHL-16C (preferably with gradient factors) for recreational diving, as I feel it is a better, more established and trusted deco model. If I had to recommend a brand it would currently be Shearwater, I don't think any other computers come close in the market right now. They are comparatively expensive, however, and there are many other simpler and cheaper alternatives available for more casual or less frequent divers. I usually try and steer people away from Suunto because of the algorithm they use, their lockout method, and their price. I have used them extensively in the past and just feel there are better options.

[@eyeheartsushi2212]

Well I definitely learned something today. Thanks, Marc!

[@islandwatch]

Great to hear, thank you.

[@eyeheartsushi2212]

Long Island Watch You’re welcome

[@danielfrancis3660]

Is a bezel absolutely essential to measure elapsed time?

[@AL5J_]

Great video for us who actually use a dive watch for its intended purpose as a back up to dive computers (yes plural). #TwoIsOne #OneIsNone #MasterDiver #PADI #NAUI

[@spacecatboy2962]

great clear explination, thanks

[@spencerlee7852]

So why use a dive watch when you can use a chronograph? Don't they have the same function?

[@AL5J_]

Using the pushers while submerged allows water to enter the watch.

[@KakashiHatake-ou7mp]

What's the difference between 60 and 120 click bezel? Is the latter meant to time 30 second intervals?

[@islandwatch]

120 click just is finer rotation. It's not necessary

[@KakashiHatake-ou7mp]

@@islandwatch so that it feels a lot smoother?

[@peterC12221]

Super interesting! Many thanks for explaining. 👊

[@islandwatch]

Thanks for watching.

[@chancevonfreund9145]

Question in the old days without computers how could you confirm how deep you went?

[@Silver-st2zq]

Nice to know what the timer is for 👍 even if only use mine to remind me when my parking ticking expires.

[@islandwatch]

Yup!

[@HarryStoneDotCom]

But what if the dive leader wasn't there on your first dive? That bezel was also used to ensure you didn't go over your NDL on that dive. The dive would be planned with tables, maximum depth, and the time you could stay there. The bezel was set at the beginning of the dive so you knew when to come up as per your plan. Nobody really does this now because it is so inflexible, particularly if you don't stay at your max depth. Computers can work out your NDL on the fly. It is still good practice to be able use tables, and to know the NDL for your max depth, but many people do just rely on their computer nowadays (rightly or wrongly). I still use a dive watch, and find it indispensable when teaching. The majority of dive computers do not show seconds because minutes are as fine scale as you need even for technical diving. However, during several skills in training, as you may recall, timing to the second is necessary. Watches are much handier for this purpose than stopwatches, I find. Other than that dive watches are indeed completely redundant underwater, save for looking retro cool. 😊 On the subject of retro chic underwater, please Marc, if I can give you any advice as a new diver, do not buy a massive dive knife and strap it to the outside of your lower leg!

[@islandwatch]

Thanks Harry! Sounds like you know what you're talking about!