The Best Dive Watches from an Actual Diver

[@JogieGlenMait16]

Technically an actual diver but not the caliber that I expected. The episode sounds like Hodinkee too.

[@TH-jq8gx]

Click Bait. I thought this would be the watch collection of an expert diver with dozens of years of experience. Not a newbie.

[@94SexyStang]

Agree, many Seikos are NOT even ISO compliant for diving, they are "diving-style". Lol.....and the Real driving point for this clown being a newbie is Not having a Citizen.....they are much better known for diving watches than seiko for Real actual divers.

[@marcosdoyter7460]

I can tell you one thing. Deep sea divers wear diving computers by Suunto. Some of them also wear quartz Citizen watches as a backup. Other thing, mountaineers and adventurers don’t wear Rolex Explorer. They wear Casio G-Shock. There is a world of critical and tactical missions. In that world, people don’t rely on luxury mechanical watches. Panerai and Rolex have no chance in that world. Just being honest.

[@Skipjack14]

Yet, the speedmaster has been chosen to be used in one of the most professional surroundings/operations.

[@marcosdoyter7460]

@@Skipjack14 No doubt the luxury maisons produce high quality and reliable machines. However, I think there is a lot of marketing made by those maisons. And brands like Suunto, Casio and Luminox don't properly work their marketing. A Casio G-Shock features mud resistance, altimeter, barometer, digital compass, solar battery, high precision, resistance to mud, etc. A famous sailor in the 90s, called Amir Klink, was then a Rolex ambassador. He confessed in an interview that the high precision of a quartz movement watch was vital to his operations, since he had to calculate routes across the oceans. Therefore, he had never wore Rolex in his expeditions. Personally, I am a big enthusiast of Panerai, but I would wear what the best in the world wear in those critical tasks.

[@Hereward47]

@@Skipjack14If you are referring to them being used in the 60s by NASA, do some research the Casio G shock has been taken into space many many more times. And for good reason.

[@kaczynski2333]

​@Hereward47 the Speedmaster X33 is currently NASA's official watch. What was that about research?

[@JKnox63]

Active duty here and currently in the desert…I can tell you for an absolute fact mechanical watches by Rolex, Tudor, and others are most certainly in very common use by all echelons of SOF and regular line guys. I wear a GMT every single day to track time back home with my family. I use a Garmin Instinct for working out, but Im not relying on a battery power watch that has to be charged or may run out of battery when needed.

[@sardendibs]

An "actual diver" i.e. some dude who took his Padi last year. I've had an advanced diver certificate for 30 years and I can tell you one thing: A "proper" diver will wear a diving computer and possibly an inexpensive dive watch, like a Seiko, as a backup. But not a Rolex. I like diving watches too, but these days Rolex, Tudor, Blancpain etc. is for desk divers and a few holiday makers who'd rather be Jacques Cousteau. The "luxury divers" of today are essentially jewellery imitations of the tool watches of yesterday.

[@TheDeepTrack]

It's true! It was actually through NAUI, though. Hoping to be an actual diver someday, though 👍We all start somewhere. I do dive with a diving computer, but it's also fun to enjoy the experience with a range of watches as well, as that was a big motivating factor for me to get certified.

[@joek2488]

This is more spot on. As a diver for close to 40 years my go to is a computer and a Seiko turtle. I bang my watch against equipment all the time and so (relatively) cheap and reliable is the way to go for me.

[@jpb9481]

Jewellery imitation of watches of yesterday is the best way ive ever heard that put

[@sinjinadams2862]

It is really crazy how a purpose built high end tool watch made specifically for professional divers has now turned into a piece of luxury jewelry.

[@ragetobe]

I’m a diving instructor, for over 30 years all over the world, I’m 52. When I go on holiday I wear my sub diving. I’m not alone, it’s a very simple method especially if only doing a 2 dive day. I wouldn’t teach with a watch as my main device but I do use a watch as my backup.

[@sdmotpa]

I was expecting a badass saturation diver with some crazy stories 😂

[@mikekilby9785]

I thought it was just me😂😂😂😂

[@jeeperspeepers8323]

Just another boring ass vid from Chrono 24.

[@scwazrh]

@@jeeperspeepers8323but you still clicked on it and commented 😂

[@carlfudge3068]

A deep dive on tool watches from a bloke who's been in a swimming pool, once

[@Underfighter73]

😂😂😂

[@scottparrish5992]

Certified recreational diver since 1979. I still have my first dive watch, a Seiko 6309 that I bought at the PX on Camp Zama, Japan where I was stationed. Have not used a dive watch underwater since the late 90s. I often use 2 dive computers: one on my wrist and the other attached securely to my BC. The idea of a "best" dive watch for diving makes absolutely no sense to me. The best dive "watch" is a computer. I leave my watches in the case when I go on a dive trip.

[@marcosf7554]

you read my mind🤣 called it like it is!

[@anonimushbosh]

Fun fact The reason a dive watch needs to be water resistant isn't so that it's useful under water but so the diver doesn't need to look for somewhere safe to leave it each time he goes diving or in the water. Glad to be of help to all those wondering.

[@anonimushbosh]

Or she - I should have added 😬

[@sinjinadams2862]

Fun fact That is absolutely untrue and a completely ridiculous statement! Hope this helps to all those wondering.

[@casualsuede]

I've had my PADI Open water certification for about 10 years and met divers from every continent. Many of them have fancy dive watches, myself included, but i've never seen a diver use it for diving. I myself, owned a Seamaster and still own a Aquaracer and it has gone swimming with me but never diving. I used a deep blue as my diver, a $200 watch.

[@Obsid_Ian]

I've been diving since 1988 and use a Suunto dive computer and a Tag Heuer since 2000 as a back up timer incase my computer battery dies. This guy is a watch collector first and a hobby diver second.

[@floridaman727]

Full size pelagos. Clasp is actually very useful when diving and it’s very legible. Only watch I dive with anymore

[@larryp.450]

As diver with advanced certifications since 1985, dive computers are the safest choice, accompanied by a cheap watch backup. I once tore a crown off of a Certina Diver as I was climbing back aboard after a dive. From then on, a crown guard was mandatory. I wore many Seiko’s (including my beloved Capt. Willard) for many decades, among others. Other great features are in-directional bezel, and diver extension or an oversized rubber strap for better usability.

[@Therealgdoesgshit]

Dude started diving to justify his watches

[@HSalamista]

Hey, for a professional diver, I believe the Sinn UX Hydro is unbeatable in legibility under water! (Oil filled watch with high torque quartz movement)

[@cdm765]

Longtime diver, and always enjoy wearing a mechanical dive watch. Do whatever makes you happy.

[@chrisp.5272]

I’d like to become an underwater welder in the Seattle area, and when I do become certified, I’ll wear my Casio Duro, Steeldive 1953, Citizen Pro-master or equivalent Lorus/Orient dive watch. I feel all you really need is a Casio MRW-200H and a Dive Computer.

[@VinitAwatramani]

Original Pelagos FTW!🙌

[@HRM.H]

KZbin didnt give a notification for this video... the FXD seems like the perfect divewatch. Lightweight, robust and accurate

[@Batten-jc6ws]

As a watch enthusiast and former scuba instructor (PADI AND SSI), I used to cringe when a student would show up for training wearing a high end diver style watch like an Omega Seamaster or a Rolex Sub. I would warn them that there were lots of things that could damage or destroy those watches. Usually, most students would heed my advice. I remember one student in particular who was wearing a James Bond edition Omega Seamaster during open water training in a rocky environment. After the first dive, it was scratched up horribly. By the end of the second dive, he had smashed the crystal and effectively ruined a $2500 watch. Most dive instructors that I worked with wore cheap rubber Casios and Timex Ironman watches. Less than $30 bucks and never had one leak or stop working. I saved my Doxa and Breitling for when I was on shore or doing light diving by myself.

[@bigdaddy1217]

He is a recreational diver people. He never said he was a professional diver. Open ocean certification is the second cert for a recreational diver. Nice dive watch collection!

[@peterhong9676]

A serious diver will likely use two dive computers instead of an expensive dive watch. It would be too much trouble to keep an eye on a Rolex dive watch all the time in one of those remote resorts with low-security setup. 🙂

[@ragetobe]

I disagree, I do it 3-4 times a year on holiday. I’m a diving instructor for over 30 years and I use a watch for simplicity. My go to is my Sub of which I have had several. You don’t need a computer for 20-40 meters dives, especially if you are only doing a 2 dive day. All you need is the white chart to calculate your dive time and decomp times and levels. More people should do it so they understand why they do a decomp stop and how one dive affects another. Saturation diving is something else and I do use 2 computers here especially if I am teaching.

[@R2G-89]

@@ragetobe I agree, also, the guy was very honest and said he was an open water diver, which means he only goes 40m deep. You don’t need 2 dive computers for that, hell I don’t think you need one if you know the spot you are diving is no deeper than 20m for example, you just need to know your dive time.

[@RabbitWatchShop]

@@ragetobe. Dingleberry, he’s talking about what professional divers wear ON AVERAGE, not exceptions to the rule like you.

[@rccrawlersmid-wales645]

And 'Shut up, wear a Garmin' would make such a great watch video for a watch channel...

[@ragetobe]

@@RabbitWatchShop I'm no exception, I am surrounded by instructors, reel your head in.

[@Howard24]

I feel like a good analogy to the Rolex submariner would be like a Mercedes G Class. It is very capable doing what it was originally designed for, but its design, price and brand perception has made it so that it’s an aspirational product first and a tool for what it was designed for second nowadays.

[@scwazrh]

I think Range Rover is a better comparison to a submariner.

[@cardinalj]

Get the Sinn UX if you want the dial to pop to the crystal. Oil filled watch it is incredible in the water and out.

[@Chrono24Official]

Superb legibility on that one

[@nate.or.nodate]

Love Blake’s collection! Definitely captures the spirit of what I try to do with my own as well 👊

[@zepafra]

The reason modern omega ploprof has (and always will have) an helium valve is that it’s mandatory nowadays to get the saturation professional diver certification.

[@lordabhikingfisher8087]

I dive regularly and no diver ever wears a analog dive watch if they love their life. All wear a dive computer. Some dive with two dive computers. One in wrist and one integrated with BDC/tank.

[@climb3r18]

Great collection, Blake. For me, having a mechanical watch on my wrist as a back for diving and other activities makes the activity that much more fun.

[@brandonmcneil3555]

Aside from the whole premise of an "actual diver" (guy who got open water certified a few months ago), does it bother anyone else that none of his watches seem to be set to the same time? I've got a few divers myself and have been certified for 20 some odd years. Only thing I ever take with me is my frogman. Next best thing to a dive computer. That said, a very enjoyable video, and not too shabby of a collection. That ploprof is bananas, I love it! I saw the new iteration at an AD a while back. I would never buy one, but it's such a unique piece. Thanks for the great video.

[@DrBob0910]

Thank you, Thomas, for another outstanding video! Appreciate your hard work and professionalism. Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

[@markloubser2433]

Been diving for decades. Would not wear anything i could not afford to smash. Duro or similair is just find.....

[@david.9633]

Thanks for the episode guys

[@markikn3183]

I'd wondered where Blake B had got to, unsighted at W&W for several weeks. Just subbed to Deep Track, sir.

[@richardwarren2024]

Excellent video. Blake has a terrific collection

[@Contemplator24]

Great watch collection but no one goes diving with $10k+ luxury dive watches in the real world. They wear Seiko Prospex or Citizen Promasters.

[@markfitzgibbon8367]

where's the doxa?

[@bobotmeister]

love that he learned to dive to use his watches.

[@777-z1]

Where is Longines Ultra Chron??

[@K.J.H_]

Most dive watches should have bi-directional bezels now. This fringe fantastical scenario they come up with of knocking the bezel and suddenly having no accurate measure of their bottom time is totally unrealistic now. Ive said it before and I'll say it again: no one is relying on these devices to plan and execute a dive. Theyre mostly just expensive egg timers or to keep tabs on the parking meter 😂 Nice showcase of these beautiful watches though 👌

[@patrickjean-philippe7679]

Egg timers 🤣😂🍾🥂🥇👏🏽👍🏽

[@patrickjean-philippe7679]

I always dive with my mechanical watch for fun as our instructors both dive with a mechanical watch and dive computers.

[@gregdegleffetti5406]

No blancpain?

[@bigcosta3478]

Pelagos 42mm..the real OG

[@jonmccarty3116]

Sport diver...ok, there are some commercial divers that make watches. I'm sure you are aware of the Comex commissioned Rolex's from the 70's or so that he showed, Drass, a diving system manufacturer, has a very cool and functional watch, as does JFDs Divex. The former is only given to a purchaser of a multi-million euro saturation dive system, and the latter is a bit over $100. There are also a few of us divers who have commissioned dive watches. Do some research for a good story. That pic of me is beside Cameron's Deep Sea Challenger, in which Rolex did an over-the-top model, one for the trench dive and a more publicly available niche model. However, excellent episode!

[@RagnarHoff]

That's such a solid collection. As a fan of divers myself. You should really check out Muhle Glashutte's dive collection. Unique and so damn cool. I have 2 of them. Sinn's Ezm 13.1 is another unique one i consider myself.

[@solidstream13]

Rolex does make a titanium brushed “submariner” it’s called the yacht master titanium. Unfortunately it’s hard to get retail and aftermarket is $27k+

[@mt24Carson]

The Omega Gen 1 Planet Ocean is a true diver tool watch. The 2231.50 is a good call in titanium. Thanks for the video.

[@ol6309]

No watch has better action than a Rolex Submariner, great collection and video

[@nprwikeepa6082]

Recreational diver for over 20yrs, my best diving watch was an old G-Shock from 2002. Imo, all you need is a backup timer should your computer fail. Last year I was gifted a Pro-Trek with tri-sensor and used the Compass a few times, but it was ultimately a gimmick. If I was ACTUALLY under 100m, I'd more likely get another computer for cheaper than alot of high end dive watches.

[@Bob-ut]

Plenty of serious diver comments. This is his watch show, and very nice collection. Thanks for your journey. This is not how to dive and dive computer show. Seen plenty of people over the years dive with Rolex and other brands underwater. You know what they say about opinions.

[@bertholdbach4959]

Fist sentence and i was already rolling my eyes.

[@erich964]

Blancpain fifty fathoms. Did I miss that part of the video? Isn’t it the oldest dive watch in history? Doesn’t it have the highest end movement of any sport watch? My opinion this is the best dive sport luxury watch money can buy. Forget resale value and status over the Rolex. Watch for Watch pound for pound 50 fathoms is with no equal.

[@cristobalospina620]

Beautiful collection. Would like to have seen Glashutte SeaQ and Blancpain mixed in there.

[@pixseedust4140]

To not include Citizen is a big mistake.

[@ImTheDudeMan471]

Someone put a tire pressure guage in your collection with the name "Sinn" on it..

[@OmegaCaldereroid]

wow... your collection reminds me of mine 😂... being a non-diver, i love divers' watches... NDsub, ploprof1200m, PO Crono cal 9300, SMP300 chronos, blue pelagos, DSSD 116660, PAM24, I even have a Charmex20,000ft, among others, i really want a Sinn though... yet still not dive 😂 just realized you have the titanium ploprof, i love it more than my stainless one coz of no-date and display caseback, i just love the heft coz i love big and heavy, like me 😂

[@JaredBalmer]

Definitely into the prospexs, also ordered form Exquisite Timepieces today!

[@oliverwiegand1690]

No Blancpain Fifty Fathoms in the selection?

[@webbezzy]

What was Daytona doing in the shots?! 😅

[@Pstar420]

No love for citizen promaster dive😢

[@brunogravena9742]

Like the collection, if you’re really into divers there’s need to be a Panerai in there

[@theloudestgun]

Great watch collection. I love dive watches 👍

[@swampThaang]

I'd be interested in a "deep dive" on the positioning of the Fifty Fathoms. At some point watch nerds will want to move beyond the ubiquitous Sub and this comes to mind. But while it is a seductive proposition, the idea of a tool watch with such a high price point and that level of decoration kind of doesn't make sense. Then there is the limited editions. The ultimate/first diver but also the epitome of a diver you would never dive with.

[@boop8621]

This “actual diver” is a watch shill

[@ronjohnson8119]

No Orients?

[@sinjinadams2862]

My dream/fantasy watch has always been a Rolex Submariner in Titanium. Now that Rolex has made the Yacht Master, maybe the Sub will be next.

[@jesuisnoach]

Seiko 62 MAS should be here as well.

[@BAF605]

I'm not buying the story that the French Navy needs the TUDOR FXD as an indispensable underwater navigational tool, or that they couldn't do as well with a G-Shock. Can you imagine a special forces diver throwing a hissy fit, or refusing to go on an op because his FXD is unserviceable.😂😂 The FXD in both forms is a great watch and a clever marketing idea. Interesting video but this take is very much that of a newly qualified recreational diver which isn't so different from somebody who just likes dive watches.

[@runningrobot7393]

I have an open water certification for 20 years but I have not dive for a really long time. I do rock an all black limited edition Seiko Turtle daily. So I am considered a diver rocking a diver? 😂😂

[@alunjones2550]

I still laugh at Rolex calling its dive watch "Submariner". If I was a submariner and I was swimming in water, I think I'd have other things to worry about than my watch not working.......🙂

[@ajayr.5706]

Seiko makes the best dive watches. Seiko covers all style and price ranges.

[@abcdLeeXY]

I also wear my Daytona cause I’m a semi pro driver on Sunday mornings

[@LisaHolmes-zp1zp]

They allowed this! He just got his open water

[@simonmontoni5355]

what Rolex is doing is just perfect for the times we are living in, they just realise that people is basically stupid and they are only taking advantage of that for them own benefit. Nothing new, they are just in the right place at the right time.

[@brendonmorici1922]

Did he say Omega was mid range dear lord

[@ericb8888]

Nice guy and nice watches. For the working divers amongst us … how can we tell that he’s more collector than “ bubblehead “ ? No Citizen ;)

[@BAF605]

You took the words out of my mouth and I'm only recreational!!

[@ericb8888]

At least you dive ;) The crew , dive tenders and divers on Cousteau’s Calypso all wore the same watch - Citizen Aqualand JP 2000.

[@dgoughnour16]

Citizen promaster eco drive . Can’t beat it for the price; if you break it you just go buy another

[@provuksmc6619]

OWD... Thats like the bare minimum to call yourself a diver and is still far away from a professional diver... No diver uses a dive watch... They use computers. Maybe high end dmart watches like the Garmin Descent...

[@d.kashani]

i love dive watches

[@shteinpaul]

FXD is not capable of doing things as advertised. I just sent mine to a warranty service.

[@directdirector]

That’s too bad. Was interested in getting one of these as a beater. What was the issue that you had to send one in.

[@PS987654321PS]

@@directdirectorHe's lying.

[@PS987654321PS]

Liar.

[@JustMeTalking]

Nearest my Omega Seamaster 300 Chronograph gets to deep water, is flushing the toilet.

[@georgecupac1202]

I would NOT take a $40k Rolex diving. who even has that type of money to throw away?

[@WatchesBeAwesome]

Thanks for the great content! Ignore the d-bags!

[@cartesian_doubt6230]

Tudor Pelagos isn't even ISO 6425 rated

[@Rodisflawless]

So tired of Tudor. And so are other people given the declining sales figures.

[@Peanutdenver]

Tudor makes a solid watch as far as quality and movement is concerned, but I'm with you on this thought train, I'm tired of hearing and seeing about Tudor watches. Imo Tudor is overhyped and is very plain jane in term of looks. They are the step child of Rolex with all the hand me downs. To each his/her own though...and freedom of choice is a good thing.

[@ragetobe]

Why are Tudor dive watches so thick? I’ve had them and they are sold, back to the Sub. The sub does its job and I dive with it. Diving with a watch is not magic or even hard. 200m is not a dive watch, 300m is a dive watch. I’m not making the rules, check the recommendations, 20atm is for swimming and snorkelling.

[@SB-Kiwi]

Incorrect. ISO 6425 standards state that 100 meters is the minimum depth for a dive watch. After an initial condensation test the watch is subject to an overpressure of plus 25% of the stated pressure rating before being tested for condensation for a second time. Obviously the minimum 100 meters would only cover scuba and not saturation diving.

[@ragetobe]

@@SB-Kiwi You can state standards all you want, I've had several watches given out on me, unless they are rated 300m I don't bother anymore. You can sit there with your stat sheet and I will tell you about real-world use. Well done though, you can copy and paste like a champion. I have not done any saturation diving for years. I am a fully qualified instructor and have been for over 30 years. I have had many many dive watches, I know what works and what doesn't. A watch rated at 100m is not a dive watch.

[@SB-Kiwi]

@@ragetobe calm down, bud. I didn't copy and paste shite. I too dive and have done since I was 14 so ease up there, tiger. I was simply stating what the ISO standards are. I've never had a watch give out on me which was ISO rated whether 100 meters or 1200 meters so long as I've kept on top of seals. Dived plenty with g-shocks, casio, seiko, rolex, omega and certina. Never had an issue.

[@ragetobe]

@@SB-Kiwi Calm down yourself. I've had several 200m watches close to new blow, forget 100m they are not worth it. Your personal experience is yours, I'm surrounded by divers every day and we all use watches as back up, not one of us would ever use anything under 300m because you know, why risk your life on something cheap and nasty. But don't let my experience get in your way, natural selection is a thing and you are proof of it :)

[@SB-Kiwi]

@@ragetobe you're a tuff guy behind your keyboard eh mate? Nasty piece of work too. Bell end.

[@automaticraccon]

This is embarrassing.

[@edgarnava6576]

How can he afford all those watches?😁

[@adamwynyard4065]

Joke title

[@GKyriakis1]

Same watches/brands again and again...