OT: Waterproof Watches
 

As hubby has now lost about the 5th watch to water damage and his birthday is coming shortly, I figure it's time to get him the best waterproof watch ever. Anybody have any suggestions about the best ones? I figure some of the divers out there probably have a suggestion or two. Don't want large and bulky but definately need waterproof.

Help!

TAG Heuer - Had mine for 6 years now and no water problems. Expensive, but not Rolex expensive. Probably in the $300-2000 range.

I have a Rolex Submariner. I have had it since 1994 and love it! The nice thing about it is you can wear dressed up or in shorts and it looks good either way. All stainless with black face is around $2000-$3000 and they can go all teh way to $7000+ in the Submariner line. Breihtling also makes a beautiful watch. Good luck

I have been very happy with my Luminox, Navy Seal model.

I Agree Too Old Plus the TAG keeps real good time ! :)

There's all kinds and prices out there.
I've had great success with Casio. I bought the first one on 1980 and it remained water resistant until 1998 and I only replaced the battery once in that time period. It had all the usual alarms and timer functions which were used regularly. I did a lot of boating, swimming (no skiing or tubing), work, welding, machining, etc with it. It took a real beating and never let me down. It still has the original band and pins.
My current Casio has, so far, been the same. I use the timer, alarm and memory functions on a daily basis and haven't changed batteries yet. Still water resistant for the past four years. I expect it'll stay that way.
Casio make some very good looking watches. Check'em out. ;)

I may seem cheap recomending a a Casio but I cannot justify spending 2K-3K+ for a Rolex. I know Rolex makes fine watches but to me they're just a status symbol.

Skagen
Between $100 - $500
Marshall Fields carries them
When you replace the battery, get a new gasket.

Speedbump,

Leave the shiny watch on the beach. Go with the Casio G-Shock. It's only $60 bucks and will last forever. My curretn G-Shock is 5 years old and has been over 100 feet deep and on the boat many summers now and is still working perfectly. Not as "bling bling" as the TAG or Rolex but much more practical.

Or not.

omega...i think 1500ish and up...dre wears a new alter ego from tag which is very sleek look'n....

if nothing else...make sure it has a good saphire crystal for a face...the SS will scratch prior to the face.

Don't believe the water resistance claims. A watch that says 30 Meters isnt for 30 Meters.

I read an article about the water resistance values and this is basically what they said.

30 Meters - safe to get wet if you wash hands with it.

50 Meters - safe for swimming

100 Meters - safe to swim with snorkling

200 Meters - safe for rec diving.

1000 Meters - safe for deep diving.

The numbers were derived from placing the watch under pressure and looking for leaks. The numbers are only theoretical and good for the watch being completely motionless.

Also the government put a restricition on the word "proof" and made them use resistant instead.

Personally I have a Citizen Chronograph, good to 100 meters. I swim and do what ever with it and havent had any problems. I've had it 3 years and still has the original battery and cost about 100 bucks.

Freckles is right, if you have the battery changed the gasket has to be done too.

Speedbump,
I've had my Tag down to 125' while SCUBA diving with no problem.

I have a Breitling watch and I love it. I wear it all the time and have had it for about five years with no trouble. It's a beautiful looking watch but a little pricey, about $ 4,500.

Check out the Citizen Eco Drive models. Especially the dive watches. It charges the battery by light hitting the face.

Omega Seamaster. Very tough. Made for a marine environment. Good to 300 meters. Save the Rolex for land use... :D

Omega Seamaster Professional Chrono. Great tough watch. Just under $3K. If you don't get the chrono you can save a grand. 300 meters. I've had mine for 4 years and I love it.

Wow Thanks for the recommendations guys! I guess I'll go watch shopping this week (b-day is the 12th).

However, no offense...if I had $4,000 I'd get a couple of enhancements and not a watch:D

Thanks again! Off to shop...ugh not my favorite thing to do:rolleyes:

Good luck! ENHANCEMENTS ARE COOL!;) :D

Kirch and Seanclong...you know what's up!!..you'll pull the skin right off you arm before u bust the band or scratch the face. i don't like to have to remove my watch to wrench...can't tell ya how many good watches i've had...this by far is the plainest but most functional one i have owned. check out the locking system on it...

Freestyle makes inexpensive waterproof waches that are pretty stylish and scratch resistant. Ive had mine down to 130ft. with no problem

Get that free watch that comes with the Mag. Subscription :D:D

I would go with the Rolex or Tag. Rolex has the best crystal. If it ever gets scratched they will replace it free of charge :D:D

I realy love my 3 meter TIMEX. Most K-Marts have them.

I destroyed 24 watches before buying my TAG in 1995. I never take it off. I wear it during sports, the gym, the shower, to sleep, skiing, boating, scube diving, etc. and it's in perfect shape. No scratches on the face, bracelet, etc. and it has never broken. I love it. I can't recommend them strongly enough.

I have Rolex GMT Master, it is all stainless with black face and bezel. I have abused the crap out of it and it has held up, although it did get a little moisture in it when we went to Hawaii this past winter. I sent it back to Rolex and they took care of it.

I must be the only one who killed the Tag...Had it fixed, but since have purchased a Seiko Dive watch $350. and it has become my all around watch and very happy with it.

TAG ALL THE WAY!
 

I have had my Tag for four years now and it still looks great and keeps time like a champ... Water, sun, sand, snow.... whatever you put it through I guarantee it will hold up. I am still surprised I have not cracked the face on it... I am always banging my wrist on things...:rolleyes: :)

Try a scuba shop, thats were I buy all my watches from.
Good Luck
David

i have had my submariner for over 12 years and i wear it every day while rigging boats,or anything else i do ,and it still looks great indstructable !!!! but they were much cheeper when i got mine
:D

Wait a minute! Why do you folks need a watch on the water anyhow? I just go by island time for the most part. Only time I need to know is time for more gas.

I've had a Wenger Swiss Army watch with a white face and SS case and band literally on my wrist for 8 years straight, in the shower, swimming, wrenching, etc. Probably costs around $150 or less. It has stayed waterproof the entire time. Looks like this

Two words..Armitron and K-Mart. $19.95 lasts a few years and toss it away. You loose it ...no big deal.;) Waterproof to 165ft.

Re: TAG ALL THE WAY!
 

DOH!! :eek: :eek: :D ;)

My Seiko Kinetic has been great these past 4 years.....Has no battery....winds automatically with the normal movement of you hand.....

If you can find one get a stainless Rolex Daytona. They are not TOO flashy but people that know watches know that this watch is everything you'd want. I wear mine almost all the time (at the river, in the ocean, etc etc) I also have a breitling Navitimer that has been a very very good watch. the same applies as stated above; rare and not TOO flashy. And no Nort you can't have it!!:D :D

You could buy one of the g shocks or what ever for under 100 bucks, but why not have something that is nice....You work hard, you deserve it!

Tank

I used to live and Travel outside the States a lot, The good thing about a decent watch is you can sell it to get home. In worst case of theft of Money and Cards! It’s like Money World Wide Try that with a Timex:D

one word BULOVA It"s good for 100m marine lens all stainless with blue face it's been overboard with me at 67mph in ht tubs 104temp it;s 3 yrs old runs fine about $100to160 I think. good luck and let us know what you buy? see ya art

I have worn wristwatches 24/7 since I got my first decent watch in first grade ( a Clinton self-winding that came packaged IN WATER). I have been hard on watches, too with lots and lots of waterskiing and tubing and also dirtbike riding/racing (no didn't wear watched while racing, but did while practicing). I've used jackhammers and air chisels while wearing watches, too.

I have owned several Seiko 100meter dive watches (price $125 to $300) and have found them to be very rugged. They have a mineral crystal (very hard and scratch resistant) and it is mounted flush with the minute ring which makes it hard to smack it on stuff. I did find that the crystal would indeed pit if you regularly arc welded while wearing it, though. The crown/stem is a screw-in type that keeps the water out and is protected by the case to keep it from getting knocked off. I have never dived (as in SCUBA) in one of these watches, but I owned two of these and never managed to damage either one ('cept for the welding pits). The all-stainless one still polishes up and looks real nice. I wear it to the beach to this day (it is 22 years old).

I also have a $900 TAG/Heuer, but never wear it. It was a gift and it stays in the closet, but I have no question to its durability. It is a nice durable watch.

I regularly wear a 2-tone Rolex, and have put it through the same water torture as my seikos. The crystal is easy to smash against stuff and while Rolex will replace it free if you scratch it, they will not do so for a chip or if you break it (which I have done). The stem is also easy to hit on things (but it also screws in for water resistance).

I have a gold Rolex for when I am not going to work on engines and such, and have taken it swimming and jetskiing often wito no troubles.

As somebody mentioned, the Submariner Rolex is virtually indestructible but like all Rolexes they cost more than they should.

My vote is the "Sport100" series Seiko diver watch. They make it in many styles and they are a tough tough watch (the gold-tone will wear off, so you may want to lean towards the all stainless models if your man is hard on watches).

I have to put another one if for the Casio G Shock's. Very inexpencive (bought mine for 32 bucks on ebay) and has held up to the hell I put my watches though for 3 years now. Still looks and functions great!!
I may be a cheap ass but I hate thinks that break all the time :D

Bad ass, super tough, over priced and slightly ugly but I love it watch.

If you want to buy a Rolex, go to an authorized dealer like Carlyle and Co. and ask if they have any used. Some dealers take trade-ins up to five years old. Its a good way to save money and they will waranty it for a year. I bought a 2001 Rolex datejust, jubilee band with white gold for $2100. It sells new for $3500. You couldnt tell the difference between it and a new one.

I'm with Sydewaz. When it gets dark go home...... or to sleep what ever suits the day of the week it is. I have a Casio lcd digital calculator watch with a decoder ring built in ......I got it out of a box of Captain Morga.....Crunch, yea Crunch. ;) :D