It's a pity that diving watches have fallen out of favor as a result of dive computers and smartwatches, but let's not make a big deal out of it. We should be grateful for some technologies, and computerized diving gear is one of them. Fortunately, dive watches are still as fashionable and valuable nowadays as they were before dive computers and smartwatches entered the picture and sought to kill off these wristwatches completely.
Furthermore, despite a crowded market, those historical events that truly impacted the course of history are not forgotten. Countless reinventions of prominent designs from the past are emerging today. In reality, the industry is continually turning out a mix of new low-cost dive watches and high-end dive tools, many of which are predicated on early ideas that have affected how we sport watches now. Here are a few luxury dive timepieces that encapsulate the diving watch culture's heritage.
Panerai Submersible Automatic
Surprisingly, some of the early histories of Panerai are enshrouded in obscurity. But its provision of dive watch instruments to the Royal Italian Navy, particularly during WWII will never be forgotten. Panerai can claim possession of two trademarked bright materials for boosting visibility in light-limiting conditions: Luminor and Radiomir. The cushion-shaped water-resistant case of many a Panerai timepiece has made for an excellent adjunct to donning atop dive suits over the decades.
Panerai later used these two titles to designate two of its most well-known lines. The Radiomir, which was famous for being used by navy frogmen in the 1930s, and the Submersible, which was distinguished by its distinctive crown protective device. Today, though, we'll be looking at the Submersible. Although Panerai stopped producing dive watches for the navy in the 1990s, the design language of these previous dive watches has largely stayed intact.
It would be wicked not to include the Luminor if we're discussing the Submersible as an industrial symbol. It's because the Submersible inherits a lot of great features from this model's design philosophy. The enormous bridge-like crown of the Luminor is distinctive. Unless the Left-Handed iterations are included, it is controlled by a lever that extends from the right side of the case. These Luminor qualities are carried over to the Panerai Submersible. It has luminescent indexes around the hour track, as well as a date window at 3 o'clock, a little second sub-dial at 9 o'clock, and a pair of illuminating hands.
The initial model was produced in the mid-1990s in response to a request from none other than Sylvester Stallone, the legendary American actor. The yearning for the Panerai Submersible grew as a result of the creation of twelve prototypes. Variations in bronze, Goldtech, and Carbotech™ are now obtainable. If you're looking for a flyback chronograph, the Submersible series can help. Not to mention the Luminor Submersible 1950 versions, which are inspired by historical designs. Certain Submersible watches even come with a 2,500-meter waterproofness rating.
However, none of Panerai's dive watches are more widely attractive than the Submersible 42mm versions, such as the PAM00682. The P.9010 Calibre propels hefty luminescent hands in a 300-meter water-resistant brushed steel casing with a distinctive unidirectional rotating bezel. In addition, this in-house movement provides a 3-day rated power.
Tudor Pelagos
The Tudor Pelagos was initially released in 2012, along with the first of the brand's Heritage Black Bay variants. The Pelagos, on the other hand, ditched the traditional style in favor of a more athletic one. A screw-locked crown, a unidirectional rotating bezel, and a high-contrast display were matched with a 500m waterproofness rating. The Tudor Pelagos declared its existence with authority, despite being supported by its sibling's bank account and having previously relied on Rolex for parts and materials.
Its unmistakable design was here to stay as it drew near to surpassing Rolex's output. In 2015, it replaced its ETA 2824 movement with a home-grown MT5612 Calibre, earning the distinction of being the world's first in-house built movement.
The Pelagos ref. M25600TN-0001 has a case made of grade 5 titanium, which has excellent seawater resistance. Once tied to the wrist, its anti-corrosive characteristics are enhanced by its lightweight lightness. A robust anti-glare sapphire crystal glass face, a diver's bezel with a ceramic matt black disc, and a unique helium escape valve are all featured on the matching titanium band. It's one of the best and most versatile timepieces on the market.
Blancpain Fifty Fathoms
A bit of driving experience is unquestionably necessary to develop a diver's watch that will live up to the hype. Fortunately for Blancpain, its CEO, Jean-Jacques Fiechter, was an avid diver. Captain Robert Maloubier, a French military private detective, met Fiechter in his search for reliable and readable underwater timekeeping equipment to aid the French Navy SEALS in their operations. Fiechter was a man who had a strategy, and he immediately came up with the concepts. He was capable of putting the watch through its paces on his own. His appointment as the company's steward couldn't have come at a better moment. The original model was introduced in 1953, and it has been an excellent demonstration of a classic diving watch ever since.
Sailors have been measuring water depth beneath their keel since the 12th century by casting a series with a lead weight at the end. They could estimate depth per fathom by pulling this rope back up, one unit being equivalent to an average man's arm span. The line's greatest measurement length was 50 fathoms, a designation Blancpain brilliantly borrowed for their specialist series of diving watches.
The Blancpain Fifty Fathoms was made famous by its emphasis on diver's welfare, which left an everlasting impression on history at the time. Its brilliantly constructed unidirectional rotating bezel could only be rotated in one direction, ensuring that dive duration was never unintentionally extended. This ground-breaking innovation ensured that the diver never overstayed his stay underwater, and it went on to become a regular safety element in dive timepieces.
Takeaway
So which among the mentioned dive watches inspired you for your next watch shopping? With a rich history, reliable functionality, and tempting attributes, it’s really hard to say no when one is right in front of you. Just take note that these watches will not only accompany you in diving but with whatever events you’re about to go to. Don’t know where to buy them? Check them out when you visit The Watch Company website.
