Watches - another OCD problem
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The He valve carries cost in terms of initial outlay and maintenance and does nothing but weaken the case for a diving use case that will never be realized for 99.999% of these watches, when better case engineering would solve the problem. We didn't have the materials when these were pioneered that we do now. It is wholly an obsolete and pointless feature.
It's also ugly but that's not the main issue. It's not "just another" crown, it's asymmetric and throws off the balance of the watch.
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My dislike for the HEV is more that it's become a design statement rather than an engineering solution. I find rotating bezels more annoying because they get knocked out of position all the time, and that bothers my OCD tendencies.
To be fair I'm not a fan of divers watches for that reason, plus I'm not allowed to go scuba diving on account of my asthma, so they seem pointless.
As for Omegas, they tend to be quite thick watches. The Planet Ocean is typical of this.
At least with the bezel there are non-diving use cases as well as being a backup to a diving computer. I use my bezel to time things occasionally, which is why I also like chronographs.
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I disagree with that. Everything on my watches has a function that I use. There may be MORE practical options but they are practical.
Practicality is A, not THE, priority for me. Aesthetic balance is too.
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"I have an ugly crown at both 3 and 10 o'clock but I only hate the one at ten because it's a second one.."
Actually, yeah. That pretty much sums it up. I dislike watches with internal rotating bezels for that reason, too.
The one at 3 is necessary, and regularly used, so that makes it acceptable. But ideally, a watch would have no crowns. That's why I like the Pita Barcelona Oceana. I'd like it even better if it weren't so damn tall, though. -
My issue with rotating bezels is that they typically get knocked from being aligned with 12 o'clock to a couple of clicks anticlockwise a few times per day. Then my OCD tendencies cause me to reset it, which means turning it through 350° as it only rotates in one direction.
Further the rotation bezel makes a diver's watch a bit thicker.
I think that something like a Rolex Explorer, JLC Geophysic, or Omega Railmaster is a more sensible option for day to day wear. They're slimmer, so fit under cuffs, don't have an annoying bezel, and are tough enough to stand up to whatever life throws at you. Plus you're not making out that you're a rugged diver. Unless you're Jason Heaton, who actually takes his swimming!
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Further the rotation bezel makes a diver's watch a bit thicker.
I think that something like a Rolex Explorer, JLC Geophysic, or Omega Railmaster is a more sensible option for day to day wear. They're slimmer, so fit under cuffs, don't have an annoying bezel, and are tough enough to stand up to whatever life throws at you.
This is all valid. I think the Railmaster is a great watch, too. But for no valid reason, I prefer divers…
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Interesting article on the topic of He in a completely unrelated way: the impact it has on Apple MEMS componentry, as found in all iOS devices, including the watch, is fatal.
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Wait, what rotating bezels have you had that got knocked out of whack?
I’ve never had that happen except on Seikos because their bezels are so loose.
Super dangerous if actually using to time a dive.
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Wait, what rotating bezels have you had that got knocked out of whack?
I’ve never had that happen except on Seikos because their bezels are so loose.
Super dangerous if actually using to time a dive.
Not really because those bezels are typically unidirectional, and therefore will always ere on the side of shortening your dive.
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…unless it gets whacked all the way around. Some of them (e.g. 50 Fathoms) are so loud you'd hopefully hear it.
