The (Less intimidating) Watch Thread
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@JDelage an ISO 6245 certified watch might make sense if you're planning to actually dive with it. I know that Seiko diving watches meet the standard, as does the Cartier Diver, and a couple of Sinns. I've got a feeling that the Rolex Submariner and Sea Dweller, and the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms might too.
The Sinn U1 starts at $2010 at Watchbuys. The cheapest diver is the EZM 3, which is $1860 at Watchbuys.
Hodinkee's reviewer, Jason Heaton, took the U1 swimming. I always like his write-ups.
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This showed up in my Google newsfeed from an article at Time and Tide. It's the Longines Legend Diver.
Prices start at around $2000, which again puts outside @JDelage's budget. It's got an ETA movement, a compressor case, and 300 metres of water resistance. I think that it's a nice looking piece, and probably works better as a dress watch than the Emile Chouriet Challenger Deep that I posted a few days ago.
Time and Tide have another review, and Hodinkee have a week on the wrist (without any diving).
@DougNg I'd be interested in knowing how some of the non-certified diver's watches stand up to the ISO tests. There are a few things in it, such as anti magnetism, that mechanical movements are quite susceptible to. No, I don't expect you to know the answer, and since I can't actually go scuba diving (asthma), it's pretty pointless for me to worry about.
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If you look at the standard, it has to be relatively antimagnetic:
Magnetic resistance. This is tested by 3 expositions to a direct current magnetic field of 4,800 A/m. The watch must keep its accuracy to ± 30 seconds/day as measured before the test despite the magnetic field.
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Honestly, I doubt there is anything particularly special about an SKX that allowed it to pass the ISO certification
With that being said, I really don't hold ISO certifications in general in very high regard.
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Have you checked out the Seiko JDM models yet?
Yes. Some are very nice. I like the 'titanium shogun' (SBDC029). It a bit wide for my taste but surprisingly thin (13mm). It doesn't use a sapphire crystal though & I'm not sure about the bezel. Still, one cannot beat that name… The SBDC051 is lovely too, but it has an aluminum bezel.... The SBDC047 is gorgeous, and has the right features (sapphire & ceramic), but is very wide. I might make an exception for that one... It's nice and thin so it might be easy to wear.
The tunas are cool looking but unwearable outside of the water.
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It's a little more expensive, but a lot more reliable. I actually got rid of all my other watches, and it's now the only watch I own. I believe it's the 007J or something like that.