Would you wear this? (No bezel 300 professional diver)

[Annapolis]

A random thought that wended its way into my head.

If Omega did a no-bezel sports watch (basically an Aqua Terra) that had the wave dial and skeleton hands and diver indices of the new 300m professionals, would you like that? I’m thinking here, I suppose, about what Tudor did with the BB Heritage line.

I myself am not sure how I’d feel about this. And I lack the photoshop skills to do a mock-up.

 

[Annapolis]

—since it wouldn’t be a true-to-purpose dive watch, I suppose we could do away with the He valve.

 

[janice&fred]

I think Omega already had you beat, hence this one from our collection...wave dial available in various colors including blue, no HEV, skeleton hands, quartz or automatic, screw down crown and factory original so no need for a photoshop mock-up.

 

[Annapolis]

Well, I’ll be. Still a lot to learn here.

 

[Leviathan]

A dive watch without a lumed unidirectional bezel is like a car without a dashboard.

There are certain essential specs every dive watch needs (such as a certain WR rating, lumed hands/indices, a unidirectional bezel, wetsuit extension… etc.).

Now I know that an Omega/Rolex isn’t the ideal dive instrument to take down (especially considering the cost/benefit analysis and worry about a faulty seal etc.). But these watches, albeit luxury items now, must remain true to form and functional, ISO certified dive tools.

Hope this helps, and no I would not buy a dive watch without a functional unidirectional bezel.

 

[Annapolis]

Oh, I understand. Like I said, this wouldn’t be a true-to-purpose dive watch—more a style piece. What you just said is why I’m not sure I’d want one if they made it. But it would look nice—as does the white example shared above. (In the last few minutes I’ve found the reference and am getting educated about it.)

I work with SEALs and other Navy divers who deal with explosive ordnance and underwater demo and construction. Not a single one of them wears a Seamaster (or a Submariner, for that matter) on the job, that I’m aware of. This is a very well-worn subject, but these luxury watches of ours are mostly for style. There are folks here who dive with them—I’ve seen the pictures—but then there also people who post naive questions about whether it’s even safe to go for a swim with them. We can probably relax a little about the orthodoxies. …But again, I think I’m with you.

 

[Leviathan]

Annapolis

Oh, I understand. Like I said, this wouldn’t be a true-to-purpose dive watch—more a style piece. What you just said is why I’m not sure I’d want one if they made it. But it would look nice—as does the white example shared above. (In the last few minutes I’ve found the reference and am getting educated about it.)

I work with SEALs and other Navy divers who deal with explosive ordnance and underwater demo and construction. Not a single one of them wears a Seamaster (or a Submariner, for that matter) on the job, that I’m aware of. This is a very well-worn subject, but these luxury watches of ours are mostly for style. There are folks here who dive with them—I’ve seen the pictures—but then there also people who post naive questions about whether it’s even safe to go for a swim with them. We can probably relax a little about the orthodoxies. …But again, I think I’m with you.

I see your point, and I agree on relaxing some of these horological orthodoxies but I cannot fathom the idea of an Aqua Terra-type watch with skeleton hands, a wave dial, and dive indices.

I’m not sure if I’m conjuring up the right mental image with the description you’ve provided but I’m imagining an absolute mess 😁

 

[Annapolis]

It might be a mess! 😀 But what I’m imagining is kinda like what Janice&Fred posted above. Or, again, like the no-rotating-bezel Tudor BBs, which are pretty sharp, I think.

 

[time flies]

have fun
kfw

 

[Annapolis]

Those are nice.

To be clear, I’m thinking specifically about the new SMP ceramic dials with the wave pattern, and their accompanying hands and indices. I’m aware that there are other thematically similar watches out there.

 

[scapa]

Annapolis

Oh, I understand. Like I said, this wouldn’t be a true-to-purpose dive watch—more a style piece. What you just said is why I’m not sure I’d want one if they made it. But it would look nice—as does the white example shared above. (In the last few minutes I’ve found the reference and am getting educated about it.)

I work with SEALs and other Navy divers who deal with explosive ordnance and underwater demo and construction. Not a single one of them wears a Seamaster (or a Submariner, for that matter) on the job, that I’m aware of. This is a very well-worn subject, but these luxury watches of ours are mostly for style. There are folks here who dive with them—I’ve seen the pictures—but then there also people who post naive questions about whether it’s even safe to go for a swim with them. We can probably relax a little about the orthodoxies. …But again, I think I’m with you.

I'm interested to learn about these. I dive with my dive watches, but I also own and love a BB36, which is a terrific all-purpose daily that can go anywhere without my worrying about moisture incursion, etc.

Not sure about the waves on the dial for a an SMP BB 34/36, and feel like Omega may already have their modern version with the AT, but it's an interesting notion. The BB36 has had the field mostly to itself for a while.

 

[Speede]

janice&fred

I think Omega already had you beat, hence this one from our collection...wave dial available in various colors including blue, no HEV, skeleton hands, quartz or automatic, screw down crown and factory original so no need for a photoshop mock-up.

I never knew this existed, I like it.

 

[Longbow]

Annapolis

Those are nice.

To be clear, I’m thinking specifically about the new SMP ceramic dials with the wave pattern, and their accompanying hands and indices. I’m aware that there are other thematically similar watches out there.

Errr

No. Better leave well alone

 

[Annapolis]

I actually don't hate that. Especially if it had a concealed-clasp bracelet like the AT.

Thanks for doing the Photoshop work!

 

[ArmbandUhr69]

A bit of the old form and function. I'd be happy for a dive quality watch without a bezel. Once upon a time I worked in the marine environment and watches get a pounding. I wore my Speedmaster and Seamaster in that environment and while they didn't get physically damaged, water, oil and the like are omni present. In those days there wasn't the compound quartz watches that are favoured today by mariners or SF.
I imagine that if you are a collector you want to collect something that looks the part, whether dress style or associated with trips into space. If it is a tool then function is 100% the requirement and I'd vote no bezel in todays world as we have specialist instruments that replace the function of the bezel.

 

[Donn Chambers]

No, because I like the bezel on a dive watch (it’s useful for timing things on land as well), and if I want a time only watch, I want it thinner and smaller (and 100m water resistance is sufficient.

kinda like this pair:
😉

Edited: Jan 16, 2022

 

[phil0071]

janice&fred

I think Omega already had you beat, hence this one from our collection...wave dial available in various colors including blue, no HEV, skeleton hands, quartz or automatic, screw down crown and factory original so no need for a photoshop mock-up.

What model is this if I may ask?

 

[Foo2rama]

Dive watches without a bezel have a name. Field watches.

 

[janice&fred]

Foo2rama

Dive watches without a bezel have a name. Field watches.

Hence this special "field watch" from Rolex 😁

 

[ArmbandUhr69]

I get a bit of enjoyment over the generic descriptors applied to watch types. Dive watches where maybe 99% of these premier watches don't get wet and field watches (that I prefer for practicality) where you can be under the water and the closest land (field?) is a mile straight down. They certainly were far more accurate descriptions in the 50's and 60's of the use of particular types of case.