Diver’s watches are one of the most popular types of watches in the modern market. The boundless oceans of our planet have been fascinating mankind for centuries, it still holds many secrets today and there is still so much more in the vast ocean left unexplored.
History of the Diver’s Watch seems quite short compared to the history of diving itself, taking us back to the 1920s when tests began on creating a water-resistant watch. But as technology moves on mankind today is not only looking for the endless corners of the ocean but now searching for the best device that will support their underwater ventures.
Although it is still unclear which watch brand created the first diver’s watch as there are a considerable amount of big company names that claimed to create the very first one. As we look into history, we find that the very first attempt in making a water-resistant diver’s watch was in the 17th century, however, it wasn’t a success.
Brief History
The key year in watch history is back in 1926 when Hans Wilsdorf, the founder of Rolex, played a huge role in the very first creation of the diver’s watch. This year, he constructed a watch that was both “waterproof” and “dustproof”. All because of a crown, bezels, and the back case was screwed down. Which is forever known the Rolex Oyster.
The Evolution of the Diver’s Watch
1926 Rolex Oyster
Firmly in line with the first models released back in 1953, the Rolex Submariners’ functionality and vigor swiftly became an Icon. It was originally designed for Divers only, the Submariner is enclosed with its renowned Rolex Oyster Case, with its luminescent hour indicators.
1936 Panerai Prototypes
On the evening of the second world war, Panerai created its first mock-ups of the model now known as “Radiomir” for the frogman commandos of the first Submariner Group Command of the Royal Italian Navy. It is water-resistant to 30 meters, they are named for the radium that makes their dials legible even in murky waters.
1953 Blancpain Fifty Fathoms
Blancpain started back in 1753 by Jehan-Jacques Blancpain. The Blancpain Fifty Fathoms is a deliberate dive watch, aside from the date displayed between the 4 and 5 o’clock indicators, every little detail implemented by the Fifty Fathoms is essential for diving.
1956 Panerai Crown Protection
Panerai received a patent for its curved, crown-protecting bridge. Now a trademark of the company’s Luminor collection, the bridge contains a locking lever that pushes the crown against the case for it fit tightly against the crown’s seals.
1967 Rolex’s First Sea-Dweller
It is a deeper diving version of the Submariner. Distinguished by its features are the helium valve, through which heliums that have entered the watch case during the time spent in a diving chamber can be released. It is formed at the request of the French company COMEX (Compagnie Maritime d’Expertise), which specializes in deep-diving equipment and services.
1996 ISO Invents Dive Watch Standard
Also known as the International Organization for Standardization, defining the features that a watch must have for it to be labeled as a “dive” watch. Which includes the prerequisite for water resistance that it has to be 25 per cent more water-resistant than claimed, comprehensibility underwater, and defiant to shocks and the ability to measure elapsed time.
2009 CX Swiss Military 20,000 Feet
What does an individual do when they find themselves the need to dive down to a depth of 20,000 feet? Several years ago, Montres Charmex decided that this was a task that needed to be done. Thus making the world-record-holding watch that can withstand 6,000 meters.
Recent – Richard Mille Automatic Chronograph Diver
Now into the present time with the most ridiculously expensive diving watch ever created, and of course its limited edition. The RM-032 is an extraordinarily expensive watch that justifies its price complete with its titanium body for withholding immense pressure underwater, it is also water-resistant up to 300 meters, and the popular Caliber RMAC2 automatic winding movement.
Takeaway
Originally, diver’s watches were constructed to fulfil a specific purpose. Ironically, the fact that divers watch wasn’t considered to be a collector’s item in the past, nowadays you’ll find diver’s watches made decades ago can only be afforded by the richest of the rich.
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