Watches
 

I am looking for a watch I can wear while fishing,I am doing some research on this and am looking for some clarification.

According to a website or two a water resistant watch (300 m), can be submerged for 2 hours as long as it is not over 30 meters. Does anyone have any experience with these "water resistant" watches, or would I need a true dive watch when swimming out to rocks?

Greg, call me in a few minutes. I'm leaving work now.

Water resistant can mean many things, you'd have to look at the specs on the specific watch. That being said, if I was going to be swimming in it I'd either want a dive watch or something equivalent. If you're just going for function I think there are some good low cost options out there.

-spence

TIMEX....the watch that keeps on ticking....:)

I've become a bit of a watchsnob ;) the past few years and have looked into this a lot. So I suggest you get a real dive watch that you can beat the snot out of and you'll be fine. You want something seriously rated for 200m depth. A Rolex Sub tool watch from the late 50s, properly sealed, has better dive water resistance than the Fugly Fossil at the mall kiosk.

Next option to consider is movement: Automatic (selfwinding) or Quartz/Battery powered. Autos are typically more money and could use a service every few years if you are really diving, quartz needs a battery replaced every couple years and if not done correctly WILL lose waterproof.

A Seiko Orange or Black Monster is a great piece with long lasting bright lume - $130-180 and a cool watch to wear when not fishing

A Tritium dive watch where the lume lasts for 12 years you could get a Marathon TSAR (great watch, I have one that I use fishing) used for about $250-300 and is built like a tank and used by Canadian Rescue Divers.

I can sell you my old Luminox tritium for $100 with a commercial diver's strap but I cannot guarantee it will be always waterproof as it does not have a screw down crown (important in dive watches). There are better watches out there and what i did not know at first, the SEALS really don't use them (I figured if they were good enough for them then...)

Or you could get a Casio G-Shock for $100 and have a great watch

One recommendation is whatever watch you get, put it on a NATO dive strap - they are both cool and will save your watch if in the water and a springbar fails. Commercial dive strap is extra long and you can put it on the outside of a wetsuit / drytop. These ones are great for $20. You are probably already familiar with them

maratac

Links to big pics:

Orange Monster:

http://linesiders.com/watches/omonster/om-aug11-2.jpg

http://linesiders.com/watches/omonster/om-aug11-3.jpg

Marathon TSAR

http://linesiders.com/watches/tsar/marsar.jpg

Luminox:

http://linesiders.com/watches/lumino...ox-3057-1b.jpg

http://linesiders.com/watches/lumino...057-lume1a.jpg

You probably don't need a dive watch, as they can get pricey and are built to withstand the pressure of being deep underwater. I would go with something like a G-shock, they are a solid watch. I did some snorkeling with mine this year for hours and had no issues...

edit: just read John's post, some good options there for sure! I can't comment on the gshock's lasting power as I just got it this year..

Oh really?

-spence

I am to classic tool watches like you are to Ascots :love:

The thing about a dive watch is that it is sealed in every conceivable place water can enter, have strong casebacks, thick crystals, and screw down crowns - this is vital. I wouldn't go in a pool with something not rated for at least 100m - depth really has nothing to do with it. This is a classic discussion on watch forums. The equivalent of mono or braid.

:nopics:

-spence

I have had my timex iron man for 4 years and beat the #^&#^&#^&#^& out of it. No water problems what's so ever swimming. I like it because I love indiglo as u can actually read the time in the dark. I pull my wetsuit sleeve down over it so I don't have to worry about it popping off swimming
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Second the timex ironman - I have a couple and I never had any issues with mine. They have spent a ton of time in the water doing laps in the pool and wetsuiting...

esreveR bonS
 

I've worn the same battery powered Timex since before 2001. It has a white face, hands and if you push the stem it lights up. I wear it 24/7 and almost never take it off. I think it cost me $25 maybe $30, keeps perfect time and has had a few batteries. I swim to rocks, dive when I swim as far as my lungs let me and wear it in the shower. I replaced another Timex with it because the face was scratched on that twenty year old one. If it dies I'll buy another.

Timex Ironman is a good watch

I'll lead with my ace

http://bostonsports.net/94110/vrf-lastfwruw.jpg

Nice, Tudors are great. I nearly bought one a few years ago.

Ended up with this instead. I don't swim in it ;)

-spence

So this is how you new when to head home when you were in the back seat at the drive-in........:rotf2:

That is actually the watch I wore when I was in the military. It was definately a tough watch.
It stood up to a lot. I only got it wet when it was raining and in the pool during the combat water training, or whatever they called it, but it never gave me an issue. Definately a quality watch , especially for the price.

Who needs a watch, never wore one after age 30.
If you like what your doing stay, if not leave. :)

Nice Speedy - I looked at a pre-moon last year, but decided my first Omega must be a vintage Seamaster 300m - bought a beater but the deal fell thru.

Bought a Tudor Ranger (real ones are rare) instead and flipped that 2 weeks ago. I have another great "birth year" classic I'm rehabbing that will be done this spring.
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you rehabbing watches while doing backups now?

I wish...

I have the king g, beat the snot out of it and its still going strong.
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Spence...Nice piece hands down,to nice for you:rotf2:
If I was a snob with coin I go with a rolex oyster sub.....I'm just a grunt down range so this is what I roll with.
A G-Shock and a Citizens Titanium Eco Drive Dive.

:rotf2:



Both Great pieces

Ummm.... Walmart special. ~$10. surprisingly bulletproof for fishing. Digital, alarms, light. canvas strap which can fit around wetsuit, splash top cuff, bare wrist.


You lose it? no problem.
Battery dies? no problem.

I swim/kayak/leave it ANYWHERE. Things are freaking awesome for $10. I can't kill them until the battery dies, usually 2-3 years. Then just buy another.

if its just for fishing and looks don't really matter, can't go wrong with a g-shock.

if your looking for style, it will all come down to budget and what you like. Seiko diver's 200 is a good watch for the money (~$190, used to be more, discontinued but still easy to find) IMO with a classic dive watch style, and its automatic if you like that. I'd recommend upgrading the strap and springbars. Either a nato as john recommended or a heavier duty rubber strap, which is what I went with as I like the look.

When I have a few bucks I am going to get one of them Orange Monsters!! Thats nice John!

I have G-Shock for boating, fishing, snowboarding, hiking ect. Great watch for the money.

I got a victorinox Swiss army watch from REI a couple years ago and the watch is a tank. The band sucks, but the watch itself is great. Cost around 200 I think. I think they might have stopped making the exact one I wear though. And being rei, if anything goes wrong I get my money back!
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I also use a Victorinox watch. I haven't had any problems with and it is about 5 years old. Plus if I hit my head on a rock, it also looks good to the person saving me.

If you hit your head on a rock, you might damage the rock.

Another satisfied Gshock owner

timex ironman, 30 bucks, i leave it strapped to my commando bag, been using it 3 seasons now, haven't replaced the battery or strap, its always wet and or submerged and if it gets banged up no biggie

Pretty happy with old reliable.

Fish all nite and when you can see it it's time to go

Amazon is currently running a deal on Invicta Pro Diver watches. 4 different color schemes available, $99. They get pretty decent reviews. The supposed $795 retail price seems a little suspect, but for the current price it's a pretty good deal.

Sale runs through tomorrow only.

I used to swim all summer in my Swatch back in the 80's. Never leaked. All the cool kids wear 'em.

Decent automatic watch for $100 - I have one. Common knock off borrowing elements of the Rolex Sub / Omega Seamaster. Lume is pretty weak though and not good for night fishing as the lume is not bright and will not last for more than a few hours. Unless they have changed that in the last 18 months.

Damn you! That is a sweet deal, I think I just may have found what I want for my 20th anniversary.

Would you step up to the swiss movement? This would be a once in lifetime purchase. With the kids I could never justify going for a more expensive watch, although I have been coveting them for years.

The $99 one in the email they sent me has a Swiss movement. No mention of it being automatic though so I'm guessing it's battery powered. Just looked around at Amazon itself and there's a bazillion Invectas listed so I guess picking one could be a challenge.

They look nice. Somewhat of a concern to me would be the paltry 1 year warranty. If it's really a $800 value watch you'd think they could up that a bit.

The one I was talking about is model#'s 12562,12563,12564and 12565. I'll defer to John on whether this is the same one he has.

The watch is eligible for "free returns", so if you don't like it you can ship it back for free.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...L._SL1280_.jpg

Yikes! Sorry about the image size.