Watches

[GregW]

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?

[fishbones]

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

[spence]

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

[Fly Rod]

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

[JohnR]

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

[spence]

Originally Posted by JohnR

I've become a bit of a watchsnob

Oh really?

-spence

[JohnR]

Originally Posted by spence

Oh really?

-spence

I am to classic tool watches like you are to Ascots

Originally Posted by Rockport24

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..

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.

[Rockport24]

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..

[redlite]

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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[JLH]

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...

[Pete F.]

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.

[spence]

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

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

-spence

[Steve K]

Originally Posted by spence

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

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

-spence

I will own a vintage speedy at some point. I need a "moon" watch.

[spence]

Originally Posted by Steve K

I will own a vintage speedy at some point. I need a "moon" watch.

What's nice is that unless you are looking for something rare they're not priced that badly at all.
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[JohnR]

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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[spence]

Originally Posted by JohnR

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.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

This was my first Omega, a present from the wife. She had no idea what she was buying...

The movement dates to around 1942. I was suspicious the case wasn't original and the guys at timezone suspect it was from South America as back then they didn't import solid gold watches...so they'd ship in the guts and make the cases down there.

Hands are replacements as well. I stripped the crystal and hands off somehow on a trip to NYC a few years ago

I guess it gives it character. Trying to find a dark blue lizard open ended strap.

-spence

[striperman36]

you rehabbing watches while doing backups now?

[JohnR]

Originally Posted by striperman36

you rehabbing watches while doing backups now?

I wish...

[johnny ducketts]

I have the king g, beat the snot out of it and its still going strong.
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[5/0]

Spence...Nice piece hands down,to nice for you
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.

[JohnR]

Originally Posted by 5/0

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.

Originally Posted by 5/0

A G-Shock and a Citizens Titanium Eco Drive Dive.

Both Great pieces

[JFigliuolo]

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.

[Clogston29]

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.

[macojoe]

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

[bassballer]

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

[striper junkie]

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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[PaulS]

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.

[fishbones]

Originally Posted by PaulS

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.

[KB&J SIDEACTION]

Another satisfied Gshock owner

[chefchris401]

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