How to use a diver watch bezel like a Rolex submariner????

[kempoman]

Hi, could anyone share here how to use it. I think there are 2 typed one is count down minutes and another type is count up, am i right?

 

[EastTNDiver]

The only way I've ever used a dive watch bezel, was to set the bezel marker to the minute hand location upon entering the water to mark the time I started my dive. At any point during the dive, counting up from that position to the current time, would give me my bottom time. Obviously, you would have to make mental note if your dive exceeded an hour.

I suppose you could also set the bezel marker to a future time if you have a target duration for your dive, but if something happens during your dive that forces you to miss your target, you may or may not remember your exact start time...stress can do funny things to your memory.

 

[rhwestfall]

'nuff said here - though I have never seen a "count down" bezel.... Use all of mine as elapsed time....

 

[Tortuga68]

This is a typical 'count down' bezel... in this case you set the marker at your desired bottom time - eg using the watch time shown, if you wanted 20 minutes BT, rotate the bezel so the marker is at the 6 - then the minute marks show the amount of time you've gone over by (if you did) and/or can be used to time your ascent (if it's a shortish one)



If you try to use this type of bezel with the elapsed time method, it doesn't give you an accurate reading beyong 15 minutes - which is ok if you stay within NDL; not so good if you're in deco where a minute or two can have a big effect on your ascent schedule

NB This type of bezel doesn't meet the standard for 'diver' watches, which must have a uni-directional bezel marked in minute intervals the full duration. You can still use the countdown method on any bezel though

 

[ajduplessis]

The count down is something new for me. Not sure if I like it thou.

 

[rhwestfall]

marked in minute intervals the full duration

I beg to differ as the watch face is.....

from my perspective and learning from various activities - this is an "elapsed time" bezel - set the triangle on the start time and the minute hand displays the time from "start".

guess we were taught different ways......

 

[fnfalman]

Most dive watch bezels are unidirectional and count up. However, some do have count down features because the bezels can be turned one way or the other and usually there's a locking mechanism that keeps the bezel in place. An example would be the Omega PloProf.

 

[Tortuga68]

Most dive watch bezels are unidirectional...

They don't meet the ISO standard then - see link below

I beg to differ as the watch face is.....

You're right, seems I mis-remembered that part: Diving watch - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

from my perspective and learning from various activities - this is an "elapsed time" bezel - set the triangle on the start time and the minute hand displays the time from "start". guess we were taught different ways......

You can do it either way - I'm just telling you why the minute markings on the bezel only go a quarter on the watch in the photo. If you use it as you say, you have to remember your target BT

The other method is also in the above link, under the heading Bezel Markings

 

[rhwestfall]

Excerpt (from above link): Once the minute hand reached the main-marker on the bezel the diver would begin his ascent to the surface. The 15 or 20 minute scale helped with timing the ascent and whatever safety stop the diver deemed necessary.

Never considered that application...

 

[gypsyjim]

One thing I learned about dive bezels on watches, from working in the jewelery industry is that not all bezels "lock" well. Many look good, but should not be relied on for any actual diving, as it is way too easy to bump and move that bezel, one reason they should not be able to be moved "backwards" at all! If your watch bezel should move, it is far better that it be truly unidirectional and add fictional bottom time if bumped, than misplace actual bottom time.