Why are Diver style watches so popular?

[T6 vanman]

So as per the title, For the last 10 years I've predominantly worn a diver style watch & just updated my daily to another "Diver" yet the nearest I get to diving is the washing up bowl

There are so many (& I have small collection of 20 ) differing style watches yet for my daily's I revert to a diver watch.

Considering most divers are heavy, on hair pinching bracelets, shout aggressively with SS cases & ride over/catch on cuffs

Do you "daily" a diver and why?

[andy tims]

T6 vanman said:

Do you "daily" a diver and why?

Often and just because I like the generally utilitarian aesthetic.

[grumbledoak]

I wear an orange Monster, sometimes.

I too am a bit baffled that everyone seems to want to wear identical black divers watches when there is an almost infinite variety to choose from.

[Super Sonic]

James Bond.

[Wills2]

I've had a few but don't have one at the moment prefer a pilots watch these days, although the water resistance has to be a plus with a diver (not for actual diving but knowing it's uber safe in any water you're going to be in) And example would be a speed master vs a seamaster 300m

[gregs656]

This was asked not long a go. I think dive watches just have a set of features which are generally useful, including the timing bezel.

[HeadForTheHills]

gregs656 said:

This was asked not long a go. I think dive watches just have a set of features which are generally useful, including the timing bezel.

Yes, the rotating outer bezel.
I don't need 100m+ water resistance or a chronograph, but the ability to set a reminder marker is incredibly useful on a day to day basis.
As it is not for diving a bi-directional dial would be ideal like the Sinn 857.

[Evoluzione]

gregs656 said:

This was asked not long a go. I think dive watches just have a set of features which generally look good to men, including the timing bezel. Even though they're useless in daily life.

EFA.

[Barchettaman]

It’s a combination of factors.

For many of us of a certain age the first watch of desire would have been the Bond submariner. That’s got to have an effect.

The WR and general rugged tool aesthetic appeals. On a stainless steel bracelet, if sized correctly, they’re comfortable to wear.

A non-blingy dive watch will work with any outfit and in any social or professional setting (if that’s important to you). Brushed or blasted steel is pretty subtle.

Contrary to what the previous poster suggested, an elapsed time bezel is, for many people, extremely useful. I would agree that unidirectional bezels are an absolute pain.

They don’t have to be enormous blocky things. My Glycine Combat Sub is only 10.5mm thick. I reckon a manufacturer could produce a divers-style watch under 9mm, using an eta 2892, 100m WR, solid caseback, flat crystal. With a scalloped bezel that’d be an absolute winner.

[Tabs]

You can wear them every day without worrying. They're normally quite robust. Bezel handy for parking and egg timing.
Best of all, can see the time without putting my specs on .

[grumbledoak]

Tabs said:

You can wear them every day without worrying. They're normally quite robust. Bezel handy for parking and egg timing.
Best of all, can see the time without putting my specs on .

Surely a chronograph would be better for parking and egg timing?

Of course if we all wore one some posters would be telling us how useful the tachymeter is in their daily life.

[SpanishTony]

Being able to tell the time without putting my glasses on is the key determinant for me these days.

[Hereward]

Super Sonic said:

James Bond.

Yep. It demonstrates that the wearer is manly, rugged, dashing and sporty.

[Richard-390a0]

Because we're manly men who like manly things!?!

[Drooles]

I really like the look of most divers watches and, like others have said, the water resistance is reassuring. Most of my watches are divers and they strike me as the most versatile choice. I do sometimes wear a field watch but I find myself missing the usefulness of a timing bezel!

[Tabs]

And don't forget, Blue is the best colour

[Barchettaman]

grumbledoak said:

Surely a chronograph would be better for parking and egg timing?

The subdials are too small (for me anyway).

[spookly]

I might be fairly uncommon in that I really don't like dive style watches at all. Especially ones with wide rotating colourful bezels.

The only dive watches I've liked the look of are the Ressence. Which don't look like a dive watch.

[ZesPak]

Just did a head count. Out of my ~30 watches, 5 would be considered divers. They get the most wear tbh. They feel like they can take a hit and often can, also I think scratching them suits them, while I prefer my dress watches to be mint (which they never stay).
They often have a prominent bezel as well which protects the crystal from harm.

[pistonheadforum]

Just ordered my first diver - never really liked them then suddenly they look nice.

Must be an age thing or I've banged my head!

For those who have lots of them - can you post pictures? Geniunly interested in the difference between the models you have as I can't see why you would want multiple of the similar watch. I'm assuming they are divers but all different enough to be a different watch.