Waterproof watches are very popular and in demand. Fans of outdoor activities at sea or athletes prefer these accessories to conventional chronometers.
It would be more correct to call such a watch water-resistant, since there is no completely waterproof watch. To determine what depth you can dive without fear of ruining the watch, you need to know the tightness classes for this accessory.
Tightness classes
The most common are four classes of tightness of waterproof men's watches.
- 3 ATM / water resistant 30 m. Such watches withstand water pressure in three atmospheres. The degree of their water protection is thirty meters. This accessory can not be removed when washing hands, it is not afraid of rain - small drops will not hurt at all. True, taking a shower in them will not work, since a large amount of moisture will quickly lead the mechanism into disrepair.
- 5 ATM / water resistant 50 m. The accessory withstands water pressure of five atmospheres. The degree of their water protection is fifty meters. The watch can easily withstand a short stay in water, for example, during a short shower or when washing the car.
- 10 ATM / water resistant 100 m. Such watches withstand water pressure of ten atmospheres. The degree of their water protection is one hundred meters. The accessory is not afraid of swimming, surfing, or water sports. But the watch needs to be looked after: after staying at sea, even for a short time, it is necessary to wash the watch in fresh water, and then dry it well.
- 20 ATM / water resistant 200 m. The watch withstands water pressure of twenty atmospheres. The degree of their water protection is two hundred meters. A watch of this class of impermeability will withstand even a diving course, however, no longer than two hours.
There are waterproof watches designed for professional divers. With an accessory of a higher class, you can safely dive to a great depth, which can reach several hundred meters. By and large, class 10 ATM is quite acceptable for any type of active water recreation.
Where and how to get a waterproof watch?
Since watches of this type are quite expensive, before reviewing the models, it should be said about where and how to buy them profitably.
A decent selection of watches for sports of different price categories is presented in the Trajectory online store. Its outlets are in several large cities of Russia. You can order delivery by cash on delivery or by courier to any city. In addition to a large assortment, the advantage of this store is constant discounts and promotions.
To buy a watch, you can pick up a discount through the Cuponation service or choose a favorite accessory on sale. Do not take risks and do not buy a watch from your hands - you can run into a low-quality chronometer.
Nixon baja
Men's wrist waterproof watches with digital movement belong to the tightness class 10 ATM / water resistant 100 m. The Nixon brand is the most popular for extreme sports enthusiasts. This is not only a watch, but also a compass, and a thermometer, and a flashlight - a complete set of a tourist or a lover of wild relaxation. The watch has a sufficiently large battery capacity, which allows you to use the flashlight for a long time (for example, when moving in the dark). But for lovers of water sports, it is not very convenient, since the nylon strap dries for a very long time.
The advantages of this watch include the following:
- The phone has an alarm clock, thermometer, timer, calendar and stopwatch.
- Great power flashlight.
- Strength and lightness.
- Convenience when removing and fastening due to the strap with Velcro.
The minuses include the following points:
- You can use the thermometer only twenty minutes after complete drying.
- The display brightness is low, so in bright sunlight the display is almost invisible.
Nixon unit tide
This waterproof watch with a digital movement is classified as 10 ATM / water resistant 100 m. The model is designed for surf lovers. The tide chart is integrated into the watch for 270 of the most famous beaches in the world.
The pluses of watches include the following:
- Comfortable bracelet made of quality silicone.
- High durability of a buckle which will not allow to lose hours in water.
The disadvantage of this model is the small size of the display, so the watch is not suitable for people with low vision.
G-Shock GA - 120 TR
Watches with a digital movement belong to the tightness class of 20 ATM / water resistant 200 m and the category of waterproof shockproof men's watches. The case of this massive accessory is shockproof, and the tempered mineral glass from which the dial is made perfectly protects the watch from scratches and drops.
The advantages of this watch include the following:
- Automatically turn on the LED backlight when you bring the watch to your face.
- The ability to select the time zone in a particular city thanks to the automatic function of determining the world time.
- Magnetic field protection.
- High water resistance.
The disadvantage of this model is the weight of 70 grams, which not all athletes like.
Nixon Time Teller P
Watches with a quartz movement belong to the tightness class of 20 ATM / water resistant 200 m. The model is suitable for those for whom only water resistance and the right time are important in a watch. The accessory is equipped with a clearly visible dial with arrows, which allows you to know the time even with movement or limited visibility. In addition, sports watches have a very flat case, so their owner is protected from clinging, for example, to clothing.
The pluses of watches include the following:
- The presence of a dozen color options.
- Polymer-type bracelet with double lock lock.
The downside of this model is its limited functionality.
Shock resistance
Most often, people who are looking for a sports waterproof watch, pay attention to their impact resistance. This feature is very important for people who lead an active lifestyle or engage in extreme sports.
Shock resistance does not mean that the watch can withstand damage of any kind, including falls and bumps. To receive the category “waterproof shockproof men's watches”, they must pass a series of checks.
The check is as follows:
- The clock is thrown to a surface of wood from a height of one meter, and then strikes against the case and glass from different angles.
- If, after the tests, the clock mechanism has not stopped, the time accuracy has not changed, cracks or displacement of elements on the dial have not appeared, then the check is considered passed, and the “shockproof” property is assigned to the clock.
When buying a shockproof waterproof watch, you need to pay attention to the external protection of the case: the protective coating and material must be of high quality. You should choose an accessory with a solid housing made of durable material (titanium or stainless steel), as well as protected by IP or PVD coating.
Top - 10 waterproof watches
The top ten and most expensive watches include many well-known brands. Considering the models of waterproof watches, one cannot but say about the most famous watches in the world:
- Bulova Precisionist - $ 900.
- Victorinox Dive Master Mecha 500 - $ 1,600.
- Longines Legend Diver - $ 2,000
- Bremont Supermarine 500 - $ 4,100.
- JeanRichard Aquascope - $ 8,200.
- Rolex Submariner - $ 9,950.
- Girard-Perregaux Sea Hawk - $ 11,000.
- Blancpain Aqua Lung - $ 20,000
- Rolex Sea-Dweller Doubel - $ 33,000
- Roger Dubuis Easy Diver SED Tourbillon - $ 132,500.
Regardless of the choice of watch, it should be remembered that even the waterproof indicator has an expiration date. This is due to the fact that rubber seals, which ensure the tightness of the case, wear out over time under the influence of many factors: exposure to water, aggressive sea salt environment, the influence of detergents and cleaners, etc. Therefore, sometimes even the highest class of tightness watches must be taken for inspection and prevention.