I was wondering why CW watches don't have "divers" on the dial which I believe is used by many to indicate it meets the ISO certification 6425:2018? Do any CW watches meet ISO standards or is this only really the sort of thing you get from the likes of Seiko or Citizen who can do that?

Looking at the ISO certification requirements they all seem very sensible and so to me makes sense to want a watch to be ISO certified?

You're right. The "Divers" mark is for watches that have been certified to ISO 6425. It's a step that many brands could take but don't because of the additional cost. Not many people know what it signifies and even fewer use their "dive" watches in that way.

To me they just seem like a number of sensible standards that you would want on a watch for piece of mind whether you dive or not but then I don't know what the costs are to get that certification - seems odd that CW don't have at least one dive certified watch?

@simoncpage

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Almost no one does it. There isn't much value in the mark unfortunately. Probably because the luxury watch makers don't do it. Rolex, Tudor, Blancpain etc. None of them use the mark but are engineered above the spec in most cases. There are also a lot of off brand watches coming out of Asia that have the mark and are not to spec with no enforcement. That makes for lackluster adoption. Seiko and Citizen use it for marketing mainly.

I have heard a lot of people who work for emergency service look for ISO certifications for temperature and moisture changes as it isn't just looking at water resistance (for instance some G-Shock fail miserably with these). I'm sure as you say my Tudor and CW "dive" watches are probably over spec'ed but that said how are we to know that just because we have paid a premium and the brand is luxury? Marketing or not if I had to rely on a watch to take diving regularly as a backup to a dive computer I would opt for one of my Seiko's in knowing that it has that certification.

The moisture and temperature change resistance are useful as that is never stated by watch brands and an excerpt from online:

Further requirements are to determine corrosion resistance by a salt spray test, as well as shock resistance properties, including being hit twice by a 3kg hammer with an impact velocity of 4.43 m/s and even a free-fall test from one meter onto a horizontal hardwood surface.

Most look like great specs to live up to but I think the biggest issue which I think is correct that every watch has to be tested and not just a sample. So that is killer for most watch companies and I do wonder if the complaints that people have with Seiko over them being too expensive some of that premium you pay on a "dive" watch is that you are actually get a legitimate divers watch?

That said Omega which is a luxury brand and unfortunately not a brand I own a dive watch of does on some of its' higher end watches state they are ISO rated which I hadn't realised but they don't put divers' on the dial but instead put Professional which I think I have seen on some others like Tissot as an alternative:

Seamaster - Planet Ocean 6000M
"Tested in real ocean conditions during its development, the design is water-resistant to 6,000 metres (20,000 ft.) and meets the ISO 6425:2018 standard for saturation divers’ watches."

Love that watch...

Seiko has had certified dive watches for ages. Well before any price increases. They can't blame the hate on that. They never used to but they are using the mark now to draw a line between Prospex and what is below.

Every reputable company I know of that offers dive watches tests every single one. Even without the certification.

And again, as I stated above, without any enforcement you don't really know if brand XYZ is legit. Seiko and Citizen are not in that camp but there are many out there who are.

simoncpage wrote: ↑Thu Aug 29, 2024 2:31 pm That said Omega which is a luxury brand and unfortunately not a brand I own a dive watch of does on some of its' higher end watches state they are ISO rated which I hadn't realised but they don't put divers' on the dial but instead put Professional which I think I have seen on some others like Tissot as an alternative:

Seamaster - Planet Ocean 6000M
"Tested in real ocean conditions during its development, the design is water-resistant to 6,000 metres (20,000 ft.) and meets the ISO 6425:2018 standard for saturation divers’ watches."

Love that watch...

I would take my 2200.50 over most of the market right now

Well if you want a diver on the dial, all roads lead to one place: the Scuba Dude..... and the neatness of the compression design has history.

So I take it I am the only one who cares if CW does a ISO certified dive watch or not? I almost bought the new compressor and I think if that had diver on the dial I would have that now. I also would have snapped up the new watch today (which I still might go for...)

The 3 CWs I do have are top quality I have no issue with CW quality control but I would just like the backup reassurance that it is a proper tool watch and can be used for things that I will more than likely never use it for...

simoncpage wrote: ↑Thu Aug 29, 2024 6:22 pm So I take it I am the only one who cares if CW does a ISO certified dive watch or not? I almost bought the new compressor and I think if that had diver on the dial I would have that now. I also would have snapped up the new watch today (which I still might go for...)

The 3 CWs I do have are top quality I have no issue with CW quality control but I would just like the backup reassurance that it is a proper tool watch and can be used for things that I will more than likely never use it for...

I expect the number of professional divers buying wrist watches as diving apparatus is vanishingly small. I don't know what I'm looking at, but wouldn't there be better options than a semi luxury wristwatch.

I expect the number of professional divers buying wrist watches as diving apparatus is vanishingly small. I don't know what I'm looking at, but wouldn't there be better options than a semi luxury wristwatch.

Isn't that why that guy who owns Scutfa watches got into making the dive watches - because his vintage Rolex were becoming too valuable to risk in a commercial diving environment? I would say that ISO or not, if a reputable manufacturer makes a claim about their product that's legally binding.

And yes, the Vostok Amphibia has been tested at far deeper than 200m.

Sinn are interesting being a German brand they certify with DNV:

DNV confirms and certifies the pressure resistance of the U1 C HAI up to a diving depth of 1,000 m and the temperature resistance and function in accordance with European diving equipment standards.

But also an interesting budget company who I had not heard of, Helm:

Purchasing a watch that is ISO 6425 compliant means you can be confident your watch will perform as intended. It means your watch includes specific features and meets specific criteria that any watch being used for diving should. In practical terms, it means that before your 300m watch takes its first dip in the water on your wrist, it's already been to 375 meters and back, without issue.

Some good info here about what is tested 100% vs batch tested: https://helmwatches.com/iso-6425.html

^^^^ Although not DIN or ISO tested, all Elliot Brown Watches are individually tested for WR before sale.

Testing, testing and more testing

Guy

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