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How Far is too Far?

I know Smithy recently wrote a blog asking How many is too many? Which got me thinking, (Just in case you wondered what that loud noise was the other day) How far is too far when it comes to WR on divers watches? It seems as if the 1000m mark is becoming pretty standard these days but in reality is there any need? I remember when 200m was standard for a divers watch and then you started to see 300m and when I saw a 1000m for the first time I too couldn’t wait to get one, but where does it stop? 2000m divers watches are becoming pretty popular too I guess and how could I not acknowledge the Bell & Ross Hydromax. 11,000m!!! Just in case you planned on diving the Mariana Trench anytime soon.

Let’s be honest here guys and admit that majority of the worlds divers watches out there only see salt at the dinner table if you know what I mean! So why is there the constant need to push the envelope on this one. Is this not just another marketing ploy to help aid us men when we enter those pathetic little pissing contests we enjoyed so much as little boys? It probably is you know but I will be the first to admit I get suckered into it.

Out of interest I thought I would highlight some facts. Here goes: The recreational limit for beginner divers is 12m and 18m with your open water certificate and with 40m being the absolute limit recommended by the Recreational Scuba Training Council. The record depth set using compressed air is 155m with the record depth set using scuba gear is 330m.

I can hear you yelling at the screen as you are reading this telling me about watches being rated at static pressures and so forth but at the end of the day unless you are setting those records or are an avid recreational or commercial diver then a 300m rating should do you just fine Charlie Brown.

So why do they make them? I guess because they can. That is the common answer and I guess it is pretty fitting. I guess it is a human instinct to want to be and to make things faster, stronger, lighter etc…… I think they can take a break for a while developing watches with greater depth ratings. Perhaps they should really be working on making watches resistant to those pesky desk scratches.

Brodge

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