Blue dials on submariners

[kilyung]

Has anyone every wondered why you'd want a blue dial on a sub? As a scuba diver, I had no clue so I did some research and thought I'd share what I found. It turns out that it has to do with light absorption and the fact that the lowest energy colors (Red-Orange) get absorbed first. Obviously water clarity and turbidity affect color absorption. What exactly is doing the "absorption"? It's not the water so much as it's the particulates in the water that scatter the light. The further you go, eventually only blue remains (before going to black). In fact, you can see the color blue as deep down as 250ft. I've taken some pictures sans flash under water and they're always very blue. Without a flash, you'd never realize how colorful things are. Those of you that are underwater photographers are probably shaking your heads about now.

So I ask again, why would you want a blue dial on a Sub? There really isn't a practical reason for it but you can admire the aesthetics all the way down to the bottom!

[tkerrmd]

Interesting stuff Mike and great watch and pic as always!!



Back at ya!

[Alexwwjd]

Because it looks cool???

[watchwatcher]

Ok I'm sold. Thanks for the info, Mike.

[sleddog]

Regardless of the colour clarity above or below (all facts posted are correct and true), the blue Sub just looks so damn cool Mike!

[Mystro]

The color blue and water also are universally linked together. Then there is the nautical theme.

[second time]

Great pics guys, keep up the good work!

[vitalsignsrn]

Nice Pics...Have no idea but the colour is gorgeous. ;-)

[Rogdogg]

Very interesting topic. I am not a diver so the practical purpose is limited for me, unless I would be timing my parking meter or something like that, but for me the colour is amazing. It just looks so cool. Blue is my favourite colour of course

[FremStar]

Thanks Mike for the in depth write up! I recall Quecumber mentioning something like this on Instagram a few weeks ago...



I'm sorely missing my 116619...

[xbox]

Thanks Mike ..... its a blue day for sure

[Dante221]

Hello
Way back in the 60's DOXA did their research in Lake Geneva and found
Orange was the dial color that was the most readable in murky water.
To this day the Orange dial is a DOXA trademark.
I have 10 or so Doxas in my collection and will freely admit I would
NOT buy an Orange Sub :
Enjoy your Blue Beauty !
Dante221

[joli160]

Enjoying the blue all the way down is a very sound practical reason imho
These blue Subs are really fantastic looking pieces

[AK797]

Whenever I walk into the ADs and they show me black dials I always say no way and talk about blue and turbidity.

[bobernet]

Thanks, Mike! I've done a lot of diving recreationally, but no deco. You? Tom? Someone needs to do a -250ft wrist shot of the 116619.

The only thing I've found wrong with my blue sub is that it's not also my DD! Gonna need another trip to spend quality time with it too.



Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[kilyung]

Originally Posted by Dante221

Way back in the 60's DOXA did their research in Lake Geneva and found
Orange was the dial color that was the most readable in murky water.
To this day the Orange dial is a DOXA trademark.

DOXA is correct, where you bring your own light. Without a light source, the orange wavelength will not penetrate deep enough to reflect the color.

[kilyung]

Originally Posted by FremStar

I'm sorely missing my 116619...

Easy fix my friend...

[VICI]

I was speaking to a friend wearing a sub - he said that the deepest he's ever taken it is the bottom of a pool.

That's prob the deepest most subs go anyway.

True on the scuba divers...

[T. Ferguson]

Well Mike, perhaps the blue dial on your watch does allow you to admire it longer as you descend deeper.

But your watch will also make you sink faster, so it sort of evens out and cancels that advantage.

[CWIN]

I want one because it's beautiful

[jack81]

That watch is just too awesome. So many nice pics of it makes me dizzy n itchy. I have to be strong. Have to be strong.

[rfknauss]

Mike .... that Sub is just gorgeous!
And thanks for the interesting info on the color blue.

[Nycturbovr6]

The blue just looks fantastic

[mfserge]

It was my understanding that orange was the last visible color at great depths before going black. Can you post the source of that info? About the watch, if they made it in SS I would buy it right now, I hope they come to their senses and eventually make it in SS similar to how they came to their senses and brought the real Sea-Dweller back.

[KBM]

Cool info, Mike! Thanks!

[bobernet]

Originally Posted by mfserge

It was my understanding that orange was the last visible color at great depths before going black. Can you post the source of that info? About the watch, if they made it in SS I would buy it right now, I hope they come to their senses and eventually make it in SS similar to how they came to their senses and brought the real Sea-Dweller back.

Here's one source; there are many. http://www.deep-six.com/page77.htm

I can't imagine they'd do it in blue in SS. They haven't since they introduced the "bluesy" dials... they haven't on the meteorite or ice blue precious metal dials, etc.

Not sure why offering a precious metals dedicated dial in SS would be "coming to their senses."

[BZA]

Nice!

[lmcgbaj]

Great info. My understanding was that the orange color, which has been chosen by Omega on the PO is one of the most visible under water. I am not sure if this is coming from the Omega marketing group and I never investigated further.

[submariner123]

I hate the flat blue. The blue on the two tone sub is a hundred times nicer.

[kilyung]

Originally Posted by mfserge

It was my understanding that orange was the last visible color at great depths before going black. Can you post the source of that info?

Originally Posted by lmcgbaj

My understanding was that the orange color, which has been chosen by Omega on the PO is one of the most visible under water. I am not sure if this is coming from the Omega marketing group and I never investigated further.

There are a number of sites devoted to underwater photography and color loss. Here's a simple one (some of the others use a lot of physics):

http://www.divephotoguide.com/gettin...ht-underwater/