<42 mm High Quality Diver Options

[iim7v7im7]

Hi,

I am looking for some suggestions and opinions on options for a new dive watch. I currently have an IWC Aquatimer 2000 on a bracelet (IW356809). I like the watch in terms of its design but it is not very comfortable on my 7-1/4" (18.4 cm) wrist. It is spec'd at 44 mm but its bezel actually measures >45 mm.



So I have been thinking about a new dive watch. I do recreationally dive (only about 12-15 dives per year) and I do own a number of other water resistant sports watches. So Here are a dozen of the best known high-end dive watches:

47 mm - Panerai Luminor Submersible
45 mm - Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Automatique
44 mm - Girard-Perregaux Sea Hawk
44 mm - Grand Seiko SBGA031
44 mm - IWC Aquatimer 2000
44 mm - Rolex Deepsea
43 mm - Bremont Supermarine
42.7 mm - UN Maxi Marine Diver
42 mm - Audemars Piguet Offshore Diver
42 mm - Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Control Diving Automatic Navy SEALS
42 mm - Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean
40 mm - Rolex Submariner

As you can see, 8 out of the 12 are >42 mm. So in the less than 42 mm category, I see these 4 options:




So the Submariner is obviously the most modest in size but its very similar to my Yacht-Master so it doesn't really attract me. The Omega's thickness and the silly helium valve cause me pause. The AP concerns me about its real size which is beyond its 42 mm bezel dimension. The JLC is an interesting watch, but I wonder about how rubber coated bracelet links will hold up.

I would appreciate hearing any experiences or opinions between these options or experience on some of the larger models (>42 mm) that wear smaller than my IWC in your experience?

Thanks,

Bob

[deezed]

That's a nice AT. Love the clean dial.

I had the JLC for a couple of months before I sold it.

The pros:
1. Rubber bracelet was very comfortable. I wore it while touring on my bike and it was fine.
2. Blue lume is bright.

Cons:
1. Not that easy to read at a glance. Either the hour markers are too big or hour hand is too small.
2. The bezel doesn't rotate as well as a Sub. There seems to be a bit more play with the JLC.

As far as size, it doesn't look big on the wrist which is probably due to the black rubber bracelet.

[singe89]

I vote for the AP diver. I find that it's so comfortable that it wears much better than my DSSD or PO (now sold). I find it to wear as comfortable as the 42mm IWC aquatimer divers that i prefer much more than the new ones. I will add that while I have no problem using the SD or DSSD as a tool dive watch the AP diver gets used more for pool or light swimming activity. No doubt it could hold up to consistent dives but every bump or scratch hurts a little more.

[bcacncnc]

I have the older Omega Planet Ocean with the 2500 movement and it really is a fantastic watch. Here are the pros and cons as I see it.

Pros:
Very well built - feels rock solid.
Super lume.
Great price.
Relatively thin.
Unbelievably accurate movement.
Great feel on the wrist - nicely balanced.
Strong clasp.

Cons
No micro adjustment.

If you can get over the helium valve - it should be on your shortlist.

Cheers.

[Scott in Arizona]

Doesn't UN make a 40 mm marine still? There's always the 40 mm Pam 48. I'd even suggest you consider finding a good example of the prior model Aquatimer 2000, which was 42 mm. A little lower rung but what about a Tudor Pelagos, I believe also 42mm.

Sent from my ADR6425LVW using Tapatalk 2

[cedargrove]

Most Omegas wear a little smaller than stated. This is because the crown side of the case sticks out farther to act as crown guards, but because it is technically part of the case it gets included in the measurement. The bezels are usually around 1.5mm smaller than the stated size. All this to say that the mid size PO has a bezel around 40.5 - 41mm.

[sierra11b]

I really fancy the new GP hawk. As a hobbist knife maker the grinds on the case are just awesome and the design looks better every time I see it. If you're considering one on rubber then it's worth a look.

[htc8p]

i can speak for the PO

PO

cons:
thick
heavy

pros:
solid beautiful dive watch

I think the sub is what you are looking for its a solid modest sized diver. cant go wrong with that other than it can get a little boring.

[iim7v7im7]

Originally Posted by Scott in Arizona

Doesn't UN make a 40 mm marine still? There's always the 40 mm Pam 48. I'd even suggest you consider finding a good example of the prior model Aquatimer 2000, which was 42 mm. A little lower rung but what about a Tudor Pelagos, I believe also 42mm.

Sent from my ADR6425LVW using Tapatalk 2

I believe that they are discontinued but you can find them in the gray market still.

[iim7v7im7]

Originally Posted by sierra11b

I really fancy the new GP hawk. As a hobbist knife maker the grinds on the case are just awesome and the design looks better every time I see it. If you're considering one on rubber then it's worth a look.

The GP may look great as you say but it is 17.1 mm thick which causes me pause.

[rejj]

Have you considered the Seamaster Aqua Terra, rather than the Planet Ocean? The AT doesn't have the helium valve (and as such is rated to 150m / 500ft, compared to the PO at 600m / 2000ft). Is a high depth rating a concern? How deep do you dive?

Also, potentially consider the no-date Sub. The legibility of the time without a cyclops and date aperture would be a higher concern while diving I'd imagine.

[bardamu]

Have you considered JLC's Deep Sea Vintage and Deep Sea? Both have chronographs and are WR to only 100M, but that should be sufficient for recreational dives. The latter is even ISO certified. Movements in both are exceptional and size-wise they're at or below your limit. And because they haven't engaged in the WR arms-race, they're not overly thick (which for me is a greater concern than the width).

Neither one, unfortunately, has a date function, which may be a deal-breaker.

[eric23]

Out of that list AP first, PO secound.

[cedargrove]

Out of curiousity, where do you get all the pics and specs of the various watches?

[h999r]

AP got my vote. comfort, great finishing , looking good :)

[iim7v7im7]

Originally Posted by cedargrove

Out of curiousity, where do you get all the pics and specs of the various watches?

The source images and data are from the internet, The composites that I post, I create.

[iim7v7im7]

Originally Posted by bardamu

Have you considered JLC's Deep Sea Vintage and Deep Sea? Both have chronographs and are WR to only 100M, but that should be sufficient for recreational dives. The latter is even ISO certified. Movements in both are exceptional and size-wise they're at or below your limit. And because they haven't engaged in the WR arms-race, they're not overly thick (which for me is a greater concern than the width).

Neither one, unfortunately, has a date function, which may be a deal-breaker.

Thanks...I usually look for >200m WR to dive (even though I dive <40m).

[iim7v7im7]

Originally Posted by rejj

Have you considered the Seamaster Aqua Terra, rather than the Planet Ocean? The AT doesn't have the helium valve (and as such is rated to 150m / 500ft, compared to the PO at 600m / 2000ft). Is a high depth rating a concern? How deep do you dive?

Also, potentially consider the no-date Sub. The legibility of the time without a cyclops and date aperture would be a higher concern while diving I'd imagine.

Unfortunately, it does not have a divers bezel to set.

[iim7v7im7]

Originally Posted by cedargrove

Out of curiousity, where do you get all the pics and specs of the various watches?

I was comparing size measurements on three watches. For example, the lug length on the AP Offshore Diver exceeds that of the BP Fifty Fathoms which is a larger watch.

[cedargrove]

Originally Posted by iim7v7im7

The source images and data are from the internet, The composites that I post, I create.

Wow, very well done. Thanks.

[QueueCumber]

Fifty Fathom Dark Knight is what I would pick to dive with out of all the watches listed, and I bought one to prove it:



Love that watch. Anytime I have to do anything rugged, I bring that watch and don't have to worry about it the least bit...

[George Ab]

I would first suggest you try the Aquatimer on the rubber bracelet. The difference in wear-ability is considerable. Also, it looks tight on your wrist. Should be able to get a finger between bracelet and wrist, yet tight enough to not slide around. The watch should be worn just above the wrist knuckle.

It would be good to know if you are really going to go diving. I have owned the JLC Navy Seals and was always concerned about scratching the ceramic bezel insert. Watch is comfortable. I have had on both the rubber strap and the articulated bracelet. I never scratched up the bracelet, but I was careful. You are right to be concerned. It is not like you can brush it up like a Submariner bracelet.

The AP is incredible, but that is a whole new level of watch. I have not owned, but I do own the ROO and wear on bracelet. It is comfortable, but not as comfortable as a watch can or should be. It would be significantly more comfortable on the rubber bracelet. The Rolex is a real diver in it has a dive extension built into the bracelet so it can actually be used for diving. It is the safe choice. The Planet Ocean is a nice watch, but well it is an Omega (yawn)...not that there is anything wrong with that, and it is fat.

You may consider something in the 42mm size. The first watch that comes to mind that is a great diver is the IWC Aquatimer 3536 that is discontinued. Also the older Girard Perregaux Seahawk is a nice watch in 42mm.

[asadtiger]

Omega is just coming out with a new PO Ti in 42 that would be very comfortable due to reduced weight...although it will be available probably rather later ina few months cuz thats how basel models normally come out, but i would suggest you definitely try that out too

[Psmith]

Hard to beat the FF

[SearChart]

The AP is a really sexy looking watch

[Dickson Lim]

AP or BP for me.

[lja1821]

Pam 24 gets the vote.. Looks awesome, and with the rubber band makes a great diver..