Reading the water-resistance rating
30 m and 50 m on a dial mean everyday splash resistance only — not swimming. 100 m is fine for swimming but not diving. 300 m is the entry point for scuba.
What to look for
- Unidirectional bezel: used to time a descent, it must rotate only anticlockwise.
- Lume: Super-LumiNova or equivalent, applied evenly to hands and markers.
- Crown: screw-down, ideally with crown guards.
- Strap: rubber or NATO for the water; a steel bracelet needs a diver extension.
After the dive
Rinse with fresh water and dry after every saltwater exposure. Have the seals replaced every two years; any case opening affects water resistance.