dive watches in the desert
when I first explained my idea of doing articles about dive watches in the desert, a typical initial response from the aBlogtoWatch editorial team was, “Where are you currently planning to go diving in the desert?” Chuckling, I responded that actual diving wasn’t the point. Rather, it will be a discussion into how effective the world’s favorite sport watches (diving-style) have reached being useful wrist tools in extremely warm weather. Finally, the chance for a nice drive into one’s heart of our warming planet presented itself, and I made my solution to the famed Red Rock Canyon National Park beyond Las Vegas, Nevada. Armed with three popular diver’s-style timepieces with me, here’s what I learned all about dive watches in the desert.
We have lots of beautiful pictures of dive watches in aquatic environments.
Many of us don’t live near, or arrive at a sizable body of water often. Dive watches needless to say are designed for water; however, I locate them invaluable in the desert. There are plenty of rough, sharp rocks, sand, and dust everywhere. I find the extra seals are great at keeping out dirt and dust. Nearly all of my time is allocated to rugged terrain with large temperature swings. Hiking and mountain climbing are required for what I do. A dive watch appears to serve me very well. So think about you? Have any pictures of dive watches in the desert? Here certainly are a few pictures of my newer dive watch companion.
The Practical Considerations For Desert-Worn Watches
First, several important assumptions and notions so that the reader can understand why taking dive watches in to the desert is even an appealing intellectual exercise (aside from being fun), to start with. In short, there really aren’t many tool watches with a hot-weather survival theme. One can get out and buy diver’s watches, pilot’s watches, driving watches, boating watches, etc… There isn’t a lot of an established group of timepiece product for those seeking utility in a hot-weather, expansive outdoor environment. Much more, with the world is getting warmer (or perhaps I’ve been sensitive to it with all the hiking in the sun I’ve done during the last few years), more and more individuals who like watches may need to adapt their wristwatch wearing strategy.
When evaluating a wristwatch in the desert, there are three main items that one thinks of for me personally: comfort, legibility, and environmental resistance. Let’s discuss comfort first. Desert watches need to fit securely and not wobble around with the motion of one’s arm. Meaning the best strap material, in addition to one that handles sweat correctly. In humid environments, moisture is the greatest problem since sweat is far worse an issue — as are things such as dials fogging up when and if water enters the case. Leather straps and water don’t mix well since sweat or moisture will not only cause natural leather to feel uncomfortable against your skin, however it will make the strap stink and deteriorate over time.
In the desert, water is less of a problem, but if you’re moving you, is going to be sweating, and you almost certainly don’t want your watch to be uncomfortable — reducing annoyances is a major part of a happy hike. Metal bracelets could be useful, but there is a selection of reasons you may want to avoid a steel bracelet over my desert preference, which is really a rubber strap. Wrists have a tendency to expand in dimensions when it’s warmer (making sized bracelets a challenge). Metal bracelets can also