Editorial | Could dive watches endanger divers?

2023-08-13 22:06:52

A new study reveals some interesting facts regarding shark attacks and how our beloved dive watches might be getting the wrong kind of attention

My kids call me “safety mom” because I tend to worry regarding the weirdest things. This can be anything from drinking through metal straws to remembering to put sunscreen on the backs of your hands. So when I saw a BBC article recently regarding what kind of colorful jumpsuit you should wear to avoid a shark attack, it immediately piqued my interest.

For years, I made my kids wear fluorescent colored swimsuits so I might spot them on the beach and in the water. This is also the reason why life jackets and lifeboats are mostly bright yellow or orange, so as to be easily spotted in the vast blue ocean. But it seems that the sharks prowling underwater also appreciate these wonderful neon colors to the point that some experts call these shades “yum yum yellow” (yum-yum yellow)!

Life jackets are mostly yellow or bright orange © Miguel A Amutio

It was previously believed that sharks were endowed with poor eyesight, but a recent study found that although most species of sharks cannot see colors, they can distinguish contrast, so the bright colors that stand out on the blue sea might get the wrong kind of attention. This is mainly why divers tend to choose all their equipment in dark blue or black.

In the 1970s, a study was conducted with wetsuits featuring sea serpent designs, but while most sharks avoid these poisonous snakes, tiger sharks will happily devour them! Blue or black wetsuits have also proven to be quite effective in avoiding unnecessary attention, but if you’re surfing the water, you can still look like a turtle or a seal.

Scuba divers usually wear black © Padi.com

So, I’m reading this study when the author suddenly drops the bomb: it’s wristwatches that often attract the attention of sharks because they perceive light as fish scales thus making you look like the food ! So not only did we wear orange and yellow dive watches in the water, but we also flashed the sharks light signals! The International Shark Attack File even suggests “try to wear your dive watch under your wetsuit sleeve, eliminating any possibility of light reflecting off the dial that would attract a shark.”

Over dinner I tell all this to my kids who roll their eyes informing me that mosquitoes kill more people in a day than sharks in a century, and that you have a one in 3.75 million chance of being bitten. by a shark once morest a 1 in 1001 chance of drowning you! I find that reassuring, but at the same time putting the odds in your favor can’t hurt and there are plenty of black dive watches to choose from – as you can see in our selection below – but try to keep your watch under your sleeve until someone invents an anti-reflective sapphire crystal underwater…now that’s a good idea!

Carl F. Bucherer Patravi ScubaTec

With its black and blue design, this Carl F. Bucherer watch won’t attract any attention underwater. On the other hand, given its aesthetics, it will be very different above the water! It has a 44.6mm stainless steel case with a ceramic bezel and is water resistant to 500 meters. It is driven by a COSC-certified automatic movement and indicates the date, hours, minutes and seconds.

I discovered ScubaTec © Carl F. Bucherer

Ulysse Nardin Ocean Race Diver Chronograph

This limited edition diver’s watch was created for the Ocean Race, a famous nautical event which also alerts public opinion to the need to protect our oceans. Its case is in black DLC titanium and it is powered by Ulysse Nardin’s UN-150 automatic movement. Waterproof to 300 meters, it performs as well if you fly above water as if you fall into it!

Ocean Race Diver Chronograph © Ulysse Nardin

Doxa Sub 300 Carbon Sharkhunter

Its name says it all. With its forged carbon case and titanium case, the Doxa 300 Carbon Sharkhunter guarantees impressive water resistance to 300 meters. Along with its tonal rubber strap with orange details (minus the details, don’t worry!), it offers a combination of cutting-edge technology and a solid sporty design.

Omega Seamaster Professional Diver 300M

A true classic diving instrument, the Omega Seamaster Professional Diver 300M, with its 42mm stainless steel case, ceramic bezel and black dial with wave pattern, will save you from unwanted attention from marine wildlife. There is also a rather nice blue and gray version for even more effective camouflage under water.

Ralf Tech Beast Electric “Original Black”

With its 47.7mm stainless steel case with black PVD coating, an all-black dial, and a black silicon strap, it’s probably the stealthiest diver’s watch you’ll ever strap on your wetsuit. Not only is it water resistant to 3000 meters, but it’s so tough you might probably punch a shark’s nose with it if you had to!