For most of us, a watch is simply an accessory, or possibly a status symbol, meant to tell people who and what we are. And of course – to tell time. In the past, watches served a much more important role; they were integral parts of various professions. Nowadays, however, in many professional settings like marine navigation or diving, watches are being replaced by small portable computers for various usages. These devices are just as small as watches but can perform many more functions. Despite the alleged redundancy, we now have a variety of professional watches as a legacy of those past times, as well as status symbols for enthusiasts.

Running watches

Running watches typically included an obligatory stopwatch, as well as some other functions useful to runners. For a very long time, these watches were digital, rather than mechanical. However, in the last few years, with the advent of Smartphones and various wearables, runners have preferred smart watches and similar devices. Still, there are some high-end companies that still produce sports watches. The likes of Omega and TAG Heuer are almost exclusively dedicated to performance sport watches, while not skimping on the style and design aspect of a good watch.

Dive watches

Diver’s watches have been invaluable to any kind of underwater expedition for as long as we have had scuba diving. The issue of how long the diver has been under water, as well as potential decompression problems, indicate that you need a good durable watch which won’t succumb to water pressure or leak even at the depths of 100+ meters. Add to that the corrosive nature of salt water, and you realize that you really do need a specialized device to perform all these tasks. Companies such as Rolex, Breitling and Omega have all produced their own visions of a dive watch.

Pilot watches

Aviator watches are designed with combat pilots in mind. As such, certain design characteristics needed to be common to all of the watches. Namely, a pretty large case, most commonly circular with easy-to-read hands. Any addition to this basic style was largely stylistic. One company known for their aviation watches is Ernst Benz, a renowned Swiss company. It was named after Mr. Ernst Benz, a pilot and inventor who strongly advocated flying instruments with large and clearly legible markings. The first chronographs were created by Mr. Benz and his company on demand from his fellow aviators. The style of the first Ernst Benz watches reflected the idea he had about all flying instruments – large and legible enough to be read in all conditions. Not much has changed in the product line of Ernst Benz to this day. There are several models, but the essence of the idea of the original creator still lives on in their every timepiece.

Space watches

A highly specific group of watches are astronaut watches, ones that are expected to function properly through the rigors of space travel. Naturally, there haven’t been many such watches that reached space, but there are at least two important pieces that did. The first is a Russian (or Soviet) Shturmanskie (meaning “navigator’s”) watch on the first ever human flight to outer space. Far more famous is the Omega Speedmaster. In the 60s, NASA sought a reliable chronograph which would remain accurate even when exposed to a variety of extreme situations. Not only did the Speedmaster reach space, it was also worn by Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin on the surface of the Moon.

Why are watches replaced by computers?

Watches are mechanical devices, and as such, they have a limitation as to what they can do in terms of functionality. Computers, on the other hand, are becoming smaller and smaller, all the while retaining their processing power. For example, dive computers are able to calculate the depth, water temperature and decompression needs for the diver without the need to consult decompression charts or perform calculations manually. This enables the divers to fully enjoy their dives, which explains why most divers now use computers, rather than watches as a diving aid. Even if some watches are being replaced by computers for their professional purposes, they will never be ousted as a beautiful and impressive accessory. No amount of technology can rival a finely designed and precisely crafted mechanical wristwatch. To find a fully-reconditioned Ernst Benz watch in San Diego, or any other pre-owned professional watch, visit Leo Hamel’s at our jewelry store on San Diego Avenue.