It’s incredible how much wristwatches have evolved over the past century. At one time, you had to keep your timepiece in your pocket to prevent wear and tear from damaging the complicated inner workings of the watch. Now, you can take some wristwatches thousands of metres under the sea, and they continue to function with incredible precision.
But how do these watches withstand such incredible depths? An important innovation in diving watch history is the helium escape valve, which was introduced by the always-innovative Rolex. In today’s BQ Glossary, we’ll be talking about helium escape valves, how they work and which luxury timepieces have them. Read on to learn all about helium escape valves.
As far as names go, the helium escape valve is somewhat self-explanatory. This valve, built into certain diving watches, allows helium to escape during dives to prevent the timepiece from breaking. But how does this helium get into the watch in the first place?
Diving watches with helium escape valves are specifically needed for a type of diving called saturation diving. Saturation diving allows divers to dive to deeper depths for longer periods of time. To accommodate these deeper dives, divers need to breathe compressed air, which leads to molecules from the gas entering their blood. While the nitrogen molecules we normally breathe aren’t a problem for us on the surface or during shallow dives, saturation divers run into problems when the nitrogen molecules are under large amounts of pressure in the deeper depths of the sea. To combat this, saturation divers breathe a mixture of gases with a reduced nitrogen content. The nitrogen in this air mixture is replaced with helium instead.
However, as the divers slowly rise to the surface to decompress and surface safely, the helium molecules can seep through the diving suit and make their way into the gaskets of a dive watch. The internal pressure of these helium molecules can blow the crystal off the watch completely, which means the watch will no longer be protected from the elements.
The way around these tiny helium molecules building up is a diving watch equipped with a helium escape valve. Saturation divers can brave the depths worry-free, at least about the integrity of their luxury timepiece.
So, now we know why a helium escape valve is needed for saturation diving, but how does this important little innovation work? Essentially, it vents the helium out of a watch case during the decompression portion of the dive.
As mentioned, the decompression phase of a dive is important, as it slowly releases the gases that build up in a diver’s bloodstream at a safe rate. As the divers slowly make their way to the surface, they can open their helium escape valve to ensure all the helium bubbles that may have built up can get out of the watch and prevent them from causing problems.
Luxury diving watches typically have two different types of helium escape valves – automatic and manual. The automatic helium escape valves use a spring mechanism that releases when the pressure inside reaches a certain level. When the pressure decreases, the valve closes back up. Of course, this is the most convenient type of helium escape diving watch.
For manual escape valves, the diver will need to unscrew the valves themselves at the beginning of their decompression and then keep them open until the decompression phase is complete. It’s safe to say that most divers would prefer utilising an automatic version, but a manual is certainly better than no escape valve at all.
While the majority of us certainly don’t run into many situations where we need a helium escape valve, Rolex (and numerous other companies) have since made it easy to acquire a diving watch with an escape valve if you want one. So, whether you’re a saturation diver or you simply appreciate a sporty watch with incredible design, there are some great watches out there. Here are some of the best luxury watches with helium escape valves on the market today.
Perhaps one of the most advanced luxury diving watches in the world, the Rolex Deepsea is a truly impressive timepiece. Not only can saturation divers count on its helium escape function, but they can count on the watch to function to incredible depths of up to 3,900 metres on top models. Of course, the watch is also equipped with other important functions like a highly visible and luminous dial, a unidirectional rotating bezel and much more.
This beautiful timepiece also boasts an aesthetically pleasing design, meaning it’s the perfect accessory for a night on the town, along with being capable of withstanding the depths of the sea.
Audemars Piguet has introduced many iconic designs to the world of luxury watches, but the Royal Oak is undoubtedly their flagship model. This stunning timepiece incorporates an octagonal case that is instantly recognizable and makes for a great accessory no matter where you go – including the depths of the sea.
The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Diver is the model that utilises a helium escape valve. With this watch by your side, divers can go up to 300 metres without worrying about the integrity of their investment.
The Omega Seamaster is another timeless luxury watch that is equipped with a helium escape valve. With capabilities of depths up to 300 metres, the Omega Seamaster is both stylish and incredibly functional.
The Seamaster is a fan favourite from Omega’s lineup, and the luxury watchmaker has created numerous models of this popular timepiece. Meaning there are plenty of styles of Omega Seamaster watches to choose from, so you don’t have to sacrifice your personal taste for tool watch levels of functionality.
Breitling may be known for its pilot’s watches, but the introduction of its Superocean line made Breitling one of the best manufacturers for diving watches as well. The Superocean features a clean and classic design that looks great on the beach or under the ocean.
The Superocean can take on depths of up to 300 metres, making it the ideal companion for saturation dives. If you’re looking for something undeniably modern with a great sporty aesthetic, you can’t go wrong with the
Tudor may have lived in the shadow of its parent company Rolex for years, but the watchmaker has since become well-respected and known for innovative and iconic designs of its own. Not the least of which is the Tudor Pelagos, which is a beautiful diving watch with water resistance capabilities of up to 500 metres.
The Tudor Pelagos proudly sits in the upper echelon of diving watches and is well worth your consideration if you’re in the market for one.
If you’re looking to add a luxury dive watch to your collection, now is a great time to pick up a pre-owned model. Here at BQ Watches, we have a vast and varied inventory of these sporty and functional watches for you to browse. Whether you want a Rolex Deepsea, an Omega Seamaster or any other diving watch you can think of, we have you covered. Browse the BQ Watches inventory to find your used luxury diving watch today.
If you can’t find what you’re looking for in our online inventory, make sure to get in touch with our expert team. We’re happy to source a luxury watch for you and help you find your ideal timepiece. Fill out our contact form below and a member of our team will reach out right away to assist you.
