Buyer beware! Casio dive watch false advertising

[RHoodJr]

I recently purchased a Casio Sea Pathfinder watch. My reason for the purchase was that Casio's ad said it was a dive watch and had a depth gauge, compass, dive log etc. After receiving it I read the owners manual and I was stunned when reading that Casio does not guarantee the watch for scuba. They say you can use the watch for skin diving or snorkel but not scuba. The watch has a water resistant rating for 100 meters. After speaking to Casio tech support I was told that they were sorry but they would not warrant the watch for scuba even though they advertised the watch as a dive watch. Does anyone have any experience with this watch, model SPW 1000? I am trying to decide whether to keep it and dive with it anyway or send it back. I use a computer so the watch is only a backup anyway. BTW the watch was $200.00 if anyone knows a better watch for that kind of money please chime in.
Thanks

[Tom A]

send it back just get a good dive watch from ST

[Capt Hook]

When we first started diving, we were advised to not buy any watch not rated for at least 300 meters. We have always stayed with that and have yet to have a watch fail from depth.

[Dive Rong]

Originally Posted by Capt Hook

When we first started diving, we were advised to not buy any watch not rated for at least 300 meters. We have always stayed with that and have yet to have a watch fail from depth.

I was told the same thing 20 years ago. If my memory serves me correctly, we were told that a watch could NOT advertise as certified for SCUBA unless it was rated for at least 300 meters. (I could be wrong on that though).

[Puffer Fish]

Originally Posted by C Chris

I was told the same thing 20 years ago. If my memory serves me correctly, we were told that a watch could NOT advertise as certified for SCUBA unless it was rated for at least 300 meters. (I could be wrong on that though).

It is 200 meters, but the concept is correct. Usually, that means a screw down stem, but not always.

You might question why a 100 meter watch would not work for diving down to say 30 meters.. well it might. But that 100 meter testing is done with a brand new watch, and is static. In the real world, things are cold or hot or the o-rings get worn. On the other hand, I know lots of people that have used 100 meter watches as dive watches without any issue...

[PlatypusMan]

With so many 'water-resistant' watches on the market, how can you as a diver know which one is correct for you? The following four-grade system is how a watchmaker defines water resistance:


WATER RESISTANCE GRADE DEFINITIONS

GENERAL WATER RESISTANCE: A watch that on the case
back is stamped "Water Resistant" and nothing else (no number).

This watch is NOT water resistant in the following cases:

• professional deep water diving;
• recreational SCUBA diving;
• bathing,
• swimming,
• snorkeling,
• hot-tubbing.

It does have sufficient water resistant characteristics for:

• being out in the rain
• washing one's hands.

HIGH GRADE WATER RESISTANCE: The case back will be
marked "Water Resistant 50m"(eters).

This watch is NOT water resistant in the following cases:

• professional deep water diving;
• recreational SCUBA diving;
• hot-tubbing, bathing.

It is water resistant for

• swimming,
• snorkeling,
• being out in the rain
• washing one's hands.

DIVERS WATCH: The case back will be marked "Water
Resistant 100m(eters).

This watch is NOT water resistant in the following cases:

• professional deep water diving.

It is water resistant for

• recreational SCUBA diving;
• hot-tubbing,
• bathing;
• swimming;
• snorkeling;
• being out in the rain
• washing one's hands.

PROFESSIONAL DIVERS WATCH: The case back will be
marked "Water Resistant 300m"(eters) and up.

This watch is water resistant for

• professional deep water diving;
• recreational SCUBA diving;
• hot-tubbing, bathing;
• swimming;
• snorkeling;
• being out in the rain
• washing one's hands.

Please note that some manufacturers will place an atmosphere pressure rating (ATM) on the watch on either the back or dial in lieu of a metric rating. For the watch industry, 1 ATM= 33 feet and so on. Once you know this, you can make the equivalent judgement of Water Resistance using the definitions above.

[navyhmc]

Thank for the info P-man! I ahve always wondered what the industry standard for watches was.

[danielh03]

Mine says its water resistant to 10 BARS.... Its a casio as well, bought here in the states... kinda weird