Steel dive - THE ideal tool watch?

I’m currently waiting for my GO to return from Glashutte (any day now) consequently, I’ve been buying watches I don’t need.

Amongst the recent acquisitions is a Steeldive Emperor Tuna.

Honestly, it’s an absurd watch.
Enormous, cheap as chips. So naturally, I had to try it out.

Before I go any further with this, there was method in the madness, I live within spitting distance of many beautiful beaches in Pembrokeshire. I spend a fair bit of my spare time there and it’s not a place to wear either my GO or Pam.

Until recently, I would wear my Garmin, but lately I’ve found myself leaning away from the tech when I’m not running or working, so I’ve been wanting a proper ‘beach watch’.

So what about my assertion that the ideal tool watch might be a steeldive??

Let me explain; Back in the earlier naughties, I was the diving superintendent for the Joint venture that won the contract for the refurbishment of the jetty on the South Hook LNG site, as such, I spent a lot of time with real divers (I’m going to suffer for that remark….).

With the exception of 1 Belgian lad who insisted on wearing his Seawolf in the sea, all of the literally dozens of others from the Netherlands, Belgium, UK, South Africa and the 'States wore G-Shocks.

I’m not even talking solar atomic Gucci versions, just common or garden G-Shocks.

This was not because these guy couldn’t afford them, I know this because once they’d showered and tarted themselves up back on deck, on went the Subs and the SD’s, I even saw a BP FF on the wrist of a very well-travelled sat diver who was slumming it for a couple of months with the ‘inshore boys’.

So, my point would be this, that even those professionals that could afford to use and abuse (read that 'use as intended') their pride and joy, used a beater, a consumable to work in. When they inevitably lost or broke them (ask anyone who knows about divers…) then there would be no tears.

This brings me around to this here Steeldive (must resist the urge to type SD….); I’ve had mine for nearly 2 weeks.

The 1st thing I did when it arrived was to set the time by GPS and monitor it every few days against the clock and with an app – no, I’m not a mentalist, I was just curious about what this watch would do.

So far, it’s been in the watch winder for some of the time and on my wrist for some of the time but It has gained a solidly consistent 4 seconds per day!!

Think of that; a bog-standard, mass produced Japanese NH35 operating comfortably within COSC parameters for less than £180 brand new and posted!

Now, I know that they’re not all going to be like that, I understand I got lucky, but I haven’t even begun to mention the build quality yet, it’s really rather acceptable, quite good even (forget about the cost).

I already mentioned that my example was absurd. I’ve got 7 ½”+ wrists and it looks like a depth gauge on me (no need for a weight belt), I don’t think I’d chance swimming with it on for fear of drowning – Seriously, it would look ‘oversize’ on Eddie Hall, so don't laugh at the picture!

BUT, that’s what’s fun about it – It’s bonkers but it cost so little that you’re not going to fret about having ‘made the right investment’, wear it until you get bored and then drop it off at a charity shop!

It’s a proper watch with a mechanical heart (soul), for the cost of a reasonable meal out with the Wife that keeps the time.

Bargain!!


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That's certainly a lot of watch for the money, and ideal as a beater - I'm pleasantly surprised by the timekeeping. I always wear my Seiko in the open water - I have visions of my Rolex dropping out of sight.

With other brands you're buying the brand. With Steel Dive you're buying the watch!

:popcorn:

I currently own a Steeldive Willard bought from here. It runs within a couple of seconds a day, and yes absurd value for the money. Think the Heimdallr Willard just pips the Steeldive version purely on the crystal bevel, but that's being picky.

I’d say get swimming in it, dive in the deep end of the bow of the boat. You’ll have a huge smile on your face.


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Is that the 1975 Tuna homage (52mm) not sure why they call the smaller one the 1975.

I had a steeldive homage watch which was nice enough for the money out of curiosity how comfortable is the watch? Always liked the look of the Seiko but worried about the size.

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Originally Posted by Tiny

With other brands you're buying the brand. With Steel Dive you're buying the watch!

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And all without the stupid pointless overheads of design and R&D! Everyone's a winner.

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Originally Posted by Papa Hotel

And all without the stupid pointless overheads of design and R&D! Everyone's a winner.

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Indeed.

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Originally Posted by robert75

Is that the 1975 Tuna homage (52mm) not sure why they call the smaller one the 1975.

I had a steeldive homage watch which was nice enough for the money out of curiosity how comfortable is the watch? Always liked the look of the Seiko but worried about the size.

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I think it's called the 1978 Emporer Tuna, and it's remarkably comfortable that weighs as much as a bag of flour! [emoji1787]

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You're such a bore ;)

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Originally Posted by Papa Hotel

And all without the stupid pointless overheads of design and R&D! Everyone's a winner.

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Originally Posted by Papa Hotel

And all without the stupid pointless overheads of design and R&D! Everyone's a winner.

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I would feel sorry for the likes of Seiko - except they have hiked their prices for no apparent reason whilst simultaneously sacking the ‘line up the chapter ring and the bezel insert’ department. Then made the screw down crown team redundant and decided to price their cheap Seiko 5 line at the same level they used to sell proper dive watches. About time someone else came along and kicked them in the pants imho!


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Given the number of 'reissues', they obviously sacked the R&D team as well...

M

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Originally Posted by RobDad

I would feel sorry for the likes of Seiko - except they have hiked their prices for no apparent reason whilst simultaneously sacking the ‘line up the chapter ring and the bezel insert’ department. Then made the screw down crown team redundant and decided to price their cheap Seiko 5 line at the same level they used to sell proper dive watches. About time someone else came along and kicked them in the pants imho!


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this [emoji3516]

Absolutely awesome Paul.
Pleased your enjoying that bad boy.
I knew you would like it .
Exceptional quality for the money
[emoji106]

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Originally Posted by Papa Hotel

And all without the stupid pointless overheads of design and R&D! Everyone's a winner.

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Good point, but, the R&D and design on a lot of these models was done decades ago and can no longer justify the huge prices and restricted supply. Many of them have become classic generic designs whose patents expired long ago. As such they are perfectly legal to be manufactured and improved upon in terms of materials and price, hence allowing new generations of enthusiasts to enjoy them. I say good luck to the likes of Steeldive.

I have had a number of Seiko divers over the years (used, new, vintage) and every last one was a poor timekeeper. The absolute worst was a brand new Samurai. I have recently picked up a Steeldive ‘SKX’ from the forum and it is running well within COSC standards. It actually tells the time accurately, has a ceramic bezel (which lines up), a sapphire crystal and as far as I can see, has at least as good fit & finish, for a fraction of the cost.

Can you swim or dive with them? I emailed Steeldive UK a while ago regarding the Ploprof hommage and asked if the stated depth rating was accurate. The response I got was “I doubt it”.
I really fancy one but this puts me off.

I've used a few of them for swimming and they're fine. I wouldn't expect 500m for the price though.

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Originally Posted by ODP

Can you swim or dive with them? I emailed Steeldive UK a while ago regarding the Ploprof hommage and asked if the stated depth rating was accurate. The response I got was “I doubt it”.
I really fancy one but this puts me off.

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So the seller says a watch he lists as a 1200m diver is not likely capable of the claims he makes?
That puts him an interesting position with regard the law and miss representation of his goods.
I know they are a cheap bit of fun but that does not seem the sort of person I would want to deal with regardless of price.
Yes I know nobody will use it to that depth, yes I know it’s unreasonable to expect such a watch at this price point to be able to be used as a professional diving tool. Yes I know I am being pedantic but if trading standards were to find out he could be in a bit of bother.

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Originally Posted by Sinnlover

So the seller says a watch he lists as a 1200m diver is not likely capable of the claims he makes?
That puts him an interesting position with regard the law and miss representation of his goods.
I know they are a cheap bit of fun but that does not seem the sort of person I would want to deal with regardless of price.
Yes I know nobody will use it to that depth, yes I know it’s unreasonable to expect such a watch at this price point to be able to be used as a professional diving tool. Yes I know I am being pedantic but if trading standards were to find out he could be in a bit of bother.

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Isn’t it the same with all watches? 30m Rating no good for swimming etc.

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Originally Posted by Kingstepper

Isn’t it the same with all watches? 30m Rating no good for swimming etc.

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Yeah it is but when buying a new watch that is sold as being 30m water resistant you know what you are buying.
Here the website says 200, 300, 1200m. This is also repeated on the dial. Only when asked was the fact the watches were not as waterproof as stated offered up.
I think snowman has taken a few of these diving, so they are waterproof it’s just the ‘false advertisement’ that does not sit right with me
I am likely over thinking things like I always do!

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Originally Posted by TomGW

I have had a number of Seiko divers over the years (used, new, vintage) and every last one was a poor timekeeper. The absolute worst was a brand new Samurai. I have recently picked up a Steeldive ‘SKX’ from the forum and it is running well within COSC standards. It actually tells the time accurately, has a ceramic bezel (which lines up), a sapphire crystal and as far as I can see, has at least as good fit & finish, for a fraction of the cost.

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My Samurai Save the Ocean from 2018 is by far the worst time keeper I’ve got. It is easily more in value than others, but consistently is 25/30 a day adrift. But within Seiko’s tolerances.
Steeldive whilst still using Seiko movements are obviously tweaking them. Shame Seiko can’t tweak their chapter rings, bezels, dials and movements.
Shame on them and their price expectations.


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Originally Posted by Watch freek

Absolutely awesome Paul.
Pleased your enjoying that bad boy.
I knew you would like it .
Exceptional quality for the money
[emoji106]

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Glad you like it! [emoji16]

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Originally Posted by Sinnlover

So the seller says a watch he lists as a 1200m diver is not likely capable of the claims he makes?
That puts him an interesting position with regard the law and miss representation of his goods.
I know they are a cheap bit of fun but that does not seem the sort of person I would want to deal with regardless of price.
Yes I know nobody will use it to that depth, yes I know it’s unreasonable to expect such a watch at this price point to be able to be used as a professional diving tool. Yes I know I am being pedantic but if trading standards were to find out he could be in a bit of bother.

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I agree. I've been swimming in mine and jumping off Stackpole quay. No issues. Personally, I'd dive with it without a thought - what's the worst that can happen?

This thing of mine is depth rated to 1000m, I'd say it's likely structurally capable of just that.

I think what needs to happen is Steeldive need to give Steeldive UK a kick in the trousers for being such poor ambassadors of their product.

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Originally Posted by Paul J

I agree. I've been swimming in mine and jumping off Stackpole quay. No issues. Personally, I'd dive with it without a thought - what's the worst that can happen?

This thing of mine is depth rated to 1000m, I'd say it's likely structurally capable of just that.

I think what needs to happen is Steeldive need to give Steeldive UK a kick in the trousers for being such poor ambassadors of their product.

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Love Stackpole. Many a nice meal over the years in the Stackpole Inn.

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Originally Posted by Yorkshiremadmick

My Samurai Save the Ocean from 2018 is by far the worst time keeper I’ve got. It is easily more in value than others, but consistently is 25/30 a day adrift. But within Seiko’s tolerances.
Steeldive whilst still using Seiko movements are obviously tweaking them. Shame Seiko can’t tweak their chapter rings, bezels, dials and movements.
Shame on them and their price expectations.


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It may well be it’s because it’s sat on a shelf for years before it sold. I have a Seiko that suffered from the same problem, sent it (to an independent NOT Seiko) and had it stripped and cleaned. It’s now one of my most accurate watches.

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Originally Posted by Paul J

I agree. I've been swimming in mine and jumping off Stackpole quay. No issues. Personally, I'd dive with it without a thought - what's the worst that can happen?

This thing of mine is depth rated to 1000m, I'd say it's likely structurally capable of just that.

I think what needs to happen is Steeldive need to give Steeldive UK a kick in the trousers for being such poor ambassadors of their product.

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Seriously? These are mass produced in China and I genuinely doubt they’ve ever been near a depth test. Why would they?


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Originally Posted by RobDad

Seriously? These are mass produced in China and I genuinely doubt they’ve ever been near a depth test. Why would they?


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Some years ago I had a lengthy email correspondence with the MD of a then well known microbrand that built divers proofed to 2500m.

He told me that in general the vast majority of watches aren't depth tested to greater than 100m, this is simply to test that the watch resists water.

After that, it's the structural integrity of the watch that counts as the case is under enough pressure to effectively squeeze all the seals tighter shut.

The process is; the watch is designed, prototyped and it's the prototypes that get tested to full depth - this is to prove the design, then the production watches simply have the aforementioned WP test because there's no need to unnecessarily stress the casework on an already proven design.

So, to answer your question; yes, seriously.

It's a proven design, long since, and I really don't think the fact that it's made in China need be the least bit prejudicial. As long as it's got all the bits in all the right places, it'll do the job nicely - mine already has and I'd happily try it down to 4atm which is as deep as I and the majority of divers ever need to go.



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All the Steeldive/Heimdallr watches I had were taken scuba diving, but I didn't go to 200, 300 or 1200 metres...

M

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Maybe my answer was a bit too flippant. I guess I’m cynical as to whether homages of watches with very high water resistance that have those same depths on the dial should be expected to reach that depth. I have a Casio 200m dive watch which you can currently buy for £29.99 so it’s clearly possible. If Casio made a 1000m watch for the same price I’d also trust it - Casio has a huge reputation and has spent a lot of money etc over the years on marketing etc and advertising and has a reputation for reliable, tough watches. It also will have the facilities to build and test to that depth. But will a company who makes the steel dive watches? After all who will test their watch to that depth and I’m sure it requires expensive specialist equipment to do so. I wasn’t being xenophobic it just seems unlikely, that’s all. Happy to be proven wrong. Like I say I can buy a 200m casio for under £30, but if you read the Rolex and Omega etc marketing guff you need an oyster case made of special steel and sealed like a submarine apparently. It’s not quite as romantic to admit a plastic cased watch with 4 buttons, a single o ring on the caseback held in place by 4 screws and costing less than a good meal can do the same thing!


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No one goes to 200 or 300 metres to test a watch's WR.

All they do is put one in a pressure chamber and crank up the pressure.

That sort of equipment is beyond the budget of most enthusiasts or even small watch repairers, but certainly not a manufacturer churning out the volume of watches the Steeldive (et al) factory do.

I'm not even sure you have to test every watch to claim ISO compliance for a model.

M

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Originally Posted by snowman

No one goes to 200 or 300 metres to test a watch's WR.

All they do is put one in a pressure chamber and crank up the pressure.

That sort of equipment is beyond the budget of most enthusiasts or even small watch repairers, but certainly not a manufacturer churning out the volume of watches the Steeldive (et al) factory do.

I'm not even sure you have to test every watch to claim ISO compliance for a model.

M

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If it is for the higher ISO 6425 accreditation then every single watch has to be tested to its stated value plus 25%, so 250m for an skx007 for example. For the lower standard ISO 2281 batch testing is sufficient. In the case of Seiko their watches actually marked "divers" on the dial or caseback, from the 007 upwards all get the full monty individual test. Watches that are not marked "divers" such as the 100m 5 series do not. I don't know if the 100m watches are ISO 2281 accredited or not.
I'd have thought that Steeldive have their own equipment as you have suggested, and assiduously tested their products pre production to reasonable depths and that's about it. I'd also assume they do some batch testing themselves, especially if they change suppliers for any component. But I'd be very mightily surprised indeed if ISO 6425 testing takes place, in fact I'd bet almost anything that it doesn't.
Saying that, I love my Steeldive Willard and at the price I'm more than happy with it, pressure tested or not.

I don't dive but if i did i wouldn't trust my life to a mechanical dive watch whether steeldive, rolex or blancpain. I'd have a proper dive computer and some easy to read digital watch as backup.
I'd happily wear one for simple snorkelling or pool swimming though.

I don't think that I would see a Steeldive as a viable alternative to an Omega Ploprof 1200, which is a £9k watch.
However, I do see them as more satisfying than the lower end Seikos, for the reasons I've already outlined. The only one that I do have, which is the SKX style, has an accurately adjusted (performing to COSC standards), handwind-able, hacking (Seiko) movement, sapphire crystal, ceramic bezel and the bezel, chapter ring and dial are all perfectly aligned. This is all for roughly half the price of the equivalent Seiko.
For me the glaring point is that, there would have been no opportunity for Steeldive to get going at all, if Seiko had been doing the job properly in the first instance. In contrast, the Steeldive versions offer an upgraded alternative and Seiko's response has been to seriously hike their prices, thus creating the headroom for the new brand to thrive in the slot that Seiko once dominated.

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Originally Posted by julian2002

I don't dive but if i did i wouldn't trust my life to a mechanical dive watch whether steeldive, rolex or blancpain. I'd have a proper dive computer and some easy to read digital watch as backup.
I'd happily wear one for simple snorkelling or pool swimming though.

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The divers mentioned at the outset were commercial divers, connected to the surface by umbilical carrying air and Comms. At no time do such men rely on their watch because that's what the diving supervisor is for, he tells them what to do, elapsed time, job updates and when to start surface. The watch is there merely for countdown to lunchtime / knock off.

This thread seems to have digressed somewhat. I'm not sure if anyone drew any serious comparisons between a Steeldive and anything else, certainly not the likes of a ploprof. People who buy such things generally buy them as an investment, for the look, vanity, whatever. I doubt 99% of them even go in the shower.

The point is simply this: Steeldives are great value for money. They probably shouldn't be compared with anything else because their purpose, so far as I can see is to appeal to the lower end of the market which in our case means a bit of fun on a budget.

Any comparisons with other manufacturers are simply moot, probably even pointless.

I bought one simply because I wanted to see it in the flesh and I was very pleasantly surprised.

My daily wearer is a Garmin 6x pro - I'd wear that in the sea if I wanted to.

My other watch is a Glashütte Original sport evo, I wouldn't wear that in the sea even though it's rated to 200m simply because I don't want it gummed up with salt and sand.

That's where the Steeldive comes in; one way I lose £4k the other £100andsomething - I wouldnt have thought any further case needs to be made.

Comparing a Steeldive ploprofalike with the Omega original is simply ridiculous and I don't think anyone was trying to do that.

Do I have any difficulty in believing that my Steeldive can go to far greater depths than I can? No, I certainly don't.

Do I believe it can go to the 1000m rating on the dial? I simply don't care.

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Originally Posted by Paul J

I agree. I've been swimming in mine and jumping off Stackpole quay. No issues. Personally, I'd dive with it without a thought - what's the worst that can happen?

This thing of mine is depth rated to 1000m, I'd say it's likely structurally capable of just that.

I think what needs to happen is Steeldive need to give Steeldive UK a kick in the trousers for being such poor ambassadors of their product.

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There is no Steeldive firm, that is just a name put on watches ordered and sold here.

Many identical watches with just cosmetic differences flow out of a Chinese factory under a variety of names.

If you order enough you can have your name on the dial/case etc.

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Originally Posted by Neil.C

There is no Steeldive firm, that is just a name put on watches ordered and sold here.

Many identical watches with just cosmetic differences flow out of a Chinese factory under a variety of names.

If you order enough you can have your name on the dial/case etc.

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Ah! Ok. Thanks for clearing that up.

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Originally Posted by Neil.C

There is no Steeldive firm, that is just a name put on watches ordered and sold here.

Many identical watches with just cosmetic differences flow out of a Chinese factory under a variety of names.

If you order enough you can have your name on the dial/case etc.

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That's very likely the case.
However, those sold under this brand appear to enjoy a very good reputation for fit & finish, accuracy etc. If that's the standard of the regular production churned out of some nameless Chinese factory, it's a serious indictment on Seiko's performance at this end of the market.

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Originally Posted by TomGW

That's very likely the case.
However, those sold under this brand appear to enjoy a very good reputation for fit & finish, accuracy etc. If that's the standard of the regular production churned out of some nameless Chinese factory, it's a serious indictment on Seiko's performance at this end of the market.

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Do Seiko not have factories in China, Korea, Indonesia and Malaysia?

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Originally Posted by julian2002

I don't dive but if i did i wouldn't trust my life to a mechanical dive watch whether steeldive, rolex or blancpain. I'd have a proper dive computer and some easy to read digital watch as backup.
I'd happily wear one for simple snorkelling or pool swimming though.

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A watch isn't a matter of life and death, but it is a matter of recording time.

A mechanical watch is just fine for that - If your computer craps out, you can fall back on the rule of 50 (20m - 30mins, 30m - 20mins) for most recreational dives - a dive watch with the bezel set appropriately is fine for that.

If you're doing deco stops, you probably have a number of scenarios on a slate and can time those with a mechanical watch.

That digital watch isn't so great when your mind is befuddled with narcosis, especially once you have to try and remember if you started timing this stop at 7 minutes past or 3? Yes, you could use a stopwatch, but can you remember all the buttons to press to make sure you do it right? A bezel is almost foolproof.

A lot of technical divers use only timers and not computers - They plan their dives meticulously and follow the plans exactly, with worse case scenarios planned and recorded as well.

That 'proper computer' is fine for most diving, but only as good as its algorithm, WR and battery and they do fail sometimes.

A mechanical watch will do the job of recording dive time just fine.

I wouldn't trust my life to a computer, a watch or a sundial, but a watch CAN still be a useful tool on any dive.

M