The Breitling Watch Source Forums

I am seriously considering the Avenger Seawolf Chrono as my first Ling from an AD. But, I have to see if someone can explain the whole "decompression valve" theory found on some of the high end watches these days.

First off, let's forget that there is NOTHING practical about "dive watches". But let's say that the manufacturer has tried to develop a practical feature. What function would the "decompression valve" really serve?

Anyone?

_________________
Rolex 126600 Sea Dweller 43
Chronomat (Evo)
Avenger Seawolf Chrono
SuperOcean Steelfish

Omega Speedmaster Broad Arrow GMT

G-Shocks
GWF-D1000-1JF Frogman

Well with my extensive diving knowledge.......

It purges Helium.

I'm guessing that the pressures cause compression and then expansion of the gases, but I am now way beyond my knowledge so best leave the rest to an expert

None at all unless you were a commercial diver diving to great depths or a saturation diver. That is, a diver who exposes himself to "breathing gases" usually comprised of Helium, Oxygen and/or Hydrogen in order to avoid lengthy decompression times. Watches exposed to Helium and Hydrogen under pressure can absorb the tiny molecules through the crystal and around the seals. Upon decompression then, the pressure of the trapped gas increases and will exceed external atmoshperic pressure causing the watch to rupture. The Helium escape valve will open at a certain predefined pressure releasing it and avoiding potential damage.

Ok, I guess a saturation diver in a habitat, I suppose. But really. If you're a sat diver actually doing hardhat diving, why would you be wearing a watch anyways? lol.

Also, as far as I know, Hydrogen isn't used in breathing mixes. Maybe some of the more exotic experimental mixes. But, As far as I've seen. Oxygen, nitrogen, helium, even neon, but am unframiliar with hydrogen being used.

So, really... that's it. Saturation diver. The only valid case for decompression valve.

_________________
Rolex 126600 Sea Dweller 43
Chronomat (Evo)
Avenger Seawolf Chrono
SuperOcean Steelfish

Omega Speedmaster Broad Arrow GMT

G-Shocks
GWF-D1000-1JF Frogman

Hydrogen is part of a breathing mixture known as Hydreliox. It is used as you say mostly for experimental purposes. It's purpose in adding it to Helium and Oxygen is in an attempt to overcome the problems of neurological impairment during deep dives that can be seen with only the primary gasses. I only mention it here because of the molecules propensity, along with Helium, to infiltrate and permeate the watch crystal and seals.

Lol, this is shortly turning into a diving thread. And Google proves your point. But, Hydreliox, hasn't really gone beyond the shore diving stages. Much like mixtures utilizing neon, even argon. While we're at it, what would be the effects of perfluorocarbon, liquid breathing, on a watch (jking).

John
Mixed Gas CCR diver

_________________
Rolex 126600 Sea Dweller 43
Chronomat (Evo)
Avenger Seawolf Chrono
SuperOcean Steelfish

Omega Speedmaster Broad Arrow GMT

G-Shocks
GWF-D1000-1JF Frogman

Very interesting thread John.

I thought that the mixture had set a diving record but I could be wrong about that.
I know they have been experimenting with it for decades but didn't know how far they had taken it. I did recall a couple of experiments with the mixture, and remembered reading about these in my earlier life, but if I recall correctly these were from the late 80's or early 90's. I couldn't recall seeing anything recently so I pulled a couple of old journal articles from the Journal of Biomedical Research from 1988 and one from the Journal of environmental Psychology. June 1997 where the effects of H2-He-O2 were discussed in regard to HPNS.
I Can’t find anything in the medical literature past this point.

As far as Perflurocarbons, that is a very interesting topic. I doubt this would have little effect on a watch. The Carbon and Fluorine atoms are too large to effectively penetrate it plus the fact that these are not individual atoms but large bulky molecules with high affinity bonds I would think that it would preclude the possibility. Given this I don’t think you’ll be seeing PF valves on watches in the future.

Elwyn
M.D.

The Avenger SeaWolf Chrono is superb!

Elwyn,

It appears your resources of information exceed mine. The mixture may have set a record, which has probably been surpassed by now. Diving records is a conversation I reserve for heavy drinking and hand to hand combat. My knowledge of Hydrogen in a breathing gas mix currently only goes so far as it has it has been used experimentally and in chamber "dry" dives. Maybe that's where the record exists. To my knowedlege the deepest actual open circuit dive record hovers around 1100 feet +/- 100 feet (and has for quite some time). Attempts have been made to go deeper, but failures or death have usually resulted. CCR is another story. Even still at that depth limit, while HPNS is a serious risk, it can be a calculated risk. Full face masks, dry runs, support teams, all greatly reduce these risks, in my opinion, more so than an experimental breathing gas.

But to get back on the original topic of the thread, who would be wearing a watch under a dry suit at 1000+ feet, and who would have helium, or hydrogen in that suit at all with its' thermal conductivity as a suit inflation gas?

Now again, I guess if you were in a habitat, submerisible, etc., yes, the decompression valve would serve a valid purpose upon ascent.

John
Mixed gas CCR diver
24" c*ck

I REALLY hope everone knows this has gone off on a tangent and is ALL in jest

_________________
Rolex 126600 Sea Dweller 43
Chronomat (Evo)
Avenger Seawolf Chrono
SuperOcean Steelfish

Omega Speedmaster Broad Arrow GMT

G-Shocks
GWF-D1000-1JF Frogman