Dive watches come in all shapes and sizes, and are available at all different price points. Most watches with a uni-directional rotating bezel and the ability to fit over a wetsuit claim more water resistance then most of us will ever need: usually around 100-200 meters.

Lots of titanium. First of all, most of the watch is a titanium alloy. Titanium isn’t particularly scratch-resistant, but it is very tough and very light. The case is a single solid piece of titanium (which can only be opened from the front), and has its signature stingray engraved in the back. The bracelet is titanium, as well, and is extremely solid and strong.

Sapphire crystal. The Scubamaster’s crystal is highly scratch-resistant synthetic sapphire which is set down below the bezel for extra protection.

This model comes in a choice of dial colors (blue, black, orange, silver, and yellow), and is outfitted with a mineral crystal. Something that sets the Abyss apart from the other extreme divers is the day of the week in additional to the date. Like all the extreme divers, the case of the Abyss is filled with silicone oil to keep the pressure equalized, and it has a very prominent air bubble which will undoubtedly draw bewildered looks and plenty of questions from perfect strangers.

Self-charging. The Scubamaster is part of Seiko’s Kinetic line. Kinetic watches have quartz movements which are powered by rechargeable batteries. The batteries are recharged by the action of a rotor which moves as you move your arm. The concept is similar to that of an automatic watch, but rather than the rotor winding a spring, it generates electricity that is used to power a standard quartz movement.

In additional to an oil-filled case, the caseback of the watch has a rubber button which helps accommodate the changing properties of the oil under extreme temperatures and depths. The button can become convex or concave as the oil expands or contracts. While I will concede that a $2,400 watch that can go as deep as one of the deepest points in the ocean may be a little overkill, the watch is more of a proof of concept and a brand statement for Bell & Ross professional watches.

Next up is the MTM Black Seal (read the full review here). This one is defiantly worth a few minutes of your time. With an oil-filled case, the MTM Black Seal claims to be completely waterproof to 12,000 meters (39,000 feet), and even adds some interesting features like a high-end Swiss quartz movement, a sapphire crystal (much harder then the mineral crystal found on the Abyss), and Tritium-filled glass tubes on all the markers. Tritium gas is electro-phosphorescent meaning it glows all the time, and the tubes have enough gas to glow for 25 years. This is far more useful then luminous paint because it glows brightly and constantly without the need to charge from ambient light. At $1,800, the Black Seal is a serious watch with a serious look and a very comprehensive set of features.

And then there’s the crown. The crown is big and textured to make it easy to grasp, and the threading of the crown and stem is precise which makes it very easy to release and reseal. This may seem like a given, but I’ve handled enough watches with difficult to manage screwdown crowns that I really appreciate when it’s done right.