+1 for bidirectional bezels. I’ve got 3 bidirectional and 2 unidirectional and the bidirectional are easier to use and more practical for quickly setting a timer day to day. One is a friction fit (Guinand 40), which is nice for precise timing, and the other two are ball bearing/ratcheting bezels which are oh so satisfying to use (Damasko DA47 and a Sinn 104). Much less clicky and way more solid with less play.

 

Is it more practical for most people? Absolutely.

Does it make sense on a dive watch? No. Not speaking from an opinion standpoint, but from a function one.

 

Good point and I agree. I’m not measuring dives and don’t need a foolproof way to avoid the bezel moving the “wrong” way. Only bidirectional I have is on a Sinn 104 (countdown), but I would also prefer it on the divers for the reasons you state. I also prefer an easier grip and/or slightly lighter action on a bezel to make them easier to turn. Love the Submariner but find the bezel on mine harder to grip and turn than most of my other divers.

Having said all that, if part of the fun/objective is creating a true dive-capable watch, I can understand why most operate as they do.

 

Good point and I agree. I’m not measuring dives and don’t need a foolproof way to avoid the bezel moving the “wrong” way. Only bidirectional I have is on a Sinn 104 (countdown), but I would also prefer it on the divers for the reasons you state. I also prefer an easier grip and/or slightly lighter action on a bezel to make them easier to turn. Love the Submariner but find the bezel on mine harder to grip and turn than most of my other divers.

Having said all that, if part of the fun/objective is creating a true dive-capable watch, I can understand why most operate as they do.

I have mixed feelings about my Seamaster/SMP for the same reason. I don’t think Omega could have done a worse job on the bezel. Extremely difficult to grip and rotate.

 

Bad for a dive watch, good for any other watch used to time things. Love the bi-directional bezel on my CP-2.

 

I completely agree. I understand the dive bezel being uni, but stop with the uni on other watches please. Also wtf was Hamilton thinking with that 50 click bezel on that new pilot watch?

 

The Ploprof is bidirectional with a lock. Superior to every bezel.

 

Hard to argue with a guy who's sporting an "instrument"

 

I agree.

 

The Alpina Alpiner 4 has a bidirectional bezel and I was really impressed.

 

First world problem and No.

 

While I completely agree, to me, the inconvenience of turning an unidirectional bezel almost one complete turn is very minor. I'd definitely prefer all digital watches allowed the minutes (of the alarm, of the countdown timer etc.) to be set "bidirectionally", or at least each digit separately.

 

Fully agreed.

And since nobody really dives with their divewatches it’s mostly posing anyway.

 

Even more so given the standard PADI cert is 18m....so I would imagine...over 95% of the small percentage who do dive, really don't need to worry about a bidirectional bezel going the wrong way, especially given if they have half a damn brain, they will be using a dive computer anyway.

I don't even see this as an opinion at all (never mind unpopular)...simple facts that a bidirectional is better.

 

I say if the bezel on my dive watch is knocked the wrong way, I could underestimate my dive time, misunderstand my decompression time and suffer serious injury.

Unidirectional it is.

Bidirectional has its purpose, but it isn’t fit for the water.

 

Bidirectional has its purpose, but it isn’t fit for the water

It is if it’s in a compressor case.

 

A bi-directional bezel can be useful underwater, if you’re intending to use the watch for something other than dive timing. The Pelagos FXD uses a bi-directional bezel, for example, because the Marine Nationale needed a timer bezel for dead reckoning to help them navigate underwater. But that’s a very specific use case.

 

A bi-directional bezel can be useful underwater, if you’re intending to use the watch for something other than dive timing. The Pelagos FXD uses a bi-directional bezel, for example, because the Marine Nationale needed a timer bezel for dead reckoning to help them navigate underwater. But that’s a very specific use case.
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Well, that's also a countdown bezel, so, technically it's not a "diver" at all. More of a "Tactical Watch".

 

I discovered the significant advantages of bidirectional bezels 12 years ago with the purchase of my Sinn 757UTC. It fast became both my most preferred and most useful watch. I still own unidirectional bezels but when given a choice I prefer bidirectional every time.

 

Worst offenders are GMT watches with uni-directional bezels. Followed by 12hr and countdown bezels.

I'm totally on board with bi-directional, but having plenty experience with Vostok, many can be too loose, without adjustment, and lead to unintentional misalignment.

 

A bidirectional bezel is more practical indeed. When I wear my YM, it's easier to use as a timer than a unidirectional diver. The bezel movement feels smoother too.

 

I'd agree with that.

 

I don’t dive so a bidirectional bezel would be handy for those times when I’ve somehow managed to move the pip off 12:00 and my OCD wants to reset it.

 

I have both in my collection. I would not consider one better than the other, just different.

 

Hard to argue against that.

 

Rolex yacht master.

 

Bi-directional would be more convenient for me. I do use the timing bezel but not for diving.

 

With the sole exception being a dive watch used for diving. Other than that I prefer a bidirectional 12hr navigator bezel with minute markers at least the 1st 20 mins

 

I just love bi directional bezels, when you align them and go to far, you can easily adjust it.

 

IMHO - The dive watch has become so popular that the uni seems to drive the show even though the bi is clearly more useful to most folks. The discussion should not be uni vs bi, but count down/elapsed time & number of clicks.

 

A "diver" must have elapsed time & unidirectional, so, that's basically the same as diver vs non-diver.

 

Divers are unidirectional for a reason.

Fleigers are usually bidirectional.

Not seeing a problem here, only choices.