Aside from its natural pairing with wetsuits, scuba tanks, masks and flippers, what else can you wear dive watches with? Well, previously we already shared how a dive watch can match with moderately dressy outfits. Is it really on par with the dress watch in formality?… Is it the ultimate GADA (go-anywhere-do-anything) watch?… Or is it only good enough for beach activities and barbecue parties? So let’s buckle up, as we dive through the different levels of formality with the dive watch.
What Exactly Is A Dive Watch?
Today, we’re gonna take a look at the Orient Ray 2 (reference number FAA02005D9). It’s one of Orient’s entry level dive watches. Before we proceed any further, let’s make it abundantly clear that the Ray 2 isn’t a certified dive watch. It isn’t certified to comply with ISO 6425 standards. Then again, neither is the Rolex Submariner. Both these watches are just as capable as, if not more capable than other certified ISO 6425 dive watches. One model isn’t certified to keep the cost down, to pass the savings to its customers. The other, well, they believe that their in-house standard is more stringent than the ISO 6425 standards anyway. But what’s most important is that they both can withstand the pressure down to their respective claimed depth ratings.
For the purpose of this article, we’ll see how we can pair the Ray 2 with classic menswear. I’ll also explain why I consider the Ray 2 to be a “dressy” dive watch. It’s definitely not the stereotypical dive watch, a boxy metal vault that you strap onto your wrist when you dive. I’ll elaborate why this is so a little further down this article.
Pairing The Dive Watch With Classic Menswear
When wearing the dive watch on dry land, you can almost pair it across all of classic menswear. Let’s see exactly how far we can stretch its suitability across the whole formality spectrum :-
(1) Business Formal
NO – Although the Ray 2 is more dressy looking than most dive watches, certain formalities are still beyond its reach. And for the record, no, not even James Bond can pull this off, regardless what the product placements tell you.
(2) Business Semi-Formal
Again, NO – Similar reasons as the above. This outfit is still too dressy to pair with a dive watch.
(3) Business Informal
YES for Ray 2, MAYBE for most other dive watches – As mentioned, the Ray 2 isn’t a stereotypical dive watch. It’s a “dressier” version of the stereotypical dive watch. Hence, you can pull this outfit off with the Ray 2, but not necessarily other types of dive watches.
(4) Business Casual
YES – Except for the clearly visible, tool-like appearance of extreme divers, most dive watches pair rather well with this outfit. Hence, the dressy appearance of the Ray 2 will definitely pair well with this outfit.
(5) Dressy Casual
YES – Most dive watches will pair very nicely with this outfit.
(6) Just Casual
A definite YES – Even the most bulky looking dive watch will pair well with this outfit.
Dive Watch Vs Dressy Dive Watch
You’re probably wondering why I kept harping on the term “dressy” dive watch. Well, for most dive watches’ design, form always follows function. Dive watches are generally bulky looking, with thick protruding edges. This awkward shape serves to withstand the immense pressure in the depths. This differs from the sleek lines and smooth edges of other dressier, more delicate watches. And this is where the Ray 2 differs from the stereotypical dive watches.
It may not be obvious, but the Ray 2’s case is still pretty bulky. However, the sleek case design cleverly hides this bulk. Sharply downward-curved lugs taper the overall bulk down even more, making it look and feel dressier than it actually is. And then there’s the controversial bezel timer ring. In order to make it slip effortlessly underneath the sleeve cuff, it tapers sharply over the sides. This ultimately lessens the grip, resulting in slight difficulty when operating the bezel timer. I suppose it’s an acceptable sacrifice to make for a dressy dive watch…
A Dive Watch In Its Natural Habitat
Okay, we know why the Ray 2 pairs well with dressier outfits. But what if you want to utilise it to its full extent? Can we make this dressy dive watch a little “less dressy”, and a whole lot more brawny looking?… Of course we can… We just have to get rid of the “camouflage nettings”, and let its rough and tough physique shine through.
Simply swapping its sleek looking stainless steel bracelet with a utilitarian nylon NATO strap will change the outlook immediately. Now the Ray 2 looks and feels bulked up, like a stereotypical dive watch. You can forget about pairing this with any outfit dressier than just casual. In fact, you can pair it all the way down to just goggles and swim trunks, and still look fabulous. And yeah, that includes your typical outfit for the backyard barbecue party too.
I never thought that I’d say a dive watch looks this good in its natural habitat. This is almost as versatile as an all-rounder watch. I dare say that dive watches, specifically the Ray 2, are true GADA watches. And that includes the times when you engage in water activities too.
Disclaimer – This Is Not A Sponsored Article
Neither Orient Watch Company nor Seiko Epson Corporation (Orient’s parent company) sponsored the Ray 2 in this article. The same goes for their distributors and retailers too. And as usual, yes, we do welcome sponsorship from any related companies for future episodes in this series. Rest assured that we’ll spell it out clearly if and when we do get any sponsorship for any specific episode. Don’t worry, sponsorship will never determine how we deliver the individual episodes. And do come back for the next episode, where we’ll take a look at a previously uncharted type of timepiece. This time around, we’re gonna explore the GMT watch.
If you have any questions or comments, do leave them below. And even if you don’t, do consider buying me a coffee. Researching for stories like this is hard work. And caffeine helps to keep me going for when the times get tough… Believe me, the times do get tough…
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