Victorinox Dive Master 500M Mechanical - Opinions Needed

[djmundle]

Hello,

I am looking at the new Victorinox Dive Master 500m Mechanical watches, Mfg#'s 241355 and 241561

I am wondering if anyone has either of these watches and if you can post your comments about the watches.

I believe the 241355 is the newest model and would like to know if that is true.

Thank for all your help. If you have a Seiko skx and can post a pic of the Victorinox next to it for size that would be wonderful.

Thanks!

[Memphis1]

241561/gray (241562/brown) is the new model. 241355 is not exactly "old". main difference is the color of the dial, 241355 is black and 241561 is a bit more gray. both have the 2892.a2 about as accurate, if you always wear it or keep it wound, as a grand seiko. pretty much as tough as they come... on a bracelet the watch is about 220+grams and on rubber maybe 140+grams... rubber is some of the softest even though it's thick, it's also long so you can wear over diving suit. neat feature of the rubber is it has little grooves for the sweat to dissipate, screw down crown, legit 500m resistance, if i'm not mistaken 160 feet is the deepest for any human, so you'll be fine. PVD coating is pretty thick, the bracelet would get scratched if you desk dive, but the case should be fine for years.

[Bigjamesdean]

Pvd comes off pretty easy unless you extremely gentle. Lume is very under whelming. Personally I would go with a micro brand
diver such as Armida/Helson/Benarus all give you alot more watch for the money.

[Memphis1]

which VSA did you own?? i've had 6 (all the colors/chrono/quartz/mecha) DM500 and none match your description

Pvd comes off pretty easy unless you extremely gentle. Lume is very under whelming.

[nm4710]

I own a DM500 (an older quartz one - not PVD). Very well made watch - the case and bracelet are way better than I would expect for the price. Lume is excellent. I don't own any of the micro-diver brands for comparison but I doubt they'd be much better. I would warn you it's a heavy watch, one that you should prob try on before you buy it. Personally I love mine and it's one of FEW watches I own that has garnered compliments. Here's a pic of me wearing a DM500 and a monster (SKX) side-by-side. Sorry it's a lousy pic but hopefully it will help you.

Cheers,
NM

[Bigjamesdean]

which VSA did you own?? i've had 6 (all the colors/chrono/quartz/mecha) DM500 and none match your description

I have the Quartz but I have a buddy with two pvd auto's both of which are loosing the pvd in multiple places but not really expecting different from a cheap watch.
Maybe he is just hard on his than you are on yours.

[Bigjamesdean]

I own a DM500 (an older quartz one - not PVD). Very well made watch - the case and bracelet are way better than I would expect for the price. Lume is excellent. I don't own any of the micro-diver brands for comparison but I doubt they'd be much better. I would warn you it's a heavy watch, one that you should prob try on before you buy it. Personally I love mine and it's one of FEW watches I own that has garnered compliments. Here's a pic of me wearing a DM500 and a monster (SKX) side-by-side. Sorry it's a lousy pic but hopefully it will help you.

Cheers,
NM

try a Helson sometime will put it to shame in every aspect, Do you think the VSA has better lume than your monster btw ? Bigger difference after 30 mins the vsa is very faded and the Helson only lost about 10% of its brigtness. Tried the VSA over night and by 5am I had to turn the light on to read it which is not the case with the Helson. Sorry to jack the thread sort of just giving the OP options. I just think you get more for your money with the some of the Micro's. Not saying the VSA is a bad watch mind you.

[MrGone]

<snip> if i'm not mistaken 160 feet is the deepest for any human, <snip>.

You are very mistaken if you mean to say that noone dives below 160feet.

However, 500m is more than enough for any recreational diving and all tech diving you'll be likely to do ;)

[Riddim Driven]

Sorry, didn't look up the models in question. Pics are better I enjoy my VSA DM Mecha, and was tickled pink to find a bracelet off the FS forum. The colored dials only came with rubber. Frankly the rubber straps don't conform that well IMHO. The lume is also not as great as some boast. The hands are the the strongest, lume wise, so it works in the dark. Mine hasn't shown signs of any wearing regarding the finish. I'm still liking mine. If I could I would go for the LE model, but OK for now Good watch!

RD

[SBD]

I've had 2 of the Dive Master Mechas and I they are remarkably complete divers for the money. There are some great options among microbrews too -- I think the final decision probably comes down to personal taste as much as it does to overall quality.

Regarding lume, here's a comparison I did a long time ago. Benarus and Stowa are both highly regarded for their lume, so the results of this one was a surprise to me.

SBD's first attempt at a LUME TEST