Helium Release Valve on Watches: How They Work and Why You Want It
Posted by Abe Weiss on Mar 24th 2023
Helium release valves are an important feature on some dive watches. They are designed to release helium that builds up inside the watch during prolonged periods of saturation diving. In this article, we'll explore how helium release valves work and why you may want one on your watch. We'll also take a look at some watches that feature helium release valves, including the Vostok-Europe Lunokhod and Energia, and the traser P67 Diver watches.
How Helium Release Valves Work
During saturation diving, divers are exposed to high-pressure environments for extended periods of time. To prevent decompression sickness, the air that they breathe is a mixture of helium and oxygen. The helium atoms are small enough to penetrate the seals on a watch, and over time, they can build up inside the watch case.
When the divers ascend to the surface, the pressure decreases, causing the helium inside the watch to expand rapidly. This can cause the crystal to pop off or the watch case to crack. A helium release valve allows the helium to escape from the watch case slowly, preventing damage to the watch.
Why You Want a Helium Release Valve on Your Watch
If you're a serious diver, a helium release valve can be a useful feature to have on your watch. It ensures that your watch will remain functional and intact even during prolonged periods of saturation diving. Additionally, a helium release valve can increase the durability and longevity of your watch.
Watches with Helium Release Valves
Many dive watches feature helium release valves. The Vostok-Europe Lunokhod and Energia watches both have helium release valves, as well as the traser P67 Diver watches. These watches are built to withstand extreme environments, including prolonged periods of saturation diving.
In conclusion, a helium release valve is an important feature to have on a dive watch if you plan on doing extended periods of saturation diving. It ensures that your watch will remain functional and intact even in high-pressure environments. The Vostok-Europe Lunokhod and Energia, and the traser P67 Diver watches are great options if you're looking for a watch with a helium release valve.