zOwie Omega Discussion Forum

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You have a significant misconception here...

In Response To: Omega Helium Relief vs Rolex nothing?? ()

: Why then does the Omega version require a
: helium relief valve, when the Rolex
: submariners I've seen have no such valve?

The Helium Relief valve has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with making the watch more water resistant.

It is an accessory feature needed only in obscure diving-bell situations that use a highly helium-based air. Because the 300M watches are so water resistant -- and therefore airtight too -- they cannot adjust to the AIR PRESSURE changes during diving bell decompression. So the HRV is there to allow the air pressure inside the watch to equalize faster so the crystal doesn't pop out.

Both ROLEX and OMEGA include this obscure feature on some of their diving watches almost totally for the sales value of impressing the Average Joe. Only about 50 people on this entire planet will ever be in the situation that actually calls for that feature.