As the second-generation leader of Adina Watches, I often reflect on the innovations that shaped the dive watch category we proudly contribute to today.
It was interesting to learn that, in the early 1950s, purpose-built dive watches began to emerge as scuba diving expanded beyond military units and professional divers to adventurous recreational enthusiasts. In my opinion two landmark models, the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms and the Rolex Submariner set the template for what a true dive watch ought to be.
What made these watches revolutionary was not just their water resistance, but the introduction of the rotating timing bezel. For the first time, a diver could align the bezel’s zero marker with the minute hand before entering the water, instantly converting the watch into a simple, highly legible elapsed-time instrument. In environments where visibility is poor and focus must remain on breathing and buoyancy. That clarity matters.
Crucially, the bezel rotated only counterclockwise. That wasn’t a stylistic decision. It was a safety innovation. If the bezel were accidentally knocked during a dive, it could only move forward, indicating more elapsed time, never less. In practical terms, this meant a diver might surface earlier than planned, but never later. It was a mechanical safeguard against overstaying safe bottom time and risking decompression complications.
This one-way bezel quickly became the defining hallmark of a professional dive watch. It required no electronics, no batteries, and no specialised training. It simply worked, in cold water, darkness, under pressure and in unpredictable real-world conditions. Its brilliance lay in its simplicity.
At Adina, this philosophy resonates deeply with us. Since 1971, our family has been manufacturing watches in Brisbane with durability and reliability at the core of every design.
Our Adina Amphibian 20ATM Water Resistant models carry forward that same uncompromising approach. Rated to 200 metres and equipped with an omni-directional bezel, our Amphibian dive watches honour the original safety principles established in the 1950s while meeting the expectations of modern Australian divers.
For us, the bezel is not just a functional component. It is a reminder of why dive watches exist in the first place. They are tools first and heritage pieces second, and as custodians of an Australian watchmaking legacy, we remain committed to producing robust, practical timepieces that can be relied upon when it matters most.
Adina Watches are built to last and perform, whether that’s beneath the surface or in everyday life.
