I Tested Apple Watch Ultra In A Dive Chamber

What happens when you dive too deep with the Apple Watch Ultra? I put it to the test to show you exactly how the Apple Watch Ultra 'Depth' app works, as well as how the data works behind the scenes. Dive on in!

The first thing to know is the Apple Watch hardware design, which is certified to 100m in depth. And then the second is their software app, which is designed for usage to 40m (131ft) of depth. That native app is called…umm…Depth. And it essentially aims to show your current, well…depth (and duration/water temp). Meanwhile, there's the Huish Outdoors app called the Oceanic+. That app (which costs $79/year, but they also have day/month passes) has all the dive-related functions you’d find in a normal dive computer. Things like dive planning, water type, ascent warnings, safety stops, mixed gas options, etc… That app isn’t available today, and is slated for sometime this fall.

If you check out the two specs that Apple certified against, ISO 22810:2010 specifies the waterproof rating for watches statically (to 100m in Apple’s case). However, DIN EN13319 covers the depth gauge and specifically operation of said gauge to the specified water pressure listed (100m in this case), given that would require pressing buttons in order to use said operation as covered under the functional area, thus would be covered to 100m according to Apple’s claims.

#AppleWatchUltra #Diving #Scuba

[MVK_GS]

I've been a Samsung guy for a long time (but was all in with Apple from 2011 through 2018). I have to admit, when Apple decides on creating a quality product - which is very often - they do a fantastic job. I am very impressed by this demonstration. Thank you, DC Rainmaker!

[luisnouel]

Great review, as a diver I was surprised that decreasing the pressure so fast did not triggered any alarm, any dive computer will indicate if you are ascending too fast to prevent decompression sicknesses . The idea of trying it out in Vinkeveen is interesting but not so for filming as it can get pretty dark there after few meters. As regards the 40 meters limit, it is more than acceptable for the great majority of divers if you consider than an open water diver is allowed to dive up to 18 meters. It in an interesting gadget but I would not ditch my dive computer for an Apple Watch, not even as a back up, at least for now. Still, thanks so much for the review.

[solomonooozz]

They should add the safety stop (deco) warning, descend and ascend speed warning. Regardless, it's a nice add-on.

[TheThaiLife]

Videos like yours make YouTube great. This was freaking awesome, thank you for quenching our curiosity.

[ibrahimjanneh]

So far, you have done one of the most amazing reviews, it is mind blowing. Thank you for a job well done and a spectacular show.

[mvp_kryptonite]

Haha the water tank, really great review and again proves you are the man when it comes to these tests. Apple I think could have done a bit more with their native dive app but the Ultra in general is a good start. Support more BLE sensor types and its much improved. Price points I think are a tad high across the board but only not using our wallets will affect that

[LJ-jqog]

As a diver I GREATLY APPRECIATE your amazing perennial efforts ! ❤

[tomeauburn]

Appreciate you doing a review. Oceanic is doing a subscription app so you have to pay yearly which will turn a lot of people off. It's is impressive that they have made it this waterproof though. I was a cave diver and Trimix diver and currently the Shearwater is the best dive computer out there which is about the same cost as the watch and a couple of yrs of subscriptions

[DIVETALK]

I guess we have to wait for that Oceanic App because this depth sensor is basically useless for actual scuba diving. We are planning to take this on a real dive and see how useful it is.

[JoseARubio]

I have no words!.... this is next level of testing, way more that we can ask to a reviewer.
(Btw, I bought a Forerunner 205 bc of you back in 2009, when you only had a written blog, (even I swam with it under the swim cap following your instructions) long time fan)

[ΓεώργιοςΜπρίνταλος]

You should definitely do the same test on the Garmin G1... and also let it pass the NDL time so we can see if its small screen is effective during deco stops!

[thisprofileismt]

One of the very few reviewers who go above and beyond to give a full picture of the device they're reviewing. Ray is an inspiration.

[Drones]

Whoa! This vid popped off! Congrats Ray! 🤛🏻

[janmarcinowski]

A way to make your "pressure testing setup" last much longer, would be to actually pop that tablet open, get this old battery out, and attach some extension wires to the battery terminals (getting them out of the case). This way you could run the juice from a lab bench power supply to the expected amp/volts needs. This way at least from the POV of the tablet dying of battery - shouldn't be a problem any more.

[sfiron]

I missed the safety stop and warning and also ascend speed warning. Did I miss it in the video?

[jeffmoriarty]

Thanks for all the hard work. Not sure how many other reviewers are running for 14 hours and using crazy home depth gauges. I picked up a ultra on Friday (because I’m a sucker for Apple stuff and wanted longer battery). Look forward to using it diving, but will definitely have a backup computer first couple times.

[fitgearhunter]

This was awesome. Totally awesome you had this whole set up made that long ago! Lord - I bet it cost so much. Great work

[bsmukler]

This was such a blast. I relived junior high science class. I don’t even dive, but now of course that watch is very intriguing. All this experiment lacks is a tiny deep dive vessel wIth a James Cameron figure at the helm (and a Rolex Sea Dweller strapped to the outside). Kudos to some team at Apple for prevailing on the powers that be to include this functionality in the watch.

[JaySelle]

Thank you! I’m an avid diver and want to know what to expect. One thing that jumped out is I didn’t see a deco warning.

I would expect the watch to flash warning about ascending too fast and hold for a 15 min safety stop.

[dahveed]

This was great. One of the reasons I justified the expense of the Ultra is the dive computer aspect. So it's good to see the basic functionality of it working. Since any app would be using the data the watch provides, it's good to know this thing works before investing in the app (when available).