Helium release valve

Breitling avenger seawolf

Helium release valve

A helium release valve is a feature found on certain diving watches. It is designed to release built-up helium gas that can accumulate in the watch during deep-sea diving, particularly during saturation diving.

Function

During saturation diving, divers live in a pressurized environment and breathe a gas mixture containing helium. Helium molecules are extremely small and can penetrate the seals of a watch. When the diver returns to the surface and the pressure decreases, the trapped helium can cause the watch crystal to pop off. The helium release valve allows the gas to escape safely, preventing damage to the watch.

Types of Helium Release Valves

There are two main types of helium release valves:

• Automatic Helium Release Valve: This type of valve operates automatically when the internal pressure reaches a certain level.
• Manual Helium Release Valve: This type requires the diver to unscrew the valve to release the gas.

History

The concept of the helium release valve was pioneered by Rolex and Doxa S.A. in the 1960s. The first watch to feature this technology was the Rolex Sea-Dweller, which was developed in collaboration with COMEX, a professional diving company.

Applications

Helium release valves are primarily used in professional diving watches. They are a critical feature for divers who spend extended periods in pressurized environments, such as those involved in saturation diving.

Related Pages

• Diving watch
• Saturation diving
• Rolex Sea-Dweller
• COMEX