Rolex

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Sorry. Spelling error. Should be Hydra I.

Hydra I was the first in a series of test dives with helium/oxygen and nitrogen/oxygen mixed breathing gases, led and performed by Comex. That was the start of saturated diving.

The reason for the helium escape valve is as follows: In this kind of diving, the diving team is gradually set under pressure until they are “adjusted” to the pressure on the depth where they shall work. As oxygen becomes poisonous under this pressure, the divers breathe a mix of helium and oxygen.

The breathing gas is administered to the pressure tank during pressure setting, during work and during de-compressing (it takes days).

The helium molecules are so small, they will actually be able to penetrate the watch case and create the same pressure inside as outside. During decompression there is a risk that the crystal will pop off due to the pressure difference as you decompress.

Having watch part flying around is a risk and to prevent that from happening, Rolex invented a one way valve that allows excess pressure to “escape” from the inside of the watch case.

The first escape valve was a very simple construction, a cone shaped “plug” held in place by a flat spring allowing it to release pressure from inside but preserving the integrity of the case with regards to pressure from outside.