The helium release valve is one of the most overused and misunderstood components found on watches today. While it does no harm to include one, its function is extremely specific and only matters at all if you happen to be a commercial diver (that bothers to wear a watch). It's high time we cut through the mythology, so here's the low down on the helium release valve.
Brands large and small continue drilling extra holes in their cases and then touting the extreme capabilities of these watches, often erroneously associating the component with deeper depths and safer diving. Meanwhile, many naïve watch buyers assume that a dive watch without a helium release valve is somehow inferior and they therefore seek out this feature above others.