Dive watches are probably the most popular style of watch on the planet, which might seem strange because most people who own one will probably never actually take it scuba diving. But the point is that if you wanted to, you could.
These timepieces are tough, highly waterproof, and scream adventure. They are the true do-it-all watch. You can dress them up or down, and know that wherever life may take you, they will be a trusty companion.
Below, in our buyer’s guide, we’ll explain the most important things you need to know and present some of the best offerings currently on the market. Whether this is your first dive watch or you’re looking to add yet another piece to your ever-growing collection, we have thoroughly tested all the models reviewed below so that you don’t have to. Brands range from luxury to affordable, and if you’re looking for a Seiko, don’t miss our dedicated guide to that iconic brand.
While these days they are not generally used for their original function, dive watches are water resistant to 650 feet (200 m) as a minimum and could be used as a backup to a dive computer in the unlikely situation that the computer were to fail.
Here, our watch geeks have compiled a thorough list of the best dive watches available in 2026.
The Casio MDV106, better known as the “Duro,” is a powerhouse of a watch, offering a great deal of specs, quality, reliability, and accuracy for a very low price of $50. Surprisingly, the Duro also looks far more high-end than one might expect of a Casio.
Indeed, Casio is better known for its rugged and straightforward digital watches and not for analogue dive watches. Nevertheless, the Duro’s solid build quality and handsome looks are comparable to much more expensive Japanese divers from Seiko, Citizen, and Orient.
The Duro might seem like a pretty ordinary and perhaps conservative choice design-wise, but the fact that it offers so much capability for so little is endearing and maybe even miraculous. The more time spent examining the Duro, the more it tends to impress—just ask the co-founder of a little software company known as Microsoft.
In the world of luxury Swiss dive watches you can’t get much better value for money than Certina’s DS Action Diver. The powerhouse of an automatic movement features an 80-hour power reserve, which means you can leave the watch in a drawer on Friday and pick it back up on Monday morning and it will still be accurate. But why would you want to? With a handsome, glossy dial and a range of colorways/strap combinations, this true do-it-all watch is equally suitable for the beach or a dinner party.
Nor does the DS Action Diver need to be babied. Its ISO 300 m (985 feet) diver’s rating should leave you feeling satisfied that the watch is capable of withstanding any extreme sport or activity.
Though its design might be conventional by some tastes, that’s not necessarily a bad thing since the versatile Certina DS Action Diver offers an awful lot of value, toughness, and Swiss heritage without breaking the bank.
The Casio G-Shock Frogman GW8230NT-4, marking three decades of the dive-focused Frogman range, introduces a commemorative, limited edition watch in vibrant red.
Weighing a mere 3 oz (84 g), it combines 1990s design with (semi)-modernized dive features, including storage for 10 dive logs. The display incorporates moon phases and tide graphs, enhancing its utility as a reliable dive instrument. Constructed with sustainable materials like bio-based resin, the watch includes a Tough Solar panel for eco-friendly power.
Priced at $620, Casio has positioned the watch as a premium G-Shock, justified in part by its materials. However, the absence of bluetooth and atomic clock synchronization may limit its appeal to tech enthusiasts.
Despite potential size issues for smaller wrists and a comparatively high price, the GW8230NT-4 stands as a recommended choice for those seeking durability, ocean readiness, and a distinctive design that screams adventure.
The Certina DS Super PH500M offers exceptional value for money in the world of high-end Swiss dive watches. It’s what some might call a “spec monster,” and outperforms many of its competitors in terms of quality, durability, and timekeeping precision.
This model is a heritage watch, meaning that Certina has taken the iconic original model used in the Tektite US Naval research missions of 1969 and 1970, and updated it for modern-day divers as well as dive watch enthusiasts.
The result is a watch that is both a highly capable dive companion and a stunning retro throwback to the golden age of dive watches—when Certina retailed for even more than Rolex.
With this Promaster Eco-Drive Diver, Citizen brings a truly excellent entry-level ISO-certified dive watch to the market. The sturdy construction inspires trust. Although Citizen might not be as well known as Seiko or Orient for their dive watches, the brand has a rich heritage in the innovation of diving equipment.
In 1985 Citizen released the first watch with a digital depth sensor. Citizen is an underrated Japanese watch brand, and deserves a better brand caché, especially considering their pioneering feats in timekeeping history.
The watch is distinctly Japanese in terms of its design, in keeping with other iconic diving timepieces from the island, like the Seiko Tuna. It has a gnarly, chunky bezel that’s a breeze to operate, with huge hands and indices on the dial. In terms of legibility, it beats out every other watch I have worn on my wrist, including the gold standard of all dive watches: the Rolex Submariner.
Though the Casio MRW200H might be very inexpensive, costing around $20 USD, that certainly does not mean that the watch isn’t well made. Constructed of affordable materials, such as the resin case and a simple quartz movement, the watch delivers a great deal of utility for the price.
The Casio MRW200H is suitable for use in the water: swimming, snorkeling, or even freediving. Its 100 m water resistance makes it perfect for pretty much any aquatic activity besides scuba diving, when you would be using a dive computer anyway.
In many ways, the MRW200H is the ideal vacation watch: it’s robust, can take a beating, and it also comes in lots of fun colors and dial variations. It also wouldn’t be the end of the world if it got left behind in the hotel room since it’s so budget friendly.
Abingdon Co. watches, a female-owned company, has built a reputation for crafting high-performance, stylish timepieces designed for adventuresome women who crave a bit of style.
The Marina Watch, their latest dive watch, fits this ethos perfectly. The elegant, functional timepiece was designed specifically for women who like to spend most of their time on or under the water.
Combining durability with a sophisticated design, the Marina is a great choice for women who want not only a reliable piece of gear, but also a sleek accessory for everyday wear. Standout features include the customizable band fit, a variety of colorways, and a sleek titanium case. At $975, though it may be a little steep for some divers.
Let’s dive into our review of the Abingdon Co. Marina watch.
Review of Delma Cayman Bronze Dive Watch Dive Watch review
‘A robust watch with zero nonsense’ could certainly be the motto of Delma’s Cayman automatic dive watch. This 1970s-inspired timepiece is one of a kind–apart from having a much sought-after Swiss automatic movement—it is entirely water-resistant at 500 m underwater.
The watch is embedded with an exquisite stainless steel case and a mesh bracelet, both of which look classy and sophisticated on the wrist.
To keep with the concept of sports watches, the Delma Cayman Bronze incorporates a unidirectional aluminum diver bezel with silver numerals at 15, 30, 45, and a luminous speck at the 12 o’clock mark. The ring of the bezel has a scalloped shape for a great grip.
A date window along with the open case back makes it a solid competitor among other dive watches on the market.
The Tissot Seastar 1000 Powermatic 80’s specifications and features underscore its serious aquatic capabilities, encompassing a stainless steel case, rubber strap with diver’s extension, scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, a well-threaded screw-down crown, and a unidirectional ceramic bezel with a lume pip. Its name, Seastar 1000, derives from the fact that it has a water resistance of 1,000 feet, or 300 meters.
Tissot’s commitment to Swiss precision is evident in the Powermatic 80 movement, an efficient modification of the renowned ETA 2824, with an exhibition caseback showcasing its intricate mechanism.
While personal aesthetic preferences may sway opinions, the Seastar stands as a testament to Swiss watchmaking prowess, combining technical excellence with an accessible entry point into the world of luxury dive watches.
Review of Pantor Seahorse Dive Watch Dive Watch review
Powered by the same Japanese movement as the famed Seiko, the Pantor Seahorse dive watch offers a high-quality alternative to its pricey counterparts that perform the same duty. With 1000 m water-resistance and a Swiss-mode lume, this model is an attention-grabber that will not fail to impress first-time dive watch buyers.
Add the stylish design to the mix and you’ve got yourself an accessory that serves multiple purposes at the same time—and looks good doing so. Not too bad for a budget watch, right?
Review of Davosa Ternos Professional Dive Watch Dive Watch review
The Davosa Ternos Professional wins at every nomination: it has a medium-sized, 42 mm display; is backed up by the first-rate automatic Swiss movement; and boasts a 2-year guarantee from the manufacturer.
The ceramic bezel, with a non-reflective sapphire crystal display, alone puts this watch into a luxurious category that won’t break the bank. If this is your investment into a dive watch, you won’t even want to scan the high-end offerings—that’s how revolutionary this number is.
Review of Breitling Superocean Heritage B20 Automatic 42 Dive Watch Dive Watch review
The roots of Breitling Heritage watches go back to the 1950s, from whence the design inspiration comes. The retro-ish old school look of the Superocean Heritage model hints at the collection’s rich history without showing any sign of being outdated.
Instead, the elegant and slightly conservative design combined with the date window, unidirectional bezel rotation, and three hand markers speak loud enough for it to be a sought-after watch. This number is indeed an excellent option for anyone who is in search of a timeless classic that is suited for every occasion.
Review of Delma Blue Shark IV Dive Watch Dive Watch review
The updated Delma Blue Shark IV is the real deal for divers willing to make a smart investment. The aesthetic of the dive watch has been upgraded, and so has the driving force behind the automatic movement.
Now, the dial featuring a bright orange color that is also applied to the bezel looks neater and is available in black, orange, and blue. The unidirectional bezel was redesigned to offer divers both brushed steel and black-coated DLC-coated steel options.
Perhaps the most impressive feature of the upgrade is water-resistance, which has been increased to a whopping 5000 meters. You won’t find this depth in every other dive watch—and that’s exactly what gives Blue Shark IV a huge competitive advantage.
The 47 mm diameter fits nicely on a wrist without being too large or too small–it’s the sweet spot for beginners and professionals alike.
Review of Delma Quattro Dive Watch Dive Watch review
The Delma Quattro offers plenty of features to keep even the most discerning dive watch fanatic happy, including a hidden, screw-down crown and the Rapid Bracelet Exchange System (RBES), which allows the wearer to easily switch from the bracelet to another strap—without any tools.
The unique symmetrical stainless steel case elegantly integrates the helium escape valve while protecting the screw-down crown, and the bezel features six notches to make it easy to adjust. With so much going for it, it’s easy to see why the Delma Quattro remains a firm favorite in the luxury dive watch category.
From a young and exciting Miami-based company comes a bold but worthwhile challenge to dive watches. The GX-Diver’s 41mm watch by LIV combines some of the aesthetics of Breitling and Omega with a practical potency demonstrated by the cobalt steel model we got our hands on.
As divers, we demand functional practicality to enhance any kit we take down. The GX does this very well. A ceramic bezel with very smooth movements frames a solid sapphire crystal that’s been screwed into place to manage the pressures of depth. On this note, 300 meters is more than enough for most technical divers, let alone recreational dive profiles.
Review of Longines Legend Diver Dive Watch Dive Watch review
Having been in the business since 1832, Longines has established itself on the market as a brand with a strong devotion to its roots, elegance and the world of sports. The brand is a member of the reputable Swatch Group and it has been building watches that resemble popular vintage watches from the midst of the 20th century.
The Longines Legend Diver model is water-resistant, has an inner bezel, and serves many purposes from water sports to fancy nights out.
Give it a try if you are in the market for a Rolex-like watch that does the exact same trick for a fraction of the price.
Review of Omega Seamaster Diver 300M Dive Watch Dive Watch review
The Omega Seamaster Diver 300M is another top-of-class dive watch with a helium escape valve to protect it from helium damage. This wonder piece received a massive overhaul in 2018 without losing the pioneering appearance it got in 1993.
Both the dial and the bezel insert are made from ceramic, which is corrosion resistant. It uses the co-axial 8800 automatic movements by Omega and is a worthy option for deep divers with a sense of style
Review of Rolex Submariner Dive Watch Dive Watch review
The most influential dive watch of all time had to be mentioned here—the Rolex Submariner, the standard from which many, if not all, other dive watches are measured. The birth of the Submariner in 1953 turned out to be a wakeup call that went to inspire many of its followers.
Since the release of the first timepiece, the Rolex Submariner has been improved several times, which has made it stand unrivaled by any other in its class. It has a fairly small diameter and a ceramic bezel. These design features are all meant to make it less bulky and durable at the same time.
Furthermore, its automatic movement has also been well-engineered and upgraded over the years to give it the necessary accuracy. If you’ve got the money, you can’t do better than the world-class Submariner.
Review of Tag Heuer Aquaracer Calibre 5 Dive Watch Dive Watch review
The Tag Heuer Aquaracer watches are considered to be some of the most reliable out there. This watch, in particular, is a primary example of the brand’s dedication to manufacturing diving accessories at moderate prices. It incorporates a unidirectional rotating bezel, 300 meters of water-resistance, and a self-winding automatic movement.
With its luminescent hand and markers, this number is a great plus one for your diving, snorkeling, or any other water sports adventure.
Review of Tudor Pelagos Dive Watch Dive Watch review
The Tudor Pelagos remains an uncompromisingly elegant and versatile tool that can be used in various settings. Made from a lightweight titanium, this watch is feather-like on your wrist. This, however, does not take away from its essential features.
From the dial to the the bezel and large titanium casing, the Tudor Pelagos has a retro feeling, reminiscent of early watch engineering. It also features a helium escape valve—a safety feature that prevents helium gas from blowing up the crystal from a watch case when the diver surfaces after a deep dive.
The Tudor Pelagos is a great all-around choice for a discerning diver looking for comfort, style, and useful features.
Review of Tudor Black Bay Fifty-Eight Dive Watch Dive Watch review
First and foremost, this watch is a beautiful diving accessory. The Black Bay series by Tudor is inspired by the Rolex Submariners from the 1950s–1970s that were Tudor-branded. The Black Bay Fifty-Eight has a unique 39 mm case, which one of the smallest diameters you are likely to find.
The Tudor Black Bay Fifty-Eight offers a nice blend of modern and vintage features. It’s chronometer rated and has an impressive power reserve at 70 hours.
In 2018, when Seiko discontinued its iconic affordable dive watch, the SKX, die-hard fans were quick to dismiss the “diver-style” replacements: the Seiko 5 Sports SRPD range. SKX lovers were disappointed by the fact that the SRPD is not a truly capable diving tool and only has 330 feet (100 m) water resistance compared to the 650-foot (200 m) rating of its predecessor.
However, Seiko understood that most of their customers don’t actually rely on their watches when scuba diving. So, what may be lost in terms of dive credentials was made up for by improving the movement and the finishing, making for a more refined timepiece while retaining the SKX’s “tool watch” appeal.
Whether you’re planning to scuba dive either for recreation or as a professional, there is a dive watch for you.
Here, in our buyer’s guide, we’ll explain some features you should look for and what you can expect to get for what you spend. Many, if not all, models will serve you well as both a piece of dive gear and as a part of your daily look. Read on to find out everything you need to know before making a purchase.
How does a dive watch differ from a dive computer? Do you need both?
A dive watch should not be used to replace a dive computer. That’s because most watches do not feature depth gauges, nor do they allow you to easily time stops to make when resurfacing. That said, many divers will wear one underwater because they like the retro aesthetics and having a backup for their computer, as you can still accurately time a dive with a traditional dive watch. So in short, it would be a good idea to have both.
Why are people still wearing dive watches?
While not quite obsolete, these days they’re more of an accessory than a tool. Nevertheless, they continue to be the most popular and iconic style of watch on the market. We think their popularity has something to do with the fact that originally, dive watches were a purely functional life-saving tool that could withstand a beating from the elements.
Wearing one makes you feel ready for anything—you’re almost certainly never going to jump fully clothed into that river, but if you wanted to, you could. And with a dive watch, you wouldn’t have to remove it. They have a simplistic purity about them, even those in the tens of thousands of dollars look very similar to those in the hundreds, at least without a magnifying lens.
Why do dive watches have such a wide price range?
Divers are one of the key types of watch in any collection and therefore almost every watch brand will have at least one diver. With the luxury offerings from Swiss brands like Rolex and Omega, you’re paying a premium for precise automatic movements with tight tolerances and brand prestige.
More accessible watch brands like Casio are able to offer the essential specs for less than $100 USD by opting for cheaper quartz movements and more rudimentary finishing.
Whatever end of the price spectrum you are at, it’s important to make sure your watch is waterproof enough for your needs, highly legible, and can track the time accurately. Perhaps most importantly, it should make you feel good when on the wrist.
What’s a good budget for a dive watch?
$300 or less: budget
Expect to find a fully capable dive watch (meaning at least 200 m water resistance and a functional dive-time bezel) from reputable Japanese manufacturers like Casio, Citizen, and Orient.
You will also be able to find some great divers from smaller micro-brands. Don’t expect super high-end finishes or an automatic movement. Within this price bracket, however, you can find some great solar quartz offerings.
$300-$1000: mid-range
If you’re spending over $300 you can expect to find a true automatic diver. The Seiko Prospex range is a good example of what this budget can get you: quality finishing, a reliable automatic movement, and a great brand reputation.
In this budget expect to find offerings from luxury Swiss timekeeping brands, from the likes of Rado, Tissot, and Longines to iconic watches over $5,000 from Omega, Rolex, and Blancpain.
Closer toward the $1,000 mark you might be able to find similar automatic offerings from some Swiss and other European brands—we’re thinking of Certina, Yema, and Christopher Ward, among others).
$1000 and above: high-end
Spending over $1,000 means that you should be getting the following as standard: full dive capability, an accurate automatic movement, precision case finishing, an immaculately printed dial, and a sapphire crystal.
In this budget expect to find offerings from luxury Swiss timekeeping brands, from the likes of Rado, Tissot, and Longines to iconic watches over $5,000 from Omega, Rolex, and Blancpain.
What are some must-have features?
Screw-down crown: This feature is important to make the watch water-tight. When the crown is properly screwed in, you know there’s almost no chance of the crown being knocked out of place and allowing water to flood the watch. The same cannot be said of push-pull crowns often used in diver-style watches.
Dive-timing bezel: This should be marked from zero to 60 minutes, allowing divers to discern how long they’ve been underwater. You rotate the bezel so the zero mark is at the minute hand when you descend, and then you can read the duration of your dive at any time, without having to calculate it.
The bezel typically only rotates one way, so if it is accidentally moved, it will only shorten your dive, not extend it, possibly beyond your no-decompression limit. Always err on the side of caution.
Luminescence: A dive watch should have lumed hour, minute, and second markers, plus a lume pip at the zero minute mark of the bezel to read how many minutes you’ve been underwater. The lume should be clearly visible in dark and murky waters. Poor lume might be a problem if you are considering taking your watch out for a dive.
Diver’s extension: most true dive watches will have a diver’s extension on the metal bracelet or rubber strap, which allows you to quickly adjust your strap so that it fits over your wetsuit without using any tools
Water resistance: 200 m is the industry standard for a true diver. The resistance you go for is really going to depend on your needs. If you’re only planning on taking your watch in the pool, or snorkeling, 100 m is more than enough. But if you’re a deep sea diver, there are watches out there at 500 m or more than will give extra security.
Is helium buildup a problem?
You may hear stories about a feature called a helium valve. Don’t get hung up on this. A helium valve is useful for commercial divers doing very deep saturation diving, where they live in underwater habitats filled with a trimix breathing gas containing helium.
The helium molecules, being extremely small, can make their way into the watch case, and then, when the diver ascends, these molecules expand (due to dropping pressure) and can damage the watch.
But for recreational divers, even technical ones, this isn’t an issue, as we typically do not spend a lot of time in underwater habitats hundreds of meters below the surface.
What’s the history of dive watches?
The original dive watches were pioneered in the first half of the twentieth century as instruments used by aquanauts, saturation divers, and naval officers who relied on being able to track the time accurately underwater.
In the early 1950s we saw the release of two dive watch icons: the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms and the Rolex Submariner. These watches are considered the apex predators of dive watches—they pushed the barriers of what watches were able to do and became two key reference points for the design of almost every single dive watch thereafter.
In 1996 we saw the arrival of the ISO 6425 standard, now considered the hallmark of a “true” dive watch. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is a Swiss organization that determines standards and best practices for a whole host of things, including their series of water-resistance tests.
If your watch is ISO rated to 200 m, for example, that means that the watch was tested in water to a pressure equivalent to 125% of the rated depth.
In the twenty-first century, dive computers have replaced dive watches, at least on a functional level. So things like ISO certification are often considered less important unless you’re planning on taking your watch diving.
Take a moment to look at this.
I think dive watches are a dying breed. With the inventions of the Garmin MK3 and previous models they pretty much do everything. Did your dive watch come with a bigger strap to fit over your drysuit? Or do you need to lanyard it off and put it in a pocket? Yes they do look nice, but I’d rather spend the $ on something else.
Hi Ken,
A dive watch is no longer a thing only worn by divers, or at least only worn while diving. Now a days, a lot of people around the world, wear a dive watch because they like the design, features, and great waterproofing.
for diving, you can use one as a backup timer, but most divers will use a dive computer, like the MK3 or one of the other great computer options.
Great list of dive watches for every budget! As someone who loves water sports, I appreciate the thorough research and analysis put into this post. The detailed descriptions and specifications, features, and ratting of each watch make it easier for me to make an informed decision. The inclusion of affordable options is also a plus. Thank you for sharing this valuable information!
On the bremont your pros are a 38 hr power reserve and on lesser watches your cons are a 38 hr power reserve and youbsay the bremont is one of the most expensive you tested ?
Very nice article. Also, check out SEALANDAIR Watch’s Ocean Adventure Professional 1,000 m / 3,280 ft
Salut Eric,
Les fonctions de plongees de base a minima, comme tu souhaites, ne viennent bien pas dans la plupart des montres de base. Le Shearwater et Le Garmin Descent MK1 et MK2 sont des exceptions. Mais tous les ordinateur, que nous escrivons dans le rubrique “beginner”, faitez les comme tu souhaites. Choisissez apres le prix et le style.
Bon plonger!
Bonjour,
je suis plongeur niv 3 + de 300 plongées. Je vais vivre aux Caraïbes et je cherche une montre et ordinateur de plongée que je peux mettre pour un usage de tous les jours et de plongée en plus de mon ordi à prix correct (pas de luxe)
Je souhaite qu’elle soit orienté plongée et qu’elle ait des fonctions de plongées de base à minima (profondimètre, temps de plongée, etc… et si possible GPS)
je préfère une montre numérique à une montre analogique.
je vous remercie
cordialement
Hi Garry,
Yes, that being added in our next update.
What about the holy grail of divers watches the unrivalled Blancpain fifty fathoms…
A note about helium escape valves. A saturation ( commercial) diver will need one of these as he lives for the duration of the job ( up to 28 days in the UK ,as per HSE regulations) in a chamber on the dive boat, not underwater. The chamber is kept at the same depth as the job, and when on shift he will enter the dive bell when it is “locked on” to the chamber system, shut the bottom door to maintain the pressure and be transferred to depth where he will be able to open the door and exit the bell.When he is in the water no gas will enter the watch, its only when he is living in the chamber system.All saturation dives and when he is in the system he will breathe/live in a heliox atmosphere which is helium oxygen and the O2/helium ratio will be calculated for the depth of that job.At the end of the job the chamber is surfaced and that’s when he needs his helium escape valve as helium molecules are so small that even though the watch is waterproof it isn’t helium proof and at some point during the decompression the internal pressure of the watch will be greater than the external and the glass will pop.
FWIW, I am a retired USMC Search and Rescue pilot, I was dive certified in the early 1980s while in the Marine Corps. The Marathon GSAR, USMC logo model in 41mm is my diving/field tool watch of choice. And no, I was not issued this watch and had to purchase it from the normal sources.
I’ve had a Tag Heuer Aquagraph for almost 7-8 years now and love it. Since Tag Heuer stopped production in 2009, do you think that it would still hold up as well compared to many of watches listed above? I’ve taken it swimming and never had any issues, but have been hesitant to test it in a diving scenario.
Have you heard of Freestyle? I’ve had mine for about 25 yrs, I wear it all the time and I love it. I’m just afraid it’s going to quit on me one day.
Hi there,
Thanks for the recommendation, and I agree, the Seiko Dive watches are really great.
I’ve been wearing a Seiko dive watch since 1979 when I first entered the military. It has been worn in every clime and place from dives in the Philippines, to climbing to the summit of Mt Fuji, to working on the deck of a carrier north of the Arctic circle. I can attest to it’s durability and functionality for frequent recreational diving. It is a great watch and it looks good too.
Hi Edward,
Glad you liked it. Which dive watch did you end up with?
Thank you for all of the options and subsequent data. I started diving at 16 years old so yes I am ‘old school’ but I like have a reliable dive watch!
i hope that i win this watch. i would give it to my grandson. he loves to dive. he has went to several countries and dived. it is his passion. i’m sure what ever watch i win would be a great investment in his adventures.
Ya dive watches rock. I haven’t any reason to wear one. With cell phones no one needs a watch. So Howie Long did a soup commercial back in the 80s wearing what looked to be a Seiko dive watch. Very sporty for the money and durable. I’ve seen two watches that compare visually one for $850 the other $1200 ok three $11,000.
Dear All,
I love good watch and because I’m diver too I looked for watch I can dive with and use every day. My choose was Doxa watch (Doxa SUB 5000T). Out of all watches I checked this one have all I need for reasonable price.
I’m not looked for “collection” watch or watch I can showing off on salons … Doxa watches are proper diving watches with NDL time and robust enough for every occasion. I have my for last 3 years and I’m using it every day and every dive.
To clear the situation I’m not working for Doxa but I real love my watch !!!
SBDX001, SBDB001, SNR029J1
That’s all folks ????
The Divers watch is still a fundamental instrument. When Diving using Scuba the watch and Deco tables are back up In case of Dive computer failure. A watch should always be used when Scuba Diving. In inshore surface supplied a watch is not required. When working offshore In air and Mixed Gas Diving a watch is also a fundamental instrument. Never under estimate the importance of a Divers watch.
Suunto has a line of dive watches that have a fully functional diving computer, other diving computer manufacturers do as well.
There is a European standard for mechanical dive watches, where the rating is actually tested. Sinn chronograph dive watches have pushers that can be operated under water to the rated depth. Dive watches also tend to be more robust than other watches making them suitable for many outdoor and athletic activities besides SCUBA diving.
Sport watches have become popular for office and leisure as well as their intended activities. In fact most people that purchase a diving watch will never take it diving, so if you like the look of a dive watch strap it on and enjoy it.
Maybe it’s just me, but I’m finding Oris and Tudor a bit strange entries in the medium-priced category.
Oris is only 100m (which feels a bit underwhelming for dive watch, even if many enthusiast divers don’t go below that dept) and Tudor is pricey in comparison.
Longines HydroConquest imho would be decent watch in that zone. 300m/1000ft depth, and USD1000 for original release, around USD1500 for updated model with ceramic bezel and cleaner dial (Amazon). Unless there are reasons to avoid it, that I am unaware of.
Dear all,
I am a dive Watch collector and I also have a brand of leather goods and Watch accessories! As I am a sailor, we have designed straps made with genuine sail cloth, it makes very nice combos with dive watches, especially vintage ones !
Cheers !
I appreciate the efforts you people put in to share blogs on such kind of topics, it was really helpful. Keep Posting!
Hi Gunston,
That’s great recommendations. We’ll keep them in mind when updating the guide.
In the 90’s Casio had great diving watches. Cheak out the Frogman and the Gulfmaster Quad Sensor from Casio. Not cheap but really great watches.
I agree, do now buy a too cheap dive watch, that’s is money wasted. Go for the one that will last, and fits your needs. In the above guide, we tested all while diving, and they all functioned while underwater(we did not dive deeper than 30 meters on any test).
I agree, it’s old school, but still great looking. And and and, you can always use it as a backup time device.
Nowadays, the watchmakers operate differently, so watch your watch, so to say! Even on Ebay, there are explanations about new ways the depth/pressure resistance is marked! Thus, the watches marked “Water Resist” (yes, they all forget to add -ant”) to 30M (yes, they all use M instead of m) are protected from light rain, the watches marked to 50M (which is not miles) can stand the showering, and 100M are allowed for surface swimming. The ludicrous logic goes so far that only the watches marked with 200M are allowed for diving – and ALL are not to be operated in any way underwater, because there is a warning against pressing any buttons while underwater!
My suggestion is, do not buy cheapware marked in this way. Go for proper diving watch with either mechanical or quartz drive until the smartwatch manufacturers see the light and start sealing the watch linear and rotational commands properly, and then mark the watches with real data. Never forget that your life and/or health depends upon such an instrument, even if it is only a backup to your dive computer!
There is the almost invariable issue of leaving the ”winder” out and the watch flooding, as I did. Although some (very ) old divers may cling to tables, depth gauge and watch the gauges are not as accurate as a good depth timer even if you use tables.
It’s crazy how many ‘old school’ divers resist the switch to dive computers. Dive watches may be obsolete in today’s world, but lucky for the watches, they are such genuinely good looking timepieces.