For passionate divers, dive watches are one of the most valuable timepieces under the category of wristwatches. However, there are very few people who actually go diving who own one of these beautifully crafted watches. It appears that people prefer dive watches for a variety of factors.
In my opinion, you need to wear a quality dive watch when scuba diving because when you need to estimate how long your scuba tank’s oxygen will last, you want it to be accurate and not die on you in the more extreme conditions! These brilliant dive watches come with a high price tag in the market, but I’ve scoured the net to find the best watch discounts available.
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Dive Watches
Dive watches are built to sustain in the most difficult atmospheres, beneath the water surfaces, and at higher pressure levels. These watches must stay protected against rust and keep barriers against water, affecting the technicalities that facilitate the higher price tag. The diver’s watch, as a rule, are over-engineered (because they need to be) and solidly built making them rough and tough for a longer period, whether that’s on dry land or increased humidity. Dive watches require clear legibility, and each of the 11 watches listed below provides the highest levels of quality to meet every diver’s fancy.
The below 11 watches are listed here after doing thorough research and filtering the best ones for you.
1. BREITLING SUPEROCEAN AUTOMATIC 44
This is a heritage model that has been around since the birth of scuba diving. The Breitling Superocean comes in a few color variations, each with a robust 44mm case and an unusual dial and layout. The large chapter ring and the quirky square minute hand are captivating. If you’re looking for an extreme model that shouts world champion for an all-encompassing water-themed weapon, it’s the right choice.
This Breitling arrives on a military-style NATO strap woven with ECONYL nylon made from recycled fishing nets. It is protected with an ultra-hard scratch and shock-resistant unidirectional ceramic bezel. Our top pick is available in case sizes ranging from 36-46mm, and the latest models are outlined by oversized contrasting dials. Plus, the bold markers and quirky hands make the ring perfect for you. This watch is one of the best you can take with you scuba diving in places like Thailand or the Galapagos Islands.
Average Price: $5250
2. BALL ENGINEER HYDROCARBON DEEPQUEST CERAMIC
This rugged timepiece is crafted out of a single piece of titanium for extreme durability and corrosion resistance. It withstands depths up to 1000 meters, allowing clear and immediate readability while underwater.
Additionally, the automatic helium release feature releases a valve integrated into the screw-in crown for extreme protection during the ascent. The sleek design of the Engineer Hydrocarbon with a wide dial opening illuminates the watch even under low light conditions in case of an external light source. The watch is scratch-resistant and available in black and dark green colors with easy adjustments. The stainless-steel bracelet allows you to wear it comfortably over a diving suit.
Average Price: $4,479
3. BALL ENGINEER II SKINDIVER HERITAGE
This Ball edition celebrates the original dive in the watch company. The all-black design features a 42-mm stainless-steel case and a stainless-steel bracelet all coated in black titanium carbide. It is designed to withstand around 200-meter depth in water.
The watch’s dial is protected by a subtle curved sapphire crystal and includes a separate day and date window. The watch’s automatic BALL RR1102 movement is visible from the transparent back, which makes it the best fit for fashion mode. This watch is made with luminescent tritium gas tubes to ensure clear visibility under deep sea conditions and spaces with low lighting. These gas tubes are patterned in a circular motion and have rainbow-like colors, which adds a uniqueness to the all-black design.
To enhance user experience, the screw-in crown and the elapsed-time bezel are equipped with smooth operation, even when gloves are worn underwater.
Average Price: $2785
4. OMEGA SEAMASTER DIVER 300M
The Omega Seamaster is unquestionably the icon of dive watches. This popular Seamaster Diver is rated to water depths of 300m and is concealed in a 42mm stainless steel case. This watch features scalloped edges, a ceramic bezel, and signature helium escape valves at 10 o’clock. It serves as a grip-enhancing feature, making it easier for divers to manipulate the bezel even while wearing diving gloves.
The watch also features Omega’s advanced Caliber 8800 movement. It is equipped with a Coaxial escapement, and a silicon balance spring, and is certified as a Master Chronometer. It’s a sensational wristwatch and is comparable to the Rolex Submariner.
Average Price: $4800
5. SEIKO PROSPEX TURTLE
Seiko Prospex Turtle is an upgraded version of the Japanese dive watch with an ever-popular cushion case. The design can be distinguished separately and is recognized as one of the iconic watches in diving. The latest version of this watch is complemented with an improved 4R36 movement and a beefed-up 45mm case. Being the owner of the Seiko dive watch, you can be sure of its long-lasting durability. Overall, you will find it one of the most affordable and best dive watches you can have.
Average Price: $480
6. CASIO G-SHOCK DW9052
While not as fancy but just as effective, this model of Casio dive watch can be described as a durable and affordable watch in the world of dive watches. Casio G-Shock was issued a standard at the Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center in Panama City Beach and was provided to the divers as a standard while they trained. The model proved to be everything that could be expected from a watch during deep sea diving with simple-to-use features. It is exactly what any diver needs to ensure safety while diving.
Average Price: $53
7. VOSTOK AMPHIBIA
The Vostok Amphibia is a cult classic diver’s watch. It’s a Russian-made Vostok. The watch’s mechanical components, including the movement, are designed, manufactured, and assembled in-house. With hundreds of cases and dial variations, this dive watch presents unlimited dive watch options. It was famously worn by Bill Murray in the hipster favorite film The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou. The Amphibia is the least expensive automatic diver’s watch you can get with your choice of case, dial, and color.
Average Price: $139
8. CHRISTOPHER WARD C63 SEALANDER ELITE
The Christopher Ward is premiering the C63 Sealander Elite collection. This edition is designed for work, play, and diving. The watch features Sellita SW200 COSC automatic movement for reliable accuracy and precision. For advanced protection, the case is shielded by an anti-reflective sapphire crystal. This crystal enhances the clarity of the watch face, particularly in bright or varying lighting conditions.
Orange accents are positioned over the matte-black dial and secured with a titanium bezel. In addition, a date window is positioned at six o’clock, and the luminous markers adorn both the hands and indices. This diver’s watch incorporates the screw-down crown which uses telescoping. This crown uses a retractable design and allows it to uninterruptedly blend with the case when not in use.
Average Price: $1855
9. PROMASTER DIVER BLUE DIAL
Welcome to the new Promaster automatic diver’s watch by Citizen. It was used by the Italian Navy when released in 1989. With the new generation model, the watch features a 44-mm case, an anti-reflective sapphire crystal, and a black polyurethane strap. The exciting rotating bezel is topped with a black aluminum grippy ring surrounding the blue dial with luminous hands and markers.
The back case has engraved “Fugu,” a Japanese word meaning ‘pufferfish’. This exclusive model of the diver’s watch comes inside a unique dive tank box, and it is internationally standardized and compliant with a screw-down. This feature helps to keep the watch guarded for the long run when not in use. It is water resistant to 200m down the ocean and technically advanced with automatic sports elements.
Average Price: $209
10. IWC AQUATIMER CHRONOGRAPH IW376804
This aqua watch was created by taking inspiration from the design of aviation watches. It functions deep into 300m of water and is incorporated with a screw-down crown. Additionally, it has an internal bezel that can be used for diving. Bezels can be set before you dive into the water to track down your underwater activities durations. Hence, it’s the best option if you are looking for a watch with multiple underwater functionalities that don’t have that traditional dive watch look.
Average Price: $9600
11. TAG HEUER AQUARACER PROFESSIONAL 1000 SUPERDIVER
Last but certainly not least is the Tag Heuer Aquaracer Professional 1000. It has more functions to offer than most other dive watches. With the ability to function in up to 1000m in water, you can go beyond the sea world and experience a different life. The Helium Release Valve keeps check on its performance with its case made with grade 5 titanium and a hardcore crown. The dial’s display showcases bold fonts, and the twelve-sided bezel is easy to rotate when beneath the water’s surface.
Average Price: $4990
Conclusion:
Overall, the above 11 options give you a wide selection of the top dive watches in the industry. They will support you at any depth that you could imagine diving to and then some. Water-tight, beautifully crafted, and perfect for a dive or a night out, these watches will make you stand out as one of the most prepared divers out there.
No matter where you go or which of the absolute best dive watches you choose, always remember to Travel Till You Drop!