Scuba diving watches are probably one of the most important purchases you’ll make as a scuba diver. They’re an integral part of your gear and can help to improve your experience underwater, even if it’s just by making sure you don’t drown on accident or run out of air.
There are tons of different options for watches on the market, but we’ve pulled together some information about what makes a good watch and made our top ten list below. So without further ado…
Table of Contents
What is a dive watch?
Most dive watches function under depths of 200 meters. Some even reach 200 meters. To call your watch an underwater watch you must tick the specified boxes. Not all watches listed herein may fall under these specifications. According to some people, the name dive watch more about style than simply function. You should pick the best watch based on the time you are preparing and what you want to spend on the best diving watch. With that in mind, we have gathered 19 of the best dive watches for any budget and for personal use to take you to new depths.
Our Top Picks
Chris Benz 1000M Shark Project Edition
German expert Chris Benz makes underwater watches. Each edition also includes a Shark Project Edition that’ s 6x 600mm and is currently available for pre-order in India. Shark Project edition comes with unique logo and case engraving rated to 1,000 meters depth.
Intelligent looking dial with a modern look and shark conservation in mind. stainless steel bracelet with a diving extension and lock is available. A choice of blue or black durable rubber straps with a printed decompression chart, or a. The sturdy rubber bag also features printed charts. The watch has a solid stainless steel casing with helium escape valve and sapphire crystal.
Tissot SeaStar 1000 Automatic Chronograph
Swiss quartz chronographs are water resistant to 300 meters. Both hands and markings use Superluminova making it easy to read nightly or in poor lighting conditions. The automatic chronograph comes with extra split time counters. Swiss-made models contain helium valve for de-Pressurize helium at deep dives.
Available in four styles/colours, including an automatic model, this stainless steel case, this Swiss quartz case and ceramic bezel with an extension. Available in four colors and has a stainless steel bracelet with extenders. All of their cylinders feature water resistance valve and waterproofing.
Bulova Precisionist Chronograph
According to Bulova these are the most accurate time instruments on their market. Precisionist chronograph has one fixed bezel but another chronometer located on the face. Available in blue silver and black and contained within a stainless steel container with curved sapphire crystals, glowing hands and markers.
A stainless steel wristband and safety locking lock complete the construction and is rated at 300m. A machine used by anyone interested in the bells and whistles. Available in blue and black by Bulova available in three colours and black.
Luminox Pacific Diver Watch
Luminox is the official watch for the American navy marines. The Pacific Diver watches are made in Swiss and are 44 mm in weight. Each watch is individually test-treated and is fully waterproof at 20 ATMs. The Bezel is uni-directional, rotates and is manufactured from Carbonox.
The face gives an constant glimmer of up to 25 years. It carries things from the deepest ocean activity to climbing mountains and deep ocean activity and is waterproofed to 20 ATM ATMs. Luminox watches are also the official timepiece of British entrepreneur Bear Grylls owner of the Luminox series.
Hamilton Khaki Navy Watch
The Khaki Navy watch is waterproof to 10 ATMs and provides an 85-hour power reserve. This also comes with date complications, rotating case and 40 mm case. The watch is face-mounted with military time points and marks are luminous.
During WWII it manufactured marine chronometers, deck watches for the navy and allied forces, pocket watches for military personnel. It is not only a Hamilton watch company however it provided most of the watches to the railroad company as a European-born company. The company also has a long history of producing watches for military purposes.
Raymond Weil Men’s Analog
Sea dwellers were the first to be introduced in 1967 as part of the original Submariner model. First introduced to the public as a step out from the submarine the Sea Dweller is self-winding and is powered by a power base of around 40 hours.
The chromatolight – display creates visibility and blue light at night thanks to its long and durable LEDs. An Auto Helium Expiration Ventilator is an assistant at the deepest and longest of dives with the timer at 1,220 metres maximum depth. Comes with a polished stainless steel bracelet with Rolex’s guide lock extension system.
Nixon Base Tide Pro Watch
Nixon Base Tide Pro has all the bells and whistles of a timepiece with a much greater price tag has. Crafted from recycled ocean plastic the Fiber Reinforced Polycarbonate Case is moisture-resistant up to 100 meters. This digital watch includes multiple option functions such as dual time zone chronograph date backlight and 3 alarm.
The diving watch is like a surf computer strapped on your wrist because you are equipped with tide data from 550 beaches. The Chronogram’ is made of recycled plastic with water and waterproof poly-resistant poly-plastic polycarbonate cases.
Seiko Marinemaster Professional
The Marinemaster Pro 1000m titanium uses a dual-layer case construction to follow its predecessor. Effectively impermeable for helium the monitor can safely be used for saturation diving. Automatic winding with a 50 -hour reserve.
Lumibrite hands and markings with ceramic cores to increase shock protection and extra-strong security straps. Uncluttered design and killer color combinations also offer tough looks.
Tag Heuer Aquaracer
The Tag Heuer Aquaracer series is one of the largest collections of dive watches available on the market. 104 models are listed on their website; 50 are women. All have been rated at 300 metres except for two exceptions. The models listed (BA0746) are available with black face & Black or red aluminium frame or blue face with blue border.
This particular model is battery powered and boasts a steel bracelet with safety push buttons and diving extension. Some are automatic watches or comes in a rubber strap.
SEIKO PROSPEX
Inspired by Seiko’s 1970 Diver’s Watch worn by the first man to run alone to the North Pole. The modern design incorporates an asymmetric case with the recessed screwing crown in the 4-inch orientation that provides contemporary looks while updating tradition.
This model has a slimmed-down case in 42.7 mm stainless steel, only 13 millimeters thick. The Prospex automated diver celebrates the spirit of adventure with a compact minimalist design.
Bulova Devil Diver
Bulova’s orange and blue DiveWatch is an homage to the original Devil Diving, born 1970. It is a self-winding mechanical watch with a 42-hour reserve. The blue dial contains a date complication luminescence and is covered in a sapphire crystal with reflected light coating.
Its stainless steel body is tied to a stainless steel handle with an engraved rear and a crown. And you have the possibility of playing on them down to 300 feet. But yes. This is a certified ISO standard. The watch is an impressive watch.
Citizen Promaster Professional Diver
Lighted Energy-Drive technology means that the Promaster does not require any entry to the back for power changes. The silver-tone stainless-steel case with anti-reflective coated mineral glass has matchless dark blue face, polyurethane strap and one-ways rotating time bezel.
Royal Marine Commando can withstand up to 300 metres and 200 meters of depth. Modern design makes for a stylish timepiece.
Mido Ocean Star Diver Watch
Mido’s Ocean Star Watch is inspired by a romantic view of Europa Point Lighthouse in Gibraltar. This technology is water-resistant to 20 Atmospheric Temperature (ATM) or 200 m. The case back has been marked by the Ocean Star logo and the case itself protects the screw-down crown.
The bracelet is 42mm long with faces illuminated with super Luminova. The watch is water-resistant to 20 atmosphères or 200 metre or 20 metres and is waterproof to 30 – atmosphères in a time of 30 minutes.
Tissot Seastar 1000 Powermatic 80
This Swiss-made diving watch lets you go deeper by adding more power to your rig. It’s an automatic watch with an 85-hour battery charge and the case has a beautiful size at 43×4. It has a date complication and the hour markers are white-painted, the hand is luminous and fits perfectly against black watch face.
It’s a beautiful and sexy watch for diving but it also looks good in the office. This dive watch can go up to 300 meters with up to 80 hours of power reserve.
Luminox Scott Cassell
Citizen Watches BN2039-59E Aqualand Silver Tone One Size
With Luminox’s evening vision tube technology there is a permanent beam of light for 25 years on hands, in hours and then again 60 minutes after movement. Rated at 200 m. Made from Carbon reinforced PC with reinforced hard mineral glass double cap and a rubber/silicone straps. Chunky and colorful – it screams Dipper when you reach for your seat. Price: £399 it shouts divers once you enter your room and it is an elegant design.
Orris Divers Sixty-Five Automatic 42mm Stainless Steel
Luminox Men's 3059.SET Scott Cassell Specials Analog Display Analog Quartz Black Watch
The Diver Sixteen models are made up of colors of Blue, Silver and Black. This domed Sapphire glass is waterproof up to 100 meters and comes equipped with anti-reflective coating. The dial is equipped with Super-Luminova hands and markers with a timer complication and the case is 42mm. It is automatic with 48 hours power reserve and a watertight plastic case. The watch belongs to Xiomi Luxus – Switzerland.
Omega Seamaster Diver 300M
The Diver 300 M features a Date Window to the three o’clock position along with scratch resistant sapphire crystal. Driven by a auto-winding coil – based escape motion with a 48 – hour power saving. The watch is waterproof to about 300 metres and also uses an escape valve containing oxygen. Price £3000, website [link]. Watch is a classic-looking variant of today’s Bond Timepiece by James Bond’s company.
Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Automatique
Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Automatique preserves its classic appearance with black head. Light hands and inlays with the addition of a date window between four- and five o’clock mark : Steel casing has been rated at 300 metres depth while self-winding mechanism has 120 hours power. Price £10,080 with a price of £12,000 and an electricity fee of £20,000. It’s available in the United Kingdom from £99.99.
Ball Engineer Master II Diver Watch
The Engineer Masters II Diver Watch consists of everything you need. Stainless steel dials have no natural lighting conditions. Shock resistance 5000 g and water resistance 500 m. Stainless steel bracelet and rubber strap included as standard. Prices £1 640 (with prices listed at £2.99) and £1.99 (with shipping on the UK markets for £2 800).
Reactor Diving Watch 55601
Features are dual rotating bezels, an option of steel bracelet or rubber strap. Never dark technology with excellent illumination for all lighting conditions. Aim – for mixed tankers. Price in pounds £409.28 available by ordering on Amazon. Reviewer says the LE’s industrial look shows that it is good for Business. The LTE is an amazing example.
Fossil Blue Diver Stainless Steel Diver Watch
Tissot mens Seastar 660/1000 Stainless Steel Casual Watch Grey T1204071105100
Citizen Watches BN2039-59E Aqualand Silver Tone One Size
Luminox Men's 3059.SET Scott Cassell Specials Analog Display Analog Quartz Black Watch
Tissot Men's Seastar 660/1000 Stainless Steel Casual Watch Black T1204071704100
Fossil diving watch for boys comes complete with movement. It features : automatic chronograph time, titanium dial case ; ceramic dial – Plus it comes with a 2-year limited warranty. Both the casual and dress wrist watches available from Fossil are worn the world over.
Do divers actually use dive watches?
Yes, they do. Not only does it keep track of time on land, but divers can use them to know exactly how long they’ve been underwater.
Dive watches pay tribute to incredibly cool-looking divers from the 1960s and 1970s, even though they weren’t actually used by divers.
Most of them can be found on watch-bands at retailers such as Walmart or Target for under $100, which is a steal compared to more expensive models.
What watch do actual divers wear?
The most popular watch among divers is the Seiko. There are plenty of options depending on individual preference. An expensive dive watch can get up to ten thousand whereas the budget version will only cost you a few hundred dollars.
Can you scuba dive with an Apple watch?
No, you will need a watch that is specifically designed for scuba diving.
All Apple watches have a water resistance of 30 meters. This doesn’t meet the international standards for scuba divers which require 100 meters or more of water resistance.
Why do people buy diving watches?
A diving watch can come in many forms, from a quartz analog to a chunky divers’ digital watch. It can even be a very fancy Swiss-made luxury sports watch with some water resistance!
Conclusion
This article has given you a number of considerations to think about before choosing the best scuba diving watch for your needs. We hope this helps and we wish you happy dives in 2022!