Updated on March 30, 2021
What is the point of a dive watch? Well, it must measure elapsed time and be waterproof to a certain depth. It needs a strap or some apparatus to carry it where it is easily visible. It should be durable enough to withstand the bumps and scrapes inherent in diving. Some sort of illumination is necessary for darker environments.
The development and widespread use of dive computers have made the dive watch into more of a back-up or secondary utility, but many still desire a dive watch not only for its usefulness but perhaps also for its stylishness or as a status symbol.
Scuba diving watches range from very cheap and simple, functional models to luxurious, extremely well-crafted, beautiful, expensive works of art that can be worn anywhere.
For my review on women’s dive watches, please check out this post:
Considerations in Selection of the Best Dive Watch
Water Resistance
If water gets inside the watch, chances are it is ruined. There are watches out there that describe themselves as waterproof or water-resistant that are not suitable for scuba diving. You must ensure that your watch has been rated through testing to a depth of at least 100 m (330 ft). You will be unlikely to go that deep and it is a bit of overkill, but nonetheless, a rating short of that will likely be suitable for the shower or swimming pool, but could well fail in deeper water. The resistance to water is created by the use of a gasket. This is a ring of rubber or a synthetic that forms a watertight seal to keep moisture out.
Bezel
A bezel enables you to calculate your elapsed dive time easily in a readily readable way. It should rotate in one direction only, counter-clockwise, making it less likely to be knocked out of line.
Movement
The movement is what makes the watch work, moving the hands and keeping accurate time. It is also known as the caliber. Movements come in two varieties, mechanical and quartz.
Mechanical movements are the traditional works developed by precision craftsmen over the centuries and exemplified by the great Swiss brand watches.
Quartz movements came into prominence in the 70s with the introduction of Japanese battery-operated watches. These watches are accurate, require little maintenance and repair, and are generally more affordable than those with mechanical movements.
Style
If you are wearing a diving watch, chances are people will notice and assume you are a diver. It can serve as an icebreaker in getting a conversation started. If you sport an iconic Swiss diving watch, like a Rolex or one of the other well-known classy brands, it represents a level of prestige.
One note of caution: Flashing a very expensive watch in some of the apres-dive establishments where beverages are consumed in some locations in Mexico or Southeast Asia or elsewhere can lead to muggings and burglaries, so be careful.
Luminescence
In darkness or low visibility, luminescence will allow you to see the watch face. This can be achieved with a coating of luminescent paint or with tritium. Luminescent paint requires time in the light to recharge. Tritium doesn’t require being in the light first and tends to be brighter.
Best Dive Watches in 2021
- Oris Divers Sixty Five
- Tudor Pelagos
- Rolex Submariner
- Seiko Prospex Diver 300 m
- Omega Seamaster 300 m
- Citizen Promaster
- Victorinox Swiss Army Dive Master 500 Black Ice
- Alpina Seastrong 300
- Luminox Evo Navy Seal Blackout
- Casio Men’s Black Analogue
Best Luxury Dive Watches
Heritage Sporty Automatic Dive Watch
- brushed and polished stainless steel case (42 mm in diameter, 13 mm thick)
- screw-down case-back
- black ceramic unidirectional rotating bezel with white minute scale, blue dial, silver-tone luminescent hands, yellow luminescent indices, sweep seconds hand
- date window at the 3 o’clock position
- scratch-resistant domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating inside
- screw-down crown, Swiss automatic movement, Oris caliber 733, Base SW 200-1, Power reserve of 38 hours
- water-resistant to 100 meters (330 ft)
- black rubber strap, pin buckle
Deep Dive Titanium Automatic Tech Watch
- 42 mm diameter
- Tudor MT5612 automatic movement
- titanium case and band with deployment clasp
- water-resistant to 500 m (1,640 ft)
- imported
- center seconds, luminescent hands, chronometer, rotating bezel, screw-down crown, helium valve, luminous indexes
Classic Rolls Royce of Dive Watches
- Rolex 3130 automatic movement
- 18 k solid gold
- ceramic bezel
- 40 mm diameter
- water-resistant to 300 m (984 ft)
- made in the USA or imported
- blue dial oyster
- available in less expensive metal varieties
“Marinemaster” Professional Diver’s Automatic
- Seiko 26-jewel automatic (8L35) self-winding movement, with 50-hour power reserve
- dual-curved hardlex with inside anti-reflective coating
- 44.3 mm case diameter x 14.6 mm thick
- water-resistant to 300 m (984ft)
- date display, luminous hands, and markers treated with Lumibrite for low light visibility
- screw down offset crown, a uni-directional diving bezel with luminous PIP at 12:00
- stainless steel bracelet with a double locking fold-over push-button clasp with a divers extension
- extra rubber strap
Sporty Maritime 90s Styled Automatic Dive Watch
- imported Swiss made
- Omega 8800 Swiss-automatic movement
- 36.25 mm case diameter
- water-resistant to 300 m (984 ft)
- 48-hour power reserve
- stainless steel case with a stainless steel bracelet
- uni-directional rotating blue ceramic bezel, blue dial with silver-tone hands and index hour markers, minute markers around the outer rim
- analog with luminescent hands and markers, date display at the 3 o’clock position
- buckle clasp
- chronometer powered by co-axial caliber 2500
- scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, solid case back
Best Dive Watches Under 1000 Dollars
Affordable Reliable Dive Watch
- one way rotating bezel and dark blue dial with date window at 4 o’clock and luminous hands/hour markers
- Eco-Drive battery-free technology fueled by light
- 48 mm stainless steel case
- anti-reflective mineral crystal
- Japanese quartz movement with analog display
- molded polyurethane band with buckle closure
- water-resistant to 200 m (666 ft)
- blue polyurethane strap with strap buckle
- Japanese quartz
- screw-back case & screw-down crown
Victorinox Swiss Army Dive Master 500 Black Ice
Authentic Durable Trusted Professional Dive Watch
- self-winding mechanical movement
- one way rotating dive bezel with a 20-minute indicator
- PVD-coated, stainless steel case, and bezel with engraved minute markings and Arabic numerals
- bold dial markings
- luminous silver-toned hour, minute, and second hands
- antireflective sapphire crystal
- made in the USA or imported
- Swiss quartz movement
- antireflective-sapphire crystal
- 43 mm case diameter
- stainless-steel case
- water-resistant to 500 m (1640 ft)
- rubber strap
- 1 LR44 battery required (included)
Quality Geneva Made Dive Watch
- Swiss-made automatic movement
- water-resistant to 300 m (984 ft)
- 44 mm case diameter
- stainless steel red and silver case with illuminated, fluorescent (green) black dial
- one way rotating aluminum bezel
- scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, screw-in back
Luminox Evo Navy Seal Blackout
Very Affordable Swiss Quality Dive Watch
- made in the USA or imported
- Swiss quartz movement
- 45 mm case diameter
- pc carbon-reinforced case
- water-resistant to 200 m (660 ft)
- one way ratcheting black polymer bezel
- black dial with luminous hands and black Arabic numeral hour markers, minute markers around the outer rim, date display at the 3 o’clock position
- scratch-resistant mineral crystal
- screw-down black carbon reinforced case back
- black rubber strap with a tang clasp
Attractive Bargain Priced Everyman’s Quality Dive Watch
- imported
- water-resistant to 200 m (660 ft)
- one way rotating bezel
- screw-down crown/screw-lock back
- mineral glass
- date display
- resin band
- 1 CR123A battery required (included)
| Dive Watch | Depth Rating | Rating | Price |
| Oris Divers Sixty Five | 100 m/330 ft | 4.5 | $$ |
| Tudor Pelagos | 500 m/1,640 ft | 5 | $$$ |
| Rolex Submariner | 300 m/984 ft | 5 | $$$$$ |
| Seiko Prospex Diver 300 m | 300 m/984 ft | 4.7 | $$$$ |
| Omega Seamaster 300 m | 300 m/984 ft | 4.7 | $$$ |
| Citizen Promaster | 200 m/666 ft | 4.8 | $ |
| Victorinox Swiss Army Dive Master 500 Black Ice | 500 m/1,640 ft | 4.5 | $$ |
| Alpina Seastrong 300 | 300 m/984 ft | 4.4 | $$ |
| Luminox Evo Navy Seal Blackout | 200 m/666 ft | 4.2 | $ |
| Casio Men’s Black Analogue | 200 m/666 ft | 4 | $ |
Comments and Feedback
I hope you found this post on dive watches interesting and helpful. If you have any questions or ideas, please feel free to share them in the comments section. I’d love to know what you think. If there is no comments section directly below, click here: >>comments<<
Very comprehensive article and nicely laid out. Although not a scuba diver myself, I do like to swim at both the pool and beach so it’s still handy to know the best waterproof watches. After all, if it will withstand a dive it will surely withstand a simple swim. My field is aviation and most of the watch manufacturers shown above also produce specialist aviation watches. Many of the features are the same, so it’s handy to have this straightforward guide.
Fascinating article on the Kursk disaster too.
Hi Rob,
Thanks for your interest and kind comments. I am hoping to get a few more interesting stories from my friend of the Kursk story about some of his other diving adventures. He is actually off on a salvage job now. When I can pin him down I’ll write them up and put them on the site.
These diving watches are not really much used for diving anymore. Mostly they serve as a back-up to the timer in a dive computer if used at all in diving. They are probably more likely to be used by snorkelers or people like you jumping into the pool. They do look good, though, and present a certain sporty image.
Best regards,
Joe
A water-resistant watch is really good and reliable to have in place.
The only one I’ve used among them is QUARTZ. My uncle bought it as a birthday gift back then. Aside from it being water-resistant, its durability is what made me fall in love with it.
I used the watch for about 3 years. Ya’ll should not laugh at me. lol
What I want to ask is, how can I recognize a quality watch, by looking or by touch?
Hi Kehinde,
Thanks a lot for your comments. There is nothing wrong with a quartz watch. They keep good time and many of them are quite durable.
These days a lot of cheap watches are pretty high quality, like the Casio model I reviewed. Unless you are a watch expert, your best bet is to look to the reviews and a watch’s reputation to recognize the quality.
Best regards,
Joe
I have a Rolex Submariner but have never used it as a dive watch.
I used to be a Certified Open Water Diver but stopped diving long before dive computers became popular.
The dive watch that I wore was big, chunky, red and black and was really easy to see under the water. It was certainly a major factor in sticking to the mantra “Plan the dive. Dive the plan.” And out of the water, it was an impressive fashion statement.
Clearly, water resistance and bezel are not just important but vital. Movement, style and luminescence are important as well, though an underwater flashlight is also a good investment.
I have a niece who is thinking of taking up scuba diving.
I’ll refer her to your website so that she can make an informed selection from your list of recommended watches.
Hi Phil,
Thanks for your thoughtful comments, for relating your personal experience and for referring my website to your niece. If she has any questions, please ask her to get in touch.
That Rolex is a beauty and a very durable and functional dive watch.
Best regards,
Joe
First, I never knew there were any such thing as diving watches. Then I learned the price of some of them. Thank you for the section on watches under $1000. Because wow! I guess you really do learn something new everyday and a Rolex diving watch I’ll leave for the really rich. Or when my own business takes off!
That said, I like the selection you offered and your reasoning as to why we should have a diving watch. I’m not a scuba diver yet, just been reading about it because I’m considering it for my vacation this year. But I’ll be going down with a professional if I do, thankfully. But thank you for the watch suggestions!
Hi,
You’re welcome and thank you for your interest and kind comments.
Have a good time learning to dive. Let me know how it goes.
Best regards,
Joe
All of the watches in your top 10 look perfect. Most of then look good and work well under water.
I am not a huge watch fan, so I’d probably choose Tudor Pelagos. Its price is not too high, its depth rating is good and it looks nice.
Do I really have to worry about burglars if I go to Mexico? I will go there to my friends this year. I will be careful to not wear expensive stuff.
Hi Gno,
Good to see you again.
The big concern with wearing an expensive watch in certain places is what kind of place it is. I suggest not to wear it to a bar or outdoor market type of place at night. It is probably not a major concern, but I only suggest to be careful a bit. Have a good time in Mexico.
Best regards,
Joe
Although I am not a diver, these watches are in the class of their own elegance and beautifully crafted to say the least. I used a water-resistant watch, Chinese of course, but one day it fell into a basin full of water and that was the last time I wore that watch, water went through it so easily I was left wondering what was the use of saying that it was water resistant. So when I see those beautiful watches, my desire to acquire one is burning me up and that is what am going for.
Hi Charles,
Thanks a lot for your interest and personal experience.
You are like a lot of people who can really appreciate a fine watch. I hope you get one.
Best regards,
Joe
Hi Joe, your write up on the best diving watches of 2019 is educative. I fell in love with that Rolex Submariner Gold. At least from your detailed write up, I now know that in selecting a scuba diving watch, I have to aim for a rated testing of a depth of at least 100m. I didn’t know that there are so many brands of scuba diving watches. With you listing them, it makes it easier for one to go through them and checkout the depth rating, rating and price.
Hi Gracen,
Thanks a lot for your interest and kind comments. That Rolex is a very beautiful piece of art.
If you are a professional commercial diver you might need a watch rated for a depth greater than 100 meters, but for recreational diving or jumping in the pool you will never go that deep.
Best regards,
Joe
Divers watch are good, but they are just so expensive. The water-resistant watches I so much like and I can even walk down to the swimming pool with my divers watch without getting it ruined or destroyed. The Rolex watch is the watch I have always wanted to purchase. Despite the cost, I will definitely purchase Rolex watch. Its water resistance is very high.
Hi Kenechi,
Thanks a lot for your comments. I hope you get that Rolex watch someday. It’s a beauty, but it is expensive.
Best regards,
Joe
Great post and good info.
If I think about diving watches. I think about something different than this. I think about the plastic or hard plastic ones, and not to this.
They look amazing, I never knew this was possible.
I love the golden one, so I will check it out, for when we are going to dive!
Thanks for sharing.
Good to see you again, Emmanuel.
If you want the gold one it’ll cost $29,295. You can keep it for life or think of it as an investment that fluctuates in value along with the price of gold.
Thanks,
Joe
I loved every single thing about the Victorinox Swiss Army Dive Master 500 Black Ice. Especially the fact that it’s able to go 500 meters underwater. Which I believe is a huge deal. Mostly because you don’t really want to leave your precious, fancy watch at the shore or on the raft because we’re doing a 450-meter dive and my 300-meter watch is not capable of such depths.
I appreciate all of the insights, Joe! Thank you!
Cheers and have a Great One!
Matiss
Hi again, Matiss,
Thanks for your comments. When you get ready to do that 450-meter dive, please let me know the details. I’d like to write a story for my site about it. My close friend did an 810-foot dive on the Edinburgh wreck off of Murmansk, Russia on a gold salvage expedition, and that is the deepest I have personally heard about. If you want to arrange a saturation diving vessel to support you, please get in touch. I’ll help you arrange it.
Best regards,
Joe