See full version: The Best Dive Watches of 2020 That Are Water Resistant Up to 300 Meters
But that’s not all. To legitimately call your watch a dive watch, it actually needs to tick certain boxes. According to the International Organization for Standardization , which updated its dive watch standards in 2018, to call your watch a “dive watch,” it must: more
After making sure it’s got enough water resistance for the depth to which you’ll be diving, choosing a watch really comes down to personal preference, style and how much you’re willing to spend. With this in mind, we’ve rounded up 19 of the best dive watches for all budgets and preferences to take your time-telling to new depths.
By all accounts, dive watches are not standard time-telling devices . As the name suggests, compared to the average timepiece, these watches were created to go under the water. And we’re not talking about a quick dip, either. We mean hundreds of meters down. That’s why you’ll find that most dive watches are accompanied by a depth rating. Most dive watches are able to function at depths of 100 meters with some pushing to 200 meters and, in some cases, even 300 meters and beyond. more
It’s perfectly understandable to see the name “dive watch” and assume that these timepieces are designed exclusively for those who are interested in the underwater world. And while that may have been true at one point in history, the best dive watch has evolved into something more than its original creators had in mind. Most dive watches now combine a range of impressive features (for scuba diving and more), but also ooze style, to the point they’ve become a worthy addition to any watch collection.
The company makes some of the most affordable watches of any type, and on the premium end their products compete with some of the biggest names in Swiss watchmaking.
The SKX007 is one of the most versatile and wearable watches of any kind.
The MarineMaster watches are more expensive and more capable than their Prospex counterparts. Several of the watches in the line are very chunky and heavy, so they’re not for every buyer, but even with the higher price point there’s plenty of value to be had in the lineup. [links]
The watch is featured on an oyster-style bracelet. While many can opt to switch out the band for NATO or even leather straps, we think the Oyster is the right fit as it reinforces the ‘tool watch’ aesthetic. The Ray II is an amazing value at the $130 price tag. more
Watch brands rarely have two remarkable watches in the same category. Therefore, it is refreshing that Orient brings two excellent dive watches to the market. We already featured the Orient Ray II, but its cousin the Orient Mako is every bit as amazing. more
The circular indices on the Ray are great, but the Mako classes up the dive watch, making it more appropriate for dressier occasions. The Mako was so successful that Orient rebranded the model and made some modifications to introduce a brand-new offering. But more on that later. more
Orient has continued redesigning the dive watch with recent offerings. In 2018, the company introduced the Orient Triton (or more formally known as the Neptune) which takes all the successful elements of the Ray and the Mako and makes small, but impressive improvements. here
Price: $3,990 here
Price: $3,950 more
So without further ado, here are some of the best divers under $5k. Happy diving!
Movement: ETA 2824-2 automatic
Water Resistance: 300m
Panerai is another brand with an important legacy. Its Radimor was made for the Italian navy in 1936, followed in 1950 by the Luminor, made famous by its crown-protecting lock and cushion shape. Rolex’s classic Submariner debuted in 1953 just as submarine exploration was gaining traction. Jacques Cousteau and his crew wore Blancpain Fifty Fathoms watches during the filming of Le Monde du Silence, winner of the Palme D’Or at the Cannes Film Festival in 1956.
Dive watches distinguish themselves by size, being typically bigger and bulkier than other watch categories. And also function, usually coming equipped with a rotating bezel (the ring around the crystal, used to record elapsed time/ oxygen), a helium escape valve and a screw-down crown. Dive watches as we know them now date back to the early Fifties and are marketed today on brand history and by association with the sea. Rolex’s Submariner, Omega’s Seamaster and Breitling’s Superocean are some of the most well-known examples, and remain among the best-selling and best-reviewed lines. Rolex can take the credit for popularising the style though, pioneering advances in in water-resistance with the first ‘Hermetic’ watch in 1924 and then its ‘Oyster’ watch in 1926.
Diving watches ought to be a niche category. Even actual divers rarely use them, computers having taken over the business of measuring oxygen and time under the water years ago. Yet they remain overwhelmingly popular, the sort of watch that startups tend to launch first, and the one that likely comes to mind if someone said to you ‘draw me a men’s watch’.
By definition, today’s dive watches must conform to certain criteria. As well as water resistance of at least 100m, they need to be easily visible underwater, hence dial designs with contrasting hands and numerals, and luminescent details. here
Even if the closest many of us will get to deep water is a holiday by the seaside, the appeal of dive watches endures.. The lure of underwater adventure lives on. more