Top 10 Dive Watches

Diving watches are elegant accessories that help us dive safely in style. It’s true that, with the introduction of modern dive computers, these watches are no longer essential. However, many divers like to carry one in case their computer fails.

In addition, these models have beautiful designs that make them very popular as everyday watches. For many people, high-end models are indicators of money and success.

If you want to know which characteristics to consider when choosing a waterproof watch for diving, keep reading this article. Today I’m going to review the best models of the year so that you can find what you are looking for.

Check out other buying guides to find the best dive bags, gloves, boots, freediving fins, freediving wetsuits, and kayaks.

THE BEST WATERPROOF WATCHES

HIGH-END MODELS

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TUDOR PELAGOS

FUNCTIONS: Luminescent hands and bezel, rotating unidirectional bezel, automatic, stopwatch, and helium valve.

The Tudor Pelagos stands out for its elegant and sporty design. Built with high-quality titanium and featuring one of the greatest water resistances on the list, this model combines style with great performance. The titanium band is equipped with a reliable, self-adjusting mechanism, especially patented by Tudor. Fashionable and expensive, this is a fantastic watch for scuba divers looking for luxury and sophistication.

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OMEGA SEAMASTER PLANET OCEAN

Made by the prestigious Omega, the Seamaster is a classic watch with perfect performance and a captivating design. This beautiful watch is made with high-quality stainless steel and combines style, accuracy, and resistance in one of the most expensive and exclusive models on this list. It’s an Omega, which means you can’t go wrong with it.

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ORIS AQUIS

FEATURES: Chronograph, ceramic bezel, black ceramic top ring, automatic movement with 48 hours of power reserve, rotating bezel.

Specially designed for professional divers, the Oris Pro Diver is one of the best performers on this list. It has a bulkier and more robust design. The ridges on the unidirectional rotating bezel are deeper and the buttons are larger, which makes the watch easier to operate when one is wearing dive gloves. The case design has three subdials that show the chronograph hours, minutes, and seconds.

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TAG AQUARACER

FEATURES: Luminous design, rotating stainless steel bezel, date display, shock-resistant sapphire.

The TAG Aquaracer line has been specially designed for divers looking for high quality and performance. Resistant, stylish, and reliable, this model stands out as a luxury product at a somewhat more affordable price. I am not saying it’s cheap, but it has one of the best prices within the high-end range.

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GARMIN DESCENT MK2

FUNCTIONS: GPS, ABC, several gas modes, dive log, wrist heart rate monitor, and much more.

The Garmin Descent is the most fully-featured model on the list, as it’s actually a dive computer too. This computer features a great GPS (which allows you to track the starting point and exit point of the dive), topographic maps, a three-axis compass, a barometer, an altimeter, and a wrist heart rate monitor. There are several gas modes to choose from: apnea, nitrox, trimix, closed circuit, and others. All the dive data is saved in the dive log. The ZHL-16 algorithm monitors your underwater time and alerts you when you get close to the limit.

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BEST WATERPROOF WATCHES FOR DIVERS – MID-RANGE AND BUDGET

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CASIO MEN MDV106

If you are looking for an affordable option that is elegant, resistant, and reliable, the Casio MDV106 be your model. It features a simple design and functions, but it’s definitely a good device: Casio knows their stuff when it comes to making watches. It has the best price on the list, which makes it one of the most popular options on the market.

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CITIZEN AQUALAND

Built with a stainless steel case, a black dial, and an orange bezel, the Citizen Aqualand is perfect for divers with a casual style. In addition to the beautiful design, it has great features: shock resistance, a rechargeable battery, a depth indicator, a maximum depth indicator, dive mode, and a rapid ascent alarm.

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BULOVA PRECISIONIST

FEATURES: Chronograph, black carbon fiber dial, rotating bezel.

The Bulova Precisionist is an example of accuracy, functionality, and design. The prestigious brand, now owned by Citizen, has been building high-quality watches for over 100 years. The hands move smoothly, with a second hand that is constantly in fluid motion, (you won’t hear any ticking). It has a casual design that makes it a popular model among young divers.

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INVICTA PRO DIVER

The Invicta Pro Diver combines style and efficiency at a very attractive price. In addition, it features several chronograph hands that indicate the hours, minutes, and seconds. The stainless steel bezel and black dial give it a slightly more casual look.

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CITIZEN ECO DRIVE PROMASTER

The Citizen Eco Drive is one of the best-selling waterproof watches on this list. Do you know why? First, because it’s an elegant Citizen watch, second for its great features, and third because it has a fantastic price among the mid-range models.

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SEIKO DIVER

The Seiko Diver is another affordable option that stands out for the elegance of its navy blue dial, its luminous hands, and its blue-and-red bezel. It’s a great model with basic features at a reasonable price.

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THINGS TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT WHEN CHOOSING YOUR MODEL:

TYPES OF DIVE WATCHES:

There are two types of scuba diving watches: analog and digital. Which one should you choose? To decide, you must think about the type of diving you are going to practice and the features you’ll need.

Also, let’s admit that many people look not just for good features but also for a beautiful design. In that regard, most think that analog designs are more elegant than digital ones.

Analog

These classic watches work with complex systems formed by tiny parts that are powered by mechanical movements or batteries. Generally, they provide pretty basic information, but this can be enough for many divers. Most analog models include hands to tell time, a stopwatch or chronograph, and a unidirectional rotating bezel that lets you know how long you have been underwater.

Digital

Digital watches are usually larger than analog ones, but they can be used as everyday watches, too. Budget models provide only a few basic features, while more advanced models offer an almost infinite number of functions. In some cases, they work as dive computers.

A good digital watch can include functions such as an altimeter, a barometer, a compass, GPS, a dive log, various gas modes, a time alarm and more. Some models can be used to practice other sports.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A WATCH AND A DIVE COMPUTER?

Dive computers are designed to collect information such as time, depth, and number of dives; then they use a decompression algorithm to calculate the dissolved nitrogen in your body. This allows you to determine how much time you have left before you must start your ascent safely. If this is what you need, take a look at this article about dive computers.

Watches, with some exceptions, do not provide such information. Generally, they indicate how long you have been underwater; in some cases, they indicate depth. This information can be used to plan dives by using tables, as old-school scuba divers used to do.

WATER RESISTANCE

Obviously, a diver’s watch must be waterproof. It’s important to pay attention to this characteristic because there are different types of water resistance. For example, some models are submersible but not completely water-resistant. They could be alright for snorkeling, but they won’t resist the water pressure if you take them deep.

Water resistance is indicated by the atmospheric pressure that the device can withstand without breaking. Every 10 ATM of pressure equals a water resistance of 100 meters, which is the minimum recommended water resistance to ensure your device is fully waterproof.

BEZEL

The bezel is the outer ring that rotates around the case. It is one of the most important pieces of an analog diving watch because it indicates a given lapse of time. This allows you to determine how long you have been submerged. Make sure the bezel is unidirectional in a counter-clockwise direction. This way, if the bezel is accidentally rotated during the dive, it will shorten it, and will never put your life at risk.

MATERIALS

Case

The watch case must be strong enough to withstand water pressure. Many cases are made from stainless steel because it’s a really strong material. Titanium is used in some high-end models, as it’s resistant and lightweight.

Band

Most straps are made from stainless steel, titanium, or plastic (rubber, silicone, and others). The choice of material will depend upon your tastes. Please keep in mind that leather is not a good material for water activities. Make sure the band is extensible so that it can be regulated depending on whether you’re wearing a dive suit, a rash guard, or nothing.

SCREEN VISIBILITY

As you know, the deeper you dive, the less sunlight you get. Therefore, the watch’s screen must have good visibility, featuring luminescent hands and markers.

MOVEMENT

Movement is what makes a watch work. It’s formed by small pieces that act as the powerhouse in moving the hands, calendar, and other features. There are two types of movement: quartz and mechanical.

The quartz movement uses a battery that sends electricity to the quartz, generating a vibration that moves the watch’s different mechanisms, including the hands. These models are very accurate and sometimes inexpensive.

The automatic mechanical movement uses the natural motion of the wrist to activate the internal mechanism. It typically has a power reserve of several hours to ensure that the hands won’t stop ticking if you don’t move for a while. Generally, they are expensive.

IMPORTANT FUNCTIONS

If you still have some doubts, here is a summary of the important functions that you should look for in a diving watch:

• Water resistance, at least 100 meters.
• Unidirectional rotating bezel with easily visible numbers.
• Visible screen, even in low light conditions.
• Extendable band.

Some extra functions that can be of great help:

• Calendar
• Stopwatch
• Rapid ascent alert
• Depth gauge

HISTORY OF DIVING WATCHES

The origin of this type of watch dates back to 1926, when Rolex bought the patent for the hermetic “Oyster” case and created their first dive watch. Mercedes Gleitze used it to swim across the English Channel; the device came through without a scratch.

In 1932, Omega began marketing its own waterproof models, achieving great success worldwide. Panterai also began manufacturing this type of watch, although it included them within the military category.

In the 1950s, the famous Jacques Cousteau wore a black Blancpain Fifty Fathoms in the movie “Le monde du silence”, which increased the fever for these devices.

MAINTENANCE

Remember to wash your watch (and all your dive gear) in freshwater to remove salt and other debris after every dive. If you are not going to use your watch for a few days, let it dry in a place protected from sunlight. Finally, store it in a safe place.

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