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Jamie Weiss
There’s a case to be made that dive watches characterize the most well-liked style in watchmaking. Not solely are lots of the most iconic timepieces of all time dive watches, however their inherent practicality makes them excellent each day wearers, even for individuals who barely take their watches for a dip within the pool (not to mention for a severe dive!) Whether or not you’re a desk diver, frogman or just a fan of a pleasant timepiece, we’ve tackled the extraordinarily tough activity of shortlisting a number of the greatest dive watches available on the market on your studying pleasure.
Citizen Promaster Diver Eco-Drive
As one of many world’s most prolific and fashionable watchmakers, Citizen produces an especially massive vary of timepieces, however the Japanese model is probably greatest identified for its dive watches, produced below its Promaster label. Equally, there are lots of of Promaster Diver variants one may go for, however I’ve chosen to spotlight the ref. BN0150-28E right here, because it’s not solely probably the most reasonably priced dive watches Citizen (or any model) produces, but it surely’s additionally probably the most good-looking and succesful. That includes a solar-powered Eco-Drive motion that may run for many years with no battery substitute, it’s water resistant to 200 metres and has nearly all the things you’d need out of a dive watch, with a spotlight being a comfortable rubber strap with no-decompression restrict timings printed on it. Neat. Value: US$375
Zodiac Tremendous Sea Wolf
Zodiac is an underrated Swiss model with a wealthy legacy in dive watches. The unique Sea Wolf was launched within the ’50s – proper across the similar time because the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms and Rolex Submariner got here out – but has at all times stood out due to its affordability, in addition to Zodiac’s willingness to be playful with colors. The trendy Tremendous Sea Wolf continues that fashionable custom, with a variety of vibrant bezel and dial choices, mixed with strong software watch constructions and intensely legible designs. Value (ref. ZO9269): US$1,595, out there from the Time+Tide Store
Doxa SUB 300T
The primary consumer-grade dive watch to function a helium launch valve and developed with the enter of legendary oceanographer Jacques Cousteau, the Doxa SUB 300T is an underrated dive watch legend. That includes a definite cushion case and out there in a variety of eye-catching dial colors (with none extra eye-catching or well-known than its Skilled orange dial choice), the fashionable incarnation of the SUB 300T is definitely water resistant to a powerful 1,200 metres, relatively than 300 metres because the title might suggest. Value (Skilled, beads of rice bracelet): US$2,130, out there from the Time+Tide Store
Tudor Black Bay 58
Though some may argue the Tudor Black Bay 58 is just too carefully associated to the Rolex Submariner, it has had a big and lasting affect in its personal proper. Based as Rolex’s extra budget-conscious relative, Tudor has grown considerably within the final 20 years with releases that target the heritage interval of the ‘50s and ‘60s. The Black Bay vary was already pretty fashionable, however the Black Bay 58 created an absolute craze when individuals found its ergonomic dimensions. First launched in 2018, it marked a time when watch fanatics started to concentrate to issues like lug-to-lug size as a measure of wearability, and that has affected watch designs throughout the board. Plus, its classic stylings and now-METAS-certified actions (corresponding to within the new vary of burgundy dial fashions) make it a implausible watch in any regard. Value (Burgundy ref. M7939A): US$4,275 (rubber strap), US$4,500 (3-link bracelet), US$4,600 (5-link bracelet)
Omega Seamaster Skilled Diver 300M
The yin to the Submariner’s yang, there are many completely different variations of the Omega Seamaster, however the Diver 300M is without doubt one of the most well-known. Rising to prominence on the wrist of Pierce Brosnan’s James Bond, the Omega Seamaster Skilled Diver 300M is one other instance of a watch with extraordinary fame and technical excellence. Having advanced considerably from the eccentricity of the mid-‘90s, the current variations of the Seamaster Diver 300M nonetheless seize a suaveness alongside rugged functionality. This no-date model with a greyscale brushed silver dial and Milanese bracelet choice is stealthy and utilitarian, and its Co-Axial Grasp Chronometer Calibre 8800 is a motion you’ll be proud to stare at by way of the sapphire caseback. It won’t have the identical hype energy because the Rolex Sub, however its one main benefit is that you may truly purchase them at retail. What an idea. Value (ref. 210.30.42.20.06.002): US$6,200 (rubber strap), US$6,500 (Milanese bracelet)
Zenith Defy Revival A3648
Zenith is a model extra generally related to pilots’ watches and high-tech high-beat chronographs, but it surely’s a model that’s additionally been identified to make a dive watch or two. An aquatic tackle the model’s legendary Defy mannequin, the Zenith Defy Revival A3648 is the sequence’ first purpose-built diver, with a powerful 600m of water resistance. It’s a stunningly correct recreation of the classic A3648 reference, with a period-appropriate 37mm case – few watches available on the market mix such slim proportions with such water resistance. The orange and black color scheme oozes classic vibrancy, particularly with the sapphire bezel insert. Value: US$7,700
Panerai Luminor Marina
Panerai, however, is a model that’s undeniably related to dive watches – certainly, it’s principally all they make. The Luminor Marina is probably the most prototypical Panerai of all of them, boasting a beefy 44mm cushion-shaped case, signature crown locking system and a sandwich dial. 2025 has seen the Luminor Marina’s water-resistance ranking boosted to a powerful 500m; nevertheless, they arrive with leather-based straps as customary, reflecting fashionable Panerai’s positioning as extra of a luxurious fashion assertion than a diver’s software. Nonetheless, Panerai inventory a variety of rubber straps and bracelet choices for the Luminor (as does the aftermarket), so that you’re not with out selection – and specs-wise, this can be a correct dive watch. Value: US$8,800 (strap), US$9,700 (bracelet)
Rolex Submariner
We’ve alluded to it so much on this article already… Should you needed to choose a candidate for crucial dive watch of all time, it must be the Rolex Submariner. There’s actually no debate, even when you assume it’s boring and overpriced. The very fact is that just about everybody on the face of the planet can recognise one, even when they know nothing about watches, and that’s one thing that may’t be replicated – and it has the strongest declare of any watch in being the primary commercially out there dive watch. On high of its cultural standing, its correct efficiency as a chronometer is famend, and each design variation among the many references has change into iconic in its personal means. The Rolex Submariner is an absolute titan, whose recognition has made dive watches the worldwide phenomenon they’re as we speak. Value (ref. 124060): A$9,200
Blancpain Fifty Fathoms
Thrown into the limelight due to its collaboration with Swatch, the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms is without doubt one of the world’s first dive watches and stays a compelling timepiece to today. Barely extra luxurious than the watch that pipped it to the submit to be the world’s first commercially out there dive watch, the Rolex Submariner, fashionable Fifty Fathoms references boast strong energy reserves, actions with elevated ending and successful classic aesthetics – whether or not that’s the 90s-esque militaria vibe of the Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe or the ’50s look of the Fifty Fathoms Automatique – the Fifty Fathoms is rightfully iconic. Value (ref. 5010-12B30-B64B): US$18,400
Ulysse Nardin Diver [AIR]
Ulysse Nardin is one other watchmaker that’s related to the ocean, though extra due to its historical past of manufacturing marine chronometers relatively than its dive watches. Nonetheless, UN makes some cracking dive watches, and their newest is especially particular. The Ulysse Nardin Diver [AIR], unveiled at Watches and Wonders Geneva 2025, ranks because the lightest dive watch on this planet, weighing simply 52 grams together with the strap. It achieves this by utilising a case created from recycled titanium, carbon fibre and fishing nets, in addition to an ethereal computerized calibre additionally crafted primarily from titanium. Regardless of its mild weight, it retains a 90-hour energy reserve and is shock-resistant to five,000g. Value: US$38,000
T+T Timeless Decide: Seiko SKX
Seiko’s dive watches have been favoured by professionals for the reason that Nineteen Sixties, but it surely’s the SKX of the late ‘90s that finally had the most important affect on watch tradition. Offering reasonably priced entry to a 200-metre water resistance ranking not solely allowed its recognition to flourish amongst divers and informal wearers alike, but it surely additionally allowed individuals to do issues that they wouldn’t dare try with luxurious Swiss watches. Modifying them by swapping round appropriate parts was made attainable by Seiko’s streamlined manufacturing and large variation of references, and finally, third events started to fabricate customized components particularly for watch modding.
Sadly, the SKX was discontinued in 2019, and its substitute – the so-called “5KX” – is barely rated to 100m and lacks a screw-down crown, pushing it out of correct dive watch territory. Nonetheless, as a prolifically produced watch, there are many SKXs on the market, though their cult following and discontinuation have inflated their costs considerably. Costs sometimes begin at round US$300, relying on situation (and mods!)
