Best dive watch 2024: stylish watches to suit any budget

We think the best dive watches are some of the coolest-looking timepieces out there, and they should be a staple of anyone's collection. 

Okay, we know strapping on a watch capable of surviving a plunge to over 1,000 metres and boasting a helium escape valve might seem unnecessary to 99-percent of us, but then you wouldn’t tell a Ferrari owner that their pride and joy’s top speed was meaningless, would you?

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Diving watches began life to serve a clear purpose - they provided accurate, illuminated time and a means of measuring depth with a rotating bezel, while being tough enough to handle the pressure of being submerged to great depths.

They also feature straps which open extra wide to fit around the outside of your wetsuit, and often have themed names like Seamaster, Aquadive and Sea Dweller.

If you would allow us to get technical for a moment, the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) offers a whole list of features required for a dive watch to truly be called a diving watch. 

These include a unidirectional bezel marked at least every five minutes, the presence of an indication that the watch is running while in total darkness (like an illuminated second hand), magnetic, shock and chemical resistance, and the ability to be read from 25cm away in total darkness.

But now the diver's watch is as much a piece of precision underwater equipment as it is a fashion statement. Whether you are diving into the sea or an overflowing inbox, here are our favourite dive watches at any budget.

What makes a dive watch a ‘dive watch?’

Of all the types of wristwatch, the dive watch is perhaps the most popularly of all. James Bond has a lot to answer for here, of course. Thanks to Sean Connery wearing his personal Rolex Submariner in the early films, then Omega spotting a marketing opportunity and strapping a Seamaster to 007’s wrist in every outing since 1996, the dive watch is stamped onto our subconscious more than most.

But, while it’s easy to spot a watch with a tough-looking stainless steel case, bracelet, and a rotating bezel with markers that most know have something to do with diving, there is, traditionally, a set of characteristics a timepiece must adhere to to make the grade as a true dive watch.

As well as the stainless steel case (generally with matching bracelet, but straps of other materials are permissible), a dive watch has glow-in-the-dark lume on most, if not all, of its markings. That way, the time and other crucial information, like how long you have been submerged with an oxygen tank for, can be viewed in total darkness on the seabed.

Dive far enough for long enough, and a helium escape valve, often located around the 10 o’clock position, will come into place. 

Because helium atoms are the smallest natural gas particles, they can, when under the pressure of a deep-sea dive, seep through the watch’s waterproof seals. 

While not a problem initially, when returning to the surface a pressure difference inside and outside the watch builds, potentially causing significant damage to your watch's delicate movement, or causing the crystal to literally pop off.

The helium escape valve does what you might expect, letting helium particles escape, balancing internal and external pressure, and preventing damage.

Another key feature separating dive watches from others is the extending bracelet. This is so the watch can be worn over the outside of a diving suit, ready to be used for keeping tabs on your oxygen supply.

By their very nature, most dive watches are massively over-engineered. You would need to do what's called a 'saturation dive' for the helium escape valve of your Omega Seamaster became useful, and we wonder how many owners really use the unidirectional rotating bezel to measure anything, let alone breathing apparatus. 

Having said that, there is a certain comfort in knowing that your watch is built to withstand some of the harshest conditions on the planet. 

What is ISO 6425?

Despite most dive watches unlikely to reach depths beyond the swimming pool, there is an international technical standard they must meet in order to be truly called a dive watch. This standard is called ISO 6425, with the letters standing for the Geneva-based International Organization for Standardization. It’s the same group that determines the ISO rating you may have seen in relation to a huge number of proprietary, industrial, and commercial standards.

Most recently updated in 2018, ISO 6425 asks that a dive watch must be water-resistant to at least 100 metres, and include a means of recording dive time, either with a rotating bezel, a digital display, or another timing complication that is precise to at least one minute over a 60-minute period.

Visibility is key for a dive watch to pass the ISO 6425 standard. This means clear minute markings, and sufficient lume to be visible from at least 25cm in total darkness. The watch must also constantly show it is working while in total darkness (most easily achieved by having a constantly moving second hand with luminous tip).

Also important for a dive watch is resistance to a direct current magnetic field of at least 4,800 A/m, during which time it must remain accurate to plus or minus 30 seconds per day.

The dive watch must also maintain accuracy (albeit to 60 seconds per day) after a shock test is carried out. This involves being hit by a 3kg hard plastic hammer with an impact velocity of 4.43 metres per second on the 9 o’clock side of the case, then again on the crystal.

Next comes the salt test, where the watch must remain rust-free after being immersed in a solution of 30g of salt per litre for 24 hours, equivalent to seawater.

The strap or bracelet must also be tough, and to test this a force of 200 Newtons (45 pounds) is applied to each spring bar, in an attempt to pull the strap from the case. 

Finally, battery-powered dive watches must include an end-of-life indicator, so that the wearer knows when the battery has run out.

Dive watch water resistance ratings explained

Finally, a look at the water-resistance of dive watches. The ISO 6425 standard requires a minimum of 100 metres, which can also be expressed at 10 ATM, or ten times atmospheric pressure. This is also roughly equal to 10 bar, as 1 ATM is equal to 1.01325 bar.

A watch certified to 100 metres is generally safe for swimming, as well as activities like snorkelling and other watersports, but not scuba diving.

Anything under 100 metres (or 10ATM) certainly isn't recommended for diving. A 5ATM (50 metre) rated watch can be worn swimming, while a 3ATM (30 metre) should not be submerged in water, and is only resistant against rain and splashes.

A common rating for dive watches is 300 metres of water resistance (or 30 ATM); at this depth, scuba and saturation diving is safe. 

Some dive watches also boast resistance of 1,000 metres or more, like the Rolex Sea-Dweller Deepsea which is rated to 3,900 metres. 

The current deep-dive champion is the non-commercial Omega Ultra Deep Professional, which in 2019 survived a trip to the Mariana Trench (10,928 metres) and is rated to 15,000 metres.

The best dive watches you can buy today

This year Rolex updated its iconic dive watch for the first time since 2012. It’s a single millimetre larger than its now-discontinued predecessor and is available in seven references.

All references of the new Submariner 41 have bezels made from Cerachrome, with markings in either PVD gold or platinum, and all watches are also powered by Rolex’s new calibre 3235 automatic mechanical movement, which has a 70-hour power reserve and a proprietary Chronergy escapement. The water resistance is rated at 300 metres.

Although the word iconic is often over used, there's no denying that it's an appropriate way to describe the Submariner, and, while it's not for everyone, there's no doubt that this is one of the most sought-after and lust-worthy watches around.

With a name like Seamaster, you’d expect good things from this watch - and you won’t be disappointed. Tracing its origins back to 1957, Omega designed the Seamaster range especially for divers and professionals who work underwater.

As such, there is 300 metres of water resistance, a screw-in crown, unidirectional bezel, illumination on all elements, resistance to magnetic fields and a tough, lightweight titanium case with a matching strap. The 'co-axial' name refers to the escapement in the automatic movement, which reduces friction and improves longevity. Power reserve is a healthy 60 hours.

The Tudor Black Bay might be the perfect starting point if you're looking for your first 'proper' watch. It's premium but not too expensive, it's got history, and it shares technology with its parent company Rolex. Of course, it's also a very attractive, wearable, everyday watch as well. 

The Black Bay is available in a range of colourways, including the steel case with black dial and bezel (pictured above). If you're looking for something which stands out a bit more, the brand also offers the steel case with a red bezel, blue bezel, or a striking bronze model.

If you're looking from something a little more modern from Tudor, then why not check out the Tudor Pelagos. It features a contemporary, legible design and 500 metres of water resistance. 

Waterproof to a full 3,900 metres (12,800 feet), the Rolex Sea Dweller Deepsea is entirely worthy of its name. The 44mm wide steel watch has a helium escape valve, which lets gas out when a diver goes through decompression after a deep saturation dive.

The specific watch pictured features a D-Blue Dial, which gradually shifts from blue to black and commemorates James Cameron’s solo dive to the deepest place on earth, the Mariana Trench. The power reserve is approximately 44 hours.

As a true diver's watch the Certina DS Action Diver Powermatic 80 fulfils all the requirements of the ISO 6425 standard. It's waterproof up to 300 m and has a massive power reserve of up to 80 hours.

That's a very desirable package considering the watch costs under £700/$900.

The Sub 1500T follows in the spirit of the SUB 300T Conquistador which was introduced in 1969, the first general public diving watch to meet the pressure challenge with the helium release valve. It's a proper dive watch, built to withstand the toughest of challenges. Its cushion-shaped 45mm case is rated at 150 ATM for dives at depths up to 1500 meters. 

Yes, we know this watch doesn’t have the unidirectional rotating bezel of the others, but we’re going to make an exception on account of the Royal Oak Offshore Diver looking like it’s built like a nuclear submarine.

Available in a wide range of colours and finishes, the Diver has a 42mm wide case, an automatic movement with an impressive 60 hours of power reserve, and it is water resistant to 300 metres. 

A classically designed diving watch, this automatic Seiko has a stainless steel case with black polyurethane strap. The case measures 41mm across and there are all of the usual diving hallmarks - a unidirectional rotating bezel, illuminated hands and hour markers, and water resistance to 200 metres.

The HydroConquest’s classic good looks make it one of the most attractive watches in this list, and with a 39mm wide case it isn’t as intimidating as most diving watches, which tend to be on the bulky side. The watch is water resistant to 300 metres, and has a self-winding mechanism with a 64-hour power reserve.

Looking for a retro dive watch which is certain to stand out from the crowd? Try the Rado Captain Cook MKII on for size. The classic tonneau (barrel) shaped case is a conversation starter, and the inner rotating bezel means this piece is as functional as it is handsome.

Rado has worked hard to evoke the original Captain Cook model, and we think they've done a great job. Measuring in at 37mm, it's not too large, either, which is ideal for those who prefer vintage proportions, as well as vintage designs.

Ulysse Nardin's new 42mm “three-hand” Diver is the house's new entry-level tool watch. The concave bezel and domed sapphire glass work together with with an uncluttered dial, touches of retro beige, and a gold central second to give this piece a truly vintage feel. 

The inspiration comes from the house’s 1964 dive watch, the “Diver Le Locle”. The GPS coordinates of Le Locle, the Manufacture’s hometown since 1846, adorn the dial.

When the Fifty Fathoms was originally released in 1953, it was one of the very first dive watches. Yep, even beating the Rolex Submariner and Omega Seamaster. It became famous due to its record breaking 200m water resistance. Oh, and it was beautiful as well.

Blancpain's modern Fifty Fathoms collection embodies the brand's passion for the underwater world, being just as beautiful and just as iconic as the original.

This 44mm diving watch aims to be as legible as possible, thanks to its bold face, anti-reflective sapphire crystal, large illuminated hands and hour markers - and of course the diver’s friend, a unidirectional 60mm diving bezel, which is available in four colours.

A screw-down crown and case back ensure the watch is waterproof to 300 metres and the leather strap has been treated to be water resistant. A glass rear means you can admire the automatic movement when back on dry land.

Available in no fewer than five different colour options - including white, blue and orange - the Combat Sub Aquarius by Glycine features a large 46mm bezel, is water resistant to 50 atmospheres (500 metres), and has an automatic movement with a 38-hour power reserve. 

The strap has an integrated diving extension for fitting neatly over your wetsuit, and there is a helium escape valve at eight o’clock - although many will argue this is more a gimmick to show off with at the pub than an essential feature. Still, when you can have one, why not?

Bell & Ross are better known for watches inspired by aircraft instruments, but with this one it instead dips its toe into the waters of the diving watch market. The RB03-92 Diver features the company’s iconic square design, but with a rotating diver’s bezel on top. Inside sits an automatic movement that is resistant to magnetism and has a 38-hour power reserve.

Water resistance is listed as 300 metres and all elements of the hands and watchface are illuminated, just as the ISO requires them to be for a proper diving watch. The Diver’s strap is made from black woven rubber and what B&R calls ‘ultra-resilient synthetic fibre’.

And now for something rather different...the Aquapod by MB&F is probably unlike any wristwatch you have ever seen - and certainly unlike any diving watch.

For a start, it is enormous. The watch is 53.8mm across and sits 21.3mm tall, practically standing proud of your wrist for passers-by to admire its horological beauty. Instead of the unidirectional bezel sitting on the face, it loops around like Saturn’s rings and draws your attention to the unique face and automatic movement within.

With a design inspired by jellyfish, the Aquapod is limited to just 99 pieces worldwide, of which 33 will be grade five titanium and 66 will be rose gold - the latter costing in the region of £100,000.

The clue’s in the name, but the turquoise details on this Aquadive Bathysphere give it a punchy and unique look. It might make the watch stand out a little too much with formal wear - and in such occasion you’ll want to lose the rubber strap - but as a diving watch with a bit of 1970’s character it’s hard to beat.

The watch features an automatic movement and is waterproof to 1,000 metres. In case you’re wondering, the turquoise hand and dial give a 24-hour reading of the current time.

If you thought diving watches were four figures and more, then prepare for a pleasant surprise. This 40mm Casio is a little over £100, yet rocks the classic diving watch looks, complete with rotating numbered bezel, illuminated second hand, and a durable rubber strap. Even more amazing is this budget entry’s 200 metres of water resistance.

Now available for under £135, this Hugo Boss diving watch has a rotating dial and illuminated hands and hour markers. It is water resistant to 100 metres and at 46mm is one of the largest watches showcased in this feature. The watch is big, simple and features a date complication at the six o’clock position.

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