25 Best Dive Watches For Every Budget in 2024

The Casio MDV106, better known as the “Duro,” is a powerhouse of a watch, offering a great deal of specs, quality, reliability, and accuracy for a very low price of $50. Surprisingly, the Duro also looks far more high-end than one might expect of a Casio.

Indeed, Casio is better known for its rugged and straightforward digital watches and not for analogue dive watches. Nevertheless, the Duro’s solid build quality and handsome looks are comparable to much more expensive Japanese divers from Seiko, Citizen, and Orient.

The Duro might seem like a pretty ordinary and perhaps conservative choice design-wise, but the fact that it offers so much capability for so little is endearing and maybe even miraculous. The more time spent examining the Duro, the more it tends to impress—just ask the co-founder of a little software company known as Microsoft.

In the world of luxury Swiss dive watches you can’t get much better value for money than Certina’s DS Action Diver. The powerhouse of an automatic movement features an 80-hour power reserve, which means you can leave the watch in a drawer on Friday and pick it back up on Monday morning and it will still be accurate. But why would you want to? With a handsome, glossy dial and a range of colorways/strap combinations, this true do-it-all watch is equally suitable for the beach or a dinner party.

Nor does the DS Action Diver need to be babied. Its ISO 300 m (985 feet) diver’s rating should leave you feeling satisfied that the watch is capable of withstanding any extreme sport or activity.

Though its design might be conventional by some tastes, that’s not necessarily a bad thing since the versatile Certina DS Action Diver offers an awful lot of value, toughness, and Swiss heritage without breaking the bank.

The Casio G-Shock Frogman GW8230NT-4, marking three decades of the dive-focused Frogman range, introduces a commemorative, limited edition watch in vibrant red.

Weighing a mere 3 oz (84 g), it combines 1990s design with (semi)-modernized dive features, including storage for 10 dive logs. The display incorporates moon phases and tide graphs, enhancing its utility as a reliable dive instrument. Constructed with sustainable materials like bio-based resin, the watch includes a Tough Solar panel for eco-friendly power.

Priced at $620, Casio has positioned the watch as a premium G-Shock, justified in part by its materials. However, the absence of bluetooth and atomic clock synchronization may limit its appeal to tech enthusiasts.

Despite potential size issues for smaller wrists and a comparatively high price, the GW8230NT-4 stands as a recommended choice for those seeking durability, ocean readiness, and a distinctive design that screams adventure.

The Certina DS Super PH500M offers exceptional value for money in the world of high-end Swiss dive watches. It’s what some might call a “spec monster,” and outperforms many of its competitors in terms of quality, durability, and timekeeping precision.

This model is a heritage watch, meaning that Certina has taken the iconic original model used in the Tektite US Naval research missions of 1969 and 1970, and updated it for modern-day divers as well as dive watch enthusiasts.

The result is a watch that is both a highly capable dive companion and a stunning retro throwback to the golden age of dive watches—when Certina retailed for even more than Rolex.

With this Promaster Eco-Drive Diver, Citizen brings a truly excellent entry-level ISO-certified dive watch to the market. The sturdy construction inspires trust. Although Citizen might not be as well known as Seiko or Orient for their dive watches, the brand has a rich heritage in the innovation of diving equipment.

In 1985 Citizen released the first watch with a digital depth sensor. Citizen is an underrated Japanese watch brand, and deserves a better brand caché, especially considering their pioneering feats in timekeeping history.

The watch is distinctly Japanese in terms of its design, in keeping with other iconic diving timepieces from the island, like the Seiko Tuna. It has a gnarly, chunky bezel that’s a breeze to operate, with huge hands and indices on the dial. In terms of legibility, it beats out every other watch I have worn on my wrist, including the gold standard of all dive watches: the Rolex Submariner.

The Rotary Seamatic offers an affordable option for those interested in diving watches, drawing inspiration from classic Swiss designs. Priced under $300, it presents a solid build with features like a ceramic bezel and good lume, making it appealing for budget-conscious buyers.

However, the watch faces several issues, including misalignment, a cumbersome feel due to its height, and a ratchety mechanism. Though not flawless, the Seamatic is a decent choice for those seeking a low-cost diver’s watch that you don’t have to worry about getting wet.

Though the Casio MRW200H might be very inexpensive, costing around $20 USD, that certainly does not mean that the watch isn’t well made. Constructed of affordable materials, such as the resin case and a simple quartz movement, the watch delivers a great deal of utility for the price.

The Casio MRW200H is suitable for use in the water: swimming, snorkeling, or even freediving. Its 100 m water resistance makes it perfect for pretty much any aquatic activity besides scuba diving, when you would be using a dive computer anyway.

In many ways, the MRW200H is the ideal vacation watch: it’s robust, can take a beating, and it also comes in lots of fun colors and dial variations. It also wouldn’t be the end of the world if it got left behind in the hotel room since it’s so budget friendly.

‘A robust watch with zero nonsense’ could certainly be the motto of Delma’s Cayman automatic dive watch. This 1970s-inspired timepiece is one of a kind–apart from having a much sought-after Swiss automatic movement—it is entirely water-resistant at 500 m underwater.

The watch is embedded with an exquisite stainless steel case and a mesh bracelet, both of which look classy and sophisticated on the wrist.

To keep with the concept of sports watches, the Delma Cayman Bronze incorporates a unidirectional aluminum diver bezel with silver numerals at 15, 30, 45, and a luminous speck at the 12 o’clock mark. The ring of the bezel has a scalloped shape for a great grip.

A date window along with the open case back makes it a solid competitor among other dive watches on the market.

The Tissot Seastar 1000 Powermatic 80’s specifications and features underscore its serious aquatic capabilities, encompassing a stainless steel case, rubber strap with diver’s extension, scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, a well-threaded screw-down crown, and a unidirectional ceramic bezel with a lume pip. Its name, Seastar 1000, derives from the fact that it has a water resistance of 1,000 feet, or 300 meters.

Tissot’s commitment to Swiss precision is evident in the Powermatic 80 movement, an efficient modification of the renowned ETA 2824, with an exhibition caseback showcasing its intricate mechanism.

While personal aesthetic preferences may sway opinions, the Seastar stands as a testament to Swiss watchmaking prowess, combining technical excellence with an accessible entry point into the world of luxury dive watches.

Powered by the same Japanese movement as the famed Seiko, the Pantor Seahorse dive watch offers a high-quality alternative to its pricey counterparts that perform the same duty. With 1000 m water-resistance and a Swiss-mode lume, this model is an attention-grabber that will not fail to impress first-time dive watch buyers.

Add the stylish design to the mix and you’ve got yourself an accessory that serves multiple purposes at the same time—and looks good doing so. Not too bad for a budget watch, right?

The Davosa Ternos Professional wins at every nomination: it has a medium-sized, 42 mm display; is backed up by the first-rate automatic Swiss movement; and boasts a 2-year guarantee from the manufacturer.

The ceramic bezel, with a non-reflective sapphire crystal display, alone puts this watch into a luxurious category that won’t break the bank. If this is your investment into a dive watch, you won’t even want to scan the high-end offerings—that’s how revolutionary this number is.

The roots of Breitling Heritage watches go back to the 1950s, from whence the design inspiration comes. The retro-ish old school look of the Superocean Heritage model hints at the collection’s rich history without showing any sign of being outdated.

Instead, the elegant and slightly conservative design combined with the date window, unidirectional bezel rotation, and three hand markers speak loud enough for it to be a sought-after watch. This number is indeed an excellent option for anyone who is in search of a timeless classic that is suited for every occasion.

The updated Delma Blue Shark IV is the real deal for divers willing to make a smart investment. The aesthetic of the dive watch has been upgraded, and so has the driving force behind the automatic movement.

Now, the dial featuring a bright orange color that is also applied to the bezel looks neater and is available in black, orange, and blue. The unidirectional bezel was redesigned to offer divers both brushed steel and black-coated DLC-coated steel options.

Perhaps the most impressive feature of the upgrade is water-resistance, which has been increased to a whopping 5000 meters. You won’t find this depth in every other dive watch—and that’s exactly what gives Blue Shark IV a huge competitive advantage.

The 47 mm diameter fits nicely on a wrist without being too large or too small–it’s the sweet spot for beginners and professionals alike.

The Delma Quattro offers plenty of features to keep even the most discerning dive watch fanatic happy, including a hidden, screw-down crown and the Rapid Bracelet Exchange System (RBES), which allows the wearer to easily switch from the bracelet to another strap—without any tools.

The unique symmetrical stainless steel case elegantly integrates the helium escape valve while protecting the screw-down crown, and the bezel features six notches to make it easy to adjust. With so much going for it, it’s easy to see why the Delma Quattro remains a firm favorite in the luxury dive watch category.

From a young and exciting Miami-based company comes a bold but worthwhile challenge to dive watches. The GX-Diver’s 41mm watch by LIV combines some of the aesthetics of Breitling and Omega with a practical potency demonstrated by the cobalt steel model we got our hands on.

As divers, we demand functional practicality to enhance any kit we take down. The GX does this very well. A ceramic bezel with very smooth movements frames a solid sapphire crystal that’s been screwed into place to manage the pressures of depth. On this note, 300 meters is more than enough for most technical divers, let alone recreational dive profiles.

Having been in the business since 1832, Longines has established itself on the market as a brand with a strong devotion to its roots, elegance and the world of sports. The brand is a member of the reputable Swatch Group and it has been building watches that resemble popular vintage watches from the midst of the 20th century.

The Longines Legend Diver model is water-resistant, has an inner bezel, and serves many purposes from water sports to fancy nights out.

Give it a try if you are in the market for a Rolex-like watch that does the exact same trick for a fraction of the price.

The Omega Seamaster Diver 300M is another top-of-class dive watch with a helium escape valve to protect it from helium damage. This wonder piece received a massive overhaul in 2018 without losing the pioneering appearance it got in 1993.

Both the dial and the bezel insert are made from ceramic, which is corrosion resistant. It uses the co-axial 8800 automatic movements by Omega and is a worthy option for deep divers with a sense of style

The most influential dive watch of all time had to be mentioned here—the Rolex Submariner, the standard from which many, if not all, other dive watches are measured. The birth of the Submariner in 1953 turned out to be a wakeup call that went to inspire many of its followers.

Since the release of the first timepiece, the Rolex Submariner has been improved several times, which has made it stand unrivaled by any other in its class. It has a fairly small diameter and a ceramic bezel. These design features are all meant to make it less bulky and durable at the same time.

Furthermore, its automatic movement has also been well-engineered and upgraded over the years to give it the necessary accuracy. If you’ve got the money, you can’t do better than the world-class Submariner.

The Tag Heuer Aquaracer watches are considered to be some of the most reliable out there. This watch, in particular, is a primary example of the brand’s dedication to manufacturing diving accessories at moderate prices. It incorporates a unidirectional rotating bezel, 300 meters of water-resistance, and a self-winding automatic movement.

With its luminescent hand and markers, this number is a great plus one for your diving, snorkeling, or any other water sports adventure.

The Tudor Pelagos remains an uncompromisingly elegant and versatile tool that can be used in various settings. Made from a lightweight titanium, this watch is feather-like on your wrist. This, however, does not take away from its essential features.

From the dial to the the bezel and large titanium casing, the Tudor Pelagos has a retro feeling, reminiscent of early watch engineering. It also features a helium escape valve—a safety feature that prevents helium gas from blowing up the crystal from a watch case when the diver surfaces after a deep dive.

The Tudor Pelagos is a great all-around choice for a discerning diver looking for comfort, style, and useful features.

First and foremost, this watch is a beautiful diving accessory. The Black Bay series by Tudor is inspired by the Rolex Submariners from the 1950s–1970s that were Tudor-branded. The Black Bay Fifty-Eight has a unique 39 mm case, which one of the smallest diameters you are likely to find.

The Tudor Black Bay Fifty-Eight offers a nice blend of modern and vintage features. It’s chronometer rated and has an impressive power reserve at 70 hours.

In 2018, when Seiko discontinued its iconic affordable dive watch, the SKX, die-hard fans were quick to dismiss the “diver-style” replacements: the Seiko 5 Sports SRPD range. SKX lovers were disappointed by the fact that the SRPD is not a truly capable diving tool and only has 330 feet (100 m) water resistance compared to the 650-foot (200 m) rating of its predecessor.

However, Seiko understood that most of their customers don’t actually rely on their watches when scuba diving. So, what may be lost in terms of dive credentials was made up for by improving the movement and the finishing, making for a more refined timepiece while retaining the SKX’s “tool watch” appeal.