The Top 5 Dive Watches for Beginners Under $1,000
Blake Malin
Windup Watch Shop | September 11, 2024
Dive watches possess a sort of primordial appeal. Dating back to the 1950s, they were invaluable tools for early divers to monitor their dive time. But what makes a dive watch a dive watch? It varies depending on who you ask, but the International Organization for Standards (ISO) 6425 standard provides a perfect starting point. Per ISO, a dive watch must: a) be water-resistant to at least 100, b) possess a method of tracking dive time, c) must show that time in resolution of no larger than minutes over the span of an hour, plus a litany of other tests to achieve ISO 6425 certification. In today’s Chronicle, we’re doing a deep dive into our picks for the five best dive watches for a new enthusiast.
Want to find out more? The Windup Watch Team is available via consultation to answer any questions you have. In addition, all of these products are eligible for free domestic shipping across the US.
Citizen’s modern dive watches descend from a storied lineage; from the venerable Challenge Diver of the mid-1970s to the legendary Aqualand, Citizen’s divers have big shoes to fill. The Promaster Dive Eco-Drive readily steps up to the challenge. With a 44mm stainless steel case water resistant to 200m, the Promaster Dive is strictly business. Featuring Citizen’s Eco-Drive technology, the watch is powered by light — you will never need to change a battery. It is available in black, blue/red, and blue variants with an additional gray-dialed model in a gold-tone case. All feature a boldly accented minute hand for legibility (though it should be noted that red and orange are the first colors to fade underwater). Starting at just $375, it’s the perfect entry into the world of dive watches.
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Fellow Japanese brand Seiko is no stranger to producing iconic dive watches. One of the most interesting of their recent releases is the Solar Diver entry to the Prospex line of watches built to professional specification. (Get it?) The Prospex Solar Diver features a 38.5mm case perfect for daily wear, but it doesn’t compromise on performance — the stainless case is water resistant to 200m. It's available in a black dial on a black silicon strap in addition to a special edition PADI (Professional Association of Dive Instructors) variant with a unique gray dial featuring PADI’s glove logo and electric blue accents on the minute hand and bezel. A more traditional take on the classic dive watch formula, the Seiko Prospex Solar Diver could be the only diver you ever need.
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Spinnaker is a brand deeply committed to recognizing the history of diving and ocean exploration. Taking inspiration from historic references, they offer well-designed tool watches with a dash of vintage charm at an affordable price point. The Spence 300 Automatic is a 300m water-resistant dive watch nestled in a well-proportioned 40mm stainless steel case, coming in at an almost absurd 10.9mm thick, something uncommon at this — or any — price point today. The Spence is available in black, blue, green, and red dials, all on three-link stainless steel bracelets with an additional leather strap. For a well-designed, vintage-inspired dive watch at an approachable price point, the Spence 300 Automatic is hard to argue against. Sometimes, simple is best.
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Portland, Oregon-based Vero burst onto the scene in 2015, combining bold, modern design language with an adventure-ready spirit. The Open Water is the brand’s flagship dive watch, a beautifully matte design intended to blend seamlessly into life. The Open Water is powered by the Swiss-made Sellita SW 200-1, a no-date derivative of the ubiquitous ETA 2824. Every Open Water features a black DLC-coated bezel and crown, accenting the collection of dial colors. With names like “Dawn Patrol,” “North Coast,” and “Ridge Trail,” Vero’s thirst for adventure shines through in every watch. The only trouble will be deciding which version to take on your next adventure.
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Based on an original watch from 1972, Benrus has re-issued the unique Orbit Robot Skindiver design while including subtle updates to bring it into the twenty-first century like a sapphire crystal and modern Swiss-made Soprod movement. The Orbit Robot Skindiver’s 41mm stainless steel case is water resistant to 200m and features a gray fume dial accented by bright orange hands filled with white luminous material. Flip it over, and the caseback features a robot orbiting the earth, a revised take on the original’s UFO caseback stamp. For an easily accessible retro vibe under $1,000, (and currently on sale for $595), the Benrus’ Orbit Robot Skindiver is a throwback you don’t want to miss.
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