DIVE WATCHES
Few categories in watchmaking carry the same weight of heritage and purpose as the dive watch. Born from the practical needs of professional divers in the mid-20th century, these watches were engineered to withstand pressure, resist corrosion, and deliver absolute legibility when it mattered most. Over time, what began as a purely functional tool evolved into one of the most versatile and enduring forms of wristwear — equally at home beneath the waves or paired with a casual fit topside. For enthusiasts, dive watches are not only about water resistance and timing bezels, but also about the balance of rugged capability and thoughtful design that makes them a cornerstone of modern watch culture.
GOOD TO KNOW: WATER RESISTANCE
ENTRY LEVEL RESISTANCE
Most dive watches you encounter will have water resistance ratings from 100 to 200 meters. These ratings reflect that the watch should be capable of recreational scuba diving or snorkeling. If you're looking for a watch that you need not worry about getting wet, this is a great place to start.
PROFESSIONAL RESISTANCE
For those looking to do deep water diving or saturation diving, a professional divers watch is the best way go. These watches are often rated to over 200 meters of water resistance with features such as helium escape valves and screw down crowns.
DIVE WATCHES UNDER $1000
GOOD TO KNOW: DIVER DIALS
HIGH CONTRAST
To increase dial legibility as you dive deeper below the surface, many dive watches incorporate high-contrast dials in their designs. Black dials are often coupled with white markers. Full lume dials are usually paired with dark markers. All in the name of legibility.
COLOR SHIFT
As you dive deeper below the surface, the colors you are so used to recognizing above begin to shift and the legibility of some begin to lower. Red after a few meters looks a dull gray. Green or Blue, especially when used on a high contrast dial, tend to hold their color the longest.
MODERN DIVE WATCHES
GOOD TO KNOW: AUTOMATIC VS. QUARTZ
AUTOMATIC
There are many who insist that a watch containing an automatic movement is the proper way to experience a dive watch. One of the main reasons for this is that unlike a quartz watch, there is no chance of a dead battery during your dive. With timing playing a large part in diving, it's hard to argue such a point. Furthermore, with occasional servicing, an automatic dive watch can last a lifetime.
QUARTZ
Quartz has come a long way since it's debut decades ago. A modern quartz dive watch now has unparalled accuracy and requires little maintenance, with batterries lasting anywhere from 2 to 10 years. Add to that fewer moving parts than an automatic dive watch and it's no wonder why many find quartz dive watches quite capable..
CLASSIC DIVE WATCHES
VIDEO SPOTLIGHT
4 Great Dive Watches Under $500
In this video, Devin sits down with our shop manager, Ricardo, to look at four different dive watch options, each under $500, that offer specifications capable of being taken on a diving trip. While the first pick may be an oldie but goodie, the rest may surprise you.
