Disclaimer: Some prices may have updated since publishing the post and maybe over the mentioned price limit.
Constantly being in the water, you need a watch that can comfortably withstand heavy depths.
That’s where dive watches come in!
With 200 bucks to spare, getting a great dive watch is easy.
So, why not read ahead? We’ll be going through the best options, helping you choose the right one.
We could jump right in, but let’s go through our best picks first.
The Most Heavy Duty AND Our Favorite
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If you’re on the clumsier side, you’ll love that it’s made from sapphire. Its synthetic sapphire window safeguards you from quite a bit of drops.
The Tauchmeister XXL utilizes a unidirectional bezel. This makes it easier to track time underwater. As you can imagine, this is especially useful as you can take the watch up to 3000 feet (914 m) underwater.
What’s really cool:
Its design is pretty retro as luminous paint isn’t hidden over its markings. Instead, you have a watch with strikingly green indentations.
The watch is great for prolonged use underwater. This is due to its helium valve which gets rid of the gas that trapped in the watch.
You may find its polyutherane band unappealing. However, it’s a great material for underwater use. It’s also quite durable.
What makes it our favorite:
• Best water resistance on our list
• it’s sturdy
• it’s beautiful
Now, what makes it special:
It can withstand over 3000 feet (914 m) underwater
The Citizen comes with a thorough body. Its casing is made from stainless steel so not only will water not seep in, it’s free from corrosion as well.
Its band is made from molded polyutherane, so the watch is considerably light. It also requires less maintenance.
In terms of its appearance:
You’ll love having it by your side. Its deep blue body is complimented by its silver casing.
And its display is luminous.
If you’re clumsy like me, you don’t have to worry about breaking your watch.
The Citizen comes with a hardened mineral window.
With it by your side, get ready to dive up to 660 feet (200 m) underwater. . This lets you snorkel comfortably.
To withstand such depths, its crown is screwed down.
And if you’re wondering, it’s Japanese Quartz.
What caught our attention was its rechargeability. It catches the light, using it to power the watch. The light can be natural or not.
What makes it special:
It Charges Itself
Our Premium Pick
The Invicta’s probably the best-looking watch on our list. This isn’t a surprise as its appearance matches its price tag.
Why? Because:
Its stainless steel body is encompassed by a gunmetal bezel which meets a bright yellow display. This contrast in shades is very complimentary.
It’s an automatic watch. If you’re new to watches, you may find this fascinating as it runs on its own.
Its gears move due to kinetic energy from your wrist. Pretty cool, right?
If that’s not cool enough, there are 24 jewels inside its gears aiding with friction.
You can take the Invicta deep underwater. You can reach depths up to 990 feet (300 m).
In terms of functionality:
A calendar feature is present. Unfortunately, it just shows the day.
Its bezel is unidirectional, helping you track yourself while underwater.
Of course, it has a screwed down crown as well.
The watch is pretty huge at 1.8 inches( 47 mm) in diameter. However, this isn’t a unique feature as many of the watches on our list rival it in size.
Its display is anti-glare and if you look inside, you’ll see trinite luminous markers.
If you’re wondering what its window is made from, it’s a hardened mineral.
What makes it special:
Its anti glare display
The Most Functional
You’ll never have to worry about battery spills.
Why?
Well, the Citizen is solar powered.
Although its casing is stainless steel, the band is rubber. If you’re a fan of the finer things in life, the rubber band dampens anything premium the watch had going on.
That being said, rubber is great for dive watches as it’s corrosion-free.
With it, you can reach a 1000 feet (300 m) in depth. Along with the depth tracking feature, these make it very functional for diving.
When you go deep underwater, you’ll find its unidirectional bezel useful.
In terms of its appearance, there’s nothing to write home about. The watch is fully black and grey with the exception of a few blue touches.
Its display isn’t that great either as it’s the standard mineral.
What makes it special:
Depth tracking!
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The Phoibos rivals the Citizen in terms of depths reached. It goes head to head as you can go 1000 feet (300 m) underwater as well.
The watch is pretty durable with a full surgical grade stainless steel body. Its screwed down crown (which is very common with dive watches) prevents water from getting in.
Its windows is sapphire which is known to be the strongest glass type. So, goodbye scruffs!
It’s pretty luminous. Phoibos boasts of a super lume that lights up its indices.
In terms of its appearance, it has a completely silver body with a black display.
It runs by Quartz. However, it isn’t the usual Japenese. Instead, it’s Swiss.
And yes, you have a calendar feature. The Phoibos boasts of a wide-screen for this feature. But unfortunately, it’s still just the day’s date.
What makes it special:
The sapphire display!
You’re supposed to screw it tightly before you hit the pool. As you can imagine, this can be a bother as you’re bound to forget at least once.
Well:
How deep can you go?
660 feet (200 m) with the Pantor by your side. So, it’s superb for snorkeling.
Its casing is high-quality stainless steel with aluminium finishings. Meanwhile, its band is rubber.
It has a huge battery. It’s said to last over 2 years.
Underwater, you’ll appreciate its use of LumiNova in its display.
Yes, the watch is great but what’s even better is the packaging it comes in. Pantor provides a true unboxing experience. So, get your camera ready.
I’m quite a fan of its appearance. It’s probably the most sophisticated watch on this list with its black and silver palette. The thick rubber strap makes it even better.
It has a calendar feature but it’s a little awkward. It’s located at an angle near the bottom of the watch so you’ll have to tilt to view it.
In terms of its window, it’s hardened mineral.
What makes it special:
Its long battery life
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With the Sturhling, you get a Krysterna Crystal window. It’s not only perfect for dealing with water pressure, but it’s also scratch resistant.
Its navy blue bezel and display look pretty good so you won’t look bad with it around.
It’s made from surgical grade stainless steel.
If it doesn’t fit, you can remove a few plates as the watch is adjustable.
The watch has a Swiss Quartz movement so every tick is smooth.
Although luminous, it isn’t as bright as the other watches on this list. This won’t be helpful as you can go snorkeling up to 660 feet (200 m)underwater with it on.
Its quick-set date option is great to have. However, unless you’re a fan of awkward angles, you won’t find this feature useful as its calendar is at a weird angle.
A rotating unidirectional bezel is present along with the standard screw-down crown.
What makes it special:
The use of the Krysterna Crystal
I have to be honest, this is a weird-looking watch.
It’s going for retro feel but they went overboard.
The design is full silver with a chunky, oddly textured stainless steel strap. Its display is compact and stainless steel as well.
If you look closely, you’ll see a ‘scuba dude’ at work.
What makes it odder is that its casing is oval.
That being said, by no means is it a bad dive watch.
You can snorkel up to 660 feet (200 m) underwater with it and its indices are noticeably luminous. Along with this, it comes with a screwed-down crown so water won’t seep in.
And best of all, it’s an automatic watch. So, you never have to worry about replacing its battery when it gives out.
Its window is acrylic so you know it’s tough. And the material cuts glare as well.
What makes it special:
If you’re a fan of the strange, you’ll love the Vostok Amphibian
Being aware of a few things will help you make the best purchase.
Now:
What are they?
Depth
To be classified as a dive watch, it should have a minimum water-resistance of 330 feet (100 m). To get the most bang for your buck, get a watch that can go deeper than this.
The best dive watches go up to 1000 feet (300 m). This ensures you’re in the deepest depths without your watch giving in- if you’re an avid diver, this point is a must.
Display
The type of display on a dive watch is very important. The sturdier it is, the less likely water will get inside.
That’s why dive watches that can go very deep have a thick window.
Easy To Read
You wouldn’t carry a torch underwater, would you?
The deeper you go, the darker it gets. Because of this, you need a dive watch that comes with a good luminous display.
Return Policy
To withstand such depths, the watch has to be sealed very well. Everyone makes mistakes so even the factory the watch came from could have messed up.
Due to your bad luck, you may have got a watch that hasn’t been dive proofed. So be sure to buy from a reputable brand as you’re more likely to get a return policy.
Don’t Be Afraid Of The Weather
Owning a regular watch, you might be afraid to go outside when it’s raining. The same can be said if it’s especially humid.
As the dive watch can withstand 330 feet (100m) underwater, you don’t have to be afraid of a little rain.
Do You Have Bad Eyesight?
Dive watches come with good lume as you need to read the time underwater. If you’re ever stuck outside at night, you don’t have to struggle to read the time.
It’s A Long Term Relationship
As it’s sealed, dust has very little chance of entering the watch. With it, your watch will last longer.
Be Rich
If you’re smart, you can make a bit of cash off the watch. It can last a while, so with good maintenance, you can keep it by your side and eventually sell it off as a vintage piece.
Then:
Make your move, selling it for a lot (Of course, you’ll be old by then but it’s totally worth it)
Don’t Push It
The standard dive watch can last up to 330 feet (100 m) underwater. If your watch doesn’t specify that it can go deeper, don’t push it.
Is It Hot?
Heat is your watch's worst enemy. The heat can cause the materials to expand which loosens up its sealing.
When this happens, disaster strikes as water can affect it.
A Dip In The Sea
If you had your watch on while diving, wash it. The saltwater can deteriorate the seals.
Thankfully, this isn’t very common.
Why? Most dive watches are made with corrosion-free materials like stainless steel.
Don’t Meddle With It
No matter what you do, don’t meddle with the watch!
You may be in the water, playing with its crown and buttons. They may not be waterproofed, causing water to seep into gaps- ouch.
Check out our other top watches
So, what do you think?
Did we run through everything that helped you make a decision?
The Tauchmeister XXL was our top pick. It’s everything you’d ever need in a good dive watch.
