Everyone loves a good watch. Unfortunately, not all watches are waterproof. This is why you may be looking for one that is, especially if you’re planning to go swimming or diving. Thankfully, there are many on the market that fit the bill.
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As there are so many options available, ultimately picking one that’s not the best for you. So keep reading and we’ll cover the best men's waterproof watches.
Table of Contents
First, we’ll look at some of our top contenders.
Our Top Pick
Everyone knows the Casio brand. They’re known for making some of the most durable watches in the game. Hence, it’s no surprise to see a watch from them on this list.
The watch runs smooth with a quartz movement. The internal components are sealed with a crystal window. This not only safeguards it but provides a sleek look.
It is a true digital watch. You can expect plenty of features, including a barometer, thermometer and a feature to monitor sunrise and sunset. Such options are common in many Casio watches.
Of course, it’s waterproof as well. You can carry your Casio with you deep underwater: over 660 feet (200 m).
The watch is solar powered so you don’t have to worry about a battery. This also ensures it lasts a long time as dust won’t collect as much.
It’s made from resin which is common with Casio watches.
As mentioned, the watch is our favorite pick. If you’re wondering why it’s because of its:
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Resin is protective because it doesn’t let anything stick to it, and it bounces well when dropped. So, the watch will last you a long time.
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Timex is a favorite amongst watch enthusiasts. The brand itself is renowned for producing high-quality products, so you know you’re in good hands.
The watch provides a classic look, complementing any outfit. It comes with a chronograph feature that looks amazing. However, it’s relatively short and is only 30 minutes and not 60.
You’d love how waterproof it is. You can carry it with you up to 330 feet (100 m) underwater. Plus, you’ll love that its dial lights up. This makes it easy to view underwater and is perfectly designed for aquatic use.
It’s pretty hefty too as it has a scratch-resistant mineral dial window. This allows you to use it in any environment you want, especially on activities like hikes. Although it’s durable, you get a one year warranty from Timex to further safeguard the watch.
Of course, it comes with the smooth Japanese quartz movement that most Timex watches offer.
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Along with Timex, Seiko is a powerhouse in the watch industry. So, you can expect a lot from this contender as well.
If you’re looking for a waterproof watch, the Seiko men’s automatic is the one for you. It can withstand over 660 feet (200 m), so you can easily snorkel with it on.
Not just this, but the watch looks great as well. It comes with a stainless steel case and a black dial and band. This contrast is very appealing to the eye.
Being made from stainless steel, the watch is pretty durable. You don’t have to worry about scratches which makes it great for outdoor use.
It was specifically designed to last deep underwater. It has a hardlex crystal lens, making its interior impermeable. The high-pressure glass also helps keep it safe if it ever falls down. Of course, the dial is luminous as well.
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You get a complete digital display, perfect for the modern man.
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The digital display is very easy to read as its numbers are large and it provides a considerably huge dial. It has a designated button that lights the screen up, letting you read the time in the dimmest environments.
In terms of how water resistant it is, you can expect the watch to last 165 feet (50 m) underwater. Although considerable, it’s not the greatest length compared to the others on this list.
As it’s digital, it comes with many features. The most common being an alarm clock that many users say is quite loud. It comes with a calendar feature as well.
The watch is durable, as you can imagine. It’s made from surgical grade stainless steel. Its window is made from an acrylic mirror. Its casing contributes to heavy protection as it’s ABS plastic, fit for industrial use.
In terms of its looks, it’s very sporty. You’d think it was a fitness tracker!
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This watch differs heavily from its sibling in the number one spot.
It’s great as a waterproof watch and can last over 330 feet (100 m). Similar to its counterpart on the top of this list, it comes with a chronograph feature. This time, it’s 100 hours which anyone would love.
You’d enjoy the iron man because it’s true to its name as is a classic. In fact, it looks rather retro. It also comes with an option that lets you increase the display’s brightness. Thus, you can use your watch easily, wherever you are.
As it’s digital, it offers many special features. You can view the time in your area as well as in a foreign location. This is because the display is split. It comes with a strong alarm and timer, great for timing laps.
It’s not made from plastic. Instead, it’s fully resin. The resin’s feel along with the retro look makes it a unique watch to own.
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• Very retro looking
• Durable because of resin coat
• Thorough chronograph
• Can see the time in a different timezone
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• Resin can be hard to have on
• Cheap-looking
Its completely stainless steel body is very appealing to the eye. Along with the fact that its an analog that comes in a black mineral display, anyone would look great wearing it.
It’s known to be quite lightweight too. This means it’s easy to carry around. If you’re wondering how much it weighs, it’s only 5 ounces (141 g).
You can go 660 feet (200 m) underwater with the Invicta by your side. Of course, the clock moves smoothly as it utilizes the Swiss automatic movement.
The black mineral display not only looks amazing but contributes to durability. It provides added protection, as you can imagine.
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The watch is powered by the sun. It captures light, recharging itself permanently.
Like many watches that are fit for heavy underwater usage, its band is rubber. This may turn you off as a rubber strap isn’t the best looking. That being said, you should know the material is easy to maintain.
Expect the watch to last more than a dunk. It’s highly water-resistant, being able to withstand up to 1000 feet (300 m) underwater. If you’re a diver, you’ll love its depth tracking feature as well.
In terms of its display, it’s mineral. In terms of its bezel, you’ll enjoy that it’s unidirectional.
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The watch comes with a durable body. It’s encompassed by surgical grade stainless steel. This is great as it can last up to 1000 feet (300 m) underwater, so you don’t have to worry about corrosion.
Its display is tough as well. It’s made from a synthetic sapphire and is able to take quite a beating.
The Phoibos has a super lume. So, you won’t be straining your eyes with this watch by your side.
It has a Swiss Quartz movement, giving way for smooth ticks as you peacefully dive with it on.
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The weekender is a unisex watch. So, it offers a design that’s more subtle and dainty. This is very refreshing compared to the ruggedness of the other watches.
It’s very round, with a silver bezel. Its band is made from fabric. And It comes in two colours, black, and brass.
It is waterproof, though not as much as the other Timex watches on this list. You can only take it 100 feet (30 m) underwater.
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Timex watches are known to be very durable. The weekender not only has scratch-free crystal glass, but it boasts a 10-year battery life. Such a long life is unprecedented in the watch game.
The hands move smoothly and it uses a quartz movement.
It’s luminous, which makes it easier to use in rough terrain.
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The Nate quartz watch showcases a unique design. At first glance, you’ll be entranced by its all-black exterior. The display is a black screen and the band is encompassed by black coated stainless steel plates.
The numbers on the display are Arabic numerals and are a deep charcoal colour.
It doesn’t just look good, it’s a functional waterproof watch. It can go up to 165 (50 m) feet underwater, which gets the job done but it’s not the deepest depth you could go.
There are three different dials, each tracking hours, minutes and seconds. And you have access to a stopwatch as well.
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There is added protection with the crystal display. This is great as you know it won’t get scratched.
In terms of how it moves, it’s the standard quartz movement.
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With the citizen, you’re getting a heavy silver watch. Many users love watches like this one as they feel so premium. It not only feels luxurious but looks the part as well. This is because it’s covered in titanium plates, and has a black display and gunmetal coloured ring around it.
If you take a closer look, you’ll see 3 chronograph subdials. The gunmetal ring is, in fact, a tachymeter.
You can carry the Citizen up to 660 feet (200 m) underwater. The manufacturers have specifically designed the watch for swimming, so you can use it comfortably underwater.
It comes with a considerable price tag but considering what you’re getting it’s worth it. So, what do you get? There is a sapphire dial window so you know the insides are impermeable. There is also a chronograph that measures up to sixty minutes as well as automatic timekeeping.
A perpetual calendar is present in one of the dials. This can be very helpful as you never know when you have an important date coming up.
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Our Premium Pick
The Heuer is the most expensive watch on this list. With the amount you’re paying, you’re getting a hefty watch as the Heuer’s windows are sapphire and its casing is titanium.
Meanwhile, its body is encompassed by a polished back rubber.
If you’re a fan of racecars, this watch is perfect for you. Its all black with a formula-1 design, so it’s reminiscent of the finer things in life. This is seen through the shape and colour of TAG’S emblem on the display.
The watch can go up to 660 feet (200 m) underwater, coming with a unidirectional bezel. So, you can easily time how long you’ve been swimming.
It comes with 3 hands on its display. So, you can track hours, minutes and seconds accurately.
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This is another watch from Citizen. In fact, it’s another model from the eco-drive line. However, it differs from the model above. This is because it comes with a round display. The display is quite huge and has a silver ring around it. Surrounding it is a band made from fabric.
It is an analog watch. The display is a deep black, which contrasts with the olive tone of the band. As you can imagine, this makes for a watch that looks quite chic.
The silver ring surrounding the charcoal display is stainless steel. Thus, durability is ensured. This is further emphasized because of the crystal glass that acts as the display’s window.
It can only be worn 330 feet (100 m) underwater. Similar to its sibling, the manufacturers have made the Citizen specifically for aquatic use. So, you can take it for swimming, but not diving.
Its movement is smooth as it offers the standard Japanese quartz movement.
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The Most Durable
Are you surprised to see a G-shock on this list? They’re a powerhouse in the watch world, which is why we had to include them on this list. The Quartz resin sports watch is easily one of the top durable waterproof watches on the market. And it’s quite visually appealing too.
First, its body is completely resin so it has a bouncy casing. This means that it can withstand quite a beating. As you can imagine, this helps it deal with water pressure when you’re swimming.
How deep can it go? Over 660 feet (200 m). You’ll be pleased to know that its display lights up, so when you’re underwater, you can view your watch perfectly.
It is a digital watch so it offers more than its analog counterparts. An in-depth calendar is at your disposal, helping you plan events wherever you are.
The calendar is pre-programmed by G-shock to make life easier for you. In fact, it’s programmed until 2039, if you’re wondering.
Of course, a strong alarm and a timer are at your disposal as well. This makes it great for timing laps.
Here’s the deal: durability is part of G-shock’s brand, so you can expect this watch to last a long time. According to the manufacturer, a 2-year battery life is present.
G-shock sticks to high levels of durability because the display is mineral.
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Our Value Pick
Casio and Timex have the most watches on this list. This is a testament to how great they are.
If you pick up a Forester, you’ll be amused at its design. This is because it has a brown band which is a very woody colour that contrasts its pale yellow display.
It is an analog watch with Arabic numerals that match the dark brown colour.
Such a display is unique and looks almost cartoonish. So, if you want a rustic watch with charm, you know where to look.
It’s very functional and even offers a calendar. However, this is quite subtle as it’s next to the third numeral in the form of a small box. This makes it easy for you to keep track of your plans.
In terms of what the band is made from, it is a unique material. You’re getting a watch made from Nylon. So, the Forester has a very different feel compared to other watches on this list.
In terms of how much water it can handle, you can take it 330 feet (100 m) underwater. The fact that its display lights up makes underwater usage easier.
As it’s made from Nylon, the watch is noticeably lightweight. If you’re curious, it’s barely 3 ounces (85 g)! So, your wrist won’t hurt with it on.
The fact is, the Forester is one of the cheapest watches on this list, yet it has many features, has a specific design and has considerable underwater coverage. That’s why we had to crown it our value pick.
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With the grant watch, you’re getting an analog device. Similar to the contender above, its band is a deep brown. However, the display is a charcoal black with mustard toned numerals. Because of this, its appeal is very classic.
It comes with 3 different dials. Each dial tracks different things. One tracks hours, the other minutes and the third one seconds. Along with this, it has a timer that can last up to 24 hours. So, you can use it all day for practice, especially timing laps.
Similar to the other Fossil watches on this list, you can only go up to 165 feet (50 m) underwater with it. That means it’s best for light dips in the pool. You can swim with it but remember not to go too deep.
The strap is brown because it’s genuine leather. So, you get a premium feel when strapping the Fossil on.
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The standard quartz movement is offered, which any analog watch lover would be fond of.
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The Timex camper is a fabulous looking watch. You get a body made out of resin. This means it has added protection due to its heavy bounce.
It’s black in colour. The band is a dark resin, with a white display. Thus, a classic look is promised. This is great for its price. Of course, the white display is protected by a plastic-like window.
If you’re wondering what this is, it’s acrylic. The acrylic offers a shiny yet matte look.
As it’s a waterproof watch, you might be wondering how deep underwater you can take it. It can last up to about 330 feet (100 m).
What’s more, Timex offers a 10-year battery life with the Camper. You also get an indigo backlight display, so your watch can help you in the dimmest environments.
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The Men’s Easy Reader is one of their best analog watches. Frankly, it’s one of the best looking analog watches on the market because of its sleek silver design.
The watch is surrounded by stainless steel plates, along with a pastel yellow display with gunmetal toned Arabic numerals. Even though it’s aimed at men, it looks somewhat feminine and delicate.
It can last up to 100 feet (30 m) underwater. Unfortunately, it has no added protection and is not known to be the most durable. In fact, its window is made from a poor quality mineral.
In terms of movement, it’s pretty smooth. You won't have trouble with it as it’s quartz.
With the majority of the watches on this list, the Men’s easy reader is luminous- How else would it be ‘easy to read’?
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You should definitely get hold of it if you want to make a statement. Much of its display is gold. It has gems next to the numerals and sits on a black display. Thus, it’s an extremely stylish waterproof watch.
The gold sheen contrasts with the stainless steel plates encompassing the watch. So, it looks very sophisticated and expensive.
What’s more, when you look closely at its display, you can see gears moving inside. This is a nice touch and you’ll enjoy seeing the mechanism of your watch at work.
The stainless steel is very durable. This is because it’s surgical-grade so you know it’s high quality.
It’s not just good looking, but durable as well. The quality of the stainless steel means it can take a good beating. It can also be worn up to 98 feet (30 m)underwater, so you can look good in the pool.
ALPS is a brand that’s known for its high customer satisfaction. With this purchase, you’re getting just that. So, if you don’t like the watch, you’re allowed to return it within the first 100 days.
Its movement is not quartz. Instead, it’s mechanically wound so you’re really getting the most for your money. In terms of the cost, you’ll be happy to know it’s not that pricey.
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GUTE is known for its aesthetic watches. The GUTE skeleton watch is very similar to the entry above. This is because they both show the gears at work. If you look closely at the GUTE’s display, you’ll see its gears moving with every tick.
The body is completely stainless steel. The numerals on the display are silver as well. The complementary colours contrast with the deep black of the display. In fact, it looks much better than the ALPS.
Although it’s stainless steel, GUTE has gone a step further. The steel plates are chrome plated. So, there is an added level of security as well as more sheen.
You can take your watch deep underwater. How deep? 100 feet (30 m) to be exact.
It comes with a 1-year warranty. It’s not like you will need it as it’s so durable. The window is made from Hardlex which as you know, is very tough.
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The Most Comfortable
Although men love this watch, the Fizili men’s ultra-thin is promoted as unisex. Because of this, its design is more subtle. Of course, it can still pass for a men’s watch as the design is rather masculine.
Although black, its hands are gold. So, the subtle contrast is very appealing to the eye.
Its strap is stainless steel. It’s called the ultra-thin as it’s extremely lightweight and paper-like in diameter. The thinness makes it extremely comfortable to have on and lets you wear the watch properly.
There are no numerals. Instead, you get lines that act as indentations for each of the numbers. However, there is a second dial on the bottom of the display. It’s smaller and identical but has gold markings and a gold watch hand.
Similar to its competitors, the window is made from Hardlex. So, its display can take a beating.
It can travel up to 100 feet (30 m) underwater. When you’re underwater, you may find it hard to read the time due to the lack of numbers. Thankfully, you’re aided by the luminous display feature it offers.
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We just discussed some of the best men’s waterproof watches on the market. Now let’s take the leap and discuss what you need to know before you purchase a waterproof watch. So keep reading.
Depth: As you’re looking for a waterproof watch, it’s important to note how far it can go underwater. The watches we focused on can withstand different depths.
Before you head to the store, make sure you know how deep you want the watch to go. This will determine whether you can swim, dive or snorkel with it.
Unisex: Men’s watches aren’t designed just for men. A lot of the time, they’re unisex. Due to this, they look different from watches designed specifically for men. This is because they’re more subtle in appearance. So, decide if you want a unisex watch or not as it would contribute greatly to the appearance.
Brand Name: When buying a waterproof watch, the brand name is important. This is because it would influence how well the watch would work. If it’s from a renowned brand, you’re getting a watch that is guaranteed to work extremely well.
What’s more, better brands are known to offer warranties with their watches. So, you’re getting an added bonus.
Movement: Movement is very important when you’re looking for any kind of watch. Depending on the type of movement, the time showcased will vary in accuracy when compared to other watches. Thus, you need to decide what type of movement you want from your watch as there are many of them available.
This section covers common questions someone looking for a waterproof watch might have
The thing is, not all watches can withstand water pressure. This is because they’ve been designed in a way that let’s water inside. Therefore, they can’t be used while swimming, snorkeling or diving.
The main difference between regular and waterproof watches is that the waterproof ones are sealed off thoroughly. This is to stop water seeping in.
Water is a watch’s enemy. As you can imagine, the interior of a watch is full of intricate gears and screws. So, water seeping inside it can shift some very important pieces. If the watch is digital, this is even worse as it damages electrical components.
That’s why waterproofed watches are so popular. You can wear these watches in the water without any worry. However, waterproof watches come with specific ratings.
The ratings are on the watch as a stamp. It shows you how many feet the watch can go before succumbing to water pressure. For example, it may be 5 feet (1.5 m), 100 (30.4 m), 600 (182 m) or even 1000 (304 m).
As you can imagine, the more feet it can handle, the more things you can do with it underwater. So, you can snorkel with a watch that can handle 330 feet (100 m), but not with one that can only handle 50.
Remember, the watches are waterproof to only a certain degree. If they were completely waterproof, you have absolutely no chance of getting water inside it.
The manufacturers may advise not to use their additional features while you’re in the water. By clicking a button, you may create a small gap that lets water into the watch, thus damaging it.
Most watches on this list come with such a warning as the manufacturers advise consumers not to click any buttons while in water.
As mentioned, the watch may be able to withstand a certain number of feet underwater. You may be wondering what would happen if it’s taken deeper than what it can withstand. Well, nothing really.
If it can take up to 660 feet (200 m) , then 620 (180 m) won’t be a huge difference. So, you’re comfortable staying in that range. However, you shouldn’t abuse this.
If you do, the effects of water pressure would build up and cause the watch to get damaged.
We spoke about how water seeping in could damage your watch, but not about how water pressure can affect it.
This is the pressure of the water body that gets exerted on you, and your watch due to gravity. So, the deeper you go, the more pressure is exerted. Your watch is an electronic/mechanical device, so it can only endure so much pressure before it gives in.
There are different ratings of water pressure. They correspond with how many feet underwater you are.
If you want to go diving, you’ll preferably be experiencing more than 660 feet (200 m) of water. Usually, swimming means 5 atm or 160 feet (48 m) of water and snorkeling is equal to 10 atm or 330 feet (100 m).
The watches had to be sealed off to prevent water from entering. Because of this, they're guaranteed to last underwater.
You may think a waterproof watch will be waterproof for good. Unfortunately, this is not true as with wear and tear, the waterproofing can get weaker. So, the watch might stop being waterproof over time. Usually, this takes a long time, so don’t worry.
The watch needs to be tended to if you want to use it for a long time. Therefore, constant cleaning needs to take place. Fortunately, cleaning a waterproof watch is similar to cleaning any watch:
Use a soft cloth to clean the watch’s surface. Ensure that you have cleaned the bezel of trapped debris. When choosing a cloth, be careful. If you use a material like a microfibril, pieces of lint can fall off. They can get stuck in the watch, especially in the bezel. So the trapped fibres can cause gaps that let water seep in.
With debris out of the way, you should get rid of any fingerprints on the watch. Similarly, you need to be careful about the type of cloth you use. Look for a cloth used to clean eyeglasses as they do the best job.
With the watch’s display completely cleaned, tend to its band. This can easily be detached from the watch itself. However, you should be careful because if you’re too rough, you can cause some indentation in it. With the band detached, you can clean it whichever way you want. Any type of cloth will do for this.
With the above covered, you know everything you need to about cleaning a waterproof watch. Although it’s similar to cleaning a regular watch, the only difference is that you need to be careful about the type of cloth used.
You need to constantly maintain it if you want to see your watch work in great condition.
By cleaning it often, you’re taking one of the biggest steps to maintain it. However, there are other things you have to do:
When you’re leaving the pool, don’t expose your watch to sunlight for too long. This is dangerous as it will cause the watch to corrode. This is especially true if it’s made of metal instead of rubber or resin.
Although you can take the watch to the pool, you’re better off not doing this. The water in pools is treated. These chemicals, especially chlorine, is bad for your watch if exposed to it for a long time. That’s why you should be careful as to how long the watch is in a pool. However, you can use it for long if you’re in saltwater.
Avoid going close to strong magnets with your watch. Remember that your watch is a mechanical device. So, magnets can affect its insides.
Be careful with it! It’s full of many gears and screws working slowly. So, you can easily damage it if you’re careless. Therefore, it’s important that you don’t go to sleep wearing it. When you’re asleep you have no idea what you’re doing. So, you may unconsciously bash the watch around, damaging it greatly.
You need to be mindful at all times when using a waterproof watch. For example, the manufacturers may have made it clear that using a watch over 600 feet (183 m) underwater is dangerous. So, don’t go too deep. If you do, you’re going to damage your watch.
What’s more, you should be mindful not to click any buttons while you’re underwater. Most manufacturers advise you to not do this as it makes water seep in.
As mentioned above, waterproofing only lasts for a certain amount of time. Because of this, you need to know when your watch’s waterproofing has come to an end. Otherwise, you’ll take a dip in the pool and ruin it forever.
Unfortunately, you can’t check whether it's still waterproof without dunking it in water. As you can imagine, you might be reluctant to do this. So, you’ll have to take it to a specialist and get it examined. They’ll be able to diagnose and summarize the extent of its waterproofing and provide an estimate of how much longer it will last. What’s more, they’ll educate you on other issues your watch may be having and teach you how to take care of it better.
We looked at some of the best waterproof watches for men. However, before you get ready to purchase them, know what you’re looking for.
