Dive Watches

What makes it a dive watch?

If you are shopping for your first dive watch, be aware that true dive watches should have the following minimum features:

• Water resistance to at least 200m*, achieved using screw-down case backs/crown and o-rings.
• Easy to read dial, with large numerals and hands.
• Luminosity on markers, hands and bezel for visibility underwater.
• Unidirectional bezel with minute/5 minute markers.
• Durable strap made from stainless steel or rubber/silicone.

*To be classed as a true dive watch it needs to meet ISO (International Organization for Standardization) standard ISO 6425, with water resistance to at least 200m – though this is not a compulsory rating. It does however allow a watch to be labelled ‘Diver’s’ if it passes the test. The ISO test actually checks if the watch can handle 25% more depth pressure than advertised – so a watch with 200m on the dial will have been pressure tested to 250m.

Popular Dive Watches

Some of the most popular dive watches available for purchase here are:

Rolex Submariner: All hail the legend!

Introduced in 1954, the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Submariner – or just the ‘Sub’ – is the world’s most famous diving watch, and quite possibly the most recognisable watch on the planet. Modern versions come in two references – 3135 (date) and 3130 (no date) – in 904L steel with a folding Oysterlock safety clasp with Rolex Glidelock extension system – for a perfect fit. There are a variety of different dial/face colours, including the much-in-demand ‘Hulk’ (green bezel and dial), and the ‘Kermit’ (black dial and green bezel) and two-tone models. In terms of sizing, Rolex increased the case diameter from 40mm to 41mm in 2020. Vintage examples are extremely collectable and prices of all Submariner models are appreciating at a healthy rate.

Rolex Sea-Dweller + Rolex Deepsea: Serious business

The Rolex Sea-Dweller is the big brother to the Submariner. With the Sea-Dweller you get a waterproof rating to a depth of 1,220 metres, compared to the Sub’s 300 metres. The Sea-Dweller is marketed as a serious explorer’s timepiece, and why James Cameron chose it for his solo trip to the bottom of the Mariana Trench, the deepest point on earth. Rolex honoured this achievement with the release of the Rolex Deepsea Sea-Dweller, which comes in a ‘standard’ version with a black dial, and one with a graduated dark blue dial – the so-called ‘James Cameron’. The Deepsea is also chunkier with a slightly larger 44mm case, and thicker crystal – which allows it to survive depth’s close to 4,000 metres.

OMEGA Seamaster Diver 300M + Planet Ocean 600M: How deep?

With its Seamaster range OMEGA has a unique history with 007 (Diver 300M) and deep sea exploration (Planet Ocean 600M). The Diver 300M is more affordable and has arguably, a more attractive ‘wave’ inspired dial – though is ‘only’ rated to 300 metres. The Planet Ocean 600M is chunkier on the wrist with a case size of 45.5mm, and also has a helium escape valve. The Planet Ocean Seamaster 600M Titanium holds the record for depth reached underwater, after adventurer Victor Vescovo reached 10,934 m in  a titanium submersible in the Eastern Pool of the Marianas Trench, the deepest place on the planet.

Tudor Black Bay + Pelagos: More for less

If you want Rolex quality and attention to detail for a lot less then you can’t beat these two dive watches from sister brand Tudor. Introduced in 2012, the Tudor Black Bay is inspired by the brand’s own vintage Submariner model, with a distinctly retro charm. The Black Bay Fifty-Eight is the most popular variety of the range, coming in 39mm, 41mm and 43mm cases – all with in-house chronometer movements. The Pelagos is more of a serious tool, dive watch with a 42mm titanium case and comes with the same in-house 5612 chronometer as the Black Bay.

Panerai Luminor Submersible: Italian roots, Swiss engineering

With a history manufacturing watches for the Italian navy, you can’t ignore Panerai’s Luminor Submersible. There are a range of models, manufactured from different materials including stainless steel, titanium and Carbotech – with 42mm, 45mm and 47mm case sizes. The Luminor Submersible ref. PAM01024 is the entry-level model, and is water-resistant to 300m.

Blancpain Fifty Fathoms: The true original

Blancpain was early to the game with its now iconic Fifty Fathoms, as the first professional dive watch released in 1953, ahead of both Rolex’s Submariner (1954) and OMEGA’s Seamaster. Current models are true to the original design philosophy, which can only be described as classical – with the easy-to-read dial, chunky bezel and 5 day power reserve. Make no mistake, at 45mm this is a large watch, so it needs the right wrist, but the curved lugs and ‘just right’ weighting make it an easy wear.

Breitling Superocean Heritage: Great value and heritage

The Breitling Superocean Heritage is from a brand that has a serious heritage in sports watches. Consider that the Superocean debuted in 1957, just a few years after Rolex created the first waterproof watch. With this model you get the brand’s excellent automatic Calibre 20 movement, with a 70 hour power reserve in a very manageable 42 mm case size. Great value all things considered.