Practical and stylish in their own way – chunky and yet somehow sleek – dive (or diver) watches have been one of the leading styles in men’s watches for almost 70 years. However, first and foremost, dive watches are all about functionality – you wouldn’t want to pay often hefty price for the best dive watches unless you’re planning on using it deep underwater.
I have a policy that I try to follow wherever possible. Buy Once – Buy right.
It is no different when it comes to the gear I take with me on dives. In this article, we will take a look at 5 of the best dive watches on the market and what you need to look for before making a purchase.
Lets Review What A Computer Diver Watch Is
A computer watch is a crucial piece of equipment for scuba diving because it helps track and monitor important dive information such as depth, time, and nitrogen levels. This information is crucial for ensuring a safe and enjoyable dive. Some specific reasons why a good computer watch is needed for scuba diving are:
- Safety: A computer watch helps prevent decompression sickness by monitoring the amount of nitrogen absorbed in the body during a dive and calculating the amount of time required for a safe ascent.
- Planning: The dive computer watch helps plan and manage the dive, including calculating the remaining dive time based on the current depth and air supply.
- Record Keeping: A computer watch can store dive data for future reference and analysis, allowing the diver to keep track of their dive history.
- Convenience: A computer watch is a convenient and easy-to-use dive tool, eliminating the need for multiple devices or instruments to monitor dive information.
A good computer watch is an essential piece of equipment for scuba diving because it helps ensure dive safety, improves dive planning and management, and provides valuable dive information for future reference.
Maximum Dive Depth
Generally speaking, the more you pay for a dive watch, the deeper the max depth. That’s not to say you should go for a watch with a 2,000m rating just because it looks cool. What I advise is that you consider your own skills and experience and the depths you are likely to dive too.
If you regularly dive at say 200m then perhaps a watch that covers you to 300-500 meters would be fine. All that matters is that you get a device with sufficient coverage should you wish to go deeper. There is nothing worse than paying upwards of $500 for a dive watch, only to have it bust on you because you maxed out the depth capacity.
Material
There are two elements to look at when it comes to the watch material.
The Strap
This is persona preference, however, most of the best models, as you will see from the dive watch reviews below, are made with a silicone rubber. This is so that the strap doesn’t absorb water and it resistant to abrasion, which greatly increases the lifespan of the watch itself.
The Casing
This is important. I have no doubt that you will, many times, knock, graze and bang your watch. It’s a natural occurrence with diving, boats, water and heavy gear. So you need to ensure you choose a strong outer casing that will protect the inner workings from damage.
My personal preference is Titanium for a few reasons. Namely, it’s superior strength and resistance to scratching and also it is super lightweight. It’s used on many of the top rated dive watches and for good reason. It is the best watch housing material period.
Features
Another one that will depend on your personal usage and preference. Some like a watch to have all kind of features, buttons and added extras to help train and improve their diving. Whilst others simply want to know the time.
Whatever your preference, there are a few features that can greatly add to your scuba diving experience. Such as:
- A Unidirectional bezel
- Illuminating hands or backlight
- Day and Date
- Powered by sunlight
Of course, there are many, many more features you can get on a dive watch, especially the digital ones. The often come with a great deal of bells and whistles – in addition to a number of necessary standard features – it can be tricky to differentiate which watches are worth $200 and which watches are worth $2,000.
Nevertheless, no matter the caliber or quality of watch you’re looking for, there are a few standard features you should look for. Depending on what you value, each of these features could or could not be indispensable; however, you should generally be looking for watches that offer them.
Big Markers and Hands: Deep underwater, you probably won’t be able to see very well. You’ll need big hands that are easy to find.
Glow-in-the-Dark Watch Face: Similarly, it’s probably going to be very dark deep underwater, so some glow-in-the-dark material is pretty essential.
Rotating Bezel (preferably external): Arguably the most distinctive element of the best dive watches, the rotating bezel will tell you how much time has elapsed since you’ve been underwater. A typical scuba tank holds 30 to 50 minutes worth of oxygen.
Now that we’ve nailed down the basics, we’ll explore some of the best dive watches on the market today. Dive watches fluctuate wildly in price, so we’ve included some from each range, whether or not you’re looking to pay top dollar.
- Iconic Promaster watches with advanced functions designed to venture to the deepest depths.
- 3 Hand, Date
- Silver-Tone Stainless Steel
- Luminous Hands and Markers and Anti-Reflective Mineral Crystal
- 300 Meters Water Resistant and 5 Year Limited Warranty
- Iconic Promaster watches with advanced functions designed to venture to the deepest depths.
- 3 Hand, Date
- Silver-Tone Stainless Steel
- Luminous Hands and Markers and Anti-Reflective Mineral Crystal
- 200 Meters Water Resistant and 5 Year Limited Warranty
- Self-contained everglow tritium-vial lamps; Titanium case is light, strong, and hypoallergenic; High water resistance feature set.
- Tritium vials are not inset but 80% above the face surface; this makes them visible from the edges not just from above.
- Large, substantial, 50 mm high-vis design; Scratch-resistant sapphire crystal glass & crystal interior is anti-reflective coated.
- Moisture wicking map texture under the rubber strap, combined w/ relief trench & many buckle holes keep the wrist dry.
- TRITIUM COLORS: Choose from blue hours & hands, red noon and blue bezel (BBRB) or green hours & hands, yellow noon and green bezel (GGYG); WHAT'S INCLUDED: comes mounted with custom T.P.R. band, 1x...
- Iconic Promaster watches with advanced functions designed to venture to the deepest depths.
- Depth Display to 70 Meters, Maximum Depth Memory, Rapid Ascent Alarm, Auto-Start Dive Mode, Power Reserve Indicator, Date.
- Two-Tone Stainless Steel
- Luminous Hands and Markers; Power Reserve Indicator and Anti-Reflective Mineral Crystal
- 200 Meters Water Resistant and 5 Year Limited Warranty
- In reference to the Navy SEALs, whose training base is on the Pacific Coast in Coronado, this appealing watch for outdoor explorers remains true to the brand DNA. The combining of different materials...
- Technical Specifications: 200 meters / 660 feet / 20 ATM water resistant, Extremely robust sapphire glass with anti-reflective coating, Unidirecational rotating Bezel, Date, Protected crown, Stainless...
- Lighting Technology: Green and orange Luminox Light Technology on dial ring and second, minute and hour hands (LLT) - LLT: Self-powered illumination system employing tiny micro gas light sources;...
- Details: Case diameter 44 mm, Case thickness 12 mm, Band length 8.25 inch, Band width 24 mm, Stainless steel case with stainless steel strap and green dial
- Trusted Quality and Warranty: Made in Switzerland, officially imported by Mondaine Watch Ltd. This watch has got 2 years of guarantee. In case of any defect or need of battery change get in contact...
- Professional diving watch
- Be it night diving, deep diving, diving with poor visibility or wreck diving it can even make the difference between life and death that time is clearly visible in all conceivable conditions
- High-class non-scratching sapphire crystal; the glass has been additionally coated with an anti-reflective coating
- Luminox Light Technology (LLT) - lights up to 25 years without an external energy source
- Case Diameter: 44mm
- Movement: Swiss Quartz
- Water resistance (meters, feet, ATM): 200 / 660 / 20
- Always Visible: Constant glow for up to 25 years
- Crystal glass material: Sapphire crystal, anti-reflective coating
- Iconic Promaster watches with advanced functions designed to venture to the deepest depths.
- 3 Hand, Date
- Silver-Tone Stainless Steel
- Indices; Luminous Hands and Markers and Mineral Crystal
- 200M Water Resistant and 5 Year Limited Warranty
- Stainless steel case 40mm diameter x 14.1mm thick; Exhibition case back; Black dial; Luminous hands.Band Length: 205mm
- NH35A Japanese Automatic movement, 24 jewel; Assembled in Malaysia; Watch weight 155 grams
- Includes gift box, instructions and 3 year limited manufacturer warranty; Invicta Customer Service can be reached at 1-800-327-7682 for questions (re: Additional links, band replacement, band...
- GARMIN DESCENT G1 DIVERS BUNDLE: Garmin Descent G1 (2022) Watch-Style Dive Computer, PlayBetter Waterproof Dry Bag with Window, PlayBetter Waterproof Cell Phone Pouch, Extra-Long Adjustment Strap &...
- PERFECT FOR ANY TYPE OF DIVING: This addition to Garmin's exceptional line of dive watches for men and women is ideal for recreational, advanced, technical, free diving, or spearfishing. Get up to 25...
- DIVING SMARTWATCH THAT CAN DO IT ALL: This powerful diving watch comes packed with over 30 built-in sports apps and advanced training features such as 24/7 wrist-based HR, Body Battery, sleep score,...
- STORE UP TO 200 DIVES: Dive into a new level of smartwatch capabilities with this compass watch for divers. This rugged Garmin wrist watch offers features such as smart notifications, Garmin Pay, and...
- BUNDLE FOR DEDICATED DIVERS: Keep your valuables and electronics safe and dry on the boat while you're exploring the depths with our waterproof diver's bundle that includes a PlayBetter Dry Bag and...
