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As a diver, you already know how important it is to have all the right things and features at your disposal. In many cases, your life depends on it. Of course, so does your experience exploring the depths. While tanks and suits may be on the top of your list, the watch on your wrist should also a priority.
However, there’s no reason why you need to spend a fortune on an amazing timepiece experience that can survive any underwater adventure you embark on. With this in mind, we’re going to take an in-depth look into the diving watches that are available right now for a good price.
We’re going to talk about everything you need to know, such as which watches are the best, and what you need to look out for in our complete buyer’s guide. We’ll ensure you have everything you need to make a good investment for you.
View The Best Diver Watch Under $500 Below
1. Citizen Eco-Drive Promaster Diver Watch with Date
There’s no denying that Citizen is one of the most sought-after brands in the world, and has been for decades. So it should come as no surprise that their addition to the dive watch market is considered one of the best. This mineral crystal Citizen Eco-Drive watch is beautiful in many ways and offers s stunning Japanese quartz movement to ensure accuracy at all times.
Since it’s waterproof up to depths of 200m, you know you’re going to be covered when scuba diving, swimming or partaking in any kind of water-related sport, regardless of whether you’re on the surface or under the water. Beautiful and incredibly lightweight, what more could you ask for with your diving watch?
Pros:
+ Water-resistant down to 200m (660ft)
+ Uses Japanese quartz movement for outstanding timekeeping accuracy
+ Can be worn scuba diving, swimming, or even in the shower
+ Can be charged and powered by all kinds of light energy
Cons:
– Availability can be limited at times
Why We Like It – The best feature of this watch is the fact it’s powered by light. This refers to the solar charging panels built into the watch, which ensures that you’ll never have to worry about the watch running out of juice. Show the face to any source of light, and you’ll never need a battery again!
2. Seiko Prospex SAVE THE OCCEAN Special Edition Diving Watch
Another incredible timekeeping manufacturer and designer is Seiko. If you know anything about watches, the chances are you’ll have heard of them. When it comes to affordable diving watches, it’s safe to say that Seiko has raised the bar as to what you can expect, and perhaps even changed the game forever.
This stunning, aqua-themed watch contains 24 jewels in the body, and features both hand-wound and automatic timekeeping, with an adjustable hand, so you can set the time no matter which part of the world you’re in. Like most standard diving watches, this device can survive depths down to 200m, meaning you’ll have more than enough freedom to scuba in most situations.
With plenty of five-star reviews from satisfied customers and the fact that critics have hailed it as one of the most durable watches out there, you really can’t go wrong with this dive watch!
Pros:
+ Water-resistant to 200m, which is ideal for any kind of water sport or activity
+ Loved by critics and watch lovers alike from around the world
+ Considered one of the most beautiful dive watches, complete with 24 jewels in the face
+ A percentage of sales goes to marine conservation projects
Cons:
– Doesn’t come with a date or calendar wheel
Why We Like It – As the title suggests, Seiko is proactive in doing their bit to help the planet and save the oceans. As a diver, this is something you’ll want to know about. With every sale made, Seiko donates a percentage of the sale to the Fabien Cousteau Ocean Learning Center, which is known for engaging in conservation programs and helping to restore and preserve marine life around the world.
By enjoying this watch yourself, you’re actively assisting in this movement!
3. Casio Super Illuminator Diver Quartz Watch
Continuing our trend of the most popular brands, we love Casio. You’re sure to have heard of Casio – if I asked you to imagine a watch design in your head, then the chances are your mind will travel to Casio; that’s how influential they’ve been.
Taking a look at their diver’s watches, one of the standout models is the Super Illuminator. This is a powerful watch designed to work easily and safely down to 100m (330ft) and keeps a concise accuracy of +/-20 seconds each month. There’s even a date wheel, which makes for a very nice addition compared to other dive watches out there.
This model boasts a fantastic stainless steel build that will never go rusty, no matter how long you stay in the water; you can buy it safe in the knowledge that it’s going to stay by your side for many years to come.
Pros:
+ Water-resistant up to 100m (330ft)
+ Comes with a built-in manual light so you can see the time in the dark
+ Made from durable stainless steel and boasting a very rugged and durable design
+ Accurate within +/-20 seconds per month
Cons:
– It doesn’t operate in as much depth as other dive watches on this list.
Why We Like It – As the title suggests, the Super Illuminator model includes a built-in light feature. This means that even in low visibility conditions, such as when you’re scuba diving, you can quickly press a button and see the time with complete clarity. You’ll wonder what you ever did without it!
4. Casio Black Analog Anti Reverse Bezel Watch
Sticking with Casio now, if you’re looking for a simple yet effective, powerful and dependable watch, this black Casio could be precisely what you need. Crafted from gorgeous black stainless steel, and sporting a durable, waterproof, and incredibly comfortable adjustable resin band, it’s hard to believe you can enjoy this watch for this price.
In fact, it’s actually cheaper than $50, which makes it even more of a fantastic watch, especially since it comes with so many essential diving features. With a date window, patented luminous time markers and watch hands (for seeing in low-light conditions), and an anti-reverse bezel to ensure you know exactly what you’re doing at whatever time, this is a fantastic find, well worth your consideration.
This model ups our last Casio entry by offering water-resistance of up to 220m (660ft). It’s one of the most beautiful and elegant timepieces of all the ones we’re discovering today. If you’re looking for a watch to help you feel confident while enhancing your dive experience, you might have just found it.
Pros:
+ One of the most affordable dive watches in the market
+ Designed and manufactured by one of the most trustworthy timepiece brands in the world
+ Water-resistant to a depth of 220m
+ Looks beautiful in every way; suitable for any style
Cons:
– None! It’s considered one of the best for a reason!
Why We Like It – The reliability of this watch is one of the key reasons why it’s considered to be so great. Having been available now for nearly a decade, this watch has five-star reviews across the board, and still receives them to this day. In short, it’s worth remembering that you don’t get to be a successful watch for a decade without being one of the best.
5. Orient’ Ray II’ Japanese Automatic Diving Watch
Are you on the hunt for a beautiful diver watch? If you’re looking for a timepiece that not only maintains incredible functionality, thanks to its built-in Japanese quartz movement but is also stunning in every way, you may not need to look any further than Orient.
This model is water-resistant to 200m. It boasts a fully automatic design that allows you to keep track of time without ever needing a battery. However, this does mean you’ll have to charge it manually by winding it up. However, this is effortless – the dial on the side only needs to be turned 10 to 15 times before it’s ready to go.
As this model prides itself on its hard stainless steel casing and bracelet, you’ll get to enjoy a rugged design that ensures it’ll survive whatever life throws in your direction.
Pros:
+ Can be manually winded to provide power without ever needing a battery
+ Holds a five-star rating from customers from all over the world
+ Rugged yet sleek stainless steel casing with a bracelet
+ Water-resistant to 200m (660ft)
Cons:
– Needs to be manually wound to retain the charge
Why We Like It – The popularity of this watch is unparalleled, and despite being available for several years and having garnered thousands of reviews during this time, it’s still capable of holding a five-star average. This just goes to show how reliable and reputable this watch is. It’s a real gem.
6. Invicta Pro Diver Quartz Watch
Invicta is considered by many to be one of the most prestigious of all brands, and you’ll be hard-pressed to find a list that doesn’t feature this device. There’s no denying the beauty of the stunning blue metal style which provides you with a diving aesthetic you’ll fall in love with.
With true standards of high quality, this watch comes with an accurate quartz movement and a water-resistance rating down to 200m. This means it can be used for all kinds of water activities, including deep swimming and snorkeling, as well as any surface sports you may wish to get involved in.
Having been available for over three years, this device has managed to retain a very high customer satisfaction rating, averaging a high rating of around 77%. This is a watch you can trust no matter what situation you find yourself in, and one that will keep going for years to come.
Pros:
+ Water-resistant to a depth of 200m
+ A long history of satisfied customers from all over the world
+ Made using a professional stainless-steel casing, complete with flame infused crystal
+ Suitable for all kinds of water activities
Cons:
– The strap may be a little smaller when compared with other watches
Why We Like It – The sleek stainless steel casing, complete with flame-infused crystal is what makes this watch really special. This means that the final product of the watch is insanely beautiful and durable enough to survive the majority of what you plan on putting it through. In short, this is a watch that can keep up with you.
7. Orient’ Mako II’ Japanese Automatic Diving Watch
We’re heading back over to Orient now for another of their fantastic automatic Japanese watches. Sitting at just over $100, this watch is suitable for anybody who’s either looking for quality on a budget, or someone who just wants the luxury experience that comes with all the features.
The automatic movement means you’ll rarely have to worry about it running out of battery – it can technically last forever since you manually wind it. However, for the times you forget, it features a 40-hour power reserve to ensure you’ll always have the right time.
All your diving needs are met here. These watches include 200m of water-resistance, which is ideal for all kinds of underwater and surface activities. The uni-directional bezel is a great addition for tracking times. It even moves in both directions and comes with 120 points, which ensures you can be as accurate as possible!
Pros:
+ Designed and made by a company with over 70 years of experience
+ Fantastic value for money; suitable for all budgets
+ An automatic watch with a 40-hour back-up reserve
+ A 120-point uni-directional bezel
Cons:
– None! To many people, this watch is considered perfect!
Why We Like It – This watch, as with the other watches from Orient, comes with this prestigious name; a name you can trust. Orient has been designing and manufacturing high-quality watches since 1950, and you don’t get to be a successful company for that long without doing something right.
8. Casio’ Diver Style’ Casual Watch
If you’re planning on doing a little diving or enjoying some light underwater activities, then you might want a budget watch you can trust to work but doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. If this sounds like you, Casio has another awesome option.
With a 50mm case diameter, you’ll be able to see the time in any given situation. It comes with all the standard premium features you’d expect, including a rotating bezel, a durable resin band, and a day and date display.
With a quartz movement, you’ll know that this is a watch you can trust to keep accurate time. With around 20 seconds accurate each month, and a water resistance rating of 100m, you know that throughout most of the day, you’ll never have to worry about this watch breaking!
Pros:
+ The quartz movement keeps time accurate within 20 seconds per month
+ Comes with a battery that can last up to three years
+ Built-in day and date display
+ Water-resistant to 100m
Cons:
– Doesn’t come with a backlight feature
– Not automatic power
Why We Like It – While this isn’t an automatic watch, it does come with three-year minimum battery life. Batteries are easily sourced and affordable, but if you know anything about Casio, you know it’s probably going to last way longer than that.
9. Seiko Divers Automatic Watch SKX009K1
This Seiko dive watch is simply stunning. It’s safe to say that Seiko has outdone themselves with this fantastic dive watch. It’s specially designed with this activity in mind. This is evident from the gorgeous dark blue and black aesthetic, complete with a dash of red, which has allowed this watch to coin the nickname ‘Pepsi Diver’.
This is a very affordable watch; it comes with a ton of features that ensure you’ll get a great deal. As this model is water-resistant to 200m with all the day, date, and time features you’ll need, and a comfortable, lightweight band, you’ll never need another watch again.
With automatic movement, easy manual winding, and a 40-hour battery reserve, you know you’ll never need to worry about running out of power. All in all, this is a watch that guarantees to tick all the boxes of what you’re looking for.
Pros:
+ Perfect for water activities with a 200m water resistance rating
+ Comes with day and date dial
+ Comes with an adjustable, lightweight resin strap that’s very durable
+ Comes with a built-in 40-hour battery reserve
Cons:
– None; this is a luxury experience that’s hard not to love!
Why We Like It – Diving and trying to see the time can be hard work, especially when visibility isn’t great. However, unlike many other diver watches, Seiko has pushed the boat out by offering luminescent hands and markers for effortless visibility all the time.
10. Invicta Pro Diver Two-Tone Automatic Watch
To finish off our list of some of the best diver watches out there right now, we’re going to draw your attention over to Invicta again; a classic divers watch that’s sure to melt your heart. Made in the heart of the USA, this watch has everything, which makes it easy to see why it’s so popular.
It comes with a beautiful blue and gold aesthetic that simply looks amazing, a uni-directional bezel, a dedicated magnified date area, and a large 40mm display so you can see everything clearly, even when you’re underwater.
Boasting a fully automatic mechanism, you’ll never have to worry about it running out of power. This is, as long as you wind it up using the simple dial on the side. As it’s waterproof to 200m, this watch won’t let you down.
Pros:
+ Made in the USA
+ Beautifully design with a style to suit anybody
+ The magnified window for easily seeing the date
+ Foldable security clasp to lock the watch in place on your wrist
Cons:
– No luminescent or backlight features
Why We Like It – One of the biggest worries of any diver is their timepiece coming off in the water, but Invicta aims to make sure this isn’t a problem. Featuring a secure gold and stainless-steel bracelet with a foldable security clasp, you know the watch is staying on your wrist.
Diver Watches Under $500 Buyers Guide
As you can see, there’s a wonderful selection of diving watches out there for you to consider, all at a good price. This is truly amazing when you consider everything these watches have to offer. However, which is the one that’s perfect for you?
In our definitive buying guide to diving watches below, you’re going to learn everything you need to know to make the right decision for you.
Water Resistance
The most important factor you’re going to want to research is how water resistant your watch is. The deeper your watch can go, the deeper you’ll be able to dive, which is why you always need to make sure you check before you make a purchase!
Typically, for watches in this price point, you can expect an average of 200m resistance, although there is a handful that registers at half of that; 100m. Always consider the depths you’re going to be diving before you buy. Otherwise, you could be dealing with a broken watch.
Clasp
The chances are you’re not going to want your watch to fall off your wrist while you’re underwater, which can happen quite easily if you’re not paying attention to it, and you’re using all your gear. A good way to overcome this is to look for a watch with an adjustable, secure clasp.
This could be resin, plastics, or metal. It’s important to make sure you can adjust the size to suit your wrist comfortably or check that the resin is slightly flexible and will self-adjust to fit your wrist.
Visibility
If you’re not able to look at your watch and see the time while you’re underwater, there’s really no point in wearing it. Some of the key features you’ll need to look at in terms of visibility is a clear display screen over the dial, usually made from mineral glass (ideally scratch-resistant) and luminescent markers and hands that will show up in the darkness of being underwater.
While there are few diver’s watches that offer a dedicated backlight, this button would allow water to enter the watch and it wouldn’t be waterproof. However, there are a handful out there if this feature suits you.
Adjustable Bezel
Being able to track the time you’re in the water accurately is important when you’re diving, for obvious reasons. One of the easiest ways to do this is by using an adjustable bezel on your watch.
If you can check the time, see how much oxygen you’ve got or long you’ve been underwater, you can adjust the bezel to reflect this time and then easily keep track. This is so important for your safety underwater, and the more feature-rich your bezel is, the better your diving experience will be.
Battery Life
No matter what kind of watch you’re thinking about purchasing, it’s important to check how long the battery will last, or how you’re going to power the device. The easiest approach is usually considered to be an automatic mechanism.
This means that the watch can power itself without the need for a battery, but can be manually wound every now and then using a rotary dial on the side of the device. However, it’s always worth getting a device with a power reserve built-in, so you will never have to worry about the battery dying!
Expert Tip
Always check product reviews from customers to see which watch is good. While a watch may look amazing in the specifications, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s been completed well. Always read the reviews for a better understanding. The more reviews a watch has, the more accurately you’ll be able to judge the quality for yourself!
Did you know?
Omega currently holds the world record for the watch that can survive the deepest depths. Set in May 2019, the Seamaster Planet Ocean Ultra Deep Professional was strapped to the outside of a vessel that was able to withstand 1,000 bars of pressure.
That’s the same as having 50 full-sizes jumbo jets piled on top of the watch. Although, this watch probably costs a little more than $500!
