Jamie Weiss
Diving watches can sometimes represent the most popular genre of watchmaking. Not only are many of the most iconic watches of all time diving watches, their inherent practicality is whether you’re a person who barely takes the watch for a dip in the pool (not to mention serious diving!), or you’re a desk diver, a frogman, or just a fan of a lovely era, we’ve tackled some extremely difficult tack to film the best viewers to film your best viewers.
Citizen Promaster Diver Eco-Drive
As one of the world’s most prolific and popular watchmakers, citizens produce a very wide range of watches, but the Japanese brand is probably best known for its diving watches produced under its promaster label. Similarly, there are hundreds of promaster diver variants to choose from, but I chose to highlight REF. BN0150-28E here is BN0150-28E as it is not only one of the most affordable diving watches produced by citizens (or any brand), but also one of the most handsome and capable ones. Water resistant to up to 200 meters with a solar-powered eco-drive movement that runs for decades without replacing batteries, and you have everything you need from a diving watch. It’s neat. Price: 375 US$
Zodiac Super Sea Wolf
Zodiac is an underrated Swiss brand with a rich heritage in dive watches. The original Sea Wolf was released in the 50’s. It was around the same time that BlancpainFifty Fathoms and Rolex Submariner came out, but thanks to its affordable price, it always stood out thanks to its playful willingness in Zodiac’s colours. Modern Super Sea Wolf continues its stylish tradition with a wide range of options for colorful bezels and dial options, combining the robust tool watch construction with a very easy-to-read design. Price (Ref. ZO9269): Available from Time+Tide Shop
DOXA SUB 300T
The first consumer-grade dive watch with a helium release valve and developed with the input of legendary oceanographer Jacques Cousteau, the Doxa Sub 300T is an underrated dive watch legend. With a clear cushion case and available in a series of eye-catching dial colours (nothing more eye-catching or famous than the professional orange dial options), the latest incarnation of the Sub 300T is actually water resistant to an impressive 1,200m, rather than a 300m. Price (Professional, Rice Bracelet Beads): 2,130 USD, Available from Time+Tide Shop
Tudor Black Bay 58
I could have discussed some of them but Tudor Black Bay 58 It was closely related to the Rolex Submariner, and thus it had an important and lasting impact in itself. Founded as a more budget-oriented relative of Rolex, Tudor has grown significantly over the past 20 years, with releases focusing on the heritage of the 50s and 60s. The Black Bay Range was already quite popular, but the Black Bay 58 created an absolute trend when people discovered an ergonomic dimension. First released in 2018, this period marked a time when watch enthusiasts began paying attention to things like lug-to-rug length as a measure of wearability, and that influenced the design of all-out watches. What’s more, its vintage styling and current certified movements of the meta (such as the new range of burgundy dial models) make it a great watch anyway. Price (BurgundyRef. M7939A): 4,275 US Dollar (Rubber Strap), 4,500 US Dollar (3 Link Bracelet), 4,600 US Dollar (5 Link Bracelet)
Omega Seamaster Professional Diver 300m
From the shadows of submariner’s yang, there are many different versions of the Omega sailors, but the Diver 300m is one of the most famous. Standing prominently on the wrist of James Bond of Pierce Brosnan; Omega Seamaster Professional Diver 300m Another example of a watch with extraordinary fame and technical excellence. With a significant evolution from the mid-90s eccentricity, the recent version of the Seamaster Diver 300m still captures the Suaveness along with its rugged features. With a grayscale brushed silver dial and Milanese bracelet option, this dateless version is stealth and utilitarian, with its coaxial master chronometer caliber 8800 being a move that makes you proud to stare through the sapphire caseback. While it may not have the same hype power as a Rolex sub, one major advantage is that it can actually be purchased at retail stores. What a concept. Price (Ref. 210.30.42.20.06.002): 6,200 US Dollar (Rubber Strap), 6,500 US Dollar (Milanese Bracelet)
Zenith Defy Revival A3648
Zenith is a brand that is generally associated with pilot watches and high-tech high-beat chronographs, but is also known to create one or two diving watches. The Zenith Defy Revival A3648, an aquatic take on the brand’s legendary Defy model, is the first dedicated diver in the series with a water resistance of 600m. This is an incredibly accurate recreation of the vintage A3648 reference, with a 37mm case suitable for the period. Few watches on the market combine such slim proportions with such water resistance. The orange and black color scheme penetrates vintage vibrancy, especially with sapphire bezel inserts. Price: 7,700 US$
Panerai Lighting Equipment Marina
Panerai, meanwhile, is a brand that is undoubtedly associated with dive watches. In fact, it’s basically everything. The luminor marina is the most prototype Panerai of them, boasting a 44mm cushioned case, a signature crown lock device and sandwich dial. In 2025, the water resistance rating of the lighting fixture marina increased to an impressive 500m. However, it comes with leather straps as standard, and Modern Panerai’s positioning is reflected as a statement of style more luxurious than diver’s tools. However, Panerai stocks a wide range of rubber straps and bracelet options for lighting fixtures (as in the aftermarket) so it’s not without choice. Price: 8,800 US dollars (strap), 9,700 US dollars (bracelet)
Rolex Submariner
This article already hints at a lot… If you had to choose the most important diving watch candidate of all time, It must be a Rolex submarine. Even if you think it’s boring and expensive, there’s no argument. The fact is that almost every face on the planet can recognize that, even if they know nothing about the clock, it is something that cannot be replicated. And it has the strongest claim of the watch as it is the first commercially available diving watch. In addition to its cultural status, its precise performance as a chronometer was well known, and all design variations between references have become iconic in their own way. Rolex submarines are absolute Titans, and their popularity has made dive watches a global phenomenon today. Price (Ref. 124060): $9,200
Branpaine 50 Fathom
In the spotlight thanks to its collaboration with Swatch, the Blancpain Fifty Fathom is one of the world’s first diving watches and remains the charming watch of today. It’s slightly more luxurious than the watch pitted in the post to become the world’s first commercially available dive watch, the Rolex Submariner and the modern 50 Fathom reference bibliography. Automatique – Fifty Fathom is naturally iconic. Price (Ref. 5010-12B30-B64B): 18,400 US dollars
Ulysse Nardindiver (Air)
Ulysse Nardin is another watchmaker associated with the ocean, thanks to his history of producing marine chronometers rather than diving watches. However, the United Nations has created several cracking diving watches, and the latest ones are particularly special. Unveiled at Watches and Mysterious Geneva 2025, Ulysse Nardindiver (Air) weighs only 52 grams, including straps, and is ranked as the lightest diving watch in the world. This is achieved by utilizing a case made from recycled titanium, carbon fiber, and fishing nets, and a well-ventilated automatic caliber made mainly from titanium. Despite its lightweight, it retains a power reserve of 90 hours and withstands impacts of 5,000g. Price: 38,000 US$
T+T Timeless Pick: Seiko Skx
Seiko’s dive watches have been popular with experts since the 1960s. SKX from the late 90s It ultimately had the biggest impact on watch culture. By providing affordable access to the 200-meter water resistance rating, not only has its popularity flourished among divers and casual wearers, but it also allowed people to not dare try with a gorgeous Swiss watch. Swapping around compatible components and changing them was made possible by Seiko’s streamlined production and vast variations of reference, and ultimately, third parties began manufacturing custom parts exclusively for watch modifications.
Sadly, the SKX was discontinued in 2019, and its replacement, the so-called “5KX”, is only valued at 100m, with no screw-down crowns and pushed out of the realm of a suitable diving watch. Still, as a vibrant watch, their cult following and cancelling have inflated prices somewhat, but many SKXs are there. Prices usually start at around USD 300, depending on the terms (and modifications!)! )
