Buffy Acacia
Some people say that a dive watch doesn’t need to be waterproof to more than 200 meters because that’s enough for the vast majority of dives. To them I ask: where is your imagination? Aren’t you excited by human feats? We may not all be vacationing at the bottom of the ocean, but that doesn’t make the engineering feat of being able to withstand the incredible pressure of the entire ocean pressing down on us any less cool.
Rolex raised the bar in the deep sea arms race in late 2022 with the first mass-produced titanium watch, the incredible Deepsea Challenge Sea-Dweller, waterproof to 11,000 meters. There have been other watches that pushed the limits of rational thought, such as the insane Swiss Military CX 20,000, waterproof to 6,000 meters with a whopping 28.5mm case height, and prototypes that never made it to market, such as the Omega Planet Ocean Ultra Deep Professional, waterproof to 15,000 meters, which in theory could dive deeper than any place on Earth. However, this guide will focus on watches that could actually be worn on your wrist.
Sinn UX EZM 2B Hydro – 5,000 meters
Sinn has long been known for its clean, German design language and high functionality, and its entry into the ultra-deepwater category is no exception. However, the UX EZM 2B Hydro does things a little differently than other watches. Firstly, Sinn employs a temperature-stabilized, seven-jewel ETA 955.652 quartz movement, which allows the watch to operate in temperatures ranging from -20 to +60 degrees Celsius. Additionally, the entire interior of the case (including the movement) is filled with oil, which not only greatly improves water resistance but also improves legibility, with the dial being readable from nearly any angle. Like many Sinn models, the watch is Enhanced German Submarine Stainless SteelAll of this gives the UX EZM 2B Hydro an incredible 5,000 meters of water resistance, which is even more remarkable for its case height of just 13.3mm. If you’re left-handed, try the Sinn EZM 3, which makes it on our list of the best left-handed watches. But be aware that it’s water resistant to “only” 500 meters. Price: $3,150 USD
UTS 4000M – 4,000 meters
A masterpiece of German engineering, the UTS 4000M is a true tool watch that can withstand 4,000 meters of pressure. It sounds odd to call a luxury watch a bargain, but the 4000M is a real bargain when you consider that all of these limited edition watches are hand assembled in Munich by UTS founder Nikolaus Spinner. The 45mm case is machined from a single block of stainless steel, and the case height is reasonable (17.5mm) for such a high-performance watch. Surprisingly, there is no helium escape valve, instead the 6mm sapphire crystal is held in place by both glue and a large steel ring secured with a hexagonal screw. The movement is the venerable ETA 2824-2, rated at +/- 4 seconds per day, and the second crown locks the bezel via a ceramic ball bearing mechanism. If you prefer small-batch, hand-crafted watches, the UTS 4000M is literally a sure choice. Price: 5,500 Euros (approx. 6,000 USD)
Oris Aquis Pro 4000M – 4,000 meters
Oris is loved for its dive watches, especially the Diver 65 series, which is inspired by the casual skin divers of the 1960s. But the Aquis catalog is a little more serious. The Pro 4000M is not only the brand’s deepest-diving watch, but also its most fun-looking. While many saturation diving watches are somber and stoic, the Aquis Pro 4000M’s rolling wave dial looks like something out of a cartoon. The titanium case is 49.5mm in diameter, but it feels a lot lighter than you’d expect. A patented rotation safety system prevents the bezel from rotating unintentionally. Proving Oris pride, it’s powered by the in-house Caliber 400 and comes with a 10-year warranty. Price: $6,600 USD
Pita Oceana Titanium – 5,000 metres
Pita Barcelona is a small family-run business A remarkable feat of watchmaking in the heart of one of Spain’s most beautiful citiesThe Oceana Titanium achieves water resistance to 5,000m by eliminating the crown and using magnetic gears to set and wind the mechanical movement. With no crown or caseback, the main weak point of water ingress is completely eliminated. The case measures 41mm in diameter, 52mm lug-to-lug, and a surprisingly modest 18mm overall thickness. Its simple dial is adorned with a blue, yellow, and red pinwheel in the center to confirm the watch is running underwater, and production of the watch is limited to just 15 pieces per year. Price: 6,400 Euros (approx. $7,050 USD)
Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Ultra Deep 6000M – 6,000 meters
As a civilian version of the prototype Ultra Deep Professional (up to 15,000 meters) In 2019, he traveled to the bottom of the Mariana Trench with explorer Victor Vescovo.The Planet Ocean Ultra Deep is water resistant to an incredible 6,000 meters. The case is 45.5mm in diameter and 18.1mm in height, but the relatively light weight of the titanium case keeps it at just 123 grams. The movement is Omega’s caliber 8912. METAS certified as a Master ChronometerDepending on the model, the Luminous might even have some cool Easter eggs inside. Price: Starting at $12,300 USD
Rolex Deepsea Sea-Dweller – 3,900 meters
Since its launch in 2008, Rolex Deepsea Sea-Dweller The Deepsea is a mainstay in Rolex’s professional watch arsenal. Large yet still wearable, the Deepsea measures 44mm in diameter with a case height of 17.7mm and contains a gigantic 5.5mm domed sapphire crystal. Rolex’s proprietary Ringlock system and helium escape valve keep it rated water resistant to 3,900 meters. That’s deep enough to crush a human in the future, but still good to know. Like all Rolex steel watches, the Deepsea is made from 904L Oystersteel for increased corrosion resistance to saltwater and currently features a 3235 movement accurate to +/- 2 seconds per day. Price: US$13,250
Rolex Deepsea Challenge Sea-Dweller – 11,000 meters
It feels unfair to have two Rolex watches back to back on this list, but the Challenge Sea-Dweller deserves its own feature. It is Rolex’s first titanium watch, a necessary material for a watch of this size to be practical. It’s a big chunk of metal, measuring 50mm in diameter, 61mm lug-to-lug, and 23mm tall, but it’s absolutely wearable for its intended purpose. Aside from its larger size, the Challenge is immediately recognizable as an evolution of the Deepsea. All of the classic design elements of the Rolex Sea-Dweller are still there, just emphasized. The overall case shape, black dial without date, and Cerachrom bezel are all instantly familiar. The Rolex Manufacture 3230 is chronometer-rated to +/- 2 seconds per day and has a 70-hour power reserve, so you can be sure that the performance is on par with other Rolexes. Price: $26,000
Time+Tide Timeless Pick: Rolex Deep Sea Special – 11,000m
Wow, Rolex has achieved waterproofness for three years in a row. Without the Deepsea Special, there wouldn’t even be a list of the deepest diving divers. Besides being one of the most interesting watches to look at in profile, the Rolex Deepsea Special was also a pioneer in waterproofness. Strapped to the outside of a submarine, the Deepsea Special was tested at a depth of 3,150 meters in 1953 and was successful. In 1956, another Deepsea Special dived to a depth of 3,700 meters. And finally, to the bottom of the Challenger Deep at 10,916 meters. The game of reaching the deepest part of the ocean was pretty much over before it even began, but it’s still inspiring to see the brand pushing the boundaries of waterproofness. One extraordinary example sold for more than $2 million at a Christie’s auction in 2021.
