When you think of diving as a sport, you picture the tranquil underwaters and the flamboyant wildlife. It might be the weightlessness of your body underwater or the mind freeing itself of worldly desires. Whatever it may be, you wake up to see the beauty of 71% percent of the earth you were truly missing out on.
However, it’s not long before the calm depth of the ocean can become fatal. Not to scare you or anything, but without the correct estimation of the amount of time, you could miscalculate the amount of oxygen you have left in your tank.
Summary
When we tested the various products, we found that the absolute best dive watch that is also affordable is Citizen Men, with a polyurethane strap and a rotation bezel. Here are our category winners:
- Best affordable dive watch: Citizen Men
- Best dive watch under $500: PHOIBOS
- Best dive watch under $1,000: HAZARD 4
- Best dive watch under $2,000: Garmin Descent Mk2i
Why you can trust us & how we picked
We are passionate about all kind of watches, and we get professional when it’s about dive ones. These are sophisticated creations that allow you to keep track of time while you are under the water. All watches have been tested by us and we present you with the best option for every budget.
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Failing to return to land on time could indeed lead to unfortunate accidents. If you’re a regular, you’d know that. It is where dive watches and computers come in.
Sorry for the drop of heart, you may have gone through reading the last paragraph. But if a few chilling words can help you realize the importance of investing in a dive watch, we bet you can forgive us when you learn about the best dive watches.
When we speak of ‘investing’ in a dive watch, we don’t just mean monetarily. You must take out the time to understand the test and measures this piece goes through to be able to use the word ‘dive’ next to it. After which, you can skim through the watches that serve your purpose and utility. Of course, this article will help you out with that in its entirety.
Best dive watches under $500, $1,000, & $2,000
Here is a list of the best dive watches under $500, $1,000, and $2,000.
Best affordable options
The Citizen’s Eco-Drive Promaster is a top pick for somebody prioritizing affordability over everything else. The solar-powered eco-drive converts both natural and artificial light into energy. So, charging and changing batteries won’t ever be necessary. Yet, you’d still benefit from the luminous three-hand display and quartz movement in the dark. The anti-reflective mineral crystal lives up to its name with a crystal-clear display. At the same time, the stainless steel body will be an asset to your active lifestyle. Oh, and it comes with a polyurethane strap to keep everything comfortable and in place.
| Brand | Citizen |
| Case Color | Silver-Tone |
| Case Material | Stainless Steel |
| Collection | Promaster Sea |
Pros
- Lightweight
- The strap is made of rubber and very comfortable.
Cons
- The bezel marking is a bit cheap
- Dependability in water
If you thought we were towards the end of these numerous tests and standards, we’re just getting started. Having a sturdy, protective case is extremely important to safeguard the gear. But the gear itself must be of reliable quality. To ensure this, there are a variety of other examinations that mimic what a watch may have to go through underwater.
- The depth test: By placing the watch in a deep case of water for approximately 50 hours, the timepiece is checked for any changes in its functions.
- The shock test: The diver is susceptible to tons of shocks underwater, as is their sports watch. Shock can cause the mechanics of the wheel in the timepiece to lose balance and stop working. So the timepiece receives a gush of 5,000gs from at least two sides before it is checked for any defects that may have been caused.
- The crown test: ‘Crown,’ which is the most sensitive part of the watch, must also undergo a pressure test. For example, The crown is pressurized with a quarter more force than the depth it is designed for. If it is designed for 300m, then the crown must go through a shock of 370m. If it were to be accidentally dropped, the crown should stay intact.
- The thermal tolerance test: In this test, the timepiece is submerged in 30c deep water and heated up to 40°C in about a minute. The temperature remains 40° for five minutes before it’s shot back to 5°C in another minute. The diver may go through a series of temperature changes within the water. It is to check the gear’s tolerance for the same.
- The pressure test: In this test, the gear is thrown at a depth that is 125% of its labeled rating. It is left underwater for two hours, after which the density is bought down to about a 1/3 and kept in the water for another hour.
Our recommendations
Bronze ones
Bronze is an alloy made of mainly copper and a small percentage of tin. Over time, the bronze develops a patina (similar to rust). It gives the watch a vintage look. The color and patina change and reflect the environment of its wearer.
Here are a few we recommend:
Men’s Steeldive Automatic
This diver’s bronze gear has all the features to qualify for a great purchase. It has a water resistance of 200mm, and a unidirectional chronograph Bezel visible in the dark. Other than that, the rubber strap adds great functionality to an already affordable watch.
| Brand | STEELDIVE |
| Band Material | Rubber |
| Case diameter | 41.9 millimeters |
| Dial window material type | Synthetic Sapphire |
Pros
- The design is really nice.
Cons
- Doesn’t offer features of more expensive options.
The Seiko 5
Within the same price range is this Seiko 5 vintage-looking timepiece. That is if you opt for the one with the brown-black leather strap! Bronze tends to produce a ‘patina,’ which gives it a timeless antique finish. However, you get that look right off the rack and don’t have to wait for it. The water-resistant is lesser than the Steeldive version we shared above, only 100m. Nonetheless, we believe this is a great ‘multipurpose watch’ that’s reliable, looks beautiful, and can tolerate a dip or two!
Pros
- Comfortable on the wrist
- Very good value option
Cons
- The lens can get scratched.
Products Under $500
Phoibos Wave Master PY010R
If you’re looking for chunky modern-looking underwater gear, this stainless steel Phoibos is a wide 42.0m watch with 300m depth, made with premium sapphire crystal glass and extremely reliable Super-LumiNova (glow-in-the-dark) markings. It’s a great fit for anyone who just wants something premium-looking, functional, and affordable.
Pros
- Clean design
Cons
- The rubber band is a bit short.
Casio MDV-106
Who said you need to spend lots of money to buy quality? With excellent water resistance (200m), mineral glass, and stainless steel case, this Casio can take on the world. Or assist you in taking on the world!
Pros
- Unbeatable price
Cons
- The bezel is a bit hard to adjust.
Factors to Look For
A dive computer is an essential piece of equipment that monitors important information such as:
- the depth of the dive
- oxygen left
- decompression timings
- etc.
It’s a lot more informative and easier to read than a regular watch, and it’s what most divers prefer. Here are all the factors to look for in a dive computer:
| What to look for | |
| Diving depth | Some products only go down to a certain depth |
| Oxygen measurement | It’s convenient if it monitors the amount of oxygen left |
| Decompression timing | Decompression times make it easy to know whether you’re ready to go up. |
| Air pressure monitoring | It helps in predicting access to oxygen. |
Diving depth
Dive computers are an excellent tool. It tells you how deep the ocean you’ve traveled and how far you may be from touching an unsafe level of depth. Insurance companies can also ask to see your dive computer for evidence that you haven’t surpassed the recommended level of depth.
Decompression times
When taking a deep sea dive, your body is exposed to the depths rather fast. Mixed gases such as nitrogen may enter the muscle and tissues. It will make you feel woozy, sick, or experience joint or muscle pain. In such a case, your dive computer can indicate whether you need to stay in a particular depth to adjust or levitate to a position where you can wait until you feel better.
Air pressure monitoring
It considers your current breathing rate, depth, and average oxygen utilization throughout the dive to predict how much time you have left with oxygen.
Can Monitor multiple cylinders
Most professional divers that explore vast depths carry more than one oxygen cylinder. The computer can track individual stats for each cylinder.
Keep a record
Thanks to a dive computer, keeping track of your dives is much easier. You can leave notes for yourself if you ever dive around the same location. Plus, you can share your trips with other divers. It includes the obstacles you may have faced and tips.
There are three kinds of ways that a computer can be incorporated into the diver’s journey:
- On your wrist: A Wrist computer is wrapped around the wrist with the help of a waterproof strap and gives you your dive’s insightful information through a monitor.
- Incorporated within your watch: A little more on the expensive side, many dive watches come with an in-built dive computer.
- Attached to your Tank: A dive console is attached to your tank via a regulator and is great at accurately identifying your depth, air pressure, and other vitals. However, they aren’t the smallest piece of equipment to carry and aren’t conveniently attached to your wrist like the other types of computers.
Dive computers are usually battery-enabled and can be recharged. A dive computer’s life depends on the quality of the product.
