Best Dive Watches For Monitoring Your Scuba Diving Time

One of the most important tools you’ll ever use when diving in the deep blue sea is the dive watch. Yes, your dive mask, oxygen tank, and fins will help you move around underwater. But your watch will let you know when you need to resurface, time your ascent, and measure the time you’ve spent resting between dives. Not to mention, it’s the perfect backup to their dive computer, as rudimentary as it is.

Several dive watches even feature a depth gauge. With such an important survival tool, it pays to make the right purchase. Not all dive watches are made equal. And some are just for show.

To help you in your quest to find the right dive watch, we’ve tested a number of them sold on Amazon and ranked them all. The 10 best dive watches are:

Top 10 Dive Watches Of 2020 Reviewed

1. Cressi Leonardo Underwater Diving Computer

Best High Tech Diving Watch

While this product is aptly called a diving computer, it is perfect when it comes to serving as an underwater watch. Simply strap it onto your hand, dive into the water, and it will serve perfectly as a watch. Hailed the best high-tech diving watch, this product can be connected to a computer using a USB cable. Its software is compatible with all windows versions and may even work on a Mac. The Cressi Leonardo Underwater Diving Computer has three modes – gauge, nitrox, and air – which can be changed using a single button.

It comes with a graphic indicator for oxygen toxicity to warn you when in danger. The battery can be changed by the user when the indicator shows it at the lowest level possible. This watch is great for beginners, given how easy it is to read the high definition screen. One thing you will love about the watch is that it can be used virtually anywhere in the world, given the changeability between the metric and imperial systems.

Cressi Leonardo Underwater Diving Computer

Pros:

  • Has an easy to read the screen
  • Easy to use
  • Has an alarm that can be heard underwater

Cons:

  • Might be hard to operate a single button
  • Has a strap that is too long
  • Only logs time one depth at a time

2. Citizen Eco-Drive Men’s BN0151-09L Promaster Diver Watch

The Citizen Eco-Drive Promaster Diver Watch doesn’t require a battery since it’s fueled by light using Eco-Drive technology (hence the name). Like other dive watches, it is water resistant up to 660 feet (200 meters) and features a unidirectional bezel as well as luminous hands and markers. We love the small decompression dive table printed on the band.

Citizen Eco-Drive Men's BN0151-09L Promaster Diver Watch

Pros:

  • Keeps accurate time
  • Printed dive table for newbie reference
  • Eco-Drive technology

Cons:

  • Stiff watch band
  • Date window is too small
  • Watch is too small for some users

3. G-Shock DW-9052-1CCG Black Military Watch

Dive Watch On A Budget

Casio’s G-Shock DW-9052-1CCG is the perfect choice for individuals looking for a dive watch that has the basic features, a rugged design, and the capability of enduring any kind of rough and tumble activity the wearer puts it through on land or in the water. This G-Shock watch is water resistant up to 200 meters and features a countdown timer, a daily alarm, an hourly time signal, an auto calendar, and a stopwatch. It’s also shock resistant. And the price is definitely nothing to scoff at either.

G-Shock DW-9052-1CCG Black Military Watch

Pros:

  • Affordable
  • Rugged design
  • Built to last

Cons:

  • The band is too short for large wrists
  • Display is hard to read for some users
  • The alarm is too quiet

4. Seiko Men’s SKX007K2 Diver’s Automatic Watch

Best Automatic Diver Watch

Affordable watches hardly feature an elegant look. The Seiko Men’s SKX007K2 is an exception, given its stylish, classic look and affordability. For this and other reasons, it is considered the best automatic diver watch. If you are looking for a great watch for recreational scuba diving and other water activities, look no further than this. Featuring the proprietary Seiko Luminescence, that glows at maximum brightness after slightly being exposed to the sun. In the darkness, it keeps glowing for up to five hours to provide you with clear visibility.

This watch doesn’t need a battery to operate and neither will you have to keep winding it. It is made using the Japanese 7s26 automatic movement, which has been used by Seiko for a long time. As long as you keep wearing it, the spring will keep getting wound. When you stop wearing it for between 40 and 48 hours it will stop winding and resume as soon as you strap it around your hand. Apart from displaying time, the watch effectively times your decompression stops. It comes with a rubber strap, which fits round hands of all sizes.

Seiko Men's SKX007K2 Diver's Automatic Watch

Pros:

  • Features a stylish, classic look
  • The Seiko luminescence technology maintains visibility in darkness
  • Requires no battery or winding

Cons:

  • Tends to gain time within a short period
  • Some people found the hands to be odd
  • Doesn’t have an alarm

5. Seiko SKX173 Stainless Steel and Black Polyurethane Dive Watch

Seiko’s SKX173 is a dive watch to watch out for. This automatic watch comes with a stainless steel case, a gear-edge unidirectional bezel, an off-center crown, a black dial, a scratch-resistant Hardlex crystal, and Lumibrite hands and markers. It is water resistant up to 200 meters and features an English/Spanish day/date window.

Seiko SKX173 Stainless Steel and Black Polyurethane Dive Watch

Pros:

  • Very bright in the dark
  • Great customer service
  • Comfortable feel

Cons:

  • Doesn’t keep perfect time; needs frequent adjusting
  • Runs down quickly (within a day)
  • The band’s quality is poor

6. Victorinox I.N.O.X. Professional Diver Black Dial Men’s Watch 241781

Best Professional Diver Black Dial

Victorinox I.N.O.X is one of the largest watch collections in the world. Standing out from previous models, 241781 is a handsome, stylish diver watch for men who like having a good time in the outdoors. It comes with a deep-grey dial on a stainless steel case and a red-accented hand. You wouldn’t be able to find a better sporty watch than this one. One thing we must say about Victorinox is that it is a military supplier that has been in business for years. No wonder this watch is crafted in a perfect way.

The watch can resist water up to a depth of 200m. Featuring luminescent markers and hands, this watch also displays the current date. It is made from scratch-resistant sapphire with a solid case back. The Swiss-made watch is designed for use by professional divers, no matter the specific occupation. But that doesn’t mean that it cannot be used by people looking for a great timepiece for leisurely diving. It comes with an unbeatable 5-year guarantee and instructional manual to remove the guesswork from learning to use this watch.

Victorinox I.N.O.X. Professional Diver Black Dial

Pros:

  • Water-resistant for up to 200 meters deep
  • A stylish, handsome watch
  • Has visible luminescent markers

Cons:

  • Reports of the stainless steel case getting stuck
  • Might be too heavy for you
  • The band clasp is hard to open

7. Seiko Divers Automatic Dial Mens Watch SKX009K1

The 009 Seiko diver was the watch to own back in the day. It is also considered an icon in the watch collecting community. And for good reason. This dive watch is one of the best you’ll ever get under $200. It is a self-winding watch that is water resistant up to 20 ATM. It features lumibrite treated hands and markers, a day and date display, a uni-directional bezel, and a scratch resistant hardlex crystal. The solid stainless steel case and rubber dive style strap look great whether you’re going casual, classy, or cool.

Seiko Divers Automatic Dial Mens Watch SKX009K1

Pros:

  • Classic Pepsi watch
  • Easy to read
  • Rugged and built to withstand abuse

Cons:

  • Doesn’t keep perfect time
  • Band is a bit stiff
  • Replacing the band is a tad difficult

8. Orient FAA02004B9 Ray II Analog Automatic Stainless Steel Diving Watch

If you want a classy dive watch, then the Orient Ray II should be right up your alley. It is powered by a 22-jewel, Caliber F69 automatic movement and allows you to stop the second hand for more accurate syncing of time. It also features a hand-winding capability and a 120-click unidirectional diving bezel. The watch also has a day and date window, a stainless steel bracelet, and luminescent hands and markers for easy visibility in low light surroundings. This dive watch is water resistant up to 200 meters and comes with a 1-year warranty.

Orient FAA02004B9 Ray II Analog Automatic Stainless Steel Diving Watch

Pros:

  • Complements any style – dressed down or up
  • 120-click unidirectional bezel
  • Automatic watch (no need for batteries)

Cons:

  • Some users found the watch dial to be a bit on the small side
  • The bracelet feels cheap
  • Bezel is a bit hard to turn (too tight)

9. Invicta 0076 Pro Diver Collection Chronograph Stainless Steel Watch

The Invicta 0076 is a badass dive watch for individuals on a budget. The black ion-plated stainless steel case and bracelet feels solid and seems built to last. The stopwatch has several functions – 60 seconds, 30 minutes, and 12-hour subdials. The watch also has a date function and silver-tone, luminous hands and hour markers. There’s a unidirectional bezel with five-second indexes and a scratch-resistant flame-fusion window. The watch is water resistant up to 200 meters.

Invicta 0076 Pro Diver Collection Chronograph Stainless Steel Watch

Pros:

  • Cool design
  • Easy to read display
  • Keeps accurate time

Cons:

  • May be too heavy and bulky for individuals with smaller frames
  • The hands and markers are not bright enough in low light situations
  • Not for everyday wear

10. Stuhrling Original Men’s 395.33B11 Aquadiver Regatta

The Aquadiver is made of surgical grade stainless steel with a unidirectional ratcheting coin edge bezel, a quick set date, luminescent sword-style hands, and a protective Krysterna crystal window. It has a screw-down crown and is water resistant up to 200 meters.

Stuhrling Original Men's 395.33B11 Aquadiver Regatta

Pros:

  • Affordable
  • Classy design
  • Keeps good time

Cons:

  • Date is hard to read
  • Can be too heavy for some
  • The hands are barely visible in the dark

If you can’t find anything that catches your fancy on our list, you might be interested in checking out some of the highly rated watches that we hadn’t had a chance to test: Freestyle Hammerhead XL, Momentum Men’s Quartz Stainless Steel and Rubber Diving Watch, Seiko Men’s SKX007K Diver’s Automatic Watch, and the Casio Men’s Black Analog Anti Reverse Bezel Watch.

How To Choose The Best Dive Watch For Scuba Diving: The Ultimate Buying Guide

If you’re looking for a dive watch, there are several things one must consider before finalizing your choice. Even if money is no object, you still want to get the best right? After all, it is key to your survival underwater. So, what features should you look at in a dive watch?

How Water Resistant is it?

Any dive watch worth its salt must be water-resistant to a certain degree. At the very least, it should have a depth rating of 100 meters or 330 feet which is more than enough for recreational diving. The higher the watch’s rating for water resistance means that it has undergone more rigorous testing. Most of our picks are only rated for 200 meters such as the Luminox Men’s 3001 Quartz Navy Seal Dive Watch

Does it Have a Unidirectional Bezel?

A dive watch isn’t a dive watch if it doesn’t have a unidirectional bezel. What is that, you ask? This is when the bezel only moves in one direction – counterclockwise. This allows you to measure your diving time and easily see it at a glance. Because it only moves in one direction, the diver’s safety is never compromised if the bezel is accidentally moved since it will indicate more time has passed.

Does it Have Luminescent Hands and Markers?

It’s important that you’re able to view the time easily while diving. And since light doesn’t penetrate far into the ocean, you’ll need a watch that actually glows in the dark. Dive watches that use luminescence paint will require exposure to the light to charge up before it can glow. Watches that use tritium do not need to be in the light and typically glows brighter. However, the brightness tends to fade over time.

What is the Watch Made of?

Since you’ll be exposing the watch to water, specifically salt water, it should be made of a material that is corrosion resistant such as rubber, stainless steel, titanium, and silicone. Take note that a longer band is ideal because you’ll want it to fit around your wrist while you’re wearing bulky diving equipment.

Keep in mind that the best dive watch should be able to perform just as well underwater as it does on land. While style and price will depend on your preference, the factors we discussed – material, luminescence, depth rating, and unidirectional bezel – are not negotiable.

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A blogger, personal finance enthusiast with slight “addiction” of planning and organizing whether it’s budget, business or just life in general. When you run into an article around the web you can clearly tell it’s Michael’s work,as it can never be mixed with anyone else's , because of his very unique own voice. Finances, real estate, budgeting, new technological solutions are not the only talking points, that he has his heart set on. Passionate about life he studies and writes about environmental changes, human rights and quality of life. Being a true humanist he draws inspiration from the simple thing as an everyday life and the matters one come across on daily bases doing his best and above to help everyone around.