Best Dive Watch Under $200

If you’re in the market for extraordinary dive watches that don’t cost an arm and a leg, look no further.

You don’t have to pay luxury prices for great dive watches. In fact, you can get peak water resistance and amazing features out of a dive watch for less than $200!

We’ve put together this buying guide to highlight the best budget dive watches in the marketplace today. From sports watches with a clean design and easy-to-read date display window, to dressier divers’ watches which can also be worn to your next dinner party, we’ve put together the ultimate list of the 7 Best Dive Watches Under $200 just for you.

We sifted through a bunch of options, paring down dozens of potential entries to find the very best of the best. We’ve also put together a useful Frequently Asked Questions section which will give you more information about what separates an ordinary budget dive watch from the top ones available for sale.

First, let’s start with our countdown!

7) Wenger Men’s Swiss Quartz Analog Dive Watch

Combining a professional gravitas with a sturdy and strong overall construction, the Wenger Men’s Seaforce Stainless Steel Swiss Quartz Watch provides an impressive balance of timekeeping accuracy and lasting power. We adore the stark black dial and how the white date window and red second hand provide welcome aesthetic contrast. We’re also big fans of the precise Swiss quartz movement and balanced overall case size.

Specs

Display Window Material: Mineral

Display Type: Analog

Clasp Style: Buckle

Case Material: Stainless Steel

Case Diameter: 43 mm

Case Thickness: 12 mm

Strap Material: Silicone

Strap Length: 9.5 inches

Strap Width: 21 mm

Strap Color: Black

Dial Color: Black

Bezel Material: Stainless Steel

Water Resistance: 2oo meters

Movement: Swiss Quartz

Pros

• This Swiss quartz movement is about as accurate as they come in this price range.
• The overall look of this watch is malleable enough to be worn both on the water and to the office.
• This watch looks good on both smaller and bigger wrists.

Cons

• While the calendar window looks great aesthetically, it’s small and hard to use for those with visual impairments.
• The mineral crystal dial window is not exactly impervious to scratches and dings.

6) Seiko Men’s SRP605K2 Blue Rubber Diver Watch

The blue-on-blue design outlay of the Seiko Men’s SRP605K2 Blue Rubber Diver Watch makes it stand out from the rest of the watches on our list, but that’s not the only reason why we’ve included it here. The inclusion of a 4R36-caliber automatic hand-winding movement and a rotating bezel with a minute scale pushes this beauty over the top, as does the easy-to-read (and gorgeous) contrast facilitated by the luminous gold/white hands.

Specs

Display Window Material: Hardlex

Display Type: Analog

Clasp Style: Buckle

Case Material: Stainless Steel

Case Diameter: 44 mm

Case Thickness: 12 mm

Strap Material: Rubber

Strap Length: Men’s Standard

Strap Width: 20 mm

Strap Color: Blue

Dial Color: Cadet Blue

Bezel Material: Stainless Steel

Water Resistance: 100 meters

Movement: Automatic

Pros

• The hand-wound automatic movement keeps time much better than you might expect at a budget price.
• This watch has a unique, striking look that makes it an outlier among all dive watches, let alone those on this list.
• The white-and-gold hands offer powerful luminescence and a great counterpoint to the amount of blue used in the design.

Cons

• The rubber watch band is kind of stiff and hard to wear out of the box.
• If you don’t wear this watch for a day or so, it’s likely to stop running.

5) Phoibos PX002C Men’s Swiss Quartz Dive Watch

If you’re looking for a budget diver’s watch which balances a refined aesthetic with sturdy overall construction, you’ve got a match with the Phoibos PX002C. The sapphire crystal window offers premium scratch resistance, and the stainless steel case and band combination act as the perfect frame for the minimalist black dial. It’s a beautiful watch that projects luxury without the cost, and that’s rare at this kind of price point.

Specs

Display Window Material: Anti-Reflective Sapphire Crystal

Display Type: Analog

Clasp Style: Three-Fold Clasp With Push Button Release

Case Material: Stainless Steel

Case Diameter: 42 mm

Case Thickness: 6 mm

Strap Material: Stainless Steel

Strap Length: Men’s Standard

Strap Width: 22 mm

Strap Color: Silver

Dial Color: Black

Bezel Material: Stainless Steel

Water Resistance: 300 meters

Movement: Swiss Quartz

Pros

• The Super LumiNova watch hands can glow in the dark for hours without recharging.
• The anti-reflective sapphire crystal dial window holds up fantastically and doesn’t show most scratches and scuffs.
• This watch looks like a million bucks and costs less than $200.

Cons

• The logo feels a bit big and clutters the watch dial just a bit.
• The luminescence may decrease considerably with repeated watch use over a long period of time.

4) Casio Men’s G-Shock Classic Analog/Digital Dive Watch

One of the sturdiest watches on our list, the Casio Men’s G-Shock Classic Analog/Digital Dive Watch is the pinnacle of low-cost timepiece strength. The G-Shock series is known for its impressive balance of water resistance and shock resistance, and this watch delivers all of that and then some. Also, the mixture of the analog watch hands and digital display feels seamless and provides room for some cool added features like an automatic calendar and chronograph functionality.

Specs

Display Window Material: Mineral

Display Type: Analog/Digital

Case Material: Resin

Strap Color: Black

Dial Color: Black

Bezel Material: Stainless Steel

Water Resistance: 200 meters

Movement: Quartz

Pros

• This watch is a beast. It can take an absolute beating thanks to its 200 meters of water resistance and overall shock resistance.
• Unlike other sports watches of its ilk, this watch doesn’t feel gaudy. It’s a perfect shape and size for wrists of all types.
• Casio loads its sports watches with great chronograph features, and this watch is no different.

Cons

• The digital display will be harder to read for those with sight problems.
• The loop on the strap is oddly-designed and doesn’t secure the end of the band very well.

3) Invicta Men’s Pro Diver Stainless Steel Quartz Watch

For those looking for a low-cost dive watch that looks and feels like a portal to another time period entirely, there’s the Invicta Men’s Pro Diver Stainless Steel Quartz Watch — a beautiful timepiece that looks fantastic and keeps time even better. The Japanese quartz movement is precise, the deep blue dial is given added dimension by the stainless steel case and band, and the overall aesthetic of this water-resistant beauty feels equal bits classic and modern.

Specs

Display Window Material: Mineral

Display Type: Analog

Clasp Style: Deployment Clasp With Safety

Case Material: Stainless Steel

Case Diameter: 38 mm

Case Thickness: 12 mm

Strap Material: Stainless Steel

Strap Length: Men’s Standard

Strap Width: 18 mm

Strap Color: Silver

Dial Color: Blue

Bezel Material: Stainless Steel

Water Resistance: 200 meters

Movement: Japanese Quartz

Pros

• It offers a brilliant aesthetic homage to the Rolex Submariner design.
• For under 50 dollars, this watch offers a balance of durability and style that feels like a steal.
• The Japanese quartz movement keeps time to the millisecond with little to no problem.

Cons

• The bezel needs to be broke in a bit for it to turn with relative ease.
• The watchband is a bit flimsy and may need replacing over time.

2) Stuhrling Original Men’s Analog Dive Watch

The Stuhrling Original Men’s Analog Dive Watch is an everyday watch that can also double as your key accessory when scuba diving. It’s exceedingly accurate thanks to its Japanese Miyota movement and extremely easy to read with its luminescent indices and hands. The top-quality rubber strap is super comfortable and form-fitting, and the coin-edge bezel is topped off nicely with a screw-down crown. Stuhrling even includes a two-year international warranty to push this whole deal to a whole new level.

Specs

Display Window Material: Krysterna Crystal

Display Type: Analog

Clasp Style: Buckle

Case Material: Stainless Steel

Case Diameter: 43 mm

Case Thickness: 13.5 mm

Strap Material: Rubber

Strap Length: Men’s Standard

Strap Width: 22 mm

Strap Color: Gray

Dial Color: Gray

Bezel Material: Stainless Steel

Water Resistance: 200 meters

Movement: Japanese Quartz

Pros

• The metallic blue dial really stands out regardless of whatever outfit you’re wearing. It’s that striking.
• The Krysterna crystal dial window is sturdy and doesn’t scuff up too easily.
• The inclusion of a two-year warranty makes this a fantastic investment for a limited cost.

Cons

• The date window is very small and hard to read without the aid of a magnifier.
• The luminescence of the hands and indices fades as you wear the watch more and more.

1) Orient Ray II Japanese Automatic Stainless Steel Diving Watch

Among water lovers from surfers to swimmers, you’d be hard-pressed to find a more beloved dive watch under $200 than the Orient Ray II Japanese Automatic Stainless Steel Diving Watch. The Japanese automatic movement is impressively precise, the 120-click unidirectional bezel is of utmost quality, and the overall construction of this timepiece is both attractive and built to last. It tightropes the line between a dress watch and sports watch in style, and its 200 meters of water resistance seal it as the right dive watch for any water lover with a hundred dollars or so to spare.

Specs

Display Window Material: Mineral

Display Type: Analog

Clasp Style: Push Button Fold-Over Clasp With Safety

Case Material: Stainless Steel

Case Diameter: 41 mm

Case Thickness: 13 mm

Strap Material: Rubber

Strap Length: Men’s Standard

Strap Width: 20 mm

Strap Color: Black

Dial Color: Black

Bezel Material: Stainless Steel

Water Resistance: 200 meters

Movement: Japanese Automatic

Pros

• You can’t find another dive watch that looks this good and lasts this long at such an affordable price.
• This watch can be worn with virtually anything without clashing.
• The automatic movement is extremely well-constructed compared to most watches, not just those sold for under $200.

Cons

• The bezel doesn’t align perfectly.
• The second hand isn’t nearly as luminescent as the others, and it’s almost impossible to see in low light after a handful of ticks.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key features to look for in the best dive watches under $200?

In your search for the best dive watches under $200, the budget price tag is only part of it. From luminous hands to high-quality construction elements, the best dive watches for $200 are less are actually some of the best dive watches you’re going to find at any price. A low-cost wristwatch doesn’t have to be a low-quality wrist watch. And whether you’re a scuba diver or a normal citizen simply looking for value, you can find a dive watch worth your time for a price that won’t wreck your bank account.

So put the mortgage money away. You don’t need to go way out of your price range for something like a Rolex Submariner to find a great dive watch.

The key features to look for in the best dive watches under 200 dollars include a water-resistant casing that goes above and beyond in terms of withstanding water pressure and overall depth rating, a case construction that’s made of stainless steel or something just as durable, a 120 click unidirectional bezel (if possible), a strong dial window whether made of scratch-resistant sapphire crystals or mineral crystal, a screw-down crown, and an easy-to-read watch face that lights up well enough to see while scuba diving.

Are automatic diving watches as accurate as quartz dive watches?

No. A quartz movement, whether it’s a Japanese quartz movement or a regular one, is much more accurate than an automatic movement as a rule of thumb. You don’t have to worry about losing time with a quartz dive watch, at least not to the degree of an automatic dive watch.

However, automatic dive watches are definitely worth the time — especially for watch lovers looking for more out of their timepieces. There are some great automatic dive watches for under $200 which have fantastic features such as a rotating bezel, a sapphire crystal glass window, luminous hands and markers, and a strong water resistance rating. You just have to decide whether accuracy without maintenance is a big deal for you personally.

Closing Thoughts

Whether you need a dive watch for water sports or are just a fan of their look and water resistance, the seven diving watches on the countdown above are made for people like you. And the best thing about them is that you won’t need to update your resume and land a second income to buy them. All seven of the watches above can be had for less than $200 — an amazing fact considering just what a fantastic fit they are for divers and regular Joes alike.

No matter what your style is or what you’re looking for out of a dive watch, there’s something for everyone on our countdown. Whether you’re searching for a sporty watch with an automatic movement or a dressier model with a Swiss quartz movement, we’ve got you covered.