Best dive watches under 200

Are you the kind of person that feels more comfortable under the water than on dry land? If so, you know that normal men’s watches and light water-resistant offerings won’t do when the water gets deep and push comes to shove.

That doesn’t mean that you need to take out a loan to purchase a Rolex Submariner, either. In fact, you can find amazing dive watches with all the bells and whistles for half the cost of a new video game system!

We’ve tested dozens of highlights, looking through everything from the Invicta Pro Diver collection to the Seiko Divers Watch oeuvre to create a comprehensive list of the 6 Best Dive Watches Under $200. Looking for a clean dressy watch made of surgical-grade stainless steel? Got your heart set on a sporty timepiece with either a Japanese quartz movement or Japanese automatic movement?

Whatever you’re looking for, you can easily land a solid watch from this list for less than $200 out the door.

The 6 Best Diver’s Watch Options Under $200

6) Wenger Sea Force Analog Display Swiss Quartz Watch

Available in multiple design schemes, the Wenger Sea Force Swiss Quartz Watch marries refinement with just a little bit of flash and flair. The luminous hands and hour markers are fantastically resonant, and the stateliness of the watch face makes this a versatile fit for multiple outfit choices. And if you’re not familiar with quality Swiss quartz movements, just know that you’re getting peak accuracy from the work tables of a trusted Swiss watchmaker.

Specs

Display Window Material: Mineral

Display Type: Analog

Clasp Style: Push Button Fold-Over Clasp w/ Safety

Case Material: Stainless Steel

Case Diameter: 43 mm

Case Thickness: 12 mm

Strap Material: Stainless Steel

Strap Length: 9.5 inches

Strap Width: 9 mm

Strap Color: Silver

Dial Color: Black

Bezel Material: Stainless Steel

Movement: Swiss Quartz

Water Resistance: 200 meters

Pros

• The unidirectional rotating bezel is easy to use and easy to move. That’s rare for a unidirectional bezel at this price point.

Cons

• The small date window is a bit hard to read for those with visual impairments.
• It may be a bit plain in overall build design for some tastes.

5) Casio G-Shock Classic Analog-Digital Watch

Both retro and modern in equally impressive doses, the Casio G-Shock Classic Analog-Digital Watch has all the same features you know and love from the venerable Japanese watch brand’s line of sports timepieces. Packed with chronograph functionality, an auto calendar, dual time, and multiple alarm settings, this is the best watch for those who are into the gadget side of watches. It’s also one of the best value propositions thanks to its superior shock resistance and water resistance.

Specs

Display Window Material: Mineral Crystal

Display Type: Analog/Digital

Clasp Style: Buckle

Case Material: Resin

Strap Material: Resin

Strap Color: Black

Dial Color: Black

Movement: Quartz

Water Resistance: 200 meters

Pros

• It includes the same movement used in most Casio watches, and that’s a good thing in terms of precision and limiting clock drift.
• G-Shock watches are at the head of the class for shock resistance. You can crash it into plenty of things and nothing will happen.
• There are lots of useful features here for classic Casio sports watch fans.

Cons

• This watch is big and sporty to a fault. It’s not versatile enough to work as a dress watch.
• The digital display might be harder to see for folks with vision struggles.

4) Invicta Men’s Pro Diver Quartz Watch

For those interested in traditional dive watches, the Invicta Pro Diver collection is a great low-cost place to start. We prefer the above model with the dark blue dial and bezel accents, but there are several other color options for you to peruse for your own sense of style. Featuring a push/pull crown, anti-glare mineral dial window, and strong contrast points between dial, hands and hour markers, the Invicta Pro Diver collection respects history without being boring.

Specs

Display Window Material: Mineral

Display Type: Analog

Clasp Style: Fold-Over Clasp w/ Safety

Case Material: Stainless Steel

Case Diameter: 38 mm

Case Thickness: 12mm

Strap Material: Stainless Steel

Strap Length: Men’s Standard

Strap Width: 18 mm

Strap Color: Silver

Dial Color: Blue

Bezel Material: Stainless Steel

Movement: Japanese Quartz

Water Resistance: 200 meters

Pros

• The dark blue dial has an eye-catching hue that’s accented well by the splashes of white throughout the design.
• The included Japanese quartz movement keeps time remarkably well.
• If you want a blast from the Rolex Submariner dive watch past that pays homage to the best luxury options of yesteryear, this is a good option.

Cons

• This watch is pretty small compared to most men’s watches. Larger wrists might be a stretch.
• The bezel requires some usage before it begins to turn easily.

3) Seiko 5 Acciaio INOX Automatic Watch

The first thing that strikes us about the Seiko 5 Acciaio INOX Automatic Watch is the blue-on-blue design scheme and how it interconnects with the accents of gold, white, and red. It’s truly an attractive, well-balanced package to behold. This watch also has plenty of impressive features like a rotating bezel with a minute scale, and a fantastic hand-winding automatic movement that keeps the analog display and day/date display going strong. With a balance of sensibility and fashionable gravitas, this Seiko 5 standout can be had for a heck of a deal.

Specs

Display Window Material: Hardlex Crystal

Display Type: Analog

Clasp Style: Buckle

Case Material: Stainless Steel

Case Diameter: 44 mm

Case Thickness: 12 mm

Strap Material: Rubber

Strap Width: 20 mm

Strap Color: Blue

Dial Color: Blue

Movement: Automatic

Water Resistance: 100 meters

Pros

• The use of Hardlex crystals for the dial window may be the next best thing to sapphire crystals when talking about overall durability.
• The gold accents on the hour markers and hands really come out with the blue dial coloration.
• The stainless seal build of the watch body is really tough.

Cons

• Rubber watch straps are an acquired taste. You may want to consider a replacement off the bat.
• The automatic movement requires regular wear to keep it running.

2) Orient Mako XL Japanese Automatic Diving Watch

Watch lovers may be more familiar with the Orient Ray II or Orient Sun & Moon collection, but the Orient Mako XL is definitely right on their level. And if you’re not a fan of the extra-large build of this timepiece, you can find a normal Orient Mako for around the same price. Available in a host of different colors, this automatic self-winding budget masterpiece blends minimalist charm with a classic style that hearkens back to luxury watches of years past.

Specs

Display Window Material: Mineral Crystal

Display Type: Analog

Clasp Style: Push Button Fold-Over Clasp w/ Safety

Case Material: Stainless Steel

Case Diameter: 46 mm

Case Thickness: 13 mm

Strap Material: Stainless Steel

Strap Length: Men’s Standard

Strap Width: 22 mm

Strap Color: Silver

Dial Color: Black

Bezel Material: Stainless Steel

Movement: Automatic

Water Resistance: 200 meters

Pros

• The day and date display are legible, large, and easy to read.
• The uncluttered dial design is attractive and pays tribute to luxury dive watches we know and love.
• The self-winding automatic movement is crafted so well compared to other movements in this price range.

Cons

• As with many other Orient watches, the crown feels a bit too small for the timepiece.
• The illumination is pretty weak and doesn’t capture light efficaciously.

1) Sturhling Maritimer Pro Sport Dive Watch

The kind of dive watch that looks right both in the office and deep in the water, the Stuhrling Maritimer Pro Sport Dive Watch takes a beating while looking simply priceless. The watch body is made of rugged stainless steel. The dial window is crafted with scratch-resistant, scuff-resistant Krysterna crystal. This watch will last you a long time, and it will catch plenty of eyes while doing so. Available in several color options, the Sturhling Maritimer puts most dive watches under $200 to shame.

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 Width: 22 mm

Strap Color: Black

Dial Color: Blue

Bezel Material: Stainless Steel

Movement: Japanese Quartz

Water Resistance: 200 meters

Pros

• The dial window might not be made of sapphire crystal glass, but Krysterna crystal is a fantastic alternative.
• The included Japanese quartz movement is insanely accurate and doesn’t succumb to clock drift as much as others.
• The blue dial design has a multi-shade dimensionality that really ties the entire timepiece together.

Cons

• The text on the date display is small and hard to read.
• The luminescence of this watch’s hands and hour markers is a noted weak point.

Frequently Asked Questions About The Best Dive Watches Under $200

Can you dive with a 200m watch?

All 200m watches are not created equal. Whether you’re into recreational diving, skin diving, light scuba diving, or otherwise, there’s a distinct difference between a water-resistant watch and a true dive watch. A classic dive watch may share a 200m water resistance rating with other watches, but it likely has other features like a screw-down crown and extended sealing which make it more reliable in a diving context.

A normal water-resistant watch may be a sturdy timepiece, but it doesn’t mean that it’s going to hold up when deep-sea diving. The best dive watch is one that factors in true water resistance, key elements like a screw-down case and water-pressure tested construction and overall quality build materials. You can likely dive with a normal 200m watch, but you’re not guaranteed that it’ll stay in working order with prolonged diving exposure.

Why are most dive watches automatic?

Automatic watches are popular with divers looking for an everyday timepiece and a stylish timepiece one and the same. Whether it’s a budget dive watch or offerings from luxury brands that cater to divers, automatic dive watches are preferable because you don’t need to change their battery. Divers usually look for a quality watch with the right watch features (like sapphire crystal dial windows) for extended use in the water. And when they’re normally moving their arms while swimming, it pays to have a watch that winds with that motion.

Closing Thoughts

In need of an entry-level watch that’s made for diving? Do you prefer more refined diver’s watches with superior scratch resistance and quality automatic movements? No matter what you’re in the market for, you can eschew more expensive watches for affordable watches with impressive brand pedigrees. You don’t need to shell out thousands for an Omega Seamaster. Instead, you can find homage watches and different dive watches that provide the same function for a fraction of the cost.