Professional diving and casual deep-diving offer rushes that simply can’t be replicated on dry land. The sights one sees when descending into the ocean blue are truly astounding. And if you’re one of the adventurous few that feel more at home deep in the wet stuff than anywhere else, you know the value of a dive watch built to withstand your passion for diving.
And to be honest, very few of us have the extra income to drop on a Rolex Submariner or similar luxury dive watch. We’d all love an automatic dive watch with a sturdy water-resistant casing like the Submariner. But, we don’t want to take out a second mortgage to grab one.
The best dive watch for you doesn’t have to set you back thousands of dollars. In fact, there are watches out there for professional divers and casual enthusiasts alike for less than $500. We tested many different models in this price range, paring them down into a definitive list of the 6 Best Diving Watches For Under $500 In 2021.
From accurate quartz watches to diver’s watch options with intricate automatic movements, there’s something for every diver out there below.
The 6 Best Dive Watches Under $500 For 2021
6) Victorinox Swiss Army Pro Diver Watch
- TIMELESS LUXURY: Form, funtionality, and precision with style. These timeless watches embody contemporary elegance.
- DURABLE CONSTRUCTION: Our timepieces are designed and manufactured with the same rigorous attention to quality as the brand’s legendary Swiss Army Knife and meet the highest standards of the Swiss watch industry.
- SWISS MADE: Mechanical excellence, on-point aesthetics and relentless accuracy are the definitive hallmarks of a Victorinox watch. Swiss precision with a resolute commitment to rigorous testing underpin our selection of internationally trusted watches.
- PREMIUM GIFT: The perfect item for those hard-to-shop-for people with exquisite taste. Wrist watches are a luxurious fashion gift for everyday, family, business, graduation, birthday, wedding and valentine’s day.
- TRUSTED QUALITY: Made in Switzerland; Victorinox provides a lifetime guarantee against defects in material and workmanship. Making a lifetime commitment has never been so easy. No assembly required, money back guarantee.
When it comes to putting together an attractive pro diver watch, Victorinox has few peers in the watchmaking industry. The Victorinox Swiss Army Pro Diver Watch is an attractive dive timepiece that doubles as a good-looking dress watch. The watch design was put through 130 diving-specific tests to ensure that the case, movement, and stainless steel bracelet will hold up when you go deep. And the addition of an anti-reflective sapphire crystal dial window makes it easy to read when things get a bit blurry.
Specs
Display Window Material: Anti-Reflective Sapphire Crystal
Display Type: Analog
Clasp Style: Buckle
Case Material: Stainless Steel
Case Diameter: 45 mm
Case Thickness: 14.44 mm
Strap Material: Stainless Steel
Strap Length: Men’s Standard
Strap Width: 22 mm
Strap Color: Silver
Dial Color: Blue
Bezel Material: Stainless Steel
Movement: Swiss Quartz
Water Resistance: 200 meters
Pros
- This watch’s anti-reflective sapphire crystal window is easy to look through from any angle.
- The Swiss quartz movement is exceedingly precise.
- This dive watch has been tested thoroughly to ensure it can hold up during your adventures.
Cons
- The dial design is a bit plain compared to other watches on this list.
- The second hand doesn’t line up perfectly with the second markers.
5) Casio G-Shock Frogman Solar Atomic Watch
The Casio G-Shock series is known for offering unparalleled shock resistance and water resistance at affordable prices. Unbelievably, the Casio G-Shock Frogman Solar Atomic Watch takes things even further. One key feature is the inclusion of a depth meter that allows users to accurately track their dive in the middle of it. It also offers multi-band atomic timekeeping that will ensure you have the right time, every time when you’re out in the water. There are quartz movements and there are beasts like the one in this feature-packed standout.
Specs
Display Window Material: Mineral
Display Type: Digital
Clasp Style: Buckle
Case Material: Resin
Strap Material: Resin
Strap Color: Black
Dial Color: Black
Movement: Quartz (Multi-Band Atomic)
Water Resistance: 200 meters
Pros
- This watch has so many useful features like a tide graph and moon data points.
- Multi-band atomic timekeeping ensures you won’t have to deal with clock drift.
- G-Shock watches are known the world over for their toughness and long-lasting capabilities.
Cons
- It’s definitely a bit chunky and not exactly a dressy watch option.
- The lack of an analog display might turn off some divers.
4) Luminox Men’s Quartz Navy Seal Dive Watch
A longstanding favorite of Navy SEALs and other military personnel, the Luminox Men’s Quartz Navy Seal Dive Watch. With a water resistance 200m, carbon-reinforced unidirectional bezel, and double-security gasket crown, this is truly one of the best dive watches for those adventures that are tough on their equipment. In addition, the inclusion of a reliable Swiss quartz movement pushes this military-grade monster over the top.
Specs
Display Window Material: Mineral
Display Type: Analog
Clasp Style: Buckle with Safety
Case Material: Polyurethane
Case Diameter: 43 mm
Case Thickness: 23 mm
Strap Material: Polyurethane
Strap Length: Men’s Standard
Strap Width: 22 mm
Strap Color: Black
Dial Color: Black
Bezel Material: Polyurethane
Movement: Swiss Quartz
Water Resistance: 200 meters
Pros
- The unidirectional rotating bezel is top of the line for this price point.
- You know a watch is super tough when it’s beloved by Navy SEALs.
- The included Swiss quartz movement is quite accurate and rarely loses time.
Cons
- The polyurethane case is strong. But, it feels a bit odd compared to stainless steel or other materials.
- The dial design is kinda plain comparatively.
3) Tissot Seastar Casual Stainless Steel Swiss Quartz Movement Watch
- Case Size: 45.50 millimeters, Bandwidth: 22 millimeters, Case Thickness: 12.82 millimeters
- Swiss quartz movement, 316L stainless steel case, Without dial type, Date
- Stainless steel bracelet, folding clasp with safety and diver extension closure
- Water-resistant up to a pressure of 30 bar (300 m / 1000 Feet): Suitable for short periods of recreational swimming and showering, but no diving or snorkeling.
The Tissot Seastar Casual Stainless Steel Watch lives up to its name. It’s truly a star of the open seas! The striking blue dial and angled date window at the 5 o’clock position are so cool to gawk at. Also, the stainless steel band is deceptively comfortable and form-fitting — making it a great dress watch option as well as a perfect dive watch. We also adore the anti-reflective sapphire crystal dial window and how well it holds up against dings, scratches, and the rays of the sun at their most oppressive.
Specs
Display Window Material: Anti-Reflective Sapphire
Display Type: Analog
Clasp Style: Folding Clasp with Safety and Diver Extension
Case Material: Stainless Steel
Case Thickness: 13 mm
Strap Material: Stainless Steel
Strap Width: 16 mm
Strap Color: Silver
Dial Color: Blue
Bezel Material: Stainless Steel
Movement: Swiss Quartz
Water Resistance: 300 meters
Pros
- 300 meters of water resistance and multiple screw-down safety measures? Yes, please!
- The blue dial is just gorgeous to look at.
- The diver extension is a nice touch on the clasp.
Cons
- It may be too big for some smaller wrists.
- The stainless steel band is a bit clunky for some.
2) Citizen Men’s Eco-Drive Promaster Diver Watch
- Iconic Promaster watches with advanced functions designed to venture to the deepest depths.
- 3 Hand, Date
- Silver-Tone Stainless Steel
- Luminous Hands and Markers and Anti-Reflective Mineral Crystal
- 200 Meters Water Resistant and 5 Year Limited Warranty, ISO Compliant
For the eco-friendly divers in the audience, there’s the Citizen Men’s Promaster Dive Watch. Frequent battery changes are a thing of the past thanks to Citizen’s patented Eco-Drive movement — a power sourcing that uses both quartz and solar-powered technology to fantastic effect. It features luminescent hands and hour markers, a stylized date display, and a polyurethane band that holds up under pressure. Citizen also slapped an anti-reflective coating on the mineral dial window for easy visibility underwater.
Specs
Display Window Material: Mineral
Display Type: Analog
Clasp Style: Buckle
Case Material: Stainless Steel
Case Diameter: 44 mm
Case Thickness: 12 mm
Strap Material: Polyurethane
Strap Length: Men’s Standard
Strap Width: 20 mm
Strap Color: Black
Dial Color: Black
Bezel Material: Aluminum
Movement: Eco-Drive
Water Resistance: 200 meters
Pros
- The Eco-Drive movement pulls powers from the tiniest bits of artificial and natural light.
- The luminous hour markers and hands keep their glow longer than most.
- Citizen watches are known the world over for their quality and precision.
Cons
- The polyurethane band is super strong. But, it’s not the comfiest.
- The lack of numerals for hour markers may turn some users off.
1) Seiko Men’s Analogue Automatic Watch
- Quality Japanese Automatic movement; Functions without a battery; Powers automatically with the movement of your arm
- Hardlex crystal
- Case diameter: 42 mm
- Stainless-steel case; Black dial; Date-and-day functions
- Water resistant to 660 feet (200 M): suitable for recreational scuba diving
While it looks similar to the aforementioned offering from Citizen, the Seiko Men’s Analogue Automatic Watch has some key differences which set it apart as the best dive watch under $500 right now. For one, the inclusion of a rubber strap instead of a polyurethane strap ups the comfort level considerably. It’s as soft on your skin as a silicone strap would be. This watch also has an automatic movement powered by the movement of your wrist and a powerful Hardlex crystal dial window that offers more durability than mineral window offerings. It was a close race, but Seiko won out on this one.
Specs
Display Window Material: Hardlex Crystal
Display Type: Analog
Clasp Style: Buckle
Case Material: Stainless Steel
Case Diameter: 42 mm
Case Thickness: 13 mm
Strap Material: Rubber
Strap Length: Men’s Standard
Strap Width: 26 mm
Strap Color: Black
Dial Color: Black
Bezel Material: Stainless Steel
Movement: Japanese Automatic
Water Resistance: 200 meters
Pros
- The Hardlex crystal dial window fights off scuffs and scratches.
- The rubber strap feels so feather-soft on your wrist in the water.
- The included automatic movement is high quality. What else would you expect from Seiko?
Cons
- Automatic movements require more regular maintenance than quartz movements.
- The rubber bracelet won’t last as long as a polyurethane band.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a dive watch a good everyday watch?
Yes! Great dive watches double as fantastic everyday watches. And for under $500, you can find a dive watch that appeals to the serious diver and fashion-sensible citizen alike. If you pick an affordable dive watch off our list, you’ll be privy to some key features like scratch-resistant sapphire crystal and scratch-resistant mineral crystal dial windows, 200 meters of water resistance or more, a rugged construction composed of stainless steel or another hardened material, modern watch features like a chronograph function and/or power reserve indicator, a Japanese quartz movement or similarly accurate movement, and a stylish look suited for everyday wear.
What is the best diving watch?
Our pick for the best diving watch under $500 is the Seiko Men’s Analogue Automatic Watch. It’s exactly what the watchmaker ordered for those with professional diver experience and those who simply enjoy recreational diving now and then. The screw-down crown and screw-down case back make it a perfect fit for scuba diving. And this handsome dive watch also offers a 40-hour power reserve and a wrist-powered automatic movement that puts other automatic watches to shame. Its affordable price is absolutely bonkers considering what a great watch it truly is.
Closing Thoughts
This isn’t just a compendium of affordable dive watches. Each timepiece on this countdown can stake a legitimate claim as one of the best dive watches available for sale right now. No matter what your tastes and stylistic nuances are, you’ll easily find the right dive watch for you on this list at a price you can afford.