Dive watches may have been created as a way for divers to experience their favorite hobby more safely, but the popularity of the Rolex Submariner has transformed them into some of the most popularly recognized and highly coveted styles of timepieces around. Whether you’re a professional scuba diver or someone simply searching out a nice looking watch, you’ll find something to love in the 10 timepieces we’ve spotlighted on our list.
And while there are a number of expensive dive watches around, you don’t need to spend a fortune to get a high-quality model. Keep reading to learn about the 10 best dive watches under $1000 and find answers to the questions we most commonly hear from our readers.
- The 10 Best Dive Watches Under 1000 Bucks
- Citizen BN0151-09L Promaster Professional Diver
- Garmin Descent Mk1 Scuba + Freedive Watch w/GPS
- Invicta Men’s 8928OB Pro Diver Watch
- Victorinox Swiss Army Men’s I.N.O.X. Pro Diver Watch
- Seiko Men’s Prospex Stainless Automatic Diver Watch
- Orient Men’s ‘Mako II’ Japanese Diving Watch
- Casio G-Shock Frogman Digital Dial Watch
- Pantor Sea Turtle Automatic Diver Watch
- Stuhrling Original Swiss Professional”DEPTHMASTER”
- Luminox Men’s 3001 Quartz Navy Seal Dive Watch
- Best Dive Watches Under $1000 Buyer’s Guide
- Frequently Asked Questions
The 10 Best Dive Watches Under 1000 Bucks
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Citizen BN0151-09L Promaster Professional Diver
Citizen’s Eco-Drive power system is a revelation. The ability to charge based off natural and artificial sunlight means you never have to use a battery or rely on the rotational power of your wrist to keep it running accurately. The bezel is unidirectional and the luminous indices bright making for a highly functional watch that’s more than just a fashion accessory. The face itself is protected by mineral crystal that’s also anti-reflective to reduce the risk of glare blocking your vision of the time.
| Movement | Japanese quartz |
| Material | Stainless steel/polyurethane |
| Case Diameter | 53 mm |
| Water resistance | 200 meters |
Pros
- Never requires the use of a battery
- Hands are brightly colored and luminescent
- Firm and resistant unidirectional bezel
- Maximum depth memory for diving safely
Cons
Garmin Descent Mk1 Scuba + Freedive Watch w/GPS
Garmin has really come into their own with their GPS enabled smartwatches recently, and while the Descent Mk1 might not be the most conventional of dive watches, it offers some of the best features for serious divers in the water. A dive log allows you to evaluate your performance while underwater, and the inclusion of both GPS and GLONASS satellite tracking allow you to know precisely where you are anywhere in the world.
| Movement | Digital |
| Material | Resin/silicone |
| Case Diameter | 2.01 in |
| Water resistance | 100 meters |
Pros
- Tracks your heart rate
- 1.2″ color display makes it easy to read
- Tracks a variety of different sports and exercises
- Includes compass, gyroscope, and barometric altimeter
Cons
Invicta Men’s 8928OB Pro Diver Watch
The Invicta 8928OB Pro Diver is more than just a great dive watch under $1000. It’s price tag of under $100 makes it one of the best watches for customers on a tight budget. The handsome blue dial evokes classic style, and this automatic watch has a water resistant rating of 100 meters, making it a respectable choice for snorkeling and shallow scuba diving. But the steel band means it will look great even around the office.
| Movement | Japanese quartz |
| Material | Stainless steel |
| Case Diameter | 40 mm |
| Water resistance | 100 meters |
Pros
- One of the most affordable diving +watches
- Respectable water resistance for snorkeling
- Power reserve of 38 hours
- Hands and index markers are luminous
Cons
Victorinox Swiss Army Men’s I.N.O.X. Pro Diver Watch
Victorinox has combined the universally renowned build quality of Swiss design with one of the coolest and most modern looking dive watches around. The automatic movement meets some of the most stringent manufacturing standards in the world, and the combination of an anti-reflective mineral glass surface and bright and expressive indices and hands complement the 200 meter water resistant rating well. The rubber strap feels good on your wrist. This isn’t the cheapest dive watch, but it does offer some of the most impressive value for well under $1000.
| Movement | Swiss automatic |
| Material | Titanium/rubber |
| Case Diameter | 45 mm |
| Water resistance | 200 meters |
Pros
- Meets nihs 92-11 engineering standards
- Bright hands and indices are easy to read
- Available in a variety of different styles
- Includes a date window
Cons
Seiko Men’s Prospex Stainless Automatic Diver Watch
With its boldly sharp indices and hands and lack of traditional numbering, the Seiko Prospex is one of the coolest looking automatic movement diver watches you’ll find, and it offers some strong features that make it a highly functional choice for under the water too. That aesthetically pleasing design makes this watch easy to read even in deep water, and its power reserve of 41 hours is well above average. It supports both self and automatic winding as well.
| Movement | Swiss automatic |
| Material | Stainless steel |
| Case Diameter | 43.8 mm |
| Water resistance | 200 meters |
Pros
- Rocks a 23 jewel design
- Automatic movement with 21,600 vibration per hour
- Incredibly aesthetically pleasing look
- Backed by a three year warranty
Cons
Orient Men’s ‘Mako II’ Japanese Diving Watch
The Mako II has long been regarded as one of the best diving watches you can find when operating on a budget. Less than $150 gets you a high-quality model that isn’t exactly rich in features but is highly consistent in its performance. The mineral crystal cover is sturdy and resistant to damage, and the Mako II sports a solid power reserve of about 40 hours. The unidirectional bezel offers a minute 120 click maximum for more accurate time tracking while under the waves.
| Movement | Japanese quartz |
| Material | Stainless steel |
| Case Diameter | 41 mm |
| Water resistance | 200 meters |
Pros
- An inexpensive legacy choice
- Reserve power of 40 hours
- 120 click unidirectional bezel
- Day and date window at 3 o’clock
Cons
Casio G-Shock Frogman Digital Dial Watch
Casio’s G-Shock watches are the sturdiest timepieces on the market, and the Frogman takes that quality engineering and applies it specifically to the needs of divers. This digital watch is solar powered for more reliable timekeeping and includes some cool features that prioritize practicality over good looks. This isn’t the most stylish dive watch, but the inclusion of a dive timer and dedicated data on the tide and moon cycles makes it an eminently pragmatic choice for serious divers.
| Movement | Japanese quartz |
| Material | Stainless steel/resin |
| Case Diameter | 45 mm |
| Water resistance | 200 meters |
Pros
- Impervious to practically any damage
- Very precise atomic timekeeping
- Tracks the tide and moon cycles
- Reliably solar powered
Cons
Pantor Sea Turtle Automatic Diver Watch
With its simple black dial and white indices and hands, the Pantor Sea Turtle radiates a sense of understated and classical coolness. But it also packs some nice functions into its minimalist frame. That includes a reliable Japanese automatic movement and an automatic helium valve for safer functionality while under the waves. The face is protected by class leading sapphire mineral glass, and these diving watches come with both a leather and a rubber strap to suit your needs on the street and while diving.
| Movement | Japanese automatic |
| Material | Stainless steel/rubber and leather |
| Case Diameter | 45 mm |
| Water resistance | 500 meters |
Pros
- The most water resistant watch around
- 21,600 vibrations per hour movement
- Protected by top class sapphire crystal
- Truly timeless aesthetic
Cons
Stuhrling Original Swiss Professional”DEPTHMASTER”
Stuhrling has produced a diving watch that screams tradition, but that’s certainly not a bad thing. Inspired by the Rolex Submariner design, this automatic movement diving watch is a good choice for both the streets and for diving. The self winding movement ensures that you never have to worry about a battery, The rubber gaskets and screw down crown are more than capable of serving your needs even at depths appropriate for scuba diving. Sturhling will even automatically adjust the band size to suit your wrist.
| Movement | Swiss automatic |
| Material | Stainless steel |
| Case Diameter | 42 mm |
| Water resistance | 200 meters |
Pros
- Date window at 3 o’clock
- Beveled bracelet with great sense of depth
- 36 hours of reserve power
- Highly effective protective safety enclosure
Cons
Luminox Men’s 3001 Quartz Navy Seal Dive Watch
As the name might suggest, the Luminox is a highly luminescent diving watch that’s easy to read regardless of the situation you find yourself in. Built with the needs of Navy SEALs in mind, it prioritizes durability and functionality over good looks, and that makes it one of the most impressive budget choices for serious divers. The crown and gaskets are highly durable for better performance in deeper waters, and the numbers on both the bezel and the watch face are clear and well defined.
| Movement | Japanese quartz |
| Material | Reinforced polyurethane |
| Case Diameter | 43 mm |
| Water resistance | 200 meters |
Pros
- Tough carbon reinforced case design
- Buckle is highly secured but comfortable
- Protected by durable mineral crystal
- Bright and expressive hands and indices
Cons
Best Dive Watches Under $1000 Buyer’s Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Best Watch for 1000 Dollars?
If you’re willing to invest a full thousand dollars on a diving watch, we recommend the Garmin Descent Mk1. Its unconventional design actually makes it one of the top choices around because it packs in a whole lot of smartwatch features that are catered to the needs of serious divers.
What Are the Best Diving Watches?
Each of the 10 diving watches on our list are some of the best choices around, but there are some features you shold keep in mind if you’re trying to evaluate the quality of a diving watch. These include a unidirectional bezel, a water resistant rating of at least 100 meters (with 200 or 300 meters being preferable), and bright hands and indices for easy reading while underwater.
Are Seiko Dive Watches Good?
Seiko offers some of the top diving watches around, particularly if you’re operating on a tight budget. If you’re interested in Seiko models specifically, feel free to check out our guide to the best Seiko dive watches in 2022.
Final Thoughts
There are a lot of great diving watches available on the market today, and $1000 gives you a lot of leverage to find something great. We’re confident that these represent the top choices around, but if you’re looking for more options, we suggest you check out our guide to the best all around dive watches in 2022.
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