These 7 Best Dive Watches Under $500 Will Shock You
I know you might be thinking that dive watches are expensive. If you are looking for a Divers watch under $500. The good news is: not all dive watches are expensive.
Dive watches are without a doubt the most adaptable watches ever made. They are strong, and you won’t have any trouble wearing them with a t-shirt or a suit.
Consider the following options. If you’re looking for the best divers watch under $500. My friends, you’ve come to the right place.
1. Orient Kamasu
Price Range: $200 – $300, Case Dimensions: 41.5mm x 47mm x 13mm, Lug Width: 22mm, Movement: Orient F6992 (automatic movement), Crystal: Sapphire, Power Reserve: 40 hours
The Orient Kamasu is one of those watches that you wish for. You are in for a treat if you are familiar with the excellent Orient Ray II. This one is even better.
You no longer have to worry about scratching it. A brand-new handset that gives this watch a lot more character.
A metal restoration gives the dial much more depth, with the signature sunburst finish found on all Orient Kamasu models—black, blue, green, and the black PVD case with a gold bezel.
Hence, this makes the Kamasu an ideal dressy diver watch.
From my point of view, a dressy diver is the most adaptable watch you can own. It looks just as good in the boardroom as it does at the beach, and the Orient Kamasu pulls this off effortlessly.
Besides performing this dual role perfectly, the Orient Kamasu is also available at a fair price, which adds to its appeal.
It retains all the great features of the Ray II, including a small lug-to-lug distance, hacking, and hand-winding movement.
On top of that, you get 200 meters of water resistance, a screw-down crown, and an excellent overall design that truly adds to its style.
Pros:
Durable sapphire crystal
Smooth bezel & strong lume
In-house automatic movement
Small-wrist-friendly
Cons:
- Small crown is difficult to grip
2. Citizen BN0190-07E
When I think of value for money, immediately two brands come to mind: Citizen and Casio.
Everything you know about divers watch under $500 is wrong about Citizen BN0190. It is a very good diver watch.
Dial
It has a super sunburst dial. The dial is complemented to perfection by the simple yet bold handset.
An Eco-Drive movement that is always ticking. It recharges with indoor or outdoor light. This Citizen watch has an ISO 6425 certification.
Movement
ISO 6425 identifies the least requirements that must be met by any watch. Watches that are made to withstand diving in water at least 100 meters deep.
This watch has Eco-Drive movement that is ISO 6425 certified.”
What is ISO 6425? “
ISO 6425 identifies the basic requirements that must be met by any watch. Watches that are made to withstand diving in water at least 100 meters deep.
Water Resistance
This diver watch has a 200 m water resistance. That means you can also wear this diver watch for scuba diving.
Appearance
The simplicity of this watch makes it my favorite. It’s all about presenting a rough yet elegant appearance at the same time.
Case
The Citizen BN0190-07E would have been a great option for smaller wrists. So I wish it was smaller than 45 mm. But a case of 45mm is suitable for large wrists.
Strap
Fortunately, the watch is light. Thanks to the rubber band and has a small lug-to-lug distance. This makes it suitable for everyday wear considering its size.
Cons:
Too big for smaller wrists. The watch is made of mineral crystal. This makes it hard to polish. As the glass is mineral crystal, it is easy to get scratched on your watch.
3. Seiko Padi Turtle SRPA21
Take a Seiko dive watch that has a turtle case and is water resistant to 200 m.
When you add the PADI name, you’ll have a new favorite watch right away. This watch can’t be missed. This one is not designed to blend in.
What with the blue and red color scheme and blue sunburst dial?
Movement
This watch has a hacking and hand-winding movement. Something the Seiko SKX lacked. The seikoPadi has a unique design and a lot of wrist presence.
This diver watch shares the same bezel insert design and handset as the Seiko SKX.
It is an excellent alternative to Seiko SKX. This watch is ISO 6425 certified. You can dive with this watch without worrying about water getting in.
Glass Material
Although the Hardlex crystal isn’t the best available. It is superior to mineral crystals. Is proved by the fact that I have never seen it scratched by one.
Appearance
Even though the case appears to be large. The contained lug-to-lug distance still makes it a useful option. It is suitable for smaller wrists.
There are a lot of other color options if you don’t like this one. Then you name it and Seiko has it, black, gray, blue, with gold accents.
You’ll likely find the one that appeals to you.
Cons of Citizen BN0190-07E:
Hardlex crystal. Because hardlex crystal is normally less resistant to scratching than sapphire crystal.
You won’t be able to apply the same amount of force to it without scratching it.
4. Victorinox I.N.O.X. Professional Diver
I could go on and on about this watch’s bold appearance. But it’s not just about looks.
This Victorinox I.N.O.X. receives a lot of admiration from watch enthusiasts. Though probably not enough. It is currently one of the best divers under $500.
Features of Victorinox I.N.O.X. Professional Diver:
An anti-magnetic case. A sapphire crystal with 200 meters of water resistance. It has an ISO 6425 certification.
Clasp
A clasp with a dive extension. Yes, you can wear this thing every day, no matter what you do. Of course, diving as well. It won’t be a problem.
Movement
This diver watch has Swiss quartz movement. Its movements ensure that it is always accurate and on time.
Such interesting features make it an excellent grab-and-go watch.
Case
It is only appropriate for medium and large wrists (up to 7 inches) at 45 mm. But this is one hell of a watch if you don’t mind the size.
5. Certina DS Action Precidrive
Certina is an underdog watch. They are my favorite Swiss watch manufacturer. It has a sapphire crystal and is ISO 6425 certified.
Despite being unclear, the brand and its models are very cost-effective.
Features of the Certina DS Action Precidrive:
Movement
An automatic movement is available on the DS Action, but it costs more.
This one has a Precidrive movement. Which is a Swiss quartz movement that, yes, is very accurate. But this piece isn’t just about the movement;
Bracelet
It may not seem like much, but the bracelet is a big deal for dive watches.
Water Resistance
Certina DS Action Precidrive has 300 meters of water resistance. It is more than the majority of the watches on this list.
Glass Material
It also has a sapphire crystal. This glass prevents scratches when something hits the glass. This one is built very well.
Clasp
It has solid end links, which is obvious. But the magic happens in the clasp. It has a dive add-on. Certina DS is entirely machined rather than simply pressed.
Dial
The dial and hands have a clean, understated appearance. This makes it a watch that you can wear almost every time.
Hence, it is made to dive despite the lack of ISO 6425 certification.
Cons of Certina DS Action Precidrive:
The certina DS Acton precidrive has only one problem. I feel the handset is ordinary and the marker design is average.
6. Tissot Seastar
I don’t know about you. But whenever I think of Tissot. I often think of dressy watches as well as everyday watches.
Still, the watch’s build quality is excellent. The accurate movement is inside a sapphire crystal. Not diving gear!
Yet, this does not prevent the brand from producing an excellent dive watch.
Design & Features
The watch uses a sapphire crystal, one of the best materials for protecting against scratches. Inside, it features a Powermatic 80 movement, which is one of the best modified versions of the ETA 2824-2 movement available today. This is a design too beautiful to ignore.
Water resistance
The Tissot Seastar has 300 meters of water resistance, more than enough for swimming or diving. You don’t have to worry about the water depth before taking it in.
Case
With a 43mm diameter, this watch suits larger wrists comfortably. The sunburst dial adds elegance, and the ceramic bezel beautifully reflects light. Overall, the Seastar leans toward a more dressy, even slightly shiny, style.
Clasp
The clasp isn’t the best in its class, and the lume could be stronger for a dive watch. Still, it’s a great option if you want something versatile. Despite a mostly monochrome color scheme, it plays with light brilliantly, adding a playful touch to a sophisticated watch.
Pros:
Powermatic 80 movement, highly accurate and reliable
Great for swimming and diving
Large 43mm case suitable for bigger wrists
Cons:
Clasp isn’t the strongest in its class
Lume could be brighter for diving purposes
Slightly dressy look may not appeal to those wanting a purely rugged dive watch
7. Glycine Combat Sub
Price: $400 – $600, Movement: Quartz, Display: Automatic, Case Diameter: 45mm, Band Material: Rubber, Stainless Steel, Leather, Band Width: 21mm, Water Resistance: 200 Meter
Finding a good diver under $500 can be tough, but the Glycine Combat Sub deserves serious consideration. Most standard stainless steel case models with black dials cost at least $650, but Glycine offers more affordable options, especially with its striking color schemes featuring rose gold accents and black PVD cases.
This isn’t just a dive watch, it’s a refined take on the traditional design, and it stands out. Whatever the case, you won’t be able to ignore this watch.
Bezel
The root beer bezel insert gives this watch its nickname, the “Golden Eye.” It perfectly complements the gold accents on the minute track, hands, bezel, and crown.
Glass Material
The watch features a sapphire crystal with three layers of anti-reflective coating. This is one of the best glasses you will find at this price point and scratches are not something you need to worry about.
Movement
Powered by a GL224 automatic movement based on the reliable ETA 2824-2 this watch balances precision with dependability.
Design
The curved lugs allow the watch to conform better to the wearer’s wrist making it exceptionally comfortable. Despite its 42mm case it wears well even on smaller wrists because it has a lug-to-lug distance under 50mm and a slim 11mm thickness.
Overall you get a unique Swiss-made dive watch for under $500 from a well-known but often underappreciated brand.
Pros:
Affordable Swiss-made dive watch under $500
Suitable for smaller wrists with lug-to-lug under 50mm
Water resistant up to 200 meters, perfect for casual diving
Cons
- The clasp on the Glycine Combat Sub may wear or peel over time and could require some care.
Conclusion of divers watch under $500
If you are interested in a divers watch under $500. I hope that this article has helped you. The watch company which also produces diver’s watch are progressing.
They are being very experimental with the watch design and functions.
So we hope that you’ve found your ideal divers watch under $500.
