Author: Nina S

Some years ago, the idea of wearing a finely crafted luxury timepiece when diving or swimming was practically unheard of and a risk that very few would dare to take. Watches have never been cheap, and the thought of damaging a beloved timepiece whilst underwater would have been too much for even the wealthiest of collectors, given their meticulous design and the hours of painstaking craftsmanship involved in making one.

As the years have gone on, water resistance in watches has improved significantly. Today’s best watches for swimming are more than just water-resistant watches. They blend the art of watchmaking with state-of-the-art engineering. Plus, if you pay a decent price for one, it’s likely to be a watch you’ll want to wear for boardroom meetings, catching flights, family celebrations, and everything in between.

The swimming watches we’ve rounded up in this guide vary from sporty dive tools to more elegant-looking timepieces. Most designs, however, have the class and style to transition from something casual and playful in the day to something more sophisticated by the evening. Check out these top picks our team here at Exquisite Timepieces has curated for keen swimmers and those who regularly partake in water sports. 

Garmin MARQ Athlete Gen 2

This wouldn’t be a guide to the best watches for swimming without mentioning a smartwatch first and foremost. Not a watch in the traditional sense, but if you didn’t want the restriction of a sports-specific smartwatch that’s exclusive to swimming endeavours, you’ll be pleasantly surprised at the package offered by the Garmin MARQ Athlete Gen 2 watch.

Even though it’s not tailored solely for swimming, its features for underwater activities are perfectly balanced with everyday health and fitness metrics, enabling you to keep on track of your daily goals and stats hour by hour, all without missing out on special swim-specific features. The Garmin MARQ Athlete Gen 2 smartwatch has a water-resistant rating of 100 meters, so it’s more than capable of handling surface swimming whilst on vacation.

Whether you’re doing laps around a pool or taking part in a spot of water sports on your holiday, this watch is developed for surface swimming, even though you won’t be able to delve deep underwater with it. The Garmin MARQ Athlete Gen 2 has pre-loaded swimming profiles that you can make good use of, whether you’re swimming indoors or enjoying the elements. If you’re swimming in a leisure centre pool, for example, you can input your pool size, so that you can accurately track your distance and count your completed lengths as you go. It can also track rest periods and intervals. For open water swimming, you can use Garmin’s built-in GPS technology to track your distance. This is a convenient feature if you’re swimming in a large body of water like a river or lake.

To assist with these features, the Garmin MARQ Athlete Gen 2 makes for a great watch to swim with because it also provides you with a wealth of data that assists with your distance tracking, such as your SWOLF score, which measures your swimming efficiency, and your heart rate, and can track these stats while in the water itself. In addition to this, it comes complete with a suite of additional health and wellness apps that track stress, calories, and sleep, etc, not to mention several sports apps for those who like to fill their lifestyle with a multitude of activities and sports. To top it off, the MAQRQ Athlete Gen 2 is also forged from high-grade materials for resisting the outdoor elements, such as a lightweight titanium case and a tough, scratch-resistant glass front. 

Blancpain Fifty Fathoms 5015 12B40 NAOA

Forget owning a watch that’s good for swimming and nothing else; the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms watch is arguably one of the most historically significant dive watches in the industry, so it has stacks of collectability and appeal. In fact, I would go as far as to say it once set a very important benchmark for dive watches to follow, epitomising what a modern dive tool should be, thanks to its unidirectional bezel developed to keep divers safe.

The Fifty Fathoms watch was born out of a real, genuine need for reliability and water resistance. Commissioned by the French Combat Diving Corps during the 1950s, the watch was a collaborative effort with Blancpain and could effectively withstand the rigors of military life, eventually garnering the respect it deserved for its use as a professional instrument, not just a fashion accessory. 

Today, the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms watch comes in a myriad of different styles and dial colours. The ref. 5015 12B40 NAOA carries some of the features that were added as an update in 2007 and 2008, including a date feature between 4 and 5 o’clock. Its case is crafted from sun-brushed and polished titanium for a lightweight finish on the wrist, while its deep and alluring blue dial colour captures the rich blue colour of the ocean.

Its large 45mm diameter gives it plenty of wrist presence, yet somehow, it doesn’t appear weighty and clunky like so many dive watches do. This blue Blancpain Fifty Fathoms watch could easily accompany a smart shirt and jacket for occasions where you might need to attend a more sophisticated event. Yet, there is no need to change the watch over during your daily pursuits either. The watch is equipped with a water-resistant rating of 300 meters, making it perfect for sports, swimming, and day-to-day eventualities.

Additional features of the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms watch include a scratch-proof domed sapphire insert, an in-house movement with a five-day power reserve, and an exhibition caseback to view the movement and its many beautifully finished facets.

DOXA SUB 200 Divingstar 796.10.361.31

We couldn’t create a guide to the best watches you can swim with without including a model from DOXA. This brand specialises in dive watches and offers a vibrant array of colourful dials, bezels, and watch straps that look incredibly sporty.

DOXA embarked on a mission to create the ultimate underwater tool back in the 1960s, soaring to success with its distinctive orange dial that became a recognisable signature of the brand. Legendary oceanographer and explorer Jacques Cousteau forged a powerful connection with this brand, wearing DOXA watches on his wrist during his team’s important history-making expeditions.

Today, DOXA watches are recognised for their cushion-shaped cases, their beads-of-rice bracelets and their innate ability to look incredibly cool over the top of a dive suit. The DOXA SUB 200 Divingstar 796.10.361.31 isn’t overly adventurous with its water-resistant capability. It offers a suitable 200M water resistance, which is more than enough for a spot of swimming or recreational water sports. It features a vibrant yellow dial that DOXA names the Divingstar and a quick-drying rubber band in the same colour – an alternative to DOXA’s retro mesh-style steel bracelet, which looks equally as eye-catching but slightly dressier.

The watch embraces a modern expression of the archetypal retro dive watch and features a unidirectional rotating bezel in brushed steel. Although it preserves the heritage of the brand’s success in creating expert dive watches, this model is visually slimmer and more refined. It features a 42.5mm steel case, a sapphire box front, and modernises the watch’s brilliance and lightness with legible Super-LumiNova-coated indexes and hands.

Whether you plan to wear this watch in the city on weekends or utilise it during your everyday active life, the DOXA SUB 200 is going to garner the attention that any bold, disruptive dive watch should.

Seiko Prospex SPB383 1968 Diver’s Modern Reinterpretation GMT

Seiko is an expert at manufacturing dive watches. Its Prospex line is where you’ll find examples of professional-grade tool watch engineering and an unmistakable style that became a global phenomenon. The Seiko Prospex SPB383 seems to sum up everything important and special about the Prospex line, plus more, since it comes with a handy GMT function for those who like to combine water-based recreation with travel.

Dive watches from the Prospex line all adhere to the stringent ISO 6425 standards, delivering on legibility, water resistance, and anti-magnetism, along with other features. What this guarantees is a watch that is legible, reliable, and accurate, but at an affordable price point.

The Seiko Prospex SPB383 is a contemporary reinterpretation of the iconic 1968 Seiko diver’s watch, which made history and marked a significant leap forward for Seiko’s design language and capability in the realm of crafting dive watches. It is fitted with a Hi-Beat movement that operates at a high frequency of 36,000 vibrations per hour (10 beats per second) and 300 meters of water resistance.

Its distinct design language includes a large, rugged case, a signature 4 o’clock crown, chunky luminous hands across its rich black dial, and a knurled unidirectional bezel attached to its sturdy steel case – all of which were present in the original ref. 6159-7001 that it takes inspiration from, which ran only for a short production time during the 1960s. Today, this Seiko Prospex watch is cool and stylish enough to wear daily, but it certainly won’t let you down if your aquatic curiosity gets the better of you.

Casio G-Shock 2100 Series GM2110D-2A

If you’re torn between the retro appeal of a digital Casio watch but want the classic look of an analogue watch, the Casio G-Shock 2100 Series GM2110D-2A is an excellent option. Based on the wildly popular GA-2100 “Casio Oak”, its ice blue dial is stunning, accentuated by an octagonal-shaped bezel that gives the watch a subtle Royal Oak look. Make no mistake, this watch carries all the robust anti-shock and impact-resistant features you would expect of any G-Shock watch, but it’s also great for taking into the water and looks super cool, too.

With a 200-meter water resistance, this Casio G-Shock watch from the 2100 Series features a steel bezel, which gives it a more substantial and sophisticated appeal compared to the all-resin G-Shocks. What’s more, it’s suitable for a wide range of occasions. It combines analogue hands with a digital display, not to mention a world time function, a timer, a stopwatch, and multiple alarms.

Despite featuring a steel bezel, this watch still comprises a case made from a glass fibre-reinforced resin, so it has the same feel and weight as a traditional G-Shock when worn on the wrist. Modern and sophisticated in style, the Casio G-Shock 2100 Series GM2110D-2A is perfect for those looking to keep to a budget, making it an ideal choice for everyday life and active pursuits, including those that incorporate lots of swimming.

Omega Seamaster Diver 300M

If you’re looking to push the boat out entirely and want a watch that screams luxury but can also hold its own in water, the Omega Seamaster Diver 300M is a titanium and bronze masterpiece that looks incredibly cool on the wrist, whether you’re pairing it with swimming trunks or a tux.

Since 1993, the Seamaster 300M has been enjoying a legendary following. Some watches from this range not only made it onto the wrist of Mr Cool himself (James Bond) but have become a symbol of adventure, debonair style, and suave style ever since.

This Omega Seamaster 300M Diver features a stunning green anodised aluminium bezel ring that matches the dial, giving the watch a strong dose of nostalgia and retro charm, not to mention vintage Super-LumiNova details to pair with bronze golden hands and blackened indexes. Indeed, this is not just a watch for the recreational swimmer, but also someone who adores the look of the classic dive watch.

Omega equips this watch with a stylish mesh-type metal bracelet for added vintage character and equips the watch with one of its Master Co-Axial movements. The Calibre 8806 is a tried and tested movement that is used throughout the manufacturer’s catalogue, providing 55 hours of power reserve and boasting beautiful finishes, such as a rhodium-plated rotor and bridges that are put on display through a sapphire exhibition caseback.

The Omega Seamaster 300M Diver is proof that you can look good at 300 meters deep without compromising on performance or quality. This is a faultless design, crafted from some of the industry’s best materials. The bronze elements in its design not only add to the Seamaster’s vintage-esque look but also serve a practical purpose, since bronze is a particularly hardy and saltwater-resistant material to use for underwater instruments.

Favre Leuba Deep Raider Renaissance 

Favre Lueba has always been about pushing boundaries. It’s the watch brand associated with feats like the first mechanical watch to feature an aneroid barometer and the first mechanical watch fitted with a depth gauge (the Bathy). 

One look at the Deep Raider Renaissance and it’s clear to see that it takes strong inspirational cues from the brand’s 1964 Deep Blue dive watch, but is shrouded in rich emerald green colours for this model. This faithful revival is geared towards a modern audience with its slightly larger 40mm steel case and green fume dial with a smoked finish around the periphery. As well as affording the watch a sense of visual depth, it adds a tasteful touch of colour to your everyday attire and features a green ceramic insert on the bezel that will resist scratches and knocks incurred as part of daily life.

The Favre Leuba Deep Raider has a 300-meter water-resistant case that’s going to keep its high-end movement well protected underwater. The Calibre FLD02 is an automatic engine that is based on the La Joux Perret G100 Calibre – a movement with an astounding reputation and a flawless track record for delivering precision alongside a useful 68-hour power reserve.

The Deep Raider Renaissance is a compelling choice for any keen swimmer. Its ability to blend vintage charm with pure purpose underwater is special in itself. Still, with a vibrant and modern aesthetic that fits right into place on the wrist of the young collector, it has to be one of the best value propositions for inexperienced and beginner collectors right now.

TUDOR Black Bay 68

We couldn’t complete this guide to the best swimming watches without mentioning a watch from the TUDOR Black Bay range. The iconic model is loved the world over for its distinctive neo-vintage aesthetics and its ability to look cool and stylish on the wrist, whether you take to water with it or not. If you’re a keen swimmer, however, you’ll be wanting to use the watch for the underwater tool that it is. 

TUDOR experts equip models like the newly released Black Bay 68 with 200-meter water resistance, but house these water-ready features inside a slightly larger case size than the rest of the range. This model is a beefy 43mm model for those looking for a little extra wrist presence. It still features the emblematic snowflake hands, paying homage to the year 1968 when TUDOR experts originally designed them. 

The TUDOR Black Bay 68 also features the “TUDOR Blue” dial colour and demands industry standard accuracy in the form of its Calibre MT5601-U – a METAS-certified engine tested by the Federal Institute of Metrology. With a 70-hour power reserve, magnetic field resistance, and a strong steel bracelet for facing the elements whilst underwater, the Black Bay 68 was born to swim.

Conclusion

Whether you’re tracking your laps around a lake with unerring accuracy or taking a quick dip in the pool on vacation, water resistance is a feature you’re going to want to make top priority. The models we’ve shown you in this guide prove that true luxury isn’t about being untouchable, but about being ready for anything and offering the best materials for this very purpose. These models are all suitable for swimming and beyond, with superior water-resistant qualities, robust cases, and impeccable movements that all come together in a perfect balance to guarantee uncompromised accuracy and reliability.

These options are all at home underwater but perfectly suitable for wearing on dry land too, whether you plan to wear your swim watch each weekend or make it a part of your daily life. 

Many have managed to eradicate the word “office” from their working life after COVID. But for those who still have to attend boring morning hubs, the dreaded performance reviews, and monthly meetings, there is still a need to make co-workers envious of the watch you wear on your wrist. The second most important thing, of course, is that it needs to be practical and stylish.

Don’t get me wrong, you don’t want your work watch to make your colleagues feel too intimidated to even speak to you or ask you to join them for drinks at the bar later. Moreover, you want a watch that’s going to convey authority and status, so much so that they won’t yawn when you’re delivering a presentation, or get their phone out under the table when you have the floor and want to come forward with a new business idea.

Indeed, a watch can sometimes communicate what you struggle to convey in your everyday life. They can be worn as an extension of your personality. Basically, a good watch will set the tenor for how your colleagues see you in and outside of work, so finding the perfect work watch is more important than you think.

What Should You Look for in a Watch for Work?

Of course, watches come in all shapes and sizes and serve different purposes depending on your needs in a timepiece and your line of work. But for the purpose of this guide, we’ll keep things simple and look at the popular office watch.

The office watch category is a fairly broad one, since these models tend to sit under the “dress watch” umbrella. A good office watch should be void of any unnecessary clutter and should be elegant. Its dial should be easy to read and direct, just like the demeanour you want to convey in and around your working environment. Indeed, you want to show your colleagues you know what you’re talking about when it comes to a quality timepiece.

Pared back and straightforward is the way to go with this kind of work watch. The classier the timepiece, the longer you’ll want to wear it and the harder you’ll fall for it. Office work can be quite a solitary endeavour, and you’ll be spending a lot of time with your watch. Really, the most important person to impress first and foremost is yourself. You’ll find yourself glancing at your timepiece for more reasons than just reading the time. You’ll want to admire it for its craftsmanship and finishing, and generally enjoy it as part of your EDC (everyday carry).

A classic and elegant office watch will garner a fan club in no time. You want a watch that’s going to do the talking for you. Your watch should reinforce the reason for the pay rise you need or the long-awaited promotion. Above all, it needs to tell your work family you have excellent taste in luxury timepieces.

To summarise, there are several factors to consider before purchasing your ultimate work watch. You need to think about your work attire, such as whether to opt for a leather strap or a bracelet. You also need to think about case materials and what other metals you wear with your daily work attire. Lastly, any additional complications to a three-handed watch should be carefully considered and shouldn’t hinder the simplicity and practicality of a straightforward office tool.

Should you need some inspiration, take a look at this selection of office watches we’ve chosen in this guide. They cover various prices, styles, materials, and dial colours, so there’s a little something for everyone.

Junghans Max Bill

An office watch is always going to be different from your weekender watch. The bottom rule for finding a good office watch, however, is to dress to impress without being too flashy. No watch adheres to this brief better than a Max Bill watch from Junghans. These watches are wearable forms of art, embodying the clean, understated simplicity of the Bauhaus movement. This elegant typography whispers rather than shouts, avoiding any flashiness and ostentatiousness. This Junghans Max Bill watch is a statement of sophistication and has remained visually unchanged since its inception in the 1960s.

Wearing a Junghans Max Bill watch for the office is about valuing and appreciating the appeal of German craftsmanship. This model is perfect for pairing with tan leather shoes in the office, since it features a light brown leather strap to complement its silver dial.

The details on this Max Bill dial are simple and discreet. The double-digit markers on the outer scale depict five-minute intervals on the minute track, while the hours lie on an inner scale. The central second hand is needle-fine and complements a set of slim hour and minute hands, all of which are protected under a lens of sapphire crystal.

Keeping the cost of the watch down, this Max Bill watch is powered by a quartz movement and sits inside a 50-meter water-resistant steel case measuring a diameter of 38mm – a compact size for those with smaller wrists.

Nomos Club Sport Neomatik Worldtimer

The latest Club Sport Neomatik watches released by Nomos sport some really unusual colour combinations, but the office calls for something altogether more subdued and disciplined. The ref 791 has a silver brushed dial that makes pairing it with work attire super easy, yet the odd splash of colour doesn’t hurt either. The model features blue and red accents on the 24-hour sub-dial at 3 o’clock to differentiate day and night hours, while a deep blue city disc enables the easy tracking of time wherever you are in the world. Indeed, this is the ultimate work watch for those who often travel for business.

The Nomos Glashutte Club Sport Neomatik Worldtimer watch measures a Goldilocks size of 40mm and comes fitted on an integrated steel bracelet that can handle any activity. With an ergonomically developed push piece at 2 o’clock for adjusting the time zones, you can always be sure to keep aligned with family life back home, choosing the perfect time to call home and speak to the children before bedtime. When doing so, you’re treated to superb nighttime legibility, thanks to generously inlaid blue-emission Super-LumiNova on the Arabic numerals to denote the hours.

Above all, what makes this Nomos watch so perfect for taking you from the office to the airport is its slim profile, even though it houses a quality automatic movement inside. Sitting at only 9.9mm in height, it slips under the sleeve of a shirt perfectly.

Longines Spirit

To those who aren’t part of the watch-collecting sphere, a watch is just a watch. But to someone who appreciates fine watches, subtle beauty, and quiet luxury are wonderful things. The Longines Spirit is the exact reason why watches for the office are still such a necessity today.

This Longines Spirit watch oozes understated pilot watch “cool”, yet it still looks simple and stylish enough to wear with a casual jeans and jumper ensemble on the weekend or some relaxed-smart office clothing. It’s also one of the most affordable watches for the office on this list. It looks almost Terra Nova-like, though the Longines Spirit was reaching heights of success several years before the birth of Bremont’s popular field watch.

The Longines Spirit watch is crafted from lightweight titanium. It boasts soft lines and smooth, flowing curves that align nicely with the Arabic numerals in the hour track, coated in a Super-LumiNova material, which is beige in colour to give it an aged patina. The second hand is tipped in a vibrant red colour, giving the Spirit watch a sporty vibe.

If you’re looking for a watch that you don’t have to wear in the office exclusively, the Longines Spirit watch is perfect. The five stars above the 6 o’clock location on the model’s matte black dial represent the chronometer status of the fitted Calibre L888.4 fitted within. The engine beats at 25,200 vibrations per hour and delivers a power reserve of 72 hours for those occasions where you may want to alternate the watch with something more refined for evening wear, or sportier for the weekend.

Breguet Classique 5177 Grand Feu Blue Enamel

If you’re meeting people for the very first time, I can’t think of a watch that gives a better first impression than the Breguet Classique. And yes, the proof is in the name. This really is a classic watch through and through.

It’s more than at home in a professional setting, paying homage to the neoclassical tones that Abraham-Louis Breguet once favoured. This Classique watch has a clean and legible dial with delicate Arabic numeral hour markers in the traditional Breguet font and, of course, the distinctive Breguet handset. These features, along with the date feature at 3 o’clock, are all dressed against a deep blue dial framed by a slim bezel.

A sapphire caseback exposes the delicate finishes and traditional decoration of an in-house movement designed and constructed by the skilled hands of a Breguet artisan. Capturing the enviable heritage of Breguet, the Classique 5177 watch features a Grand Feu enamel dial – a high-grade fired display that incorporates ceramic on the metal base before any enamel is even applied. The result is a glossy glass-like pool of blue upon which the hands and indexes can take centre stage.

Inside this elegant 38mm office watch crafted from 18ct white gold, complete with fluted caseband, is the Calibre 777Q movement with côtes de Genève, perlage, bevelling and mirror-polished screws, all on display. Even the bridges are gilded, offering a stunning glimpse into Breguet’s most painstaking processes. The watch is finished on a deep blue alligator leather strap to match the tone of the dial and secures to the wrist with a white gold folding deployant buckle.

Czapek Antarctique Flying Diamonds 40.5

Ideally, when searching for the best watch for work, you want a timepiece that’s going to keep you entertained for 9 or 10 hours of the day. Not because it’s digitally programmed with tons of touchscreen technology and apps, but because it’s a traditional instrument that looks so good and classic on the wrist. Czapek continues to be the connoisseur’s pick for these very reasons.

These are not cheap watches by any stretch of the imagination, but what they represent is complete, unadulterated quality through and through. The dial of the Czapek Antarctique Flying Diamond is super special, featuring a glossy aventurine glass dial that evokes the cosmos within its surface. Almost galactic and with a subtly futuristic edge, this watch has layers and layers of depth to get lost in.

Though sporty in architecture (the watch features a tapering tonneau stainless steel case and robust C-link stainless steel bracelet), it’s most definitely a watch for wearing to more formal occasions, so if your work wardrobe includes a full office suit, this is a superb choice.

Czapek has worked with specialists at GT Cadrans to create the tapering diamond indices that add light and brilliance to this dial. Each one is able to interact with the light in a unique way, begging light to enter their crisply carved facets for an exceptional play on light and texture. The baguette-cut diamonds amount to 0.585ct and sit on the inside of a polished bezel. Even if you aren’t usually a fan of iced-out watches, you can undoubtedly appreciate Czapek’s subtle approach to panache and splendour in this watch.

The Antarctique Flying Diamonds watch is also 40.5mm in size, 120-meter water resistant, and features a micro-adjustment system that lets you open the first link for added comfort.

H. Moser & Cie Pioneer Centre Seconds Cosmic Green

Dress for success, always. And do it with a watch from a brand like Moser & Cie. This independent, family-run watch manufacturer is a special jewel in the treasure trove of luxury watch brands on the market, since it focuses solely on in-house manufacturing and technical ingenuity.

H. Moser & Cie designs and produces all its own movements, even the more complex mechanisms like the hairsprings, applying its own hand finishes and traditional techniques to its movements as decoration. The brand is also known for its concept watches, some of which exercise radical minimalism, featuring no logos, indices, or markings. This H. Moser & Cie watch, however, is perfect for slipping under the cuff of a smart office shirt and jacket.

Its captivating green fume dial is a unique blend of modern and classic. Leaf-shaped hands glide over the surface of the transitioning shades of the dial, while faceted indexes sit against the display’s lacquered surface, treated with luminous material.

 The Moser & Cie Pioneer Center Seconds Cosmic Green watch was designed to impress. Its rubber strap is an unusual choice for a dress watch, but that’s the whole point. This is not just a dress watch. This 120-meter water-resistant Pioneer watch is an all-terrain companion that can handle the rigors of daily life with its rugged steel case and sapphire crystal front.

For added allure and interest, this Moser & Cie watch is adorned with a skeletonised oscillating weight that reveals itself through an open-heart detail on the dial, serving as a constant reminder that the beauty of the Pioneer watch is more than surface deep.

Grand Seiko SBGA415 “Taisetsu”

Hand-crafted dials are the soul of a Grand Seiko watch. Each timepiece tells a story, making them much more than a timekeeping instrument and perfect as a talking point in the office. Each dial undergoes a series of meticulous steps to achieve its unique finish, like this Grand Seiko SBGA415 “Taisetsu”.

“Taisetsu” refers to Japan’s 24 Sekki, meaning seasons, and is executed in a subtle shade of grey to mimic the feeling of freshly fallen snow that blankets the landscape surrounding Grand Seiko’s workshops, where each innovation comes to life. Light travels over the surface of this dial uniquely, interacting with pockets of texture and shadow, while underneath the display is a hybrid movement.

The Calibre 9R65 is a Spring Drive movement, the brand’s most technically impressive movement ever. It combines the best of both worlds – the accuracy of the quartz and the mechanical complexity of an automatic, providing power to the watch with an astonishing accuracy of +1 second per day. The beautiful Grand Seiko SBGA415 “Taisetsu” has a power reserve indicator between 7 and 8 o’clock, a blue-coated seconds hand, and a date window at 3 o’clock, not to mention superior Zaratsu polishing on its lightweight titanium case.

In essence, a Grand Seiko doesn’t rely on flashiness; it captivates with its meticulous hand-applied techniques, connecting to nature with its unmatched level of finishing and appealing price point. A perfect watch for smart work attire.

Conclusion

Finding the perfect watch for work isn’t about the brand, the price tag, or the complication. All the recommendations I’ve shared in this guide are sure to get you through your 9-5 day with a smile. They all represent superb craftsmanship and uncompromised performance. From affordable quartz-powered watches to sumptuous gold cases and exposed mechanics through openworked dials – this list covers a little something for everything.

All these watches make for the perfect type of companions for completing your spreadsheets late at night or fitting in a quick power lunch. At the end of the day, your time at work shouldn’t just be about counting down the hours until you leave. Moreover, an elegant work watch will remind you to enjoy the smaller things to pass the time a little more easily. The great cosmic swirl of corporate life must go on, and with never-ending to-do lists and thousands of unread emails to get through, looming deadlines are certainly made easier with one of these quality timepieces strapped to your wrist.

I can’t say that I’ve ever made a huge mistake when buying a watch. The truth is, I own a select few favourites. My first watch as a child, however, was a quartz-powered “Princess and the Frog” watch with a shiny red faux leather strap. With each tick of the second hand, the frog would rock forward and backward. It was my pride and joy, so you can imagine my disbelief when my big brother came home one evening with a Swiss watch strapped to his wrist that he had paid a small fortune for.

“It’s not just a watch, it’s a timeless piece of art!” he said. “…an heirloom”. It had the cool back story – the talking point he planned to charm all the ladies with. The seller had used all the right buzz words like “patina” and “icon”. With a triumphant glee, he pledged to wear the watch every day, including the following morning when he was helping my dad out with a broken exhaust.

Whilst handing my dad a multitude of tools he had no idea how to use, he someone managed to subject the watch to a fleeting moment of impact and the crystal popped out of the case and cracked. “My heirloom!!” he shouted in horror. My dad, a proud owner of a £50 Casio at the time, picked the crystal off the floor. “That’s not glass”, he uttered, tossing it in the palm of his hand. “That’s plastic”. Turns out my brother had been sold a very convincing knock-off watch with a flimsy plastic lid that was hanging on by a prayer, but that’s not my point here. 

My point is that if you know what to look for and you take watch-collecting seriously, you don’t need an expensive watch to show you know a thing or two about Haute Horlogerie. Sometimes, a mid-priced watch is worth its weight in gold.

You don’t need a flashy watch if quality materials and performance are essential to you. Look in all the right places and you can get yourself a timepiece that looks like it costs the Earth but actually costs less than £10k and can survive a whole weekend of “handyman” jobs. That’s not to say there aren’t some incredibly beautiful horological masterpieces out there. Moreover, details matter, and mid-range watches are a significant jump up from budget watches, superseding replica watches by a country mile, and, at the end of the day, they won’t cost an arm and a leg. 

Many would also argue that the quality-to-price ratio of the mid-range watch is the best in the industry. A watch costing around the £4-5000 mark, for example, is likely to offer the materials, movement quality, and finishing of a watch that costs upwards of £10,000. Remember, the upper echelons of the luxury watch industry, though steeped in grandeur and heritage, are often priced high due to prestige and brand provenance. As with many high-end luxury products, you pay for a name.

Though they’re often the lesser-known brands, mid-range watch manufacturers require less of a financial commitment but have just as much finesse. Mid-priced watches are excellent daily drivers and can handle the rigors of daily life like a breeze. And while a Rolex or Patek Philippe may garner attention for its symbolic status and prestige, the investment needed for a premium timepiece could easily equal the price of two or more mid-range watches, giving you the freedom and versatility you would otherwise struggle to obtain with a single high-end timepiece.

All this said, the market for mid-range watches is absolutely massive. To help give you an idea of the sheer amount of styles, features, and brands within this category, we’ve rounded some up in various price brackets, all of which sit under the mid-range umbrella.

The Ball Engineer Hydrocarbon AeroGMT II Meteorite. Price range: $3000

Ball upholds a remarkable reputation for crafting quality watches that are built to stand the test of time. Just look at its Engineer watch collection, for example. The models from this range incorporate high anti-magnetic resistance (up to 4,800 A/m) and shock resistance (up to 7,500 Gs).

The Engineer Hydrocarbon AeroGMT II Meteorite seems to carry everything you need in a daily beater within its 42mm steel design. It’s a limited Edition of just 1000 pieces worldwide with a dial that is equally as rare. Crafted from a meteorite that has fallen in Namibia. Every single watch within this limited production run is unique from the next.

Of course, being a Ball Watch, it also uses the brand’s signature technology, which sees the display adorned with 44 micro gas tubes that glow consistently and constantly, producing bright hands and hour markers that make timekeeping in dark conditions an absolute cinch. As well as this unmatched legibility, the Ball Engineer Hydrocarbon is a GMT watch with a 24-hour “Pepsi bezel” for keeping on track of an additional time zone and a COSC-certified movement that keeps this tool ticking over perfectly for 42 hours using the energy stored in its barrel.

Bell & Ross BR-05 Grey Steel – $4,300

Bell and Ross have always been renowned for creating bold instrument-inspired timepieces that pack a punch on the wrist. The BR-05 is the brand’s sportier take on the iconic circle-within-a-square profile and is built for the city. Its graphic lines soften at the corners to give way to a range of dial colours, making them cool and sophisticated enough for formal and urban settings.

Good news for those with smaller wrists, too. Bell & Ross recently released a slew of dial colours in the 36mm size, making them perfect for those with smaller wrists. Take the Grey Steel model, for example. With an 8.5mm thickness, this smaller and more manageable-sized sports watch features a satin-brushed and polished case, a strong sapphire crystal glass front, and an integrated bracelet for uncompromised comfort.

The 100 M water-resistant case features a sunray grey dial that provides a beautiful and dynamic play of light as it shifts in tone, the hands of which are propelled by the Calibre BR-CAL.329, complete with an impressive 54-hour power reserve. Overall, the BR 05 Grey Steel is the perfect balance of size and comfort, blending a powerful design with dependable mechanics.

Bremont Terra Nova turquoise. Price $3,450

Any Bremont watch is an investment. The British brand’s values are deeply rooted in quality craftsmanship, with a strong focus on reviving the British watchmaking craft. But the turquoise version of the Terra Nova watch evokes the charm and allure of the covetable and iconic Tiffany Blue dials of the past.

This model is the perfect storm of historical nods, compact proportions, and clever marketing by Bremont, who subtly taps into the desirable dial colour as part of its relatively new field watch range. Similar in colour to the Tiffany Blue dial associated with Patek Philippe Nautilus (the absolute pinnacle of the turquoise dial craze with a custom Pantone colour), this Terra Nova watch is a departure from the norm and is sure to turn a few heads with its refreshing dial colour.

The model is a limited edition of 1000 pieces, so if you can get your hands on one of these, you’ve already secured a cool and intriguing investment proposition. Similar to the Bell and Ross selection, this specially chosen 38mm field watch design is a good choice for wrists measuring around 6-7 inches, and features a steel bodywork in the distinctive cushion-shaped profile, with a domed sapphire crystal glass, 100-meter water resistance, and green emission Super-LumiNova Arabic numerals and hands.

Lastly, adding even more interest in this layered and full-of-character watch is an engraved caseback denoting a map of the world. 

DOXA SUB 300T Professional. Price $1,990

Most collectors looking for a bona fide dive need not look any further than a DOXA watch. The brand is an expert in crafting dive tools that have an unequivocally stylish 1960s retro aesthetic. The market, however, is vast, with options at every price category. DOXA dive watches, however, are arguably some of the best bang-for-buck watches in the industry.

The DOXA SUB 300T Professional is clad in the iconic orange colour that saw Jacques Cousteau sport when embarking upon his conservation endeavours, promoting the brand as a trailblazer in the dive tool category from the very start. Paying homage to DOXA’s earliest general public dive watch, released in 1968, the SUB 300T Professional keeps the genes of the SUB 300T Conquistador alive with the iconic orange dial colour and a robust stainless steel bracelet.

The USP of the watch is its left-hand design, complete with the crown located at 9 o’clock instead of 3. The aluminium bezel insert pays homage to a 1980s model designed by Aubry Frères and features an integrated no-decompression dive time calculator with unidirectional rotation.

Of course, being a DOXA watch, the SUB 300T Professional offers exceptional water resistance of up to 1,200 meters, making this watch an obvious choice for anyone who tends to push the limits when taking to their water pursuits. Add to that its nice beefy 42.5mm proportions for adding some serious wrist presence, and you have an all-round perfect mid-priced watch with plenty of retro dive appeal, quality craftsmanship, and mechanical finesse.

Hamilton Khaki Field Watch. Price $745

We did mention that a mid-priced watch tends to sit in between the $1k and $10k category, but then there is always an exception. It’s hard to talk about Hamilton watches without mentioning the Khaki Field in the same sentence. Its classic designs are a cornerstone of the brand’s reputation and voice. It’s not just a watch with a field “look”. Hamilton’s legacy is infused into this design, harking back to a point in its history when the manufacturer was supplying the US Armed Forces with its rugged tools for the war efforts.

The modern Khaki Field line, however, is a descendant of these watches but incorporates lots of features that make it a great companion for everyday use. And for its price point of under $1000, it packs in a load of practical features and rugged field watch charm into its design.

This is a nice compact 38mm steel model powered by an automatic winding movement (yes, an automatic for under $1k!). It embodies all the core features the Khaki Field line is known for – legibility, large Arabic numerals, a 24-hour inner ring, and a go-anywhere-do-anything utilitarian design that seems to work well whether you pair it with casual attire on the weekend, or something smarter by night.

Not many field watches can adapt to as many environments as the Khaki Field. It kind of sits in a category of its own. Because of its appealing price, it also makes for a great entry-level model for those who are just joining the watch-collecting world. This model is paired with a dark brown leather strap. Still, a simple switch of the strap and a NATO band instantly allows the watch to metamorphose into an unmistakably bold and handsome tool without the prohibitive cost of a luxury brand.

Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra 150M. Price $7,300

If your budget sits somewhere between $7 and $10,000, you can definitely afford an Omega. It’s a brand that people tend to mistake for sitting in the top echelons of the watchmaking ladder. Though these watches are on par with the excellence and grandeur associated with Rolex, some models are surprisingly reasonable in price. The Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra 150M watch, for example, is an affordable model that bucks the trend when it comes to dive tools.

It doesn’t instantly convey the character and aesthetics of a dive watch. It looks far more classic than the clunky, overbearing watches that often saturate the dive watch category, making it an excellent option for wearing with more elegant attire. Part of this allure can be owed to its green-black gradient dial.

The Seamaster Aqua Terra has a fascinating history in itself. Its origins stem back to 2002, when the Aqua Terra was introduced as a new line, appealing to endeavours both in the “water and on earth”. The first release was simple and clean with triangular markers and was offered on a leather strap or steel bracelet. Much of that is still true for the range. The Teak dials then arrived in 2007-2008, with models bearing the striped dial echoing the deck of a boat. Even so, this degrade dial is just as appealing.

Though the dial is an unconventional smoked fume effect, hints of the Aqua Terra are still present, such as the shard-shaped indexes around the hour track and the arrow-tipped minute hands – both of which have been treated with lashings of luminous material by Omega experts. These features assist with legibility, whether you’re enjoying wearing the watch throughout an evening or putting its dive features to good use.

If you’re doing the latter, you’ll find its 150-meter water-resistant capability to be particularly useful. Add to that a strong sapphire crystal glass front and a stunning dark grey PVD-coated 41mm bezel, and you have what can only be described as a very modern-looking take on the classic Aqua Terra, and one with multi-faceted appeal. 

TUDOR Black Bay Chrono. Price $6050

TUDOR watches were once nicknamed poor men’s Rolexes. But that couldn’t be further from the truth today. TUDOR has well and truly stepped out of the shadows of its bigger brother over the years and now stands as an entity of its own. But, of course, it doesn’t hurt that when you buy a TUDOR watch, you know it has been fortified by the expertise, materials, and technology of one of the world’s biggest brands.

The TUDOR Black Bay is without a doubt the most popular of all the brand’s creations, and it’s also very affordable. It’s a neo-vintage dive watch with tons of retro appeal and character. The chronographs are a little sportier and just as alluring, like this panda version – the TUDOR Black Bay Chrono, equipped with a legible white dial and black-filled chronograph sub-counters at 3 and 9 o’clock.

This watch relies on a chronometer-certified automatic movement and is designed to withstand 200-meter water depths. The watch is made from steel and measures a diameter of 41mm – sweet spot dimensions for the average-sized male wrist. TUDOR experts complete the chronograph version of the Black Bay on a stainless steel bracelet, but if this watch is a little too classic, there’s a whole load of other designs to explore, including models that measure a more true-to-form size to the brand’s first dive watch (39mm).

More sumptuous models like the S&G (steel and gold) also offer something a little more luxurious for those who don’t intend to use their watch primarily as a dive tool. 

Conclusion 

Mid-priced luxury is accessible. The journey in finding the right watch is not just about a brand name. There are so many affordable gateways into the world of luxury timekeeping. Even the brands that you’d least expect to offer an affordable option do so somewhere in their catalogue. As you embark on this exciting chapter, whether you’re looking to move away from frivolous impulse buys or are investing in a watch for the first time on a budget, remember that the best value-for-money investment is one that makes you happy every time you look at it. And that can look different for everyone. 

Now that you’ve explored a world where exceptional quality doesn’t have to bleed your wallet dry, you can discover what style, features, and materials really appeal to you most, regardless of whether that brand has the same provenance and heritage as some of the oldest names in the industry or not. Collecting watches is the type of hobby you never really move away from. Pick a watch that you feel is money well spent, and you’re guaranteed a lifetime of happiness with it. 

In a world where we are becoming increasingly tethered to digital tools, computers, and smartwatches, there exists a breed of watch that still applies itself to the crushing, unforgiving depths of the ocean, though we may not need to rely on it so much today.

It’s the automatic dive watch. Indeed, there is still a market for what was once an indispensable tool – a lifeline, even. Today, it serves as a testament to the evolution of watchmaking.

Modern-day dive tools trace their roots back to a rich heritage, steeped in world firsts, innovative materials, and cutting-edge technology.

With just as much draw as they once had, luxury dive watches are still worn for their practical robustness, their versatility, and their unmistakable style. This guide looks at the best automatic dive watches currently on the market and touches on the importance of the dive watch, even in today’s world.

The Appeal of the Dive Watch

It’s a known fact that dive watches are inherently over-engineered. Even for those who barely take their watches near a drop of water, they instill a sense of immortality.

Dive watches have a solid construction that allows them to survive impact, pressure, and the general knocks and bumps you would expect to encounter when on the deck of a boat or whilst exploring the ocean bed.

What’s more, their water resistance surpasses the underwater depths that most humans would ever need or want to venture down to.

Their impressive shock resistance means they can withstand the endeavours of the most daring and adventurous spirits, while a clear dial format with large luminescent details ensures continual, uncompromised legibility. 

Simply put, it’s the underwater tool watch that you’ll probably never need to use underwater, but it’s good to know you could if you wanted to.

Some of the industry’s most iconic watches are dive watches. Their chunky unidirectional rotating bezels and prominent, luminous hour markers and hands create a rugged, stylish look that can seamlessly transition from casual wear to something more formal if needed.

And though there was once an unwritten rule condemning the use of a dive watch with a suit, it has been done and continues to be done.

Even if you have no aspirations to wear your watch to the swimming pool on vacation, let alone the ocean, it’s often the knowing that you don’t have to wrap your watch in cotton wool that makes it so appealing.

Dive watches look daring even in the most mundane of settings, oozing masculinity and character, and cementing strong pop culture status to the wrist (Think 007, Jaws, and The Meg).

And supposing you don’t even need a tough and durable daily tool for leisurely pursuits or your line of work? That’s ok. Many collectors just love the look and enjoy the heft of a dive watch on the wrist.

These tools have the ability to directly connect the wearer with a rich history of deep-sea exploration and horological innovation through the ages, which is one reason why models with a retro flair prove incredibly popular today. Let’s take a look at some of our favourite picks here at Exquisite Timepieces.  

Ball Engineer Hydrocarbon DeepQUEST

Dial luminosity is arguably one of the most impressive qualities of a Ball watch. The company has specialised in perfecting its tritium-filled light tubes for years. Of all the modern-day Super-LumiNova-treated dials out there, the continual glow of Ball’s micro gas tubes reigns supreme.

These tubes glow during the daytime, even when you can’t see them. Fitted tubes on the hands and the hour markers of this Ball Engineer Hydrocarbon DeepQUEST watch will guide the way through the murkiest of waters in colours of orange and green.

The watch measures 42mm in diameter and has been crafted from titanium for a comfortable and lightweight feel against the wrist. Master designers at Ball equip this watch with a staggering 1000-meter water resistance, which is upheld by the expertly engineered screw-down crown at 3 o’clock.

Ball Engineer Hydrocarbon watches are built like tanks, and this DeepQUEST iteration is no exception. In addition to its smooth and glossy black ceramic unidirectional rotating bezel, this dive watch features several patented innovations, including a SpringLOCK Anti-Shock System to reduce the impact on the balance spring inside the automatic movement, and the brand’s SpringSEAL Regulator Protection, which prevents important components from shifting position during heavy impact.  

Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Automatic 38mm

The Fifty Fathoms watch by Blancpain is highly regarded in the watch world. It’s a truly exceptional timepiece in its own right, carrying historical significance, as well as being considered the archetype of the modern dive watch.

What’s even more impressive about this Fifty Fathoms watch is its slimness, which sets it apart from so much of its competition. So many modern automatic dive watches sit on the wrist like a bulky slab of metal.

Still, Blancpain has carefully considered this design, offering it in an appealing 38mm diameter for those with smaller wrists.

This Blancpain Fifty Fathoms watch is powered by the in-house automatic Calibre 1150, which features a silicone balance spring and a 100-hour power reserve once fully wound.

It may or may not be a watch you want to wear every single day, but the combination of its 300M water-resistant red gold case and its classic blue sailcloth strap, not to mention its luxurious 18k rose gold case, makes it an interesting proposition that sits somewhere between sporty and dressy.

Blancpain prioritises legibility across the dial, featuring shard-like hour markers, luminous central hour and minute hands, and a red-tipped central sweeping seconds hand, all set against a bed of sunray blue.

Bremont Supermarine 500m on Nato Strap

This automatic dive watch from Bremont belongs to the British manufacturer’s Supermarine watch collection and impresses with its 500-meter water-resistant case crafted from 904L stainless steel.

Fit for the water or for wearing on dry land, the broad 43mm model creates huge wrist presence with its black dial finished in a striking wave effect, complemented by a sporty NATO strap.

It’s a perfect example to demonstrate how the dive watch can be a versatile tool. While material straps are not as quick-drying or as practical for diving as rubber bands, they do give a dive watch a nice field watch style, should you intend to wear it out of the water.

The Bremont Supermarine 500M can reach extraordinary depths whilst keeping the internal environment water-tight.

Its 500-meter water resistance is paired with a screw-down crown, brushed lugs, and a strong scratch-resistant sapphire crystal glass that shields the luminous-filled hands and hour markers from any undesirable glare when exposed to natural or artificial light.

Lastly, you’ll note the wayfinder logo, which now sits at 12 o’clock on the dial as Bremont’s new emblem. It sits amongst flashes of orange detail seen in the Supermarine lettering and in the five-minute increments of the minute track on the flange.

DOXA Sub 300T Clive Cussler

Not many dive watches are as closely associated with pop culture as DOXA. Its watches have appeared on the silver screen and on the wrists of ocean conservationist Jacques Cousteau throughout the 60s and 70s.

This iteration, however, is named the Clive Cluster and pays homage to the novelist and the adventurous character he writes about, Dirk Pitt.

Inspired by shipwreck voyages, the Sub 300T has an aged and weathered appearance to its stainless steel case, evoking a vintage compass and showcasing the fearless spirit of adventure.

The bracelet, clasp, and case of the DOXA Sub 300T Clive Cluster watch all feature a worn look that coincides beautifully with a vintage-coloured dial, achieved through a handmade decorative grinding process.

Capturing a strong vintage look, masters at DOXA choose a beads-of-rice bracelet, which can be swapped for a NATO strap if desired.

On the caseback of this special dive watch are the names and historical artefacts discovered by NUMA, while the unidirectional rotating bezel allows for effortless measuring of elapsed time marked by depth in feet.

Aside from a helium escape valve to complete its look, this 300M water-resistant dive watch is powered by a relentless workhorse – a Swiss-made automatic movement with a 38-hour power reserve.

Longines Hydroconquest GMT

For watch enthusiasts who appreciate the mechanical complexity of a solidly engineered movement at the heart of a watch, automatic dive watches are often considered to be “wristwatches with a soul”. The same is true for the diving kind, such as this automatic dive watch – the Longines HydroConquest GMT.

As you’ll already have figured from its name, it’s not just a watch for diving but also a companion for clocking up the air miles and hopping time zones.

The Longines HydroConquest GMT draws inspiration from the world of water sports and features a 300-meter water-resistant stainless steel case, topped with a strong anti-reflective sapphire crystal front.

The automatic Calibre L844, housed within its 41mm case, is capable of producing a power reserve of 72 hours when removed from the wrist. It’s a great option if you like to rotate your collection regularly, and even features a silicone hairspring that’s resistant to the damaging effects of magnetism.

The star of the show, however, is the indulgent chocolate-caramel dial in a sunray finish. Similar to the hue of a vintage-inspired bronze dive watch, the tones of the dial and the matching colored ceramic bezel are perfect for getting noticed on the wrist, and even feature beige-colored markers and hands for added retro charm.

Mühle Glashütte Seebataillon GMT

Just a subtle swing of the wrist will power the rotor and wind the mainspring of this stylish dive watch from Muhle Glashutte.

Perhaps this isn’t a brand that would naturally spring to mind when you think of an automatic dive watch, but this German brand certainly knows how to catch the attention of the German Navy’s Seebataillon.

Watches from the brand’s S.A.R. series mean business and have been developed especially for soldiers of this specialised unit.

It’s also a GMT complication, allowing you to track an additional time zone via the black 24-hour scale around the flange and a light, golden-colored arrow-tipped GMT hand.

A matte black dial features matte black coated hands treated with a generous layer of Super-LumiNova material, allowing you to track the time even when submerged under 300 meters of water.

This is a confident 45mm model crafted from lightweight titanium, housing a reliable Sellita-based movement that offers a 56-hour power reserve.

The movement even benefits from Muhle Glashutte’s special in-house Woodpecker neck regulation mechanism, promising improved mechanical efficiency, along with a stop-second feature and date correction mechanism.

Nivada Grenchen Aquamar Blue

Automatic dive watches can last for generations, and that was certainly the vision behind the Aquamar Blue by Nivada Grenchen.

In contrast to a quartz watch, the automatic movement within this dive watch is built to withstand the test of time and endure extreme underwater conditions, thanks to its solidly constructed 38mm stainless steel case.

It may be a lesser-known charismatic dive watch in the grand scheme of things, but this watch compromises on nothing in terms of quality and reliability.

The watch features a sandwich dial with luminous treatment underneath the surface, protruding through from the lower level.

The off-white colour of the faux patina lume adds even more vintage character to this 200-meter water-resistant case, as does the beads-of-rice bracelet.

On the back of the case is an engraved depiction of the Antarctic penguin, which personifies the watchmaker’s pursuit of exploration. To finish, Vivada Grenchen equips this watch with a domed sapphire crystal glass front and screw-down crown.

The real hidden surprise of the Aquamar dive watch, however, is the innovative bi-color calendar disc, which transitions from LumiNova white to faux-patina beige, much like a game of roulette.

Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean 600M Worldtimer

Even if you never dive with the Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean 600M Worldtimer, you’ll still want to wear it daily. Its black and turquoise dial, featuring world cities and the date on a globe decoration, contributes to what can only be described as an entirely unique take on the dive watch.

It’s good for the gym, drinks out with friends in the evening, or a deep, daring dive, thanks to a water resistance of 600 meters. But most of all, its slick black ceramic case imparts a resolutely modern look on the wrist.

This Omega Seamaster boasts a playful mix of honeycomb textures and smooth, vibrant surfaces, all punctuated by Omega’s distinctive arrow-tipped hands.

The 45.5mm model features a laser-ablated diving scale and a Grade 5 titanium globe dial centre, along with day and night sections, and diamond-brushed indexes.

Comfort, of course, is paramount. Omega equips this watch with an integrated black structured rubber band and outfits it with one of its state-of-the-art Co-Axial escapement movements, guaranteeing chronometer-certified accuracy 24/7.

The self-winding Calibre 8938 is resistant to magnetic fields reaching 15,000 gauss, and provides a 60-hour power reserve, ensuring you’re covered for every eventuality.

Oris Diver Sixty-Five

Oris is cherished by an elite community of dive watch enthusiasts, particularly those with a fondness for the Divers Sixty-Five watch collection, which draws direct inspiration from the brand’s earlier dive watches of the 1960s.

The collection first launched in 2016, wowing devoted dive watch collectors with its bubble, domed sapphire that mimicked the distortion effect that many vintage dive watches featured with their acrylic lenses. 

This Divers Sixty-Five watch imparts complete, unadulterated vintage charm in the form of a multi-piece stainless steel case that aligns with yesteryear’s proportions, measuring 40mm in diameter.

The minute scale on the top ring also facilitates easy handling of the unidirectional rotating bezel. This is a watch that you’ll want to wear with a bomber jacket, casual weekend attire, and something smarter during the evening.

The splash of turquoise is what brings this Oris dive watch to life. It appears in the shield, circular and rectangular hour markers, injecting the watch with a subtle splash of color without being overbearing or detracting from the retro characteristics that feature elsewhere.

Although Oris has returned to manufacturing some of its own movements for select dive watches, this one is powered by a third-party Swiss movement, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, since ETA movements, and those like them, constitute cheaper and easier repairs and service work.

Seiko Prospex Diver’s Modern Re-Interpretation GMT

No one does a better value-for-money automatic dive watch than Japanese watch manufacturer Seiko. The Prospex collection is bursting with an endless range of diver-ready styles, each one imbued with tool watch credentials for everyday wear.

This is another GMT dive watch, though if you don’t want to use the complication, it’s no big deal. The time zone tracking function is the runner-up feature in this watch. First and foremost, it’s a rugged dive tool with an athletic, chiselled stainless steel case (42mm) and a water resistance of 200 meters.

This Seiko Prospex watch is a re-interpretation of the brand’s earlier 1968 model – the brand’s first dive watch.

It features a dramatic green dial with a matching green unidirectional rotating bezel that only rotates counter-clockwise, thereby eliminating the risk of accidentally extending dive time while underwater.

It features luminous, chunky hour markers and hands, along with a golden yellow GMT hand that allows you to track an additional time zone via a discreet 24-hour track around the flange.

Additional features include its rugged three-link stainless steel bracelet, which provides comfort against the wrist thanks to a Seiko-engraved three-fold clasp and a push-button release mechanism with an extending feature.

TUDOR Pelagos Ultra

Last but not least is the TUDOR Pelagos. In a world of fragile, temperamental electronics, nothing beats the robustness and longevity of a tough automatic dive watch like this.

Firstly, take note of its staggering 1000-meter water resistance – by far one of its most impressive features. Secondly, the dial of the TUDOR Pelagos is tailored for complete legibility.

It features a rich black display adorned with crisp, square, and rectangular hour markers, together with the iconic Snowflake hands – a signature design feature of TUDOR.

The Tudor Pelagos offers a refreshing blend of professional-grade materials and tool-oriented features that are rare in a watch within the sub-$8,000 to $10,000 price bracket.

And here’s where the fundamental differences lie between the Pelagos and the TUDOR Black Bay – another collector’s favourite. The Pelagos case is constructed from titanium and even features an extension mechanism on its equally lightweight bracelet.

This allows for the dive watch to wear like a dream. In fact, if it weren’t for the many practical uses of the watch, you’d likely forget you were wearing it.

Everything, from the ergonomically crafted links of the bracelet to the butter-smooth click of the bezel, has been engineered to a level of excellence, using its sister brand, Rolex, as a standard to match up to.

Fitted with a METAS-certified movement, the TUDOR Pelagos is ideal for professional divers, saturation divers, recreational divers, or non-divers.

To be quite frank, anyone looking for a tool watch should consider something like the Pelagos. Its use, both underwater and on land, not to mention features like its helium escape valve, makes it a perfect go-anywhere, do-anything watch with an unmistakable rugged charm.

Wrapping Up

You’ve just finished reading our lineup of the best automatic dive watches as chosen by us here at Exquisite Timepieces.

Each option in our lineup offers something a little different, whether it’s next-level water resistance, innovative gas light tubes for superior luminosity, or hidden colour-changing calendrical functions. Which will you choose?