Last Updated on November 17, 2021 by Dan
One medium prized diver’s watch might serve beginners as well as intermediate divers. Manufacturers also balance the materials used with a pricing that they set for them. In some cases, some watches would even contend with the more costly versions. Overall the medium budget dive watches are an excellent balance between stylish design affordability, quality parts and superior appearance. Here are four models we love.
Seiko Prospex Street Urban Safari
Prospex Street is an innovative diving range with 200 metres waterproof resistance for daily wear. Taking design inspiration from the very sought after “Tuna” launch 45 years ago. The self-winding 43.2mm wristwatches are fitted with a stainless steel case with protector inside a unidirectional rotating dial and robust silicone strap. Especially appealing for its sandy desert tone – the strap features a time and date – indicator at three o’clock and a glowing lumibritium crystal around the hands, index and bezel. This watch is available from ebay from $500.
Certina DS Action Gent
DS Action is a good value dive watch with a value from $500. Available in traditional blue and black versions there is also a striking green dial and bezel. All expected characteristics of diving watches are present, from screw down crown with crown cover to 300 m water resistance and lume-covered hand and indexes. The Precidrive quartz motor is chronometer-qualified by COSC and has a choreometer by COSC. The cost of the DS action starts at $500 and is available on Amazon.
Seiko Prospex ref. SNJ027P1
Last year Seiko launched an impressive 47.8mm PADI-approved Prospex diving watch with black dial and Pepsi bezel. The new model points to a 1980s timepiece known as the “Arnie” worn only by Schwarzenegger in Commando and Predator. The new reference features solar-powered movements and a digital / analog hybrid display. Lumibrite on hands and indexes ensures excellent visibility in all conditions and the silicon strap adds additional comfort on wrist. £420.99 ($1999) by Seiko.
Spinnaker Dumas
The Spinnaker Dumas is a 1970s diving watch with 300 meters resistance. It honors the scuba – pioneer Fredéric Dumas. The aforementioned steel octagonal case and bezel, the ultra slim UltraLumina markers and hands. Seiko’s movements include display case back of the Milanes – bracelet and Milanese bracelets. The watch is available on eBay from $250.
Best budget dive watch of 2021
From 1996 to 1999 the SKX007 was used on its own. At $200, you’ll have a mechanical watch stalwart that is not only simple but also 100% reliable. The most cost-effective classic diver watch you’ll find anywhere else. It is worth noting that inexpensive Divewatches will never detect fancy design and specs like high-end Dive Watches. The 200 watches are simple, mechanical watches that are easy to use for beginner dive users and are water resistant even where specified by the manufacturer such as those required by it. The SKx007 is available for around $200 in the USA.
Questions and Answers
What is a dive watch?
As of now the watches can withstand a water resistance of a minimum of 100 ft and many of them will last at least 25-45 seconds for diving. Some even travel as deep as 25,000 feet underwater. Those at the shallower end of the dive spectrum should be used for more recreational scuba diving, snorkelling and swimming, while technical divers will use something with great resistance. CEx-MILW IMAGE watch is an example. It was first used by divers to calculate underwater hours.
What characteristics define a dive watch?
Almost all timepiece dive watches have rotating bezels and long straps. Watches will also have luminous hands with indices so that each can read in-depth. A helium escape valve allows the safe release of potential damaged helium in the watch. Other key features include a screw-up crown and headback finished with rubber seal. If your dive watch is very unusual then your device could also be equipped with a depth sensor installed. You need to check the depth before any deep diving. Other capabilities include an extra-thick crystal (occasionally domed) which deal with any extra pressure as divers go further underwater.
Are dive watches waterproof?
Diving watches do not exceed 150 metres in depth and must be waterproof. You’ll find everything below and they’ll break. Most diving watches get deeper than humans and you should be fine for most situations. Also try to avoid bathing and washing, where too much moisture is very dangerous. Remember: most diver’s watches can go farther than the human brain can go and it should always be fine.
What is ISO 6425?
ISO 6425 is an international standards for underwater watches. A diving watch must be waterproof to at least 100 meters. A method able to capture time during an arc dive in a 60-minute interval must exist additionally. Visibility and lume must be clear from within 25 cm of the ambient darkness. The watch may also work under constant darkness. Delay in generating a negative magnetic field is likewise mandatory. The strap / bracelet / bracelet have to also be strong and in testing this a force of 200 Newtons (45 pounds) is applied to any spring bar to pull the strap into the case.
