Vintage Vibes: 37mm Dive Watches For Every Budget

Did you know that the original Rolex Submariner was 37mm? It was considered downright behemothic at the time. Today however, in my opinion, it’s a Goldilocks size for watches. Especially divers. Just scope out the 37mm dive watches here—one for every budget, of course. I’m quite confident you’ll agree.

Throughout history, as divers improved, upgrading water resistance levels and adding more innovative features, this also meant more robustness. This often meant more millimeters too. Today, designers work smarter, not harder. At 37 millimeters, you still get that brawny look, all of the specs, and a touch of vintage class as well.

Tudor Black Bay 54

Can we thank the watch gods for this Tudor Black Bay 54? Now you don’t actually have to go vintage to get a 37mm diver with that classically textbook Swiss aesthetic (textbook in a good way). And it’s not that I don’t love a vintage Sub, but sometimes you just want the creature comforts of a contemporary timepiece.

The old school charm is all there, and delightfully self aware. There’s the guardless crowns, and the gold-lined details that hat-tip to the tropical aesthetic, while maintaining its overall shine. And since this is Tudor, you’ve got the iconic snowflake hands and the COSC-certified movement.

• Price: $3,900
• Movement: Tudor MT5400 Automatic (COSC)

Dan Henry 1975 Skin Diver Watch

I believe there are two main types of divers. There’s the sturdy, thick bezel ones with polygonic indices, a la the post-90s Seamasters and Subs. Then there are ones like the Dan Henry 1975 Skin Diver Watch. Not all of them are as high achieving though. It has that line-forward look that’s more dynamic than muscley. 

It still boasts a visual strength about it, but it has a radar-like sleekness, like the control panel of a submarine. Ergonomics is a rarity in the world of divers. Even more, you can customize the color, the movement, and, of course, the strap.

• Price: $280+
• Movement: Seiko VH31 Meca-Quartz (37mm), Miyota 9015 Automatic (39mm)

Citizen 37mm Promaster Dive Watch

The disciplined workhorse of the watch world, Citizen really did the small wrist community a solid with this 37mm Promaster Dive. From that bezel that takes up tons of real estate to the stout and athletic hands, it looks like it might be 42mm. But, it sits well on all wrist sizes, making your arm look stronger than it possibly is.

I also have to spotlight Citizen’s hallmark Eco-Drive technology, which uses light as power and reduces the need for battery changes. Love convenience and reliability? This guy might be your match.

• Price: $280+
• Movement: Citizen E168 Eco-Drive

Hamilton Khaki Navy Scuba Quartz

The Hamilton Khaki Navy Scuba uses a tried-and-true diver template, but goes off-script just enough. It’s one of those instances of classic but distinct. The flush cardinal indices and the 24 center numbers make fun yet practical use of the space. 

And this is exactly what this watch is. Practical. It’s a comfortable 10.7mm high, durably built, fully anti-reflective, and thoughtfully quartz. It’s a no-nonsense design with enough inoffensive flair.

• Price: $645+
• Movement: Quartz

Rado Captain Cook Automatic

With its retro energy and strong build, the Rado Captain Cook is like a burly seaman who also happens to know how to dance. Just look at that silky dial and bezel, as well as the glisten emanating from the beads-of-rice middle links on the bracelet. Still, this handsome gent would look great on any style of strap. 

Personally, I think it’s one of the most distinguished broad arrow divers on the market. It also runs on a topnotch automatic movement with a whopping 80 hours of power. This is the kind of watch I like to call a compliment collector.

• Price: $2,250
• Movement: Rado R763 Automatic

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