The 10 Toughest Dive Watches For Serious Divers

In 2014, Egyptian diver, Ahmed Gabr, made history when he descended 332 meters into the Red Sea. Still, all a watch needs to qualify as a dive is 100 meters of water resistance. I’m not sure what timepiece Gabr wore, but if he went by that qualification, it didn’t make it back up with him intact. So, for you record-breakers, or those of you who just want an extra resilient tool watch, we’ve rounded up the 10 toughest dive watches for serious divers right here.

While outrageous water resistance is a prerequisite, these dive watches also feature robust constructions, practical functions, and all the style that comes with that.

Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean 6000m Ultra Deep

The Ultra Deep, from the Seamaster Planet Ocean family, is a feat in design, taking a standard deep-dive template, and imparting it with Omega-specific visuals. Cleverly, it does this while maintaining its prototypical look, satisfying both brand-lovers and classicists alike. 

The dial has a line-forward design, reminiscent of the brand’s racing watches. This frenetic aesthetic is complemented by large cardinal indices (usually reserved for pilot watches), those thick Omega arrows, and the dial’s ocean-like murkiness that lets the indices stand out, while also drawing your attention to the blue-hued center. As its name suggests, this Master Chronometer has a mind-blowing 6,000 meters of water resistance.

• Price: $11,600
• Size: 45.5mm
• Water Resistance: 6,000m

Rolex Deepsea Sea Dweller

As classic as it gets, the Rolex Deepsea Sea Dweller is one of standard bearers when it comes to ultra-resistant divers. It has all of the canon features, from the generously-sized bezel to the helium escape valve, all built with the brand’s superior, often patented, materials. Rolex’s Oystersteel is extra corrosion-resistant and polishes to an almost mirror-like shine, while the Mercedes-clad gradient dial is equipped with blue-tinted Chromalight lume. Inside, the in-house COSC-certified Calibre 3235 is as accurate as an automatic movement gets, and is protected by Paraflex shock absorbers that can likely survive a shark attack.

• Price: $14,150
• Size: 44mm
• Water Resistance: 3,900m

Bremont Supermarine 2000

The devil is in the crisply-finished details with Bremont’s Supermarine 2000, boasting several small and labored-over features that make this watch distractingly fun to look at. Just a few examples include the diamond-plate center dial, the red accented crown, and the red tips of the minute and second hands—not to mention their shape, which is somewhere between an unfinished Mercedes style and a simplified cathedral design. A genuine military diver, the Supermarine 2000 runs on a 25-jewel automatic, has an impact-resistant domed sapphire, and an extra bright topgrade lume.

• Price: $5,295
• Size: 45mm
• Water Resistance: 2,000m

Doxa Sub 1500T Professional

The Dox Sub 1500T Professional has the distinct characteristic of being both eye-catching, even unconventional at first glance, and yet a true canonical diver design—it’s just one we don’t see as often. The submarine-like cushion case and hard-lined bracelet is based on the 1968 Conquistador, the world’s first public diving watch and a legend in horology. A lively orange hue is used on the dial, and even more uniquely, on the bezel markers. This makes the already clear-cut watch face easy to read in most lighting situations, while also giving it a playful look that doesn’t compromise its seriousness as a tool watch. After all, it runs on an admirable 26-jewel automatic and can go as deep as 1,500 meters.

• Price: $2,390
• Size: 45mm
• Water Resistance: 1,500m

Breitling Avenger Automatic 45 Seawolf

The Avenger Automatic 45 Seawolf from Breitling has a sculptural quality that makes it look a bit like a monument on your wrist, especially with its 45mm case size. The knurled crown has three floors, the top one sticking out from the guards, while its brushed bezel is fortified with cardinal-located steel toppers. Basically, this watch is a major visual flex, designed for the bold. The convex sapphire is fully glare-proof from every angle, while its 25-jewel automatic movement moves at a secure 28,800 beats per hour.

• Price: $4,700
• Size: 45mm
• Water Resistance: 2,000m

Tudor Pelagos

The Tudor Pelagos possesses all of the great functions you’d expect from the brand’s older brother, Rolex, and all of the modern and striking design elements that you don’t. From its ceramic bezel (in a youthful primary blue) to its cut-out-style dial face, this watch has a modern, matte, and multi-surfaced look that’s undeniably charming. Looks aside, some topnotch operational qualities include the satisfyingly snappy clicks of its unidirectional bezel, a COSC-certified automatic movement, and a titanium build that’s tough but lightweight, making it comfortable to wear.

• Price: $4,725
• Size: 42mm
• Water Resistance: 500m

Blancpain Fifty Fathoms X Fathoms

X Fathoms is the gigantic variant from Blancpain’s Fifty Fathoms subline of already larger-than-life tool watches. Not only can this statement piece be seen from a mile away, but it has a genuinely thrilling dial face, filled with colors, functions, and more topography than a 3D-printed map of California.

On top of that, the X Fathoms flaunts such a wildly complex construction, the blueprint of which could likely stump even the most expert-level watchmakers. Its movement is built with 411 components, 48 jewels, and has a 120-hour power reserve, while the dial has two scales of depth indication. If you’re looking to impress, this watch is a true headliner.

• Price: $40,700
• Size: 55.6mm
• Water Resistance: 300m

Seiko Prospex SLA041

Seiko’s legendary tuna can design gets the limited edition treatment with the SLA041, straight from their Prospex line of professional watches. Its one-piece structure construction makes it extra water resistant, recognizably stout, and durable. It’s made with titanium and Seiko’s proprietary steel alloy, usually reserved for their Grand Seiko models, which is 1.7 times more corrosion resistant than the stainless steel used in most premium tool watches. With a height of over 17mm, the SLA041 has a strong, tank-like appearance, and is engraved with a unique serial number on the caseback.

• Price: $4,500
• Size: 52.4mm
• Water Resistance: 1,000m

UTS 3000M Dive Watch

The UTS 3000M Dive is hardcore brawn manifested into a tool watch, built with German-engineered form and function. Made from solid surgical grade stainless steel, this piece of gear has a thick, strapping bezel with colossal knurls, and equally as big sharp-edged lugs. The guardless crowns protrude dramatically, contributing to its athletic silhouette. UTS watches are genuinely handcrafted, which explains why this elegantly industrial model is limited to only 200 pieces.

• Price: $5,100
• Size: 42mm
• Water Resistance: 3,000m

Citizen Promaster 1000m Professional Diver

A workhorse in the best sense, the Promaster 1000m Professional Diver from Citizen has an almost brandless cool factor about it. The titanium construction, 1,000 meters of water resistance, and light-powered, no-battery Eco-Drive technology speak for themselves. The dial is adorned with burly, matte elements, complemented by the brushed black bezel that both highlights its numbers and offers more aesthetic dimension. Basically, it looks like a superhero’s watch, and is also a reliable ISO-compliant professional diver.

• Price: $1,840
• Size: 53mm
• Water Resistance: 1,000m

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