On the lookout for a divers watch under £500 (ish).
The leading options:
- Duxot Atlantica Diver – DX-2057-33
- Nodus Sector Deep – Sky Destro
- Baltic Aquaschaphe Classic Blue Gilt
- Seiko Prospex Turtle – SRPE93K1
- Scurfa Bell Diver1 – BD1O-2025
I have mentioned previously that I have always thought that having a divers watch is pointless seen as I have/never will need one for its intended purpose. However, the more I see them, the more I feel like its something I am missing.
I like the technical nature of them, designed to serve a purpose, no added extra bells/whistles that aren’t needed, just the functions required. As I am not in the market for a Rolex Submariner or a Blancpain Fifty Fathoms, and I am just starting to assemble some form of a collection, it makes sense to keep the budget modest.
I have seen these a lot on social media, and the quality looks good. There are some fantastic colours available, pretty much something for everyone, I especially like the Chocolate Brown. They are a very traditional design, maybe leaning too much on the Rolex Submariner design, but I do like the design of the bracelet which shows some intricacy. The face gives a single date through a viewing window at the 3 o’clock location. Its a 42mm case so its on the larger side, but doesn’t look too bulky.
I like the fact these are also a Japanese self winding automatic, but at this price point it’s hard to expect a fantastic movement contained within the see through case back. It does however claim a 42hr power reserve. It does however look far more expensive than it is. Not that it is critical to me, but it does give 200m water resistance.
The Nodus is a very interesting watch. Its unlike anything I have seen before, and looks like a professional dive watch you could easily see being used for its intended purpose. I would say the design is more day/day than the Duxot, which could be dressed up, whereas the Nodus wouldn’t look right in a formal setting in my opinion. They do come in a number of different colour face combinations, I especially like the yellow or the pale blue to provide a pop of colour. There is a single date window in the 6 o’clock location. It is a 42mm case, and 13mm depth, but it does look a lot bulkier than the sizes suggest.
Again the watch features a Japanese self winding automatic movement, claiming a 41hr power reserve. It’s at a considerably higher price point, so I would expect a better more accurate movement. It doesn’t contain an open case back, which I suspect is due to the 500m water resistance it offers.
Baltic Aquascaphe Classic Blue Gilt
This is a little bit of a cheat as it is slightly over the price I had set, but I have been looking at the Baltic watches for a period of time now so had to sneak it in somewhere. The design is very vintage, to me they look like the old military watches. You wouldn’t instantly look and class it as a divers watch, its looks more utilitarian, but its very clean, very classy and the dark blue face and bezel gives some differentiation. This could easily be worn as a dress watch, and as a general day/day piece. There are various strap options, the vulcanised rubber giving a more utilitarian look, and the beaded stainless steel a more formal appearance. There isn’t a date function on this particular model which is probably how it stays at the price point it is.
Just like all of the watches in this post, its a Japanese automatic movement, Miyota 9039, with a claimed 42hr power reserve. This is a well respected and reliable movement. It has a nicely design back case, with a diver depicted. As its the higher end of my budget, I expect a better quality movement and accuracy. It offers 200m water resistance, but I don’t suspect that will ever be tested in ernest.
I have read a vast number of blogs regarding dive watches and this appears on pretty much every one. Its a classic design that has been a Seiko staple for many years, changing very little from when it was originally launched. There are a few different variations such as the blue/red PADI colours, but I prefer the classic black face, with black silicone strap. Its very functional, and clear to see its been designed and manufactured for one purpose. Seiko after all launched Japan’s first ever dive watch. At 45mm it is the largest of all of the watches on my list, but it does provide a day/date function at the 3 o’clock point.
It specifies a 41hr power reserve using a 4R36 automatic movement, which is a Seiko in house movement and valued for the durability and accuracy. It sits right in the middle of my budget, and is hard to look past given the design and functionality it provides. It gives a 200m water resistance, and it looks like it will be good for every metre of that.
The final watch is not a brand I had heard of, or even seen until I started researching what might become my first dive watch. The brand was started by a renowned Rolex collector and commercial deep sea diver, so they know a thing or two about what is needed from a watch in that environment. From reading the information you can tell its a watch designed with a specific purpose. The specifications are great, and you can see serious thought has gone into this watch. The colour range is extensive (I like the orange face the best) and the information on the watch is really clear. There is a date window at the 3 o’clock point however it does look smaller than the other watches I have looked at. As a nice touch, it also comes with a rubber strap, alongside the standard stainless steel bracelet.
It’s given a Miyota 9015 automatic movement which are renowned for precision and reliability. Its pretty much the same movement as in the Baltic, but the additional date function. It offers 500m water resistance which is the least you would expect given this watch, alongside the Nodus are clearly the most focussed of the watches I am tempted by.
The next step is to find someone/somewhere that I can view these watches, as the majority are not common watches that you find in high street retailers (with the exception of the Seiko). The search will continue………..
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