Best Dive Watches under 500 Dollars
If you’re not using a dive computer your only alternative is a dive watch. Even as dive computers replace dive watches, dive watches are a great back up making them indispensable. They are also loved as they are viewed as a diving tradition. These pieces have simple to read dials which make it easy for divers to know time left and air pressure for their diving session.
Unlike a $15 wallet, a dive watch is pricier and doesn’t come easy. This requires you to know exactly what to look for in a dive watch, like the rotating bezel, depth rating, and material. To give you a hand, we’ve rounded up the top 11 best dive watches under 500 dollars for you. These units are water resistant, resilient to extreme diving conditions, readable under the water, and have a durable construction.
Most importantly, these are units that you can trust your life with and allow you enjoy diving.
Best Dive Watches under 500 Dollars Reviewed
Table of ContentCitizen Men’s ‘Promaster Diver’ Black Quartz Stainless Steel and Polyurethane Diving WatchVictorinox Swiss Army Dive Watch Black Dial SS Rubber QuartzCitizen Watches Eco-Drive Men’sCitizen Promaster Eco-Drive Analog-Digital WatchISOBrite T100 Armorlite Super Bright Dive WatchHamilton Men Scuba Auto WatchBulova Men’s Analog Japanese Display Quartz White WatchLuminox LM8822 Men’s Recon Point WatchVictorinox Swiss Army I.N.O.X WatchSeiko Men’s SKX009K2 Analog Automatic Divers Stainless Steel WatchSeiko Men’s SKX173 Automatic Dive Watch
Citizen Men’s ‘Promaster Diver’ Black Quartz Stainless Steel and Polyurethane Diving Watch
Among the best dive watches for men, we have is the Citizen Promaster Diver. It is a dive watch powered by light so you’ll never need to replace any batteries. As such, the case remains intact which preserves the structure and quality over the long haul.
It features a water resistance rating to 984ft which is excellent because you are sure it has gone through numerous standardization tests.
The Citizen Promaster Diver is made of stainless steel along with polyurethane straps. It also features a 42mm case, Japanese-Quartz movement, and an anti-reflective crystal.
It lets you enjoy the perks of reliable quality without bogging you down on the price.
Pros
- check
- check
- check
Cons
- check
Victorinox Swiss Army Dive Watch Black Dial SS Rubber Quartz
Although built for scuba diving, the Victorinox Dive Watch can undertake just about any wet activity. From skiing to snorkeling and swimming, the watch remains water resistant to 500 meters. It features a self-winding mechanism and a unidirectional rotating bezel.
The Swiss Army carries a sweeping second hand plus Swiss Quartz movement which means it retains its accuracy year after year. You’ll like the rubber straps even better as they prevent it from feeling wet beneath the straps.
It boasts a scratch-resistant crystal to ensure it stays in perfect condition for the longest time. Now you can enjoy life under the sea with one of the most sought Swiss Dive Watches.
Pros
- check
- check
- check
Cons
- check
Citizen Watches Eco-Drive Men’s
Offering a solid unit and great money value, the Citizen Watches Eco-Drive is a dive watch you should play close attention to. It is rated for professional marine use which makes it a precious watch to have for extreme water sports. The 45-mm case alongside 200 meters water resistance ensures it serves as a great marking timepiece.
It comes with oversized, luminous hands to eliminate any guesswork when you are in deep murky waters. Not to mention, it is powered by a simplistic Japanese Quartz movement which stays intact no matter the weather conditions.
A stainless steel body complements the azure blue aluminum bezel. You can expect it to last in decent condition for years on end. It’s one of those men’s dive watches that you can pass on from generation to generation.
Pros
- check
- check
- check
Cons
- check
Citizen Promaster Eco-Drive Analog-Digital Watch
Apart from the silicone bands that make this dive watch stand out, it is another incredible dive watch by Citizen. The Promaster Eco-Drive model combines both analog and digital features to enhance its functionality. It has a perpetual calendar, stopwatch, world time of 30cities, a 99minute countdown timer, two alarms and 1/100 of a second reading.
The mineral dial window is brightly lit to ensure it will not dim under the water. You’ll like that it is also fueled by light just like its other Citizen Men’s models. With the 46-mm stainless steel case, it remains resilient against all outdoor extremities.
Although the straps aren’t from rubber, they promise never to crack thanks to the polyurethane making. It has four simple dials which do not require much time mastering. This watch stands out but does not draw attention. It’s just what you need to bring out a manly feeling.
Pros
- check
- check
- check
Cons
- check
ISOBrite T100 Armorlite Super Bright Dive Watch
The ISOBrite model boasts some thoughtful features including illumination that can last for 50 years. It can live longer than a standard T25 watch hence fit for all your underwater illumination needs.
This is not your typical dive watch under 500 dollars. The aesthetics represent a unit fit for a casual day at work as well as for water sports in summer. You have an ultralight carbon-fiber case which keeps it waterproofed without losing the structure in the long run.
Better still, this dive watch comes with a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal display. It does not seem cramped, so you’ll always know what you are looking at when trying to watch for the dive time and air pressure.
Pros
- check
- check
- check
Cons
- check
Hamilton Men Scuba Auto Watch
Another unique piece in the men’s dive watches category is the Hamilton Scuba Auto Watch. It comes with a 12-mm case thickness which eliminates some of the weight from the side panels. It is an excellent pick as it has a screw down crown and an open case back. This makes it easy to dial in when setting different functions.
You’ll fall for the stainless steel construction that makes it manlier than a watch that carries polyurethane or rubber straps. It assures of the longevity which comes from the sapphire window and deployment buckle.
This dive watch allows you to add and remove links which helps you to customize the fit. You can even swap the straps if the steel ones do not seem impressive. At the very least, it is a device that can endure bumps under water.
Pros
- check
- check
- check
Cons
- check
Bulova Men’s Analog Japanese Display Quartz White Watch
The Bulova Men’s Dive Watch is a popular choice mostly because of its black dial and stainless steel case and bracelet design. It gives a premium feel and durable quality for every day wear. It has a nice unidirectional bezel which is very easy to operate.
The Lume paint on the index hands and hour markers assure of the illumination since they glow well in the dark conditions. It also has a date function and is powered by chronograph
Japanese Quartz movement. Unlike other Bulova watches, we find it has a bulky feel due to the 47.5mm case.
Pros
- check
- check
- check
Cons
- check
Luminox LM8822 Men’s Recon Point Watch
What better way to represent a Swiss watch than with a Swiss-made point watch. This is a simple navigation tool that works best for recreational water sports. It is also excellent as a navigation device on the ground. With the exclusive Luminox ‘Always Visible’ function, you can see the face in both bright and dim conditions.
This watch is encased in steel and comes with rubber straps. It has an anti-reflective sapphire window which comes in handy when in the bright outdoors. The unidirectional ratcheting bezel is a great utility operation for any diver who values how long their descent takes.
Pros
- check
- check
- check
Cons
- check
Victorinox Swiss Army I.N.O.X Watch
If you ever wished your dive watch could maintain a smooth and clear view to the dial, you’ll want to take a look at the I.N.O.X model. It is one of the best dive watches under 500 dollars where we believe it offers real money value. Starting with the durability, it exhibits. This watch has undergone over 130 strength tests to ensure it can stand up to the harsh elements under the sea.
It bears a construction of high-grade steel, and the crystal is sapphire. It explores some bump buffering on the sides plus the steel case is extra thick. All these features line up with the longevity expressed by most Swiss dive watches. It uses a Swiss Ronda Quartz movement which is pretty accurate as it is not prone to losing lots of seconds in a month. We like that it has a clean black dial and polished hands making it a great piece to have on your wrist.
Pros
- check
- check
- check
Cons
- check
Seiko Men’s SKX009K2 Analog Automatic Divers Stainless Steel Watch
The Seiko brand is no doubt one of the most rugged dive watches under 500 dollars. It combines technology in a simple design which brings out the manliness of a diver’s watch.
This all-stainless steel watch combines a 43-mm case on a 22-mm bracelet which looks good an almost all wrist sizes. It has luminous Lumibright hands, a deep blue dial and large hour markers.
The unidirectional stainless steel bezel stays well-protected in a scratch resistant hardlex crystal. This prevents any shift in the time elapsed if it encounters any bumps under the water. It is a tough watch which remains exceptionally useful for many years.
Pros
- check
- check
- check
Cons
- check
Seiko Men’s SKX173 Automatic Dive Watch
Although it’s not the best looking watch on our list, this watch makes it to the top because of its functionality. It comes with a black dial, luminous hands, and indices. It also has a day and date display inside the hardlex window. This is a window exclusively made by Seiko as it is anti-reflective and much stronger than most sapphire models.
With the automatic self-winding, you can be sure of the accuracy it brings. It boasts a unidirectional bezel and an off-center crown. The location of the crown indicates that it will not change the settings when you bump into stuff.
It retains a sense of modernity as it combines stainless steel features with a polyurethane band so that you can take it to just about any casual occasion.
Pros
- check
- check
- check
Cons
- check
A dive watch sounds just about right for anyone who wants an all-around wristwatch to always carry or carry in the backpack. It is functional, rugged, and exudes style from every dimension. It is no wonder they are so popular. From our list, you can tell which one works for you whether you are a professional diver or you need a watch to spice up your wardrobe. These brands top the list of the best dive watches under 500 dollars. As such you can be sure you are buying from the best.
Pee Bee
April 19, 2019 at 11:15 pmIn my opinion the best dive watch under $500 is the lnvicta model 16808: ceramic case -in-a-cradle design. The cradle is seamlessly integrated with bracelet. Large luminous dial markers and hands, one way bezel, screw down crown and by the way this watch is a chronograph and the actuators are likewise screwdown so they are protected from bumps, etc.
the Dave
May 22, 2019 at 11:05 pmAdding another Citizen Watches Eco-Drive to the lineup may be a bit redundant, but the stainless steel version is also available in titanium case and bracelet with the same movement. It was my preference because it’s quite a bit lighter and a little less flashy, so it wears well as an everyday watch, and it’s more than enough for recreational scuba.