8 Best Dive Watches Under $200: From the Ocean to the Bar in Style

It could be because of the Bond legacy, but today, divers are a style necessity in every man’s casual watch collection.

After all, the Rolex Submariner is the most recognized watch in the world.

You’ll be happy to know, however, that not every dive watch is the same price as a ticket to the Super Bowl.

We’ve rounded up 8 of the best dive watches under $200.

Technically, dive watches must meet two criteria:

• They must be water resistant at 100m or more.
• They must feature a way to manage passing time. This usually takes the form of unidirectional bezel.

Each watch on this list fills those prerequisites, and also shines best in a particular category.

So whether you’re looking specifically for an automatic, or need a brilliant lume, we’ve got you covered.

8 Best Dive Watches Under $200

Our Top Pick: Orient Mako II

I like to direct Rolex lovers who’d rather not spend Rolex prices to the Orient brand. They fashion some of the best mechanical timepieces out there at their price-point, and I consider the Orient Mako II on the shortlist for best affordable Submariner alternative.

The Mako II also stands on its own as an excellent dive at any price.

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The face is classically designed, with Arabic numerals for 12, 6, and 9, a date window, and a dial that is color-matched to the bezel. The bezel is just slightly smaller than the case, so you can see the coin edging from above, which is the kind of subtle attention to detail that makes Orient highly respected even among high-end watch collectors.

The sides are a polished stainless steel and the top is brushed. Some think that the three-link bracelet is large for the 41mm case; I think it matches the wide font on the bezel, and that the swooping lugs create a clean transition from the face to the strap.

The Mako II is water resistant at 200m and features an automatic, hand-winding, hacking movement at 6 beats per second.

Best Under $100: Vostok Amphibian Military Diver

Vostok is known for being the former official supplier to the Russian Army, so it’s pretty wild that you can have a Defense Department-level dive watch for under $100.

The Vostok Amphibian features an automatic self-winding movement with 31 jewels. If you haven’t worn it in a long time, you can wind it with a stem, but regular use should keep this from being necessary.

It also features shock resistance and luminous hands and dots.

The face of the dial is what makes this watch unique. It features playful illustrations on a bright blue background. With so many fun qualities, the Amphibian is like your favorite childhood toy submarine repurposed into a watch appropriate for a grown man.

Best Automatic: Seiko 5 SRPB81K

You can always count on Seiko to triumph on the technical front. With their deep experience fashioning watches at every price point, Seiko knows how to pack as many good things into a budget watch more than any other brand.

The Seiko 5 SRPB81K model features a 24-jewels self-winding automatic movement.

It uses caliber 4R35 which is an in-house movement released in 2011 as an upgrade to their previous premium automatic movement. It offers hacking, hand-winding functionality, and a date calendar complication at the 3-hour mark.

The SRPB81K also features an anti-shock system, a 40-hour power reserve, and is water resistant up to 100m.

Style-wise, this watch has a utilitarian look to match its tool capabilities. It has a 44mm case and a 22mm bracelet, and a digital-inspired font for the 12, 3, 6, and 9-hour mark.

The face has several layers of line markers for a busy look that isn’t overwhelming due to the neutral color palette. This is definitely the best Seiko dive watch under $200.

Best Chronograph: Bulova 98B333

I advise watch collectors who are interested in core collections and entry-level pieces to invest in sport watches. They never go out of style and they hold their value. So where do you go if you want to buy a dress watch that looks good but won’t break the bank? My answer is always Bulova.

The Bulova 98B333 features chronograph capabilities, a unidirectional hatchet bangle, a deployment clasp, and, of course it’s also water resistant at 100 meters.

But boy does this tool look great with a tuxedo.

The chronograph face is elevated with layers of red and silver detailing, from the gem-like hour markers to the ceremonious monument hands.

The bracelet has a similar multidimensional aesthetic, made up of five links which alternate between polished and brushed.

With a case size of 45mm, this statement Bulova is a man’s version of a diamond necklace.

Best 38mm: Invicta Pro Diver

Invicta is a sort of homage factory. Unsurprisingly, it’s a controversial brand in the world of Internet watch forums.

The Invicta Pro Diver is the exception, a well-liked diver that takes its cue from the Rolex Submariner.

Invicta will sometimes take a luxury brand’s watch design and make it bigger and bolder. This Pro Diver instead has a 38mm case, a much less flashy approach. On its 18mm band, it wears slightly large, but it’s not at all loud.

Another reason for this watch’s popularity is that it’s built with a detailed understanding of luxury watch design, but doesn’t try to be a clone.  Its aesthetic is generally tighter than the Submariner, with longer lugs closer to the face and a crown flush against the side, perfect for its small size.

And of course, this Invicta is water resistant at 200m, features a unidirectional bezel, and runs on an automatic movement.

Best in Low Light: Luminox A.0201.BO

Luminox is known for their use of tritium inserts, a chemical insert that provides effective and long-lasting luminescence.

The Luminox Black Carbon-Reinforced diver features that very same Swiss self-powered illumination system. The glow doesn’t need to be activated by a button and lasts a whopping 25 years. Luminox even claims it glows 100 times brighter than most luminous watches.

Design-wise, the 43mm plastic case and the textured rubber strap have a robust, chunky look. Since the entire watch is matte and black though, it’s still quite understated.

It’s water resistant at 100m and features an accurate Swiss quartz movement.

Most Unique: Vincero Vessel

Founded as recently as 2014, Vincero is a relatively new brand. The design for their diver line, the Vincero Vessel, is one of the most unique takes I’ve seen on the classic dive watch.

It’s a stripped down design that takes quintessential dive elements, such as the unidirectional bezel, off of the case and onto its compact face.

The result is a minimalist case, with the unifying design details exclusively on the dial. The indices and hands, for example, are lined with the same color stainless steel that the brushed case is made out of.

The Vessel is a bulky, masculine wear at 44mm. While it’s definitely a sleek watch, it’s too big to fit under a sleeve and should be reserved for casual and smart casual situations.

It’s water resistant at 200m and comes in a variety of colors.

While the Vincero Vessel retails for over $200, you can use the code TAM20 for a 20% discount to get you under the mark. Vincero also offers a two-year warranty and free world-wide shipping.

Best Under $50: Casio MDV106 Duro

As the most affordable watch in the roundup, the Casio MDV106 Duro really hits way above its price tag. It first came out in 2011 as a back-to-basics descendant of previous Casio divers.

It features a decent lume and is water resistant at 200m. Both of these qualities are difficult to find in dive watches three times the price of the Duro.

It’s a sturdy and rugged watch, with a 44mm case and bulky resin strap. It wears thick, but it isn’t overbearing.

The Duro features a Japanese Quartz movement, and archetypical dive features like a coin edge bezel with an aluminum insert, and a mix of polished and brushed surfaces.

Bonus – Best Microbrand Dive Watch Under $200: Pantor Nautilus

Pantor focuses on making sure every design maximizes the efficiency of the watch at hand. With the Nautilus, they’ve built a dive watch that does just that at a very attractive price point.

Every single diver prerequisite has been stuffed into this watch including a 120-click rotating bezel, 200m water resistance, a screw down crown, and a 316L stainless steel case.

I love the turtle shell case shape and the mix of brushed and polished steel. It’s as if this watch was built by combining the best practices from every watch on this list from both a design and function perspective.

Dive in!

Each of these divers really shine in their own category, so here’s an at-a-glance breakdown to help set you on the right path:

Best Overall: No matter how many times you see an Orient Mako II on a best-of list, it’ll never stop being a classic.

The Seiko 5 SRPB81K, with its in-house movement, scores high on function and style as well.

Most Unique: The Vincero Vessel’s unplugged remix of the classic dive is uncommon and eye-catching. It’s a great choice for a first dive watch or as an addition to a growing collection.

Best Price: The Vostok Amphibian, at less than $100, and the Casio Duro, at less than $50, are functional dives at fashion watch prices. It doesn’t hurt that they’re as stylish as fashion watches too.

Best Luminescence: It’s rare for watches in this price range to display a good lume, but the Luminox Black Carbon-Reinforced dive is an excellent exception. If you’re going to be in low lighting often, this is your watch.

As mentioned, the 38mm Invicta Pro Diver is great for small wrists and the Bulova 98B333 Chronograph is a dressy option for those special occasions.

The fun thing about dive watches is that they’re so diverse. As long as your latest dive is different than your last, you really can’t have too many.

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