Below you will find our list of the best dive watches under (or around) $1,000. We paid close attention to quality, the timelessness of the design and the overall value for your dollar. We provided a brief overview of the particular model and brand, followed by the relevant specs to help you find your new favorite timepiece. The featured watches are from a variety of brands: you’ll find Swiss brands, American brands, Japanese brands, micro-brands using Swiss movements. So without further ado, let’s take a look at our comprehensive list of best dive watches under $1,000.
What to Look For in Dive Watches Under $1,000
There are a few things you should be expecting when considering to buy a dive watch around $1,000. These are:
- Water resistance of at least 100 meters (preferably 200 meters)
- Reliable movement.
- Excellent top quality materials.
- A screw-down crown is a nice to have, but not a requirement.
Why Are Dive Watches So Popular?
Dive watches are popular due to their versatile design: they can be easily dressed up or down to be an appropriate companion. Additionally, they are durable, therefore they are perfect as “everyday beater” watches.
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Hamilton Khaki Navy Scuba Auto
Specs:
- Movement: Automatic
- Caliber: H-10
- Power Reserve: 80 hours
- Case Width: 43 mm
- Lug Distance: 22 mm
- Water Resistance: 300 m
- Price: Around $1,000
Luxury meets sport in this Hamilton Khaki Navy Scuba dive watch. Designed to be equally functional during a vacation near the beach or during deep sea exploring. The ceramic bezel protects it from corrosive elements such as sand and saltwater. With a larger 43mm case, increased water resistance to 30 bar (300m), this high performance watch is ready for all your adventures on, in or under the water.
Benrus Orbit Robot Skindiver
Specs:
- Movement: Automatic
- Caliber: Soprod P024
- Power Reserve: 38 hours
- Case Width: 41 mm
- Lug Width: 20 mm
- Water Resistance: 200 m
- Price: Around $1,000
The Benrus Orbit Robot is a show-stopping reissued version of the 1972 original model. The classic design is tastefully updated with modern materials to harmonize vintage and contemporary elements. The cushion case design retains the retro feel of the watch, boasting a comfortable 41 mm width, which works well for most wrist sizes. The brushed stainless steel bezel, case, and bracelet pair beautifully with the grey fumé dial. The dial has a lighter metallic color at the center—connecting it visually back to the case—while progressively getting darker towards the outer edge, providing a great contrast and visual frame. The orange wide baton hour and minute hands make the watch look very robust. It comes equipped with the Soprod P024 Swiss automatic movement, providing a 38-hour power reserve. The Orbit Robot is an elegant statement piece, and we’re excited about this reissue by Benrus.
Vaer D5 Meridian Navy
Specs:
- Movement: Automatic
- Caliber: Miyota 9039
- Power Reserve: 40 hours
- Case Width: 39 mm
- Lug Distance: 20 mm
- Water Resistance: 200 m
- Price: Around $600
The VAER D5 Meridian Navy is a serious dive watch with a touch of elegance: the warm-toned secondary colors on the dial make this timepiece a perfect choice as an everyday go-to watch as it is easy to dress up or down. Its reliable Miyota 9039 automatic movement provides a 40-hours power reserve. The combination of the sword style for the hour hand and the pencil style of the minute hand is an unusual solution, but they work really well together. The overall angles and ruggedness is counterbalanced with the lollipop second hand to provide the elegance that makes this watch a well-rounded timepiece.
Read our in-depth VAER D5 Meridian Navy review.
Tissot Seastar 1000
Specs:
- Movement: Automatic
- Caliber: Powermatic 80.111
- Power Reserve: 80 hours
- Case Width: 43 mm
- Lug Distance: 21 mm
- Water Resistance: 300 m
- Price: Around $500
The Tissot Seastar 1000 is the ultimate water sport watch, with its high water-resistance, and screw-down crown, as well as its unidirectional ceramic bezel. The Powermatic 80 movement boasts 80 hours of power reserve, which is enough to continue telling time accurately even if the watch is not worn for three days.
Victorinox Maverick Chronograph Black
Specs:
- Movement: Quartz
- Case Width: 43 mm
- Lug Distance: 22 mm
- Water Resistance: 100 m
- Price: Around $500
The Victorinox Maverick does it all: it is the right balance of elegance and practicality. Its quartz movement is Swiss-made, making it a trustworthy everyday companion. It is extremely robust due to its stainless steel casing and triple-coated anti-reflective sapphire crystal. The Maverick will stay effortlessly elegant in every situation.
Read more about the Maverick collection, or read our in-depth Victorinox brand review.
Benrus Sea Lord Diver
Specs:
- Movement: Automatic
- Caliber: Soprod P024
- Power Reserve: 38 hours
- Case Width: 39 mm
- Lug Width: 20 mm
- Price: Under $900
The Benrus Sea Lord dive watch was one of the most popular Benrus watches back in the day, and deservedly so. Understated in its simplicity, the design highlights the classic features of a robust dive watch. The overall design makes this watch a versatile addition to a collection as it can easily be dressed up for more formal events, or down for more casual, sporty activities. In other words, it’s a great everyday go-to watch. The 39 mm case width makes it perfectly comfortable for all wrist sizes. The wide baton hour and minute hands pair well with the understated features of the watch, while the black dial and the faux patina for the hour markers counterbalances the ruggedness and brings a touch of elegance. The Benrus Sea Lord comes with the Soprod P024 Swiss automatic movement, providing a 38-hour power reserve.
Raymond Weil Freelancer
Specs:
- Movement: Automatic
- Caliber: SW200-1
- Power Reserve: 38 hours
- Case Width: 42.5 mm
- Lug Distance: 21 mm
- Water Resistance: 300 m
- Price: Around $1,000
The Freelancer collection by Raymond Weil is one of the most well known collections, and rightly so. Our pick here is a perfectly sized 42.5 mm case diameter, making it a great fit for all wrist sizes. The classic design ensures an evergreen appearance for virtually all situations. Can’t go wrong with this one!
Read our in-depth Raymond Weil brand review.
Mido Ocean Star GMT
Specs:
- Movement: Automatic
- Caliber: Mido Caliber 80
- Power Reserve: 80 hours
- Case Width: 44 mm
- Lug Distance: 22 mm
- Water Resistance: 200 m
- Price: Around $1,000
Mido’s Ocean Star is a good looking, functional timepiece with an added GMT function showing you accurate time in two different time zones. As a nice finishing touch, on the back of the beautiful blue and black dial you will find a map of time zones across the world. Excellent option for the active or aspiring world traveler.
Victorinox Journey 1884 Automatic
Specs:
- Movement: Automatic
- Caliber: Sellita SW200-1
- Power Reserve: 38 hours
- Case Width: 43 mm
- Lug Distance: 21 mm
- Water Resistance: 200 m
- Price: Around $1,000
True explorers react to changes in topography and weather, spotting possible issues before they occur. This pioneering attitude is embodied by the Victorinox Journey 1884 Automatic with the reliable Sellita SW200-1 automatic movement. Its antimagnetic protection shields against electropollution-induced inaccuracies. This, together with its built-in shock resistance and high-quality rubber strap for adaptable, comfortable wear, making it a great companion.
Certina DS Action Diver
Specs:
- Movement: Automatic
- Caliber: Powermatic 80.611
- Power Reserve: 80 hours
- Case Width: 43 mm
- Lug Distance: 21 mm
- Water Resistance: 300 m
- Price: Around $700
The DS Action collection from Certina offers a new level of sophistication in modern watchmaking and is perfect for those who love to dive deep into the ocean. This timepiece is known for its accuracy, impressive water resistance, and stylish design, making it suitable for any situation. The DS Action Diver has consistently been a fan favorite among those who appreciate the Certina brand. Its 43 mm size looks great on most wrist sizes and is a beautiful statement piece.
Alpina Seastrong HSW - Smart watch features
Specs:
- Movement: Quartz
- Case Width: 45.5 mm
- Lug Distance: 22 mm
- Water Resistance: 100 m
- Price: Around $700
The Alpina Seastrong is similar in design to the Bulova Devil Diver in overall look and color scheme, but comes with extra features that are pretty unique to this watch. The perfect watch for the adventuring types, it counts your steps and even has call and message notifications. A perfect blend between a classic and a smart watch, it IS possible to have the perks of a smartwatch without the tech-y look.
The model featured here has a black rubber strap, orange aluminum bezel and black dial in a fiber glass case.
Doxa Sub 200 Caribbean
Specs:
- Movement: Automatic
- Caliber: ETA 2824-2
- Power Reserve: 38 hours
- Case Width: 42 mm
- Lug Distance: 19 mm
- Water Resistance: 200 m
- Price: Around $1,000
The story of the brand began in Switzerland, when a young boy who started his apprenticeship at the age of 12 slowly perfected his craftsmanship over the years and one day decided to start his own brand: ‘Georges Ducommun, Farbiques Doxa’. Much later, the brand was acquired by the Jenny family still at the helm today. The Sub 200 Caribbean has everything you need in a diver watch, a beautifully designed timepiece. Great choice.
Bulova Devil Diver
Specs:
- Movement: Automatic
- Caliber: Miyota 821D
- Power Reserve: 42 hours
- Case Width: 41 mm
- Lug Distance: 19 mm
- Water Resistance: 200 m
- Price: Around $600
Bulova’s eye-catching Oceanographer watch is a great blend of function and style. It features a bright orange dial with a black supple rubber strap. The brushed steel case combined with the matte black strap gives it a nice vintage look, and the fact that it is rated water resistant to exactly 666 feet is a testament to the brand’s playful sense of humor when it comes to the Devil Diver. The Miyota 821D automatic movement provides a 42 hours power reserve time.
Final Thoughts
We are always on the lookout for the best options, and our list features dive watches around $1,000 that are hitting our requirements: reliable movement, high quality materials, and interesting design. Picking the best dive watch for around $1,000 is an exciting project, and your personal preference is important. That is why we’re featuring different designs to help you in finding your next favorite watch!