Dive watches represent adventure and discovery. They are functional, tough, have a luxurious look and are generally technically advanced timepieces. But above all, a diving watch is a watch built to withstand the pressure and depth of the sea and to guide the diver during the dive. Others wear a diving watch for their own style and appearance.

The answers to these questions will help you choose the right dive watch:

1. What is the diving watch used for?

The most important feature of a diving watch is that it is waterproof and can withstand high water pressure. If the watch is worn daily and not used for swimming or diving, a lower water resistance is sufficient.

• A 5 ATM (50 metres, 5 ATM, 5 bar) watch can get completely wet, but it is not suitable for the beach or the swimming pool because temperature differences cause the materials used to expand or contract, which can cause leakage. You can shower with 5 ATM (50 meters).
• To be able to swim or snorkel safely with a watch, a water resistance of at least 10 ATM (100 meters) is required.
• For diving in seas or lakes, a water resistance of at least 20 ATM (200 meters) is required.
• Scuba diving is subject to even stricter requirements: a minimum of 100 ATM (1000 metres) is required.

Click here for more information about waterproofing.

2. What features do you really need?

If the watch is mainly used to keep track of when the dive time has elapsed, a 20 ATM waterproof watch with a one-way rotating bezel (uni-directional bezel) will suffice. If you are looking for a dive watch to use as a primary source of information about a dive, choose a (digital) watch with many features such as a depth gauge.

Because diving watches must be able to withstand great pressure, the watch cases are often thicker and made of heavier materials. If you do not actually use the watch for (deep-sea) diving, you should consider choosing a lighter material such as titanium or plastic. In addition, these materials naturally have a different appearance than stainless steel.

Some dive watches have orange or yellow dials, because these colors are clearly visible at depth. For everyday wearers, it’s a fun touch to a serious watch.

3. Watch strap type and material

The choice for a certain watch strap material is very personal. One finds sturdy steel most comfortable to wear, the other prefers flexible (silicone) rubber. When choosing a strap for a diving watch, it is important to know whether the strap can be extended when the watch is worn over the diving suit. Many wearers of diving watches therefore opt for a nylon NATO strap. It is easily adjustable in size, easy to replace and comfortable to wear. A silicone strap with (separate) extension is also an option.

It goes without saying that leather straps are not suitable for swimming/diving.

4. Readability, even in the dark

Light is absorbed faster in water than on land. It is therefore important that the watch is easy to read. A high contrast between the dial, indices, numerals and the watch itself contributes to visibility and legibility. In addition, the bezel (ring), hands and indices of many diving watches have a luminous coating or luminous tubes for use at great depths and in the dark.

5. Quartz, automatic, kinetic or solar diving watch?

Quartz watches are powered by a battery. This battery lasts an average of 1.5 – 2 years. When the battery has been replaced and the case has been opened, the watch must be tested for water resistance by the watchmaker.

A solar watch is a quartz watch that is charged by solar energy. The battery of this watch therefore does not need to be replaced, so that the water resistance can be guaranteed for longer.

Automatic and kinetic watches are mechanically driven and therefore do not need to be opened at all. The disadvantage of a mechanical watch is that it is maintenance-sensitive and sometimes slightly less accurate than a quartz watch.

6. What does it cost?

We sell diving watches in all price ranges. How much the watch costs depends on many factors; use of materials, timepiece, brand, (additional) complications. If you ask yourself the questions listed above in advance, you will know which requirements a diving watch must meet for you. Our diving watches page lists all watches of 20 ATM or more.

In short:

1. How waterproof should the watch be?
2. Which style and material do you like?
3. Is the strap comfortable and practical?
4. Is the watch easy to read, even in the dark?
5. Does the watch have a battery that sometimes needs to be replaced?
6. Which watches fit into your budget?

But besides all these practical points, the most important question is perhaps whether the watch does anything for you. Unfortunately we can’t give any tips for that, you just have to feel it!