Nothing beats the looks of a classy dive watch that fits both formal and casual occasions. While dive watches were initially intended exclusively for divers, their exotic style and feel have turned them into everyday watches that many people would love to wear.
While some dive watches can be quite expensive, you can still get a nice one without spending a fortune. That’s why we’ve reviewed some of the best dive watches under $1000, so you can pick the one that suits your taste.
Comparison Table
| Model | Band Material | Case Material | Depth Rating | Colors |
| Tissot Seastar T1204071104100 | Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel | 300m | Blue and Gray |
| Citizen Eco-DriveBN2029-01E | Polyurethane | Stainless Steel | 200m | Black |
| Seiko SKX007K | Rubber | Stainless Steel | 200m | Black |
| Marathon Watch WW194027 | Rubber | Stainless Steel | 300m | Black |
4 Best Dive Watches Under $1000
Without further ado, let’s dive (pun intended) into the reviews straight away.
1. Tissot Seastar T1204071104100 – Best Overall
Tissot is known for creating some of the world’s most beautiful dive watches, and the Tissot Seastar is no exception. Their watches are quite affordable compared to many models from other Swiss watchmakers while also providing a premium look and feel.
The Tissot Seastar embraces the company’s strategy of providing reliable dive watches at reasonable prices. It features Automatic Swiss movement, which means that the watch moves with your hand movement, allowing for a battery-less design.
Furthermore, it boasts an all-stainless steel design that gives the watch the strength it needs to tolerate the harshest conditions. The case size is 43mm, which isn’t that big for a dive watch, and it should fit nicely with most wrist sizes.
It’s also worth noting that the band has a folding clasp for safety and a diver extension closure, making the watch a tad more comfortable to wear.
Moreover, the Tissot Seastar has a depth rating of 300 meters, which is quite impressive, considering that most other watches at this price range are limited to a 200-meter depth rating.
Not to mention, the bezel is unidirectional, ensuring that the timer’s accuracy is maintained in case of accidental bumps. You also get a date display, which is a pretty nice addition that some manufacturers seem to neglect.
Pros:
- Sleek design
- Durable stainless steel case and band
- 300-meter depth rating
- Date display
- Adjustable
Cons:
- A bit heavy
Bottom Line
The Tissot Seastar is an excellent way to showcase that the Swiss watchmaker can pull off some pretty luxurious-looking dive watches without crossing the $1000 mark.
2. Citizen Eco-Drive BN2029-01E – Runner Up
One of the best features that make the Citizen Eco-Drive stand out from the crowd is that both natural and artificial light sources power it, so you don’t have to worry about replacing any batteries. It also utilizes Japanese Quartz movement, which translates to a very high level of accuracy.
Furthermore, the Citizen Eco-Drive flaunts a bold black finish with a gray outer rim that gives it a sleek and classy look. The case is made of stainless steel, while the band is made of polyurethane, combining the best of both worlds when it comes to durability and comfort.
The one-way rotation bezel ensures that you get accurate time-tracking. Additionally, the watch has a date display window. Moreover, the luminous hands allow you to check the time even when you’re in a dark room.
The Citizen Eco-Drive also has a depth rating of 200 meters, which is similar to other dive watches in this category.
Pros:
- Light-powered
- Comfortable polyurethane strap
- Unidirectional bezel
- Luminous hands
- 200m depth rating
Cons:
- The rubber band isn’t as durable as stainless steel ones
Bottom Line
With an elegant design and a light-powered battery, the Citizen Eco-Drive is an excellent dive watch for those who don’t like replacing batteries.
3. Seiko SKX007K – Best Budget
Do you want to save even more money and go well below the $1000 mark? Then you should definitely take a look at the Seiko SKX007K. This watch has some of the bells and whistles of more premium dive watches, minus the price tag, of course.
It features a stylish black design with silver accents that results in a very aesthetically-pleasing design. Moreover, the rubber band means that this dive watch won’t be as heavy as the ones with stainless steel bands, despite compromising a bit when it comes to durability.
Oh, and it’s even equipped with a hardlex crystal, which is one of the hardest crystals you can find in a dive watch at this price range. Additionally, the Seiko SKX007K has a date and day display, which is quite cool.
Nevertheless, it does have a stainless steel case, which can take a few hits gracefully without suffering a single scratch.
The Seiko SKX007K is an Automatic movement watch, meaning there are no batteries to deal with. Not to mention, it boasts a depth rating of 200 meters, which is on par with other more expensive models.
Pros:
- Very affordable
- Automatic movement
- Hardlex crystal
- Date and day display
- 200-meter depth rating
Cons:
- Not very accurate
Bottom Line
If you’re looking for a budget dive watch, the Seiko SKX007K seems like a pretty solid option, and it doesn’t disappoint on any front.
4. Marathon Watch WW194027 – Best Durable
The last dive watch on our list is the Marathon Watch, and we’ve made sure that it’s a special one. This watch is actually a military-grade dive watch and is used by U.S troops on the battlefield, which tells you a lot about how durable it is.
Thanks to the scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, expect this dive watch to last for many years to come. Additionally, the Marathon Watch has a depth rating of up to 300 meters – expected from a military-grade dive watch.
The Marathon Watch utilizes a high-torque 3 jewels Quartz movement with an EOL (End-of-Life) indicator, providing you with an unprecedented accuracy level. Moreover, it features self-illuminating tritium gas tubes that keep their luminosity for up to 25 years.
Oh, and did we mention that the band is made of vulcanized rubber? That’s the same compound used by tire manufacturers, providing you with outstanding durability without sacrificing comfort.
Alternatively, you can opt for the model that has a stainless steel band for an extra 200 bucks. The case is pretty small, though, and it may not look that great on larger wrists.
Pros:
- Scratch-resistant sapphire crystal
- Vulcanized rubber band
- Self-illuminating tritium gas tubes
- 300-meter depth rating
Cons:
- Very small case size
Bottom Line
The Marathon Watch is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a heavy-duty dive watch with its hard crystal and a vulcanized rubber band.
Factors to Consider Before Buying a Dive Watch
Here are a few considerations that you need to keep in mind before choosing a dive watch.
Materials
Material choices for dive watches aren’t many. Most dive watches have a stainless case, but it’s not uncommon to find some that use a different material like resin. Both are solid options, but nothing beats stainless steel when it comes to durability. It also looks better.
On the other hand, some dive watches come with stainless steel bands, while others use rubber or polyurethane ones. Stainless steel bands are more durable, despite being a bit heavier. Still, rubber and polyurethane straps are much more comfortable to wear.
Depth Rating
Expect that your new dive watch would have a depth rating of 200-300 meters at this price range. For casual users, this won’t matter much. However, if you plan on diving with your watch, you may benefit from the extra water pressure tolerance.
Adjustability
Imagine getting a brand new dive watch, only to find out that it’s not the right fit for you. Pretty disappointing, right? You can easily avoid that by ensuring that the watch is adjustable before buying it.
Many dive watches with stainless steel bands are equipped with removable clasps that allow you to adjust the band’s size by removing some of them. However, you’ll need to take it to a specialist to adjust it for you since this requires some special tools.
By the same token, dive watches with a rubber band include punched holes in the strap to make them suitable for most wrist sizes.
Final Thoughts
Now that we’re done, let’s give you some final recommendations.
Our favorite dive watch on the list is the Tissot Seastar. It has the looks of a luxurious dive watch without sacrificing durability, and we just love the blue and gray color combo. This is undoubtedly the best dive watch under $1000.
If you want a cheaper alternative, consider getting the Seiko SKX007K. With a sleek black and silver design, a hardlex crystal, and a depth rating of 200 meters, you can’t ask for more at this price.