Struggling with finding a reliable and stylish dive watch that fits within a budget?

In this blog, we explore the best dive watches under $500, catering to divers and water sports enthusiasts who seek functionality and durability without a hefty price tag. We cover a range of dive watches that offer essential features like water resistance, luminous dials, and robust construction. From classic designs to modern technical models, we include options that cater to different tastes and diving requirements, ensuring a perfect match for every underwater adventurer.

With over 15 years of experience in watchmaking and outdoor gear, we’ve assisted countless divers, snorkelers, and water sports fans in selecting dive watches that blend precision, resilience, and style. Our selection of the best dive watches under $500 is based on thorough testing and real-world diving conditions, ensuring our recommendations are trustworthy, comfortable to wear, and visually appealing. These watches aren’t just about keeping time underwater; they excel at offering enhanced legibility, reliable depth ratings, and resistance to the elements, making them ideal companions for any aquatic journey.

We’ve evaluated them for their water resistance capabilities, durability, accuracy, and overall value for money, finding them to be excellent choices for anyone seeking a high-quality dive watch without breaking the bank.

Below are some terms you definitely need to know before going further if this is not your niche

Bezel (unidirectional): A bezel is a rotating ring surrounding the watch dial that only turns counterclockwise and features markings in at least five-minute intervals. Rolex and Blancpain introduced bezels in the early 1950s. They are used to enable divers to track their underwater oxygen use. As there is limited oxygen, they can act as a reminder to prevent the divers from spending too much time underwater. The unidirectional bezels turn counterclockwise and are a safer way to track underwater time.

Gasket: A gasket is a soft rubbery ring inside the watch that keeps it watertight and prevents damage by water.

Helium escape valve: This is not a dive watch requirement; however, it still comes on some watches. Helium gas He is a very light gas and can get into spaces where air and water can’t get into under the pressurized sea level. The valve is set up to gradually depressurize the watch when the diver gets back to sea level.

Lume stands for luminous phosphorescent. It is a solution applied to watches nowadays to make them glow in the dark. Radioactive materials like radium and tritium were used back in the day; fear not, radioactive materials are not used anymore. The lume is a fairly popular term among watch enthusiasts; it comes with most sports watches nowadays. The lume is very important for diving watches because visibility underwater is key.

Screw-down crown: This is a crown that screws down until it gets to a tight line with the watch case; this too is used to seal the watch from water penetration.

Best Women’s Dive Watch Under $500

Orient Mako II Automatic Watch

Overview: According to “Mass Drop,” one of the best budget-friendly innovations of recent times,. Orient’s Mako watch has become most popular.

The name draws inspiration from the name of one of the smartest, fastest sharks in the world.

Its affordability and design make it the best introduction to automatic watches.

And with its 60-click unidirectional bezel, 200-meter water resistance, and screw-down crown, it’s also a great introduction to divers.

After all, it’s built with office-friendly features such as a brushed stainless steel case and a sleek black dial.

It is equipped with applied stick markers; the dial features a day and a date window at 3 o’clock along with applied hour markers at the 12, 6, and 9 o’clock positions. The sword-style hour and minute hands, along with all the markers, are loomed, while the second hand is tipped in red. On the inside, the Mako is equipped with the company’s renowned caliber 46943 automatic movement – Orient’s most popular. 

Orient Mako II Specifications
Display Type Analog
Clasp Deployment-clasp
Case Material Stainless steel
Case Diameter 46 MM
Case Thickness 13 MM
Band Material Stainless Steel
Water Resistant Depth 200 Meters

SEIKO SKX007

Overview:

This watch is exceptional and deserves its place on this list easily.

The balance it provides is unparalleled, One minute you’re diving with it and the next you’re at an official function without changing your watch…

A sense of bourgeois is given to it by a Hardlex crystal set into the 42mm face, while the build which is stainless steel offers just enough flash to be noticeable.

It can run without a battery; by only the movements of your arm, the SKX007K2 uses a perpetual pendulum to wind itself off.

Marking time is easy owing to the high-contrast face and the fully marked bezel.

  • Pro: It has a clean and timeless look.
  • Con: There is too much freedom in the band.

SEIKO SKX007 Specifications
Display Type Analog
Clasp Deployment-clasp
Case Material Stainless steel
Case Diameter 42 MM
Case Thickness 12 MM
Band Material Stainless Steel
Water-Resistant Depth 200 Meters

Seiko “Sea Urchin” SNZF Watch

Overview:

According to “Mass Drop” one of the best budget-friendly innovations of recent times. The Seiko “Sea Urchin” features a Seiko 7S36 23-jewel automatic movement.

Its polished case on the sides and light brushing on the lugs is a distinctive feature.

Its stainless steel case which is 42-millimeters in thickness makes it have the classic dive watch barrel shape.

The rotating bezel comes in black for a subtle look and is 120-click unidirectional; its Hardlex crystal and display case back rounds out the watch. The watch is extremely easy to read at a glance because of its luminous dot and block indicators.

The dark dial which gives a different look is popped off by the coating. A window at the 3 o’clock position allows one to keep track of the date also showing the day of the week.

  • Pro: It has versatility in its design which makes it fitting for any outfit style.
  • Con: It doesn’t last up to 40 hours with the battery fully charged.

Sea Urchin Specifications
Display Type Analog
Clasp Deployment-clasp
Case Material Stainless steel
Case Diameter 42 MM
Case Thickness 13 MM
Band Material Stainless Steel
Water Resistant Depth 100 Meters

Hamilton Khaki Navy Scuba Watch

Overview

For those of you familiar with this brand, before I recommend it, I would like to start by stating that it is not a dive watch, but it is a very well-built piece that one can dive with.

It carries the traits of a Hamilton watch with its superb quality and precision.

It’s made of sapphire crystals which are very sturdy and also sports ETA automatic movement that gives it excellent accuracy.

Pros:

  • It’s a very casual style that fits every occasion
  • Sapphire crystal is very tough, speaks to the durability

Cons:

  • Its 100m water resistance makes it not fully suitable for scuba divers
  • The lume is not very bright

SEIKO SKX007 Specifications
Display Type Analog
Clasp Deployment-clasp
Case Material Stainless steel
Case Diameter 40 MM
Case Thickness 12.95 MM
Band Material Nato
Water Resistant Depth 100 Meters

Why Should You Buy This Watch?

Your choice of whether or not to buy this watch should depend on your activity. For a pro scuba diver, this is really not suitable, but if you don’t mind doing light water sports and snorkeling, this is just perfect for you!

Seiko Men’s ‘Prospex’ Automatic Stainless Steel and Silicone Casual Watch

Yes, it’s Seiko back on the list, what a surprise right!

The thing with Seiko is the love of pushing boundaries especially in this area and I feel there are going to be more Seiko watches on the list because they are that good.

This watch comprises the trademark Seiko innovativeness that helps you navigate the deep blue sea with ease.

Pros:

  • High quality
  • The strap is Seiko’s new soft and comfortable silicone-rubber strap
  • Amazing low light visibility

Cons

  • Some have QC issues.

Seiko Men’s ‘Prospex’ Specifications
Display Type Analog
Clasp Deployment-clasp
Case Material Stainless steel
Case Diameter 45 MM
Case Thickness 13 MM
Band Material Silicone
Water Resistant Depth 200 Meters

Why Should I Buy This Watch?

Do you love the quality, innovation, and excellent underwater visibility? if so, then you’re done searching for a dive watch.

Citizen Promaster Altichron

Overview:

The company statement is that this watch is for” The adventurer who likes to make a statement, this watch takes you new depths and heights while keeping you on the right track!

This watch sports a  Stainless steel case, silicone strap with buckle closure, a round face three-hand analog display with quartz movement.

Intricate dial design features color-tone hands and hour markers, two subdials, a date display window, and Citizen detailing.

The Citizen Promaster Altichron watch is powered by Eco-Drive technology and is powered by light, any light. Never needs a battery. It is water-resistant up to 20 bars perfect for swimming and snorkeling. Display case included. Imported. Citizen Watch offers a five-year limited manufacturer’s warranty on all their products.

Pros:

  • Very sporty look and feel
  • One of the best bang for the buck in the dive watch market#

Cons:

  • It has a rather large face

Promaster Altichron Specifications
Display Type Analog
Clasp Buckle
Case Material Grey Ion-Plated Stainless Steel
Case Diameter 46 MM
Case Thickness 14.8 MM
Metal stamp No-metal-stamp (Fashion only)
Water Resistant Depth 200 Meters

Is This Watch For Me?

Are you an adventurous person who wouldn’t mind being that person who seizes the day to get lost and have an excellent adventure? That’s the vibe you get wearing this watch, so are you?

Best Women’s Dive Watch under $500

It is important to bring up this category because even though scuba diving is a very rewarding sport that doesn’t exactly keep it bracketed for just males, it is still dominated by males. So online a lot of watches that are not labeled ‘man’ are still made and designed with men in mind. So this list is for the women who are struggling to find quality gear because the top quality gear is either made for men or looks too masculine.

The main difference in labeling watches for men or women is size, most of the watches will have the same functionality anyway so size is the major deciding factor here. The watches for women generically have smaller wristbands and smaller daces while the men’s is the opposite of that.

So, Here’s A Pick for Our Top Diving Watches for Women under $500

Seiko SKX013

This is the classical mid-size men’s automatic dive watch.

According to SEIKO, it features a Seiko 21 jewel automatic (self-winding) movement (caliber 7S26), a day and date display,  highly luminous hands and markers treated with Lumibrite, screws down offset crown, uni-directional 120 click bezel, scratch-resistant hardlex crystal, and a solid etched, screw-down case back.

Although it may be advertised as a man’s watch, many men complained it feels too little for them, and a lot of women like the fit just fine; hence it’s place in this category. This and when thinking about the price ranges, you can barely get better than this anywhere.

Seiko SKX013 Specifications
Display Type Analog
Clasp Fold-over-clasp
Case Material Stainless steel
Case Diameter 36 MM
Case Thickness 13 MM
Band Material Stainless Steel
Water Resistant Depth 200 Meters

Citizens Pro Masters’ Ladies Divers Watch

Overview: This watch sports a Stainless steel case, bolted back case, rotating dark blue plated bezel with minute scale, mineral glass, water resistance to 20 bar, width 34 mm, height 11.5 mm, blue PU strap, pin buckle, solar quartz movement cal.

E068 anti-magnetic, date, blue dial, hands, and hour markers Luminous clock hand. 

To say simply, the watch is awesome and comes bearing goodies.

It also uses Eco-drive technology as Altichron mentioned prior to this. The power can last 180 days, and it is ISO 6425 certified which means this is a certified diver watch with breathing apparatus compatibility and helium gas release apparatus.

Citizen Specifications
Display Type Analog
Clasp Buckle
Case Material Stainless steel
Case Diameter 33 MM
Case Thickness 12 MM
Band Material Plastic
Water Resistant Depth 200 Meters

Women’s Quartz Watch

This watch has an exquisite design the beautiful 38mm round stainless steel dive watch features a rotary bezel, date window, luminous dial, buckle closure among others it has been said too perfect for daily use.

Each woman’s watch is waterproof tested to 200M / 660FT, making it the perfect watch for all your sporty activities.

It is very comfortable to wear with its rubber straps and can be used for any water-related activities like swimming, snorkeling.

Splash Specifications
Display Type Analog
Clasp Buckle
Case Material Stainless steel
Case Diameter 40 MM
Case Thickness 11 MM
Band Material Rubber
Water Resistant Depth 200 Meters

Invicta Women’s 8939 Pro Diver Collection Stainless Steel Watch

This Silver-tone watch features a black bezel and dial with luminous logo-inspired hands and indices25-mm stainless steel case with mineral dial window Japanese quartz movement with analog display three-link stainless steel band featuring fold-over clasp with safety/Water resistance to 100 m (660 ft):

In general, suitable for professional marine activity and serious surface water sports, but not scuba diving.

This watch was built to be stylish and make a statement which it does with its style and options.

Splash Specifications
Display Type Analog
Clasp Fold-over-clasp-with-safety
Case Material Stainless steel
Case Diameter 25 MM
Case Thickness 10 MM
Band Material Stainless Steel
Water Resistant Depth 200 Meters

Best Swiss Automatic Dive Watch under $500

When it comes to the watch niche, for all types of watches Swiss watches are held in very high regard. “Swiss precision” is something that watches companies boast about and will continue to in the foreseeable future given that it is something the Swiss watches are renowned for.

However, the one thing Swiss watches are also known for is their price or rather high prices, and this may scare off people trying to buy high-quality watches that are not crazy expensive. Today, I say fear no more; I bring you top Swiss dive watches under $500!

Victorinox Swiss Army Dive Black Dial SS Rubber Quartz Men’s Watch 241555

Victorinox Swiss Army watches definitely live up to the brand standards.

They are perfect watches for lightweight water sports like swimming or snorkeling.

They are very comfortable and durable, and all these qualities combined with the price earned them a place on this list.

Victorinox Specifications
Display Type Analog
Clasp Buckle
Case Material Stainless steel
Case Diameter 38 MM
Case Thickness 12 MM
Band Material Silicone
Water Resistant Depth 500 Meters

Alpina Men’s Startimer Stainless Steel Swiss-Quartz Watch with Nylon Strap, Black, 20

Alpina’s watchmaking history spans more than one century, and it is a true giant in its field with its plentiful innovations.

With this watch, Alpina was able to show they have an affordable watch although the Watches are generally renowned for being more on the pricey side.

The underwater resistance of this watch is 100 meters so that it can be used for lightweight water activities but not scuba diving.

Alpina Specifications
Display Type Analog
Clasp Buckle
Case Material Stainless steel
Case Diameter 42MM
Case Thickness 10 MM
Band Material Nylon
Water Resistant Depth 100 Meters

Best Men’s Dive Watch under $500

Believe it or not, this category is the hardest to get material for because there are just too many great products. So, without further ado here are our top picks for the best men’s watches under $500.

Citizens Men’s Eco-Drive Promaster Diver Watch with Date

I’ve talked about citizens watches quite a bit on this already, so expecting anything short of phenomenal from them would be shocking.

The Eco-Drive tech means this watch is powered by light and it never needs a battery.

It sports a unidirectional bezel with a blue dial and date window at 4 o’clock and luminous hands/hour markers.

There’s a high-quality feel to it, and it can certainly be worn with any outfit.

Eco-Drive Specifications
Display Type Analog
Clasp Buckle
Case Material Stainless steel
Case Diameter 43MM
Case Thickness 12 MM
Metal Stamp No-metal-stamp (Fashion only)
Water Resistant Depth 200 Meters

Citizens Invicta Men’s 18907 Pro Diver Analog Display Japanese Quartz Silver Watch

The design of this watch is a round watch with a blue dive-style bezel featuring skeleton hands, luminous indices, three chronograph subdials, and a date window at 4 o’clock.

It sports a 49 mm stainless steel case with a flame-fusion dial window.

It uses the Chinese quartz movement with an analog display that hasn’t been seen so far in this article.

Its stainless steel bracelet with a fold-over clasp with a safety closure. Water-resistant to 200 m (660 ft): In general, suitable for professional marine activity and serious surface water sports, but not scuba diving.

Invicta Men’s 0070 Specifications
Display Type Analog
Clasp Fold-over-clasp-with-safety
Case Material Stainless steel
Case Diameter 48MM
Case Thickness 17 MM
Band Material Stainless steel
Water Resistant Depth 200 Meters

Pantor Sealion

These watches are very durable quality diving watches with 300 meters of water resistance depth. The watch is made of a high-quality stainless steel case and sapphire glass.

Its movement is Japanese quartz with self-winding capability.

The watch has a sporty casual look to it and works great with any outfit.

It is endowed with a Helium Valve and has a Rotating Bezel. All this quality combined with an under $500 price tag definitely gives this watch an advantage.

Pantor Sealion Specifications
Display Type Analog
Clasp Deployment push-button clasp with buckle
Case Material Stainless steel
Case Diameter 42MM
Case Thickness 60 MM
Band Material Stainless steel
Water Resistant Depth 300 Meters

Seiko Divers Navy Dial Rubber Strap Men’s Watch SKX009P9

Seiko Divers Navy Dial Rubber Strap Men’s Watch SKX009P9 is a 42 mm silver-tone stainless steel case.

It has a Navy Dial with a Hardlex Crystal.

Date window at 3 o’clock, screw-down crown, and 22 mm rubber strap with a tang buckle.

Automatic movement and water-resistant up to 200 meters.

Its rubber strap makes it very comfortable to have on at all times.

Seiko Divers Specifications
Display Type Analog
Band Color Black
Dial Colour Blue
Case Diameter 42MM
Case Thickness 22 MM
Band Material Rubber
Water Resistant Depth 200 Meters

Best 40mm Dive Watches Under $500 

Even though this wouldn’t seem like a big deal to most but there are some people with small wrists who are at a loss for what watches to buy. The most important factor for how significant a watch wears is the combination of the thickness and lug-to-lug width.

Generally, people try to wear watches that do not overhang their wrists. So if you’re in this category shopping for unisex diving watches that aren’t too big for your wrists and on a budget, you should certainly take a look at it. Here are our top 3 picks for the best 40mm watches under $500!

Marathon WW194027

This may be by far the coolest and meanest watch in this article so far.

It is a military-style watch… before I go further, I would like to add that it is manufactured for the US military in accordance with their standards and is worn by troops abroad in Iran and Afghanistan!

How awesome is that! It comes with tritium gas tubes that Self-illuminate 24/7 for up to 25 years.

It is designed for Search And Rescue missions. Features 3mm thick scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, more durable than mineral crystal. 36mm case size. 13mm thick. Water-resistant up to 300 meters or 1000 feet! The watch is manufactured in Switzerland with its straps made in Italy. Again, one of the coolest and the meanest.

Marathon WW194027 Specifications
Display Type Analog
Clasp Buckle
Case Material Stainless steel
Case Diameter 36 MM
Case Thickness 13 MM
Band Material Rubber
Water Resistant Depth 300 Meters

NEYMAR Men’s Sports Watch 40mm Automatic Watch 1000m Stainless Steel Dive Watch Swiss 2824

Like the iconic footballer of its name, the NEYMAR watches are also great.

It has a Swiss 2824 Automatic Movement with a date indicator and analog display.

The watch weighs 180 g with a solid 316L stainless steel band and a waterproof screw-down crown.

It is convenient for any use with water having a resistance depth and pressure of 1000 meters and 100 ATm.

NEYMAR Men’s Sports Watch Specifications
Display Type Analog
Clasp Fold-over-clasp-with-double-push-button-safety
Case Material Solid 316L stainless steel
Case Diameter 40 MM
Case Thickness 15 MM
Metal stamp Stainless Steel
Water Resistant Depth 1000 Meters

Dive watches are great and a feat of human innovativeness and ingenuity.

Watch size, type and brand are personal preferences, and no one should feel left out, that’s why this article has so many varieties. So, enjoy your diving watches and have fun while doing so, thank you for the read.