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7 Best Affordable Dive Watches Under $500 with a Fine Quality
Apr 18, 2024
Having a dive watch in a collection is kind of a basic custom among watch enthusiasts. Well, there is a bunch of reasons for doing that as dive watches own many features, such as durability, great legibility, cool bezel, and high water resistance. There is a myriad range of choices for you to have ranging from luxury collections to ones that cost only a hundred bucks. As a newcomer, I believe that affordable dive watches are your first option — that’s why you are here reading this article.
In the huge market of wristwatches, dive watch aficionados can be actually spoiled with choices. You don’t even need to spend a lot in your saving account for fine quality. Watch manufacturers have found a way to provide impressive dive watches at affordable prices.
Yet, things to be noted is that price definitely tells something about a watch. You might get a dive watch at an inexpensive price but the watch’s features or performances wouldn’t outweigh the ones within a luxury collection. Nevertheless, starting a collection with affordable reach is never a sin. Therefore, here I’ve compiled a list of the best affordable dive watches for you. Get one that fits your budget and matches your taste.
Seiko Prospex 200M Diver Scuba Solar Blue
You can always trust Seiko for an impressive watch performance at a modest price. The Seiko Prospex 200M Diver Scuba Solar Blue is my first recommendation for affordable dive watches. Seiko’s Prospex collection is designed for professional use and built to a very high standard — spoiling you with a range of features for comfortable diving. Measured in a 38.5mm case without the crown and a height of only 10.6mm, the watch took a dimension of vintage pieces.
It is powered by Seiko’s solar caliber V147 once it is fully charged, you don’t need to worry about its power reserve for the next 10 months. The great news is that you can grab this watch for only $489 — a special number for the price of innovations. As to how a reliable dive watch, this Seiko Prospex Diver 200M Scuba Solar Blue is equipped with the must-have features.
Seiko’s LumiBrite allows the watch to glow brightly in the dark for hours, the sunburst blue tone dial, large indices, rotating bezel, satin-brushed stainless steel bracelet with polished connecting links, and 200m of water resistance. A complete package in one piece for one of the best affordable dive watches.
You might also like: 10 Impressive Dive Watches Under $1000 – Dive into Quality
Herodia Series 1 Sean
What is your first impression of this watch’s appearance? Well, it might exude an old-retro vibe but be surprised with what the watch offers for an affordable price. The Herodia Series 1 Sean is a timepiece built to reflect the whole savoir-faire from their 60s package. It features a classic black aluminum bezel in a wider size than the common dive watch — making it an unapologetic ready for an action dive watch. If you watch closely on the dial, you’ll notice a triangle at 12 which is a nod to 60s iconic divers.
The watch has an ideal dimension for diving which is a 42mm watch case and 48mm from lugs to lugs. Let’s not forget the 8mm in diameter screw-down crown or Big Crown for easy operational use. Further, both the crown and case back have high-quality gaskets to provide proper 300m water resistance. Does it start to appeal to your taste? Grab one for only $450.
Read also: 7 Best Dive Watches Under 1000: Get One for Your Next Dive
Hitori Ryukyu Diver Retro Black
Appealing to watch enthusiasts for its nostalgic design, Hitori is also part of the dive watch realms that exist in a broad scale spectrum with affordable to premium price tags. The Hitori Ryukyu Diver Retro Black is a piece that resembles vintage collections. It redefines the classic style uniquely to the land of the rising sun. As the name implied, Ryuku is a name of an island in Japan and this watch tries to reflect the grandeur oceans of Ryukyu island.
The timepiece highlights its slimmer case profile with distinctive L-shaped lugs. It is measured 40.7mm in diameter, a height of 11.7mm, and a lug-to-lug length of 46.5mm. A good proportion for diving watches alongside its 200m water resistance. Hitori also applied a good finishing for the watch. As for the movement, it is worth a title of reliable watches with the automatic caliber NH36A cost only $388.
Orient Star Sports Diver’s 200m Blue Dial
Orient Star watch collections are timepieces considered exotic with an elegant look to elevate your style. Most of their collections are indeed at affordable prices but they’re not retail prices. The Orient Star Sports Diver’s 200m is one of a kind with a handsome and distinctive look. If you look at the watch dial intently, you’ll realize the charm of this watch.
A round dial where the rounded watch hands and hour-markers are placed somehow makes a pleasant combination to look at. Orient Star also provides excellent legibility for the watch, making it one of the most coveted affordable dive watches. It holds 200m of water resistance with an AR-coated flat sapphire crystal over the dial. As for the movement, it is powered by the in-house-made Orient caliber F6N47 automatic movement with 50 hours of power reserve. Above all of these facts, it costs only $489.
Citizen Eco-Drive Promaster Diver Quartz
Another ideal and perfect size affordable dive watch comes from the Citizen watch. The series of Eco-Drive Promaster Diver Quartz offers a taste-like premium piece at a standard price. It features a range of basic equipment for diving watches that totally will please your desire. The watch is measured in 43mm case diameter, 48mm lug-to-lug distance, and 11.5mm in thickness. This somehow makes the watch feels lighter.
To top it off, the Eco-drive movement is something that should not be forgotten, especially considering the price that’s dipping so low. Moving on to the dial, legibility is a must for a dive watch. Every marker on the dial is designed to have clear legibility. As for the bezel, the watch incorporates aluminum with an accurate 60-click mechanism. Yet, although it hits every mark when rotated, the teeth configuration is not grippy as it seems. However, for $209 this issue wouldn’t be much concern compared to the availability of other features.
Tissot Seastar 1000
Available in three dial colors (blue, black, and white), Tissot Seastar 1000 can be your first option of having affordable dive watches. It’s not only that they are attractive but also the basic equipment you can have in a dive watch. It offers a great water-resistance which is 300m with a uni-directional rotating bezel.
Not to mention, the PreciDrive technology to maintain its accuracy (±10 seconds per year), and HeavyDrive technology allows a good shock resistance. All of these technologies are powered with the ETA F05.412 caliber. With that being said, the watch’s accuracy is said to be eight to ten times better than a standard quartz movement. You can enjoy and grab this watch for only $415.
Timex Navi XL Automatic
When it comes to the idea of affordable pieces with the best looking, you should not leave Timex on the list. The Timex Navi XL Automatic features a green dial with the touch of a distinct hour hand. In an overall look, it has a good dimension proportion to strap comfortably around your wrist. Known for its affordable prices, this is their impressive offering for the watch community.
Powering by the Miyota movement, the watch has a 40-hour power reserve — it is a reliable and competent movement. The 100m of water resistance is also enough to withstand water activities. With only $259, this is what you call a good piece for affordable dive watches.
As it is shown on the list above, affordable dive watches do not only boast their prices but also the fine quality watches you can ever have within your budget. It turns out that you don’t always need to take out a lot of money to get a good one. Affordable doesn’t mean less quality and definitely, it’s a different thing with replicas. So, which one on the list picks your interest?
