These divers’ watches were made for conquering both land and sea.
It goes without saying that divers’ watches made a huge impact in the world of watchmaking, thanks to advancements to resist water, shock, and combat darkness – making way for instruments, tools, and timepieces that are far more durable and practical. Divers’ watches became more popular and necessary in the ‘50s, when scuba diving became a regular recreational sport. This challenged the watch industry to come up with more impressive technologies for deeper challenges.
One can’t just make a diver’s watch. It needs to meet strict guidelines from the International Organisation for Standardisation, checking off boxes such as water resistance to a minimum of 100 meters, magnetic, shock, and chemical resistance, and visibility and legibility even in dark waters. We’ve picked out 5 of the most stylish yet durable divers’ watches to sport in 2020 – some of them building upon heritage, while others make a breakthrough in diving equipment technology.
OMEGA Seamaster Diver 300M
For its 25th anniversary, the Seamaster Diver 300M saw an update in materials and technology while maintaining the design of the 1993 original. The new edition got resized to 42mm, with a new ceramic bezel with the diving scale in Ceragold™ or white enamel. On the dial, the popular wave patterns makes a laser-engraved comeback, with the indexes raised and filled with Super The divers’ watches are powered by Master Chronometer Calibres 8800 or 8801, and features a new conical-shaped helium escape valve, offering water-resistance to 50 even if the valve is accidentally opened underwater. W omegawatches.com
TUDOR Black Bay Fifty-Eight
In honour of the watchmaker’s first divers’ watch in 1958, the TUDOR Black Bay Fifty-Eight is a model that’s specially designed for those with slim wrists and vintage enthusiasts. It comes with a Navy Blue dial and bezel insert, and fitted with a TUDOR Manufacture Calibre MT5402 movement and a 39mm case that nods to the characteristic proportions of the ‘50s. The watch is equipped with a 70-hour power reserve and waterproof up to 200 metres. W tudorwatch.com
Oris Aquis Carysfort Reef Limited Edition
The 43.5mm Aquis Carysfort Reef Limited Edition is the third watch made by Oris in support of the Coral Restoration Foundation, the largest coral reef restoration organisation in the world. It features a bi-directional rotating blue and black day/night ceramic bezel, with laser-engraved GMT scale and a blue gradient dial. A domed sapphire crystal houses the dial, and works together with a screwed-crown with crown guards and solid screwed caseback to provide water-resistance up to 300 meters. With each purchase of this watch, an undisclosed portion of the proceeds goes to support the Coral Restoration Foundation. The watch even comes in a unique box made from sustainable algae. W oris.ch
Ulysse Nardin Diver Chronograph Limited Edition Hammerhead Shark
Known as the companion of yachtsmen and diving enthusiasts, the limited edition Ulysse Nardin Diver Chronograph 44mm Hammerhead Shark is both sporty yet sophisticated. It houses a UN-150 Manufacture calibre movement, presenting ultimate performance backup, water resistance up to 300 meters, wrist stability, and ease of time tracking and measurement. It’s fitted with a navy blue rubber strap, complete with titanium element and a titanium pin buckle. W ulysse-nardin.com
Bell & Ross BR 03-92 DIVER FULL LUM
The darkest depths of the sea meets it match with the 42mm BR 03-92 FULL LUM. Its metal basis dial is painted with green Superluminova C5 pigments, while the metal applique skeletonised indices and the bezel’s numerals are filled with green Superluminova C3. This offers a punch of ultra-phosphorescent green light that enables the wearer to have a continuous optimal reading of time even when diving in pitch black waters. W bellross.com