Diving watches
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This thread is basically like a drug dealer telling you what your choices are for that evening.
Every iota of will power....
Every iota of will power....
kyle191
Registered
Good news!!!! Deep Blue often runs flash sales "out of the blue"(see what I did there). Their top end Swiss dive watches are $900-$1000 now. But that could change tomorrow. They are the 45mm Daynight Swiss T-100
Here is the link to their Swiss movement line. DAYNIGHT SCUBA TRITIUM T-100 SWISS AUTOMATIC DIVER - DIVE WATCHES
kyle191
Registered
Then don't follow this link
Best value in Swiss Movement legit dive watches on the planetDAYNIGHT SCUBA TRITIUM T-100 SWISS AUTOMATIC DIVER - Archives
Yeah, right. That's like saying, "don't try this coke. its pure peruvian flake".Then don't follow this link
DAYNIGHT SCUBA TRITIUM T-100 SWISS AUTOMATIC DIVER - Archives
www.deepbluewatches.com
I'm still waiting for the Swatch / Omega watches to come back out.
www.swatch.com
Swatch X Omega to the Planets with the BIOCERAMIC MOONSWATCH Collection
Reach for the space and explore the universe with Omega X Swatch. Dream big and Fly High with iconic Speedmaster and new MoonSwatch watches.
www.swatch.com
I am a (small) luxury watch collector an I own a Sub and a few other Rolex. YES, definitely but not diving with it as a dive computer will do everything you need in a much safer way.
I agree that you should buy what you like but mind that 10K retail price is a considerable amount so being able to recover your 'investment' (watches aren't really an investment) might be important for you. The other issue is that IF you are not already part of a Rolex dealer clientele, you will not be getting any new watch anytime soon. This is like a really weird egg & chicken thing... that means that you will pay way above retail to buy a used watch. Cheaper watches than that will mean very old, poorly maintained or really beaten watches (not always but usually). If you go the used route, opt for a reputable dealer that can stand by the watch with a warranty. Box and papers aren't a must but increase the value. Avoid eBay and other online platforms as scams are popular and some very good Chinese copies can fool watch connoisseurs...
The Submariner doesn't reflect that you are a Diver. Nor the Deep Sea. It is a luxury watch, a status symbol The same goes for my Omega SM 300. You can dive with them but you will put unnecessary scratches and risk a very expensive repair if flooded.
Mind that around the 10K mark, there are many luxury brands that offer recognizable dive watches (Panerai, Blancpain, etc). Personally and although I love the way they look and what they represent, I would rather spend my money in Rolex as the others will immediately depreciate in value.
If you still want to wear a Dive watch above water (who doesn't), at around 5K the Omega Sea Master 300 is a very good entry point. Some SM 600 are sold at a similar price, if you have the wrist to pull it off, they are also 600m solid watches. Below that, you have Rolex sister company Tudor and the many iterations of the Black Bay. The Tudor Pelagos is a great choice if you want a far more substantial 500m tool watch. Mind that the later is Titanium but NOT grade 5, this means that it will scratch much easier than the Stainless 316L of the Black Bay and even easier than the 904L stainless steel used in Rolex watches.
I am omitting Breitling as their dive watches are peculiar and the company is focused on pilots mostly. You might like them though.
At a similar price but not status, you can also get the 'tooltastic' German Sinn watches. It doesn't scream luxury like the others but it is made with U-Boat (Submarine) Steel AND if you get a Tegimented version, extremely hard to scratch (close to Ceramic).
Talking about Ceramic and scratch proof (can break if dropped), Longines makes the HydroConquest at a very good price (for a Ceramic) especially compared to other Swatch Group brands, like Omega.
It also produces some classic dive watches and just launched a high beat version (Ultra-Chron). Tag Heuer Aquaracers are very well built and known but somehow underrated in hard core watch circles (don't agree), followed by Oris, Bell & Ross and lately Rado with the (new) Ceramic Captain Cook (the original Steel 37mm is also super cool). Lastly, the Tissot Seastar is the last of the 'known' brands, it offers good value for money.
On the lower spectrum, if you want a watch with solid history, check Fortis, Doxa and Squale.
I've put all these watches with a decreasing price and status / brand recognition level.
Regarding the Japanese offerings, Grand Seiko is priced at Omega (and above) level and although their movements and cases are very well finished (their Zaratsu case polishing is legendary), they are quite dividing, some people love them, some refuse to pay that much money for a Seiko, Grand or not. Their clasps are crap by the way.
Seiko makes some of the greatest dive watches (Tuna, SKX, etc). If you can still find the now discontinued Seiko SKX007 GET IT. It is ISO certified to 200m while the Series 5 that replaced it is just s**t.
Citizen Eco drive are also reliable watches for the job.
IF you are going to wear your watch and take care of it above water, I would definitely go for any of the mid-high tear brands. IF you are going to use your watch UW, get a Seiko.
Casio watches are great but not my thing. I like mechanical stuff.
I insist that you get a Diving Computer for diving instead...
Sorry for the long post but I gigged out
I love my SKX, but I don't think I'd recommend someone try to buy one now unless they got a massive deal on it. The prices have skyrocketed, and it's no longer worth it. The 7s26 movement isn't really all the great, although it will certainly take a beating and keep running for many years. For the money that SKX's are going for now, I'd just suggest someone get a tuna, turtle, or a monster instead.
You're spot on about the 5KX crap though. I don't understand why Seiko did that. All they had to do was put the 4r36 movement inside the SKX case (which I think are the same as the 5KX ones) and drill out the lug holes. Presto - new, updated SKX. Instead they give us a diver-looking watch with less water resistance and a higher price.
In my opinion, one of the best bang-for-the-buck values in dive watches come from Mido. Yeah, they cost about twice what an entry-level Seiko costs, but you get Swiss made watch with a fantastic Powermatic 80 movement. I have the Mido Ocean Star Tribute and the thing consistently runs +1-2spd. And it has the most comfortable bracelet I've ever worn, with a ratcheting extension that is perfect for the warmer months when my wrist swells during the day.
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