5 of the best dive watches you can buy for under £500

Conquering the deep blue sea is long-held obsession for man and diving its depths is something that should be done with a top quality dive watch on your wrist. You don’t have to break the bank, however, to get a first-rate dive watch and there are many awesome options available for under £500. Check out our pick of 5 of the best below:


HERON GLADIATEUR MMLXV

The Gladiateur is a contemporary travel watch powered by a traditional mechanical movement. Its standout feature is the unique 12-hour Roman numeral bezel, which allows for elegant and remarkably simple tracking of a second time zone. The Gladiateur boasts a high-polished 316L stainless steel case paired with a sandblasted, rotating 12-hour bezel, also made of stainless steel. It is powered by an automatic Miyota 9039 movement, eliminating the need for a battery. The watch features a sapphire crystal with AR coating, Swiss Super-Luminova (BGW9) for excellent visibility, and a screw-down crown. With water resistance up to 100 meters (10ATM) and a navy blue rubber strap, this timepiece combines durability with sleek aesthetics.


BALTIC AQUASCAPHE WATCH

The Aquascaphe is designed for diving to depths of up to 200 metres. Tool watches, like the Aquascaphe, are often seen as the ideal everyday watch due to their waterproof, scratch-resistant, and shockproof qualities, along with their versatile and stylish appearance suitable for any occasion.


STERNGLAS HAMBURG EDITION ARGO WATCH

Introducing the new Hamburg Automatic Edition Argo, a vibrant addition to your wristwear collection. The limited quartz version of the Hamburg Edition Argo sold out rapidly, so acting fast is essential. This special edition Argo takes its name from the ancient constellation “Argo Navis.” In Greek mythology, Argo was the ship of the hero Jason and his Argonauts, who embarked on a quest to retrieve the legendary Golden Fleece.


Marloe Solent Timer Watch

The main dial, rendered in a deep marine blue, features distinctive ‘bendy’ stripes akin to those on the Rescue dial, adding a charming textural element to the otherwise matte finish. Encircling the dial is a machined steel ring that introduces a touch of visual sparkle, complemented by dark blue printed minute markers for easy legibility. The inner rotating chapter ring matches the dark blue of the dial and is adorned with white printed numerals and a vivid cyan perimeter line. For quick time referencing, a luminous pip is positioned at the 12 o’clock mark.


Seiko 5 SKX

Although most of Seiko’s mid-level dive watches now fall under the PROSPEX line, the SKX Sports, part of the “Seiko 5 Sports” lineup, continue to embody the durability and versatility that have defined Seiko 5 watches since the 1960s. With a 42.5mm diameter, the watch might seem large, but the reasonable 46mm lug-to-lug distance and 13.4mm thickness ensure a comfortable fit on the wrist. The push/pull crown is positioned at the signature 4 o’clock spot, which may take some getting used to for dive enthusiasts who prefer screw-down crowns. However, with 100m of water resistance, the SKX Sports is well-equipped for swimming, handwashing, and splashes. The dial is surrounded by a unidirectional 0-60 timing bezel, adding to its practical features.


Leo Davie