January 17th, 2023
No superyacht owner’s wardrobe is complete without a dive watch, whether you are exploring the depths of the Mediterranean Sea in a submarine, scuba diving in the Maldives, or simply checking the time until dinner.With so many superb dive watches to select from, how do you decide? We’re here to help with a master list of fine timepieces that any watch aficionado would be proud to own.
Our list begins with the Tag Heuer Aquaracer Night Diver ($3,550 at tagheuer.com). Paying homage to Heuer’s neon dials from the 1980s, this automatic watch boasts a 43mm steel case with DLC coating and a matching black ceramic bezel. Known for being rugged and reliable in all conditions, this dive watch is perfectly legible underwater thanks to the sapphire crystal, the dial’s striking mixture of black lacquer and bright white details.
Next is the Tudor Black Bay Fifty-Eight ($3,800 at tudorwatch.com). This watch pays tribute to the brand’s first dive watches, and with a steel case of only 39mm, it is ideal for slim wrists, people who prefer more compact watches, and vintage-watch enthusiasts. This watch is also available in several metal choices, including gold, silver, and bronze.
The iconic and highly engineered IWC Aquatimer Automatic ($6,950 at iwc.com) features easy readability, high-pressure resistance, and innovative technical functionality. It’s 42mm steel case is water-resistant to a depth of 200m. The innovative external/internal rotating bezel combines safety with ease of use to prevent an unintentional adjustment of dive time. To ensure optimum legibility underwater, the diving-relevant indicators on the blue dial are coated with luminous material.
The classic Omega Seamaster Diver 300m 007 Edition ($9,200 at omegawatches.com) is famous for being 007’s watch in No Time To Die. Its 42mm case is made of sturdy yet lightweight titanium and features a brown aluminum bezel ring and dial, making it extremely light and comfortable to wear. Because the sapphire-crystal glass is domed, it is somewhat smaller than the conventional Diver 300m versions, and is offered on a mesh bracelet with a unique adjustable buckle.
The legendary Rolex Submariner Date ($10,100 at rolex.com) has in its lineage “the watch that unlocked the deep”: The 1958 Submariner was the first diver’s wristwatch that was waterproof to a depth of 100m. Today, the Submariner is waterproof to a depth of 300m and continues to be the reference among divers
Another classic, the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms was unveiled in 1953 as the first watch with a secured uni-directional rotating timing bezel, a patented O-ring seal with a double-sealed crown system, and a hefty dose of water resistance. It soon became an industry standard, and after seven decades, Blancpain is still producing the Fifty Fathoms collection in a variety of styles. The Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Quantième Complet Phases de Lune ($31,600 at blancpain.com) has a 45mm titanium case, a blue dial and bezel, and a NATO strapwatches. Its 41mm case is made of Oystersteel and has a black dial and Chromalight display with long-lasting blue luminescence.
The Panerai Submersible Carbotech™ ($17,400 at panerai.com) has a 42mm case made of Panerai’s proprietary carbon fiber-based material that provides enhanced performance through durability, longevity, and reduced weight. Carbotech has an uneven, matte-black appearance caused by the cutting of the material, with the result being that each watch is as unique as a fingerprint. The beauty of this watch is completed by the striking sky-blue accents on an all-black dial and bezel. Further innovation is seen in the iconic locking lever that protects the crown guard.
A must-have among serious scuba enthusiasts is the Ulysse Nardin Diver Chronograph. No longer available new, these highly sought-after watches currently fetch $30,555-40,600 on the resale market. The 44mm case is made of rose gold with a blue dial and sapphire glass, with each case individually numbered on the side. The Diver Chronograph is the perfect companion for yachtsmen and diving enthusiasts. It presents ultimate performance backup, water resistance to 300m, wrist stability, and ease of time tracking and measurement.
Bringing our list to an end is the Patek Philippe Nautilus. Based on the model, the price ranges from $35,000 to $135,000. Often considered the most popular sports watch, the value of a Nautilus is in a league of its own. On the used market these watches typically sell for multiples of their original list price. Recently, a Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711 Tiffany Blue dial watch sold at auction for $6.5 million. The most valuable aspect of every Patek Phillippe timepiece is that it is completely constructed by hand (case, dial, movement, bracelet, gem setting, and more) by dedicated, trained specialists with skills passed down through generations. Since 1976, the Nautilus embodies the exquisite sports watch, and is easily recognizable by its rounded octagonal bezel, innovative porthole construction, and horizontally embossed dial. The 40mm case has a transparent back. The bezel is fixed, and hour and minute markers are luminous. Available in steel, rose gold, white gold, and two-tone combinations, the Nautilus complements the most active lives with unrivaled flair.