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Our Pick Of Divers Watches
By Sarah Jayne Potter | 6 minute read
Divers watches have been in production for almost a century, and while the first models were used purely for their functionality at sea, they have become a staple design in many watch brands’ collections. Modern day divers watches host a myriad of features that pay homage to their vintage ancestors, and combine the traditional aesthetics with modern day innovation. We have put together a selection on some of our favourite divers watches, each with a history as deep as the Ocean, and each unique in their tale. All have one thing in common; they are built to withstand the depths of water in varying degrees.
Oris Divers Sixty Five
The Oris Divers Sixty Five timepiece is a wonderful model that is a redesign of a vintage Oris divers from the 1960s and retains all the charming quality you would expect, alongside modern and contemporary updates. The 40mm case is made from stainless steel that boasts anti-corrosive properties, perfect for a divers watch that will see a lot of the sea, and there is a distinctive black dial with retro shaped markers coated in SuperLumi-Nova®, a substance that allows better visibility in lower lighting.
The scratch-resistant sapphire glass is curved and comes with an anti-reflective coating to reduce glare and increase legibility underwater. The inner workings of the timepiece are just as practical, and include an Oris 733 automatic movement, a closed case back with screw in security crown and bronze top ring allowing the piece to be water resistant up to an impressive 100 metres, as well as a power reserve of up to 38 hours. All in all this is an ergonomically designed timepiece that would be the perfect accessory on land or sea.
Ulysse Nardin Diver Chronometer
The Ulysse Nardin Diver Chronometer is a powerful timepiece that is crafted to withstand up to three hundred meters of water pressure and is a fantastic choice for divers. It features an inverted, concave bezel and a domed sapphire glass that not only helps to protect the timepiece within the water, but allows for better visibility when it is needed. The timepiece is made from a Titanium case with a rubber strap and pin buckle, all carefully crafted to reduce any shock from pressure and knocks and each case within this model is individually numbered on the side for a unique touch. The timepiece is powered by the UN-118 movement with silicium technology.
This is a combination of silicium and man-maid diamond and is extremely light but hard wearing, eliminating friction and removing the need for lubrication within the escapement. It was co-created by Sigatec who are the only company in the world to produce such high-precision components.You will also find SuperLumiNova on the indexes and hands, making the hours and minutes visible not only in the dark of night but also at great depths. The face is adorned with a power reserve indicator at 12 o’clock (with a 60 hour power reserve) and a date and small seconds at 6 o’clock.
Blancpain Fifty Fathoms
The Blancpain Fifty Fathoms is another high performing divers watch and embodies the luxury brands’ passion and love for the marine world. It was first introduced in 1953 at a time when modern day diver’s watches were new, innovative and boundary pushing and Blancpain’s pieces were used by divers, scientists and underwater photographers in their exploration of the depths of the oceans due to it’s robust nature. The more modern Fifty Fathoms are tributes to both their vintage ancestors, and the pioneers who made autonomous diving possible.
It is made from a strong titanium 45mm casing which is both lightweight, and has anti-corrosive properties, and a thick black canvas strap with pin buckle. The black dial features indexes and markers that are coated in SuperLumi-Nova® for increased legibility in low lighting, and you will find the date at 6 o clock. The timepiece is powered by the Calibre 1315, a powerful automatic movement with a 120 power reserve when fully wound, and the piece is water resistant up to 300m.
Omega Seamaster
The OMEGA Seamaster was first released in 1948 and has since become one of the most well-respected divers watches in the industry. OMEGA’s passion for the ocean has led to the creation of numerous timepieces that are well equipped to withstand the enormous pressures faced by divers, and those who adventure offshore. Since 1993 the Seamaster Diver has had a legendary following, here we pick one of our most sought-after pieces. This 42mm Seamaster is made from a stainless-steel case and has a matching bracelet, for a robust watch that is comfortable and practical, and features a blue ceramic unidirectional bezel with a white enamel diving scale. This offers a long-lasting whiteness and durability and is a critical component to keeping track of time spent underwater.
The dial itself is also in a polished blue ceramic and features beautiful laser-engraved waves to really emphasise the watches’ aquatic aesthetics – which made its return for the 25th anniversary makeover in 2018. The skeleton hands and raised indexes are rhodium-plated and filled with white SuperLumi-Nova®, allowing divers to see the time, even with reduced visibility and lighting.. The timepiece is powered by the self-winding OMEGA Master Chronometer Calibre 8800 which can be seen through the waved edge caseback and is resistant to magnetic fields. This timepiece is water resistant up to 300 metres.
Breitling Superocean Heritage II
The first Superocean models were released by Breitling in 1957 and were an instant hit with divers, and watch collectors alike. This Breitling Superocean Heritage II is made from stainless steel with a stainless-steel mesh bracelet that is ergonomically designed to be both comfortable but flexible to allows ecurity and movement when worn in the water.
The black dial is protected by scratch-resistant sapphire crystal glass and surrounded by a black ceramic bezel with a divers scale that really complements the entire look. You will find silver baton markers and silver hands, which allow the wearer to see in low lighting environments, and there is also a date window at 6 o clock. The timepiece is driven by a certified, self-winding Breitling B20 manufacture movement, and is also water resistant to 200 metres making it equipped to excel in all environments and under every conceivable pressure.
TAG Heuer Aquaracer
TAG Heuer’s divers watch history dates back to the 1980s when the brand wanted to take their innovative and modern designs into timepieces that would fare well for sports within water as well as land and created their Diver Professional model. This was rebranded to Aquaracer in 2004 and is a staple collection within the brands’ family.
The new TAG Heuer Aquaracer models have combined everything the company have learned over the years to produce a high powered outstanding watch that is made to withstand all manner of activities and pressures in sports on land, and in the sea. This 43mm TAG Heuer Aquaracer is made from a robust stainless steel through to the casing and the bracelet, as well as the 60-minute scale unidirectional bezel. This combined with antireflective sapphire crystal that is virtually unbreakable makes for a timepiece ideal for professional sports.
The brown brushed sunray dial adds depth to the aesthetic, creating a plethora of two toned-effects, and the applied indexes, hour and minute hands are coated in SuperLumi-Nova® for optimal viewing in all conditions. This time piece is powered by a Calibre 5 automatic movement with a power reserve of 38 hours and Is water resistant up to 300 metres.
