Dive watches provide precision and exude a sense of adventure. They are the ultimate statement of luxury designed with unidirectional rotating bezels, screw-down crowns, and water resistance capabilities to withstand the depths of the sea while maintaining impeccable timekeeping. Explore the depths of the Mediterranean Sea, scuba dive in the Maldives, or simply check the time until dinner with this master list of fine timepieces that any watch aficionado would be proud to own.
THE WATCH THAT UNLOCKED THE DEEP
ROLEX SUBMARINER
Our collection begins with the legendary Rolex Submariner, “the watch that unlocked the deep” ($10,100 at rolex.com). 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 diver’s watches. Its 41mm case is made of Oystersteel and has a black dial and Chromalight display with long-lasting blue luminescence.
ENGINEERED ICON
IWC AQUATIMER
Features easy readability, high-pressure resistance, and innovative technical functionality. Its 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. $6,950 at iwc.com
CLASSIC SLIM LINES
TUDOR BLACK BAY 58
Next is the Tudor Black Bay Fifty-Eight. 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. $4,450 at tudorwatch.com
A SERIOUS SCUBA DIVER MUST-HAVE
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.
NEW DEPTH
TAG HEUER AQUARACER
TAG Heuer has been developing bold and innovative luxury dive watches for over 40 years. The Tag Heuer Aquaracer Professional 1000 Superdiver picks up the mantle from the Heuer 1000m Diver (1982) and the Super Professional (1984). Extreme is the most fitting description for this new creation. Conceived to work in saturation diving this watch is extremely robust and sports a bold but elegant look designed for professional divers. $6,650.00 at tagheuer.com
PRECISION AT EVERY LEVEL
OMEGA SEAMASTER
Since 1993, the Seamaster Professional Diver 300M has had a legendary following. The dial features laser-engraved waves and a date window at
6 o’clock. The skeleton hands and raised indexes are rhodium-plated and are filled with white Super-LumiNova. $5,900.00 at omegawatches.com
CLASSIC TIMEPIECE
BLANCPAIN FIFTY FATHOMS
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. Image: Bathyscaphe Quantième Complet Phases de Lune $31,600 at blancpain.com.
UNIQUE, UNMISTAKABLE DESIGN
THE PANERAI SUBMERSIBLE CARBOTECH™
It 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. A further innovation is seen in the iconic locking lever that protects the crown guard. $17,400 at panerai.com
THE PIÊCE DE RÊSISTANCE
PATEK PHILIPPE NAUTILUS
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.