Are you a scuba diver? Do you get into the ocean every day? If you’re like me, at least for the next few months, you spend most of your days at a desk. Now I do spend a lot of time in the ocean generally, I own a sailboat and it’s set up with dive gear, but my reality right now is being chained to my desk at work.
For the time being the closest my watches will get to water is near a cup of coffee or bottled water, maybe the shower.
What is a desk diver watch?
To most people who work in an office for a living, which is a lot of people, it’s the dive watch or a watch that looks like a dive watch you wear while tethered to your desk at work. Better said, a desk diver watch is a watch that will never go diving, it is worn at a desk.
So I guess really any watch that looks like a dive watch could be considered a “desk diver.” Typically they are budget friendly watches not rated to scuba diving depths. Some may be rated for scuba depths, but most are not, and most in my list below are not suitable for scuba diving.
In a few months when I retire and move on my boat I’ll be full time on the ocean. No more desk divers for me.
The watches listed below are good watches that will last for years. They however are not what I would wear on a scuba dive. For desk diving, they’re great.
Please note, most of these are not dive watches. They look like dive watches, have a rotating bezel, but do not meet the 200 meter limit. For more information on why a dive watch needs to be rated to 200M, see my post here.
Seiko 5
The Seiko 5 is the heir to the venerable Seiko SKX. Although I have no official data, there probably have been more Seiko SKX dive watches produced than any other model of dive watch in the world. They are everywhere and have more accessories and modifications than you could possibly want.
Seiko discontinued the SKX and came out with the 5. The 5 has probably been a financial success for Seiko, but it is not a dive watch. Most models are rated to 150 meters, although I have seen one rated to 200 meters. I’m not sure why Seiko didn’t add the additional depth rating, they know how to build great dive watches. I guess these fit a certain niche in their lineup.
Most Seiko 5 models are really good looking watches in my opinion, and there are lots of them.
Invicta Pro Diver
There are dozens if not more than a hundred models of the Invicta Pro Diver. They come in all shapes and sizes, from simple homage classics to gaudy bling bling monstrosities of their own design. My tastes are more towards the simple designs, but whatever floats your boat, Invicta probably makes a Pro Diver to suit your fancy.
These are not high end watches, see my full review for all the details, but they are actually depth rated to 200 meters. So they are actually dive watches.
So why did I include them on this list, because I probably wouldn’t take them diving. The bezels on the ones I have owned or seen are not good. One of mine I nearly need a pair of pliers to manipulate, and certainly wouldn’t be able to use it with neoprene dive gloves on.
That said, they do offer a lot for the price, you can get a pretty decent watch for under a hundred bucks.
Pagani Designs
Pagani Designs is largely an homage watchmaker. They make loads of watches that copy other well known, high end, watchmakers designs. Nearly all of the examples I have come across are water resistant to 150 meters. So just short of really being a dive watch.
Some of their designs in my opinion are really nice. I wish they would go through the extra effort to get to 200m water resistance, but they are probably selling most of their watches to people who will not take them diving and they have built a great niche for themselves. Their watches really do look good in my opinion.
Fossil FB-01
I like that Fossil advertises this as a dive inspired watch, they’re not trying to be something they’re not. The FB-01 comes in a ton of different colors, I like the one with the tiger, just kidding. I bet someone will love that though.
For a desk diver this is a great watch.
Orient Ray
When you see Orient, think Seiko. Orient makes quality watches, they are actually a division of Seiko. The Ray is a no-frills dive watch, but it is actually a dive watch with a 200m depth rating. The Ray comes in all kinds of colors so you can probably find one you like. The Orient Ray also won’t break the bank.
The Ray doesn’t have a sapphire crystal, but does have an automatic movement. A solid choice as a desk diver.
Timex Expedition Uplander
Timex has been making budget watches for ages. The Expedition Uplander is fine for swimming, but a no-go for snorkeling. It’ll work great as a desk diver. This is another budget friendly option. I think this is a good looking faux dive watch. I do like the indiglo feature.
Stuhrling Original
Although the Stuhrling doesn’t qualify as a dive watch, it is one of the best looking watches on this list. It also features a Miyota automatic movement. I am partial to a bracelet on nearly all of my watches, and the bracelet on this watch is great.
Sturhling does make dive watches, but they are pretty expensive in my opinion for what you get. For a desk diver the original fits the bill as a reasonably priced watch.
Corgeut Automatic
An homage to the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms, for under a hundred bucks you get a Miyota automatic movement with a sapphire crystal. I wouldn’t trust this watch to be water resistant at all, but it will look great on your wrist in a meeting.
Casio MRW200H-1BV
If you’re looking for a budget desk diver, this could be your ticket. At under $50 you really cannot go wrong. This isn’t the flashiest watch on the list, but a solid contender.
You might consider the Casio Duro, read my full review here, for roughly the same price you get a full blown dive watch.
Wenger Sea Force
Another watch on this list that is actually depth rated for scuba diving. However, Wenger says not rated for scuba diving. The Wenger Sea Force just looks cool with its dual pushers. It is one of the most expensive watches on this list. I would definitely take this snorkeling, and it’ll be fine in the shower, but I probably wouldn’t take it diving even though it’s rated to 200m.
Time Warrior Men’s Automatic Mechanical Wrist Watch
Like most of these watches, they are homages to something much nicer and far more expensive. In this case, it’s an homage to an Omega. The real deal will set you back ten times the cost.
For what you get with the Time Warrior, it’s a pretty good deal. You get a sapphire crystal and an automatic movement. It’s waterproof to 50M, so nowhere near acceptable for diving, but this will look great on your wrist at the office and cocktail parties.
If you have a favorite desk diver watch you think should be added to this list, drop me a line on my contact form.