I originally wrote this post about three or four years ago, and at that time there were only four or maybe five legitimate dive watches under the $100 mark. My how the world has changed. A couple of the watches on the original post are above $100 now. Additionally there are a lot more legit dive watches you can get for under or right at $100. So, I felt it was high time to update this post.

To be honest, I have no explanation of why there are three to four times as many sub $100 dive watches right now. The massive inflation we have had the past couple of years certainly has driven up the cost of raw materials, labor and shipping. I guess it’s just free markets, they always drive down prices.

Why Buy a Budget Dive Watch?

There are many reasons you might want to buy a dive watch for less than $100. Maybe you are in college and want a dive watch, maybe like me you are really frugal, perhaps you have a modest budget or want a really durable watch you can beat up.

All are good reasons to want a budget diver. So I rounded up some dive watches, all under $100 and took them on a sailing trip I had planned in the Caribbean.

I took them diving, camping, backpacking and spearfishing and put them through their paces to determine if they were worth the money, if they would hold up to real life abuse, and most importantly if they could really go diving. Like you, I am skeptical of a budget dive watch.

Requirements

Had to be under $100.

Waterproof to 200 Meters. You will see a lot of blogs out there listing watches as dive watches that are wholly unsuitable for scuba diving. O-rings deteriorate over time. This is true on scuba gear as much as it is on dive watches. The reason a dive watch has a 200 meter depth rating is because with this deterioration, even though you won’t be diving to 200 meters, your watch will still remain water resistant. All dive watches should be serviced periodically however.

Unidirectional rotating bezel. To be considered a dive watch the watch must contain a timing device. The vast majority of dive watches utilize a bezel that only rotates counter clock-wise. The reason for this is that if you bump it or accidentally manipulate it you are only going to artificially lengthen the time of your dive. That way you won’t accidentally stay down for too long. At worst your dive will be cut short.

I was skeptical when I did my first testing, and especially when I took them diving. I have said elsewhere on my blog that we are now in the golden age of dive watches. This is true at every price point, including sub $100.

Full disclaimer: I use a dive watch as a backup to my dive computer while diving. So I wasn’t trusting my life to these budget divers from the get go.

Which ones did I test?

• Casio Duro (Marlin)
• Addiesdive H3-2
• Invicta Pro Diver
• Loreo Submariner
• Deep Blue Pro 200M
• Vostok Amphibian
• Ratio Freediver
• Steeldive ST1970
• Addiesdive MY-H8
• Watchdives 6105

What Did I Do to Them?

Well, I took them diving past 100’ on a few dives. I played with them in the ocean, snorkeling, swimming and generally splashing around. I took them hiking, sailing and canoeing keeping them exclusively in my daily rotation a few months.

So how did they fare?

None of them leaked, that’s a pretty good start. Actually, none of them failed in any way shape or form.

I will link to the full review for each watch, but in this post I compare and contrast each of them in a more concise review. If you are interested in one of these watches click on the link for the full review.

Casio Duro

Price: $50 Case Size: 44mm Thickness: 10.3mm WR: 200M Movement: Quartz Crystal: Mineral

The Casio Duro, sometimes called the Marlin is as far as I can tell the cheapest legitimate dive watch on the market. It is purpose built for a task at a budget. It’s not going to win any awards for design or features, but it’s not ugly either. I am not normally a fan of any rubber strap, I was pleasantly surprised with the one that came on the Casio Duro. I was going to immediately switch it to a NATO strap, like I do with nearly all of my rubber strapped watches. This one is pleasantly supple and lays on the wrist beautifully. I liked it so much I still haven’t switched it to a NATO strap four years later.

For around $50 there is a lot to like here. It is a no frills simple dive watch that is going to tell time and take a beating. At 44mm it fits perfectly on my 7 inch wrist.

I did a full review of the Casio Duro, you can read it here.

Here is a link to the product listing on Amazon.

Addiesdive H3-2

Price: $50 Case Size: 41mm Thickness: 13.5mm WR: 200M Movement: Quartz Crystal: Mineral

Another quartz dive watch for just about $50, this one with a bracelet. This is obviously a copy of a Rolex Submariner. Nothing fancy here, quartz movement, mineral crystal, but you do get a bracelet. At 41mm wide it’s a little small for my taste, but this is a sweet spot for a lot of people. If the 44mm Casio above is too big for you, this could be the one.

Here is a link to this watch on Amazon.

Invicta Pro Diver

Price: $80 Case Size: 40mm Thickness: 14mm WR: 200M Movement: Automatic Crystal: Mineral

Invicta makes more models of the Pro Diver models than you can shake a stick at. If there is a style of watch for you, chances are you can probably find it with the Invicta Pro Diver.

The version I purchased was the basic one that is essentially a Rolex Submariner homage. Now to be honest, this thing has Invicta branding all over it, so it’s not trying to be a Rolex. The aforementioned branding is not really my style, but to each their own.

I did a full review of the Invicta Pro Diver, you can read it here.

Here is a link to this model on Amazon.

Loreo Submariner

Price: $118 Case Size: 40mm Thickness: WR: 200M Movement: Automatic Crystal: Sapphire

Another Rolex homage here by Loreo, this time honoring the Rolex Daytona. Like the Invicta, the Loreo Submariner has dozens of models, I ordered this one just because it was a little different and I do genuinely like the baby blue. They also have the same watch in a Rolex Submariner homage.

This was one of the originals from a few years ago, after I used it for a few months I gave it to my wife, she likes a little bit larger watch, especially for diving. Since then she has beat the crap out of this watch. It still has paint on it from when we painted the bottom of our boat in Grenada.

I’m going to be honest, the original I bought for about $90, the price has risen to $118 for the version that I purchased. They still have a couple of models that are $99, so I’m leaving it on the list. It’s still a great value with an automatic movement, sapphire crystal and the 316 stainless steel bracelet.

I did a full review of the Loreo, you can read it here.

Here is a link to all of the models on Amazon.

Ratio Freediver

Price: $90 Case Size: 40mm Thickness: 12.5mm WR: 200M Movement: Quartz Crystal: Sapphire

A relatively new company, Ratio started in 2017 in Singapore. All of their watches are designed in Italy. Their watches are no joke. They use quality Seiko and Miyota movements, 316 grade stainless steel and sapphire crystals. This is the nicest quartz movement watch on the list. This is their entry level dive watch, and it’s excellent for $90. You can get it in a couple of different colors as well. It’s only 40mm, so if you have a wrist on the smaller side, this might work for you.

Here is a link to the Amazon listing.

Deep Blue Pro Diver 200

Price: $100 Case Size: 41mm Thickness: 12.5mm WR: 200M Movement: Quartz Crystal: Sapphire

Deep Blue is a purpose built dive watch company, they only build dive watches. As of this writing the Pro Diver 200 is $99.99. This watch normally retails for $249.00, so not sure how long it will be on sale, or maybe they are discontinuing it. It is a great value.

To me this is a very similar design to the old Seiko SKX, which was a solid dive watch. I still cannot believe Seiko discontinued it. The main difference is the Pro Diver 200 is a quartz movement. It’s still a great watch for $100.

Vostok Amphibian

Price: $100 Case Size: 40mm Thickness: 113.5mm WR: 200M Movement: Automatic Crystal: Polymer

The Vostok Amphibia has kind of a cult following. This is, as far as I am aware, the only Russian made dive watch. They make dozens of different styles, and most of them aren’t that expensive. This one comes in right at $100. Make no mistake, they’re good watches. Definitely worth the $100.

Here is a link to the Amazon listing.

Any of the Seiko “Captain Willard” Homages

Many companies, mostly from China are putting out copies or homages to the Original Seiko “Captain Willard.” There are some on the market that cost a few hundred dollars, and they are fine, but the three listed below are just as good and all come in right at $100, for a few dollars more you can get a bracelet. They all have the same NH35 movement, all feature a sapphire crystal and all have a 316 stainless case.

Steeldive SD 1970

Price: $100 Case Size: 44mm Thickness: 13.5mm WR: 200M Movement: Automatic Crystal: Sapphire

The Steeldive version is sometimes a bit more expensive, but there is often a coupon that puts the strap version right at $100. Of the three, I would probably buy this one for the one simple reason that it comes with a proper milled clasp if you get the bracelet version. If you are more inclined to get the strap version I don’t think it matters. Steeldive has been around since 2005, so for watch makers this is a young company.

Here is a link to the Amazon listing.

Addiesdive MY-H8

Price: $100 Case Size: 44mm Thickness: 13.5mm WR: 200M Movement: Automatic Crystal: Sapphire

Addiesdive is a much newer company, I think it started in 2019, but details are sketchy. I do know that they used to make watches in Steeldive’s facility, but as of 2021 they have gone out on their own. I think it has definitely helped them.

As stated above, there really isn’t a lot separating these last three watches, they are pretty much the same. However, Addiesdive has a version with a wavy dial that is just gorgeous. I hope they come out with one in Tiffany blue.

If you want an unbranded or watch with no branding, Addiesdive makes this version that has no branding.

Here is a link to the Amazon listing.

Watchdives 6105

Price: $100 Case Size: 44mm Thickness: 13.5mm WR: 200M Movement: Automatic Crystal: Sapphire

Watchdives is a relatively new Chinese brand, I believe it may be owned by Steeldive, but cannot confirm that for certain. It’s the same as the Steeldive and the Addiesdive. I would probably get one of the aforementioned brands unless you get a fantastic deal on the Watchdives 6105.

Here is a link to the Amazon listing.

What is the Best, Most Inexpensive Dive Watch?

Like anything in life it depends what you are looking for. I nearly always gravitate towards an automatic movement and a sapphire crystal. I also nearly always want a bracelet over a strap. I can add the strap later, sometimes adding a bracelet isn’t worth the cost.

That said, I wouldn’t hesitate to go scuba diving with any watch on this list. They are all more than suitable.

If I was looking for the most inexpensive dive watch I could get that was going to be durable I would get the Casio Duro. I’ve had mine going on five years and it is a tank. I have not been kind to it. For $50 it’s worth every penny.

If I wanted to get closer to that $100 range, for my money I would probably go with the Steeldive or Addiesdive Willard homages, for all of the features they come with you could buy either of these watches for $200 and it would still be a good deal. These are just bargains. I’m not sure they’re making much money on these, so take advantage while you can.

If you find another legitimate dive watch for under $100 that I haven’t included on this list please drop me a line on my contact page. I’m always looking for new content.

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