That's Deep
7 Legendary Dive Watches
You Can Now Own
Diving has been a sport and science since the early 20th century. Before the age of diving computers and advanced technical equipment, there was the dive watch. Dive watches serve the primary purpose of recording the time a diver spends underwater, but they've also found a place on the wrists of desk divers and sports enthusiasts alike.
The post-war period of the 1950's marks a significant time in the history of the dive watch. Diving was growing in popularity as a sport, thanks to Jacque Cousteau's invention of the aqualung and his popularization of sea exploration. In 1953 in particular, a surge of dive watches entered the consumer market. Many, like the Rolex Submariner or Omega's Seamaster, are now considered iconic, legendary timepieces. The dive watch is now one of the most popular watch styles in the world because of its versatile, sporty appeal. Today, you can find them serving dive masters everywhere and even hiding quietly under the shirt cuffs of some of the world's most prominent national leaders. We asked our friends at Crown & Caliber, the top online marketplace for luxury pre-owned watches, for their recommendations of the most iconic dive watches you can buy right now.
Rolex Submariner
The original Rolex Submariner set the tone for legions of dive watches to follow. It's been over 60 years since the first model was introduced, and it continues to be one of the brand's most recognized and highly coveted models.
$6,200 / $5,197 by Rolex
IWC Aquatimer Automatic Expedition Jacques-Yves Cousteau Blue
The IWC Aquatimer Automatic Expedition Jacques-Yves Cousteau Blue is a special edition model that commemorates Cousteau's wondrous voyages and films that brought awareness to the beauty of the underwater world.
$4,000 / $3,700 by IWC
Omega Seamaster
In 1995, James Bond first sported a Seamaster in the film GoldenEye. Since then, the Seamaster has become the official watch of 007 and has been featured in every subsequent Bond movie from the franchise.
$2,000 / $1,800 by Omega
Panerai Luminor GMT
What started as a limited-edition run has now become a dynasty. The Panerai Luminor family of timepieces spans the spectrum from dive watches to everyday dress options.
$5,800 / $5,450 by Panerai
What Makes a Dive Watch
A few key features separate a dive watch from other sports watches. For starters, they must have at least 100 meters of water resistance. Most models include a helium release valve to protect against damage from potential helium saturation. And many have a unidirectional rotating bezel with distinct markings to highlight or differentiate the first fifteen minutes, which allows elapsed time to be tracked easily and accurately.
Patek Philippe Nautilus Chronograph Tiffany & Co.
The Patek Philippe Nautilus is quite possibly the most remarkable luxury sport watch of the modern era. The original model was first sketched by Gerald Genta while sitting in a restaurant during the Basel Fair.
$114,943 / $109,196 by Patek Philippe
Rolex Sea-Dweller
In the 1960's Rolex developed a relationship with a company that specialized in deep diving operations and needed a watch that could withstand the conditions. The brand modified one of their existing Submariners, which set the blueprint for a new model: the Sea-Dweller.
$10,000 / $9,008 by Rolex
Omega Planet Ocean
The Planet Ocean is where Omega's 75 years of nautical exploration and technical innovation comes together. This dive watch is built to be the epitome of waterproofness, classic style and industry-leading chronometric performance for years to come.
$5,300 / $5,050 by Omega
What Makes a Dive Watch
A few key features separate a dive watch from other sports watches. For starters, they must have at least 100 meters of water resistance. Most models include a helium release valve to protect against damage from potential helium saturation. And many have a unidirectional rotating bezel with distinct markings to highlight or differentiate the first fifteen minutes, which allows elapsed time to be tracked easily and accurately.