Need a wrist watch that’s stylish, but also rugged and useful? Or you don’t dive with a computer, and need a reliable watch to keep track of your dive time? Our guide to the best dive watches under $200 will help you find the perfect watch without breaking the bank.
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Unfortunately, $200 doesn’t go as far as it used to. A few watches that used to be on this list are now selling regularly for over $200. And worst of all, the Seiko SKX007, a contender for many years, has been discontinued.
Still, there’s a few options left that both look good and are still affordable.
Extremely water resistant, shock-proof, and good-looking, you won’t have to worry about breaking one of these watches while on your next diving, kayaking, surfing, or mountain biking trip.
Whether you’re a fan of automatic movements, or prefer something powered by electricity, there should be a great watch in this list. I’ve tried to provide a selection of well-regarded watches in different styles here, but my top picks would be:
- Best Automatic – Orient Kamasu
- Best Quartz – Citizen Promaster Diver BN0151-09L
I spend a lot of time reading reviews, getting my hands on watches, and double checking what’s currently available at certain price points to make my buyer’s guides, but if I missed a diver that you absolutely love, please tell me below in the comments!
#1 — Orient Kamasu & Kamasu II Automatic
Specifications
- In-house Orient caliber F6922 automatic movement, hacking, hand-winding
- Certified ISO diver’s watch
- 200m (660ft) water resistance
- 120 click unidirectional bezel
- Sapphire crystal
- 41.8mm case diameter
- 12.8mm height
- 47mm lug-to-lug distance
- 22mm band width
- 40hr power reserve
- Day and date window
- Luminous markers
In this years buying guide, the Orient Kamasu has taken the #1 spot. I declare it to be the best dive watch available for under (or right around) $200!
Why?
The Kamasu and Kamasu II (RA-AA00 / RA-AA08 series) are incredibly affordable for what you get. 200m of water resistance, sapphire crystal, and a movement capable of hacking and hand-winding all for $200.
I really like the styling of Orient’s dive watches. There’s lots of little high quality details on this watch, like the embossed Orient logo, the stainless steel frame around the date window, engraving on the watch crown, and the applied markers. It really is a great looking watch, especially at this price.
While I haven’t actually got my hands on a Kamasu yet, you can read my full review of the Orient Ray II (an older but very similar diver) by clicking here:
Orient Ray II Dive Watch Review
If you like the style, but want something a little bigger, be sure to check out the Kanno / Big Mako, which has a 44mm case diameter. Also be sure to check out the older Mako II and Ray II. They seem to always be on sale for under $200, with the main downside being the mineral crystal, instead of the Kamasu’s sapphire.
#2 — Casio Duro MDV106-1A
Specifications
- Battery powered quartz – Approximately 3 year battery life
- 200m (660ft) water resistance
- Unidirectional bezel
- Mineral crystal
- 45mm case diameter
- 48.5mm lug-to-lug distance
- 12.1mm height
- 22mm band width
- 92g weight (with rubber band)
- Date window
- Luminous hands and hour markers (cheap, short lasting)
The Casio Duro is a hell of a watch for the price. If you want to spend as little as possible on a tool watch that’ll last forever, this is the one to get.
Powered by a very accurate quartz movement, and featuring the necessary diver features of a unidirectional bezel, screw-down crown, and 200m water resistance, you can’t go wrong with the MDV106-1A if your budget is limited.
Also, it just looks pretty, especially for a watch that’s only around $50. For anything besides constant dive use, I’d replace the rubber band with a two-tone grey and black NATO strap, such as this one.
I’ve worn a Casio Duro off and on for years now, you can read my in-depth Casio Duro MDV-106 review by clicking here.
#3 — Citizen BN0151-09L Promaster Diver
Specifications
- Solar powered Citizen Eco-Drive E168 quartz movement
- Certified ISO diver’s watch
- 200m (660ft) water resistance
- Unidirectional bezel (60 clicks)
- Mineral crystal
- 43mm case diameter
- 12mm thick
- 49mm lug-to-lug distance
- 20mm band width
- Date window
- Luminous hands, markers
Citizen has a rather large range of Eco-Drive powered dive watches, for just about any budget, but the BN0151-09L is my favorite in this price category. I think it’s easily the best quartz dive watch for under $200.
What is Eco-Drive?
Eco-Drive is what Citizen calls their solar powered quartz movement. The dial of the watch is a small solar panel, so all it takes to keep a charge is getting left in the light on a semi-regular basis. No battery changes ever needed.
I like the very circular shape of the Promaster case, it’s definitely a ‘tuna can’ style diver. The only protrusions are the lugs and crown/crown guards.
If you’d like to check out some more pictures, and more of my words on the BN0151-09L, I have written a full review of the Citizen Promaster BN0151-09L here.
The BN0151-09L has a blue dial with some awesome blue lume. There’s also the BN0150-28E version with a black dial.
#4 — Vostok Amphibia
Specifications
- Vostok caliber 2416B automatic movement
- 200m (660ft) water resistance
- Bidirectional diver’s timing bezel
- Acrylic crystal
- 40mm case diameter
- 46mm lug-to-lug distance
- 14.4mm thick
- 18mm band width
- Date window
- Luminous hands and hour markers (cheap, short lasting)
The famed Vostok Amphibia is a classic Russian dive watch appreciated by many serious watch collectors. Its price has gone up in recent years, but I think it’s still a great deal for a quirky, small diver.
Does the Vostok Amphibia make a great dive watch?
That depends on what you’re looking for. It’s small, somewhat hard to read, and the bezel can be difficult to turn. But it looks fun and I personally love wearing it. If you’re tired of quartz watches and want to try an automatic, the Amphibia would be a great first mechanical watch to try.
It’s also available in a whole range of quirky dial designs which is a big part of it’s appeal. Browse through the models, you’re likely to find something you love.
If you just want a practical watch for basic time-keeping while in the water, I’d go with the Casio Duro MDV106-1A above. It’ll be more reliable and durable.
Be sure to check out my full review of the Vostok Amphibia here before you decide.
#5 — Invicta Pro Diver 8926OB
Specifications
- NH35A automatic movement
- 200m (660ft) water resistance
- Unidirectional diver’s timing bezel
- Mineral crystal
- Exhibition caseback
- 40mm case diameter
- 48mm lug-to-lug distance
- 14mm thick
- 20mm band width
- Date window
- Luminous hands and hour markers (cheap, short lasting)
The Invicta Pro Diver is let’s say…. controversial among watch enthusiasts. Many people in online forums are not quiet about their hatred of Invicta in general and the Pro Diver in particular.
Why is this? It’s not because the Invicta Pro Diver is a bad watch, especially for the price. The hatred seems mostly due to a couple of things.
First, Invicta has an annoying habit of setting high retail prices ($378.00 for this model) and then actually selling their watches at insanely discounted rates. Pretty annoying.
Second, is that the Pro Diver is a blatant rip-off, or ‘homage’, of the Rolex Submariner. It is intended to trick casual observers into thinking that the wearer has a Rolex.
Ok, but what about the watch itself?
The Invicta Pro Diver 8926OB is honestly an insanely good watch for this price. Invicta’s huge supply chain lets them put together something decent that no other company could price match. I’m not aware of any other watch available with a quality NH35A automatic movement for under $100.
Besides the movement, the dial has applied markers and some decent if short-lasting lume. The bezel is also fully operational and clicks nicely.
My main complaint is that they engraved INVICTA on the side of the watch case. Totally unnecessary.
Overall, if you don’t mind the Submariner look-a-like (or that’s specifically what you want), you won’t go wrong for under a $100.
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