2018’s Best Dive Watches Under $200
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.
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.
Best Dive Watches Under $200 Quick Compare
Clicking the model name will take you to a full description down the page. Scroll right for more information about each watch.Image | Model | Buy Now Link | Movement | Water Resistance | Crystal | Case / Bezel Material | Case Diameter | Case Thickness | Lug to Lug | Strap Width |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | Orient Mako II | ![]() | Automatic – Orient F6922 | 200m / 660ft | Mineral | Stainless Steel | 41.5mm | 13mm | 47mm | 22mm |
![]() | Seiko SKX007 | ![]() | Automatic – Seiko 7S26 | 200m / 660ft | Mineral – Hardlex | Stainless Steel | 41mm | 13.25mm | 46mm | 22mm |
![]() | Citizen BN0151-09L Promaster | ![]() | Quartz – Citizen Eco-Drive E168 | 200m / 660ft | Mineral | Stainless Steel | 43mm | 12mm | 49mm | 20mm |
![]() | Luminox Navy Seal Colormark 3050 | ![]() | Quartz | 200m / 660ft | Mineral | Polyurethane | 44mm | 13.8mm | ? | 23mm |
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 Mako/Ray II
- 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 Mako II & Ray II Automatic
In this years buying guide, the Orient Mako/Ray II has taken the #1 spot from the Seiko SKX007. I declare it to be the best dive watch available for under $200.
Why?
While it may not be quite as popular as the SKX007 (yet), the Orient Mako II is simply a much better, newer watch. The Seiko SKX Series is starting to show it’s age in my opinion. The Orient’s automatic movement is better with the ability to hack and hand-wind, and seems to usually be more accurate. It’s also usually a little bit cheaper than the Seiko SKX007 as well.
I really like the styling of the Orient Mako II and Ray II. 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.
You can read my full review of the Orient Ray II (basically the same as the Mako, just with round markers instead of the roman numerals) 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 Mako XL, which has a 44mm case diameter. It is an older model at this point, but still looks good.
Orient Mako / Ray II Variations
Ray II Blue | Ray II Black | Ray Raven II | Mako II Blue | Mako II Black |
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Blue dial | Black dial | PVD blackened case and bracelet | Mako has roman numerals on dial, otherwise same specs as Ray | Mako with black dial |
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#2 – Seiko SKX Series Automatic
Specifications
- 7s26 mechanical movement
- Certified ISO diver’s watch
- 200m (660ft) water resistance
- Unidirectional bezel (120 clicks)
- Hardlex crystal (harder than mineral, softer than sapphire)
- 41mm case diameter
- 13.25mm height
- 46mm lug-to-lug distance
- 22mm band width
- 44-48hr power reserve
- 80g weight (no strap)
- Day and date window
- LumiBrite markers (provides excellent, long lasting luminosity)
Full Review
The Seiko SKX007 is probably the most popular diver available in this price range. It’s long held the #1 spot in my guide to the best dive watches under $200. You could even say it has a cult following among watch enthusiasts, being mentioned anytime someone asks “what should my first mechanical watch be?”.
I know I talked down about the SKX Series up above when comparing it to the Orient Mako/Ray, but even though the SKX007 is starting to show it’s age, it is still an absolutely amazing time piece in many ways.
It’s a simple looking tool watch designed with one purpose in mind – maximum readability of the dial while diving.
Of course, the majority of people that purchase this watch will never go diving with it. They just want a rugged, water proof watch that also looks great on the wrist.
I purchased a SKX007K from Amazon (came with the rubber band) as one of my first watches after starting this site, and have held onto it now for more than two years. In those two years it has held up to an awful lot of abuse, from power sanding, engine work, painting, and of course – diving. And it still looks great, though with a few small scratches on the crystal.
Also available is the SKX007K2, which comes with a stainless steel bracelet. A note of caution before you purchase that one: I’ve read many complaints that the bracelet on these inexpensive Seiko’s is very poor quality,
A lot of people switch out the stock bracelet for the Strapcode Super Oyster, which is higher quality and more comfortable than the Seiko bracelet.
I did this myself, and you can see my review here. I highly recommend it, especially if you’re using this for more than just a tool diver. The main downside is that there’s no dive extension clasp on the bracelet, making it impossible to fit over thick gloves.
Bottom line is, if you want the SKX007 on a bracelet, get whichever version is cheaper and switch out for the Strapcode bracelet.
There’s several different variations of the same watch in the Seiko SKX Series, which you can check out in the table below:
Seiko SKX Variations
#3 – Citizen BN0151-09L Promaster Diver
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.
As I write this, I’m wearing this watch – in preparation to do a review. If you’d like to check out some more pictures, be sure to take a look at my unboxing article. So far I’m pretty impressed, but full review coming soon.
Citizen Promaster Diver BN0151-09L Review is Live!
The BN0151-09L has a blue dial with some awesome blue lume. There’s also the BN0150-28E version with a black dial.
Citizen Promaster Divers
BN0150-28E | BN0151-09L | BN0085-01E | BN0190-07E | BN0191-55L | BN0175-19E | BN2029-01E |
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#4 – Luminox Navy Seal Colormark 3050 Series
The Luminox Navy Seal Colormark was, like it’s name suggests, actually developed for use by the Navy Seals in 1994. Updated continuously since then, it’s built with a very rugged polyurethane case and bezel and is designed to take a beating.
The most outstanding feature of the Colormark series, and what sets it apart from the other divers in this price range, is the green and blue night vision tubes used to illuminate the dial and hands.
These are powered by a mild radioactive gas, and don’t need to be recharged by a bright light. With a lifespan of 25 years, there’s no worry about ever not having your watch visible at night.
The style of the watch definitely isn’t for everybody, especially if you’re here looking for a ‘dressy’ diver. But this would make an excellent tool watch for any and all outdoor activities, especially going diving.
The 3050 series is available in many different colors, most of which can usually be found for just under $200.
Luminox Colormark 3050 Series
3051 | 3051 Black Out | 3052 | 3053 | 3059 | 3059.SET |
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Best Dive Watches Ever
Still haven’t found what you’re looking for? Be sure to check out my other buying guides:
- Best Dive Watches Under $100
- Best Dive Watches Under $500
- Best Dive Watches Under $1000
- Best Womens Dive Watches