2016’s Best Dive Watches under $100

Finding proper dive watches under $100 that aren’t complete garbage is quite the chore. Invicta offers several nice looking inexpensive divers, but everything I’ve read and heard about them is that they fall apart very quickly, or are broken on arrival. I’ll be reviewing a few myself here soon to see if those rumors are true. Many other lower end manufacturers aren’t any better.

After scouring reviews and from my own personal experience, the watches below I feel comfortable recommending for actual use while diving, and will hold up to some serious abuse during any sport or just daily life.

Not all of them are actually dive watches, with analog dials and unidirectional bezels, but the selection of quality diver’s is very limited in the low end. I’ve chosen a couple of other tough sport watches to recommend, such as the Casio G-Shock, that will work great in any sport.

A lot of these are larger diameter watches, so be sure to go use the Watch Sizer to make sure they won’t be too large on your wrist.

Enjoy! 

Watches Under $100 Quick Comparison

	Model	Movement	Water Resistance	Bezel	Crystal	Case Material	Case Diameter	Thickness	Lug to Lug	Band Width	Other Features	Buy Now
	Casio MDV106-1A	Quartz	200m / 660ft	Unidirectional	Mineral	Stainless steel	45mm	12.1mm	48.5mm	22mm	Date
	Vostok Amphibia	Automatic	200m / 660ft	Bidirectional	Acrylic	Stainless steel	40mm	14.4mm	46mm	18mm	Date
	Timex IQ Adventure Series Depth Gauge	Quartz	200m / 660ft	Unidirectional	Mineral	Stainless steel	46mm	19mm	?	22mm	Date, temp, depth
	Stuhrling Aquadiver Regatta Champion	Quartz	200m / 660ft	Unidirectional	Krysterna mineral	Stainless steel	42mm	11.5mm	?	22mm	Date
	Casio G-Shock DW9052-1B	Quartz	200m / 660ft	Stationary	Mineral	Resin / Plastic	43mm	14.7mm	48.5mm	?	Stopwatch, alarm, backlight

#1 – Casio 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 MDV106-1A is hands down the best traditionally designed dive watch in this price range. 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 $40. 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. 

Be aware that this is a large watch, with a case size of 44mm. Apparently the specifications on Amazon’s page are wrong, they list it as much smaller, at 40mm. 

#2 – 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. It’s available ludicrously cheap, $60-$80 depending on model, for a mechanical watch.

Does the Vostok Amphibia make a great dive watch?

That depends on what you’re looking for. It’s the only diver on this list that features a mechanical movement. If you’re tired of quartz watches and want to spend less than $100 on an automatic, the Amphibia would be great.

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 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.

#3 – Timex IQ Adventure Series Depth Gauge

Specifications

• Battery powered quartz movement
• 200m (660ft) water resistance
• Unidirectional bezel
• Mineral crystal
• 46mm case diameter
• 19mm height
• 22mm band width
• Date window
• Depth gauge measuring to 60 meters
• Temperature gauge measuring -5C to 45C
• Luminous indices and hands

You’ll have to keep an eye out to get the Timex Depth Gauge for under $100, but it’s definitely doable. I picked up my T2N958 with the yellow band for ~$90 (full review coming soon), but all the models are usually available on Amazon for right around the $100 level.

The Depth Gauge is a big tuna can of a watch. With a 46mm case diameter and 19mm high, it sits loud and proud on the wrist.

Not the most ‘dressy’ of divers on this list, it’s still a very practical tool/sport watch. I really like the temp and depth gauges.

I’ve taken mine on a few dives at this point, and so far my only complaint is the lack of a lume pip on the bezel. This makes it hard to read the elapsed time in the dark.

Overall, very recommended – read my full, in-depth review here!

Timex Intelligent Quartz Adventure Series Variations

#4 – Stuhrling Aquadiver Regatta Champion (Review)

Specifications

• Battery powered Swiss quartz movement
• 200m (660ft) water resistance
• Unidirectional bezel
• Krysterna mineral crystal
• 42mm case diameter
• 11.5mm height
• 22mm band width
• Date window
• Luminous indices and hands

The Stuhrling Aquadiver is a good looking watch for this price point. I’ve got one myself that I’m currently wearing and diving with in preparation to do a review. (Review’s done!)

It’s got all the traditional diver features: 200m WR, screw-down crown, screw-lock caseback, unidirectional bezel, and easily read dial and hands. 

So far I’ve got my problems with the watch (sloppy bezel for one) but none of those prevent me from recommending it, especially if you’re looking for something a bit more bright than the Casio MDV106-1A above.

Aquadiver Regatta Champion Variations

#5 – Casio G-Shock DW9052-1B

While really not a diver’s watch, the famous Casio G-Shock is definitely up to the task of keeping time while on a dive, or for any other sport for that manner. Many dislike the blocky design, but that hasn’t stopped thousands and thousands of G-Shocks, in many different models, from selling for years.

Casio sells models of the G-Shock with many different functions, in a wide price range. The DW9052 is pretty basic as far as they go, with only stopwatch and alarm features, but it’s 200m water resistance and backlight will make it perfectly suitable for any outdoor activity.

So if you’re not completely committed to a more traditional dive watch design, and are just looking for a tough, all around useful sports watch, this Casio G-Shock will serve you nicely.

Thanks for reading, and I hope you found something you like! If not, be sure to check out my other price guides:

• The Best Divers Under $1000
• The Best Divers Under $500
• The Best Divers Under $200