10 Great Dive Watches Under $250: (2019)

[@samuelg1944]

Your channel’s definitely going to blow up. No snobbery at all, just a genuine love for watches

[@watchlad1969]

Thanks Sam! Let's hope!

[@joebradshaw5542]

There are just too many watch channels now

[@Mister_Phafanapolis]

@@joebradshaw5542 There are a LOT of watches. Unfortunately, most watch content is focused around the same soon-to-be-released microbrand or Rolex ROLEX ROWLECKS! It's a shame because there are plenty of cool watches.

[@loriemangasil8466]

Wonderful video! Great information. You might like ASOROCK watches. ASOROCK watches is a luxury affordable lifestyle watch brand in Africa. They do ship worldwide. Check it out at asorockwatches.com.

[@stusims6567]

I have a Bulova Marine Star, and though I have several other divers, I feel this at $110.00, is the best bang for the buck I’ve found. The finishing is phenomenal and it’s been nothing but dependable. It’s more of a desk diver with only 100 meters of water resistance, but I never go in the water. It just looks cool.

[@crunchers9]

I have owned the Citizen Diver Eco-Drive, in black with black band for about 3 years. Used it for surfing and skin diving as well as every day, but not work (too chunky). I love that I won't ever have to buy a battery for it and it won't die after a few days of non-use, or when I'm on vacation. I thought I didn't need another dive watch until this video... but a dressy Orient Ray II in all black, maybe...

[@jtb52]

I've the promaster since a few years. It's brilliant and looks even nicer in reality.

[@watchlad1969]

The Pro master is SOLID!

[@RM-pg4js]

I love my Pro M

[@farandikahidayat5541]

promaster series NY0080 12X perfect

[@mikejoseph8392]

I have Promaster’s, Orients and Casios, 6 auto’s & 6 Quartz solar. a dozen divers in all and I must say they are all rock solid. Built nicer w/ better features than any of the Seikos in the same price ranges. Very happy with these And I don’t find the need to get any other brands unless I’m looking for different styling.

[@newhuskytwenty]

Me too, but the automatic NY0040 - 17le

[@adibee88]

This was a great list of dive watches at the price point, the SKX is definitely the winner! It's been time tested just like all the others, but for me it was my introduction to the dive watch niche when I was a Corporal in the Marine Corps back in the day!

[@morgancarlyle640]

I am into Doxa and Squale. However, I swear by my beater watch. The Casio Duro is tough, rugged and dependable. Definitely a best buy.

[@watchlad1969]

The Duro is an absolute beast for the price!

[@glenn2595]

In 2022 the Seiko SKX.... $900 and higher. I did recently see on ebay, used (pre owned) for $280 and another pre-owned for $499. So under $250 is long gone.

[@davidmckenna1549]

You brought up some very good watches. I use my Citizen Pro Master when I go snorkeling. I also sail and you can't beat my Casio Duro for durability and toughness.

[@watchlad1969]

The Casio Duro is an absolute legend for the price!

[@spector_0]

I have an Invicta pro diver. I've had it for 4 years and wear it almost every single day. Still works great. I've been looking to get an Skx for a while and since they've been discontinued I have to get one fast

[@DANTHETUBEMAN]

People have gone 10 to 12 years on Invicta pro. I think they did that one right.

[@a3marketing991]

VOSTOK AMPHIBIAN is my pick. So many mod options to really make it unique.

[@watchlad1969]

Vostok is great. Such a cool and interesting brand!

[@devilslayerthesaintofkille1317]

Raketa Amphibia is better.

[@elliotbeerline1286]

i am obsessed with the look, but the broken crown and friction bezel is something i cant let go

[@bunk-bn9eo]

Great channel! I'm glad to see the Invicta Pro Diver, as I just recently purchased it. Thanks for the review.

[@watchlad1969]

Thanks Chad! I really appreciate the comment!

[@duke6j]

Not a bad watch for the money.

[@mister.karate]

I have one too. Very good value for money

[@RobotMonkeytron]

Currently wearing my Orient Ray II. Easily my favorite watch in my admittedly budged-minded collection!

[@eronavbj]

Orient Ray is my favorite, with looks and functionality. I’m targeting the Raven Ray II for my next acquisition.

[@watchlad1969]

I agree that the ORIENT Ray has a really nice ascetic!

[@robc8468]

You can use a Ray 2 not just as a dive watch but also as a field watch or even as a poor man's Rolex Explorer.

[@eronavbj]

@@robc8468 I pulled the trigger on the Raven Ray 2. I actually believe it’s more of a dress watch. It’s a handsome watch!

[@robc8468]

@@eronavbj I think it can be whatever you want it to be the Orient divers rock I am sure you will be happy.

[@salvadorterrazas2153]

You can’t never go wrong with a Seiko, love their SNZF17 model.

[@watchlad1969]

Agreed, Seiko is great!

[@TheSmiler62]

I have the SKX, the Citizen NY004, the Orient, the Casio G Shock, The Casio Duro, the Citizen Pro Master Eco Drive, the Victorinox Dive Master and a Vostok......So......Yes, I kinda agree with your synopsis ;)

[@watchlad1969]

haha that's awesome!

[@mre_1911]

Now its an illusion to get an Seiko Diver under 700eur. Amazing Watch!

[@sadas71]

Y want a Seiko Prospex Turtle diver ♥️

[@mikes1172]

Loving my Vostok Amphibia SE line. I get more comments about my $100 watch than any of the others that cost more than a few times over.

[@ilyagrigoryev26]

I have Ray 2 - very good piece. It's reliable and comfortable to wear. Love it. Thanx for your video, like

[@izzi9522]

Got an Orient Mako instead, a Vostok 420 and a Gshock Tough Mudder and frankly they're all amazing in their own right, great list man

[@tomford2859]

Well done ! I do however believe that the now iconic and automatic Citizen NY0040 , the dive watch used for about 10 years by the Marina Militare, trumps the newer quartz driven Promaster 200.

[@watchlad1969]

True

[@garyhoffman503]

INVICTA Pro Diver black/silver. I bought that watch after your review. I was quite happy with it. I enjoyed the connection. It arrived from N.Y. in its perfect yellow sponge case. Like the box is made of coral? Another Boss Video!

[@JusTheKing.]

Got a Duro and just bought a blue Promaster yesterday. Both are AMAZING watches for their prices. Wanted to get a Seiko King Turtle too but I just can't justify paying $400+ for it right now.

[@randycooke6209]

Good honest not snobby review. Good job sir

[@terence8127]

The deep blue watches are also good value and very stylish.

[@NobleAIan]

Terence Inch I’m surprised they didn’t make the list

[@Marsden12001]

Terence Inch Deep Blue is fantastic. I was going to ad a comment about them but was pleasently surprised to see the first comment covered just that.

[@tonyschram1260]

I agree, I have a juggernaut 3 automatic with hacking and rated for 500 meters, it’s built like a tank.

[@chuckschillingvideos]

They don't deserve to be on the list because of their TERRIBLE customer service. They are the rudest people on the planet. Bar none.

[@DEPORTMAN]

At this price point the Citizen Men's Eco-Drive Promaster Diver Watch with Date, BJ8050-08E, or ECOZILLA. Big, sturdy, and can be customized if you want. Good list. I also like the Invicta watch, and yes you can get a lot of grief from people. I give the Invicta as gifts to relatives to get them started with auto watches.

[@jimbeam4140]

That Citizen Pro Master has a 48mm case. WAY too big, even for a diver. GREAT video.

[@watchlad1969]

Thanks Jim!

[@ChipMautz]

@@watchlad1969 It wears very well Jim, you should try one! I have that same model and am very impressed! Case size is 44mm, not 48, unless you're measuring the crown maybe? I just looked and it's the same size as the Casio Duro, I have them side by side in a watchbox.

[@Harland_Globetrotter]

I love my new citizen promaster 1000M @55mm I need a big face with great lume for the murky Waters

[@zachsowersfilmandphoto6659]

Bought the Invicta pro diver and was blown out of the water for $50 its insane that they can make a great watch at that price.

[@neilpiper9889]

My daily wearer is a Sea-gull Ocean Star diver. 28800bph movement, Sapphire Chrystal. I love it, great wrist presence, accurate, hand windable and hacking with 200m water resistance with its smooth screw down crown. I have a Seiko 5 Snxg47k1, but it only keeps going if I wear it 24/7. So that's what I do. It keeps better time if I also give it a few shakes now and again throughout the day. I had a Vostok Amphibia 710 ministry case but it was too fiddly to set the time and date, because it was non hacking.

[@krzysztofhadala9126]

I’m so impressed l decided to subscribe. Here’s a top of my shortlist: Casio Duro, Orient Mako XL and Citizen Pro master

[@auttiebarnard7691]

@@thetruthhurts7500 loser

[@vasiliyfiscov9967]

my favorite is seiko skx 013. small and comfortable, just VOSTOK ANPHIBIAN several rare and iconic models

[@watchlad1969]

Agreed! The 013 is awesome and compact!

[@NiteGambler]

Just came accros your video and I have 3/10......Casio Duro, Invicta, & Vostok.....great video

[@robinj.9329]

I've owned the Orient Ray 2 since Spring of 2017! But just got the Seiko SKX007J in December. Both are great "Diver's"!

[@watchlad1969]

Orient and Seiko... Some would argue that those are the only two brands you really need. haha Great watches from both.

[@duke6j]

I also picked up a Seiko skx 009j too!

[@echochambers8418]

Great picks,Vostok is awesome to mod.Phoibos also makes great Divers.

[@chrisswatchbox7378]

I agree with all of these. Funny enough, I've owned nearly all of these with a few substitutions (Baby Ice Monster instead of the Sea Urchin and an INOX instead of the Dive Master).

[@vincentlenfantin6074]

Hello. I've had my Seiko Pepsi SKX for over ten years now, more than 4000 days of constant use and not more than +2 minutes/month... It has well over 100 dives to its log and I consider it like the hummer of watches. I bought an Orient a few years ago because it had a good press review and I found it very elegant until it fell off my arm without me noticing It... So I am not so happy with Orient. Last week, I received my new Pagani 1639 in blue/gold/silver, so cheap (in term of money but not in term of quality, though it is only 100M waterproof) and so beautiful, even better looking in hand than on the photos of the seller's website. I also bought recently a Vostok Amphibian because it is a piece of Russian history with it's unique and specific technical solutions. To finish with my watches, I just ordered a green "Hulk" Steeldive 1953, and I'm looking forward to receiving it. However, though the glass has some tiny scratches now, my Seiko will always be my all time favorite... Thanks for your good work!

[@gerard4870]

Choices spot on. Ratio freediver, heidallr, but. You have 5. Including the skx, which my 2 are copies of.

[@LimitedWarranty]

I liked Invicta since I was 12 years old, Never owned one that didn’t fall apart.

[@IKhanNot]

Good on you. I've had 2 Invictas and one loses about 20 minutes per week and the other loses and gains a few minutes. I have a Bulova Precisionist and a Citizen Eco Drive and neither lose significant time. If they lose or gain time it's by a few seconds a year.

[@felipecv]

Great list, but definitely you should make an updated list post pandemic. In my country an SKX is new for well over $700, used around 400, so viewing this on 2022 is not so relevant price wise.

[@lrlevy]

Very well done video. I'm sure you're going to get lots of subs

[@watchlad1969]

Thanks Leonard! Appreciate it!

[@gsperanza07]

‘ well said , truly good to see someone give information on divers watches, compared to other sites ‘ well done , and thank you

[@watchlad1969]

Greatly appreciated!

[@watchlad1969]

If you guys enjoyed this video and are interested in any of the watches mentioned in this video, feel free to check them out here: ORIENT RAY II: amzn.to/2UcGODw CITIZEN PRO MASTER: amzn.to/2utKcLL INVICTA PRO DIVER: amzn.to/2UhCQt7 CASIO DURO: amzn.to/2Ow4MnR VICTORINOX DIVER MASTER: amzn.to/2HKVMKQ SEIKO SKX: amzn.to/2HNn97c SEIKO 5 SNZF17: amzn.to/2Ug0tSU ORIENT MAKO XL: amzn.to/2U2O3i0 CASIO G SHOCK GG 1000: amzn.to/2HJxnpa VOSTOK ANPHIBIAN: amzn.to/2Ow1hO0 (Watchlad affiliate links!)

[@GabrielTemirov]

Nice video and very good documented. The diver I like the most is Orient Kamasu. Is not in your video, but this is my choice :)

[@MichoCung]

Do a field watch version! really love your format!

[@watchlad1969]

That's a great idea Micho! Thanks for the idea. I'll definitely do that video in the future!

[@folksurvival]

He quit making videos.

[@gsperanza07]

I have several pro master citizen watches , and set up a IKEA LED small round lights x2 in a cupboard on a timer to charge them up, and LEDS are said not to charge up the watches , WRONG ! ! The LED lights are quicker in charging the watches up and keeping them at full charge , then sitting in the hot , bleaching sun , on a window seal , minus the HEAT ! SEIKO AND CITIZEN , CASIO , FANTASTIC watches and truly a practical watch’s , especially the PADI ‘ Pepsi ‘ bezel divers watch and MUD Casio series .

[@marctandez]

I'm happy and glad that the current watch which I'm constantly wearing is part of this list! 👍 specifically it's a vostok amphibian scuba dude..

[@watchlad1969]

VOSTOK!!

[@pacocandano]

Have the Vostok, Seiko, Casio, Invicta, the Citizen and the Orient...beautiful watches...

[@Bob.martens]

Chinese Seiko-'hommages' are actually some of the best value mechanical (Seiko powerred) divewatches right now. Seiko still generally has much better lume, and nicer details on dials, but that's about it.

[@willsherman3527]

Great watch. Check out the Boldr Venture. They don't have the bezel, but titanium case, 200m, nh35A. Bezels are cool, but from what I hear real divers use dive watches with O2 sensors etc. nowadays. The Invicta though looks like a great price, but I think it is really silly looking. I have small wrists though, so larger watches are out. I prefer 38mm and under. I have a couple of amazing Vaer C3s. 36mm, Dome Sapphire, 100m, Assembled in USA (card signed by technician), Rhonda EOL jeweled quartz. 200$ with 2 bands including choices. For 250$, you can add a Horween leather band.

[@GabrielGGabGattringer]

Great selection! But unfortunately with the SKX being on its end of production, prices for new ones on Amazon DE have raised way above 250 bucks.

[@watchlad1969]

True..

[@rabbdadaas]

Almost 350 now

[@watchlad1969]

@@rabbdadaas :'(

[@DiscoFang]

Bugger, thatnks for the heads up. An ex of mine took my fave one and I've been thinking I'll replace it for 5 years now. I better hurry!

[@sailoreddie1]

Really enjoyed your video on dive watches. I own four dive watches, the Invicta Pro Diver 8927OB and the 8928OB which are great watches which I only paid £79 each for here in the UK. I also own two Casio quartz dive watches the MTD1053D watches, one in black and the other with a blue dial which are for the smaller wrist at 40mm but with the specifications similar to the Casio Marlin diver you have shown. The Casio's come on a stainless steel bracelet. I purchased my Casio's for around £50 each which you can't go wrong in purchasing such a good watch at this price point. Many thanks for your informative video and I have subscribed to your channel.

[@razakidris]

I got the hand-me-down Seiko Diver "150m" first laid eyes in 1982. If my calculation is correct it's 39yrs now. Refused to RIP in one occasion.

[@firstbornjordan]

Great selection and review. Subscribed.

[@captpat02]

Superb video !! I've always had a thing for nice watches but my line of work kept me from wanting to spend a lot on them. Now I'm looking to upgrade from a cheap fossil 😁. I looked at the citizen promaster earlier today but now looking at an Orient. I'm completely green on watches but want something nice that I can maybe pass on one day to my son. Thanks for any help or opinions.

[@ptda22]

I can recommend you the Orient Ray II. I have it, it's wonderful

[@captpat02]

@@ptda22 thanks, I'm gonna check it out for sure.

[@hernandovillamarinbuenaven7476]

Great review regarding affordable diver's watches. Also great to have you to provide us with a really professional job!; Many thanks and keep up!👍

[@watchlad1969]

Thanks Hernando!

[@tonyochoa7097]

Just got the Oreint king diver 70th aniversery-its bezel is under the crystal with a crown for adjustment at the two oclock.Definitly a somewhat unique setup,(these days)

[@livinginwilderness7913]

Well done with the list! For the Citizen one, where on the watch does it say Promaster?

[@sonnydsantana770]

My own 3' favorite's are my old #1' doxie diver , # 2' my Seiko diver , # 3' my Rolex submariner

[@willsherman3527]

Check out the Vaer D4 dive watch. They are an independent US brand, American Assembly, Seiko solar movement, double sapphire, engraved case back, 200 m of water resistance, screw down crown, the works. Screw down crown, the works. Works. They're slightly higher but definitely under 300 and that's with two straps. Fabulous watch company

[@orde_plongo.3.0]

I'm a highlander.. me even can't swim.. but yes, ima fans of divers watch... Thx for the review bro

[@naseerbarak4662]

Very good video explain very well thanks for posting such nice reviews and sharing your experience

[@alekseyyulchuraev1207]

Perfect video in my opinion I've made top 12 best divers in my channel, which, I think are the best, but this options, I think are also great. Especially the Vostok one

[@tarasmathers7423]

excellent review of all models presented. keep up the great work

[@michiganedge4770]

Thank for the video. I am going to go with the Casio dura for my first diver style watch but I see many more in the future

[@surfside75]

That's how I started but after buying Citizen promaster eco-drive then 2 Seiko skx007 -i really wish I had started with the 007😍. You'll feel like a boss for making the decision💪😁

[@michiganedge4770]

Surfside haha yeah I lied I ended up getting the pro master. Ordered it yesterday. But I think I will still get a dura for work.

[@surfside75]

Not bad but, you better pull the trigger and get that damn skx007 (discontinued 😵) -heck buy it through Amazon if you don't like return it✔️ but you will😂🍻

[@tsam0432]

Great video saved my day being sick at home ps. I am wearing a tissot seastar and probably the best diver under 250 is the orient mako or the invicta

[@watchlad1969]

Thanks! Glad I could brighten the day up!

[@surfside75]

No it's the SKX007

[@roshrashid7058]

I liked this video. Short and clear information. All watches in this video are good. I like Invicta, because it's cheap and good quality watches.

[@DiscoFang]

Great summary. I've always been a Seiko fan and own a couple of auto SKX009 and solar and Kinetics as well as Longines chrono, Baume Mercier and 2 Seamasters (random auction finds). The SKX are my faves along with the first Seiko chrono SQ100 I bought new maybe 30 years ago! (7T42-7A00). Funny, the most appealing ones on your list to me are the Citizen Eco-Drive and the Casio Duro. The solar powered Seiko I have just keeps perfect time, always, and to get one like that Citizen at that price is a bargain. But just might be on the large size at 48mm.

[@johnmichaelsaraceno7339]

Just bought a MOMO Dive Master used on Craigslist 1000m Automatic .48mm. How would you rank it...the box said it's list price is $4500.00 is that correct? Can't find the watch when I googled it.

[@marcjohnson4385]

Which would be your go to pulse everyday wearer.

[@robc8468]

An Orient Bambino and a Ray 2 would make a perfect two watch collection or someone starting out with automatic watches.

[@Anubis-h5p]

I love divers and most of my watches are divers ! They kick butt

[@OOnti-dz4jd]

I’ve dived in the sea of Cortez with the Orient Ray 2 and Pro master ... great watches

[@alexfunes4883]

Sieko is my favorite collection, nice presentation by the way well done

[@flaviuvacanta1]

Nice work, man. Now i will spend at least 2 weeks to decide wich of them to buy. I like to buy used watches, because they have a specific "patina", and of course, they are way more cheaper then the new ones.

[@fjones1914]

The Invicta kiosk at the mall quoted me a price of $499 for the Pro Diver. I bought one from Amazon for $90 instead. Same model with the Seiko movement.

[@watchlad1969]

Haha! Not gonna lie this made me laugh.

[@fjones1914]

Watch Lad Made me laugh also. I told her that price was ridiculous! She was reading the watch spec’s from the Invicta website to me. I was wearing my Tudor Pelagos at the time I stopped by and I’m pretty sure she knew nothing about timepieces.

[@samhouston5217]

I bought that same darn seiko diver pepsi but with solar.. mistake. left it in a drawer for a few months and DOA. garbage can. no one can fix it. so it makes the automatic look better and better. thanks for the reviews

[@fransiscoscaramanga674]

awesome video,,,,, very informative,,,,,,,,the Seiko skx was one of my favorites.....

[@6mojo]

Getting INVICTA Pro diver delivered tomorrow!

[@bonibroco1076]

In my opinion, a diver's should NOT have a display case back. Where the crystal mates with the metal is just another possible failure point.

[@vlickbrickersom7392]

Unless you’re actually diving down to pretty deep depths this shouldn’t be a worry.

[@Lex5576]

You're right about the SKX and the Promaster, but IMHO, Vostok deserves to be well and above several of the earlier mentioned watches.

[@gergemall]

Wonderful review and recommendations. Thank you, loved the Casio.

[@dale.gallaza]

The gg 1000 is just a beast when it comes to durability.. it's my workhorse watch in the construction site.

[@JohnSmith-vo9ll]

It eats batteries but.

[@jonathansantiagobayardomor9227]

Excellent!!. I like your videos. I have a Mako xl 👍🏼✌🏼👍🏼. Greetings from Guadalajara.

[@watchlad1969]

Thanks Jonathan! The Mako XL is a great choice!

[@mickeyjohnson1137]

Know anything about the Magico automatic 200 meter divers watch with date window, Japan movement, Rotation bezel. What's it worth?

[@librakhan8818]

Very nice video superb watches Seiko and orient and the Russian watch most reliable

[@francescacostantino1120]

Hi, I like the Victorinox Dive Master very much, so I checked it out, but didn't find anything with a price comparable to the one your show on the video (190$). As from my research, price is about 3 times this one. Where I can find one below 200 $?

[@ChrisWilliam08]

I have the Casio Duro and the Citizen promaster, and I must say, the Casio is much better built. The Citizen bezel clicks up and down on the watch face and the spring bars click as well, the casio out of the box is a much better fit all round with no weird noises that make you think the watch is going to fall apart. And for $50 (CAD) It was well worth it

[@mrsquishyboots]

Snagged a Seiko 4t57 blue dial today wondering around a Sears. Jewelry sale, watch sale, and a Christmas sale made the price 180$. Im loving it.

[@watchlad1969]

NICE!!!

[@frankfavale3872]

great video, surprised by the Vostok also the Victorinox, didn't know they made a dive watch.

[@SinnerSince1962]

Thank you for linking all of these in your description! It's a handy reference that I've bookmarked.

[@watchlad1969]

No problem!

[@simplelife2424]

I have a seiko 5 automatic and I have been using it for 15 years up to now and the watch are same as new.

[@wiriantoprimawan2122]

I own a Casio Duro MDV106. It is certainly a good durable dive watch.

[@yorusuyasoul69420]

Been using that shit and nothing else for its price

[@8080408729a]

Greetings from mumbai, 🇮🇳 Im considering watch for actual diving purposes (diving course to be held in December😅) Shortlisted "casio duro" for the same.. It comes with rubberized kind of strap.. I was thinking to replaced it with NATO one... My query is, Are nato straps are suitable for diving operations..?

[@frankly5171]

Invecta pro diver with the Seiko automatic movement is hard to beat at well under $100....it could easily be priced twice as much and still be an amazing value.

[@watchlad1969]

Agreed.

[@martroger5063]

What a great vid. Keep them coming.

[@watchlad1969]

Thanks Martin!

[@fl1431]

i have Ray 2 Raven, Citizen Promaster, Seiko King Turtle, Invicta Pro Diver, Casio Duro, Tag Heur Aquaracer, Orient Kano, and gshock mudmaster. I think I have enough lol.

[@TheGeordietheWitchandtheWench]

Great Review!!! I really like the SKX :-)

[@trevormendenhall1723]

Thanks for ur video my man u did a great job and actually helped me out

[@watchlad1969]

Glad I could help Trevor!

[@Winner3ty]

I got 300m water resistance, 26852, its such a tank. full stainless steel body, not tacky, and a good looking crono. just for 60 dollars, yes its a quartz but I dont want to have the impending repair costs of a mechanical yet

[@omni100won]

I really like the color combination with the brown strap at 1:01. Could you please help me find the strap?

[@MrOptik1]

The SKX is over $350 AUD and is only going to rise as it has just been discontinued.. every watch fan is nutting to get one at the moment.

[@watchlad1969]

Very true. Would not be surprised to see it at 500 by the summer time... :(