Top 14 Best Quartz Dive Watches [List & Guide]

Top 14 Best Quartz Dive Watches

The dive watch is one of the most popular types of watches on the market today. The first dive watches were developed in the 1930s by brands like Omega, Panerai, and Rolex, and things have evolved and changed quite substantially since then. Originally, like most ”professional” performance watches, dive watches were developed for professional divers who needed a watch that could keep track of time underwater but also help them keep track of the elapsed time.

Dive watches are available in a large number of different styles, designs, and executions. As a matter of fact, many watch brands on the market today either have at least one dive watch or a dive-inspired watch in their collection.

In this article, we will go through the best quartz dive watches on the market. But before we do this, let’s go through what a dive watch actually is and what you should look for.

What is a dive watch?

There are a few criteria that define a dive watch, but there are also a few elements that are not crucial in a watch for it to be classified as a dive watch, which many still have.

There are essentially two strict criteria that a watch must meet in order to be classified as a dive watch:

• It needs to have a water resistance of 200m/660 feet
• It needs to have a 60-minute unidirectional rotating bezel

The reason why a dive watch needs a water resistance of at least 200/660 feet is that they are otherwise not suitable for diving, which, after all, is the purpose of a dive watch. The more serious dive watches offer even better water resistance, for example, 500 or even 1000 meters, but for the vast majority of wearers, a water resistance of more than 300 meters is not necessary.

The purpose of the unidirectional rotating bezel is to rotate the bezel to the position of the minutes hand. The bezel then works as an elapsed time counter of up to 60-minutes which helps the diver keep track of how long they have been underwater, and thus also how much oxygen is left. Of course, today, there are far more advanced tools and accessories for divers today, but their appeal, charm, and history of them still remain today.

In addition to the strict criteria, many dive watches also have the following:

• Great legibility
• Strong lume
• Durable and robust design made to withstand sports activities and not to mention diving

Dive watch or dive-watch style?

With the above said, there are also plenty of watches on the market that are designed as dive watches but don’t quite meet the criteria in order to be classified as one. These are usually referred to as ”dive-inspired watches” or watches with a ”dive-watch style”. The criteria that these watches do not meet is water resistance. These may be watches with a water resistance of 100m, which thus means that they are not suitable for diving, but only for swimming.

These watches may be suitable if you enjoy the style of dive watches, but do not plan to go diving with your watch anyway.

With that said, you may opt for either a true dive watch or a watch with a dive-inspired design in case the water-resistance is crucial for you.

Choosing quartz

Quartz may or may not be suitable for you in a dive watch. But of course, every type of movement has its pros and cons, and the pros of quartz movements are that they are sturdy, durable, and tough, which is suitable for a dive watch that may be subject to shocks and bangs. Furthermore, quartz movements tend to be more accurate than automatic watches, which is of course convenient.

Best quartz dive watches [Affordable]

Below, we go through the most popular quartz dive watches. We will focus on affordable dive watches (since most quartz dive watches are). Since the definition of ”best” is, to a large extent subjective, we will focus on the most popular quartz dive watches that have received the best reviews and ratings. If other people appreciate them, chances are, you will too.

---

Luminox Leatherback Sea Turtle 44mm Watch

The Luminox Leatherback Sea Turtle is a sporty 44mm all-black watch with a water resistance of 100m/330 feet. It is powered by a Swiss-made quartz movement and has a mineral crystal on top. The case has a carbon compound case which makes it tough, durable, and of course light.

The watch puts an emphasis on legibility with a black dial and large white Arabic numerals. The hands and edge of the dial have night vision illumination tubes which help improve legibility in low-lit conditions.

All in all, it is very sporty both in terms of build quality and design.

Specifications

• Water resistance: 100m/330 feet
• Diameter: 44mm
• Crystal: Mineral glass
• Movement: Swiss quartz

---

 

Luminox Scott Cassell Deep Dive Special Edition XS.1555

The Luminox Scott Cassell deep dive special edition is a 45mm bulky and sporty watch with a carbon super lightweight case and a sapphire crystal on top. The thickness is 15mm and the water resistance is 300m/660 feet.

This watch is just as tough as its appearance suggests it is when it comes to its performance. Of course, for finding its way into this list, it is powered by a quartz movement. Like most Luminox watches, it puts an emphasis on legibility with applied luminous tubes on the hands and markers as well as large white markers.

If you want a large and bulky quartz dive watch with great performance, this is a great alternative.

Specifications

• Diameter: 45mm
• Thickness: 15mm
• Water resistance: 300m/660 feet
• Crystal: anti-reflective sapphire

---

Casio MTD-1079D-1AVCF Super Illuminator Diver

The Casio MTD-1079D-1AVCF Super Illuminator is a sporty dive-inspired watch that only has a water resistance of 100m/660 feet. The stainless steel case has a diameter of 44mm 

To improve its legibility, it is equipped with a super illuminator LED light and it is powered by a quartz movement. The watch has a beautiful black sunburst dial with large hands and markers which provide excellent contrast and legibility. Int also incorporates a chronograph function and has a day and a date window at 3 o’clock. As a dive watch should (although this technically isn’t one), it has a unidirectional rotating bezel.

It is powered by a quartz movement.

Specifications

• Diameter: 44mm
• Water resistance: 100m/330 feet
• Movement: quartz

---

Citizen Eco-Drive BN0191-55L

The Citizen Eco-Drive BN0191-55L is a true dive watch with a nice appeal. It is presented with a 45m stainless steel case with a beautiful blue dial and a matching unidirectional rotating bezel with a blue aluminum insert. The watch has large markers and hands applied with luminescent material which helps improve legibility in low-lit conditions.

The water resistance is 200m/660 feet.

Powering this watch is a Japanese quartz movement that is also solar-powered. This means that it uses solar technology which converts ambient and solar light into power for the movement, meaning you won’t have to replace its battery.

Specifications

• Diameter: 45mm
• Water resistance: 200m/660 feet
• Movement: Eco-Drive quartz

---

Citizen Eco-Drive Promaster BN0150-28E

The Citizen Promaster BN0150-28E is a tough, serious dive watch with a classic dive watch design as well as a serious performance.

The watch has a stainless steel case with a diameter of 44mm and a unidirectional rotating bezel with a black aluminum insert and a luminous pip at 12 o’clock.  The water resistance of this water-resistance is 200m/660 feet. On top of the case, it has an anti-reflective mineral crystal.

It is powered by Citizen’s Eco-Drive quartz movement, meaning it covers ambient and solar light into energy for the movement, thus eliminating the need for replacing the battery.

The dial has a date window positioned at 4 o’clock and a classic black dial with large applied hour markers and large hands with luminescent material applied to them for excellent legibility even in low-lit conditions.

Specifications

• Movement: Eco-Drive quartz
• Water resistance: 200m
• Crystal: anti-reflective mineral glass

---

Casio MDV106-1AV 200M Duro Analog Watch

The Casio Duro MDV106-1AV is our favorite affordable quartz dive for a number of different reasons. Quickly summarized, it is extremely affordable, but at the same time has a lot to offer.

The watch features a stainless steel case with a diameter of 44mm and a classic dive watch design. It has a water resistance of 200m/660 feet and a unidirectional rotating bezel with a black insert and a luminous pip at 12 o’clock. 

The dial has a classic design and is made black with a sunburst finish. At 3 o’clock, it has a date window, as well as large applied markers and hands with luminescence.

All in all, this is a dive watch with excellent performance, a classic design, and a very attractive price.

Specifications

• Water resistance: 200m/660 feet
• Crystal: Mineral crystal
• Diameter: 44mm 
• Lug-to-lug: 48mm
• Height: 12mm

---

Alpina Seastrong Diver AL-247LNN4TV6

The Alpina Seastrong diver Titanium is a large and bulky watch with a great water resistance of 300m/1000 feet. Apart from a date function at 3 o’clock, it has a GMT function. Of course, it is powered by a Swiss quartz movement.

Since this is a large watch with a diameter of 44mm, Alpina has made the case in titanium and steel to make it slightly lighter and neater on the wrist.

Specifications

• Movement: Swiss quartz
• Diameter: 44mm
• Movement: quartz

---

Citizen BN0211-50E Promaster Tough

The Citizen Promaster tough is another popular quartz dive watch. It has an anti-reflective sapphire crystal and super Lumiova hands and markers. It is powered by Citizen’s Eco-Drive movement which means it is powered by light. The hands and applied markers are large which also ensures great legibility both during the day and the night.

The water resistance of 200m/660 feet is good, but it does not have a unidirectional rotating bezel which is necessary for a dive watch.

The good news is that it is extremely tough with a monocoque case, offering great shock resistance and anti-magnetism.

Specifications

• Movement: Eco-Drive quartz
• Crystal: anti-reflective sapphire crystal
• Water resistance: 200m/660 feet

---

Seiko SNE441 Prospex

The Seiko SNE441 Prospex is designed as a black timepiece with a sporty design. The case has a diameter of 43.5mm and it is powered by a solar quartz movement. The water resistance is 200m/660 feet. When fully charged, it has a power reserve of 10 months.

The dial has large applied hour markers and hands with luminescent material. At 3 o’clock, it has a date window.

Specifications

• Movement: quartz solar-powered
• Power-reserve: 10 months
• Diameter: 43.5mm
• Water Resistance: 200 meters/660 feet

---

Timex Harborside 42mm

If you’re looking for a stylish dive-inspired watch at an affordable price, the Timex Harborside is a great option. It has a 42mm brass case with a mineral crystal but only a water resistance of 50m/165 feet. 

For better legibility, it has a silver-tone & blue 42mm brass case with mineral glass crystal. Whilst it does not have the performance of a true dive watch, it has a stylish and elegant design that is very versatile.

Specifications

• Diameter: 42mm
• Water resistance: 50m/165 feet
• Movement: quartz
• Crystal: Mineral glass

---

Seiko SSC017 Prospex

The Seiko Prospex SSC017 is a true dive watch with its water resistance of 200m/660 feet and a stainless steel 43mm case. This watch also incorporates a chronograph function which makes it slightly more bulky and durable. Seiko has also added a touch of color by making the first 15 minutes on the aluminum bezel insert. On top of the case, it has a Hardlex crystal.

It is powered by a solar quartz movement. The dial is black but has large hour markers and hands with luminescent material which ensures excellent legibility.

Specifications

• Diameter: 43mm
• Water resistance: 200m/660 feet
• Crystal: Hardlex
• Movement: Solar-powered quartz

---

Victorinox Swiss Army Men’s I.N.O.X. Pro Diver Watch

Victorinox I.N.O.X. is a popular quartz dive watch that is extremely tough and has great performance. The watch has a rugged stainless steel case with a diameter of 45mm and a solid steel bezel with a luminous pip at 12 o’clock. On top f the case, it has a scratch-resistant triple-coated anti-reflective crystal.

This watch has a classic dive watch dial with large luminescent markers and hands which offer excellent legibility. If you want something big, robust, and durable, you cannot go wrong with this Victorinox quartz diver.

Specifications

• Water resistance: 200m/660 feet
• Diameter: 45mm
• Crystal: triple-coated anti-reflective sapphire crystal

---

Timex 43 mm Allied Coastline

The Timex has a 43mm lead brass case with a mineral crystal on top. This isn’t a true dive watch in terms of performance, but it has a nice dive-inspired watch that is timeless and very beautiful.

Timex has really paid attention to the details in all aspects, with slim, vintage-inspired lugs, and a nice blue and orange bezel insert for the unidirectional rotating bezel.

The watch has a beautiful blue dial with large markers and hands, as well as a date window at 3 o’clock. For better legibility, it has an Indiglo light-up watch dial. The water resistance is 100m/330 feet.

This isn’t as sporty as some of the other alternatives, which makes it perfect for everyday wear, whilst still staying true to classic dive watch designs.

Specifications

• Diameter: 43mm
• Water resistance: 100m/330 feet
• Crystal: mineral glass
• Movement: quartz

---

Citizen Eco-Drive Promaster BJ8050-08E

Last but not least, we have the Citizen Eco-Drive Promaster BJ8050-08E which has a large 48mm stainless steel case with a mineral crystal on top and a Japanese quartz movement inside.

This watch is perfect if you are looking for a timepiece that has excellent performance and durability and is able to handle the harshest conditions. The water resistance is 100m/1000 feet. Conveniently, it is also powered by an Eco-Drive quartz movement which is charged by solar and ambient light.

Specifications

• Water resistance: 300m/1000 feet
• Diameter: 48mm
• Movement: Eco-Drive quartz

---