Top 12 Best Seiko Dive Watches [List & Guide]

Top 12 Best Seiko Dive Watches [List & Guide]

Seiko is one of the most well-known watch brands in the world. Seiko is most known for making affordable high-quality timepieces, both digital and mechanical, but amongst watch enthusiasts, it is most appreciated for making affordable automatic watches that offer great quality for the price.

The story of Seiko is also quite long and rich as it was founded in 1881 when the 21-year-old entrepreneur, Kintaro Hattori, opened a shop selling and repairing watches and clocks in central Tokyo. Eleven years later, he opened the ‘Seikosha’ factory, which is what would become Seiko. Naturally, with the brand’s pursuit of innovation and always being at the forefront of technology and innovation, the brand is responsible for numerous innovations and inventions.

One of the most popular types of watches from Seiko is the dive watches. And there are good reasons for this. In general, Seiko’s dive watches are very affordable, but at the same time, they are high-quality, often powered by automatic movements, and overall offer a greater level of quality compared to many of its competitors in the same price category. If you’re looking for a robust and well-performing dive watch at an affordable price, Seiko is therefore a great place to start.

Before we go through our picks of the best and most popular Seiko dive watches, let’s sort out the practical things first.

Without further ado, let’s look closer at the best and most popular Seiko dive watches. Further on, we’ll also take a look at the most important factors to consider when choosing a Seiko dive watch, as well as the key differences you should look out for.

Best Seiko dive watches

As an Amazon Associate, we may earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.

---

Seiko Prospex SRPC93

First up in our list of the best Seiko dive watches, we have the Seiko Prospex Samurai SRPC93. As the name suggests, it is a watch that features Seiko’s iconic Samurai case design with crown guards and aggressively shaped lugs, adding to its sporty appearance. The case measures 43.8mm in diameter and has a thickness of 12.8mm. Being a dive watch, it naturally has a unidirectional rotating bezel for measuring elapsed time. The bezel, in turn, has an aluminum bezel insert on top, in this case, blue with silver markers and a luminous pip at 12 o’clock. For added sportiness and versatility, it is presented on a three-link Oyster style bracelet with a brushed finish.

Being a dive watch, it has a water resistance of 200m/660 feet, meaning you can go diving and swimming with it without any issues. On top of the case, we have Seiko’s signature Hardlex crystal.

The dial of this watch is blue and has a subtle but beautiful wave pattern that shifts from a dark blue at the bottom to a light blue at the top to resemble the ocean. The dial has large applied hour markers filled with LumiBrite, paired with large hands which provides excellent legibility. After all, legibility is one of the most important aspects of a dive watch. Positioned at 3 o’clock, it also has a discreet date window which of course can be useful for everyday wear.

Powering this watch is an automatic movement.

All in all, this is a sporty Seiko dive watch that is built to handle harsh conditions and demanding dives, but at the same time, it is also stylish and vibrant to be worn for everyday wear in case you enjoy slightly larger and sportier timepieces.

Specifications

• Power reserve: 41 hours
• Thickness: 12.8 mm
• Diameter: 43.8 mm
• Water resistance: 200m / 660feet
• Crystal: Hardlex
• Movement: Automatic

---

Seiko Prospex SBBN031 Tuna

Next up, we have the Seiko Prospex SBBN031. Many of Seiko’s divers are ”Prospex” watches, and Prospex means ”professional specifications”. This essentially just means that it is built according to the needs and wants of professional divers, and if it’s good enough for professionals, it should be good enough for us.

The watch features a stainless steel case with a diameter of 48mm and a thickness of 14.7mm. The case also has Diashield protection which helps protect it from scratches. But keep in mind that it has the ”Tuna” case shape, so it doesn’t wear like a regular watch since the lugs are virtually non-existent. To make the watch more robust, it has shrouds around the case, and as a dive watch should, it is also equipped with a unidirectional rotating bezel. On top of the case, it has a sapphire crystal instead of the Hardlex crystal which is found on Seiko’s more affordable watches. For added comfort, the screw-down crown is positioned at 4 o’clock.

Now, this watch is more expensive than most other watches on this list, but despite this, it is a highly popular dive watch from Seiko. Why, you may ask? Because despite its price, it offers great value for money. The watch is well-built, has great attention to detail, impressive performance, and high-quality movement.

The water resistance of this timepiece is 300m/1000 feet which is really good and means you can go diving and swimming without any issues.

The dial naturally puts emphasis on great legibility with a black background and large luminous markers as well as large hands. At 3 o’clock, it has a day and date window.

If you want a tough and sporty dive watch with great performance but also with a distinct and unique design, you will likely enjoy this watch.

Specifications

• Movement: Seiko 7C46, high-torque quartz movement
• Case: Stainless steel with Diashield protection
• Water resistance: 300m/1000 feet
• Diameter: 48mm
• Lug width: 22mm
• Thickness: 14.7mm
• Crown: screw-down
• Crystal: Double-domed Hardlex

---

Seiko Solar Chronograph 200M SSC781P1

The Seiko Solar Chronograph SSC781P1 is an interesting take on the dive watch as it is a chronograph, and this isn’t really the first function that comes to mind when you think of a dive watch. At the same time, it incorporates this chronograph function without compromising on the water resistance, which is 200m/660 feet.

The watch has a sporty and bulky design with a relatively large case at 43.5mm and a thickness of 13.8mm. Naturally, the large crown guards and large chronograph pushers make the watch appear larger on the wrist. Still, the case is well made with polished beveled lugs and a nice brushed finish on top. It is presented on a stainless steel bracelet which looks robust and sporty and thus goes very well with the overall look of this watch. It also helps make it more versatile and suitable for everyday wear.

The first 15 minutes on the aluminum bezel insert is colored blue and the rest is black for a touch of color. The applied hour markers filled with luminescence are large, and equally so the hands for optimum legibility which is a crucial aspect of a dive watch.

Between 4 and 5 o’clock, it has a date window and on the dial, you’ll of course also find chronograph sub-dials.

Another nice feature of this watch is that it is powered by a quartz solar movement. This means that the movement is charged by solar and ambient light and doesn’t need to have the battery replaced. The power reserve of this movement is 6 months when fully charged.

All in all, this is an interesting timepiece that incorporates a chronograph function in a dive watch in a sleek and elegant way without destroying its sporty nature. It is a bit large and bulky, so naturally, it is best for men with larger wrists, but it will work as an everyday watch and not just for when diving deep below the surface.

Specifications

• Crystal: Hardlex
• Diameter: 44mm
• Movement: solar quartz
• Water resistance: 200m/660 feet
• Diameter: 43.5mm
• Thickness: 13.8mm

---

Seiko Prospex SBDC029

The Seiko Prospex Diver SBDC029 is priced at just above 1000 dollars, so it is a more premium alternative than most of the other Seiko watches on this list. But at the same time, you are indeed getting your money’s worth when looking at the improvements in quality that you are getting.

The watch has a titanium case with a classic dive watch shape and crown guards for protecting the crown. Because of the use of titanium instead of steel, it feels very light, despite the fact that it is quite large and bulky. The case is finished better than Seiko’s most affordable dive watches in the sense that the lugs have a nice sculpturing to them and also a great combination of brushed and polished parts, showing that Seiko has paid attention to the details.  On top of the case sits a Hardlex crystal. It is presented on a robust stainless steel bracelet, and unlike Seiko’s most affordable watches, it doesn’t really rattle but actually feels quite solid and qualitative.

The bezel has a sharp teeth edge to allow a good grip of the bezel. It has a black aluminum insert with a luminous pip at 12 o’clock. The dial is black and has really big applied hour markers filled with luminescence. The hands are large too which makes it easy to read the time in any environment. At 3 o’clock, it has a date window integrated.

One of the big improvements is the automatic Seiko caliber 6R15. This is a high-quality automatic Seiko movement with an Accuracy of ±25~-15seconds / Day.

Since this is a Prospex watch, it is built for challenges and to handle harsh conditions. In other words, it is a Seiko dive watch that you can rely on. Its classic look also makes it suitable for more occasions than just diving.

Specifications

• Crystal: Hardlex
• Movement: automatic caliber 6R15
• Water resistance: 200m/660 feet

---

Seiko Prospex Monster

Next up, we have the Seiko Prospex Monster which is a Seiko dive watch with quite an unusual design that stands out from the ordinary. At the same time, it is a highly popular dive watch from Seiko, which shows that a lot of people appreciate something different and not just the standard and perhaps boring dive watches.

This one has a stainless steel case and is presented with a stainless steel bracelet. What stands out is its case which in a way isn’t really visible since the black steel bezel takes up most of the case’s property. The only thing that is visible from the front is the lugs that protrude somewhat from the case. At 4 o’clock, we also have a large screw-down crown. On top of the case sits Seiko’s signature Hardlex crystal. The bezel has large markers with a luminous pip at 12 o’clock and because it is black, it adds to the sporty and characteristic look of this timepiece.

Inside this watch is the Seiko in-house automatic caliber 4R36 with 24 jewels, including both hand-wind and hacking functions.

Since this is a Prospex dive watch, it also offers a good water resistance of 200m. The watch has a dark blue dial with a sunburst finish and large applied hour markers. At 3 o’clock, it has a day and date window with a cyclops on top allows for better legibility.

The result is a sporty and masculine dive watch with a unique design that stands out from the ordinary and is a suitable alternative if you want something different than just the classic and perhaps a bit boring dive watch design.

Specifications

• Movement: Seiko automatic caliber 4R36
• Crystal: domed Hardlex
• Water resistance: 200m/660 feet

---

Seiko SRPA21 Prospex Padi 

The Seiko Prospex SRPA21 PADI is a watch that is made together with the diving organization PADI. Seiko has many different PADI watches, and what they all have in common is that they use PADIs signature colors which are blue and red.

Since it is a Prospex, and since it is a Padi, it means that it rehires optimal performance for divers.

The watch has Seiko’s iconic cushion shape and measures 45mm in diameter and 14mm in thickness. Seiko is known for this case design, but some people love it and some people hate it. Either way, there’s no denying that it gives the watch a distinct look. The crown is positioned at Seiko’s signature 4 o’clock position. Of course, being a dive watch, it has a unidirectional rotating bezel and the first 20 seconds on the aluminum insert is red and the rest blue to continue on the PADI color scheme. It is also presented on a stainless steel bracelet.

The watch has a matte blue dial which continues the red and blue theme with subtle red accents. Naturally, the hour markers and hands are large and filled with a generous amount of Lumibrite. At 3 o’clock, there is also a day and date window.

The watch is powered by the in-house Seiko caliber 4R36 with 24 jewels. It has a power reserve of approximately 41 hours, The water resistance is also up to par for being a dive watch at 200m/660 feet.

Shortly explained, we could describe this watch as a bulky and robust dive watch with a distinct case shape and an appealing color scheme with great performance. Is there room for improvement? Definitely. But for around 500 dollars, there are few watches that are as well-built as this one. After all, this is not just a dive-watch-style watch that can’t even handle a swim. It’s built to last.

Specifications

• Water resistance: 200m/660 feet
• Movement: automatic caliber 4R36
• Diameter: 45mm
• Thickness: 14mm
• Crystal: Hardlex

---

Seiko 5 Automatic

The Seiko 5 SRPD3 is the only watch in this list that doesn’t meet the required water resistance of 200m and hence cannot be called a dive watch. But there’s a good reason why this watch is here.

This Seiko 5 is the successor of the iconic Seiko SKX, one of the most popular automatic dive watches ever made (and with a water resistance of 200m). In 2020, Seiko updated the collection and introduced the successor. Whilst the style and design remain very similar, the water resistance was reduced. An important reason for this is that the majority of people who wore this watch didn’t go swimming with it, but n the contrary, it was highly popular as a sporty everyday watch.

As such, Seiko has continued on this theme and made a stylish and sporty everyday watch with a dive-inspired design. It has essentially all the iconic design elements of a dive watch, but without the water resistance to back it up. And if that is what you are looking for, there are few better alternatives that can compete with this watch if you also consider the price.

The watch has Seiko’s automatic 4R36 caliber, a Hardlex crystal on top, measures 43mm in diameter, and has a water resistance of 100m/330 feet.

Specifications

• Diameter: 43mm
• Thickness: 13mm
• Power reserve: 41 hours
• Water resistance: 100m/660 feet

---

Seiko Prospex Samurai SRPB51

We have already looked at one Seiko Samurai already, so the case design and overall look of this watch will feel very similar. But instead of featuring a blue dial and a blue design, it is mostly black instead, thus allowing for a more traditional and classic dive-watch look.

The Seiko Prospex Samurai SRPB51 has a stainless steel case with a diameter of 44mm and a thickness of 12mm, featuring the iconic Samurai design with aggressive lugs, a large crown, and crown guards. The bezel sits tall on top with a black aluminum insert and a luminous pip at 12 o’clock. For the crystal, it uses Seiko’s usual Hardlex crystal.

Inside this watch is the Seiko automatic caliber 4R36 which has hacking and manual winding functions. It has 24 jewels.

Furthermore, it has water resistance to back up the fact that it is a dive watch at 200m/660 feet. Whilst it is a sporty watch, it can be worn on many different occasions and perhaps even for everyday wear. The three-link stainless steel bracelet also helps with its versatility.

The dial is black but has a nice yet subtle pattern which helps make it more vibrant and interesting. It has really big applied hour markers and hands to ensure excellent legibility in all environments. The luminescence is also known to glow really bright and strong.

Specifications

• Diameter: 44mm
• Thickness: 12mm
• Water resistance: 200m/660 feet
• Movement: Automatic caliber 4R36
• Crystal: Hardlex

---

Seiko Prospex Solar Tuna PADI Dive Watch

The Seiko Prospex Tuna Padi is a watch with a tuna case shape (meaning round and similar to the shape of a tuna can). It is also a PADI watch, meaning you can expect the signature red and blue color scheme.

This watch is also quite interesting because it is the only digital dive watch that we are going to look at in this article. First and foremost, the stainless steel case is relatively small, but the actual case isn’t really visible since it is covered by shrouds which are meant to protect the case and increase its durability (which is obviously important for a sports, dive watch).

The watch has a unidirectional rotating bezel with a red and blue color scheme and a black dial with large hands and markers. At 12 o’clock, however, you find a digital screen, and this means that it has a great combination of digital functionality with a classic analog time display. Thanks to the digital display, the watch has a digital time and date display, local time indication mode, alarm, and a power reserve indicator.

Powering all of this is a Seiko solar quartz movement, meaning it gets energy from solar and ambient light. The watch has a power reserve of 6 months when fully charged.

If you’re looking for something different that is sure to stand out, and perhaps something a bit more functional and useful than solely a watch that tells the time, this could be a suitable alternative for a Seiko diver. After all, it is 200m/660 feet water-resistant too.

Specifications

• Power-reserve: 6 months
• Movement: Solar quartz
• Water resistance: 200m/660 feet

---

Seiko Prospex Street Sports Solar SNE543P1

The Seiko Prospex Street Military SNE543P1 is a watch that just screams sportiness and toughness. And the looks do not deceive.

The watch has Seiko’s iconic tuna case shape with a large diameter of 47mm. As such, it of course also has shrouds around the case which work as protection. The good news is that whilst the case is quite large, the lugs are short, helping it wear better on the wrist than its dimensions may suggest. For a sporty and masculine look, the case and unidirectional rotating bezel are black. As for most watches, it has a Hardlex crystal.  

It is powered by a solar quartz movement which is always practical. The water resistance is 200m/660 feet, making it a real dive watch.

The dial is matte black and has large hands with large applied hour markers. The luminescence is strong and bright, but to give it a more classic, vintage-inspired look, it has been made in a cream color and is not completely white.

At 4 o’clock, there is also a date window discreetly integrated into the dial which can be practical to have.

This is a seriously tough watch that is built to handle all kinds of different challenges. Whilst it has dive watch performance, it can be a suitable companion for when you are hiking or performing other outdoor activities. 

Specifications

• Diameter: 47mm
• Water resistance: 200m/660 feet
• Thickness: 12mm
• Crystal: Hardlex
• Movement: Solar quartz

---

Seiko SRP637 Prospex Automatic

The Seiko Prospex SRP637 is another tuna dive watch with a really bulky and eye-catching design. It has a large case with a. Diameter of 48mm and a thickness of 13.8mm, and naturally with shrouds around the case to work as protection and make it more durable. The screw-down crown is positioned at 4 o’clock. 

Being a dive watch, it features a unidirectional rotating bezel, and to match the stainless steel case and stainless steel bracelet, it is also made in brushed stainless steel.

The dial is black but white small due to the fact that the case and bezel take up most of the watch’s property. At the same time, the hour markers and hands are huge and take up a large part of the dial. The result is superb legibility and an excellent luminescent glow in low-lit conditions.

As you can expect, the water resistance is 200m/660 feet.

This watch is powered by the in-house automatic Seiko caliber 4R36 which has 24 jewels, a manual-winding function, and hacking seconds. It offers a power reserve of 41 hours.

Whilst this watch is stylish and sporty, it is likely not ideal for everyday use unless you have some big wrists. What it is built for, however, is diving and handling harsh conditions, and it will perform that job exceptionally well. This is a watch that is more focused on function than form, although, it is a distinct design that stands out and will speak to those who want something different.

Specifications

• Diameter: 48mm
• Thickness: 13.8mm
• Movement: Seiko automatic caliber 4R36
• Jewels: 24
• Power reserve: 41 hours
• Water resistance: 200m/660 feet

---

Seiko Prospex 1968 Automatic 200m re-interpretation SPB079J1

Last but not least in this list, we have the Seiko Prospex 1968 Automatic diver Re-interpretation Watch SPB079J1. As the name suggests, it is a re-interpretation of a dive watch that Seiko released in 1968, and this one clearly has obvious design inspiration from the dive watches of the 60s. As a result, the SPB079 is a watch that stays true to the design that most people associate with a dive watch.

It has a stainless steel case with a diameter of 44mm and a thickness of 44mm. On top, it has a curved sapphire crystal. Now, it’s worth noting that this watch is slightly higher-priced than many of Seiko’s other watches, but again, you’re getting your money’s worth. One example is the fact that it uses sapphire instead of Hardlex, although this is just one small detail.

The case has a really nice design in my opinion with thick lugs and a brushed upper side, contrasted by polished and beveled sides for a classic look. The crown still sits at the 4 o’clock position.

To add some color to the otherwise monochrome watch, it has a unidirectional rotating bezel with a blue aluminum bezel insert. At the same time, the blue color is toned-down which partially makes it look like it is faded (which is a nice vintage touch). The water resistance is obviously 200m/660 feet since it is a dive watch,

It is powered by the in-house automatic Seiko caliber 6R15 which has a power reserve of more than 50 hours, a hacking function, and a manual winding function. It also has 23 jewels.

Overall, the dial design is what you expect from a classic dive watch with large applied luminous markers and large hands. At 3 o’clock, it also has a date window.

All in all, dive watches have proven how versatile they can be when they have a classic and traditional design. Since this Seiko has just that, it is a popular timepiece not only because it has good performance but also a stylish design that makes it suitable for many different occasions. As an everyday watch, if you’re looking for something sporty and appreciate dive watches, the SPB079 could be an appropriate addition to your collection.

Specifications

• Movement: Seiko automatic caliber 6R15
• Power reserve: 50 hours
• Crystal: curved sapphire glass
• Diameter: 44mm
• Thickness: 12.7mm
• Water resistance: 200m/660 feet

---

Should you choose an automatic or quartz Seiko dive watch?

Seiko makes both quartz and automatic dive watches. Both automatic and quartz have their pros and cons, so there’s no right or wrong here. In general, quartz watches are more affordable than automatic since their movement contains fewer parts. But watch enthusiasts generally prefer automatic movements due to their complexity and appreciation of fine watchmaking.

If you prefer accuracy and practicality, then a quartz watch may be for you. However, if you enjoy fine watchmaking and the complexity behind a mechanical movement, then choosing an automatic movement is a given choice.

Benefits of Seiko watches

We could create a whole article discussing the benefits of Seiko and the reason why the brand is so immensely popular today. The short and simple answer is that Seiko watches offer impressive quality and finish in relation to their price to a level that is difficult for many of its competitors to compete with. In simple terms, buying a Seiko watch means that you are getting a robust and long-lasting watch at a great price.

Choosing a Seiko dive watch

There are a few things to consider when choosing your Seiko dive watch. The first is obviously the movement, which we discussed above.

Secondly, you naturally want to consider water resistance.

Most commonly, you have the following water resistance for most Seiko dive watches:

• 100m
• 200m
• 300m

The usual criteria for a dive watch are that it has a water resistance of at least 200m to be able to be classified as a dive watch. Otherwise, it’s just a dive-inspired watch. Now, there’s nothing wrong with that, but if you are actually going diving with your watch, you need a water resistance of 200m.

A watch with a water resistance of 100m is suitable for swimming but not diving, making it a good everyday watch, but not suitable for diving.

The good news is that Seiko puts a lot of focus on dive watches in its collection, meaning that there are a lot of different watches to choose from. Seiko makes dive watches in all kinds of different designs and styles, meaning you should be able to find one that suits your taste and preference. This is great news because the popularity of and interest in dive watches has increased quite a lot over the decades.

Nowadays, dive watches are no longer worn only by professional divers. Instead, they have been one of the go-to everyday watches for the public market. But the most ”advanced” and professional dive watches naturally tend to have a sportier design. So if you are looking for a watch to wear for everyday wear, you may want to choose something that is a little less bulky and sporty, whilst, on the other hand, if you are going to go diving and wear your watch for sporty occasions, you can very well opt for a sporty and robust timepiece. But at the end of the day, it all comes down to your taste and preferences.

Diameter/size

Something that is important to consider regardless of the watch you choose is the size. Different people have different wrist sizes and different preferences when it comes to sizes, so you want to make sure you choose one that you can wear comfortably. Obviously, dive watches are sports watches and thus expected to be larger and more robust than, for example, dress watches.

With this in mind, it is important to think about not just the diameter as specified on paper but also the shape of the case and the watch’s thickness as these factors will have a great effect on how the watch wears and feels on the wrist.

If you plan to wear your Seiko dive watch as an everyday watch, it may be appropriate to choose one that looks like a huge brick on your wrist. But if you’re actually going diving, it may make perfect sense. So think about these factors before making your pick:

• Thickness
• Diameter
• Case shape
• Purpose

Are Seiko dive watches good?

Yes! Seiko’s dive watches are considered amongst the best on the market if you factor in their prices. Seiko’s dive watches – like all of Seiko’s watches offer exceptional value for money and a great ratio between price, quality, and performance.

Even Seiko’s most affordable Seiko dive watches that are priced at a few hundred dollars are considered really great and there are actually few other brands that can compete. Seiko has invested heavily into improving the performance and functionality of its timepieces whilst retaining affordable prices. For example, Seiko’s entry-level dive watches come in at around $300, yet they still have a good power reserve, are powered by automatic movements, and have both hacking seconds and manual-winding functions. And all of these things are things that many of Seiko’s competitors do not have.

Which is better Seiko Samurai or turtle?

Two of Seiko’s most iconic watch designs are the Samurai and Turtle. And the answer to that question ultimately comes down to preference because these are just two different types of designs. You can find Samurai and Turtle watches with the exact same movements and functionality, with the only thing differentiating them being their design.

The Samurai has a more aggressive and perhaps sporty design with sharper lines, whereas the design of the Turtle includes softer lines and shapes.

What does PADI mean on a Seiko watch?

PADI is an abbreviation of the Professional Association of Diving Instructors. It is the world’s leading scuba diver training organization. Seiko and PADI have a long history of collaborating and partnering, where Seiko is the “official timekeeper” of PADI and develops dive watches together with PADI.

Therefore, PADI is considered a great seal of approval for the Seiko watches that have the PADI branding as it means that they are tested and approved by professionals. And if they are approved by professional divers, they should be good enough for all of us who aren’t.

Are Seiko dive watches ISO certified?

Not all Seiko dive watches are ISO certified, but many of them are. The good news is that Seiko has ISO-certified dive watches in a wide category of price ranges, meaning that anyone can find an ISO-certified Seiko dive watch regardless of their budget.

Seiko’s ISO-certified dive watches pass rigorous testing to ensure that they meet the requirements and specifications of professional dive watches.

What does Seiko Prospex mean?

You may have seen the term “Seiko Prospex” being used to describe many Seiko dive watches and wondered what it means. The answer is that “PROSPEX” means “professional specifications” and indicates that it is a watch that is built for professionals and their strict needs and wants. When buying a Prospex Seiko watch, you can be sure that it has excellent performance and is built to last.