The Best Dive Watches for Summer 2021
Summer is almost here and that means one thing: you’re probably going to want to jump into a body of water sometime soon. Before you hit the pool, river, pond, lake or ocean, however, a quick wrist check is in order. Each of the watches below won’t just stand up to everything from dog-paddling to deepsea diving, they will look great on your wrist anywhere else you happen to go this summer. Now get out there and show those kids how to cannonball like you mean it.
Tudor Black Bay Fifty-Eight 18k
Tudor’s Black Bay Fifty-Eight sets itself apart with its vintage looks and in-house movement. Tudor added two more models to the lineup this year, however, that take the model in new directions while playing to its strengths. This one, with an 18k gold case paired with a green dial and bezel, is right on the money. As with its siblings, the Manufacture Calibre MT5400 COSC-rated movement, 39mm case size and snowflake hands are just right. $19,310, tudorwatch.com
TAG Heuer Aquaracer
TAG Heuer’s 2021 redesign of the Aquaracer hits on all cylinders: toughness, beauty and luxury. First, there’s a stainless steel case with a ceramic bezel and 300m of water resistance. Surfaces are brushed and polished to reflect the light just so, with octagonal hour markers on a silver sunray dial. Gold-plated hands are coated with white Super-LumiNova, and the in-house Calibre 5 movement will run reliably for many years to come. If those aren’t the makings of a future classic, we don’t know what is. $3,750, tagheuer.com
Hamilton Khaki Navy Scuba Auto
With a new 43mm case rated for 300m of water resistance and a coloured ceramic bezel ring matched to the blue gradient dial, this new diver is a stylish watch that can go the distance. With Super-LumiNova markers for excellent low-light visibility and an automatic Swiss movement, the new Khaki Navy Scuba ticks all of the right boxes on land or sea. $1,300, hamiltonwatch.com
Panerai Luminor Marina eSteel Blu Profondo
This new Luminor may not look that different from its siblings, but it represents one of the biggest advances in Panerai’s history: the introduction of eSteel. As part of its new commitment to sustainability, this watch’s case is made from majority recycled stainless steel. Combined with its sea-blue dial and recycled PET strap, it’s a bold look for summer and a piece of watchmaking history. $11,100, panerai.com
Breitling Superocean Heritage ’57 Outerknown
This tribute to Breitling’s original 1957 surfing watch got a stylish modern update thanks to the brand’s ongoing collab with surfing champion Kelly Slater. The result is a unique bronze-coloured dial with “fauxtina” lume on the hour markers and a matching brown strap, made from Econyl, a fabric woven from recycled fishing nets. $5,085, breitling.com
Seiko Prospex S23633J1
A resemblance to a short, squat tuna can earned Seiko’s Saturation Diver’s Watch the nickname “tuna” when it debuted in 1975. This reinterpretation keeps its unmistakable 47mm case while updating its components for 2021. Powered by a Seiko quartz movement and featuring a dual-curved sapphire crystal, this is a must-have for any serious Seiko fan. $2,150, seikowatches.com
Mido Ocean Star GMT
Designed for those who like the looks of a classic diver but appreciate the added functionality of a second time zone, this watch does double-duty. Good for 200m of water resistance and with 80 hours of power reserve on its Swiss-made automatic movement, this is a watch that will never let you down. $1,550, midowatches.com
Longines Hydroconquest
The Hydroconquest may not be considered a top-tier contender – yet – but it’s as robust and reliable a diver as you could want, with enough modern colour choices to satisfy pretty much anyone. Our pick is the one with a matching green dial, bezel and textured rubber strap. $2,050, longines.com
Rado Captain Cook High Tech Ceramic
Rado may be known these days for its slim, modern case designs in colourful ceramic, but this brand has a long history of making great diver watches, too. This one, a modern revamp of the 1962 Captain Cook, puts Rado’s skill with high-tech ceramic on display with its light and scratch-resistant case. $4,970, rado.com
Tissot Seastar 1000 Powermatic 80
This modern diver’s specs tell you everything you need to know: 300m of water resistance, a self-winding Swiss movement with an 80-hour power reserve and a price just a hair over $1,000. If the gradient dial and rose gold PVD coating on its 316L stainless steel case doesn’t seal the deal, nothing will. $1,095, tissotwatches.com
