Best Quartz Dive Watches of 2024 for Ultimate Underwater Performance and Style

Quartz dive watches have become a cornerstone of timekeeping, offering abundant affordability compared to other movements. Despite the praise for mechanical craftsmanship, quartz timepieces boast their own merits.

Since Seiko introduced them in the late 60s, quartz watches revolutionized the industry with their accuracy and accessibility. Even now, they often outshine mechanical alternatives in affordability, ensuring their dominance in the market.

Navigating the extensive selection can be daunting. In this review, we’ve curated a list of top-tier quartz dive watches to help you find the perfect fit.

1. Stuhrling Dive Watch

The Stührling Aquadiver Regatta stands out as an exceptional quartz diver watch, offering classic specifications at a fraction of the cost of its counterparts.

Crafted from surgical-grade stainless steel, including its case, bracelet, and screw-down crown, the Aquadiver Regatta ensures durability, corrosion resistance, and scratch-proof resilience. With a water resistance of up to 200m, it’s a reliable companion for underwater ventures. The luminescent markers and hands recharge in low light conditions, providing clear visibility.

Its unidirectional bezel, featuring a coin edge, facilitates easy rotation underwater, with audible clicks marking each passing minute. Powered by Swiss quartz movement, the Aquadiver Regatta guarantees precise timekeeping surpassing that of automatic watches.

Available in five face color options—black, blue, green, orange, and red—the Aquadiver Regatta offers customization. Remarkably, all these features come at an incredibly low price of around $150.

Key Features:

• Swiss quartz movement for accuracy.
• Date display positioned at 4 o’clock.
• Three-piece steel strap with deployment clasp.
• Krysterna crystal for enhanced protection.

2. Luminox Navy Seal Watch

The Luminox Navy Seal is tailored for exceptional visibility in low-light settings, making it ideal for night activities or situations demanding clear timekeeping in the dark.

Its remarkable luminescence, powered by Tritium tubes, ensures visibility for up to 25 years without requiring recharging. This feature, combined with its rugged design inspired by its use by Navy Seal teams and various law enforcement agencies, guarantees durability and reliability in demanding environments.

While its aesthetic leans towards functionality rather than aesthetics, prioritizing resilience over style, this characteristic aligns perfectly with its intended use in service. However, for those seeking a more versatile quartz watch with a sleeker design, alternative options may be more appealing.

Yet, for individuals engaging in active nighttime pursuits like night diving or camping, the Luminox Navy Seal truly excels.

Key Features:

• Swiss Ronda 715 quartz movement for precision.
• Durable mineral crystal for protection.
• Exceptionally bright Tritium tube lume, lasting up to 25 years without recharging.

3. Casio Dive Style Watch

The Casio MDV106-1AV quartz diver watch offers the perfect blend of durability and versatility, seamlessly transitioning from outdoor adventures to professional environments. Its stainless steel case and black resin band exude a timeless appeal suitable for any occasion.

With its user-friendly 3-hand analog display featuring a convenient date window at 3 o’clock, timekeeping is effortless. The bold contrast of black and white on the large round dial enhances readability, complemented by luminous hands and a striking red seconds hand.

The black stainless steel bezel, adorned with durable dox indexes and Arabic numerals, incorporates a one-way rotating mechanism for precise time tracking. Its cog-like edge adds a touch of industrial elegance to the design.

Crafted from resilient black resin and equipped with a secure buckle clasp, the band ensures long-lasting comfort and wearability. Powered by Japanese quartz movement, this timepiece boasts water resistance up to 200m (660ft) and a battery life of up to 3 years.

Key Features:

• Japanese quartz movement for accuracy.
• Screw-down crown and case back for added protection.
• Mineral crystal for enhanced durability.

4. Citizen Eco-Drive Watch

Among the certified dive watches listed, the Citizen Eco-Drive BN0085 surpasses them all with an impressive water-resistant depth rating of 300m.

Equipped with essential features expected from a true diver’s timepiece, including lume-coated hands and markers, a large easy-to-read face protected by a durable hardened mineral crystal window, a one-way rotating bezel, and a screw-down crown.

What sets this watch apart is its inclusion in Citizen’s Eco-Drive collection, boasting a unique feature. The Eco-Drive technology harnesses light energy from any source, natural or artificial, converting it into electricity to power the watch indefinitely. This eliminates the need for manual recharging or battery replacement.

Praised for its low-maintenance yet high-quality functionality, the Citizen Eco-Drive BN0085 garners enthusiastic acclaim from its users. Not only does it excel in performance, but its aesthetic appeal also earns admiration. With the Citizen Eco-Drive BN0085, you can’t go wrong.

Key Features:

• Japanese quartz movement powered by Eco-Drive technology.
• ISO Certified water resistance up to 300m (1000ft).
• Highly durable hardened mineral crystal window.

5. Invicta Pro Diver Watch

Opinions on Invicta watches vary widely, with some viewing them as excellent entry-level divers and others dismissing them as cheap imitations. While watch enthusiasts may criticize their affordability, budget-minded individuals see them as a valuable option, especially the Invicta Pro Diver collection.

The Invicta Pro Diver 21392 Analog Quartz Watch, priced below $100, offers impressive value despite not reaching the quality standards of higher-priced counterparts. Although its water resistance is rated at 100m, lacking ISO certification for true dive status, it still withstands rain and splashes.

Featuring a non-obtrusive date display at 3 o’clock—a rarity even in pricier watches—this model maintains uninterrupted hour markers. Despite its limitations, its affordability makes it a compelling choice for those unable to invest in high-end timepieces.

While critics may disparage Invicta’s reputation, the Invicta Pro Diver 21392 stands out for its modern, stylish design inspired by dive watches, making it a solid option for budget-conscious consumers.

Key Features:

• Ideal for larger wrists with a 48mm case diameter.
• Non-obtrusive date display window.
• Highly affordable quartz movement.
• Synthetic sapphire crystal window for durability.
• Note: Not certified as a true dive watch due to its 100m depth rating.

Conclusion

In the realm of quartz dive watches, a plethora of options awaits, accommodating diverse preferences and budgets. Renowned brands such as Citizen and Seiko stand alongside more budget-friendly alternatives like Invicta, ensuring there’s a timepiece to match every individual’s requirements.

While some prioritize functionality and reliability, others seek a blend of performance and aesthetics. Yet, irrespective of the chosen criteria, these watches epitomize the enduring allure and practicality of quartz technology in the realm of diving. With their precision timekeeping and durable construction, they serve as trusted companions for underwater exploration.

Whether you’re an experienced diver or a casual enthusiast, the finest quartz dive watches seamlessly blend reliability with style, enhancing your aquatic adventures.