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Diver's Delight: 6 Dive Watches That Don't Include The Submariner

Whether you're diving in the ocean's depths or through a stack of paperwork that your boss has just lumped onto your desk, a dive watch is an absolute unquestionable staple in any watch collection. The go to for many is the illustrious Rolex Submariner. As a proud owner of the beloved Sub, that would be the easy answer to the age-old question of the greatest dive watch ever for me.


Now, I'm not saying that the grass is greener on the other side, but there is a plethora of dive watch options out there. And if you look hard enough, chances are you're going to find something that not only ticks the same boxes that the Rolex Submariner would, but also you're very likely to find it cheaper than you would in a retail setting.


Here are 6 of the best, most probable and most capable dive watches that don't include the Rolex Submariner.



IWC Aquatimer Automatic



The often forgotten about Aquatimer Automatic well and truly holds a special place on this list. Its 120 hour power reserve, coupled with an aesthetic completely unto its own, IWC's Aquatimer definitely deserves more love and plaudits in the world of utilitarian dive watches.


  • Brand: IWC

  • Model: Aquatimer Automatic

  • Reference: IW328802

  • Case: 42mm x 14.10mm

  • Case Material: Stainless steel

  • Water Resistance: 300m

  • Movement: 32111

  • Frequency: 4 Hz

  • Power Reserve: 120 hours





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Panerai Submersible GMT Navy SEALs PAM01323



The PAM01323 is by far one of the coolest looking Submersible models in Panerai's coffers. The Submersible GMT Navy SEALs has a funky aesthetic with a degradé anthracite dial with orange highlights, which pairs beautifully with the exposed steel bezel and case. The end effect is something rather unconventional but completely workable.


  • Brand: Panerai

  • Model: Submersible GMT Navy SEALs

  • Reference: PAM01323

  • Case: 44mm

  • Case Material: Stainless steel

  • Water Resistance: 300m

  • Movement: P.900

  • Frequency: 4 Hz

  • Power Reserve: 72 hours





Breiting Superocean Automatic 42



From Breitling we have the Superocean Automatic 42. A tool watch in every sense of the word, what the Superocean Automatic 42 may lack in popularity it more than makes up for in genuine brilliance. A more-than-capable dive watch, the Superocean Automatic 42 is Breitling's answer to the Submariner, in a way.


  • Brand: Breitling

  • Model: Superocean Automatic 42

  • Reference: A17375211B1S1

  • Case: 42mm x 12.56mm

  • Case Material: Stainless steel

  • Water Resistance: 300m

  • Movement: Breitling 17

  • Frequency: 4 Hz

  • Power Reserve: 38 hours





Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe



A step above many watches on this list, the Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe from Blancpain is perhaps the purist's dive watch choice. Dripping with history, heritage and prestige, the Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe is the ultimate expression of higher-end watchmaking within the diving space.


  • Brand: Blancpain

  • Model: Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe

  • Reference: 5000 1110 B52A

  • Case: 43mm x 13.40mm

  • Case Material: Stainless steel

  • Water Resistance: 300m

  • Movement: 1315

  • Frequency: 4 Hz

  • Power Reserve: 120 hours





Tudor Pelagos Ultra



Tudor's Pelagos Ultra has opened the door for the brand to experiment with new materials, bolder designs and more extreme engineering ventures. With the  Pelagos Ultra you have a dive watch capable of dropping down to the depths of 1,000m, paired with all of the robust lightweight properties of a titanium case and bracelet.


  • Brand: Tudor

  • Model: Pelagos Ultra

  • Reference: M2543C1A7NU-0001

  • Case: 43mm x 14.50mm

  • Case Material: Titanium

  • Water Resistance: 1,000m

  • Movement: MT5612-U

  • Frequency: 4 Hz

  • Power Reserve: 65 hours





Omega Seamaster 300M



I saved the most obvious choice to last with the Seamaster 300. Any Seamaster 300M is comparable, but this particular reference with its mesh bracelet and missing date window is by far my favourite. A tried and true dive watch phenom, the Seamaster 300M is a bona fide contender for the best Submariner alternative there is.


  • Brand: Omega

  • Model: Seamaster 300M

  • Reference: 210.30.42.20.01.010

  • Case: 42mm x 13.80mm

  • Case Material: Stainless steel

  • Water Resistance: 300m

  • Movement: Omega 8806

  • Frequency: 3.5 Hz

  • Power Reserve: 55 hours








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