Best Women’s Dive Watches Review

If you are looking for a smaller dive watch due to small wrists, personal preference, or as a gift, then you should consider getting a women’s dive watch. The best women’s dive watch provides both fashion and functionality. They can be worn both in and out of the water as well as for casual situations or formal events.

Dive watches are designed to be used in and around water. Not only are they useful for diving, but also for water sports like swimming, snorkeling, surfing, kayaking, basically anything that involves water. You can even take it hiking, camping, or jogging in the rain. Or you can simply wear it as a fashion statement. They just seamlessly fit in to every occasion and this versatility is what makes them so great.

In this article, we will be reviewing the best ladies’ dive watches from budget models under $200 to high-end watches over $1000. Their elegant yet sporty style would look good on any woman’s wrist, and their robust quality means they will last a long time. These watches would make excellent gifts for birthdays, anniversaries, Holidays, or as a surprise. Without any further ado, let’s get started with the review.

Our Top Picks:

Best Women’s Dive Watches under $200

Invicta 8942 Women’s Pro Diver

Specifications:

• Case diameter: 24.5mm
• Case thickness: 11mm
• Band width: 12mm
• Water resistant depth: 100m

Packing in all the functionality of a larger dive watch into such a small case is an enormous task. Since dive watches are one part dress watches and one part tool watches, some dive watches can be bulky in order to provide sufficient diving functionality. Yet, somehow Invicta have managed to combine both into one device, and the result is the Invicta Women’s Pro Diver.

This is a great watch for small wrists. Its case size is exactly the size of a quarter, just in case you need a reference for how big it will look on your wrist. The band is perhaps longer than it needs to be at 170mm, but links can be removed by a jeweler as needed.

With a maximum depth rating of 100m, the Invicta Pro Diver can be used for various water sports such as swimming, snorkeling, surfing, sailing, fishing, and other water-related activities. Despite its name and depth rating, you probably should not risk diving with this watch as it is not ISO 6425 certified.

With that said, as a dress watch, this beautiful timepiece has a classic nautical styling with a blue dial. It has an attractive two-tone finish, goes well with all types of clothing and can be worn to both formal and informal events. It’s sturdy, more rugged than dress watches and can take lots of abuse without so much as a scratch. You could wear it as an outdoor watch such as for hiking or camping.

Inside, it is powered by Japanese quartz movement. The gold-tone luminous markers contrast with the blue dial, and paired with an anti-reflective crystal, makes it easy to read the dial under most conditions. With that said, some aging users have complained that they had trouble reading the time due to the small size of this watch.

Next, the unidirectional rotating bezel keeps track of elapsed time while underwater up to 60 minutes, but it can also be used for everyday practical reasons like if you want to track how long something should be baking in the oven or how long of a break you want to take before you get back to it.

The crown is a push-style that should be pushed in if the Pro Diver is going to be exposed to moisture. Lastly, like all Invicta watches, this one from the Pro Diver collection is highly affordable and a great entry-point if you are looking to get into dive watches.

Momentum M1 Splash

Specifications:

• Case diameter: 38mm
• Case thickness: 11mm
• Band width: 18mm
• Water resistant depth: 200m

The Momentum M1 Splash is part of Momentum’s popular Splash series of watches which are excellent entry-level dive watches. This model is available in 15 different color variations such as aqua, coral, blue, eggplant, khaki, lavender, and so on. The different colors will be reflected on the bezel, so you have lots of options to choose your own style.

Some Momentum models have a band color that matches the bezel, but the M1 Splash only has a black band for a more subdued look. In fact, an earlier M1 model had this aesthetic as well, so we are unsure why it was changed. However, there’s a reason why we are continuing to recommend the M1 Splash: because it’s still one of the best dive watches at this price range.

To begin, the M1 Splash has a durable stainless steel case and a rubber band. It utilizes Japanese quartz movement for accurate time tracking, and has a luminous dial that will show up clearly under dim lighting (yes, the dial illuminates, not the hands). With that much glow, you can definitely see what you need to see at a glance even with aging eyes.

Furthermore, the M1 Splash has a depth resistant rating of 200m/660ft, so there will be no issues if you decide to take it on a dive. It has a stainless steel unidirectional stainless steel bezel for easy tracking of elapsed time. Despite its case size, the natural rubber band can fit even on the smallest wrists, so it can fit nearly everyone.

You never have to worry about holding back while playing, because the M1 Splash is durable and rugged, while being fun and stylish. It is the ideal gift watch and available at a great price. You’d be hard-pressed to find a better women’s dive watch that provides better bang for the buck compared to the M1 Splash.

Best High-End Women’s Dive Watches

Longines HydroConquest

Specifications:

• Case diameter: 34mm
• Case thickness: 17mm
• Band width: 17mm
• Water resistant depth: 300m

The HydroConquest from Swiss watch manufacturer Longines has a lot of craftsmanship put into it. With the case measuring 34mm, and a 29.5mm version available, it should easily fit smaller wrists. The HydroConquest has a stainless-steel case and bracelet, with a water resistant rating of up to 300m which is comparable with other watches in this price range.

As you’d expect from any high-quality watch, the HydroConquest has a unidirectional rotating bezel. Furthermore, its markers and hands have been coated with Super Luminova, which is Longines’ reliable and long-lasting luminescent pigment. It lasts a long time and charges quickly so that you can reliably use the watch in the dark.

Since Longines is a manufacturer of high-end watches, you can expect the watch to be reliable and to perform up to its specifications. For instance, the HydroConquest has a tough bezel constructed from ceramic. Its crystal isn’t hardlex or a mineral, but a tough sapphire crystal window. Sapphire crystal provides the greatest protection thanks to its scratch and impact-resistant properties.

Next, the Longines HydroConquest uses Swiss quartz movement, specifically the caliber L156, which is more accurate than its automatic counterparts. Since the quartz mechanism has less moving components, it has a lower likelihood of mechanical failure or errors.

At the 3 o’clock position is the date window, and right beside it is the screw-down crown. One personal pet peeve of ours is when the date window gets in the way of the markers, and unfortunately the HydroConquest’s positioning caused the “3” marker to be removed. If you are a fan of a symmetrical look, this may stick out like a sore thumb.

With that said, the asymmetrical look is a minor complaint and subject to personal preference. At the end of the day, the HydroConquest is a quality Swiss timepiece that not only has impressive functionality, but a classic appearance. It would look great whether you are diving, or on dry land worn as a dress watch.

Oris Aquis Lady Date

Specifications:

• Case diameter: 36.5mm
• Case thickness: N/A
• Band width: 18mm
• Water resistant depth: 300m

Oris makes extremely high quality and good looking divers, and their Aquis Lady Date is a smaller version of the men’s version. This watch has a timeless, classy design that looks amazing now and will look good ten or even twenty years later. It has a minimal, functional look and, depending on the model, has diamonds affixed to the hour markers.

With a case diameter of 36.5mm, it will wear well on smaller wrists without sacrificing any features. Oris have managed to make a watch that not only looks like it pairs well with high fashion, but keeps its tool watch functionality. The size is just right – small but not too small – and it will fit snugly on many a woman’s wrist.

The Oris Aquis has a display case back to flaunt its beautiful signature red automatic rotor. If you are fascinated by the engineering marvel that is the internals of the Aquis Date, with its numerous tiny components turning synchronously to keep track of the time, then you can get some extra fun by observing the case back.

Furthermore, your family and friends will be impressed at the beautiful watch on your wrist, and they’ll be even more shocked when you take it with you underwater. As we mentioned, this watch is not just for show; it is a full-fledged dive watch with 300m of water resistance and a unidirectional rotating bezel.

Additionally, the crystal is a domed sapphire crystal that is anti-reflective and scratch-resistant. This watch operates using the Oris caliber 733 automatic mechanical movement, has a 38 hour power reserve, and it has a date window located at the 6 o’clock position

Next, the hands and hour markers are filled with luminous Super-LumiNova, which help to make them stand out in the dark. You will be able to see that the watch is still running and accurately tracking time even if you happen to be diving at night or in low-visibility environments. This feature will give you peace of mind while diving, and it is just generally useful on dry land.

As with all other Aquis Date models, this version is designed to be versatile. The fluid profile and elegant case lets users transition from underwater diving to casual or even formal occasions on dry land. This watch will be turning heads whether you are on the beach or in a fancy restaurant.

Oris also has similar models of the Aquis Date, such as the more tool-looking version (B073XV245Q) or the glamorous diamond-studded one (B073XTBQVQ). If you are looking for a high-end women’s dive watch that looks classy and can keep up with you no matter how deep you dive, then check out the Oris Aquis Lady Date.

Tag Heuer Aquaracer 300m

Specifications:

• Case diameter: 35mm
• Case thickness: 10mm
• Band width: 17mm
• Water resistant depth: 300m

Even a complete watch newbie has probably heard of Tag Heuer, and that’s because this company was founded in the mid 1800s and has been manufacturing Swiss luxury watches until now. In 2003, Tag Heuer first released the Aquaracer series which is a professional and visually attractive dive watch line.

While the Aquaracer line features both quartz and automatic watches, the women’s series currently only has watches with quartz movement. With that said, there’s a huge variety of styles available in the women’s Aquaracer line, from black bezel and dialed watches with a tool diver look, to ones with diamond studded bezels and dials.

All of the Tag Heuer Aquaracer models have a ceramic bezel, but they are also available in a ceramic case as well which is very clean looking. The Aquaracer is easily recognizable with its 12-facet bezel that has built-in riders so it can be easily turned. Like any good dive watch, it is unidirectional to prevent accidental turning in the opposite direction during a dive which would compromise the current countdown.

The design of the case itself is not only aesthetic, but functional as well. It is fitted with six studs to allow for easy handling with thick gloves on. Furthermore, it features a screw-down crown with double safety gaskets to keep any dust or moisture from entering. The Aquaracer has a sturdy stainless-steel bracelet with a diving extension to fit over a thick wetsuit or gloves, as well as a safety clasp to ensure it stays secure on your wrist.

With a water resistance rating of 300m and screw-down crown that seals tightly, the Tag Heuer Aquaracer is not afraid of being exposed to water and high pressures. Whether you are underwater or on dry land, the flat anti-reflective sapphire crystal will allow you to see the markers, hands, and date window very clearly.

Tag Heuer is one of the original luxury watch manufacturers, and their products are top-of-the-line. If you want one of the best women’s dive watches that money can buy, consider getting the Tag Heuer Aquaracer 300m.

Best Ladies’ Dive Watch Buyer’s Guide

Spoiler alert: there is no “best” women’s dive watch that is undeniably the ideal choice for every single woman out there. There can only be the best one for you, and that depends largely on your personal preferences and how you plan on using it. So in order for you to make the most informed decision, you must first know the top factors to look out for which we will go over in this section.

Size

Dive watches aren’t just for show; they are tool watches and they tend to be bulkier than a typical watch. If you prefer the large watch trend that is all the rage right now, then rejoice, because there are plenty of dive watches to choose from.

However, if you prefer sleeker watches or you have slender wrists, then you will find the selection to be lacking. Unfortunately, there just aren’t that many affordable ladies’ dive watches that will fit snugly on a small wrist.

When looking for a smaller dive watch, you also have to consider if the strap length is enough to be worn over a wet or drysuit.

Our list of the best women’s dive watches has some great options for smaller wrists, however we have also written a review of the best dive watches under 40mm which has some overlap with the content of this article. You can read it by clicking here.

Men’s vs. Women’s Dive Watch

Functionally, there should be virtually no differences between a dive watch for men vs. women. The most obvious difference is in their size. Men’s dive watches tend to be much thicker and larger whereas ladies’ dive watches are slimmer and more petite.

Some women’s dive watches have a more feminine style, with bright colors and adornments like crystal or precious stones. With that said, a watch is a watch, and if it fits you then who’s to say you can’t wear it? As long as the look, functionality, and fit is suitable for you, then it doesn’t matter whether a watch is designed for men or women.

Furthermore, many dive watches are made to be unisex. If you are a woman and like a “men’s” dive watch, there is nothing stopping you from getting it. On the other hand, if you are a man with smaller wrists who wants a “women’s” dive watch, then go for it. As far as functionality goes, if they are ISO certified, then you can expect them to serve you well.

ISO 6425 Certification

Be careful! Just because a watch is labeled as a “diver”, “diving”, or even “divemaster” watch doesn’t mean that it meets the stringent standards set by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). What you should be really looking out for is if a watch is ISO 6425 certified, in which case it truly is worthy of the label “diver’s watch.”

If you find a watch is ISO 6425 certified, you know that it meets the following requirements:

• It has a unidirectional (one-way) rotating bezel.
• It has clearly distinguishable minute markings.
• It is legible from at least 25cm (9.8in) from the face in the dark.
• It is luminescent and operable in the dark (typically, this means it has a glowing tip on the seconds hand).
• It has a durable strap/band so as not to slip off during activity.
• It is magnetic, shock, chemical, and water resistant up to 100m (more in this the next section).

The above is just the shortened version, with the most salient points emphasized. Of course, the actual requirements are even more numerous and rigorous testing is done on a watch to ensure it meets all of the requirements.

Should a watch fail to meet these standards, then it is not a true diver’s watch and any seller that is marketing their watch as such is being very unethical.

Water Resistant Rating

As we mentioned above, one of the requirements of the ISO 6425 certification is that a watch must be able to withstand the water pressure at depths of 100m (330ft) or more. The most common ratings are 100m (330ft), 200m (660ft), and 300m (990ft). However, some sellers will claim their watch has a water resistance rating of 100m despite not being a true diver’s watch.

Once again, you want to look for explicit keywords: that it is ISO 6425 certified, and that it has a “diver’s 100m” rating.

If a watch doesn’t have those specific words in its description, it puts the rest of its specifications under scrutiny. It may say that it has a 100m rating, but if you read closely, the seller will state it is only recommended for swimming or snorkeling and not scuba diving. Hence, it is not a true dive watch and unlikely to withstand the water pressure at its stated rating for long periods of time.

Even though a true diver’s watch is certified to withstand pressures up to 25% higher than its claimed rating (so that divers are not dancing with death each time they dive to at least 100m), diving with a watch to depths beyond its water resistance rating is very risky. The watch will malfunction in disastrous ways.

First, water may enter and ruin the internals of the device. In the worst case scenario, the watch may literally implode under the high water pressure. Either way, you will be without a watch that provides you with crucial dive information, and that is already too large a risk on its own.

Why aren’t all “dive” watches ISO certified?

Many watches do not have an ISO rating for a couple of reasons. One is that the quality of the product is simply too low, and the manufacturer is not willing to produce a better quality watch. Two, it is very expensive for manufacturers to test their watches and so they simply don’t to save on costs. In fact, both reasons essentially boil down to the fact that it costs more money than manufacturers are willing to spend.

And now we come back to this question: how do you plan on using your watch?

If you find a watch that seems to fit the bill – it’s affordable, has the functionality you want, looks good, but it isn’t ISO 6425 certified, does that mean you should move on to the next watch? Not necessarily.

If you never plan on diving, or will only expose it to water partially but never to the extent of deep submersion such as during a dive, then a water resistant watch might be just good enough for your needs. Let’s be honest, plenty of people who own a diver’s watch don’t dive at all, and there’s nothing wrong with that.

In that case, you can ease up on some of the diving specs. Your primary focus will be on a watch that looks good and is affordable. As for its water resistance rating, one that goes down to 100m/330ft should do. This should be enough to resist water while swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, canoeing, surfing, stand up paddle boarding, and various other water sports.

On the other hand, if you are purchasing a dive watch to be used as a secondary timer opposite your dive computer, then you should look for one that has the following specifications: water resistant depth of 200m/660ft, a unidirectional bezel, and screw-down crown and case back to keep the water out even under high pressure.

Also be careful when purchasing vintage or used dive watches. Even if the model is ISO certified, due to wear and tear, its seals may be loosened and it may no longer meet the standards it once did. That is why watches have to occasionally be sent in for maintenance and repairs if you frequently dive with them.

Important Dive Watch Components

Analog or Digital: Analog watches are traditionally why people buy dive watches. Think Rolex Submariner or the Omega Seamaster; watches that defined a generation There’s something iconic about the classic “watch dial with hands” look. Digital watches have a display screen, and man, it’s just not the same. There even exists a hybrid analog and digital dive watch which is quite an interesting piece of tech, but we feel analog watches are better suited for the fashionista.

Bezel: The bezel is the circular rim around the watch face. A true diver’s watch will have a unidirectional (one-way) rotating bezel to track elapsed time. What’s the significance of unidirectional? So that while you are diving, you don’t accidentally hit it and rotate the bezel in the other direction which messes up your tracking.

Lume: Lume is the glow-in-the-dark material that is applied to watch dials. You will specifically see it found on the markers and hands of a dive watch. This feature is crucial because it lets wearers read the dials even in pitch-black environments. Whether you are diving deep, night diving, or cave or wreck diving, these are all environments where there is little to no light. Thus, you will need a dive watch with high-quality lume so that you can use it in the dark.

Band/Strap: The band/strap is what secures the watch to your wrist. Generally, dive watch bands are made of rubber, stainless steel, or titanium. Rubber straps are an excellent, low-cost option for women’s dive watches. They are comfortable and can expand or contract to one’s wrist size. Rubber straps are also durable, corrosion-resistant, and easy to use.

Metal bands made of stainless steel or titanium are often found in higher-end watches. Titanium is the more expensive choice because it is hypoallergenic, whereas stainless steel may contain trace amounts of nickel. Titanium is also more lightweight than stainless steel while being more durable. Unfortunately, few ladies’ dive watches have titanium bands compared to men’s.

Movement: There are two types of movements: mechanical and quartz. Quartz watches are affordable and accurate but they rely on a battery to operate which will need to be replaced occasionally. On the other hand, mechanical movements are often found in luxury dive watches. They are designed so that the natural movements of the wearer can keep the watch going.

Depth Gauge: Some dive watches have a depth gauge which normally sits between the hands and time numerals. Depth gauges generally have two attending hands, one for deepest depth and one for current depth. Whereas a depth gauge is a special feature in a dive watch, even the most basic dive computer can easily and accurately track your depth.

Window: To keep the dial safe, dive watches usually have a hard mineral glass or sapphire crystal window to protect the delicate components on the dial. The window should be scratch-resistant and anti-reflective so that it always provides a clear view of the dial. It should also be durable enough to withstand the high water pressures at depth and to endure a few impacts if necessary without leaving a scratch.

Maintenance and Care

Prior to engaging in any water sports, remember to screw down or push the crown all the way in to keep water from entering. After your watch is exposed to water, be it salt water, swimming pool water, or murky water, make sure to rinse it thoroughly afterwards using fresh water.

You may wash your hands with your dive watch on as long as the water isn’t too hot. On the other hand, if you will be taking a prolonged, hot, soapy bath in your tub or sitting in a hot sauna, then you should remove your watch if you want it to have a long lifespan. Dive watches are not designed to withstand frequent exposures to high temperatures, though they may be somewhat chemically-resistant.

When your watch gets dirty, such as during a hike, you can wipe surface dirt with a microfibre cloth. Stubborn dirt should be scrubbed off using a soft-bristled toothbrush.

It is crucial that you take good care of your dive watch if you plan on diving with it. Every 1-3 years, or whenever is recommended by the included manual, you should get your watch serviced by an authorized technician.

Service centers will not only replace the battery, but also professionally clean it and test and replace all of the gaskets and seals so that it’s like brand-new again. Do not try to replace the battery yourself, even if you think you know what you are doing. A compromised seal can be disastrous while diving.

Last update on 2024-04-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API