The 9 Best Iconic Dive Watches Under $500 to $1000: Seiko, Citizen, CWC, Bulova, Luminox, Squale...

So you want to buy the best professional level dive watch that you can be proud of, that is iconic like the most famous Omega Seamaster, Rolex Submariner, Panerai Luminor and so on, but your budget is from $500 to $1000? Well, this video is for you! The great thing about this hobby, despite inflation and all the empty rhetoric spouted by the blowhard watch snobs, is you can still buy amazing, highly respected watches well within this price range. In this video I explore some of the most underrated military issued divers, cinematic icons that will forever be immortalized in pop culture, and the fascinating story behind how some of these extraordinary timepieces came to be, along with some of the most dependable tools used by the most elite professionals. What do you think about the watches in this video? And what's your nomination for the best iconic dive watch under $1000? Don't forget to make it a top 10 and add your nomination in the comments.

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Spoilers ahead! My picks in this video include:

9. Yema Superman
8. Luminox Navy Seal
7. CWC SBS Diver
6. Citizen Promaster NY0040
5. Zodiac Super Sea Wolf
4. Bulova Oceanographer Devil Diver
3. Squale 1545
2. Seiko Willard
1. G-Shock Frogman

#watchcollecting #seiko #squale #citizen #bulova #luminox #cwc #casio #gshock

[bobpage]

In regards to CWC, there's an iconic picture of SBS operator Sergeant Paul 'Scruff' McGough during the fracas at the Qala-iJangi fort, where he became famous so to speak in a video clip standing on the battlements with his gimpy machine gun, firing from the hip and raining fire down onto the angry Taliban. In the picture I mentioned you can see Paul's CWC SBS watch on his wrist clear as day! Pretty cool to see one in the wild being worn by actual an actual SBS chap!

[rogerwatt]

Hi TGV. Despite the fact that I only possess four watches, I'm a watch enthusiast and an addict for your excellent channel. The watches I own all have seriously sentimental value for connections with family and personal events but my Seiko Kinetic Sports 200 diver is the most precious to me as, having owned it since 1996, it's the watch I've worn when climbing with my son and daughter since they were young to the present day . . . I'm now 77 and we still have magic days together on the mountains of my homeland in Scotland and where we now live in Vancouver. As these days have been (and continue to be) the best of my life, wearing the Seiko everyday keeps them alive in my memory and my kids close to me . . . even when they themselves are not. Incidentally, the Seiko cost me £325 twenty eight years ago, has only had one replacement capacitor in that time and, in terms of time-keeping, gains a couple of seconds a month. PS: I was in New York last weekend for a gallery opening of a show including my artwork. I know how you feel about being back in the city . . . it's been my favourite since working there on and off since 1976 and the excitement never leaves me.

[thetattedpharmacist]

Thanks largely to yourself and Marc, I’ve wanted a Squale 1521 for a long long time. Today I finally achieved my attainable grail diver and got my black dial, blasted case 1521!!! Thank you TGV for the endless hours of entertainment down the years! ❤

[jakeplissken]

The Citizen NY0040 is such a world-beater. As a scuba/freediving watch it's the only one I've ever owned that has never had a jammed bezel due to particle intrusion. The brutalist, some may say "inelegant, " 60 click bezel and built-in mechanical play (both to help with ISO compliance) mean that it feels dramatically different to the ultra-smooth, non-ISO desk divers, but it's actually the most practical of the bunch in the water. They go on sale pretty regularly, for cheap enough that you can thrash them without worry. One of the best automatic tool watches out there, and I'd own more than one if I wasn't confident that this one will outlast me.

[roberteckert]

I am truly surprised that the Glycine Combat Sub is not on this list. Slim, well speced, iconic. I am still surprised at the value. I enjoy mine every time I wear it.

[igor]

You are on of the last OG watch YouTubers who still does this kind of videos. I really admire all the Grand Seiko's, Omega's and all this wonderful manufacturers with great history and overall craftsmanship but this more affordable, entry level spectrum of watches always brings that enthusiasm which started my interest in this neverending hobby. Thanks for the great video! Cheers!

[markikn]

TGV, have to give a shout-out to the Casio Duro. Basic yes, too big for some yes, BUT a real deal dive watch with certified depth rating for $60! The epitome of snob-proof budget watch, it looks great on a rubber strap.

[Stanjara]

Finally found a perfect diver for myself... Super Squale 38mm. Thank You for introducing me to that brand TGV.

[yestoadventure]

Certina DS Action diver. Since 1888 Certina innovated some of the toughest watches for the most extreme places. 1965 the Certina DS takes part in the US Navy's Sealab II, 1969 it spent 2 months underwater with NASA scientists. It's a diver's diver. Ive had mine for several years now and yes I took it scuba diving as well. Certina, the real deal!

[TheGrenadier]

I can never compliment the Citizen Promaster NY0040 enough. Exceptional watch; fully professional, serious, properly designed, historically interesting. It's too much watch for under $300.

[dougstump]

Happy to see the Citizen Promaster on the list. I picked up their solar/quartz model this year. I was on the hunt for a solid outdoor rec watch - something I could use hiking, cycling, swimming etc. and not worry about it. I couldn't bring myself to spend the money on an automatic, and this became the first quartz in my current collection. It has become my go to watch, I just love it, and with the excellent water resistance, I can wear it worry free. This watch definitely feels snob-proof. I don't see how anyone could not love it.

[okcorgi]

Love the orange Devil Diver and NY0040-50W. Some of my favorites

[elliskaranikolaou]

I bought a Casio Duro Marlin just as they stopped making them. That's my Diver pick. Great video as always, Thanks.

[discount]

the NY 0040 is my pick that ticks every box value in spades

[dannyg]

A very enjoyable episode. I'm wearing my Citizen Promaster Diver BN0151 today. Robust, accurate (love Eco-Drive), great for diving, wears smaller than its 44mm size and looks great in blue. Despite inflation, it is still available for under $200 new on the grey market. Cheers!

[johnviano]

Hi TGV, good to see you. Another diver from our past is the Glycine Combat Sub (pre-Invicta). I've been wearing mine a lot lately in place of my Rolex no date. 8 years without a maintenance, knock on wood. Cheers and Best Regards John

[ninjasrose]

Casio and Seiko number 1. & 2. My two favourite watch brands. Class video sir.

[harlemkng]

The new war room looks amazing. It's given me the inspiration to update my own.

[creato]

Oh, video from the new war room and with a pretty cool list this time, i'm quite a fan of the Bulova Devil diver myself.

[ZjaranyKundel]

The music in the background! So much atmoshpere added, lovely stuff! :D