Our Top 10 Best Dive Watches Under $500 In 2023: Seiko, Citizen, G-Shock, Dan Henry & More

In today's long overdue episode of our monthly Watch Talk video podcast I'm joined once again by the horological and engineering legend Marc Frankel from Long Island Watch to discuss the ten best affordable divers under $500. Two years ago we posted a video covering the same topic, but as dive watches—and the watch market overall—have changed so much, today we're revisiting this subject to talk about what has changed and to share our list of the best options currently out there. No matter if you are a professional diver in need of some serious gear, just desk diving in style, or perhaps in need of a watch for an upcoming aquatic adventure, this video has you covered—from futuristic to vintage inspired, and all the rest. What's your favorite dive watch? Please share your top picks and recommendations in the comments.

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[ArniesTech]

Difficult to think about a more natural, yet badass chemistry between two creators 😂😂😂

[alexm]

What a treat to get an hour long chat with Marc today! Going to queue this up to watch later this evening for sure. 🥂 TGV!

[dannyg]

My Glycine Combat Sub was my first Swiss mechanical watch. I paid $315 new, an insanely low price for such a well made Swiss diver with a Sellita SW200-1 movement. Excellent watch.

[arielargo]

Glycine are such value and also not given the respect they deserve. I own their green GMT and it is such well made! It wraps the wrist really nice, so it doesn't feel that big. Would love to try their 39mm Combat Sub or their Combat 6.

[arielargo]

The Citizen Promaster Automatics are so underrated. I collect them and love them! I have the green bezel, Coke and Pepsi Bezels and Full lume ones. Of Course I also bought the Islander bracelets that I was expecting them for so long and they're awesome too! Glad you guys are giving them some love!

[mrguy]

If you pronounce it "omeeega", then you'd better also be pronouncing other words like
Meeegahertz
Meeegabytes
Meeegatron
Meegaman

because you'd still be saying it wrong, but at least you'd be consistent.

[Dr.Gunsmith]

I own the Padi blue SNE575 version and the photos don’t do it justice, it’s amazing and I didn’t think I’d love a quartz watch as much as my FlightMaster.

[IntothewestOkotoks]

Great discussion. I bought one of the Citizen Fugu (the green one NY0151-59X) a few weeks ago, about $400US, and it definitely has a sapphire. I‘ve always ignored Citizen, but I wanted an everyday automatic for travel, and so far I’m very impressed with this watch for the value.

[bobvagene]

I recently got a Glycine Combat Sub vintage and it's just amazing. Everything from the bezel action to crown action, the bracelet and endlink feel. It feels every bit a $1, 000 watch. Mine runs steady at +4 spd. I have slightly more expensive watches but the Glycine "feels" the most expensive. I believe mine has the sw200 movement and winding it is satisfying on a level I dare not describe. My Seiko 5kx feels like a Timex in comparison.

[JP-lyyp]

The Combat Sub is hands down the the King of value and very happy to see it included. TGV you put me on to them back in the day when as you noted, was selling for $1, 000. The watch remains the same to this day. I find it funny how people like to ding Glycine for their Invicta ownership but no one ever says the same for a brand like Zodiac, who are owned by the king of “Mall brands”, Fossil.

[osoiiii]

I picked up the SNE585 not long ago, absolutely wonderful for the price!

[zillsburyy]

Skagen Fisk Limited Edition of 226 Titanium Diver - SKW6717 or
Skagen Watch Fisk SKW6666

[FINEST-uknc]

I take my $50 Invicta Pro diver over half of these watches !

[megasoid]

Any time you guys do a segment together makes my day. Thanks for the list of watches and being cool people.

[daneconnelly]

The Dan Henry Compressor diver is better and more interesting watch that the new skin diver. IMHO

[laststopwatchchannel]

Watching channels like this made me so interested in watch collecting that I now have enough Casios alone to supply a small army. I have built my own watches and filmed it for my little channel after watching Marc's channel and love the rapport you two have. Thank you for the amazing work and entertainment.

[kennybacchus]

Our. Top. 10. Best. Dive. Watches. Under. $500 in. 2023. Seiko. Citizen

[andrewwatts]

Can confirm that while is Bologna I purchased an NY00 largely because I saw a bunch of people wearing them, including this older lady who was wearing one on the rubber strap flipped under her wrist which looked really bad ass

[soulsphere]

Really happy you guys featured the 38.5mm Seiko solar diver. It's picking up a nice little fan base online and it's such a good blend of everything nice in a convenient, wearable diver.

[TopTierTicker]

The GOATs are back <3 Great picks as always gents. I completely agree with the statements regarding the ISL 195. A huge step towards becoming a proper independent watchmaker. That dial is just plain lovely.