There are few things in horology that go together quite so well as microbrands and dive watches. As the quality of accessible movements and cases improves, more and more small watch brands are able to create stylish, practical and affordable timepieces that are capable of exploring the deeps.
So without further ado, here’s the ultimate microbrand guide to dive watches. You don’t need to risk diving into the blackest depths of the abyssal ocean to wear a diving watch, but at least with these you know you could. If you wanted to.
Lorier Neptune IV
A more elegant take on the black and gold look of the Tudor Black Bay Fifty-Eight, the Neptune IV uses pointed indexes and hands a world away from the usual blocky connotations of retro. In keeping with the retro aspect, the IV introduces an updated bezel in acrylic, emulating the Bakelite style of vintage dive watches.
It’s about as clean as the practicality of a diver allows and sits perfectly in the sweet spot for size, 39mm. It’s a little lower on the specs scale with a Mioyta 90S5 automatic movement, but it still has 200m water resistance and the sharp looks more than make up for it. The original Neptune was Lorier’s first dedicated diving watch and the Neptune IV is the best version of it yet.
Case/dial: 39mm diameter x 10.3mm thickness, stainless steel case with black dial
Water resistance: 200m (20 bar)
Movement: Miyota calibre 90S5 automatic movement with 42h power reserve
Strap: Stainless steel bracelet
Price: £401
RZE Endeavour
The Endeavour from Singapore-based watch brand RZE, is a bold, titanium dive watch crafted to endure the toughest conditions. Designed with titanium and RZE UltraHex coating, it offers ultra-durability and lightweight comfort, guiding you on your most daring adventures with unwavering reliability. Dive confidently with its 200m water resistance, while the top-grade sapphire crystals and VITON gaskets ensure a waterproof seal.
The Endeavour’s two-tone lume, inspired by bioluminescent sea creatures, provides maximum legibility whether above or below the surface. Compared to stainless steel, UltraHex titanium is nearly half the weight, more durable, eight times more scratch-resistant, hypoallergenic, and corrosion-resistant. Ready to take on any challenge, the Endeavour ensures you’re prepared for any adventure.
Case/dial: 40.5mm diameter x 12.5mm thickness, titanium case with electric blue dial
Water resistance: 200m (20 bar)
Movement: Seiko NH38A Japanese automatic movement with 42h power reserve
Strap: UltraHex™ Titanium bracelet or HexaFlex rubber strap
Price: $579 (approx. £460)
Scurfa Treasure Seeker
The focal point of the Treasure Seeker is the dial, which is a fantastic honeycomb of embossed hexagons. It’s subtler on the wrist than you might expect, even in the professionally bright orange and yellow variants. Complete with large, applied indexes, it’s sleek, incredibly readable and equally cool.
Beyond that, the 41mm stainless steel bumper bar case is solid enough to survive the rigours of the ocean – with a few sharp rocks thrown in – while the five-link bracelet sits comfortable on the wrist with Rolex undertones. It’s also water resistant to 300m, so well suited to professional diving.
Case/dial: 41mm diameter x 20mm thickness, stainless steel case with white dial
Water resistance: 300m (30 bar)
Movement: Miyota 9015 automatic movement with 42h power reserve
Strap: Stainless steel bracelet
Price: £445
Spinnaker Croft Pioneer
The Croft Pioneer Automatic offers solid and reliable specs at an accessible price, featuring the NH35 Japanese automatic movement and an anti-reflective sapphire lens for durability and accuracy. Designed for modern explorers, its stainless steel bracelet transitions seamlessly from outdoor to urban settings.
Priced at £261, it redefines accessible luxury by eliminating middlemen through its direct production. This timepiece is a testament to Spinnaker’s ability to deliver top-tier quality without the luxury price tag, making it an unparalleled value in the watch industry. Available in four distinct dial colours, the Croft Pioneer is sure to match your style.
Case/dial: 42mm diameter x 12mm thickness, stainless steel case with green dial
Water resistance: 100m (10 bar)
Movement: Seiko NH35 automatic movement with 41h power reserve
Strap: Stainless steel bracelet
Price: £261
Nodus Sector Deep
The Sector Deep, part of the Sector Series, pushes the limits of its case architecture by reaching depths of 500m five times deeper than its siblings. Maintaining the core attributes of the Sector family, it features a hyper-contrast dial, dual-function unidirectional bezel, “destro” crown orientation, and intense luminosity for ultimate legibility.
Designed and assembled in Los Angeles, the 38mm blasted steel case and 42mm black DLC steel rotating bezel offer supreme grip, even with diving gloves. The thickened caseback and sapphire crystal enhance its deep-water resistance. The unique bezel layout allows for time elapsed and a second time zone tracking. The left-side crown reduces wrist interference, ideal for divers and left-handed wearers. The NodeX quick-adjust clasp ensures a perfect fit with ease, solidifying the Sector Deep as the most utilitarian and function-forward Sector watch yet.
Case/dial: 42mm diameter x 13.6mm thickness, stainless steel case with yellow dial
Water resistance: 500m (50 bar)
Movement: Seiko TMI NH34 automatic movement with 41h power reserve
Strap: Stainless steel bracelet
Price: £478
Magrette Moana Pacific Waterman GMT Bronze
The latest addition to the popular Waterman lineup, the Waterman GMT Bronze, features a 40mm case for enhanced comfort and a traveller GMT complication with a jumping local hour hand. Its fully lumed aluminium bezel, available in charcoal or green with Swiss Super-LumiNova C3 green, matches the dial colour and allows tracking of a third time zone.
The Miyota calibre 9075 automatic movement ensures precise adjustments while traveling. Crafted from marine grade CuSn8 bronze, it forms a durable patina over time. With 200m water resistance, a sapphire crystal, and a custom Magrette embossed FKM rubber strap, this limited edition of 150 pieces per colour is a must-have for travellers.
Case/dial: 40mm diameter x 14mm thickness, CuSn8 bronze case with green dial
Water resistance: 200m (20 bar)
Movement: Miyota 9075 automatic GMT movement with 42h power reserve
Strap: Custom Magrette embossed FKM rubber with signed buckle
Price: Pre-order for $786 (approx. £620), limited to 150 pieces per colour
Traska Freediver
An automatic dive watch with a 200m depth rating, the Freediver, from U.S. based Traska combines timeless design with robust construction, thriving in any environment. Made from hardened 316L surgical-grade stainless steel, it achieves a hardness rating of almost 1200HV, protecting against everyday scratches. Its synthetic sapphire crystal, reminiscent of vintage plexiglass, is virtually scratch-proof and features anti-reflective coating for clear readability.
Powered by the high-beat Miyota 9039 or 9019 movement, the Freediver oscillates at 28,800 beats per hour and offers a 42-hour power reserve. Regulated in four positions for enhanced accuracy, this watch is both a reliable tool and a refined accessory, embodying the perfect blend of durability and elegance.
Case/dial: 40.5mm diameter x 10.5mm thickness brushed stainless steel, orange dial
Water resistance: 200m (20 bar)
Movement: Miyota 9039/9019 automatic movement with 42h power reserve
Strap: Stainless steel bracelet
Price: £531
Charlie Paris Concordia
The Charlie Paris Concordia is a true exemplar of microbrand diving watches. It’s robust in stainless steel with a 40mm diameter case and 300m water resistance but is also classy and stylish. What that means is it’s well suited to most environments and activities from the office to the seaside or anything you care to name really.
The dial is super clean too with oversize indexes and plenty of lume making it nice and legible in all conditions. Beneath the surface is the Soprod P024 automatic calibre with 40-hour power reserve.
Case/dial: 40mm diameter x 12.5mm thickness stainless steel case with blue dial
Water resistance: 300m (30 bar)
Movement: Soprod P024 automatic movement with 40h power reserve
Strap: Stainless steel bracelet
Price: £878
Serica 5303 COSC
Serica are a brand based in France who produce tool watches with a monochrome flair that captures a simplicity of design while also having a faintly whimsical quality to them. The California dial 4512 is a standout, as is the 5303-1, a diving watch that feels like a more eccentric version of the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms.
The 5303 has a two-tone bezel split between hours and minutes and a dial that has your classic, large lumed hour markers in addition to some extra decoration that isn’t too overwhelming for its dive watch status. Also, unlike many microbrands which only exist in the digital sphere, Serica has a store in Paris which you can visit.
Case/dial: 39mm diameter x 12.2mm thickness, stainless steel case with white dial
Water resistance: 300m (30 bar)
Movement: Swiss automatic COSC-certified movement with 42h power reserve
Strap: Integrated mesh bracelet
Price: €1,490 (approx. £1,260)
Venezianico Nereide
Measuring just 10.5mm thick, the new 39mm Nereide combines elegance and practicality with its slim, reliable Miyota 9039 movement. The mother-of-pearl dial, available in blue and black, adds distinctive style and vibrant reflections that create a breathtaking visual experience. The durable, scratch-resistant tungsten bezel insert balances form and functionality.
The 316L stainless steel case features satin and polished finishes, offering versatile elegance that suits any setting. Technical details include a sapphire glass crystal with anti-reflective coating, BGW9 Super-LumiNova lume, a 120-click tungsten bezel, and 200m water resistance. The engraved caseback depicts the submarine Nereide, reinforcing its diving capabilities. The Miyota 9039 movement, known for its precision and 42-hour power reserve, ensures high performance.
Case/dial: 39mm diameter x 10.5mm thickness, stainless steel case with mother of pearl dial
Water resistance: 200m (20 bar)
Movement: Miyota 9039 automatic movement with 42h power reserve
Strap: Stainless steel bracelet
Price: €627.30 (approx. £530)
Formex Essence 39 Splash
The Essence Splash Collection is a limited series of vibrant dials that balance the gentle allure of pastels with the intensity of neon hues. Each dial features the Essence collection’s distinctive horizontal lines, meticulously CNC-machined and hand-sprayed for a grainy, ultra-matte finish in the Swiss Jura mountains. Contrasting gun-metal finished hour markers and hands enhance legibility, while the date window at 6 o’clock is flawlessly integrated with a colour-matched date wheel.
Available only during the summer, these timepieces capture the season’s spirit with their unique blend of colours, craftsmanship, and exclusivity. The collection features Swiss-Made automatic movements, chronometer certification, a patented case suspension system, micro-adjustment, tool-free strap changes, sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating, a transparent case back, and 100m water resistance.
Case/dial: 39mm diameter x 10mm thickness, stainless steel case with yellow dial
Water resistance: 100m (10 bar)
Movement: Sellita SW200-1 automatic movement with 41h power reserve
Strap: Italian calf leather and stainless steel bracelet
Price: £1,500
Sphaera Epoch Sport Monochrome
The Sphaera EPOCH Sport Monochrome embodies self-confidence and restraint, making it the ideal companion for any attire, from suits to jeans. Its modern, sporty, and confident design is adaptable for any occasion. The re-shaped case profile adds a contemporary twist while maintaining the roots of the Sphaera design language, featuring crown guards and a 12mm profile with enhanced 200m water resistance.
Powered by the Swiss STP1-21 movement, each timepiece is regulated in-house for exceptional accuracy. The signature 12, 3, 6, and 9 fonts, along with bullet-shaped indexes, are retained, while new maxi sword hands and a diamond second hand enhance legibility, both day and night, with Swiss Super-LumiNova BWG9 for a luminous blue glow.
Case/dial: 40.5mm diameter x 12mm thickness, stainless steel case with black dial
Water resistance: 200m (20 bar)
Movement: STP 1-21 automatic movement with 42h power reserve
Strap: Hirsch Hybrid Strap with caoutchouc core and black recycled PET ocean sailcloth
Price: €1,550 (approx. £1,312)
I am shocked that LIV 44M DIVER was not included in your superb list
Ian – you make the same comment on every article. I’m assuming you are tied to LIV in some way.
Great list. I personally own 2 Scurfas and can attest to their fantastic build quality, wearability and value.