Watch Snob Ranks 20 Dive Watches Under $1,000! [2022] 

Thought Id at least see a Christopher Ward watch, especially given their super extensive C60 range, the finishing, the specs and the fact that a bunch of them come at 38mm.

I have the Red Kamasu and it has easily become my favorite diver. It looks gorgeous in sunlight and wears well on pretty much any style of strap/bracelet you throw at it. I wear it so much that even tho I have it only for a few months I already managed to give it a few battle scars despite me being super-careful. It's not just an amazing value, it's an amazing watch regardless of the price.

I thoroughly enjoy my Vostok but also can't argue with the D tier rating lol. I think as long as you're realistic with expectations they're neat and fun but some folks take them WAY too seriously.

I agree with most of the list except for the Tissot sea star. I think it should’ve been bumped up to the A tier as well, if not higher! Doesn’t mean you should downgrade the kamasu, but considering the fact that the Tissot gives you: 1)300m WR compared to 200m in the orient 2) ceramic scratch proof bezel just as you’d find on a £4000 omega seamaster professional 3) anti reflective sapphire crystal 3) exhibition caseback with sapphire crystal 4) more accurate movement with much nicer finishing 5) 80 hours of power reserve 6) solid end links 7) new sea star comes with a milled deployant in the clasp 8)Superluminova lume in the indices and hands While the orient kamasu is pretty much a nicer version of the orient ray or mako II. Now don’t get me wrong, the orient gives you great value and I’m not saying it should go b tier, but although the kamasu is a good dive watch for the money, the Tissot is an exceptional one for its retail price as it boasts specs that on paper at least, are comparable to watches like the Oris Aquis and the Omega Seamaster, which are watches several times more expensive.. Needless to say it also looks fantastic! That’s why I feel you didn’t do it justice by putting it in the b tier!

You got a bad Duro my friend. I own 3 in different colorways - the crowns and bezels are good, and the second hands hit every marker. No accident - I examined them at a brick-and-mortar, not online. At $50 the Duro is the best value proposition feature for feature.

I bought my wife a Tissot power matic 80 for Xmas, a woman's version of course and it's a amazing watch hers was bought for about 400 and she loves it

I can't take anyone seriously who's making a tier list with watches he hasn't even held in his hand. Just stick to the ones you've reviewed/owned etc... makes the list shorter but definitely more viable. Just my opinion...

The 2023 Tissot 1000 Powermatic 80 with 300m and 43mm stain steel band with divers extension big dials with excellent super-lume visibility it makes a statement and AR anti reflective coating and engraved ceramic bezel SHOULD have been A tier. Such a beautiful watch and lasts 80 hours without winding which lasts longer than the Rolex Submariner and Omega Seamaster.

Glycine Combat Sub (I have the bronze one) I'd put it at the B/C tier. Eta 2824-2 based movement, 430 date window, 28800 bph, 38hr power reserve, 200M water resistance, nice classic look albeit a little boring.

The one thing the Amphibia has going for it is the caseback with retaining ring. That's actually a quite brilliant design that's easier on the O-ring than a typical screwback.

Definitely have to check out the Certina DS action diver, or the Certina PH200m. These are great solid watches, and for their prices.. Definitely between A and B tier.

I’d deff recommend the updated Hamilton khaki navy scuba 43mm

My Baltic Aquascaphe is one of my favorite pieces. High beat/Smooth Sweep miyota 9039 movement, -+6 seconds per day, lovely double domed sapphire crystal, slim fit case, smoothest bezel I’ve ever experienced, extraordinarily comfortable beads of rice bracelet, and grainy white textured dial, and ofc 200m. Absolute sleeper desk diver, and it’s cool to say I own a French watch.

Why didn’t the Tissot Seastar make the A tier? This watch is outstanding.

Good video. If we're being snobby, I think there should be a distinction between "dive style" watches and true ISO 6425 watches.

I totally disagree on Marathon. I have the Navigator with black dial and the GSAR mechanical in black dial and they are both kick ass watches!

Great vid Jory. Being a citizen nut, you left the best til last. Stylish, functional, reliable and so well priced, what more can you ask of a watch.

Three of my favorites missing: Steinhart OMV, Glycine Combat Sub and Christopher Ward Trident. This last one just went up in price but I think it can still be found under 1K fairly easily.

I bought an Invicta pro diver about a year ago for a trip out of the country. I haven't taken it off since I can't get a sub, but I love them. Mine keeps about +9 seconds a day which baffles me for the price. For the price, it's an S tier imo.

jory, i think you are looking at vostok watches in a modern sence but you have to remember these watches haven't changed since the 60s and as a vintage collector you know these specs were the norm in that era.

gylcine combat sub ? , squale 1545 , logines hydroquest ? you missed the watches I'm looking into, help me out

Excellent job, Jory. Loved your take on these different divers. Thank you, once again, for your insight.

My Casio Duro in black/gold is my daily watch. It is doing everything with me including regular swimming. The second hand does hit the indices - okay not all, but half of them. I enjoy it everyday. I had to buy it from ebay. It was shipped from Las Vegas to Europe which made a total price of 71 Euro. But it is worth it and does the job. Great watch!

Vostok Amphibia's crown is like that because the clutch is in the crown, not in the stem, an easy cheap solution to the technically mandatory clutch in a threaded crown. That's one of the reasons it cost 47$ or 44€, the price if you don't buy from a middleman. It's just a watch with 60's or 70's standards, a vintage living fossil diver.

I picked up an Invicta 1953, good everyday watch, excellent for work without worrying about it getting damaged or scratched. Peace of mind watch!

I'm a big fan of your channel. It's been awhile since I've watched because of work etc but I can't get over the new setting haha. It's like when Joe Rogan moved to Texas I guess, I'll get use to it. Cool stuff man keep it up dude.

It sounds like this list was put together by your sub group, which is fun.But the ranking was wildly inconsistent. Why include the G shock at 3K when this is for watches under 1K? Some watches were ranked high because of specs, but not all. Some were rank low because of your personal aesthetic preferences. It's your channel, you get to do that. But your hang-up on the 4:30 date location is laughable. You rank the Tissot at a B and then you rank other sections based on that one misplacement. What you enjoy aesthetically in one watch you mock in another. I enjoy your channel, this was just all over the place.

I used my citizen pro master auto on the flight deck of an aircraft carrier last deployment. While a friends G shock malfunctioned by either getting water in it or with electric interference the citizen kept on ticking.

The left handed Promasters aren't eco drive.

I absolutely love Восток Амфибия watches and I would've put it at D class too.

Thanks for the video. Expected to see Longlines Hydroconquest Quartz here, as it fits in this category as well. Also there are few more interesting watches like Baltic.

Exact format as Bourbon Junkies lists, down to placing a photo in each row with S at the top spot. Odd that you started with S and went all the way to F though, without using all the letters. Fun episode, i really enjoy these long-winded lists. More please!

My Promaster is one of my favorite watches I've ever owned super reliable and the build quality for the price is great

I never thought Doxa was a big deal...until I got to try one on at Watches of Switzerland in NY...man was that a beautiful watch and felt solid as a rock!

Always hard to do a video like this - so many awesome watches will naturally have to miss out. If you were to add a part 2 I’d recommend some of the following: CWard c60 and c65. Certina DS Action and the Ph200. Seiko spb143. Longines hydroconquest. Baltic aquascath. For me the best divers under £1k are comfortably the CWard C60 and Seiko spb143. For more budget conscious it’s the citizen pro diver and Orient Kamasu. The Certina rocks too though.

I own the red Kamasu and the Promaster. Both are personal favorites, excellent watches on several levels and I really enjoy owning them, as well as several others on your list. Nice video, great selection and good job with the rankings!

Great video! Definitely some surprises in there, but overall, I would agree with your rankings, especially the last one. I have maintained for years that the Citizen Promaster Diver is the best value entry level diver's watch on the market.

What about Steinhart Ocean 1 series? I know you aren't a homage guy but there are models and color ways that Rolex never even thought of for way under 1k that are sterling value.

Watching this while wearing my SKX and looking at my Duro and getting so huffy rn

Choosing between Mido Ocean Star and Mido Ocean Star Tribute I would definitely go for the Tribute version. And for sure it's 5 heads above the Tissot. In terms of both the design and the finish quality.

I think the Lorier Neptune is definitely B tier or even high B tier. The finishing is good and in the metal it exudes a vintage charm that the other vintage inspired watches on this list can’t replicate, with the exception of the Yema. By the way, if Yema fixed their QC issues, they could be A tier or at least B, IMO.

The Zelos Spearfish is nice but their best speced diver is the Ti Mako V3, at under $600 you get titanium case and bracelet hardened to 1200 vickers, Miyota 9015 movement, 300 meters water resistance, sapphire crystal, color matched date wheel, and a tool less adjustable clasp !

I liked the Citizen Promaster (blue) so much, I bought a black one as well. You can catch these on sale at Amazon for less than $200. At that price, for what you're getting - these are a terrific value for the money. Bought an SKX for Christmas. I wish I'd bought one years ago. Seiko should have updated it instead of coming out with the Turtle (or the 5KX).

Oh no! Kicking the Marathon to the curb??? I appreciate your honesty, but I freakin LOVE the looks and spec of this brand! One day I'm absolutely going to buy myself an automatic GSAR with black dial for a retirement gift. Really badass. They also offer discounts for military, police, firefighter, EMT, medical workers, teachers and students. Nice!

The Zelos Spearfish has a ton of refinements and features that are unbelievably well done for the money.

Squale 1521 deserves a spot on this list. Other than that, solid list!

As a dude in the US Army, I always laugh when something is “Milspec”. Jory is spot on.

I own the Marathon GSAR arctic auto 41mm beauty in the eye of the beholder I guess.. I like the deep set face on the wrist gives it kind of an interesting 3D look to my eye.. date window position doesn’t bother me and it is a rugged watch with great bezal movement and high quality construction.

Just picked up a Seiko SNA457 two tone watch at an online estate sale for $80.00! DUDE! this is the way to buy watches! it was band new and was in perfect condition. It is a perfect size, SUBSTANTIAL, great for a daily wear bang around watch. God I love this hobby!

39mm Glycine Combat Sub , 300m, sw200, incredible solid

Just ordered the Blue Seastar. Beautiful piece I must say - and great value for the price point

Love the list and the reasonings behind them. I do own a few of these, or variants of them, and generally agree with the rankings, except the Marathon. I know you don't like the 4:30 date window, but other than that, they are absolute tank-built watches that have a lot more wrist appeal than in photos. Also, I have the Tissot SeaStar 2000 instead of the 1000, which can be had for $995 as of this, and I think that one's worthy of bumping up the ranking by a tier.

I really liked this video. I wish you had the same video with dress, everyday and chronographs.

Excellent ranking, I really enjoyed it. I agree with you on the Citizen Promaster, I'm a fan...

Great video brotha 👌 you reminded by mentioning Seiko I still need to get a Seiko Prospex Capitan Willard. Dosen't the Hamilton khaki Navy Scuba have a no date option or is that just for the blue and black dial s

I agree with most of the rankings. I'm a little suprised the Seiko King Samurai didn't make the list. Also, the Citizen NY0040 series should be up there. I found the Bulova had the most character... Just wish it had a 9k series caliber for the price. No S tier under 1k? What would that watch have to do to blow you away, I wonder? Great video.

finally got my vanuatu after 2 years of trying just shipped yesterday! I am very excited.

Cool video. Citizen Promaster Diver and the Seiko SKX are my favs.

The "boring" Dan Henry is my favourite budget watch in my collection, simply because it is an exact replica of a super cool sixties Exactus Aquamax Supercompressor (except in size). Bold, clean yet charming retro style, super legible, nice case finish, sapphire (sandwich) crystal, compact size, killer lume beats all my Seikos, no-date option, no stupid signed crowns or other knick-knack, unobtrusive branding. I think it's perfect except maybe for its blue AR coating which interferes a bit with its clean color scheme.

Surprised that Christopher Ward isn't on your list. Could probably be S tier. No joke, the CW light catcher case is one of the best looking cases I've seen. 5 year warranty and great customer service too.

Interesting perspective. I can only speak to the Dan Henry as I have one of the first ones (40mm)....good watch, good size, homage to the Exactus watch from the late 60s, did well during shallow swimming. That Bulova Devil Diver looks pretty good too.

Mil Spec is because the DOD gives contracts to the lowest bidder so they need mil Spec to ensure the minimum salient features are met. The Marathon is Outstanding though. Most of the reason for the extreme depth id to ensure there is enough space to clear those tubes. Try a Marathon GSAR or JSAR. You would most likely prefer the GSAR @ a smallish 41mm.

Definitely episode for me, since divers are my favourite watch tipe and 1000$ is my price limit. I am watching this episode wearing my Citizen Promaster Eco and I am glad that you give love to this watch. I also had Promaster automatic and it's also great watch. I had Certina PH200, but PM80 movement inside was terribly inaccurate and inconsistent. Unfortunately I agree with you regarding Vostok.

Invicta pro diver owner here. C tier is spot on. I bought it to try out an automatic dive watch. I got mine for $60. It decently executes but isn't anything special

I love my Vostok, but I agree that D tier seems like a fair spot for it. It's tough, fun and cheap, but not really "good", but that's OK, it's quirky fun.

Enjoyable video. I agreed with a lot of your ranking decisions. The Doxa would be my first choice.

Interesting choices. I took the chance on a Yema Superman a few months ago and have been very pleased with it. I ordered direct from Yema since I prefer the look of it over the US model. SW200 movement very accurate and awesome fit and finish. Perhaps I got lucky only time will tell.

I like the C-tier rating on the SKX. Unfortunately the gray market prices around $300-$400 dont make it a great value. A few years ago at $190 the ISO certified SKX is a high B-tier maybe A-tier watch.

Good video!

Got the greenish blue sea green with blue hue kamasu. Love it

Great list and great assessments! I think Zodiac might have been a good choice to show!

Happy to see my Devil Diver on here; though you dinged it for value, I got mine for about $350 and would still put it at B tier. To me its key selling points are the wild hour markers, the unique internal date magnifier, and the sapphire bezel insert. If you can find one for under $400 it’s a no-brainer.

I’m so happy with my Red Kamasu and my Invicta Pro Diver gets sooo many compliments

Love the videos, would love to know what you smoke before you make em

Mido Ocean Star tribute! A+

I would knock that Tissot down a full letter grade due to date window peeking! Also that Casio Duro with a super engineer II strap is wicked!

I knew you had to do an Orient, not because they’re a sponsor, but because they’re the elephant in the room in that product category and in that price range. I was surprised to see how low you rated the Mido. Interesting. Anyway, fun episode. It would be great to see this format done for the $1000-$2000 range, as that is a very interesting price segment for divers…Longines, Mido, Christopher Ward…oh my.

Imo, Seiko King Samurai is my top choice for a diver under $1000 Just so damn handsome for $500 especially with the white dial. Edit: on a side note, the Baltic Aquascaphe Diver with the Beads of rice bracelet - that’s a damn nice watch under $1000.

the Frogman was literally the most capable diver out of anything you showed in your video.

I would definitely give the G-Shock Frogman an A or B. Pushers that can be used while submerged makes this a professional tool dive watch. I wish I had known about these while we were still using watches to time dives. Computers have made dive watches accessories and jewelry, rather than dive tools. If I was going to go back to timing dives with watches instead of a dive computer, I would have to learn how to do repetitive dive time calculation all over again.

Has anyone ever imagined how Time Teller would sound if someone were to ask him to say: "That's just a theory, A GAME THEORY. Thanks for watching." Your mind no explode?

Great video. I almost agreed with everything you said except I would have placed the Lorier a notch higher and the Mido looks nicer than the Tissot

Always entertaining and informative, Jory. Great video as always. If the gshock is nearly 3k dollars it’s not really fair to put the red one on the list, is it? I’m so surprised you put the citizen as A tier. Surely for the date window alone it looses a grade? 😉 Nice to see some different watches on the same upload. Thanks. 🙏🏻

Nice video. Some great watches and some not so great. The watch I enjoy and not mentioned is Phoibos

I like my Vostok, love my Zodiac Super Sea Wolf which was under $1000.

Great review. I almost bought the Tissot SeaStar a few years ago. Im really glad i didnt as now i think it looks a bit old. Imho.

Was that a Beefheart ref in the Bulova description (bulbous)? 🙂👍Anyhow, lots of fun as usual - mucho love from blighty.

Where's that guy who lives in his mom's basement and says that no one dives with a watch today

I more or less agree with those rankings having owned several of them. The Orients are always a bargain and well done. I particularly like my M-Force Delta in the sub-1000 dollar category, I'd put that up in A tier, it beats the pants off of the 200 dollar Orients and fairly regularly goes for 350-450 on sale. I also think you could squeeze in the Tissot Seastar 2000, since it's retail is so very close to 1000 and it regularly sells for just under 1000. That thing is on my wrist now, and it's glorious (with a Miltat hexad bracelet). And it's accurate to within less than a second per day. I think that watch crosses a threshold where it competes with a bit higher end divers. It's true budget luxury diver territory to me (if you have a 8 inch wrist).

I own the Red Orient Kamasu and I love it…

Imo the Glycine Combat Sub is the best bang for your buck under $1000 or even $500 if you find a good sale. Swiss made ETA2824, sapphire crystal, just 10.5mm thick and comes in tons of different colorways. Also would have liked your thoughts on the Baltic Aquascaphe, Zelos Mako V3, Zodiac Super Seawolf and the Squale 1521

The Seiko King Samurai is missing from the top of this list as well as the Deep Blue Alpha 500. I liked the Orient Kamasu but the bracelet left a lot to be desired so I returned it.

I wear a Duro on a PDW NATO strap (not, recommended) and it looks amazing! I get compliments all the time. Too bad it's crap. But, looks good.

Just wanted to post that I'm a happy with my Yema Superman GMT.

not really reviewed much, but the Seiko SRPC25K1 Batman Turtle, as many would call it. Should be on A or B tier based on the dial, rotating bezel, and price for what it has to offer. Got mine for only $325 from an AD.

Mini turtle!!! And I’m so confused by some of your rankings…but I respect your right to have lousy opinions. 😬

I have a Vostok Komandirskie Automatic Self-Winding Mens Russian Military Wristwatch WR 200m # 650856 that I bought 2 years ago one of my favorite daily beater watch is accurate and so far holding strong.

8 years ago, i had a Marathon automatic TSAR full size dive watch. ETA automatic. It was the best.

Mido makes fantastic watches. Great video.

Wearing my lorier hyperion right now, i think you'd be in for a surprise reviewing one of their watches if you could get your hands on it, I do wish the crystal was sapphire or at least harder lol, quite a bit of poly watch already