Why Pay More For A Dive Watch? Comparing $1,000, $4,000, and $10,000 Dive Watches - What Do You Get? 

Skillfully done video. While watching your bit on the Glasshutte I was thinking, $10000 is not that much to spend on a watch that's so finely finished. Then I quickly came to my senses.

can't go wrong with the Seiko Prospex line. Love my Capt. Willard SPB151. Get compliments on it all the time!

Teddy, you are not only the best watch journalist, you are an educator! Thank you.

As a new collector who is just getting started, I appreciate your balance of entry-level and advanced-level education. I also thank you for the range of watches you showcase, helping me determine the initial calculation for a newbie - two at one price range or one at the step up - which is exactly what this video was all about. The SeaQ is on the aspirational short list now.

I own the SPB143 for more than two years now and still absolutely love it

When I saw the G.O up against the Black Bay I was worried that you might big-up the Black Bay as the best choice. Thankfully you double-emphasised the substantial step-up in superiority of the G.O and that made me very happy 🤓

Glad to see these brands getting some love. My pick would be the GO with the panorama date. Slightly bigger but with better power reserve and open case back.

I can appreciate the subtle differences that each watch has and what you get as the price increases. I think for me, I am not sure that these differences would be of great value. If I just saw the watches at first glance, I would probably pick the Tudor. Anyway, thanks for another great video.

I really like these watches, especially the Tudor. However, I bought all six Casio Duros, a Swiss Military Hanowa Neptune diver and a Citizen NY-0085 diver and payed approximately $800 AUD less than the the price of the Seiko for the lot. And they're all great quality watches 👍

One of the best watch review videos I have seen and an excellent review of one of my absolutely favorite dive watches -- Glashutte SeaQ! Great job, Teddy!

Great video. Dive watch is probably the most versatile watch nowadays on the market. For the Seiko SPB line, I just got my SPB297 special edition and I loved the natural water wave dial, gives a bit of Grand Seiko feeling for the price of a Seiko. While I agree that the bracelet quality and diver's extension may feel less satisfactory compared to more expensive choices, I find the slightly dulled edge of the bracelet links gives my wrist skin better feelings than some other Seiko bracelets with sharper edges. Also, the dial size should fit a variety of wrist sizes, and thickness of the case combined with significantly curved-down lugs make wearing the watch quite comfortable. FInally, great lume just like many other Seiko watches. I highly recommend anyone with around $1,000 budget shopping for dive watches to take a look at this line.

Lovely video, Teddy. The more I see these dive-watch value related videos, the more respect I grow for my Seiko 5 (SRPD 63K1) and Longines Hydroconquest with ceramic bezel. I think both these watches battle at least a couple of segments above their weight category. On the aspect of deriving value, there is a completely different kick one gets when he/she gets a quality time piece for lesser value he/she should be paying for! lastly - Your video on the Hydroconquest is a classic video on the timepiece.

There is not only diminishing return with a more expensive watch but also as your collection grows. I try to keep my collection as dense as possible, often selling a watch when I bought a new one, because it's much more enjoyable if you actually get to wear all of your watches regularly. I'm currently at 5 watches from which I couldnt bring it over my heart to sell one. But I also feel, 5 is a good number.

Seiko Prospex Slim Turtle spb317 is also good for ~$1k. The crown is at 4 o'clock. The date window is hidden away at 4:30. Quite wearable - the thinnest prospex diver.

Once again, solid and wonderful video. One thing to also add to your videos on these price ranges, is to include the accuracy and also I think you should include service costs by manufacturer, or at least the industry standard "labor rate" for these.

I bought Seiko SPB143J1 couple month's ago. I have Seiko Samurai, Sumos, MM200, but this watch looks three times more expensive than it is, and it's looks remarkably good with Hirsch Lucca leather strap. There is some kind elegance that I haven't seen a while on this price point

Finally someone made a video that illustrates what you get at each level. Great work Ted. I still can't see myself paying more than $500 for a watch... unless I decide to replace my full collection for a couple of watches.

I own a Black Bay and a Panorama Date.....I have no regrets buying the GO.... It's fantastic !!

Yes! You get a like, Teddy! If I may suggest, one way you could have done this even more instructing would have been to point out those finishing details when talking about it. Either with a physical pointer tool or added graphics. And slow down just a bit. I bet many have a hard time following your rapid descriptions on the case finishings on the GO, for example. Many aren't familiar enough with the terminology. And some of us aren't native English speakers. I hope you consider it and also hope the analytics will show it's worth it.

In your previous videos, you say that finishing isn’t that noticeable to most people and I never understood the complexities of finishing or what to even notice until this video. Thank you for giving me a new perspective on what to look for when shopping for a quality watch

Excellent video, Teddy. Great choices in divers to illustrate the points. And, the increasing depth of coverage to do justice to the increasingly expensive watches was right on point. Appreciate the great education and insights 👍🏼

Great video, you could have put the $6500 Seamaster 300 in between the Tudor and the OG.

This was a good theme. I would definitely like to see more of these. But then again, I think I watch every video of yours.

Love diving watches, and thankful for Seiko Prospex lineup (mine is King Samurai one) for making me "dive" into these analog watches. And now owning Longines Hydroconquest too for more of classier option but still durable and longlasting battery life for below $2,000 swiss watch.

The Glashütte SeaQ Panorama Date in black with textile black strap is by far my favourite diver. It is so beautiful, so elegant but yet so toolish. I can only dream of having that 12.500 EUR for it. Big love

Great intro into the different categories of divers!

The 3 watches I'd choose are the Seiko Marinemaster 300, Omega Seamaster 300 m and the Jaeger LeCoultre Polaris.

TB love your work! Comparing along price lines provides something for ALL watch enthusiasts considering a purchase. There are certain watches I’ve earmarked for acquisition. I WIIL be buying them from your website to support the channel! On an unrelated note, I’d really like to see you do a Rolex only video. Because you do a great job accentuating ALL the brands you can, it would be great to see you return tho the layman’s status symbol for just a moment. I’d especially like to find out the Rolex that you prefer or wear regularly. All the best to you!

I appreciate the content you put out. Most of the brands you talk about like Glashutte Original are hardly covered in other popular channels, and definitely you share them in your own way which is 💯. I have a soft spot for brands like Longines and Seiko and you’ve masterfully reviewed their recent models. I do hope you review the microbrand RZE from South East Asia where I’m from (ie check out the titanium workhorse Ascentus GMT). Sidebar: Mr Wonderful and your other collaborators are entertaining too! Cheers to your success and we will keep on watching!

Fair review with the seiko & Tudor however the GO is the 39mm with 42hrs of power reserve not 100!!! The movement, albeit better decorated, the Tudor has a far more robust & accurate movement…I know, I’ve owned both. The GO is best purchased used as it depreciates significantly.

I got the SPB239 plus the factory bracelet all for the price of $900 new. Was running +9 seconds out of the box, got it regulated after a month and now one of my most accurate watches in the collection. Also, it is an absolute strap monster cause it looks good on every single strap you throw at it. For $1000, you cannot get a better looking or rugged dive watch like the Seiko 63mas lineup, the MM200 also is a great option for the same price. Teddy, you should take a look at MM200 lineup especially the SPB299. Edit: The lume is superior and better than even my Pelagos 39.

Always very watchable, knowledgeable and I luuuurve the comparisons and details you bring to the layman. When go into jewelry shops I feel I have more of an idea of what I want from a watch and feel less intimidated by the store assistant even though that's probably not their intention.

Since you love Junghans I would love it if you could cover BOTTA Design. Klaus Botta worked for Junghans and is the founder of the company who invented the single hand wristwatch. I know him personally and I have to say he really puts his whole heart in his company and is a great guy. His Botta watches are very well made „Made in Germany“ pieces with great Bauhaus design elements. I would really love to see one of his watches on your channel someday.

Did you really say, "Nifty"? 😄 I tease. I really dig your well-balanced and informed commentary.

An excellent video, Teddy and a question I’ve often asked. Would love to see more content in this format!

Excellent video, for me there’s no way to rationalize, it’s a matter of passion, desires and madness! Keep the good work my friend!

Fantastic trio of divers. Love them all...keep 'em coming Teddy. Great content!!

Teddy’s budget is on another level.

got the spb143 for my dad as a retirement gift and he loves it!! the sales person thought i was haggling (which i totally wasnt, i was just on a budget lol) so i got it $200 cheaper at $1000.

Great vid Ted! So glad you did not splurge the 'R' watch! Well played buddy!

As always, another great educational and informative video.

The Tudor (from a finishing perspective) seems like it’s MAYBE twice the watch the Seiko is. However the GO definitely feels like it’s triple (or quadruple) the watch the Tudor is. Another great video in a long line of great videos.

I have been pining over the Omega Planet Ocean for over 15 years. I never hear you talk about it. I understand that it might be overshadowed by the Professional 300 which is an incredible watch at incredible value. In fact, my dad upgraded to a black dial Seamaster Professional a few years ago on my recommendation. Now that I am a 28 y/o with a great job, I will be able to afford a Planet Ocean. I have done so much research already but would love to hear you discuss the P.O. I know that it’s for the right reasons that I want this watch in particular and not a phase. I don’t want to buy something else merely because they are the “correct” purchase. The only downsides are the size (I have 7 inch wrist) so I would consider the 39.5 or 43, and the price in comparison to the awesome Professional 300. Thanks for the awesome content!

Would love to see this type of video comparing brands, other types of watches, other price points, and even jp vs swiss made.

The Seiko SPB143 has tempted me more than once, but I've read too many horror stories of problems with the movement and deviation. Instead, my next dive watch will probably be the Longiness Hydroconquest.

Great comparison, Teddy. I only miss the Lorier Neptune, as a $500 contender would add to the content.

I love this video idea Teddy! It really helps me prioritize and compare with items I don’t know how if I’m not exposed to it enough. More like this in my opinion would be great, hope it gets the views to make it a sufficient investment of your time to make more!

Brilliant communicator & educator 👍

Awesome video Teddy. I enjoyed the video as always. Love from Singapore! 👏🏼

I love my seiko spb143 and I recently purchased the seiko sje093 (same price as the Tudor here) and I can tell you there is a major difference in finishing and movement. Both models are based on the original 62MAS but very different in execution. However, I still love my spb143 the same for a different purpose. I still want the Tudor BB54 which was a contender but but I need it a black and white colorway. However, for 10k the Sea Q is really competing with some major brands/options like the rolex submariner as an example which I would much rather have.

G'day Teddy! I hope you are doing well! I'm a big fan and I want to provide you with some general background of some possible future video ideas. Sailors have a couple niche markets. These two niches are race watch and then that Rolex Yacht Master. There could be another class of watches that could be made too to satisfy other categories of sailors, but more on that later. Firstly, my video idea suggestion for you is to do a deep dive in sailing/dinghy racing specific watches! I am currently looking to buy my first dedicated "race watch" and I am sure others are too as Spring or Sailing season is just around the corner. These watches have a setting to countdown pre-determined countdowns that start one after the other, adhering to specific racing start formats. To illustrate this particular function: Each countdown represents the start of a racing division to cross the start line. The race committee would sound a horn for racers to initiate their timers which could be the 5 min countdown for division C (the slowest boats) to cross the start line. Once the 5 min mark has been met these boats are allowed to cross the line to start. At the same time this first 5 min time has elapsed a second horn is sound to indicate the next 5min warning for division B boats (the next fastest boats)... etc.. etc... Since the race course is the same the staggering of times would allow all boaters to finish more or else at the same time since the fastest boats start the last they will make up a lot of ground during the race. Some quick googling has arrived me at this watch: The Citizen Sailhawk! I wish someone could review that for me!!! I'd be quite spoiled if you made a video about this. I believe this is the race watch I'll buy but could use your opinion on that. Moreover and anecdotally, I've noticed a lot of sailors end up buying a Ronstan ClearStart watch for this. There might be other brands specific for a watch like the sailing gear and apparel brand like Gill. Eventually, the raceboat itself may be equipped with a "Velocitek". Going back to the other niche market there is The Rolex Yacht-Master. It is like the ultimate trophy or symbol of success for a racing sailor who actually earned it as a prize winning. Here is a quote from the Fastnet website, "The main trophy for overall winner of the Rolex Fastnet is called the Fastnet Challenge Cup. There are however, an additional 30 trophies presented at prizegiving. The Fastnet Challenger Cup alongside Rolex Chronometer watches. One watch is awarded to the Cup winner and the other to the line honours monohull winner." BUT is that Rolex Yacht-Master practical for our purpose? Having done no market analysis I just have a gut feeling that this is an untapped market. Perhaps two categories under the heading of "The Practical Sailors Watch" could be made with category called "Coastal Water Cruiser" and category two be simply called "Blue Water" where the latter would have more functionality due to being so offshore. I would guess that these watches be priced from moderate ($500 USD) to high prices ($2000) with low volume of sales. Lower than this I feel I would be getting a heck of a deal. Currently, at the brainstorming stage here I just have will just let my mind ramble about this kind of watch design. Some examples of functionality that I can think of in this category off the top of my head are: (a) barometric pressure indicator to aid in weather, (b) clinometer (gimbled?!) to ensure ideal sailing hull angle, (c) GPS tracking function with waypoint settings for racing review and general navigation. (d) all the qualities that make a dive watch a dive watch to (1) dive to repair your boat and inspect the boat and actually diving to see the anchor or spearfishing or (2) last out in salty sea environments with extreme heat and cold (including Antarctic and possible crossing the Northwest Passage in the Arctic) and finally (e) some kind of emergency rescue beacon type system (RECON or SPOT or EPIRB functionality). Thank you for reading! I hope you've learned something new. With Great Honour & Respect, 🖤Sailing Black Lotus

Im tempted to get the Seiko

For entry level I think Seiko Samurai and Glycine Combat Sub are the best options. They have many dials variations. If you want to step up into a more unique dive watch I would say Alpina Sea Strong and Laco Squad dive watches are very unique.

I’ve got a BB58 blue & I love it, but that GO is amazing!

Love the videos man! You’ve saved me lots of $ with your experience and content

57 best dive watches for 2023.... OMG, I just started collecting....and I love dive watches....I start with the Duro

I would said e.g. Mido Oceanstar gives you 80 percent of that what more expensive watches have. You still can buy 800-1200 pounds diver watch and just enjoying it.

Got myself the sbp 143. i wasnt planning on buying it since a it looks kinda boring in the official pictures and b it was „just“ 40.5 (im on the bigger site). Saw it in a window with lots of different watches but it immediatly mesmerised me. Bought it and kinda never put it of again. Its masterfully understated and looks different in any light. its not my most expensive one sure, but ill be burried with it!

"The lume must fit the shape of those numerals". Well, that ain't hard because the base material of the lume is a powder that is mixed with a resin. So it will simply flow into the numerals ;-)

very much like this new series and am interested to see more come out

I just got the SPB185 and love it. All but one of my watches are dive watches so I am definitely a fan. So far it has been a great addition to my SBDC051, Oris Aquis, Tudor Black Bay 58, and SRPC91.

Never been this early to a Teddy video!

Good as always, Teddy. But, the price tiers you're focusing on seem pretty random. There's just a whole lot in between. So many options, features that buyers may prioritize. Maybe a quick mention of 2 more choices in each segment of 1k, 4k, and 10k. I know you can't hit every nail in every vid but that's how I felt about this one. Much love.

Nice Video with out Mr Liar a.k.a Wonderful!

I always enjoy the videos of “Tudor Teddy.”

Your videos are always interesting evenn when covering models I dont have any special interest in. Any chance you would look at damascene watches sometime? Would be cool to see some coverage of some of the important historical models which introduced new design innovations too. Some of the things they were doing 100 years ago were so impressive!

Teddy at it again excellent video.

I would consider including the Certina DS Action Diver (300 mtrs diver cheaper than the Seiko), and the Longines Hydroconquest and the Zulu Spirit

I go free diving with my 11610 sub sometimes, and other times my cheap Casio. Both work great

Keep up the great work Teddy. Is it possible to do a video on the best for price quartz gmt watches?

Hi Teddy! Great video. I have one quistion. How come and why is the hour hand on your SPB143 thinner and has a Sharp point then all other 62mas models?

I love my Casio duro. I’m not a diver, but I do wear it in the pool. It runs perfectly. I like knowing if it fails I’m out $45.

I take my BB58 in the ocean, pool, etc. I’m pretty rough with it and it looks and runs flawlessly. Love it.

Good review as always, Teddy… If I may suggest, it will be much better if you show at least two models with different wrist size for each watch.

I really enjoyed this video 👏

GO is a work of art, had to get the panorama date to see the highly finished movement...and it's 100 hour power reserve, double my Omega.

Love your topics man keep them coming

Terrific video to have made. Guess I'll never be an "enthusist" :) The differene between a chaper product and one several times the cost need to be painfully obvious and not "hidden". easily felt and seen. Tasted..the aroma....etc. whatever the product....i'll never open up a watch case.... To each his/her own. What ever floats YOUR boat....heh...

Teddy, please do a review of the TUSENO Windseeker. I want to buy one. Do you sell that brand on your website?

Hey bud, just giving you heads up. I have noticed there are fake Teddy accounts asking them to contact you on Telegram for gifts etc, you might want to address it in your next video so people don't get scammed. Awesome new vid :)

I love dive watches. The style is great, but I really particularly find their overbuilt and waterproof nature to be quite a nice fit for my life. I have quite a few and have found my happy medium to be the Hydroconquest line from Longines. It’s a great daily wear piece for under 2k. I do wish the clasp was a little better at the 2k price point, that being said, you definitely get your moneys worth in the timepiece itself. -0.25spd out of the L888 is just fine for me out of any mechanical. Plus a silicon balance spring. Bracelet is quite comfortable and well done.. but have I mentioned the clasp sucks lol??

Always amazing content.

You should look into making a video with those NYC watch flipper guys like John Buckley, or even grey market dealers like Roman Sharf. I know your forte is ADs, but would be cool to see the other side of the watch retail industry.

Thabks Teddy, but you can get a Seiko diver with a Springdrive movement, which will beat any Swiss- or German movement hands down, for the price of the Tudor.

That GO will eat the subs lunch as well

The GO really puts a Submariner to shame. Great videography work highlighting the details of each piece.

Timestamps! 1:20 - Seiko SPB143 3:40 - Tudor Black Bay 6:10 - Glashütte Original SeaQ

Really liked this video idea. Very interesting

I like the tudor, I am shopping for one. But that glashutte is nice.

Another great video with informative content. I would love to see this style video with a single brand, say Seiko, and compare the new Seiko 5, the turtle, and the padi, and see what your dollar is buying you. Also want this content with Nomos!!!! I am saving up for a Nomos club canvas but I always want more info

The Orient Kamasu puts a smile on my face..good value for your dollar 👍

Love the GO I want the green version. Already the bb58 and it I so good for the money.

Oh that Glashutte ❤

I know it's easy to go Seiko first, but Citizens new titanium Challenge diver is such a great alternative and cheaper

Steinhart may offer the best value in dive watchmaking.

Tudor BB GMT is my favourite dive watch. However, that GO is lovely!

For less than the Tudor you can get a grand seiko 9F diver (SBGX335). Iconic movement that’ll last decades, grand seiko finishing and accurate to about a second a year. Beats these three hands down in every metric except it’s not an automatic movement.

Hey Teddy, love your videos. I know it doesn’t fit in to this particular video but I’m surprised to see you haven’t reviewed any Helm watches yet?

Teddy. Do a watch collection for a group of Bank Robbers like Money Heist. Who should wear what watch. Example Mastermind, the brutes, the techie, the team leader and etc. Each one of them has specific task.

Teddy my AD has multiple BB58s in stock. Every time you post a picture or a video of one I just go ahead and put another $100 aside. At this rate I should have one in my possession by May 😉