Historically, dive watches were born out of necessity, developed to meet the needs of navies and professional divers. Fast forward to the tech era, dive computers may have replaced the need for a dive watch, but some people still opt to wear one as a backup in case the digital system fails. These days we are more likely to spot them being wielded on the streets rather than underwater, and we don’t see why not —they look good both on land and sea, and they rate highly in the functionality and durability departments too.
Looking to treat yourself while adding to your arsenal of cherished timepieces this festive season? Check out some of our favourite dive watch releases from this past year:
Omega Seamaster Diver 300M
If it’s good enough for James Bond, we’ll take it — especially if it means taking a leaf out of the suave agent’s sense of style. But of course, beyond that, the Seamaster Diver 300M is a classic in its own right, garnering the status of an icon over the years since its debut in 1993. Standing out from the lineup this year is this bi-material model rendered in stainless steel and 18K Sedna gold, complemented by a deep blue ceramic bezel and dial along with a matching rubber strap.
Tudor Black Bay Chrono Dark
Here is a treat for rugby lovers and watch enthusiasts alike. A limited edition timepiece in celebration of the All Blacks legacy, the Tudor Black Bay Chrono Dark matches the famous Kiwi rugby team’s jersey to a T. 1181 pieces are released this year — each a tribute to every player who has been selected for the All Blacks since its establishment in 1884, with the series to grow over the coming years as new players join the ranks of the team.
Longines HydroConquest All-Black Ceramic
If you’re digging the black-on-black aesthetic, this ceramic beauty could be the one for you. The bold, elegant HydroConquest is all-black and all-ceramic with plenty of personality, as punctuate d by the different finishes: the sizable 43mm polished case houses a satin bezel and a matte dial, while its case-back boasts a combination of satin and matte finish.
Ulysse Nardin Diver X Antarctica
Emerging from the other side of the colour spectrum is the stunning Diver X Antarctica. In light of its partnership with the Vendée Globe — a single-handed non-stop yacht race around the world — Ulysse Nardin created three dive watches, each with its own “X-factor” to tackle the world’s roughest seas. The fairest of them all, the Antarctica model is an ode to Sebastian Copeland’s photography of the Earth’s southernmost continent. The white palette brings to mind the clean and austere lines of Antarctica, while the ice blue touches on the grey dial recalls the image of icebergs on the sea.
Maurice Lacroix Aikon Venturer
After establishing itself as one of Maurice Lacroix’s brand pillars, the Aikon makes its diver debut this year with the Aikon Venturer. While it has all the makings of a dive watch — it has a unidirectional ceramic bezel, a screw down solid case-back and 300m water resistance — Maurice Lacroix encourages urban adventurers to dive into a city with this sporty timepiece on the wrist. Switching it up between the rubber and steel bracelet is made simple thanks to the EasyChange system, allowing us to change the straps without any tools needed.
You might also like… #BeYourAikon featuring Bront Palarae and Raja Ilya
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