5 of the best dive watches of the last 12 months

Fergus Nash

The trope of the desk diver exists for a reason, because the reality is that genuine diving watches rarely enter their genuine ocean depth capabilities. But, given the rise of working from home, can you still really call it desk diving? Avoiding the implications of what “bedroom diving” could mean, let’s skip ahead to pondering 5 of the best dive watches of the last 12 months.

1. DOXA SUB 600T Pacific

DOXA’s first collaboration with Time+Tide is the slick SUB 600T Pacific — a muscular case and quirky yet highly legible dial being rescued from the 1980s and brought back to life with a deep blue hue reminiscent of our Pacific Ocean. This limited edition of 200 pieces is packed full of crisp details, utilises the lauded SW200-1 movement, and remains effortlessly comfortable on-wrist with it’s lightweight case, rubber strap, and 47.6mm lug-to-lug. Price: $2,950AUD

2. Longines Legend Diver Blue

Robust and stylishly sporty, the Legend Diver is one of Longines’ most distinctive watches with its compression-styled case defined by its sharp edges and two prominent crowns. On this version, the brand sexes things up with a blue fumé dial that creates a delicious sense of depth that’s complimented by the textured leather strap. In bad news for the indecisive, the watch is also offered with a coffee-brown, sand-beige, ash-grey, and vivid burgundy gradient dials as well. Price: $3,625 AUD

3. Mido Ocean Star Decompression Timer 1961 Limited Edition Mark II

The Ocean Star Decompression Timer 1961 made waves last year as one of few watches that commanded a premium over its RRP on the second hand market. Now, with a refreshingly light-themed take on the rainbow roulette dial, Mido know that this will be an incredibly hot release. In terms of specifications for money and overall design, this is one of the best vintage-inspired divers in recent history. Price: $1,800 AUD

4. TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 300 Night Diver

TAG Heuer’s ode to the 1980’s ‘Night Diver’ is a super-stealthy and highly technical beast. Although the original has some James Bond connotations and can still be found for quite affordable used prices, gone are the wimpy 37mm diameter, quartz movement, and outdated jangly bracelet. With a more powerful luminous dial, 43mm dimensions, comfortable rubber strap and the automatic Calibre 5, this Aquaracer Professional 300 is definitely the modern choice. Price: $4,800 AUD

5. Panerai Submersible Blu Notte

The Panerai Submersible is the brand’s push into the world of professional diving, returning to where the brand began with an ethos of high-performance and true marine use. That signal could not be clearer with the Submersible Azzuro simply honouring the ocean spirit through use of the colour blue on the bezel and dial text, and not standing out too much from the rest of the collection. It’s limited to just 500 pieces and exclusively available online. Price: $15,600 AUD