Mid-market diver

[LordGrover]

I'm looking for a blue or black dialled diver's watch. It'll rarely see water so a desk diver will do nicely. Preferably new, or as new with box and papers. amongst others I have Rolex, Omega, Tudor, Christopher Ward and Seikos so prefer to avoid them.

• Probably 39-42mm diameter
• 10 ATM or greater
• Prefer bracelet to rubber
• Date ambivalent; prefer aesthetic of non-date, but it would be handy for daily wear
• Good lume
• £1,000 budget
• Probably contemporary/modern not retro
• No homages
• No chronos!

I really like the Steinhart Ocean One Titanium. Ticks pretty much all my boxes, it's just the brand I struggle with. I've never been a great fan of their homage reputation, though secretly admired the apparent quality despite never having seen one in the flesh.

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Quite like the Hamilton Khaki Scuba H82315131, though it's a bit slab sided, peculiar date placement and plain rehaut. Review

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Oris Aquis Date is right up there, though sadly over budget. Tried one on the other day and it's great in the metal. The sunburst dial is beautiful.

[Barchettaman]

It looks like you’ve done your research pretty well.

Steinhart have a terrific reputation and that model you mentioned is very much their own design.

You’ve missed out the offerings from Tissot and Longines. The Hydro Conquest is a lovely thing and also available (slightly cheaper) with a quartz movement.

I would lob a low-budget grenade into the mix, in the shape of the Vostok Amphibian. Mine was €50 shipped brand new from Moscow. Automatic and 200m water resist, which should be plenty:



It came on a mesh Milanese bracelet which I swapped out for my preferred leather.

Edited by Barchettaman on Sunday 27th January 13:33

[Barchettaman]

This Victorinox comes in about €570, slightly different design - maybe a make you hadn’t heard of. They’re renowed for making really tough watches.

[Dicky Knee]

One of these. 42mm model with white markings plus the optional steel bracelet.

https://www.magrette.com/shop/9062869893?in=370040...

[anonymous-user]

Top end of budget - Orient pro 300m saturation diver, gets favourably reviewed against the Seiko Marine Master. It is bloody big though.

At around a third of your budget - Helm Khuraburi or Phoibos something-or-other are both available with blue detail which your choices seem to indicate you like?
Bombfrog steel magna for something a bit more retro?
Or an homage...Ginault Ocean Rover, but maybe pointless as you already have a Rolex. just noticed the 'no homages' comment.

[T6 vanman]

To refresh your memory of what I posted on the Incoming thread on Christmas day

T6 vanman said:

Well it had to happen

Following the sale of several watches including my seamaster and 2 other diver style watches

A few alcoholic beverages during x-mas and an unprotected laptop has now resulted in the purchase of

43mm Diver style watch with SS bracelet
300M to ISO 6425 standard
80Hr power reserve
Sapphire glass

All for less than £500

Should be with me on Thursday
And on the 28th,
As reported on Tuesday night after a few drinks to many
The obligatory wrist shot



First thoughts are … The watch was heavier than I though, due to not being used to wearing a bracelet

Winding & Setting the time and date indicate a smooth quality movement,
Dial and indices are nicely fashioned & of quality appearance
Case, Glass & back all appear nicely finished except the case sides which are not polished but matt finished, (By design)
Bracelet is heavy & solid … Only disappointment being the clasp being pressed rather than cast, but it does have a divers suit micro enlargement built into the clasp
But for RRP I'd be happy and for less that £500 …. I've picked up a bargain

[richthebike]

Squale, Zodiac or Zelos for me.

[PJ S]

Concord Mariner Diver (previous model to current) – there’s one on TZ... mine, formerly.
Silver/champagne dial version of this one – https://www.chrono24.co.uk/concord/concord-mariner...

Bigger than spec requirement, but wears a bit smaller, you could look at the Ebel Aquatica, although I think it’s rubber only.
https://www.chrono24.co.uk/ebel/sportwave-aquatica...
Much more lume than on the Concord... https://www.watchtalkforums.info/forums/thread6770...

If lume is a major thing for you, then bar more expensive pieces from Blancpain and Ulysse Nardin, you may want to focus on Lum-tec moreso than Steinhart, Oris, etc.
Ball gives you an alternative option with the use of tubes but won’t be as bright.

Edited by PJ S on Monday 28th January 08:35

[CaptainSlow]

Up the budget £200. The Oris is miles above the others.

https://www.thewatchsource.co.uk/items.php?search=...

[SlimJim16v]

CaptainSlow said:

Up the budget £200. The Oris is miles above the others.

Yep, the Oris, on a bracelet, unquestionably.

[LordGrover]

The Magrette is appealing, but I don't see a bracelet option.

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Bombfrog is new to me, but probably a bit too big for me.

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That Certina is a handsome beast, 80 hour PR is impressive and the bracelet has an ingenious extension. Need to see one in real life as again, it may be a little on the large side for me.




Thanks all. I'll keep looking for a while yet...

[Dicky Knee]

LordGrover said:

The Magrette is appealing, but I don't see a bracelet option.

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Bombfrog is new to me, but probably a bit too big for me.

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That Certina is a handsome beast, 80 hour PR is impressive and the bracelet has an ingenious extension. Need to see one in real life as again, it may be a little on the large side for me.




Thanks all. I'll keep looking for a while yet...

The Magrette bracelet is in accessories. You can have both rubber and a bracelet!

https://www.magrette.com/shop/450843869225?in=3700...

[LordGrover]

Ah. Cheers!

[Gio G]

OP

This does not fit your budget or colour choice, however to me looks great in the pictures..would love a green face..

https://www.oris.ch/en/watch/oris-aquis-date/01-73...

G

[CaptainSlow]

Gio G said:

OP

This does not fit your budget or colour choice, however to me looks great in the pictures..would love a green face..

https://www.oris.ch/en/watch/oris-aquis-date/01-73...

G

that's on my want list

[Dempsey1971]

The watches you say you already have all do black faced divers, so my assumption is they are not that. If this is the case, and you want a black faced diver to add to your collection, Christopher Ward at this price point is very good. The C60 Trident Pro 600 is excellent and right on your size / look / price point.

https://www.christopherward.co.uk/watches/dive/c60...

If all the watches you have are black divers, ignore this, as you already have one!!!

[T6 vanman]

LordGrover said:

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That Certina is a handsome beast, 80 hour PR is impressive and the bracelet has an ingenious extension. Need to see one in real life as again, it may be a little on the large side for me.




Thanks all. I'll keep looking for a while yet...

I'm a lanky girly wristed runner so the photo's I posted may make it look large, It actually wears OK,

Agreed though, best try one on for size,
Mine with the blue second hand is a Turtle conservation limited edition,
There is another limited edition with a green second hand that did look nice

[lostkiwi]

I can totally recommend the Magrette Kara.
Lots of lovely details, titanium case, sapphire case back, awesome line, blue dial with Matt blue ceramic bezel, hand engraved on the back too.
Well inside budget and available from Forasec if you want an EU dealer in order to avoid duty.
Also have a look at Mühle Glasshütte. Great quality and beautifully finished.

[FamousPheasant]

Mido ocean star is a nice relation to the certina. Can be found for online for £600 if you are patient. Not normally sold in the UK but can be found in most the continent.

I seriously considered one before buying a seiko SPB051.

[Motorsport3]

I've just uploaded my Breitling Superocean which I have for sale here.