Big dive watches be gone! Check out these sub-40mm options and discover the best dive watches for small wrists on the market right now.
Let me guess: you came to this page because you love dive watches, but you have small wrists, right? Or maybe you’ve learned how to increase wrist size, but your efforts were futile.
Maybe you think this article has lured you in on false pretenses. That a true dive watch for small wrists doesn’t really exist? But here’s the thing – it does! And I’m going to prove it!
Materials, technology, lighting and speaker quality all matter. Dive watches are similar. What you invest in when you buy one is a spec list that has undergone tolerance testing to the highest standards.
Even the smaller details, like bezel alignment, turning mechanisms, and bracelet quality, need to be superior in a diver. Buyers need to feel that build quality is on the same level as pricing, and dive watches for small wrists are no exception.
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Here’s The Deal With Small Dive Watches
Trust me, there are plenty of small dive watches out there, so why are they as rare as rocking horse poo? The truth is, you’re probably just looking in all the wrong places.
Trends over the past 12 months suggest that watches are getting smaller. Brands who want to recreate some of their past’s most important vintage designs are downsizing their cases.
As such, collectors can enjoy true-to-form examples that boast the classic proportions of yesteryear. That doesn’t mean to say that large dive watches are fizzling out. Moreover, there’s just a lot more choice on the market today when buying smaller ones. And that’s great news for all of us; at TSW, we can finally add good dive watches to our list of the best 36mm watches!
I guess there’s a logical reason why dive watches often measure on the large side. Large, legible dials are essential for accessing vital information in light-limiting conditions, especially when wearing cumbersome helmets and masks.
Plus, the bezel and crown must be easily accessible under thick, heavy diving equipment. But technology advances constantly. Today, bezels can be easy to handle, and dials can be legible enough to read without overpowering the wrist.
Dive watches do have an important role to play. They need to be resilient and tough enough to face adverse aquatic conditions. But modest height Bruce Lee taught us that you don’t have to be big to be tough.
Small dive watches are out there; I will show you some of the best ones. Before I do, let’s look at what it takes for a watch to be dive-ready.
How Do You Know You’re Buying a Good Dive Watch?
If you’re spending money on a watch that can withstand the rigors of the underwater world, the least it can do is hold up on dry land.
Think about it. Manufacturers use a selection of superior materials to guarantee toughness in a dive watch, not to mention adequate water resistance.
Accuracy is also essential. Whether you’re wearing the watch underwater or not, these features should be present.
If you’re buying a dive watch purely for aesthetical reasons, you’ll be less hung up on the stricter side of its specifications. I’m talking about ISO credentials, which are strict criteria that a “true” dive watch must attest to. Still, there should be no compromising on certain qualities.
Dive watches don’t just look great; they serve a very practical role on the wrist. Ultimately, they should stand the test of time.
Maybe you don’t plan to wear your watch for diving, and that’s OK. You wouldn’t be alone. Few dive watches actually get the chance to show off what they can do underwater. And let’s keep it real: these days, professional divers rely on electronic computers to measure dive time anyway. Generally speaking, you should look for a watch with at least 200 meters of water resistance. Legible dials, strong cases, and a unidirectional turning bezel are other musts!
So many brands compete in this luxury watch market sector, making researching the various options lengthy and challenging. For example, how do you tell the difference between the Panerai Luminor and Submersible? Or which model is better, the Omega Seamaster or the TUDOR Black Bay?
Most important of all, what should you expect from a dive watch? With this list of recommendations, it’s easier to show you what you need in a dive watch. So, let’s not waste any more time.
The Best Dive Watches for Small Wrists
If you have small or slender wrists and you’re looking for a new dive watch, you’ve found the right place. I’ve compiled a list of my favorite dive watches for small wrists – all under 40mm. Here they are in no particular order.
1. Seiko Prospex Solar Scuba Diver
Seiko is the Japanese master of dive watches, but its most famous models are anything but small. This is not the case for the Seiko Prospex Compact Solar Scuba Diver. The clue is in the name.
If your collection needs a scuba dive watch, this Seiko Prospex could be the missing link. As its name suggests, it’s a compact design measuring a manageable 38.5mm. It’s also a solar power watch, which never requires a battery replacement.
Since Seiko’s first dive watch arrived in 1965, the brand has celebrated its heritage in robust, water-resistant watches. This steel model with 200-meter water resistance features an unusual chocolate brown dial with a matching aluminum bezel.
Thanks to its solar-powered battery, it can last ten months without recharging. Other features include Lumibrite hands and indexes, a sapphire crystal front, and a screw-down crown.
Overall, the Seiko Prospex is a fault-proof dive watch for starter divers. Even better is the fact that this model appeals to smaller wrists.
2. Tissot Seastar 1000 36mm
Tissot’s middle name is affordability, and the Seastar 1000 36mm watch is an excellent example of an affordable diver.
I can’t think of a single reason why this watch shouldn’t make it into any dive watch enthusiast’s collection. Of course, the finishing on the case and its finer details won’t match a Rolex or Patek.
But what do you expect for a fraction of the price? Tissot covers everything you need in a basic underwater tool in the design of the Seastar 1000.
This model features a rich blue dial that catches the light nicely when you tilt it. The Super-LumiNova-coated hour markers and hands are well executed and sit under a tough sapphire glass front.
This is a dive watch with an assertive aesthetic. Its screw-down crown, 300M water resistance, and rotating bezel indicate a well-built diver. The latter rotates only counterclockwise, eradicating any risk of accidentally extending dive time.
On the reverse side of the case, a seahorse engraving conceals an accurate quartz movement. The motif symbolizes the beauty and mystery of the deep.
Moreover, all Tissot watches belonging to the Seastar collection meet the technical specifications and criteria outlined by ISO.
Tissot watches like this Seastar 1000 are famous for their affordability and style. And if you don’t plan to wear this watch for diving, you can easily enjoy it as a daily go-to, thanks to its robust steel bracelet.
3. Glashutte Original SeaQ
Many people consider the Rolex Submariner a grail watch. Its quality build, fused with signature Rolex hallmarks and a legible, instantly recognizable dial, is part of its package.
If you like that look but want something more affordable, the Glashutte Original SeaQ is a nice compromise. The stainless steel model measures 39.5mm in diameter, which isn’t going to overpower the wrist.
This design features brushed finishing, while its dial remains simple and legible. Where the SeaQ differs, however, is in the luminous-treated Arabic numeral hour markers.
Glashutte Original chooses a beige-pink luminous material that gives the watch an old-world look.
The smooth black polished unidirectional bezel of this SeaQ watch is another nice touch. It provides a flowing continuation of the black dial, adding to its coherent, legible format.
The only drawback to the 200-meter water-resistant design is its protruding crown, which could snag on diving gear. It has an easy-grip finish that will help when manipulating it under gloves.
But it’s the movement where this small-sized dive watch shines. The in-house engine features a Glashütte three-quarter plate with stripe finishing and a swan neck fine adjustment.
Polished steel components and beautiful decoration are part of GS’ skillset. These join a double-G skeleton rotor and a beautifully crafted oscillation weight.
4. Certina DS Action Diver
Certina makes a mean dive watch. For a few years, the brand has focused on expanding its offerings of value-oriented watches with Swiss precision. The DS Action Diver is an entry-level watch incorporating the brand’s DS concept.
The initials stand for “Double Security,” a construction whereby the brand mounts the movement inside a floating environment via an elastic shock absorber ring.
This Action Diver watch has an eye-catching aesthetic with its striking aqua blue and anthracite colorway. The 38mm titanium case is also lightweight and ultra-comfortable for hours spent under the water.
What’s more, the color scheme continues into the material strap of this watch, giving it an unmissable presence on the wrist.
This is a 300-meter water-resistant watch that passes all the strict criteria outlined by ISO.
The Action Diver has long been a favorite for die-hard dive watch fans, and you can see why. It perfectly balances contemporary and retro, all within a neat and manageable size.
5. Breitling SuperOcean 36
The Breitling SuperOcean 36 is the smallest dive watch a man can get away with on the wrist without looking feminine. After all, Breitling prides itself on creating bold, alpha-like instruments. Even its female range looks masculine.
However, this 36mm diver is a unisex watch and looks good on any wrist. Its bright blue dial captures the tones of the Med, while the white minute scale looks incredibly contemporary.
You can spot that this is a Breitling watch a mile away. Not only does the brand name emblazon the dial, but the case’s beautiful curvature at the crown is a clear giveaway.
6. Christopher Ward C60 Trident Pro 300
Christopher Ward’s C60 Trident Pro 300 watch design creates a clean and contemporary vision. Its white dial and legible baton indexes around the hour track are simple and keep the dial looking concise.
The Trident is highly wearable. The stainless steel watch measures 38mm and promises comfort at its core, making it an excellent option for small wrists. Inside this compact design, an automatic movement sits.
Based on a tried-and-tested Sellita movement, the SW200-1 sits inside a robust case integrated with 300-meter water resistance. Whether you’re looking for a fully-fledged skin diver watch or a robust daily beater, this watch offers the whole package.
Cristopher Ward, a relatively young brand, completes the design with a redesigned bracelet with a quick-release feature. Behind a sapphire exhibition case, you can admire the movement at work.
7. Baltic Aquascaphe
If you read articles from The Slender Wrist regularly, you’ll know I’m a fan of Baltic watches. In particular, I like Baltic’s sector dial, but this dive watch impresses me equally as much.
Take a look at the dial’s entrancing, deep ocean blue dial color. The beige lume material is a nice touch, as is the mix of circular and triangular indexes.
Baltic equips this Aquascaphe dive watch with an automatic movement that provides a 42-hour power reserve. It sits inside a 200-meter water-resistant steel case topped with double-dome sapphire glass.
You can get a GMT version of the Baltic Aquascaphe, measuring an impressive 39mm. But for simplicity, nothing beats this model.
The deep blue rotating bezel will surely be effortlessly smooth under the fingertips. What’s more, specialists at Baltic fit this watch with a crown that sits close to the case to prevent snagging.
This is the kind of watch I’d recommend to anyone looking to wear a dive watch as part of their regular wardrobe. It has a seemingly subtle retro edge, and the dark blue gilt dial elevates it enough for elegant attire.
8. Rado Captain Cook Automatic
What fascinates me about the Rado Captain Cook watch is how the brand strays from its modernist aesthetic to create this retro timepiece. The watch takes inspiration from a 1960s dive watch, adding a fun and sporty twist to this 37mm design.
Of course, Rado always uses its high-tech ceramic for the rotating bezel. It’s a no-brainer. This design’s tough, scratch-resistant material shines a mesmerizing emerald green color. The dial, too, presents the time in the same shade of green.
Lashings of luminescent material glow through a tough sapphire glass front. Second in hardness to a diamond, the sapphire glass is a perfect accompaniment for the scratch-resistant ceramic bezel.
This 37mm dive watch is great for a slender wrist. Rado experts also chose a beads-of-rice bracelet for this design, injecting it with vintage flair.
Flip the watch over, and another treat awaits. The seahorse engraving on the steel back is an aquatic motif on many historical Rado dive watches.
9. Oris Aquis Date Upcycle Watch
A dive watch with a difference that also helps make a difference. If ocean conservation is essential to you, do your bit for the planet with the Oris Aquis Date Upcycle. The watch arrived as a result of the red rotor brand’s inspirational Change for the Better campaign.
It measures a delightful 36.5mm in diameter and features a colorful dial comprised of PET plastic waste cleared from the oceans. (If you love this sustainability effort, also check out TRIWA from our favorite Swedish watch brands list.)
What I love about this clever design is that every watch is different. The process that achieves this eye-catching dial creates a random pattern every time!
This steel 36.5mm model won’t overpower your wrist either, and it comes with this stylish grey ceramic unidirectional rotating bezel! If you’re a green-leaning watch collector, the Oris Aquis Date Upcycle watch has to be your feel-good watch for 2024.
10. Longines Hydroconquest
The legendary Hydroconquest collection is Longines’ temple of rugged, dive-ready watches. The range’s models are sporty, bold, and tool-like.
Despite its powerful presence on the wrist, this watch won’t swamp your arm with a big chunk of metal. It measures a pleasant 39mm diameter.
A dramatic ocean-inspired blue dial features legible Arabic numerals at 6, 9, and 12 o’clock. These numerals join luminous hands and a date window at 3 o’clock. The hour hand has a diamond-shaped bulge to differentiate it from other dive watches on the market.
The Longines Hydroconquest watch features a Swiss-made automatic movement and promises around-the-clock accuracy.
Longines’ finishing on the steel bracelet is impressive, too. Experts mix polished and brushed finishes with a refined clasp for a comfortable, secure fit.
FAQs
Before you kit your wrist out with a small dive watch, check out these FAQs.
Which Watch Shape is Best for Small Wrists?
Many consider a round 36-38mm watch case the “Goldilocks” size for small-wristed males. Those looking for the perfect fit should also consider the lug-to-lug measurement.
The shorter the distance between the tip of the top lug and the bottom of the base lug, the better.
Is 38mm Too Small for a Dive Watch?
38mm is a perfect size for male wrists that measure between 5.5 and 6.5 inches. Dive watches with 38mm cases are rare, but they do exist on the market.
Should a Dive Watch Be Big?
Dive watches no longer need to be big. A watch for underwater exploration can have a legible dial and an easy-grip bezel without having to swamp the wrist.
The Takeaway
Looking back on the history of dive watches, it becomes clear why these tools needed to be large. But none of that applies to modern-day versions anymore.
Unfortunately, due to the long-lasting bigger-is-better trend during the 1980s, many small-wristened dive watch lovers had to miss out. They either settled for too big timepieces or did not buy one at all.
There are two things you should take away from this guide. First, you don’t have to worry about either of those scenarios. This list of the best dive watches for small wrists should give you plenty of food for thought.
Second, the huge watch trend is tempering as we speak. And I’m sure that dive watches will continue to find new life on smaller-sized wrists as the transition to smaller watches grows.
What size is your sweet spot? You may already own one or two of these suggestions. Is it time for a new addition? Let us know in the comments.
