Dive Into Quality With a Timex Dive Watch

Are you looking for an affordable diver watch? This list of best Timex dive watches has you covered!

There is no argument here, the demand for dive watches has increased disproportionately over the last decade. I can explain why.

Both dive watches and dive computers serve a similar purpose. Dive computers can measure a diver’s current depth and his remaining dive time and monitor his decompression requirements. They will also measure his nitrogen levels in real time to avoid decompression sickness. 

A dive watch, however, is a handy tool for measuring elapsed time underwater during descents and ascents. Its unidirectional rotating bezel and sufficient water resistance have become indispensable features. Explorers usually use it as a backup in situations where a dive computer is not available.  

The important thing to note here is that dive watches still fulfill their intended purpose. While dive computers record every aspect of an underwater voyage, dive watches will never be a redundant tool. Some deep-sea divers and scuba divers refuse to dive without a watch as a backup. Plus, they look pretty darn cool! 

Cool Timex Dive Watches 

Timex, although classed as a budget brand in many aspects of the word, does produce some pretty cool dive watches. When looking for a timepiece for diving, features like 200M water resistance, dial legibility, and accuracy are paramount. Screw-locked crowns and unidirectional rotating bezels are other “musts”. 

Understandably, the more expensive a dive watch is, the more features it offers. Many high-end timepieces have helium escape valves and depth gauges. However, unless you’re a saturation diver, these features aren’t essential.  

Today, the market offers thousands of dive watch designs to consider. But if you’re looking for a timepiece that incorporates all those features in an affordable package, consider Timex.  

Before we discover some of the best Timex Diver watches, let’s look at where it all started.  

The Birth of the First Timex Dive Watch

Timex is an American company with a history that dates back to 1854. The brand initially went under the name of Waterbury Clock Company due to its Connecticut roots. Initially, the company specialized in pocket watches and clocks until it ventured into wristwatches under the name Timex in 1950.  

In 1960, Timex released the Marlin watch. The design became incredibly popular, blending both traditional and modern techniques. The result was a sophisticated, slim design that soon became a stylish statement piece loved across America.  

Six years later, the Timex Mercury watch arrived. It was the brand’s first waterproof watch. It formed the foundations for Timex’s first official dive watch.  

The Q Timex model was not just a response to the growing demand for dive watches. It also was a reaction to the growth of quartz movements. 

The arrival of the quartz movement underscored a transformative but turbulent time for the watch industry. Timex’s transition from mechanical to quartz signified its robustness as a company and its drive to survive.  

While many traditional Swiss companies collapsed under the crushing effects of the quartz crises, others survived. Some brands like Timex changed and adapted their tactics, producing quartz models, too. This brings me to my first pick on this list of best Timex dive watches.  

Vintage Timex Dive Watch  

The vintage-inspired Timex Q Diver watch faithfully reimagines a popular dive watch from yesteryear. Pulling aesthetics from the old, it draws upon new technologies and processes, creating the perfect modern man’s companion.

This vintage Timex dive watch closely echoes the original 1979 dive watch from Timex. It features a Pepsi bezel, an acrylic crystal front, and bags of true-to-the-era character.

Powered by a quartz movement, the Timex Q attaches to a woven steel bracelet and is waterproof to 50 meters. While it may not be a professional dive tool, this watch exudes serious dive watch vibes. What’s more, it comes in a very manageable, compact 38mm steel case for slender wrists.  

Best Timex Automatic Diver  

If you’ve got broader wrists, a Timex automatic diver like the Tiburón Automatic watch is a hefty dose of nautical mastery. Measuring 44mm in diameter, its rich black dial delivers bucket loads of stealth. It perfectly matches a black-coated steel case with a screwed-down crown.  

Make no mistake — if you want a diver watch that packs a punch on the wrist, this is the answer. It features the red Diver Down flag, has lashings of Super-LumiNova, and is 200 meters water resistant.

A sapphire crystal glass with a magnifying lens covering the date achieves the iconic cyclops feature frequently seen in dive watches. 

What’s more, you can admire the performance of its Japanese automatic movement behind an exhibition caseback.  

Timex Dive Watch 200m  

The Expedition North Slack Tide is a Timex dive watch 200m model with lots of cool features. Its lime green high tide scale injects the wrist with a zesty pop of color, which will come in handy for beach visits.

This design displays the time through a 6 o’clock aperture. It also features a unidirectional rotating bezel that can easily align with a minute hand for measuring elapsed time underwater.

A unique, matching green arrow-tipped hand tracks the ebb and flow of the tide, no matter where you are in the world. Surfing and sailing are easy to plan with this 41mm dive watch strapped to the wrist. It completes its sporty look with a waxed leather band and robust steel buckle.  

Timex Expedition Dive Watch 

You only need to glance at this Timex Expedition Dive Watch to see that it is a tool for intrepid explorers. Its robust, chiseled aesthetic is ideal for extreme adventures and eco-friendly-minded people.

A solar quartz movement powers this watch, eliminating the need for regular battery changes or services. Timex also crafts this case out of recycled ocean-bound plastic by tides. You may recognize this company following its many cool collaborations with Maurice Lacroix. 

This is a confident Timex diving watch, measuring 46mm in diameter. Its 50-meter water-resistant case attaches to a #tide ocean material strap, boasting vibrant orange shots throughout its design.  

No matter what you use this Timex Expedition North dive watch for, you’re sure to turn heads. 

The 50-meter water-resistant watch showcases a minute scale, minute hand, and strap details in this energetic orange hue. The color, against a dramatic black-coated case, ensures legibility in all conditions.  

Timex Indiglo Dive Watch 

Have you ever heard of Timex’s innovative Indiglo technology? It incorporates an electroluminescent panel situated behind the dial. When you activate the panel with a button, it illuminates the dial for quick and easy timekeeping.  

As a useful feature in a water-ready tool, the Timex Indiglo Dive watch is ready for any situation. This 42mm stainless steel model features a lume-detailed black dial with crosshair detailing to give it a tactical aesthetic.

The watch dial, equipped with legible Arabic numerals, also features the brand’s Indiglo light technology. The 100-meter water-resistant diver watch features a fast-drying black silicone band. It means you can dip in and out of the water without any lingering sogginess against the skin. 

Timex Skin Diver 

The requirements of a skin diver watch are less adventurous than those of a true dive watch. Understandably, skin divers keep closer to the water’s surface, so a watch with a water resistance between 100-300M will suffice. 

This is no lazy throwback to yesteryear, though. It has a load of retro charm that carries an identity of its own.

This has to be my favorite Timex Skin Diver. I love the color and all its nautical appeal. The teal dial shade is irresistible, infusing the watch with loads of retro, maritime charm.  

With circular hour markers and a black unidirectional aluminum diver bezel, the Harborside Coast-inspired model is always ready for the water.  

Integrated with 100-meter water resistance and a rubber band to finish, this is my ultimate skin diver watch. Its unusual color and legible markers impart retro diver’s vibes without even trying.  

Winding Up 

For their price, Timex dive watches offer you good quality and a sturdy design. While some of the models pack in a 200-meter water resistance, other skin diver types are vibrant and impactful.  

If you’re looking for an entry-level dive watch, Timex is a great place to start your search. Hopefully, this list has given you some food for thought and demonstrates the range of different designs that Timex offers.  

What about you? Are you more drawn toward the field/explorer-type dive watch? Maybe you prefer Timex’s vintage-inspired dive watches? We’d love to hear what your favorite is. Pop your answer in the comments below!