Together with the case, the straps were sized down as well and measure 18 mm (0.7”) on this model – perfect for smaller gents. The design is based on a 1962 Rado diver. It sports fun classic elements like a box crystal, upgraded to sapphire, and a bezel that sinks in a bit, upgraded to ceramic. The applications and hands are all meticulously designed. Vostok’s are good watches, more utilitarian kind of retro looking in my opinion. There are a ton of models to choose from. Most of them are pretty reasonable. But dive watches are so classic, iconic and cool. Which is why James Bond has been wearing them for over 50 years.

Aside from the direction of the brushing, it's clear that the steel case is a rip-off of the Q, with an identical shape and proportions. While not original, it does mean that the watch fits thin wrists very well, with no overhang despite the hooded lugs. I am 5’6″, am reasonably muscular and have a smallish wrist (6.5″ around.) I routinely wear 42mm wide watches; currently, I have a Seiko SKX009 and a Citizen NY0040. Both of these dive watches are about 42mm wide and could probably be described as “chunky.” Given the sporty nature of these watches, the look just fine on my arm. If I were to buy a “dress watch,” however, I would probably want something smaller and thinner. The blue bezel is almost reminiscent of the Seamaster 300, especially when paired with the metal bracelet, which has an interesting Terminator T-1000 liquid aesthetic. Rolex Yacht-Master Ref. 268622 This is a great question that really comes down to personal preference. If you have a large wrist and like big watches, no, you should not buy a 36mm dive watch. If you have a small wrist and have longed for a capable dive watch, yes you absolutely should buy a 36mm dive watch. For those of us in between, with slightly smaller to slightly larger wrists, it will come down to preference.

IWC Pilot’s Watch Automatic 36

For me, the sweet spot is 42mm to 43mm. I dive a lot, but I’m not going to buy a multi hundred dollar watch that is 48mm wide to only wear it over a wetsuit when I’m diving. I don’t even wear a wetsuit on many of my dives in warm tropical waters.

Most pilot watches in today’s market are oversized but IWC, the masters of pilot watches, makes a solid version with a 36mm stainless steel case. The Yacht-Master is built with Rolex’s 904L-grade Oystersteel, which is both stronger and shinier than the standard 316L steel that most high-end watches use. Meanwhile, the 2236 in-house Chronometer movement has an accuracy of -2/+2 seconds a day. Rado Captain Cook As far as the bracelet, the angular slope of the middle link makes it more exciting than a regular flat three-link.The latter I enjoyed as a bit of an easter egg. I love that this watch exists, and I wish I had come across it sooner! I think there is a place in most people’s watch boxes for a 36mm quartz diver, the perfect watch for grab-and-go weekend errands or just end-of-the-day relaxation. The Movado Heritage Series Celestograf has a lot going on in terms of complications but manages to keep it compact inside its 36mm yellow gold ion-plated stainless steel case. Dive watches are some of the coolest watches out there. They’re sporty, casual, rugged and durable. When I look for a dive watch, I am typically looking for a watch with at least 100 meters of water resistance and a rotatable bezel, whether internal or external. Bonus points are awarded to watches with 200 meters of water resistance and a screw-down crown. I don’t need these features (nor do 99% of collectors), but I feel a lot more confident washing the dishes and paddling a kayak with them! History of Dive Watches

When you think of the brand Breitling, more than likely, a highly complicated chronograph design for pilots comes to mind. Breitling has created a remarkable legacy for itself in this space, but they do create many other watches that are worthy of attention. The Breitling Superocean line is one that deserves more attention than it currently receives. This line of dive watches is very broad and contains options for almost anyone. Case in point is this handsome German-made Laco Vintage “Used Look” 36mm watch with a stainless steel case treated to look like it has seen some years.I prefer the blue one (which is also what James Bond wore in the movies) but you might want to make your choice of color depending on your skin tone. Even Smaller Omega Dive Watches TAG Heuer is a brand with many identities. They have a strong vintage archive and are known for producing some of the most collectible vintage recreation watches available. They also have a more modern side that pushes the boundaries of engineering with watches like their Carrera Chronograph Tourbillon. The microadjustment pushers on the clasp can be slid up and down for an exact fit (it’s also fun to use). And finally, the Aquaracer runs on an ETA-based 38 hour automatic movement. If you intend to dive with the watch you are purchasing you want a 200 meter water resistance rating. Anything less will not do. The List – With Diameter Listed Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean – 39.5mm As usual we are focused on dive watches here at The Dive Watch Blog. So that means they are all water resistant to 200 meters, have a screw down crown, and feature a uni-directional rotating bezel. All dive watches should have these features at a minimum.