You may notice that this list is specifically about Casio dive watches—there’s a reason for that. Casio has been making watches since 1974, and they’ve built up a reputation as the best innovators in the business. CRESSI SEA LION Limited-edition watch inspired by vintage underwater timepieces. Credit: Jon Whittle The army-green webbing strap is the final touch, adding some military-style panache to a watch that effortlessly captures the pragmatic, tough-minded, but adventurous attitude you’d associate with a dive watch. SEIKO PROSPEX SPB101 This Automatic Diver is at home on the reef or in the boardroom. Credit: Jon Whittle

A minute, hour, and second hand are included on the watch. The only color on this watch is the second's hand, which gives a wonderful contrast and a sporty impression. The hour hand resembles a broad arrow, while the minute hand resembles a sword. The hands have imparted glow on them. It can be a rotating bezel or a digital display, but it must be clearly visible, in both light and dark conditions. The mechanism ensures that you’ll be able to keep time throughout your dive. The best dive watches are versatile and ready for any conditions, from going to the gym, to fishing, to a deep scuba dive.The watch has a screw-down crown with crown guards to protect it. The crown guards complement the case's style. The crown includes a notched edge for greater grip and appearance. It goes without saying that dive watches need to be seriously water-resistant. Beyond that, and in terms of materials, the best luxury diving timepieces are usually made from the following:

The most important part? Even with a scuba mask on, the Omega Seamaster diver watch looks exceptional. It would also make an incredible gift for any diving enthusiast or lover of luxury watches. The bezel has both Arabic numeral and dot indexes as well as a one-way rotation so you can time your dives accurately. We like the cog-like edge, which adds industrial grit.

Maybe it’s the reassurance that comes with knowing that if you took an accidental dive—perhaps falling into a swimming pool on holiday, for example— your watch would survive and live to tell the tale.