Review – The best diving watches of 2025

The popularity of the diving watch category does not decrease year after year. Owning a diving watch is a classic for most brands and a must in any serious collection. It's always a good summer or weekend option, even though most of us won't go deeper than the bottom of a swimming pool. For this reason, it is not so easy to find a diving watch that suits you, because for us, who are table divers, comfort and suitability for everyday use have to play a role. Still, brands continue to innovate, improve their recipes, and offer better, stronger options that combine superior diving expertise with enough versatility for use outside of diving. Here are the 5 diving watches we chose as the best of 2025.

Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Automatic 38mm

After talking about comfort and wearing a diving watch every day without compromising its actual diving capabilities, we have to talk about the new compact version of the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms. One of the most emblematic and oldest watches in this category, the Blancpain FF was revived in 2007 in the large 45mm format, laying the foundation (design and specifications) for the decades to come. In 2024, as the brand celebrated the model's 70th anniversary, something great came into the collection: the Fifty Fathoms 42mm Collection in titanium, gold and later steel. And now there's something even cooler: the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Automatic 38mm. Still the same overall design, still the same combination of luxury, beautiful watchmaking and great diving capabilities, just smaller and more comfortable. And it really fits.

You can find all the details about the 38mm Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Automatic in our handy article.

Certina DS Action Diver 40.5mm

When it comes to combining great features with classic design, undeniable robustness and a fair price, it's hard to beat Certina's latest dive watch, the DS Action Diver 40.5mm. Only the 38mm edition could challenge their position. But for the rest, what we see here is everything you need in a serious dive watch and more. The design is functional, timeless, and even comes in some pretty cool combinations (black with cream and gold accents). Equipped for depths of up to 300 meters, the watch features a ceramic bezel and sapphire crystal for reliability, a metal bracelet with micro-regulation and quick release, and a movement with a long power reserve and anti-magnetic properties. And if you want to go all out, grab the blue and titanium version, which retails for under €1,000.

For more information about the Certina DS Action Diver 40.5, see our article and video here.

Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean 4th generation

It is impossible to talk about diving watches in 2025 without mentioning the new Seamaster Planet Ocean, the 4th generation of an icon of modern diving watchmaking. We tested the watch extensively on MONOCHROME and know that the response was rather mixed. Some people love the return to a slimmer concept with more compact dimensions, the elimination of the helium valve or the much more angular look. Some, in turn, regret the new design language. But in the end I think we need to give this 4th generation Planet Ocean some time. What remains is that Omega is one of the best when it comes to making great diving watches. The new PO is extremely powerful, perfectly crafted, equipped with high-tech all around and fully equipped. Everything you would expect from the Biel brand, just in a slightly different guise.

To find out all the details about the 4th generation Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean, please read this detailed article.

Seiko Prospex Marinemaster Professional Titanium SLA081

Seiko. Prospex. Diver. Three words that we often see in combination. But not all Prospex Diver watches are born equal. With the Marinemaster Professional Titanium SLA081, Seiko is bringing one of its most advanced professional diving watches onto the market. A true professional diver's watch for saturation diving, with huge dimensions, equipped with everything Seiko has to offer and at a price that could almost be a Grand Seiko (well, it has a GS-derived movement). This monobloc 600m diver features a complex construction that eliminates the need for an HEV but adds some edginess to the dial with a gradient and textured effect. Much more appropriate over a diving suit, paired with loafers…

Further information about the Seiko Prospex Marinemaster Professional Titanium SLA081 can be found on this page.

Tudor Pelagos Ultra

This year it's all about extremely powerful professional diving watches Tudor has updated its modern, technical design Pelagos with a new Ultra version This borders on over-engineering. The clasp alone is a true masterpiece of design, combining a safety clasp, a tool-free length adjustment system, an illuminated visual position indicator, a pair of springs that allow the bracelet to expand or retract as you descend or ascend, and a wetsuit extension… The rest is classic Pelagos, only better and more capable. The Pelagos are still made of titanium and now measure 43mm. They can now withstand a water pressure of 1,000 m. Overall, the brand's top diving watch impresses on all technical levels – including the movement and certifications.