As a follow-up to our latest information to mid-range Seiko dive watches, we’re again with one other useful article. This time, although, we’re taking a look at diving instruments from the Swatch Group beneath €1,500.
A fast have a look at the Swatch Group reveals a staggering 18 completely different manufacturers within the portfolio. From Swatch itself as much as Breguet, this huge firm affords one thing for each price range. The guts of the lineup, although, brings some critical worth to potential patrons with quite a bit of pricing overlap. That is very true in terms of mechanical divers beneath €1,500. We regularly discuss Seiko in terms of nice worth on this sporty sector, however don’t rely out the Swiss. Swatch Group has upped its recreation over the previous 5 years and we’re going to point out you our favorites. The superior factor right here is that there are completely different case supplies, actions, and even silicon hairsprings concerned!
Swatch Group divers
Let’s set some floor guidelines for this information to the Swatch Group Divers. As talked about, we’re preserving the value restrict to €1,500 and each entrant should be mechanical. That guidelines out items from manufacturers equivalent to Omega, Rado, and Union. Additionally, some manufacturers supply multiple possibility that matches our standards. By and enormous, we’ll preserve it to the most well-liked mannequin as a way to preserve this listing manageable. That is Swatch Group in any case and meaning we might be right here all day! Lastly, I used German market costs on the time of writing.
Hamilton Khaki Navy Scuba Auto — essentially the most reasonably priced Swatch Group diver
Our first Swatch Group diver comes from Hamilton within the type of the Khaki Navy Scuba Auto. Detractors might be fast to level out the scant 100 meters of water resistance, however the watch comes outfitted with a screw-down crown and screw-in stable case again. A sapphire crystal and exterior bi-color dive bezel spherical out the package deal on this wearable 40mm stainless watch. Hamilton makes use of the H-10 computerized, which is a closely modified ETA 2824-2 with 80 hours of energy reserve. Right here, there’s a date window at four:30 that appears fairly good for my part towards the 24-hour dial with utilized indices and brand. Patrons can select from all types of colours just like the inexperienced one which Ben reviewed to blue and black with varied bezels. These begin at simply €658 on a nylon strap and climb to simply €707 on both a bracelet or rubber. Go to Hamilton for extra info.
Mike’s take: It’s onerous to dislike the bottom price mechanical Swatch Group diver. There’s nothing revolutionary happening right here when it comes to styling, however that makes it extremely wearable. Certain, the water resistance is low and the motion is decidedly old-tech versus a few of the different watches we’ll see, however this can be a stylish entry-level purchase. Better of all, you received’t really feel such as you’re carrying an inexpensive watch regardless of the wallet-friendly worth.
Tissot Seastar 1000 Powermatic
The subsequent Swatch Group diver barely prices greater than the Hamilton we simply mentioned, however it packs a great deal of worth on your few further Euros. The Tissot Seastar 1000 Powermatic is a high-content 43mm stainless diver. This daring piece is available in a dizzying array of dial colours and case finishes.
There’s a PVD gold mannequin, PVD black, and even bi-color. In your perusal, there are various kinds of bracelets and rubber straps. However what actually impresses is the ceramic unidirectional dive bezel and screw-in show again. You’ll be able to behold the Powermatic 80 with optionally available silicon hairspring and normal 80-hour energy reserve. Tissot provides its date window at 6 o’clock which seems to be good towards the gradient dials with utilized indices and daring luminous palms. The bottom price fashions begin at €677 on rubber and head as much as €833 with the silicon hairspring and on the bracelet. Go to Tissot for extra particulars.
Mike’s take: The Tissot isn’t the smallest Swatch Group diver, however it’s a very clear handsome design. I like that Tissot makes use of a case design that’s not evocative of a Submariner or one thing else. It’s pretty distinctive wanting and affords correct diving chops together with a very cool motion. The addition of an anti-magnetic silicon hairspring at this worth is simply superior. Balazs gave us a pleasant write-up on the conventional 1000.
Mido Ocean Star Tribute
Issues get a bit difficult with the subsequent Swatch Group model as a result of there are a number of divers on supply that meet our standards. Mido makes a minimum of three dive watches underneath the Ocean Star banner. There’s a chronometer rated Diver 600 that exceeds our €1,500 threshold and there’s the quantity mannequin 200 in 42.5mm that is available in a great deal of colours and case supplies equivalent to stainless, PVD gold, and even titanium.
For my cash, although, I choose the marginally retro Ocean Star Tribute. This watch retails for €990 and is available in a chalky blue or black with contrasting orange seconds hand. The 40.5mm metal diver is nice all the way down to 200 meters, comes with each a candy wanting beads of rice bracelet and strap whereas utilizing the Powermatic 80 motion. Head to Mido for extra info.
Mike’s take: I believe this is likely one of the finest wanting reasonably priced divers available on the market and it’s from a model nobody actually cared about just some years in the past. Swatch Group has put a number of effort into Mido and that is the payoff. The blue Ocean Star Tribute is simply beautiful and regardless that the aluminum bezels look positively Rolex, they’re nice. That is only a candy wanting watch. The case, in case you’re questioning, is shared with the restricted version Ocean Star Decompression Timer 1961 that Tomas not too long ago reviewed.
Certina DS PH200M Blue — the most recent Swatch Group diver
I’m going to cheat a bit with Certina as a result of I believe that of all of the Swatch Group manufacturers, these guys convey essentially the most warmth. I’m not going to speak about one, however three watches! Sure, they’re that good! The primary diver price mentioning is the most recent and that’s the DS PH200M Blue that Balazs not too long ago reviewed. This one is to not be confused with the out there retro (learn: acrylic crystal) DS PH200M we first noticed in 2018. This new Blue piece brings in a sapphire crystal, a splendidly rounded ceramic bezel, and a show case again. This watch makes use of a 42.8mm stainless or black PVD case with the Powermatic 80. You’ll get 200 meters of water resistance together with an aesthetic dial that brings in gold sword palms and an utilized brand. All this begins at €857 on leather-based or nylon, then heads to €872 for PVD, and €911 on the mesh. There’s loads of element on DS PH200M on the Certina web site.
Mike’s take: Certina took a terrific launch within the 2018 DS PH200M and gave it fashionable supplies to make it extra interesting for the market. And guess what? The model made a terrific wanting watch that’s distinctive, stylish, and succesful multi function! Like Mido, the Swatch Group has been placing critical time into Certina they usually’re making a few of the finest bang-for-buck watches on the market. And truthfully, I believe that its divers, equivalent to this mannequin, are the perfect.
Certina DS Motion Diver
Every Swatch Group model has its large vendor within the dive watch style and for Certina, that’s the DS Motion Diver. This can be a 300-meter diver with a 43mm case, the Powermatic 80, and a sapphire crystal. Certina makes these in a load of colours in metal together with a particular version (Balazs coated it here) to profit the Sea Turtle Conservancy for simply €774 on a bracelet. The star of the bunch, nonetheless, is the DS Motion Diver in titanium. This mannequin provides a gray dial that completely matches the darker metallic of the case and bracelet. It’s costlier at €950, however it’s a number of look ahead to the cash. Extra might be discovered on the Certina web site.
Mike’s take: Name me loopy, however I see this because the DS Motion Diver as Swatch Group making an attempt to supply a discount Seamaster 300M. It doesn’t have the Lyre lugs of the Omega, however I really feel there’s a resemblance there someplace. Possibly it’s the bezel? Both approach, this can be a candy watch lineup and relating to the Titanium, I’m not alone in considering this. Balazs gave it a correct thumbs-up in his review.
Certina DS Tremendous PH500M
As a result of it’s as soon as, twice, thrice a Certina… As I stated, the Swatch Group has actually put some work into the model with a Turtle as its mascot. This time, although, we convey essentially the most critical diver of this text into the fold. The DS Tremendous PH500M is a little bit of a reissue, however it’s no puff piece. This candy motion diver remembers an expert dive watch from approach again in 1969, however all the things has been completely up to date for contemporary utilization.
A 43mm stainless case homes the Powermatic 80, fronted by a candy orange dial. All of this comes collectively on a rubber strap to create a correct workhorse 500-meter diver. At virtually 15mm thick, this one is supposed for correct exploring. One of the best factor is that every one of this functionality is available in at simply €872. Our man Balazs took a look at this leviathan and got here away with optimistic impressions. Certina has a pleasant web page on this watch with a little bit of historical past.
Mike’s take: I actually find it irresistible when an enormous firm just like the Swatch Group releases a little bit of a ardour venture. Let’s face it, an orange cumbersome diver with a 500-meter score on a rubber strap doesn’t outline mainstream. That is exactly why I believe one thing just like the Certina DS Tremendous PH500M is so fascinating. Plus, if this worth isn’t offensive to you, this can be a nice Summer season watch in the identical vein as, say, a Seiko Tuna. This one is for the professionals and the watch nerds; you need to admire that!
Longines HydroConquest — the costliest diver right here
Our closing Swatch Group diver comes from the most effective promoting watch manufacturers on the planet. That may be Longines and our alternative is the 43mm stainless-steel HydroConquest. Longines sells these by the bushel and it’s not onerous to know why. Longines boasts upgraded ending versus its lower-cost stablemates, however the HydroConquest nonetheless is available in at an affordable €1,433 on a bracelet or rubber strap with deployant buckle.
The model equips this diver with a 120-click ceramic-inlaid bezel and makes use of the L888 (Eta-based) computerized that has 64 hours of energy reserve. This watch additionally has 300 meters of water resistance, so it might probably attend events with costlier rivals. Longines affords this watch in a great deal of enticing colours with matching bezels equivalent to olive inexperienced, blue, gray, and black. Of observe is an older 44mm model with an aluminum bezel that’s nonetheless on sale for simply €1,102. For our cash, we’d take the newer model. Extra might be discovered right here on the Longines web site.
Mike’s take: I admit that the HydroConquest isn’t my favourite reasonably priced Swatch Group diver, however it comes from a well-respected model and brings upscale options (just like the ceramic bezel inlay) and extra upmarket ending. What I additionally like are the brand new colours such because the inexperienced. Even the blue mannequin simply seems to be higher with the ceramic bezel. You’ll be able to take a look at our article here the place we examine the Longines to the Tissot Seastar 1000.
Remaining ideas on Swatch Group dive watches
As you possibly can see, the Swatch Group affords a number of dive watches underneath the €1,500 ceiling. These watches convey various ranges of know-how and most compete rather well versus Japanese watches in the identical worth bracket. I additionally assume that the Group did a terrific job of addressing the value-laden proposals from microbrands whereas promising a powerful supplier community and conventional reliability. Of all of those, which is your choose?
