15 BEST 39mm Dive Watches (Seiko, Tudor, Omega, & More)

Dive watches have been a favorite among watch enthusiasts for decades and for a good reason. These timepieces are not only stylish but also incredibly practical and engineered to withstand the rigors of underwater exploration. 

From oversized statement pieces to minimalist timepieces, the watch industry has produced a wide range of styles and sizes to suit every taste. However, the trend in recent years has been away from larger watches. The 39mm size has emerged as a popular choice, striking the perfect balance between functionality and wearability. 

In this article, we will explore some of the best 39mm dive watches currently available on the market, analyzing their features, performance, and style. From established brands to emerging players, we will provide a comprehensive overview of the best options for those in the market for a high-quality 39mm dive watch. 

Whether you’re an avid diver or simply someone who appreciates a well-made timepiece, read on to discover the top 39mm dive watches on the market.

About Dive Watches

A good dive watch should have a few key features. The most crucial aspect of a dive watch is its water resistance. A dive watch should be able to withstand water pressure up to at least 200 meters, with some models capable of handling depths up to 1000 meters or more.

Another important feature is the unidirectional rotating bezel, which allows divers to track elapsed time while underwater accurately. Dive watches should also be easy to read, with a clear and concise display that offers high contrast and good visibility in low-light conditions.

I favor a clean, uncomplicated dial sans the date window. However, that’s just a personal preference.  Finally, a good dive watch should be durable and able to withstand the rigors of underwater environments. Materials such as titanium, high-quality stainless steel (such as 316L and 904L), and ceramic are commonly used for dive watch cases, as they are tough and corrosion-resistant.

History of Dive Watches 

Ask a room full of horologists who made the first dive watch, and you might get a few different answers. Some will say Rolex with its 1926 Oyster case. Others will credit Omega’s 1930s Marine. Yet others will praise the Blancpain Fifty-Fathoms, as it was the first to include all the traditional features one would expect in a modern dive watch. 

I can’t settle that debate, but I’ll say Rolex started something and clearly finished it when they later built, arguably, the most iconic diver; the Submariner. 

In the ‘40s and ‘50s, dive watches continued to evolve, with many new features and advancements being introduced. During World War II, dive watches became increasingly important for military operations, with brands like Rolex and Omega creating specialized watches for the military.

In the 1960s and 1970s, dive watches gained popularity among recreational divers, with many new models being released by various brands. These watches were designed to withstand greater depths and pressure, with some models featuring helium release valves to prevent the watch crystal from popping off during decompression. 

Should You Buy a 39mm Dive Watch? 

A 39mm dive watch is a perfect combination of form and function. Here are a few reasons why you should consider buying one:

1.          Size: The 39mm size is ideal for a dive watch, as it perfectly balances readability and wearability. 

2.          Style: 39mm dive watches come in a wide range of styles, from classic and timeless to modern and bold. They can be dressed up or down, making them versatile for any occasion.

3.          Durability: Dive watches are designed to withstand harsh environments and extreme conditions, making them a reliable tool for underwater activities. With features like water resistance, shock resistance, and scratch-resistant crystals, a 39mm dive watch is a durable investment that will last for years to come.

4.          Functionality: Dive watches offer useful features like unidirectional rotating bezels, luminous dials, and depth gauges, making them a reliable tool for divers. Even if you’re not a diver, these features make the watch practical for everyday use.

5.          Value: High-quality dive watches hold their value over time, making them a good investment. Many brands offer warranties and after-sales services, ensuring your watch stays in top condition and retains its value.

A 39mm dive watch is a wise choice for anyone looking for a smart-looking and functional timepiece that can withstand rigorous conditions. With its perfect size, durability, and versatility, a 39mm dive watch is a reliable tool that will also elevate your style game.

The Best 39mm Dive Watches for Men

TUDOR BLACK BAY 58 M79030N-0001

The Black Bay 58 is a vintage-inspired diver-style watch. The brown/black bezel insert with rose gold appliqué is warm and reminds one of late ’50s dive watches, complete with a red triangle at the 12 o’clock position. The sword-shaped hands put off a ‘60s vibe.

The black dial features the modern Tudor shield logo, contrasted by their pre-1969 rose logo on the crown. So, there are a couple of eras represented in this timepiece. The watch sits at 12mm thick on the wrist, perhaps slightly thinner than a Rolex Submariner.

It will easily slide under a dress shirt. There’s some nice contrast on the case between polished and satin finishes. The watch is powered by the in-house MT5402 automatic with a 70-hour power reserve. In fact, the movement was specially designed for this timepiece to allow for a smaller case size of 39mm and a slimmer profile.

There’s a hacking seconds feature, and it’s water resistant up to 200m. There’s a Glidelock system to get the perfect micro fit and a secure clasp to keep the timepiece in place. 

Price: $3,950  

OMEGA SEAMASTER PLANET OCEAN 600M 215.30.40.20.01.001

The Seamaster Planet not only serves as a true professional dive watch, but it looks great doing it. It wears more substantial on the wrist at 14.3mm thick. It’s also heavy. The stainless steel case measures 39mm (technically 39.5mm). 

The black dial features a mix of numbers and indices. There’s a date window at 3 o’clock. The broad arrow minute hand pointing to the triangle index are both green-lumed, making it easy to time your dive, even in dark waters. The watch also features hacking seconds for precise timing. 

The timepiece is powered by the Calibre 8800 automatic with a 55-hour power reserve. There’s a helium-escape valve, and it’s water-resistant up to 600m. The three-link stainless steel bracelet offers a satin finish, and there’s an extension to fit over a wetsuit. 

Price: $6,700

GLASHÜTTE ORIGINAL SEAQ 1-39-11-06-80-70

The Glashütte SEAQ has classic dive watch looks. Its stainless steel case measures 39mm (39.5mm). The bezel and dial are black. The markings on the bezel are white, and the numbers and hands on the dial are a soft yellow.

There’s a date window at 3 o’clock. The timepiece is powered by the 39-11 automatic movement with a 40-hour power reserve. It’s respectably water resistant to 200m. 

One of the notable features of the SeaQ is its bracelet, which is made of stainless steel and features a folding clasp with a dive extension. The bracelet is comfortable to wear and complements the watch’s overall aesthetic perfectly.

Price: $9,900 

SEIKO PROSPEX SLA043

This Seiko Prospex model was introduced in 2020, marking it the 55th anniversary of the original 1965 Seiko dive watch. The stainless steel case measures 39mm, and the dial is a dark blue with chunky silver-lined indices and hands. There’s a date window at 3 o’clock. The edge of the case is a ribbed coin style. 

It’s powered by an automatic movement with a 50-hour power reserve. It has a screw-down crown with 200m water resistance. The patterned silicone black strap features a tang buckle. This limited edition, with 1,700 in circulation, is the timepiece of choice for the Japanese Antarctic Expedition. 

Price: $4,500 

LONGINES HYDROCONQUEST L3.781.4.96.6

The Longines Hydroconquest 39mm is a beautiful and functional dive watch. This particular model features a stainless steel case and bracelet with a unidirectional rotating bezel.

The dial of the Hydroconquest is a sunburst blue, with appliqued indices and hands. The date window is located at the 3 o’clock position. The watch is water-resistant up to 300 meters.

The movement powering the Hydroconquest is the automatic Calibre L888.2, which has a power reserve of up to 72 hours. 

The Hydroconquest three-link bracelet has polished center links and features a double security folding clasp with an integrated diving extension. The bracelet is comfortable to wear and fits securely on the wrist.

Price: $1,800

ORIS AQUIS 01 733 7732 4155-07 8 21 05PEB

The Oris Aquis is a lovely and functional dive watch. The stainless steel case measures 39mm (39.5mm) with a unidirectional rotating bezel. 

The dial of the Aquis is a stunning shade of blue, with applique indices and hands. The date window is located at the 6 o’clock position and is easy to read. The watch is water-resistant up to 300 meters.

The movement powering the Aquis is the Oris 733, which is a self-winding movement with a power reserve of up to 41 hours. The three-link bracelet is made of stainless steel and features a folding clasp with an extension. The bracelet is comfortable to wear and fits securely on the wrist.

Price: $2,300

BALTIC AQUASCAPHE CLASSIC BLUE GILT 

The Baltic Aquascaphe Classic Blue Gilt is a chic dive watch with vintage vibes and a modern touch. The watch features a 39mm stainless steel case with a unidirectional rotating bezel. The bezel has a dark blue inlay. The dial of the Aquascaphe features a sunray blue that is nearly black at the edges.

The movement powering the Aquascaphe is the automatic Miyota 9039, which has a power reserve of up to 42 hours. The watch is water-resistant up to 200 meters. The tropic diamond patterned black strap gives it a sporty look. 

Price: $630 

YEMA SUPERMAN 500 YSUP22A39-AMS1

Yema is a French watch company that was founded in 1948 by Henry Louis Belmont. The name “Yema” was derived from the French words “Yachting Timer”. Originally, Yema focused on producing timepieces for yachtsmen and sailors, but it quickly expanded its product line to include watches for other sports and activities.

The Yema Superman is a dive watch that was introduced in 1963. It quickly gained popularity among divers for its durability, reliability, and innovative features. The first version of the Superman, known as the “Skin Diver,” was water-resistant to 300 meters and featured a unidirectional rotating bezel.

Today’s Superman 500 is made of ultra-high quality 316L stainless steel (as expected for a luxury dive watch), which is resistant to corrosion from salt water. Its black glossy dial, cream printed markers, and simple, uncluttered, no-date design make for a highly readable dial, even underwater. 

The case measures 39mm and sits high at 13.4mm thick. One drawback some have mentioned is the long lugs. They make it difficult to find other aftermarket straps. However, the steel bracelet that comes with it is a rather handsome design that’s thin and light. It features a glide system and can extend to fit over a wetsuit. 

The timepiece has a screw-down crown and is water-resistant to 500m. Making this a serious dive watch. It’s powered by a YEMA2000 in-house movement with a 42-hour power reserve. This is an excellent dive watch, for the price, with solid vintage looks. 

Price: $1,250

OMEGA SEAMASTER 300 1957 TRILOGY 234.10.39.20.01.001

The Omega Seamaster 300 1957 Trilogy is an attractive homage to the original Seamaster 300 that was introduced in 1957, but the build quality and features you’d expect from a modern luxury timepiece. The watch is part of Omega’s Trilogy collection, which celebrates the brand’s most iconic models from the past.

The Seamaster 300 1957 Trilogy is powered by Omega’s Caliber 8806 movement, which is certified as a Master Chronometer by METAS. It has a power reserve of up to 55 hours and is resistant to magnetic fields up to 15,000 gauss, ensuring exceptional accuracy and durability.

The watch’s black dial is adorned with vintage-style but highly luminescent hour markers and hands. The unidirectional rotating bezel, made from black aluminum, is true to the watches of the era which it pays tribute to. The case, which has a diameter of 39mm, is made of stainless steel and is water-resistant to a depth of 300 meters.

One of the notable features of the Seamaster 300 1957 Trilogy is the “lollipop” seconds hand, which is a nostalgic tip of the hat to the original model. The bracelet features contrasting satin and polished links. The clasp is substantial with a push button slider.

Price: $7,050  

TUDOR PELAGOS 39 M25407N-0001

The Tudor Pelagos is the perfect accessory for adventure seekers and diving enthusiasts who appreciate superior craftsmanship and attention to detail. The Pelagos’ robust 39mm grade 2 titanium case is lightweight, durable, and resistant to corrosion.

The watch also features a unidirectional ceramic bezel with a coin edge. The watch is powered by the in-house Calibre MT5400 automatic with a power reserve of up to 70 hours, providing optimal precision and accuracy. It’s water resistant to 200m.

The Pelagos has a black sunray dial that, in some lights, can appear gray. There’s a bit of an overhang with the bezel, in contrast to the Black Bay 58 model. The Pelagos, however, is slightly thinner, measuring 11.8mm on the wrist. 

The stain-finished titanium bracelet has a glide-fit system and a diver’s extension to fit over a wetsuit. The folding clasp is well-done and similar to a Rolex Submariner with the overhang of the Tudor symbol. It also comes with a rubber strap. 

This is a truly handsome timepiece that looks and feels well-made at less than half the price of the big brother Submariner. 

Price: $4,600 

HALIOS FAIRWIND

Halios is a well-respected Canadian-based microbrand watch company that has been making waves in the industry since its inception in 2009. The brand is known for its attention to detail, commitment to quality, and aesthetic appeal, making it a favorite among watch collectors and enthusiasts worldwide.

The Fairwind model has historically sold out quickly, sometimes in 20 minutes or less. This has created demand, driving up the price on the secondhand market. This has led some to call Halios the Rolex of microbrands. 

The Fairwind model offers an all-stainless steel construction, with the case measuring 39mm. The watch measures 12.4mm thick, including the domed crystal. The dial has a nice vintage look and comes in two color options, blue and gray. It has thin silver-lined hands, in contrast to its chunky indices. The seconds hand has an orange triangle tip. 

The bracelet nicely contrasts between a polished and brushed finish. The 60-stop, bidirectional bezel has a solid feel. The timepiece is powered by SW200-1 self-winding movement with no date. It has a 40-hour power reserve and is water resistant to 200m.

Price: $775  

SQUALE SUB-39 SUPERBLUE SUB-39-RD

Squale, French for Shark, is a Swiss company that started as a case maker. They made watch cases for many fine, notable watch companies. Squale started making their own timepieces under the direction of founder Charles von Büren. Büren was a passionate diver, and his own research drove the engineering of their dive watches.

In fact, they’re credited for making the first 1,000m dive watch, without the need for a helium escape valve, back in 1967. The latest Sub-39 is a smart-looking dive watch with a 39mm stainless steel case (real-world measurements might be a touch larger) and bezel.

The dial comes in a beautiful shade of blue that instantly sends one on a mental vacation to somewhere tropical. There’s a date window at the 3 o’clock position, adding a touch of functionality. It’s powered by a Stellita SW 200-1 automatic movement with a 38-hour power reserve.

It’s water-resistant to 300m. The timepiece comes with a blue perforated rubber strap with a tangle buckle. It might just be the perfect dive watch, especially at a steal of a price. 

Price: $1,380 

LORIER NEPTUNE

Lorier is a young watch brand with a unique approach to watchmaking. Founded by a husband and wife in New York City in 2018, the company’s mission is to create high-quality timepieces inspired by vintage designs from the 60s and 70s. The brand’s watches are known for their sophisticated, minimalist aesthetic and attention to detail.

Lorier’s designers pay meticulous attention to every aspect of the watch, from the typeface on the dial to the shape of the hands. The result is a collection of timeless and contemporary watches with a sense of refinement that belies their affordable price point.

The Neptune model takes you on a trip back in time to 1957 with its classic, vintage looks. Everything feels authentic, from its black dial and gilt details to its acrylic bezel insert. Wearing this watch, one can almost imagine themselves on the swim deck of a yacht, in international waters with James Bond actor Sean Connery.

Ready to embark on an underwater exploration of some supervillain’s sinister underwater lab. But I’m getting a little carried away. Under the hood of the timepiece, you’ll find a Miyota 90S5 automatic movement with no date. It’s respectably water resistant to 200m. Made of marine-grade stainless steel, the 39mm case, and three-link bracelet, with push button clasp and micro-adjustment, round out the timepiece handsomely. 

Price: $499  

SERICA DIVE WATCH 5303-1

Serica is a small French company headquartered in Paris. They’ve made some noteworthy budget timepieces. The name derives from a distant trading outpost of the silk road. Serica’s diver has unique good looks with early dive watch vibes.

The classic 39mm (perhaps a touch smaller real-world measurement) stainless steel case and its black bezel are well done. The velvety smoothness of the unidirectional bezel is remarkable. The black dial, with painted white hands, features a distinctive inward arrangement of some of its indices. 

The Swiss Calibre Newton is a modest automatic movement with a respectable 44-hour power reserve. With a solid screw-down crown, it’s water-resistant to 300m. There’s also a GMT second time-zone feature. The bracelet is made of a thin, foldable shark mesh that further adds to the individuality of this timepiece. 

Price: $1,175

STEINHART OCEAN 39 BLUE CERAMIC 103-0724

Founded in 2001 by watchmaker Gunther Steinhart, the company is based in Augsburg, Germany. They’re known for producing homage watches, and it seems they’re especially inspired by Rolex. All of their watches are powered by solid Swiss moments.

They’re also known to only sell their watches online. The Ocean 39 Blue Ceramic features a 39mm stainless steel case. The dial is a mother-of-pearl blue with silver-lined hands and indices. At the 3 o’clock position is a magnified date window.

The watch sits at about 13mm on the wrist. The timepiece is powered by an ETA 2824-2/SW 200 automatic movement. It’s water resistant to 300m. The watch comes with a respectable stainless steel three-link bracelet with a safety deployment clasp. 

Price: $535

Parting Thoughts

If you’re in the market for a dive watch that offers a perfect blend of style, functionality, and wearability, then any of the top 39mm dive watches explored in this article would be an excellent choice. With their durable construction, versatile design, and top-notch features, these watches are sure to impress. Even if you’re not a diver, these tool watches offer many useful features and make for a good daily watch or a special addition to your collection.