Recommend me a dive watch (<$1000)

[Paapaa]

I'd like to have a decent dive watch with these features:

• clear and black dial
• 200m+ water resistance
• lume on each hand and on the bezel
• unidirectional bezel
• automatic movement with hacking seconds
• EDIT: sapphire caseback
• date
• metal bracelet
• "good looking" hands (I like "sword" style, I don't like "Mercedes" or "Sumo" hands, for example)
• price less than $1000
• don't care about the popularity of the brand

This is the best I have found:



Another one with PVD case:



It is Archimede Sporttaucher with ETA2824-2. And has all the features I want (available with metal bracelet) - even with sappire display back. I also think it looks very good and robust and doesn't copy directly any existing design. Any other suggestions?

[Caterwaul]

Get it. The Sporttaucher is on my list of future buys. It's a nice watch with an in-house case made by Ickler. Very high quality fit and finish with an excellent bracelet. I already own the corporate cousin made by Limes, which also has a case also made by Ickler. You can find the Endurance 1Tausend for less than $1000 used or new from an AD for just over 1K. You'll probably never see anybody else wearing one in the U.S., which is a plus for me. Even on these boards, few own them.

You might notice a few similarities between the two, though they are different. Big fan of Archimede overall.

[jwalther]

Custom build a MKII Stingray, and add a Watchadoo.

[Rhino-Ranch]

In no particular order of preference:

DWatch -- Alon Behar super nice guy, great service, and he is running a special. Probably the best built, highest quality watch for the money. (I own one)

Boschett -- Cave Dweller Sequel -- Keith Boschett is another gem amongst boutique watchmakers. The Cave Dweller Sequel is available in numerous configurations, colors, choices, and you can get two for a total of under $1,000. You would never know from actually handling the watch, solid SS 45mm, that it is priced less than $1,000. (I own one)

ORSA -- Martin Berg, great guy, coming out w/ 500 meter SEA VIPER. (I own a monstrum)

Ocean7 -- LM-3 (I own one), LM-6. Superb quality, tool type dive watches.

PRS-3 -- Eddie Platts, a living legend a/k/a Time-Factors Dreadnaught, the PRS-3 is stylish, solid, and highly sought after. (looking to get one)

And if you can't find something from the list above that doesn't satisfy you --- SEIKO is the reliable stand-by, Monster or SUMO.

[apnk]

Stowa Seatime under a $1000. If you add a 100 bucks, you can find some used Doxa TUSA's or Sinn U1's on the FS forum.

[Zidane]

Stowa Seatime/ Prodiver for <$1k. AWESOME watch.

[ramirez1970]

Never owned an Archimede but have only heard good things; really like OP's choice - very versatile look. If you'd be willing to spend a couple more hundred bucks, the Omega Seamaster (2254.50) would, I think, be just about perfect and usually can be had, in very good used condition for ~ $1200.

[bloozy]

While that Archimede is a very nice looking watch (I'd wear it), I recommend buying the Marathon JSAR. I know this is a quartz, but hear me out.

Take it to a pro and have it retrofitted with a 2824-2 auto movement. You could have the top grade or even COSC grade movement installed and still not break your budget. Then (because it's the popular 2824-2), You could then choose from any number of suppliers the exact hands you want for it.

The JSAR is an absolute tank to start with. Then you're adding one of the most popular and robust movements available. Your choice of hands. Finally the Marathon bracelet is one of the most liked and well spoken of bracelets on these forums.

My $.02, Leo

[scm64]

[Caterwaul]

I have nothing against Marathon watches, though the JSAR is on the large size at 45.5mm and almost 17mm tall, but why go through all that modding when there are so many nice watches out there for this price range? $1,000 to $1,100 seems like the sweet spot for what you can get in a nice dive watch. Tons of great out of the box choices.

While that Archimede is a very nice looking watch (I'd wear it), I recommend buying the Marathon JSAR. I know this is a quartz, but hear me out.

Take it to a pro and have it retrofitted with a 2824-2 auto movement. You could have the top grade or even COSC grade movement installed and still not break your budget. Then (because it's the popular 2824-2), You could then choose from any number of suppliers the exact hands you want for it.

The JSAR is an absolute tank to start with. Then you're adding one of the most popular and robust movements available. Your choice of hands. Finally the Marathon bracelet is one of the most liked and well spoken of bracelets on these forums.

My $.02, Leo