Summer is already more than half over, so hopefully you’ve been spending as much time as possible in the water. If you haven’t been enjoying the beach, the coast, the lake or the pool for fear of ruining your favorite timepiece, worry not. Even though the FTC might have officially discontinued the term waterproof decades ago because of labeling and advertising concerns, there are still plenty of affordable water resistant watches on the market. These are our favorite watches for men who live in the water.
Timex Expedition Scout Chronograph Quartz
In addition to being incredibly affordable, Timex is one of the few brands that can make watches that work for preppy watch purposes as well as everyday wear. The Timex Expedition Scout Chronograph Quartz with it’s 42mm brass case, mineral dial window, analog Quartz movement and 100 meter water-resistance is the perfect example of this. It’s a multi-dial chronograph that’s dressy and stylish enough to be worn with a navy suit while still being water-resistant rated for a depth of up to 330 feet if the night takes you to the water. $61
Casio G-Shock GA110BY-1A
One of Casio’s latest G-Shock models takes the tried and true dive watch and gives it a much needed upgrade in the color department. These new bi-color molded models are decked out in a sporty mix design theme—in this case black brand coloring with bright yellow and orange accents—that references the same kind of color pops you’ll find in your favorite sneakers. It’s also shock resistant, magnet resistant and water resistant up to 200 meters. There’s a reason protection is in huge letters on the case of the watch. $120
Citizen Eco-Drive Analog Diver’s Watch
The Citizen Eco-Drive Analog Diver’s Watch is the wearable definition of dressy durability. ISO-certified diver watch with 300M water resistance and suitable for scuba diving. Japanese quartz movement with analog display. Quick-drying rubber band material with buckle closure. Pack all those features into a package built with the same style and build quality that Citizen Eco-Drive watches are known for and it’s easy to see why this is one of the best water resistant watches on the market. $182
Seiko SKX009K2 Diver’s Automatic
Seiko’s SKX00X series of dive watches has long been considered one of the best values in modern automatic dive watches. The watch might have been introduced a couple decades ago, but it holds up to this day. In addition to being one of the best entry level mechanical watches on the market, the Pepsi-style dial on the SKX009K2 makes this one of the most attractive Seiko watches you can put on your wrist. With a price tag that’s roughly a dollar per meter of its water resistant rating it’s also a far better value than options from that luxury brand with the crown. $210
Victorinox Swiss Army Dive Master Watch
Leave it to the people responsible for the Swiss Army knife to built a watch that’s water resistant to 500 meters and still costs only a few hundred dollars. It’s a simple face with twenty-four hour indicators and a date function and an overall olive green/gunmetal pvd/tan color scheme with a pop of orange that perfectly suits the Victorinox Swiss Army Dive Master Watch name. It’s also outfitted with a rotating bezel and luminescent hands that make it easy to read and use while you’re more concerned with waves and gauges than keeping track of the time. $279
TSOVET SVT-CV43
Rated to 10 ATM or 100 meters, the TSOVET SVT-CV43 is one of the few watches that can be worn through the sun and surf without worry while still also being a fitting timepiece to wear to a black tie event later in the evening. The overall design plays off the classic pocket watch it was clearly inspired by while still being built like a modern example of horological excellence powered by a Ronda Swiss Quartz movement paired with exposed lugs, a simple face, clean lines and a leather band. This watch is Bruce Wayne on a budget. $375
Nixon Mission Smartwatch
If you absolutely can’t do without a smartwatch, you won’t find a better one to live with in the water than the 10ATM or 100m rated Nixon Mission Smartwatch. The Androidwear powered watch will give you real-time snow and surf alerts, GPS and maps, video remote and gesture control and everything else you’ve come to expect in a smartwatch—without having to worry about it getting a little wet. $400
