I have four of the watches mentioned here, the Casio Duro and three Invicta Pro Divers, one being the 1953 and I’m very happy with them. The two with the name “Invicta” engraved on the side doesn’t really bother me as I hardly ever notice it but ultra closeups on watch reviews makes the lettering look really big when in reality it is just a fraction over 2mm high.
The Vostok Amphibia has actually been tested to over 70 bar/700m by a couple of Watch channels. Unless buying a special model, all Vostok Amphibias cost US$60-80 and spare parts (crystals, hands, crowns & dials) are all under US$10. They're the Toyota Hilux of the watch community.
I'll say this as a diver, we never wear "dive watches". Typically we wear something like a dive computer which is basically like a phone on the wrist 😂
of course, as much as nobody uses a chronometer watch in today's races, or pilot watches to drop bombs. They all became style watches and not tools anymore.
Speaking of the vostok, theres an amphibia with bill murrays face from the life aquatic with steve zissou laser etched on the caseback you can get (if you can catch it) for 70 bucks
Just got my Casio Marlin dive watch from Amazon in the US to me in the UK. Only £44 as well. Wears well on my 7inch wrist and in fact a perfect size. This is a gorgeous well made watch for an incredible £44. I keep pinching myself. Thanks Ben it was worth tracking down
Update: This is a really good looking and comfortable watch. Despite having 18 watches from some luxury to budget watches I end up wearing the Marlin the most after 2 months
The Orient Ray II and Mako II are also nice because you can buy extra bezels that take SKX inserts. I have three different ones for my Blue Ray II and a handful of straps, so it's like having multiple watches for multiple moods and occasions
i just noticed some of these auto pro masters on ebay like a ny0098 for like 350 and under. they look really good and the fat crown with knurling looks legit.
Just reviewed it on my channel and also suggested to Ben that he reviews it. In my experience, it has made every other dive watch from £100-500 obsolete. Accuracy on the 8203 miyota is out of this world.
Hi Ben, curious as to why you say the Kamasu doesn't fit you, it looked alright on your wrist? Is it due to the lugs point down rather sharply? We have similar wrist sizes so definitely useful info to know!
I came across this video and you introduced me into a new world and I got my hands on a Depth Charge "island green" as you call it version and I am very pleased with my purchase. I just wanted to say thank you and I highly suggest that you give it a chance I got it with in 1.5 week and I live in the U.S.
I just got the Strapcode steel bracelet for my ray 2 and it's brilliant. The endlinks are milled specifically for it and I got the wratcheting divers extension which is just excellent. Strapcode makes bracelets for a range of orient watches. Definitely worth a look!
Considering the bracelet quality in relation to its price, plus shipping expenses, strapcode items are garbage. Personal opinion, obviously. I am much more satisfied with the ss generic bracelets I bought directly from China. Better built, better price.
@@andrei-cosmin.popa85 Eh I wear mine everyday and I think the quality is great for the price. Especially with the wratcheting divers extension. The solid endlinks are great too and so is the milled clasp.
I love dive watches and would recommend a Seiko, Citizen and Orient for a small wrist. A Tauchmeister and Casio Duro are good choices in the next size up. And if a huge watch is your thing you can't go wrong with the Deep Blue. I have an Invicta I bought 30 years ago that I really like but am unimpressed by the new ones.
Hi Ben. There's literally loads to choose from. Parnis, Pagani Design, Steeldive, to name a few, but if I was putting my money down on anything it would be San Martin, or Phoibos Wave Master, or Heimdllr Monster.
I was tempted by san martin but then I saw the 'about page' on their website. its a sad reminder that all they're doing it cobbling parts bin odds-and-ends, slapping a seiko inside and calling it good.
@@Pierre92974 search for the NY0097-87A on Lazada Singapore. It is listed at SGD 290 with another SGD 10 discount available through coupons on the Watch Outlet store. That will bring it under 180€ by today's exchange rates. I tried posting the link here but I think UA-cam or BWC is blocking comments with links.
I own two of those depth charge watches (green and black)... I swapped the steel bracelet out for a silicone strap... I've actually found I have been daily wearing the green depth charge over some of my other watches (GShock MTG/Steel squares/Christopher ward) At £150 I think the DC is actually a good watch for money.
SteelDive homage of Captain Willard Seiko 1970, with ceramic bezel, sapphire glass, NH35, 316L stainless Steel case and jubilee bracelet, lumious dial and bezel, extra silicone strap...all for US$115. Hard to beat.
Great video, can you recommend affordable dive watches for 6” wrist size, preferably 36mm diameter case? The only 2 I found were Glycine 36mm combat sub and seiko Midsize skx013 but both above $500.🤦♀️ . Let me know if you come across anything in the less than $100 range! Thanks
Love my Orient Ray II in stunning blue, my fiancee’s favorite out of my collection. I gifted my friend a Kamasu for his wedding and he can’t get enough of it.
People looking for a cheap quartz diver (Casio Duro) are missing out big time on an Aliexpress Addiesdive/Steeldive sub homage. It's 40.5mm with the exact same Miyota 2115 from the Duro, 200M WR with a screw down crown and rolex style case back (biggest drawback imo as It needs special tools) FULLY LUMMED CERAMIC BEZEL INSERT and dial (C3 and BGW9 lumme). It also comes with a metal bracelet with solid links and end links but a terrible pressed clasp all for around $44, love mine. A duro where I live goes for about 120~130 dolars so, Aliexpress is your best friend.
Great video, thanks. Any thoughts on Fossil FB 03? Can get a new one for about 100 dollars. I purchased a vostok amphibia, but it seems this series has some problem with its rotor or movement. Watch seems to stop occasionally, an issue confirmed by many users at various forums. One 'fix' people recommend at forums is to whack the watch couple of times. Surprisingly, same was recommended by vostok technical support.
Nice list. I'm saying that because I have a Vostok Amphibia, and I paid about £30 for it around 1999. I also have an Invicta, a 9302 in Titanium, which I also got around 1999. Both still work perfectly.
i have an invicta pro diver, amazing movement, its like +- 3 seconds? its durable and its something you wont be scared to take to the beach, it has all the class, and great on the wallet as well
@John Smith I get that but I don't really have a problem with that personally unless they start printing seiko on the dial! Plus I don't have 5k in my back burner for the seiko 62mas reissue so I'll settle for the rather lovely San Martin homage.
I love my Vostok Amphibia, but had to ditch that bracelet right out of the box for a shark mesh. Only thing that can be a pain is the sharp edge on that crown can dig in to my wrist!
Can I suggest a watch that no one seems to talk about for some odd reason. The alba aefd 530. A reissue of a vintage seiko diver in a subsidiary seiko brand. It coated me 150 and it is an amazing diver for smaller wrists. It 38mm in diameter and 45 mm lug to lug . It is a certified 200 mm diver with lumibright and a seiko solar quartz movement. The bezel action is great on mine. No back play at all ! It also has a submariner homage look so it's not weird like some seiko divers. Great buy for the money. One problem it is jdm only so you need to buy it off ebay
Hello,i find a pagani design submariner wich have this movement, miyota 8215, this watch has had the seiko nh35 but for a while pagani switch to this miyota...anyway, it is a good and trust movement? It is reliable,or the seiko nh35 is better and reliable than miyota?
i think, 2 of the best dive watches in this pricerange are the Citizen BN100 "Excalibur" and the Citizen BN150. Both have the phantastic Eco-Drive Quartz Movement, one of the best Lumes in the Industry and a proper iso diver's 200meter certification. BN100 is great vor smaller wrists and have a classical design while the BN150 is just a unike monster of a watch
Better not show this to my husband.........because of you I have already bought him a Casio v700 !!!!!!! ( cannot get till after lockdown) Keep Safe and keep them coming!!!!!!!!
Dear Ben, thank you for you channel you have encouraged me to by lots of watches:). I have a question I have bought a Shark SKX007 Homage, now I love this watch that has better spec than its original, now the Question is if this watch had all the insignia of the sieko would one know the Difference Thank you.
I got the blue Orient Ray II on rubber strap... price was under 80 Euros during black friday so I had enough money to spare on a nice nato to go with it... I also was surprised how well it fits. The size on paper really does not show in reality. Great watch!
I’ve got the black Kamasu. I know the green one has a cult following, but I feel black is most versatile and more ‘under the radar’ compared to more colored ones.
If you love modding, Vostok is definitely the winner on this list! I have four unique Vostoks that I can mod again should I ever tire of the looks. They have their quirks but for some reason they are pretty amazing!
Vostok bracelets are a waste of good steel. But when you replace the original bracelet with e.g. a mesh, they become great watches - I have a 420059 just like the one in the video, and I *love* that watch!
Yeah I literally tore my one off..I added a yellow silicone strap and love mine for a fun watch and means I can wear it over my gloves when swimming. And it's small size means it will fit Ben's skinny wrists 🤣
My brother had a quartz Invicta, similar to the one shown here. It looked great, and felt solid on the wrist. Unfortunately, the cheap movement gave out within a year. The bracelet is pretty good, and after some modification, I wear it on my Seiko 5 snk355.
Great array of options. I like the Orient except for the Logo+Name. I used to own a couple Orients but the logo just kept bugging me. If they would tone down that aspect of their offerings they'd increase their sales IMHO.
I really like your videos..they are realistic......Most people really don't have it in their budget to buy over a 500.00 watch....When you consider the cost of maintenance at what cost point would a mechanical watch become really a throw-away watch. If an Orient Bambino costs a little over 100.00 but from what I've read the cost of maintenance is way over that amount is it not a throw-away option?
Nice vid Ben. I have several of the watches you’ve shown. I love the Vostok’s! Brilliant engineering & bulletproof! In regards to the rubber straps, buy a cheap leather hole punch & knock a hole or 2 into them. The end can be trimmed quite easily. 😎👍🏼🇦🇺
One of my first automatic watches was an Invicta pro diver, in that same blue and gold colourway as from the video, but with the scalloped bezel. I still love it, it's my go-to summer beater watch.
Hello. I have a Festina Diver. Can withstand up to 200m, as a sapphire Cristal, screw down crown, it's weel built (I think) and it only costs 103€ with a discount. Festina actuality is making some good watches at affordable prices. The thing that stays behind the Depth Charge is theirs mechanical movement, the Festina as a quartz miyota movement that it's ok and reliable but not so prestigious. Thanks for the video.
I have 7 or 8 'modern' Orient watches--and 4 or 5 'vintage' ones, and have never been disappointed by the brand. Also, I have several Vostok watches and they are some of my fav watches, EVER. I wouldnt wear a real Submariner, but I DO wear a janky, $88 Amphibia and get comments on it almost every time I wear it....and my $130 Orient Sub 'homage' watch....lol I DO have several high(er) end watches that I wear...and do fret about, but not the Orient or Vostok ones. I DO want a Zenith, though....
Great review Ben, as always. Just ordered my second amphibia last week and also got the Duro in blue. Both great watches for the money. Seriously considering an orient after watching this. Cheers 👍
I just found a Casio Duro, with the Gold accents on Amazon for $52.00 Canadian, along with the other 2 colors at $47.00 Can, so I think I’ll be ordering ASAP.
The Casio MDV-106 has been replaced by the MDV-107, which is available globally and is completely identical, aside from having some different color options and no longer having the marlin logo on it. Still a great watch.
I've got 6&1/2" wrists, and I put my Duro on a leather Bund strap-- problem solved. The "largeness" of the strap off-sets the "largeness" of the watch, and it looks really cool, imho 🖒😎
I have the duro mako 2 and the amphibians I didn’t realize you included more watches in my collection. The mako 2 is one of my all time favorites mako is my favorite watch brand easily.
As the owner of a trio of Casio Duro....the plain black looks great on a steel bracelet, it seems to downsize the watch. Blue? Not sure, blue BluShark neoprene or blue leather.... Gold trim, thought it was good on oiled brown leather, but a black Isofrane style seems better. Sapphire upgrade on all 3, cheers Jody.
Worth checking out the Amfibia (with a f) line from Vostok too. Those are designed and finished to a higher standard than the Amphibia line. I recently picked up an Amfibia Scuba for £130. They're great of you can get in hold of one.
Just came across a Taiwan brand called Wise. Have you ever seen one? If so whats your opinion? The watch looks very good for the price ans has very good reviews.
I'm surprised by the Pagani Design. Mine has amazing bezel action and no back play, the only issue with mine is the gritty crown tube and some sharp corners.
Same here with my forest green PD. Nice bracelet, nice weight but bezel has about a second of back play. When manual winding, it feels a little crunchy, wonder if it were oiled or not.
Depth Charge would be perfect with a better name and a meaningful logo. I hope some day someone will think of letting people decide themselves what’s printed on the dial.
My Invicta 31290 is AMAZING. My PD1661 has the best bezel I've ever had in a low cost watch. I have the green version and it changes colors based on lighting through shades of green.
The best of the best is the 300m SteelDive 1953 with a real Seiko NH35, mineral glass - s/s bracelet and very good build quality. Homage to Rolex obviously, screw down crown all for around 100 quid.
Got a Duro from the US for about £45. Have done all the JOMW mods on it, sapphire, solid stainless bracelet and machined clasp. It's a really great thing!
1:08 My god your images make them look gorgeous. Even with my MDV by my side I look at yours and gasp in admiration. I love my MDV-106. I'm very tempted to buy the golden accented one but it irks me that the crown isn't golden as well. 2:02 Very nice. 2:47 I've found that it is quite enough for regular use. I sometimes get up at 4am and I can tell the time perfectly fine. 5:23 Ooohhh.. Very nice... 10:06 Damn you're right, they look gorgeous! I'd never considered them before because stock images make them look ugly. Great video, thank you!
I managed to find a blue wave dial Invicta Pro Diver that had a screw down crown for $50 on eBay!! I slapped a mesh strap to make it look like the poor man's Omega Seamaster 300 No Time to Die Edition
Watches Featured (affiliate):
Casio Duro MDV-106 ➡ geni.us/casiomdv
Casio EFV-130D ➡ geni.us/casioefv-130d
Invicta Pro Diver 9204OB (37.5mm) ➡ www.anrdoezrs.net/links/8946237/type/dlg/www.jomashop.com/invicta-watch-9204ob.html
Invicta Pro Diver Automatic (40mm) ➡ geni.us/invictaprodiver
Invicta 31290 '1953' Automatic ➡ www.invictastores.eu/collections/pro-diver/invicta-vintage-pro-diver-31290-mens-automatic-watch-40mm/
Depth Charge Diver ➡ tidd.ly/3fqEuCx
Pagani Design PD-1661 'Explorer' ➡ www.paganidesignwatch.com/pagani-design-pd-1661?aff=13
Orient Ray II & Orient Mako II ➡ geni.us/orientrayII & geni.us/orientmakoII
Orient Kamasu ➡ geni.us/orientkamasuauto
Vostok Amphibia ➡ geni.us/vostokamphibia
Love these type of vids. Most other watch channels start at like 400 as the affordable range!
Ben is a true man of the regular people
Right? My "end game" most expensive watch I want is the Bulova Lunar Pilot, and that's only around 500 XD
I have four of the watches mentioned here, the Casio Duro and three Invicta Pro Divers, one being the 1953 and I’m very happy with them. The two with the name “Invicta” engraved on the side doesn’t really bother me as I hardly ever notice it but ultra closeups on watch reviews makes the lettering look really big when in reality it is just a fraction over 2mm high.
The Vostok Amphibia has actually been tested to over 70 bar/700m by a couple of Watch channels.
Unless buying a special model, all Vostok Amphibias cost US$60-80 and spare parts (crystals, hands, crowns & dials) are all under US$10.
They're the Toyota Hilux of the watch community.
Welp. $60 Vostok is now a thing of the past.
@@Doctors_TARDIS Yeah I know. The post is almost a year old.
Sadge.. they're 100 now
I saw a test with Vostok. The crystal crashed somewhere at 1600 or 1800 meters. I don't remember
I had a vostok amphibia automatic I loved it, worked well water proof fine for beach sadly it failed in 6 months not worth fixing
The green Kamasu is breathtaking!
Mine has no issues with the bezel at all.
Yeah mine is near perfect
I agree! Flawless here too.
Good to know... will order one today :)
I'll say this as a diver, we never wear "dive watches". Typically we wear something like a dive computer which is basically like a phone on the wrist 😂
of course, as much as nobody uses a chronometer watch in today's races, or pilot watches to drop bombs. They all became style watches and not tools anymore.
Still very good for timing parking ‘meters’ or hard boiled eggs......
Scubapro Chromis gang
No shit Sherlock. You’ll be telling us that Cillit Bang doesn’t actually go bang next.
@@Thenaughtyman1 Nooooooooo
Your ‘lists’ are are amongst the very best blessed collections.
Speaking of the vostok, theres an amphibia with bill murrays face from the life aquatic with steve zissou laser etched on the caseback you can get (if you can catch it) for 70 bucks
That´s cool, but sold out on Meranom :(
You can buy the case back separately $10. I have one - I checked yesterday - they are in stock.
@@craigwatson6368 you got a link, had a hard time finding it
@@craigwatson6368 nevermind i found it
@@jacobpartin4553 that’s weird. I posted a link yesterday. Now it’s not here. Glad you found it.
Hey Ben, the "European Duro" (200m, 44mm, currently 51€) is the Casio MTD1053, if you haven't had that one on the radar.
So a... Euro Duro?
@@seanmaxwell3319 I see what you did there!
@Alias Anybody The MTD-1053 has 40mm...
Looks nice, too. Have one on order and can't wait to see how it turns out.
Just got my Casio Marlin dive watch from Amazon in the US to me in the UK. Only £44 as well. Wears well on my 7inch wrist and in fact a perfect size.
This is a gorgeous well made watch for an incredible £44.
I keep pinching myself. Thanks Ben it was worth tracking down
Update: This is a really good looking and comfortable watch. Despite having 18 watches from some luxury to budget watches I end up wearing the Marlin the most after 2 months
Hey Ben, great review. Would you check the Accurist model 7270? It has a ceramic bezel, Sapphire window, 200 m wr, and cost only £70 on UK Amazon.
Your footage has gotten really good
The Orient Ray II and Mako II are also nice because you can buy extra bezels that take SKX inserts. I have three different ones for my Blue Ray II and a handful of straps, so it's like having multiple watches for multiple moods and occasions
Where did you get them from?
@@PopcornPlaya8589 Long Island Watch
I've got the exact same PD1661. No problems with mine! Bezel was sharp and aligned, cyclops aligned, bracelet was flawless.
Citizen NY0040 might be a good option to consider in this price range.
It buries mostly this whole list
i just noticed some of these auto pro masters on ebay like a ny0098 for like 350 and under. they look really good and the fat crown with knurling looks legit.
Just reviewed it on my channel and also suggested to Ben that he reviews it. In my experience, it has made every other dive watch from £100-500 obsolete. Accuracy on the 8203 miyota is out of this world.
Great watch. Team full-lume here
or a BN0150-10E
Hi Ben, curious as to why you say the Kamasu doesn't fit you, it looked alright on your wrist? Is it due to the lugs point down rather sharply? We have similar wrist sizes so definitely useful info to know!
Yup I'd like to know too, as the dimensions of the watch would suggest a good fit
I own the Depth Charge its an awesome watch packed with features as the NH35, Sapphire Glass, Ceramic Bezel.....
I came across this video and you introduced me into a new world and I got my hands on a Depth Charge "island green" as you call it version and I am very pleased with my purchase. I just wanted to say thank you and I highly suggest that you give it a chance I got it with in 1.5 week and I live in the U.S.
I just got the Strapcode steel bracelet for my ray 2 and it's brilliant. The endlinks are milled specifically for it and I got the wratcheting divers extension which is just excellent. Strapcode makes bracelets for a range of orient watches. Definitely worth a look!
They sell strap definitely do not make em though lol
Considering the bracelet quality in relation to its price, plus shipping expenses, strapcode items are garbage. Personal opinion, obviously.
I am much more satisfied with the ss generic bracelets I bought directly from China. Better built, better price.
@@andrei-cosmin.popa85 Eh I wear mine everyday and I think the quality is great for the price. Especially with the wratcheting divers extension. The solid endlinks are great too and so is the milled clasp.
I love dive watches and would recommend a Seiko, Citizen and Orient for a small wrist. A Tauchmeister and Casio Duro are good choices in the next size up. And if a huge watch is your thing you can't go wrong with the Deep Blue. I have an Invicta I bought 30 years ago that I really like but am unimpressed by the new ones.
Hi Ben. There's literally loads to choose from. Parnis, Pagani Design, Steeldive, to name a few, but if I was putting my money down on anything it would be San Martin, or Phoibos Wave Master, or Heimdllr Monster.
I love my Phoibos watch it's amazing.
San Martin watches are great, just bought a Subbie Hulk
I was tempted by san martin but then I saw the 'about page' on their website. its a sad reminder that all they're doing it cobbling parts bin odds-and-ends, slapping a seiko inside and calling it good.
If you're in Asia, the Citizen Promaster Fugu is definitely worth looking at. The limited edition NY0097 can often be found under 180 Euro.
I searched for it, and they sell it at 300-400€ , i don’t know where you saw it at 180€ 😱
@@Pierre92974 search for the NY0097-87A on Lazada Singapore. It is listed at SGD 290 with another SGD 10 discount available through coupons on the Watch Outlet store. That will bring it under 180€ by today's exchange rates.
I tried posting the link here but I think UA-cam or BWC is blocking comments with links.
I have taken my Amphibias diving on multiple occasions and I've never had a problem
Me olso
Great video Ben. Have you tried the enokson dive watch. Loving mine I’m sure it would make the list.
I own two of those depth charge watches (green and black)... I swapped the steel bracelet out for a silicone strap... I've actually found I have been daily wearing the green depth charge over some of my other watches (GShock MTG/Steel squares/Christopher ward)
At £150 I think the DC is actually a good watch for money.
Great list Ben! I am wearing my Vostok Amphibia with the blue Scubadude right now, while working on an Invicta Pro Diver review :D
SteelDive homage of Captain Willard Seiko 1970, with ceramic bezel, sapphire glass, NH35, 316L stainless Steel case and jubilee bracelet, lumious dial and bezel, extra silicone strap...all for US$115. Hard to beat.
Great video, can you recommend affordable dive watches for 6” wrist size, preferably 36mm diameter case? The only 2 I found were Glycine 36mm combat sub and seiko
Midsize skx013 but both above $500.🤦♀️ . Let me know if you come across anything in the less than $100 range! Thanks
Love my Orient Ray II in stunning blue, my fiancee’s favorite out of my collection. I gifted my friend a Kamasu for his wedding and he can’t get enough of it.
Yea the blue is really stunning, when you see it in the flesh.
Always appreciate your reviews - thank you. What are your thoughts on Panzera? Have you reviewed in prior videos? Thanks again!
People looking for a cheap quartz diver (Casio Duro) are missing out big time on an Aliexpress Addiesdive/Steeldive sub homage. It's 40.5mm with the exact same Miyota 2115 from the Duro, 200M WR with a screw down crown and rolex style case back (biggest drawback imo as It needs special tools) FULLY LUMMED CERAMIC BEZEL INSERT and dial (C3 and BGW9 lumme). It also comes with a metal bracelet with solid links and end links but a terrible pressed clasp all for around $44, love mine. A duro where I live goes for about 120~130 dolars so, Aliexpress is your best friend.
Can you put a link?
Got the Casio Duro from amazon For £58 a couple of weeks ago in black and gold, a very nice watch for the price.
Vostok Amphibia vs Casio Duro vs Invicta Pro Diver? Which one is the best?
I've got a green Kamasu - it's probably the favourite of my collection!
Didn’t know you were on TZ !
The Orient & Vostok (Blancpain) are my choice. Though my blancpain was DOA
Very nice review! 💪🏻 love that Invicta, but also some others like that Casio are really nice timepieces for not that much money! 🤩
Great video, thanks. Any thoughts on Fossil FB 03? Can get a new one for about 100 dollars. I purchased a vostok amphibia, but it seems this series has some problem with its rotor or movement. Watch seems to stop occasionally, an issue confirmed by many users at various forums. One 'fix' people recommend at forums is to whack the watch couple of times. Surprisingly, same was recommended by vostok technical support.
Nice list. I'm saying that because I have a Vostok Amphibia, and I paid about £30 for it around 1999. I also have an Invicta, a 9302 in Titanium, which I also got around 1999. Both still work perfectly.
i have an invicta pro diver, amazing movement, its like +- 3 seconds? its durable and its something you wont be scared to take to the beach, it has all the class, and great on the wallet as well
Never thought I'll say this but that invicta looks a beauty
Regards Ali express watches you can get a hell of a watch from San Martin for £200 and still have change left over. Awesome quality.
@John Smith I get that but I don't really have a problem with that personally unless they start printing seiko on the dial! Plus I don't have 5k in my back burner for the seiko 62mas reissue so I'll settle for the rather lovely San Martin homage.
@John Smith nobody buys them. They design their own take on the famous lookalikes to a far higher standard than any of the big name rubbish here.
Outstanding review Ben with some terrific choices...I really appreciate these types of videos.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Love my Invicta 8935, wear it everyday for work, 3 years on and it still looks good.
I love my Vostok Amphibia, but had to ditch that bracelet right out of the box for a shark mesh.
Only thing that can be a pain is the sharp edge on that crown can dig in to my wrist!
Can I suggest a watch that no one seems to talk about for some odd reason.
The alba aefd 530. A reissue of a vintage seiko diver in a subsidiary seiko brand. It coated me 150 and it is an amazing diver for smaller wrists.
It 38mm in diameter and 45 mm lug to lug . It is a certified 200 mm diver with lumibright and a seiko solar quartz movement. The bezel action is great on mine. No back play at all ! It also has a submariner homage look so it's not weird like some seiko divers. Great buy for the money.
One problem it is jdm only so you need to buy it off ebay
Wow really good video. I knew it was worth it the second I saw the Casio duro. I have many other options now though thanks to you. 👍
I picked up a Duro just like the one described for $25. One heck of a deal.
Hello,i find a pagani design submariner wich have this movement, miyota 8215, this watch has had the seiko nh35 but for a while pagani switch to this miyota...anyway, it is a good and trust movement? It is reliable,or the seiko nh35 is better and reliable than miyota?
Hey Ben. Love the channel. What do you think about the Ralf Cristien watches ?????
The new Vostok Amfibia Reef is a 200m dive watch with a GMT function and much improved build quality for @$180 😁
i think, 2 of the best dive watches in this pricerange are the Citizen BN100 "Excalibur" and the Citizen BN150. Both have the phantastic Eco-Drive Quartz Movement, one of the best Lumes in the Industry and a proper iso diver's 200meter certification. BN100 is great vor smaller wrists and have a classical design while the BN150 is just a unike monster of a watch
Both of this watches also have on the fly adjustable bracelets, which is great! Although buying BN100 might be a risky proposition.
Better not show this to my husband.........because of you I have already bought him a Casio v700 !!!!!!! ( cannot get till after lockdown) Keep Safe and keep them coming!!!!!!!!
Dear Ben, thank you for you channel you have encouraged me to by lots of watches:).
I have a question I have bought a Shark SKX007 Homage, now I love this watch that has better spec than its original, now the Question is if this watch had all the insignia of the sieko would one know the Difference
Thank you.
I got the blue Orient Ray II on rubber strap... price was under 80 Euros during black friday so I had enough money to spare on a nice nato to go with it... I also was surprised how well it fits. The size on paper really does not show in reality. Great watch!
Great channel. Great accent. I'm in Canada. I just now bought a Casio Duro, I used your Amazon link.
I’ve got the black Kamasu. I know the green one has a cult following, but I feel black is most versatile and more ‘under the radar’ compared to more colored ones.
Any good dependable website to buy watches and has good shipping tracking details.. btw lov yr reviews
If you love modding, Vostok is definitely the winner on this list! I have four unique Vostoks that I can mod again should I ever tire of the looks. They have their quirks but for some reason they are pretty amazing!
Vostok bracelets are a waste of good steel. But when you replace the original bracelet with e.g. a mesh, they become great watches - I have a 420059 just like the one in the video, and I *love* that watch!
Yeah I literally tore my one off..I added a yellow silicone strap and love mine for a fun watch and means I can wear it over my gloves when swimming. And it's small size means it will fit Ben's skinny wrists 🤣
@John Smith fuck wrists that's a new one to me! Yeah they are quite narrow.
hey luca , i am very tempted to buy one , is the case material good enough or is it very flimsy cheap looking steel ?
@@sachexplorer9500 built as a Soviet tank. It can feel and look a bit utilitarian, but neither cheap not flimsy.
@@lucafwn tks bro !! enjoy !!
My brother had a quartz Invicta, similar to the one shown here. It looked great, and felt solid on the wrist. Unfortunately, the cheap movement gave out within a year. The bracelet is pretty good, and after some modification, I wear it on my Seiko 5 snk355.
The automatic invicta is pretty good.
Great array of options. I like the Orient except for the Logo+Name. I used to own a couple Orients but the logo just kept bugging me. If they would tone down that aspect of their offerings they'd increase their sales IMHO.
Look up the meaning of the logo, you might find it interesting! Cheers.
@@DFlemming Thanks, did long ago. Problem is that it does nothing to improve the aesthetics.
I really like your videos..they are realistic......Most people really don't have it in their budget to buy over a 500.00 watch....When you consider the cost of maintenance at what cost point would a mechanical watch become really a throw-away watch. If an Orient Bambino costs a little over 100.00 but from what I've read the cost of maintenance is way over that amount is it not a throw-away option?
Nice vid Ben. I have several of the watches you’ve shown. I love the Vostok’s! Brilliant engineering & bulletproof! In regards to the rubber straps, buy a cheap leather hole punch & knock a hole or 2 into them. The end can be trimmed quite easily. 😎👍🏼🇦🇺
One of my first automatic watches was an Invicta pro diver, in that same blue and gold colourway as from the video, but with the scalloped bezel. I still love it, it's my go-to summer beater watch.
Hello. I have a Festina Diver. Can withstand up to 200m, as a sapphire Cristal, screw down crown, it's weel built (I think) and it only costs 103€ with a discount. Festina actuality is making some good watches at affordable prices. The thing that stays behind the Depth Charge is theirs mechanical movement, the Festina as a quartz miyota movement that it's ok and reliable but not so prestigious. Thanks for the video.
Some really nice watches! Imagine a sub $200 watch with good lume, ok one can dream!
Some great choices especially Vostok.
I have 7 or 8 'modern' Orient watches--and 4 or 5 'vintage' ones, and have never been disappointed by the brand. Also, I have several Vostok watches and they are some of my fav watches, EVER. I wouldnt wear a real Submariner, but I DO wear a janky, $88 Amphibia and get comments on it almost every time I wear it....and my $130 Orient Sub 'homage' watch....lol
I DO have several high(er) end watches that I wear...and do fret about, but not the Orient or Vostok ones.
I DO want a Zenith, though....
I am glad the Ray II made the list. I love mine
Great review Ben, as always. Just ordered my second amphibia last week and also got the Duro in blue. Both great watches for the money. Seriously considering an orient after watching this. Cheers 👍
Dive watches are exactly the style I'm looking for; no I don't plan to do any diving, I just like the aesthetic!
YESSSSSSS !!!! A Vostoc gets a show
I got the Citizen Promaster Diver Super Titanium for about £190. My first bracelet and I kinda like it since it is light enough. Looks perfect though.
Ben, when Amazon covers the cost of the watches you review, do you get to keep them or must you return after review?
Pretty sure Amazon let you keep them but you're not allowed to sell them to profit off it - that used to be the terms and conditions, anyway.
I fancy a little actual diving. I have been Certified for 53 years, and I don't do it regularly, but just purchased my second dive watch!
I just found a Casio Duro, with the Gold accents on Amazon for $52.00 Canadian, along with the other 2 colors at $47.00 Can, so I think I’ll be ordering ASAP.
Love my Duro, Kamasu and Komandirskie!
Thanks for the excellent content, Ben!! More please!!
NGL, I am neither a huge fan of diver's watches or gold watches for that matter, but that Duro sure looks great!
The Casio MDV-106 has been replaced by the MDV-107, which is available globally and is completely identical, aside from having some different color options and no longer having the marlin logo on it. Still a great watch.
I've got 6&1/2" wrists, and I put my Duro on a leather Bund strap-- problem solved.
The "largeness" of the strap off-sets the "largeness" of the watch, and it looks really cool, imho
🖒😎
Do u find the vostok to be too thick for a slender wrist?
Great video, I would add the Tauchmeister 1937, I have one of the auto deep divers and I simply love it. Bomb, deep, proof and well done.
I have the duro mako 2 and the amphibians I didn’t realize you included more watches in my collection. The mako 2 is one of my all time favorites mako is my favorite watch brand easily.
As the owner of a trio of Casio Duro....the plain black looks great on a steel bracelet, it seems to downsize the watch.
Blue? Not sure, blue BluShark neoprene or blue leather....
Gold trim, thought it was good on oiled brown leather, but a black Isofrane style seems better.
Sapphire upgrade on all 3, cheers Jody.
Ben you are a gentleman, and a scholar.
Have to say that the bezel on my 'Kamasu' is rock solid Ben. Nice review!.🤙
Worth checking out the Amfibia (with a f) line from Vostok too. Those are designed and finished to a higher standard than the Amphibia line.
I recently picked up an Amfibia Scuba for £130. They're great of you can get in hold of one.
Thank you for all this valuable amount of information. Thank you for your effort. Saludos!!
Just came across a Taiwan brand called Wise. Have you ever seen one? If so whats your opinion? The watch looks very good for the price ans has very good reviews.
Great vid Ben, been waiting for something like this.
I'm surprised by the Pagani Design. Mine has amazing bezel action and no back play, the only issue with mine is the gritty crown tube and some sharp corners.
Same here with my forest green PD. Nice bracelet, nice weight but bezel has about a second of back play. When manual winding, it feels a little crunchy, wonder if it were oiled or not.
Depth Charge would be perfect with a better name and a meaningful logo. I hope some day someone will think of letting people decide themselves what’s printed on the dial.
that's why I wont buy it for now
My Invicta 31290 is AMAZING. My PD1661 has the best bezel I've ever had in a low cost watch. I have the green version and it changes colors based on lighting through shades of green.
The best of the best is the 300m SteelDive 1953 with a real Seiko NH35, mineral glass - s/s bracelet and very good build quality. Homage to Rolex obviously, screw down crown all for around 100 quid.
Brilliant Video All The Best Ben.
Got a Duro from the US for about £45. Have done all the JOMW mods on it, sapphire, solid stainless bracelet and machined clasp. It's a really great thing!
dont forget the mineral oil mod
1:08 My god your images make them look gorgeous. Even with my MDV by my side I look at yours and gasp in admiration.
I love my MDV-106. I'm very tempted to buy the golden accented one but it irks me that the crown isn't golden as well.
2:02 Very nice.
2:47 I've found that it is quite enough for regular use. I sometimes get up at 4am and I can tell the time perfectly fine.
5:23 Ooohhh.. Very nice...
10:06 Damn you're right, they look gorgeous! I'd never considered them before because stock images make them look ugly.
Great video, thank you!
I managed to find a blue wave dial Invicta Pro Diver that had a screw down crown for $50 on eBay!! I slapped a mesh strap to make it look like the poor man's Omega Seamaster 300 No Time to Die Edition
I have several Invicta’s & they are great value & sturdy!👍🏼
@@andrewd7586 It's damn good value for what you get!!
Wow, great all round review! And that Kamasu is really beautiful, but... too large for your wrist and mine too!