Fratello’s Top 5 Dive Watches Of 2025 — Featuring Omega, Doxa, Seiko, And More

Another Friday, another list! However, it’s not just any random list, as we kick off our look back at 2025 with this compilation. In this first installment of the year’s highlights, we take a look at dive watches. This has been the most popular watch category in recent times, so it is hard to pick just five out of the many watches that come out in any given year. But we have to do it, as those are the rules of these year-end lists. So let’s find out what our five favorite dive watches of 2025 are.

Before we get into our picks, it’s worth pointing out that it wasn’t a big year for dive watches. Sure, you will always find a solid number of excellent releases, but the times when dive watches were dominating the landscape seem to have subsided. Does this mean that the popularity of dive watches in general is declining? That’s a possible topic for another article. For now, let’s go over our five favorite dive watches of 2025.

Doxa Sub 250T GMT

You can always trust Doxa to deliver some dive-watch goodness every year. This year, we picked the Sub 250T GMT as our favorite release. With this new series, the brand shows that the characteristic Doxa design language lends itself perfectly to a proper GMT diver. As Mike explained in his hands-on review, this new series is not just the brand’s popular Sub 200T with an extra hand. Doxa went the extra mile to design a new case and a great series of dials for the Sub 250T GMT.

The new case has a 40mm diameter, a 42.9mm lug-to-lug, a 10.85mm thickness, and a 250m depth rating. A quick look at those numbers reveals a very nicely proportioned case that perfectly respects the classic looks that many fans of dive watches love. As we have come to know from Doxa, the brand offers a wide array of dial colors for its different series, and this time, it’s no different.

You can pick your favorite from an orange Professional, a black Sharkhunter, an ombré black Vintage Sharkhunter, a silver Searambler, a dark blue Caribbean, a yellow Divingstar, a turquoise Aquamarine, a white Whitepearl, and a green Sea Emerald version. They are all available on an FKM rubber strap or a stainless steel beads-of-rice bracelet.

Picking your favorite Sub 250T GMT

When it comes to choosing a favorite, we love the charm of the Vintage Sharkhunter, which eschews the large, skeletonized GMT hand for a slender, more traditional arrow hand. Then again, if you prefer a different color, the large open GMT hand offers a quirky but practical design since it never makes reading the main hands more difficult. Additionally, the Doxa designers incorporated a 24-hour GMT scale on the rehaut, which is executed in two colors to indicate night and day. The integration is very neat because it hardly stands out in the overall composition.

Inside the case, Doxa utilizes an unspecified Swiss caliber (likely a Sellita) with a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour and a 50-hour power reserve. The 24-hour hand is adjustable, making this a caller-style GMT.

On the wrist, the watches wear like a charm. Because they have such nice proportions, they sit comfortably on a wide variety of differently sized wrists. We were properly impressed by this new series of Doxa Sub 250T GMT watches. Each version is available for €2,550 on a rubber strap and €2,590 on the bracelet. That’s a proper good deal for a stylish GMT diver.

Tudor Pelagos Ultra

Two weeks ago, I wrote a Top 5 about our favorite current Tudor watches. It was sparked by the observation that Tudor had a fairly quiet year compared to previous years, during which the hype around new releases was palpable. That doesn’t mean Tudor didn’t release some outstanding watches in 2025, though.

The one that most impressed us was the Pelagos Ultra, which we featured in our list two weeks ago and earns a spot on this one as well. Spec-wise, the new Pelagos is the extreme version of the standard Pelagos. However, if you examine the way Tudor designed the Ultra, it feels more like a modern, updated version.

The new Pelagos Ultra has a 43mm titanium case with a 14.5mm thickness and a 52mm lug-to-lug. Considering that it’s just a millimeter wider and one-tenth of a millimeter thicker than the regular Pelagos, the doubled 1,000m depth rating is quite impressive. It ensures that this hardcore dive watch remains super wearable. Additionally, the Tudor design team created a new dial that feels crisp and modern compared to that of the regular Pelagos.

The new dial feels relevant and fresh

The matte black dial features larger hour markers, which Tudor paired with bigger hands for improved readability. The brand uses a mix of Grade X1 and BGW9 Swiss Super-LumiNova for the hands, the indexes, and the numerals and markers on the ceramic bezel insert. The green-glowing X1 compound lights up on the minute hand and bezel’s lume pip to keep track of the elapsed time during dives. The remaining hands, bezel markings, and hour indexes light up bright blue in darker conditions.

As you can see, the dial gets more depth thanks to the separation of the hour markers and the minute track. The minute markings sit atop a raised, flat ring around the dial, while the 3D lume blocks marking the hours below it look crisp and create a well-balanced overall look. Inside the case, you will find the caliber MT5612-U, which has been tested to both COSC specifications and the stricter METAS standards, ensuring great accuracy. This movement also offers a 65-hour power reserve.

Tudor offers the watch on a rubber strap and a titanium bracelet. The latter includes the signature Pelagos spring-loaded adjustable clasp. However, it now features a light blue luminous indicator to indicate the level of adjustment. It corresponds with the light blue “Pelagos” wording on the dial, adding a nice touch of color to this impressive Tudor Pelagos Ultra, which costs €6,030.

Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean 600M

Next on our list is the new Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean series. It’s one of the latest highlights of this year, and it certainly didn’t go unnoticed. There are a lot of strong opinions on the new, fourth-generation Planet Ocean, as we have read in the past 10 days since its release. If you ask us, that already demonstrates its relevance, and it’s a good reason to include it on this list.

But that is not the only reason, of course. Many members of the Fratello team love what Omega did by redesigning the new Planet Ocean and drawing inspiration from the brand’s rich archive of classics to create a modern dive watch that incorporates classic Omega style. The overall silhouette, dial, and case design remind one of the wonderful Omega Seamaster 200 “SHOM” and the brilliant Omega Seamaster 300 ref. 165.024.

The new Planet Ocean series features an angular 42mm stainless steel case with a 13.79mm profile and a 47.5mm length. The last number is especially relevant as it makes the watch look great on smaller wrists as well. Importantly, Omega ditched the helium escape valve while retaining the Planet Ocean’s 600m depth rating.

The new bracelet had people talking

Regardless of the black, blue, or orange bezel insert, the new Planet Ocean watch is offered on a new stainless steel bracelet or a black rubber strap. For the model with the orange bezel insert, a matching orange strap is also available. However, it was the new bracelet that had people talking. Omega fits the Planet Ocean with a bracelet featuring polished center links. That enhances the luxury look, of course, and makes it less of a hardcore tool watch. It’s a deliberate choice by the brand for this new Planet Ocean.

Inside the case, Omega equips the new Planet Ocean with its in-house Co-Axial caliber 8912. This METAS-certified Master Chronometer automatic movement operates at 25,200 vibrations per hour and offers a 60-hour power reserve. Overall, the new Planet Ocean feels like a step in a new direction for Omega. Whether you like it or not is, of course, highly personal. I, for one, appreciate this new design direction because I have never been fond of the previous Planet Ocean series’ designs.

However, there are plenty of people who prefer one or all of the previous generations. Regardless, the great number of comments you all posted underneath the introduction article that Nacho wrote helped prove the Planet Ocean’s relevance. The new Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean 600M is one of the most important releases of the year and can be yours for €9,100 on the bracelet or €8,500 on the rubber strap.

Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Tech BOC IV

One of my highlights in terms of dive watches was my hands-on experience with the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Tech BOC IV. I described this 100-piece limited edition as the perfect modern Blancpain Fifty Fathoms diver. It seamlessly incorporates modern cues into the classic Fifty Fathoms design. A few months after this limited edition, Blancpain released a regular Fifty Fathoms Tech that replaces the blue seconds hand with an orange one. As the 100 pieces of the BOC IV limited edition have sold out, the regular Fifty Fathoms Tech will be the one to go for.

The Fifty Fathoms Tech features a 45mm Grade 23 titanium case with a 14.1mm total thickness. The dimension may seem daunting, but it is a lugless case, so it wears much smaller than you might think. Blancpain combined the case with a matte black dial displaying solid lume-block indexes and numerals in light green. Additionally, the concave and domed ceramic bezel insert features luminous numerals and markings that light up in the dark.

This modern Fifty Fathoms is a proper step up from the majority of divers

Inside the case, Blancpain equips the Fifty Fathoms Tech with its caliber 1315A. This automatic movement operates at 28,800 vibrations per hour, and its three barrels provide a 120-hour power reserve. It is the perfect powertrain for this proper luxury dive watch. As I explained in my hands-on review, you only realize how great this watch is once you put it on your wrist. The remarkable sculpture of the case and the brilliant way the strap flows into it are truly something else. Additionally, the watch’s finishing is easily a step above that of other brands.

While I have always been a fan of the Fifty Fathoms legacy, I’ve also always found it hard to find a regular Fifty Fathoms that could live up to it. You will undoubtedly know that the brand released a smaller 38mm version of its classic diver this year, as well as a 42mm stainless steel version.

But it was this modern Tech model that perfectly displayed what the future for the Fifty Fathoms could hold. This watch seriously impressed me during the week that I had a chance to wear it. Partially, that was due to the surprise of its release. But as soon as the surprise wore off, I was genuinely taken aback by how great the Fifty Fathoms Tech feels and wears. It truly gave me the feeling that I was wearing a capable luxury dive tool, and that is exactly what I want from a Fifty Fathoms. The serial-production Tech model retails for €22,550.

Seiko Prospex Marinemaster SLA081

Our last pick is a watch that sparked much discussion when it came out. However, as time passed, the Seiko Prospex Marinemaster SLA081 became just another one of the numerous releases of 2025. Still, we chose it because this new high-end Seiko dive watch impressed every Fratello team member who had a chance to try it. The SLA081 presents itself as a big boy, boasting a 45.4 × 16mm case. But thanks to the use of lightweight titanium, it’s a lot easier to wear than you might think. It’s just one of the many details that make this a great modern version of the classic Marinemaster SBDX001, which won our Seiko World Cup in 2023.

The monobloc titanium case is water resistant to 600 meters. This case features an L-shaped gasket to prevent helium infiltration, eliminating the need for a helium escape valve while remaining suitable for saturation diving. Seiko matched the case with a dark blue gradient dial featuring a beautiful wave pattern. Additionally, the titanium bezel features a black DLC-coated stainless steel insert with white numerals.

A purposefully designed dive tool from Seiko

A remarkable detail is the black “bumpers” between the case and the bracelet. But they are there for a practical reason. These two black DLC-coated stainless steel parts keep the bezel on the case. The reason Seiko uses them is that they make servicing the watch, with its monobloc construction, a lot easier. It goes to show that Seiko properly thought out the development of this new SLA081. More proof of that comes in the form of the newly developed bracelet. It has rounder links than previous versions and features a re-engineered clasp with a dive extension and an extra fold-over lock.

Additionally, the watch features the 8L45 movement, an updated version of the previous 8L35. The Grand Seiko-based caliber increases the power reserve to 72 hours and boasts an official accuracy of +10/-5 seconds per day. But as always, those numbers are on the safe side with Seiko. The new bracelet helps balance the lightweight yet large watch on the wrist.

The SLA081 wears like a charm for such a big watch. Part of that is due to the lightweight material, but the case design also sits very nicely on my 18.5mm wrist. The new Seiko Prospex Marinemaster SLA081 perfectly illustrates why Seiko has such a rich history in dive watches. At €4,900, this 600-piece limited edition sold out quickly, demonstrating that Seiko had created another great dive tool that fans love. So do we, and that’s why we made it the fifth and final pick for our list.

Honorable mention: Panerai Luminor Marina Militare PAM05218

We also want to include one honorable mention, as we all loved it for various reasons. The recently released Panerai Luminor Marina Militare PAM05218 exemplifies why we adore classic Panerai so much. It’s a return to form, so to speak. The watch is a modern remake of the classic Panerai Luminor ref. 5218-202/A from 1993, which was created exclusively for Italian Navy personnel.

This year, the watch was reissued to accompany Panerai’s special The Depths of Time exhibition. Besides bringing back the style that we love Panerai for, the 44mm blacked-out PAM05218 also introduced some new modern updates. From the black DLC coating to the modern “non-matching” sandwich dial and hands, the watch integrates modern production standards nicely without hurting the classic charm of this time-only Panerai.

We hope to see more releases like this from the brand. If we do, they will remind us all of why we loved Panerai so much in the first place. This special edition was a great step in that direction, which is why it is our honorable mention.

Final thoughts on the five best dive watches of 2025

There you have it — our five favorite dive watches from 2025, plus an honorable mention. Our five picks are all capable dive watches that demonstrate significant development or progress for the brands. However, many more dive watches could be part of this list. That’s why we turn the question to you. What are your favorite dive watches that came out in 2025? Let us know in the comments section, and we will see you next week for our second of the year-end lists.