Name a better dive watch under $3,000...

[bluemartinifan]

This is my 14060 (A). Circa 1999. I love it for all the traits and qualities we have often discussed.
I am always looking to add a diver and always compare the price, value, appeal, and resale against this one.

I challenge all my friends here - name a better dive watch - any brand for $3,000 or less.
Russ

[Mockingbird]

Hmmm I'm extremely hard pressed there, and would have to resort to the usual two: The PO and the SMP (Omegas)

I personally prefer the sub to them, and think that the design is better; but some Omega expert could come in and start making a case!

The 14060 (Non COSC) is a masterpiece though: Lug holes, uncluttered dial, normal dial and hands, timeless case, and 300m water resistance. What's there not to love?

The 14060 is truly king, even in the below 5k diver category!

[Sub'erman]

Originally Posted by bluemartinifan

This is my 14060 (A). Circa 1999. I love it for all the traits and qualities we have often discussed.
I am always looking to add a diver and always compare the price, value, appeal, and resale against this one.

I challenge all my friends here - name a better dive watch - any brand for $3,000 or less.
Russ

often imitated!! Never equalized!!!!
It's like that!!

[kyle L]

The Seamasters, Planet Oceans, or maybe a Breitling Superocean would be the biggest competition.

[warrior]

you asked, right? : )

what's your criteria? resale? rolex will win. if you're looking at history and being one of the first automatic dive watches as well as having an inhouse movement, then the nd sub will win many a contest.

if you're looking at legibility, lume, depth rating, bracelet quality, and timekeeping, there are many watches that are equal if not better. just go to the dive watch forum on WUS, and there will be many brands/watches (most people here have never heard of) that are superior to the sub. UTS is one example.

but, if you want a big higher end name, then the Omega Planet Ocean. After having owned the Sub No Date, I think the Planet Ocean is superior on many levels.

[Hooper]

Originally Posted by bluemartinifan

This is my 14060 (A). Circa 1999. I love it for all the traits and qualities we have often discussed.
I am always looking to add a diver and always compare the price, value, appeal, and resale against this one.

I challenge all my friends here - name a better dive watch - any brand for $3,000 or less.
Russ

Can't do it

[kyle L]

Hey, what about Invicta?

[springbar]

Originally Posted by Sub'erman

Never equalized!!!!

Yes, for that it'd need an HEV. Har har.

[ParisDakarBmw]

Korsbek makes a beefy watch. I didn't like how it felt on my wrist, but heavy duty.

[SLA]

Seiko Divers Automatic 200m is a very nice watch, around $250, several configurations. I don't know your criteria for "better" so it may not be what you are looking for. I don't consider it better than your Rolex but it's a good daily wearer.

[dont_getit]

Since there are quite a few Rado fans out here, I think this might just win. Rado divers watch, 1 customer review 5*

http://www.amazon.com/Rado-Original-.../dp/B000Y01RUS

Product Description
Stainless steel case and bracelet. Black dial with luminous green accents and indexes. Hard metal bezel. Sapphire crystal. 2 screw-down crowns with crown protection. Screw-down steel case back with Rado's stamped 'Seahorses' medallion. Turning diving bezel. Case size: 38.6mm x 46.2mm. Automatic movement. Water resistant at 300 meters (1000 feet). Rado Original Diver Mens Watch R12639013

Originally Posted by bluemartinifan

This is my 14060 (A). Circa 1999. I love it for all the traits and qualities we have often discussed.
I am always looking to add a diver and always compare the price, value, appeal, and resale against this one.

I challenge all my friends here - name a better dive watch - any brand for $3,000 or less.
Russ

[newmedia]

DOXA, SEIKO MM300, UTS, and bigger size watches and dirt cheap brands from wilsonwatchworks, DWATCH, helson and so on...

as you can tell, Rolex is most recognized watch out their but their are many others that gets the job done for lesser money.

[smallcandle]

Originally Posted by kyle L

Hey, what about Invicta?

You poke fun, but IF (and that can be a big if) you can get a well-made Invicta they can be pretty hard to beat for the $.

[greekbum]

Originally Posted by bluemartinifan

I challenge all my friends here - name a better dive watch - any brand for $3,000 or less.
Russ

Here is the answer to your question..http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=127588
I own several Subs and love them all. But I must say I am really loving my new Sinn. Is it a better Dive watch you be the judge.For the money (under $1500) Its a great Dive watch

[Mike B]

I would say an Omega SMP, or definitely a PO, is just as good as a Sub. But lets not start the whole Omega vs. Rolex again lol

[rolexsubdate]

THe way your question is worded, you will get hammered by tons of models from tons of companies ....

Seiko would rip Rolex to shreds, pound for pound .... Seiko is the best value for the $$ ... what your 14060M can do, so can some Seiko divers under $300....

Rolex is a brand name my friend.....quality yes but a brand name .... Apart from the SD and the DSSD, most other company divers would clobber Rolex divers...

Invicta is another one ....

[ParisDakarBmw]

I actually enjoy every brand mentioned. Of course Rolex makes a great watch, but there are plenty of other watches that handle business too.

[Strut99GT]

You asked, so here's my opinion!

The Omega SMP is a far better watch for the money, since that's how you are framing this question. I got my SMP brand-new for about $1500, which is half of the number you stated. It has better lume, has a date, and keeps better time (COSC spec'd).

I may be a Rolex owner, but I also think the SMP is one of the best bang-for-the buck watches of all time.

[bluemartinifan]

Well done everyone - let me tighten my original post question up.
Re Seikos, Invictas, Rados, Sinns, Omegas, etc.

Do you TRULY look at any of these 25 times a day without needing to know the time?
Do any of those give you that "feeling" that your Rolex does?
Do you spend many hours a week on the Seiko, Invicta, Sinn, etc forum?

Here is my biggest differentiator - have you ever sold a Rolex so you could buy one of those???
keep em coming

[rolexsubdate]

Originally Posted by bluemartinifan

.....Do you TRULY look at any of these 25 times a day without needing to know the time?
Do any of those give you that "feeling" that your Rolex does?
Do you spend many hours a week on the Seiko, Invicta, Sinn, etc forum?
.....:

The answers to your questions is NO .... Rolex gives us that special feeling that's why be buy them ... but your original question was "name a better watch" and that's a subjective question ....

Just like a Honda accord will go anywhere a Ferrari will go, the accord does not have that WOW factor and it does not elicit that response frrom onlookers or buyers .... so same goes with the way your question was worded.... what we are paying for is intrinsic value when we buy the Rolex ... we're not buying the watch, instead buying how the watch makes us feel...

But an ordinary seiko diver will do just as well as a submariner technically....

Apart from the DEEP SEA, I believe the invictas and seikos and other low end brands will embarass most Rolex divers when it comes to underwater performance and even out of water, daily performance.....or do just as good ....and they do ....

[Z_Z]

The Tag Heuer Aquaracer auto (WAB2011.BA0803) has recently become my favourite.

It offers far better quality than the boutique divers, has a relatively slim case, feels lighter on the wrist than the Omega and Rolex divers and is beautifully understated to look at; best of all it can be had for under $1000.

[Watchdog]

Quite a few but none are as perfect as the Rolex when the intangibles are considered!

[dean mack]

oris divers.

[457689]

Seiko Marinemaster SBDX001.

[Fearsome Puppy]

Originally Posted by 457689

Seiko Marinemaster SBDX001.

+1
saw one in hong kong last week, very nce watch.

[hhh007]

One thing all the Seiko and 'other' people overlook when making comparisons and probably THE most important factor in any diving watch..... and it's not lume, it's not COSC time keeping specs, it's not depth rating, weight, styling or comfort.


It's one of the hallmarks that Rolex attained it's reputation from, can anyone guess?

[Gerardus]

I am not a big Tissot fan.
But the Tissot seastar gives for a little money good value.
My 2 cents...

[padi56]

There are many divers watches out on the market for less than $3000 that will give far more diving information than a simple time laspe bezel.Like one of my favourites Citizen Aqualand 11,but I would doubt today if 90% of all diver type watches, ever see water other than a quick dip in pool or shower.

[BASSETHOUNDS]

Peter is absolutely right . I have a 400 usd Suunto dive computer that gives me much more info . Then again I rather walk around with my SDDS in the street then that bulky plastic computer .

[htc8p]

all the brands mentioned are great but Omega PO is the "handsomest"

and seiko is the most usable