The obvious diving watch might be something rubber strapped and battery powered. Instead, why not go old school automatic with a steel bracelet? It will pick up knocks and scratches
as it goes, but this tool watch will take them in its stride. 41mm case,
£279; citizenwatch.co.uk
As well as a bronze case that will grow old gracefully, this watch has the unusual feature of a date hand rather than a window. Also has the celebrated Oris big crown, designed so that Biggles-era pilots could operate the watch while wearing gloves. 40mm case, water resistant to 50m.
£2,050; oris.ch
Sitting right at the top of Tissot’s price range, this is still a bit of a bargain for a watch with an 18k gold case. It has a champagne dial, comes on a leather strap and is powered
by a Swiss quartz movement. The 38mm case is water resistant to 30m.
£3,200; tissotwatches.com
The perfect example of a tool that became a trophy, the Radiomir was first made in the 1930s as a no nonsense combat diving watch. Now Panerai is a very fancy brand seen more at the poolside than in deep water. This model has a 45mm blasted steel case and a dial that fades towards the centre.
£6,100; panerai.com