With the theme "Enjoy a diver's watch for everyday use around town!", we will feature stylish land divers. While following the lineage of high-performance diver's watches, there are now a wide variety of models with cases made of gold, bronze, or ceramic, models with dials in refreshing colors, and models with improved functionality such as a GMT display, so you're sure to find one that suits your outfit and the occasion.
Text by Shinichi Sato
[Article published on January 5, 2026]
Special feature on "land divers"
This time, we'll be focusing on diver's watches designed for everyday use around town. Historically, diver's watches have been designed with diving in mind, but their sporty styling has made them popular and they've become a staple for everyday use around town. Rather than viewing them negatively as something that's only used on land, we'll take a positive look at diver's watches as "land divers" who enjoy the style of diver's watches and the designs derived from them for everyday use around town, and delve deeper into the appeal of these stylish models that adorn the wrist.
Omega Seamaster Diver 300M Bronze Gold & Burgundy Ref. 210.90.42.20.01.003
Automatic movement (Cal. 8806). 35 jewels. 25,200 vph. Power reserve approximately 55 hours. Bronze gold case (diameter 42mm, thickness 13.8mm). Water resistant to 30 bar. Price: 4,444,000 yen (tax included). (Inquiries) Omega Tel. 0570-000087.
The Omega Seamaster Diver 300M is a highly regarded tool watch with a high level of refinement, and is one of the most iconic diver's watches. Among these, we will be picking out the particularly chic Seamaster Diver 300M Bronze Gold & Burgundy.
The case is made of Omega's exclusive bronze gold, which allows you to enjoy the warm pink bronze color and the brilliance of gold. Its excellent corrosion resistance means it doesn't develop patina due to oxidation. Furthermore, this model is paired with a bronze gold mesh bracelet, giving it a more classic and elegant look, a charm not found in other models.
The dial is black with gold-colored hands and vintage Super-LumiNova that resembles a burnt color, creating a vintage and chic impression. The bezel ring is made of burgundy oxalic acid anodized aluminum, adding a touch of color to the gold-colored watch.
The automatic Cal. 8806 movement is a METAS (Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology) Master Chronometer certified movement, offering extremely high levels of magnetic resistance and precision, making it ideal for everyday use around town.
Bell & Ross "BR-03 DIVER" Ref.BR0392-D-WH-BR/SCA
Automatic movement (Cal. BR-CAL. 302). 28,800 vph. Power reserve approximately 54 hours. Bronze case (42mm wide). Water resistant to 300m. Limited to 999 pieces worldwide. Price: 693,000 yen (tax included). For inquiries, please contact the Bell & Ross Ginza Boutique at 03-6264-3989.
Next up is another attractive bronze watch: the Bell & Ross BR-03 DIVER. Bell & Ross' iconic square-shaped model is inspired by the instruments in an aircraft cockpit, and the BR-03 continues that tradition.
The 42mm square case is striking, and the wide calf leather strap, tapered towards the buckle, enhances the volume of the case. The case is made of bronze, which is 92% copper and 8% tin. Bronze is strong and easy to mold. For this reason, it has a history of being used in ships and diving equipment, and the bronze case of this watch can be said to incorporate this history.
The pearl white dial complements the soft bronze tone. The brown bezel insert, paired with a matching calf leather strap, creates a chic, subdued look. Its warm color palette makes it a watch that pairs well with summer outfits reminiscent of divers' watches, as well as winter wear.
Tudor Black Bay 54 "Lagoon Blue" Ref. M79000-0001
Automatic movement (Cal. MT5400). 27 jewels. Power reserve approximately 70 hours. Stainless steel case (37mm diameter). Water resistant to 200m. Price: 66 yen (tax included). For inquiries, please contact Rolex Japan/Tudor at 0120-929-570.
The previous two watches had a chic feel, so let's introduce a refreshing and pop model. The model we're featuring is the Tudor Black Bay 54 "Lagoon Blue." This model features a small 37mm case and a pale turquoise dial reminiscent of the summer sea.
In contrast to the stoic impression seen in the traditional Black Bay series, this model has a more casual and relaxed look. The dial surface also features a sand-textured finish reminiscent of the finely rippling surface of water. When light hits it, random reflections occur, creating a unique look, while also highlighting the hands and indexes for improved legibility.
The bezel is combined with a polished stainless steel insert. As a full-fledged diver's watch, the reduced visibility can be a concern, but as a land diver for everyday use, it matches the refreshing and pop taste of this model, adding a dressier touch that is different from previous models.
Another distinctive feature is the use of a five-link bracelet. Five-link bracelets are more commonly found in dress watches and pilot watches than in diver watches, which also shows that this model is designed for everyday use. The contrast between the satin and polished finishes on the bracelet, combined with the rounded shape of the links, creates a design that is perfect for casual city wear.
Swatch Bioceramic Scuba Fifty Fathoms Indian Ocean Ref. SO35I100
Automatic movement (SISTEM 51). Power reserve: approximately 90 hours. Bioceramics (diameter 42.3mm, thickness 14.4mm). Water resistant to 91m. Price: 61,600 yen (tax included). For inquiries, please contact Swatch Group Japan at 0570-004-007.
Next up is the Bioceramic Scuba Fifty Fathoms Indian Ocean, a collaboration between Swatch and Blancpain. This series is based on the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms, which has a lineage dating back to the origins of modern diver's watches, and features a colorful redesign by Swatch with a special bioceramic case.
Bioceramic is a bio-derived material made from two-thirds ceramic and one-third castor oil, patented by Swatch. Because it is a ceramic material, it must be molded using a mold. The appeal of this watch is that it achieves the distinctive rounded case shape of the Fifty Fathoms, which would be costly to carve out, at an affordable price that is typical of Swatch. The "Swatch" logo engraved on the side of the case is a homage to the Fifty Fathoms.
The featured model is a green model with an Indian Ocean motif. The case, crown, and fabric strap buckle are also green, and the dial is a green and black gradient, creating a color coordination. The second hand is orange, and an orange line runs down the center of the fabric strap as an accent color. The case back is digitally printed with an illustration of the Indian Ocean and a red-spotted sea slug.
It is equipped with the automatic Cal. SISTEM 51 movement and has a highly practical power reserve of approximately 90 hours. It is a watch that mechanical watch fans will be very satisfied with as a watch to wear when they want to change things up, and it is also a perfect choice for users with no experience of owning a mechanical watch to easily learn how to use a watch.
TAG Heuer "TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 300 GMT" Ref. WBP5115.BA0013
Automatic winding (Cal. TH31-03 COSC). 28,800 vph. Power reserve approximately 80 hours. Stainless steel case (diameter 42mm, thickness 13.1mm). Water resistant to 300m. 698,500 yen (tax included). (Inquiries) LVMH Watch & Jewelry Japan TAG Heuer Tel. 03-5635-7054.
Our next pick is another vibrant green watch: the TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 300 GMT. TAG Heuer, known for its many sporty models, is especially known and popular for its motorsports models, and the Aquaracer Professional 300 is also a highly refined and attractive model.
The model featured here is based on the design of the Aquaracer Professional 300, but adds a GMT hand and replaces it with a 24-hour bezel. The green dial features the wavy texture common to the collection, with varying shades of green along the texture, creating a rich expression. The ceramic bezel insert is two-tone, with different colors for day and night. The glossy finish unique to ceramic and its excellent color reproduction are its attractions. The dodecagonal bezel is an icon of the Aquaracer collection, and serves as an accent that makes it stand out.
The GMT hand can be set to UTC as is the theory, or it can be set to the local 24-hour time. It is also recommended to set it to the local time of the overseas base with which you have frequent communications. This function is useful not only for users who frequently travel across time zones, but also for business situations.
The case diameter is 42mm and the thickness is 13.1mm. In my opinion, the bezel and case are well-defined, and the thin design from the case to the lugs makes this watch feel thinner than its numerical value suggests. The short lugs also make it comfortable to wear. These effects give this watch a sleek look, making it ideal for everyday wear, often paired with long sleeves.
