Dive watches aren’t only for sea explorers—they’re now the default wrist accessory for anyone who appreciates tough reliability packaged in a stylish, classy shell. The basic criteria is that your dive watch should have good water resistance and be tough enough to survive harsh conditions. However, they are considered more of a tool watch than just a water-resistant piece nowadays, the perfect combination of style and substance for both professional divers as well as land-lubbers.
Two of the more popular budget dive watch models come from Invicta and Ratio, in their Pro Diver and RTF 40s, respectively. Both promise excellent performance at a great price point, so which deserves to have space on your wrist? Let’s hit the bullet and check them out.
Introduction to Affordable Freediving Watches
Two budget dive watches that deserve to be mentioned here are The Invicta Pro Diver and Ratio RTF 40s. These watches offer high-end features at a low cost and have the same taste as luxury dive watches but without the prestige prices typically attached.
The Invicta Pro Diver series gives a nod to classic models with its traditional diver design and crowd-pleasing aesthetic. These watches are for a wider audience looking to combine affordability with a little classiness.
Ratio, meanwhile, is a dive watch specialist with more contemporary designs and no qualms about dressing its watches up like pros, providing outstanding value. The Ratio RTF series delivers professional-grade dive watches designed for diving and more.
We will explore the main features of both models in our comparison to help you determine which one suits your needs, from design and build quality to movement and performance.
Invicta Pro Diver
Invicta was born in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland in 1837 and is known for its high-quality watches without a big price tag. In the 1990s, under new management, its fortunes reversed, positioning itself as an award-winning manufacturer of affordable quality watches. The Invicta Pro Diver series became a flagship line, offering traditional design cues reminiscent of luxury brands like Rolex and Orient—but at a much lower price.
Main Highlights
- 660 ft (200 meters), suitable for recreational diving.
- Rugged stainless steel cases and bracelets.
- Mineral Glass covered dial for clear view.
- Unidirectional diver’s bezel with elapsed dive-time markings.
- Luminous Hands and markers for low-light visibility.
- Featuring Seiko’s reliable NH35A movement in automatic dive watches.
Ratio RTF 40s
While Ratio may not have the heritage of a century-old brand, it’s built a reputation by focusing on what divers truly value: ruggedness, precision and affordability. The RTF 40s series continues this tradition, offering premium features without a hefty price tag.
Main Features
- Up to 200 meters, exceeding the needs of professional and recreational divers.
- Durable 316L stainless steel cases and bracelets with excellent corrosion resistance.
- Sapphire crystal with AR-coating, scratch-proof.
- Driven by the trusted Japanese NH35 automatic movement, it is known for both accuracy and durability.
Design and Build Quality
The build quality is super important when selecting a good dive and tool watch. If the quality falters, the watch won’t survive long.
Invicta Pro Diver
The Invicta Pro Diver offers good designs, combining a polished stainless steel case and bracelet with a functional unidirectional bezel that adds both utility and rugged appeal. With dial options from classic black to vibrant blues and gold cases with bracelets, there’s something for every style. One thing, though, is that many of the models in the series use mineral crystal surfaces that are notably inferior to sapphire crystal. They also use just stainless steel cases compared to the later’s tougher 316L build.
Ratio RTF 40s
Ratio’s RTF 40s leans more towards a utilitarian and contemporary aesthetic and does so successfully. The larger, clear indices and hands are luminous, ensuring visibility underwater. The sapphire crystal is a welcome upgrade, offering excellent scratch resistance. Plus, the 316L stainless steel case is extremely tough. While the design is straightforward, varied options like different dial and bezel colors allow for personal flair.
Movement and Performance
The detrimental thing about how your watch performs, besides the build quality, is the movement. Especially for automatic watches, the movement used can go a long way for your watch.
Invicta Pro Diver
Opting for the Invicta Pro Diver automatic? Great choice! You’ll get the dependable Seiko NH35A movement tucked inside. With a 40-hour power reserve, plus hacking and hand-winding features, it’s got the goodies that watch enthusiasts geek out over.
And let’s talk about its diving prowess. With 200 meters of water resistance and a screw-down crown, this watch is ready to be your underwater sidekick on any adventure you plan.
Ratio RTF 40s
Looking at the Ratio RTF 40s? It packs the trusty Japanese NH35 automatic movement, ensuring you get reliable and accurate performance. Its 24-jewel design means less friction and more durability—always a plus!
But here’s where it gets exciting: it’s rated and pressure-tested for up to 200 meters of water resistance. Yep, you read that right. This watch is geared for serious diving. And if you’re venturing into professional depths, certain other Ratio freediver models come equipped with a helium escape valve and up to 1000m water reistance to handle those intense underwater pressures.
Price
Now that we know the build quality, design, and movement of both watches, we can ascertain that there’s not much difference between them. So, what’s going to be the deciding factor for you? The price of course!
Invicta Pro Diver
Priced between $70 and $300, the Pro Diver is a steal considering its features and build quality. If you’re after a stylish dive watch that won’t empty your wallet, this could be your perfect match.
Ratio RTF 40s
With a price range of $60 to $150, the RTF 40s are much lighter on the price scale for the features they give out. Think about what you’re getting—a sapphire crystal for added durability and 316L stainless steel full-build. For those who need a more rugged timepiece know that you don’t need the extra investment to get your hands on the best.
Pros and Cons
Let’s evaluate more of the pros and cons of both watches before we give out our final verdict!
Pros
- Affordability: Let’s be honest, getting a highly featured dive watch without breaking the budget is a win. Both Invicta and Ratio offer excellent value for the price.
- Design Appeal: If classic dive watch aesthetics make your heart race, you’re in good company. Both models boast timeless designs that resonate with enthusiasts.
- Durability: Made from stainless steel and featuring reliable water resistance, these watches are ready for both underwater adventures and daily wear. Although, where the RTF uses 316L stainless steel, the Pro diver uses just stainless steel casing.
- Movement Variety: Invicta gives you the option between automatic and quartz movements, catering to different preferences. Similarly, Ratio focuses on solid automatic movements and quartz movements as well, so you can trust both for their reliability.
Cons
- Design Originality: Invicta’s Pro Diver has been criticized for closely resembling luxury designs, which may not appeal to everyone. Ratio’s designs are practical but could be seen as conventional.
- Quality Control: Some users have pointed out inconsistencies with Invicta’s quality control, which could affect long-term ownership. It may be the result of using just stainless steel case and mineral glass surface.
- Resale Value: Neither brand is likely to command high resale prices compared to luxury names.
Comparing the Two
Both the Invicta Pro Diver and Ratio RTF 40s provide great features and value without straining your wallet. If you ask us, we lean towards more contemporary options. So, Ratio RTF is better than the Pro Diver models. Plus, the Ratio RTF 40 is also built sturdier with 316L stainless steel and scratch resistant sapphire crystal as opposed to just the stainess steel case and miner glass used by the Pro Diver models.
According to user reviews, the brand is getting quite popular for offering professional-grade specs. They may tip the scales with its sapphire crystal, pressure-tested water resistance and rugged durability. Fans also appreciate Ratio’s diverse color options and comfortable fit, giving it an edge in style and wearability.
Ratio is offering more pieces catering to adventure enthusiasts. One of their rapidly popularising series is the Ratio Quest, a field watch lineup. We’ve closely compared and evaluated it with its close competitor, the Timex Expedition. Read more about it here.
FAQ
Yes, many Invicta watches feature scratch-resistant materials like mineral crystal. This provides reasonable scratch resistance for everyday use, though not as much as full sapphire crystals.
A dive watch should have at least 100 meters of water resistance, a unidirectional rotating bezel to track dive time, and luminous hands and markers for visibility underwater. It should also meet ISO 6425 standards for durability, shock resistance, and legibility.
Absolutely! The Ratio Freediver Watch isn’t just for diving—its durable construction and classic design make it perfect for daily wear. It’s a practical and stylish choice for any occasion, whether you’re underwater or on dry land.
