Summer Reflections: The Best Dive Watches of 2025 (So Far)
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Summer Reflections: The Best Dive Watches of 2025 (So Far)

In 2025, three iconic dive watches returned, merging heritage with innovation to redefine underwater performance and modern design.

By Sébastien Aeberli
Design, Content & Social Media

So far in 2025, we’ve seen Girard-Perregaux reinvent its iconic 1969 Deep Diver with the sleek titanium Legacy Edition by Bamford, combining vintage charm with modern durability; Ulysse Nardin push boundaries with the ultralight Diver [AIR], crafted from recycled aerospace materials and weighing just 52 grams; and Zenith embrace its inner goth with stealthy Shadow Editions of its DEFY Extreme and Revival Diver, blending bold design and cutting-edge performance.

Together, these three dive watches fuse heritage, innovation, and advanced materials to redefine underwater excellence and contemporary style.

Diving Into Horological History: The Girard-Perregaux Deep Diver

Dive into the perfect fusion of Swiss heritage and edgy British styling as Girard-Perregaux and Bamford Watch Department reunite to breathe new life into a deep-sea icon, resurrecting the legendary 1969 Deep Diver.

This latest collaboration infuses the 2025 Deep Diver with retro-futuristic aesthetics and cutting-edge craftsmanship. So, what started as a historic tool watch now returns as a bold statement piece, proof that great design can bridge decades.
 

Of course, the Deep Diver isn’t their first creative rendezvous. From the sleek, all-white Laureato Ghost to the audacious, forged carbon Casquette, Girard-Perregaux and Bamford have a history of turning watchmaking into a playground for innovation.

However, with each limited edition, the duo has defied expectations and challenged tradition, reviving vintage gems through modern lenses – and the Deep Diver may just be the duo’s most daring reimagination yet.
 

Featuring a striking orange dial, luminous retro numerals, and a cushion-shaped titanium case, the 2025 Deep Diver blends old-school charisma with new-school performance. Add Bamford’s signature flair, quick-swap straps, and a limited run of just 350 pieces, and you’ve got the ultimate collector’s temptation.

The 2025 Deep Diver is more than a revival – it’s a time-traveling collaboration you won’t want to miss.
 

Curious to dive deeper into this unique creation? Read our full article to uncover every detail behind the revival of this legend.

Breaking the Boundaries of Possibility: The Ulysse Nardin Diver [AIR]

What happens when Swiss watchmaking meets cutting-edge engineering and a commitment to sustainability? You get the Diver [AIR] from Ulysse Nardin – a bold new timepiece that redefines what it means to go light without compromise.

Touted as the world’s lightest mechanical dive watch at just 52 grams, the Diver [AIR] blends technical mastery with elemental freedom, floating between sea and sky in style. However, this piece is more than just its feather-like weight; the Diver [AIR] is a showcase of innovation.
 

Powered by the all-new UN-374 calibre, with skeletonized titanium components and a movement that’s 80% air, it offers a 90-hour power reserve, has survived brutal shock tests, and boasts a serious 200m water resistance rating. Combined with an eco-forward modular case made from recycled titanium and ocean-recovered materials, it’s clear: this isn’t your average diver – it’s a revolution in wearability.
 

Whether you’re plunging into the ocean or jumping out of a plane (as one of our colleagues did), the Diver [AIR] proves that lightness and strength can go hand in hand. Finished with interchangeable ultra-light straps in vivid colors, this $38,000 marvel is a bold statement for adventurers and collectors alike.
 

Are you daring enough to see how Ulysse Nardin is pushing the boundaries of design and durability? Dive into our full story now.

Explore the Depths of Innovation with Zenith’s Shadow Divers

In June, Zenith made a splash with two bold new additions to its DEFY line that push the boundaries of dive watch design, featuring shadowy titanium cases, vibrant color accents, and standout functionality. Meant to turn heads on land as well, the DEFY Extreme Diver and DEFY Revival Diver are a striking duo that marries the brand’s heritage with modern innovation.
 

The DEFY Extreme Diver is a true professional-grade tool with 600 meters of water resistance, a helium escape valve, and the iconic El Primero movement now cloaked in black. Even more intriguing is that this piece has an exhibition caseback, something that is very rarely seen on serious divers like this.
 

Meanwhile, the DEFY Revival Diver channels the spirit of Zenith’s 1969 original, complete with retro case proportions (37mm diameter and 15.5mm thickness), yellow sapphire bezel accents, and the elegant Elite 670 automatic calibre, combining all these elements into a sleek, compact package that still boasts deep-sea credentials.
 

From vintage homage to ultra-modern adventure, the DEFY Revival Diver release proves that Zenith is unafraid to mix legacy with daring design choices. Think rugged meets refined, tradition meets tech, and both watches hit the sweet spot.

Intrigued by Zenith’s DEFY Shadow editions? Discover how they honor the past while redefining modern dive watch performance in our full article.

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