In 2020, I had the chance to review one of Marc & Sons’ dive watches for the first time. After wearing it for a few weeks and comparing it to my experiences with other microbrands and even some larger names, I confidently declared it one of the best dive watches for the money.
Unfortunately, that model is no longer available, but I’ve been fortunate enough to get my hands on the latest version of their classic Diver.
Without giving too much away, I can confidently say this new edition still holds its place as one of the best dive watches in its price range—if not the best in the sub-$1,000 category.
I present to you, the most recent Marc & Sons dive watches!
Pros and cons
Pros | Cons |
Great specs and quality finishing for the money | |
Double Anti-reflective on both sides of the crystal! | |
Micro Ajdustement on the strap | |
Great BGW9 lume application |
Packaging

The packaging is nothing extraordinary, but it’s far from cheap. It comes in a sturdy faux leather box that provides excellent protection for the watch.
While it’s not something I’d personally display in my room or office, that’s not a drawback.
In fact, I appreciate that they’ve focused their investment on the watch itself, which is exactly where it should go—especially in this price range.
Design

In terms of design, this is a classic dive watch with a few distinctive touches that are unmistakably true to Marc & Sons.
This is a typical dive watch design with all the classic bells and whistles. It’s got perfect balance and visual weight, outside and inside (dial side), great proportions, and striking colors. But that isn’t new, is it?
So what makes it uniquely Marc & Sons?
The case design stands out. While it resembles a classic dive watch with sporty, downward-curving lugs, the details make it unique. The oversized crown guards add visual weight to the right side, balanced by an integrated helium escape valve on the left—a subtle yet striking feature that is very much a Marc & Sons detail.

This thoughtful symmetry, reminiscent of designs like the Patek Philippe Nautilus, gives the watch a distinctive character.
I also appreciate the smaller details, even if they aren’t unique to Marc & Sons. The subtle sunburst finish with three carved rings around the hour markers adds an understated elegance to the dial.

Another highlight is the angled yellow rehaut, which injects just enough color to keep this black watch from feeling too serious. Naturally, the yellow rehaut is perfectly complemented by a matching yellow second hand—a thoughtful pairing.
One detail that stood out on closer inspection is how the minute hand extends slightly beyond the rehaut, almost touching the minute markers. This subtle but precise design ensures clarity and highlights the level of craftsmanship involved.
Design Conclusion
Marc & Sons aren’t trying to create a wild or overly unique dive watch—and they don’t need to. The balanced, thoughtful design choices ensure it stands out in its own right.
That’s not to say they can’t design an excellent watch—they absolutely can—but that’s not what initially drew me to the brand. Their real appeal lies in the exceptional value and craftsmanship they consistently offer.
Note: One brand that excels with yellow accents is Breitling, and honestly, this watch could be a great alternative to some Breitling models with yellow dials or rehauts. It delivers similar bold styling at a much more accessible price point.
Quality
It’s important to always consider the price when evaluating quality, and that’s exactly what I’ll be doing here. Value for money is a key factor in any assessment, especially with a brand like Marc & Sons.
Case & Crown


The watch is finished to a standard that matches its price range, with some lovely touches that elevate it further. Features like the beveled, polished edges along the lugs and the smooth, soft underside of the case add to its overall refinement.
The case back features the swordfish logo and bold, clearly engraved specs, which I appreciate, all set against a bead-blasted finish that adds a nice texture. However, the edges of the case back feel slightly sharper than I’d like. While this doesn’t make the watch noticeably less comfortable than others, it’s still worth mentioning as an area for improvement.

The crown is another highlight, with deep, well-executed knurling that ensures a solid grip, even with gloves. The engraved swordfish logo is relatively deep and fits nicely on the circular crown surface, adding a touch of character.
The crown’s threading is impressively smooth, with no crunchiness, and it offers a satisfying click at the end of the threads. Once unscrewed, there’s minimal wobble—expected at this price point—and screwing it back in feels equally smooth, with a slight resistance from the movement.
Bezel

The knurling on the bezel strikes a good balance—not too deep but sharp enough for a secure grip, making it easy to handle. I also appreciate the polished top and bottom edges of the bezel, which are executed beautifully and add a touch of refinement.
The ceramic inlay is another standout feature, with sharp, deeply engraved markers filled with luminous material—likely more durable than standard paint—designed to withstand water and resist tarnishing over time. Additionally, the 12 o’clock marker on the bezel is perfectly aligned with the watch’s dial, a detail that reflects excellent quality control.
The real highlight, however, is the feel of the bezel. It has minimal play and feels incredibly sturdy. It requires a bit of force to start turning, but once in motion, it delivers a satisfying, precise ratcheting click that inspires confidence in its build quality.
The sapphire crystal

Marc & Sons has nailed it with their sapphire crystal, adding anti-reflective (AR) coating to both sides—a feature seen in brands like Breitling and Omega. The result is exceptional legibility, making the crystal nearly invisible in most lighting and elevating the watch’s perceived luxury.
The trade-off? The top AR layer can scratch, visible in certain light. While this has happened with some of my older watches, the benefits far outweigh the downside, and replacing a crystal is simple. Whether you wear this for diving or daily use, the AR coating is a game-changer that truly enhances the experience.
Dial and hands

The dial is expertly crafted, featuring a subtle sunburst finish accented by four small rings that add a touch of flair.
The printing is thick and rounded, showing great detail under close inspection.
The hour markers are beautifully polished with a dual-edged, sword-like design, offering multiple surfaces for light to reflect—a thoughtful detail I truly appreciate. Under magnification, both the markers and hands reveal sharp, almost flawless finishing
(It’s a very good sign when I have to actually compare the finishing under a loop to that of my Omega Sea Master 300M).
The date window at 6 o’clock is another highlight, framed by a polished metallic aperture that adds depth and elegance, with the date perfectly centered.
Thanks to the double AR coating on the crystal, the polished details and dial elements are even more visible, enhancing the overall impression of precision and quality.
Lume


Marc and Sons excel at applying lume to their watches, typically using BGW9—my favorite. While not as bright as green C1 or Super-LumiNova, its blue hue lasts longer.
The lume is thickly applied on the hour markers, indices, and ceramic bezel inlay, giving it a textured, almost component-like look rather than just paint. There are slight lume differences on the hands, but at this price point, that’s expected—even my Omega Seamaster has similar variations.
Strap & Buckle

The metal bracelet on the Marc and Sons Classic Diver is a well-finished, three-link dive-style design with a smooth satin finish. Its rounded edges prevent hair pulling, and the breathable fit ensures comfort. There’s minimal play, and it looks and feels solid.
Extra links are secured with screws—a must at this price point, though not all micro brands agree.



The real highlight is the upgraded buckle. Marc and Sons have refined their design, introducing an intuitive micro-adjustment system.
Without removing the watch, you can slide a metal piece to open the dive extension, then click it back incrementally to your preferred length. Fully closing it requires some wiggle until you hear a satisfying click, locking it in place.
This feature enhances both usability and design, with the buckle remaining sleek and well-proportioned, perfectly balancing the watch.
Price/Quality
The Marc and Sons Classic Diver costs €840 (around $873) and offers impressive value.
It features a high-quality bracelet with a solid buckle and on-the-fly micro-adjustments, AR coating on both sides of the crystal, well-polished indices, and exceptional lume on the bezel and dial.
Despite its 500-meter water resistance, it remains remarkably thin—comparable to my Omega Seamaster but with superior depth rating.
On the wrist


The Marc and Sons Classic Diver weighs around 200 grams, with a 42.5mm diameter and a 12mm case height—impressive given its 500-meter water resistance. It wears comfortably on my 17cm wrist and suits wrists as small as 16cm without feeling oversized, unless you prefer a larger watch.
The on-the-fly micro-adjustment clasp allows for easy resizing when my wrist expands, enhancing comfort throughout the day. Its slim profile also makes it a great fit for NATO straps, even thicker ones, maintaining a well-balanced look.
Conclusion

Marc and Sons continues to deliver high-quality timepieces at a fair price, consistently improving their dive watches with each new iteration by enhancing features and craftsmanship.
The Classic Diver is an outstanding dive watch for the price, offering impressive specs, exceptional finishing, superb lume, and a well-crafted metal strap with micro-adjustments. The touch of yellow adds a sporty flair, making it a versatile everyday watch. What more could you ask for?
I highly recommend Marc & Sons and all of their watches!
Specs
Case
- Material: Stainless steel, brushed / partially polished
- Features: Screwed base and crown
- Bezel: Unidirectional rotating bezel with 120 clicks
Glass
- Material: Sapphire glass
- Coating: Anti-reflective coating on both sides
Bracelet
- Material: Solid stainless steel, screwed
- Clasp: Folding buckle with diver’s extension
- Lug width: 22.0 mm
Movement
- Type: Sellita SW200 automatic movement
- Origin: Swiss Made
- Power Reserve: Approximately 38 hours
Dial & Hands
- Dial Color: Black / Yellow
- Indexes: Applied
- Lume: Superluminova BGW9