Venturing Deep with Timex: A New Era of Affordable Dive Watches kicks off with the Deepwater Meridian 200

There’s a new contender making waves in the market for affordable dive watches - the Timex Deepwater Meridian 200. Launched in 2024, the Meridian 200 is a part of the ‘Deepwater’ collection, a purpose-built selection from the quintessential American brand, which boasts of robust cases and a remarkable 200-meter depth rating. Fashioned from durable stainless steel and equipped with an anti-reflective sapphire crystal, the Meridian diver offers a much more substantial creation than we normally expect from entry-level timepieces. Despite its impressive specs, the price of the Deepwater Meridian 200 is thrifty, significantly lower than a standard MoonSwatch. Although there are cheaper options like the practical Casio MDV106 for those on a shoestring budget, the significant leap in quality with the Deepwater Meridian is palpable, especially for aficionados familiar with pricier watches. Interestingly, brands such as Seiko and Citizen, traditionally known for catering to the affordable watch market, have shifted their focus towards a more enthusiast-oriented audience, thus increasing the entry-price for their divers. The Deepwater Meridian 200 comes in three unique colorways, striking just the right chord between practicality and individualistic charm. From the classic stainless steel models to the unique gunmetal PVD finish version with the vibrantly contrasting yellow rubber strap, there’s a Deepwater Meridian for every taste. On the technical front, the Meridian flaunts a unidirectional timing bezel with a snappy 120-click rotation - a step-up compared to usual budget divers. Ensuring its 200-meter rating is a solid screw-down caseback and precision-crafted screw-down crown, further enhancing its quality perception. All these elements come together to create a dive watch that redefines expectations in the budget segment, intertwining high-class materials, superior craftsmanship, and a much-appreciated respect for realistic pricing.