The earliest dive watches, like the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms (1953) and the Rolex Submariner (1954), were instrumental tools for professional divers. These groundbreaking timepieces established the key features we associate with dive watches today: a robust case, a unidirectional rotating bezel for timing dives, high water resistance, and luminous markings for underwater visibility. In their initial iterations, these watches were often around the 36mm to 38mm range, sizes considered standard for men's watches at the time.

As diving technology evolved and the watch industry shifted towards larger, more visually impactful designs, dive watches followed suit. The demand for increased visibility underwater, coupled with changing aesthetic preferences, led to larger case sizes, often exceeding 40mm and even 44mm. While these larger watches offer a bolder presence on the wrist, they can feel cumbersome for some, especially those with smaller wrists or those who prefer a more understated style.

The resurgence of the 36mm dive watch represents a return to the roots of dive watch design, offering a blend of vintage charm and modern functionality.