When most smartwatches promise water resistance, they usually mean swimming pools and shallow snorkelling. The new HUAWEI WATCH Ultimate 2 takes things far deeper, positioning itself as a serious option for divers who want more than a fitness tracker that happens to survive a splash. Built with a zirconium-based liquid metal case, a nano-ceramic bezel, and sapphire glass, it is engineered to withstand pressure, impact, scratches, and corrosion – the kind of punishment only the sea can deliver.
Diving Features Built for Real Conditions
What makes the Ultimate 2 stand out is its dive pedigree. Rated to 150 metres and certified to EN 13319, the recognised standard for dive equipment, it provides divers with reliable depth and safety data. The watch tracks critical metrics like depth, speed of ascent, no-decompression limits, and even partial pressure of oxygen, issuing reminders when divers ascend too quickly. These aren’t afterthoughts – they’re functions designed to keep divers aware and in control.
Perhaps its most innovative feature is sonar-based communication. Divers can send messages and SOS alerts to others within 30 metres, and with relays through nearby divers, that range can stretch to around 60 metres. It’s a development that could add a new layer of safety to buddy diving, particularly in low-visibility conditions. The 1.5-inch LTPO display, with a peak brightness of 3,500 nits, also ensures that all this information remains legible even in murky water or strong sunlight.
How It Stacks Up Against Other Dive-Ready Smartwatches
Of course, the Huawei is not the only smartwatch making waves beneath the surface. Garmin’s Descent Mk3 series remains the heavyweight in the dive computer category. With a 200-metre rating, support for multiple gas mixes including nitrox and trimix, and compatibility with closed-circuit rebreathers, the Garmin still sets the bar for technical and professional divers. It is, however, a bulkier and more complex tool, often requiring additional accessories to unlock its full potential.
Apple has also dipped into the dive space with the Apple Watch Ultra, which supports recreational scuba diving up to 40 metres in partnership with Huish Outdoors’ Oceanic+ app. While it makes dive data easily accessible and brings Apple’s polished interface into the water, it lacks the deeper ratings and robust materials of Huawei’s model. In contrast, the Ultimate 2’s 150-metre certification and dedicated dive functions give it a stronger claim as a purpose-built dive watch rather than a surface smartwatch with an underwater app.
Other fitness-oriented watches may advertise water resistance or shallow dive modes, but most fall short when it comes to safety alerts, decompression algorithms, or materials that can stand up to repeated compression and saltwater exposure. This is where the Ultimate 2 closes the gap between traditional dive computers and modern smartwatches.
Where It Fits for Divers
For recreational divers who spend most of their time within 30 to 40 metres, the Huawei WATCH Ultimate 2 offers more than enough. Its communication features could prove invaluable in buddy systems, while the depth rating gives ample safety margin. For divers who are moving into technical realms or need advanced gas and CCR support, the Garmin Descent series still has the edge.
What makes the Huawei compelling is how it blends serious diving functions with everyday smartwatch capabilities: multi-band GPS, eSIM calling, health monitoring, and rugged materials that look as good on land as they perform under water. In short, it isn’t just another waterproof gadget; it is a genuine attempt to merge dive computer reliability with smartwatch versatility.
The Verdict
The HUAWEI WATCH Ultimate 2 is one of the few smartwatches that can credibly claim to be a diver’s companion, not just a swimmer’s. While it may not replace a high-end technical dive computer, for the majority of recreational divers it delivers the balance of safety, communication, and durability that makes it worth serious consideration.
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