I've recently gotten back into watches as a hobby and the Steeldive 1953 was one of my first purchases. Of the half-dozen-ish watches I've picked up so far (including an Orient Bambino, a Casio, a couple of Invicta Pro Divers, and a Baltany) the Steeldive has been the one I always come back to. The first "daily" of my burgeoning collection. The materials used/specs are just so good compared to the others and I like the reassuring weight. A lot of the fit and finish just feels really nice to my untrained eye/wrist. That being said, you can definitely see your money is spread thin in some areas. The bracelet and clasp in particular are a bit rough and I need to be really careful putting the watch on lest I lose a chunk of my arm. Overall, I really like it though and am actively looking at what else I could snag from their catalogue.

Haven't seen this mentioned, but maybe because it's obvious. 

The Orient Kamasu is a sub $300 diver with sapphire crystal. 

Feel like I'm shilling for them now since this is my second comment about that in the last two days haha. 
 

Those all look like great options. If you're open to an SRPD, what about an Orient Kamasu as an alternative Japanese diver? 

Sapphire crystal!

No prob! That's what I saw it ID'd as elsewhere and looking at examples of the Brakeman on Google Images, it seems to match up. 

Now if I could just track one of those puppies down 😂

I'm into Charlie's Shinola Brakeman, feel like it matches his style well. 

Pretty sure he has it in both silver and gold-tone so he must like it too haha.