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There are many types of watches available in the watchmaking industry. Sports watches are one that showcases the appeal of having a rugged and bold timepiece on the wrist. So, what is a sports watch?
As the name suggests, sports watches are designed to accompany someone doing their sports or outdoor activities. This watch has been around since the early 20th when wristwatches gained more popularity.
The name of sports watches is quite self-explanatory. It refers to timepieces with a sporty design with bold, reliable, and robust build. In terms of dimensions, sports watches are dominated by large timepieces at mostly 40mm in diameter and above. That further makes a bold presence on the wrists.
They mostly come with features, like a chronograph, tachymeter bezel, alarm, compass, and tide indicator (for divers). But, when it comes to water resistance, most sports watches have an adequate number of at least 100m.
Characterized by durability, accuracy, and often a distinctive design, these watches cater to individuals engaged in sports, outdoor activities, and adventures. That said, mechanical sports watches are prized for their craftsmanship, reliability, and ability to withstand the rigors of demanding environments.
Since the inception of the Jaeger LeCoultre Reverso, considered the world's first sports watch, the horological industry embarked on a quest to create timepieces suitable for more active lifestyles.
During the early 20th century, the primary concern was waterproofing, a challenge successfully addressed by Rolex and its contemporaries with the introduction of the Rolex Oyster in the late 1920s.
That breakthrough revolutionized the durability and water resistance of watches, laying a foundation for the sports watch evolution. As time progressed, the focus shifted to enhancing shock absorption, a critical requirement for timepieces intended for active use.
Numerous innovations emerged, each offering unique solutions to mitigate the impact of shocks, further propelling the evolution of sports watches. These developments set the stage for the technological advancements and resilient designs we now associate with contemporary sports watches.
In the latter half of the 20th century, the development of sports watches surged, driven primarily by the needs of divers. Dive watches became a prominent category, featuring enhanced water resistance and specialized features catering to underwater activities.
Simultaneously, the world witnessed the rise of sports watches inspired by motor racing, boasting chronographs and sleek designs. Additionally, watches tailored for mountaineering and polar exploration gained traction, demonstrating the versatility and adaptability of sports watches across various adventurous pursuits.
The features integrated into sports watches to meet the demands of diving, racing, mountaineering, and polar exploration have greatly influenced the designs and functionalities of modern sports watches. These timepieces have transcended their original purposes and have become highly sought-after by watch enthusiasts.
Today, sports watches encompass a host of features such as water resistance, shock resistance, luminous markers, rotating bezels, chronograph functionality, and durability, all of which appeal to a wide spectrum of consumers.
Below are the explanations of some common features that you will find in sports watches.
Sports watches are unique with their sturdy construction, often made of stainless steel or titanium, ensuring resilience against wear, tear, and external elements.
Integral to sports watches, they often possess exceptional water resistance, especially dive watches, which are designed to withstand pressure and remain functional underwater.
Many sports watches include chronograph complications, allowing users to measure elapsed time with precision, making them useful for sporting events and timing activities.
The intention of creating sports watches is to withstand rigorous conditions. Therefore, it needs to have good shock resistance to ensure the movement remains accurate even during intense physical activities.
To ensure visibility in low-light conditions, sports watches typically incorporate luminescent materials on indices, hands, and bezel markers.
Particularly in dive watches, rotating bezels with minute markers facilitate measuring elapsed time for dives or other activities.
The price of sports watches can vary widely based on several factors, including the brand, materials, features, technology, craftsmanship, and overall design. Here's a general breakdown of the price ranges you can expect for sports watches:
These watches are typically from well-known brands, offering basic sports features such as water resistance, simple chronograph functions, and durable materials. They are suitable for casual athletes or those looking for a reliable sports watch without high-end features.
In this range, you'll find watches from established brands with more advanced features such as higher water resistance, GPS, heart rate monitoring, better materials, and improved durability. These watches often strike a balance between performance, quality, and price.
These watches come from prestigious brands and offer high-quality materials, superior craftsmanship, advanced technology, extensive features (e.g., specialized sports tracking, sophisticated chronographs), and often, limited editions. These watches are designed for serious athletes and watch enthusiasts.
Luxury sports watches come from high-end luxury brands and are crafted with exquisite materials, impeccable attention to detail, and cutting-edge technology. They may include precious metals, complex movements, and bespoke designs, and are often associated with a high-status symbol.
While there are a lot of sports watches available in the market and at various price ranges, we have compiled the affordable ones.
Presented with affordability and tougher built, the Seiko 5 Sports “Sports Style” Blue/Red Ref. SBSA003 comes in an appealing red/blue tone.
It is powered by Seiko's automatic caliber that flaunts 40 hours of power reserve. The bezel is also something to highlight which rotates buttery smooth into 120 positions.
Price: $310.00 USD
Let’s move to another Seiko which also comes at such an affordable price for a complete and appealing package. The Seiko Prospex Speedtimer Chronograph features a chronograph function, allowing wearers to measure time.
The good news is that it is driven by the innovative in-house Cal. 6139 automatic chronograph movement for a reliable performance overall.
Price: $475.00 USD
With Squale, we have an appealing sports watch in almost all-black paired with a stainless steel bracelet. The 30 ATMOS Ref.1545 Black features a 316L stainless steel with bilux finishing.
Moving on to its glossy dial, you’ll find wave-like lines on the surface, giving an extra texture. When it comes to performance, you have it perfectly with the automatic Sellita SW 200-1 Elaboré SW200 movement, 300m of water resistance, and SuperLuminova.
Price: $665.00 USD
The brand Steinhart has been around offering collections of watches that are affordable for everyone. The Steinhart Ocean One Titanium 500 GMT Premium is among the best sports watches you can find in this price range.
The watch is made of titanium for an extra lightweight wearing experience. Not to mention that it’s also highly durable.
Price: $730.00 USD
Last but not least is the Glycine Combat SUB 42 Sports GMT Black/Grey which offers excellent watchmaking at a reasonable price. The accurate self-winding and chronograph movement is encased within a robust high-quality stainless steel casing.
The combination of black and grey colors does bring out the classic vibe while maintaining a bold appearance.
Price: $930.00 USD
Sports watches embody a rich legacy of craftsmanship, functionality, and design. With a history rooted in military, aviation, diving, and racing, these watches have adapted over the years to cater to modern tastes while retaining their rugged charm.
