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Best Watches for Sailing: The Regatta Timer Explained

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Published on May 11th, 2016 | by Daniel Sherman Fernandez

Nautica NMX 15 Digital Yachtimer

Nautica Watches introduces the NMX 15 Digital Yachtimer, a new digital watch with a sophisticated modern look. Housed in an impressive 55mm case, this timepiece is rugged in look, yet lightweight in feel. The soft silicone strap wraps neatly around the wrist, making it comfortable to wear both for a day out at sea or on a stroll through city streets. Fitted with a digital chronograph module featuring a yacht/sailing mode, this timepiece offers multiple levels of precise timing for the water sport enthusiast, including a countdown timer, an automatic count-up timer and data recall.

The NMX Digital Yachtimer also has two time modes in addition to the alarm, timer and chronograph functions, making it the ideal watch for day or night, land or at sea.

Technical details Case: Ø 55mm steel case with matte blue coating and six screws on the top ring Dial: digital with time and date logo at 12 o’clock WR: 100m – 10 ATM (328ft) Movement: digital chronograph Functions: countdown, chronograph functions, timer, alarm Strap: matte blue, slotted – tongue buckle

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Regatta Time: 7 Yachting Watches

A number of luxury watch brands have gotten involved in sponsoring sailing teams and events. Some brands have even developed timepieces specifically suited for competitive sailing and other nautical activities, often incorporating some version of the all-important regatta countdown function. Here we run down seven yachting and regatta watches and reveal why they’re ideal companions out on the waves.

1.Corum Admiral’s Cup AC-One 45 Tides

Corum has been making watches for yachtsmen since 1960, when it debuted the first Corum Admiral’s Cup watch, named after and inspired by the famous yacht race of the same name. The Admiral’s Cup has since grown to become an entire collection, one of Corum’s core pillars. Numerous variations on the Corum Admiral’s Cup have been introduced over the years, including the Corum Admiral’s Cup AC-One 45 Tides . This watch’s movement, Caliber CO 277 — which Corum spent three years working with the Astronomic Observatory of Geneva and French Navy’s oceanographic institute to create — contains a mechanical complication that is eminently useful for someone piloting a boat: a moon-phase-like function that informs the wearer of how strong and how high the tides are, and when high and low tide will next occur. (Tides, of course, are affected by the moon’s relation to the earth and sun.) A hand on the subdial at 12 o’clock indicates the tidal coefficient, or range between high and low tides. A subdial at 6 o’clock tells when the next two tides will occur. Meanwhile, the 9 o’clock display tells the wearer if tides are rising or falling. The date is displayed at 3 o’clock. The Corum Admiral’s Cup AC-One 45 Tides has the collection’s hallmark 12-sided case, which is made of titanium coated with blue PVD and measures 45 mm in diameter, and comes on a vulcanized blue rubber strap.

2. Panerai Luminor 1950 Regatta 3 Days Chrono Flyback Titanio

Panerai is much better known for making watches for use underwater rather than above the waves, but the Swiss-Florentine brand began sponsoring the Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge in 2005 and introduced its first dedicated yachting watch at SIHH 2013. (AT SIHH 2017, the brand took its support of sailing sports to the next level, becoming Official Timekeeper of the America’s Cup.) that The Panerai Luminor 1950 Regatta 3 Days Chrono Flyback Titanio (PAM00526) has a lightweight, brushed titanium case, 47 mm in diameter, and is outfitted with Panerai’s in-house Caliber P.9100/R, which powers not only a flyback chronograph but a user-friendly regatta countdown function.

To start the countdown to a regatta (in which perfect timing is crucial, with all boats required to line up behind an imaginary line without crossing it), the owner pushes an orange push-button at 4 o’clock to move the central orange chronograph minute hand back, one minute at a time, until it is at the correct position in relation to the length of the countdown. Next, he presses the chronograph stop/start button at 10 o’clock, which starts the chronograph hands moving, indicating first the minutes and seconds remaining until the start, and then, when the countdown has finished, the time elapsed since the start of the race. At the end of the interval being measured, the push-button at eight o’clock returns all the chronograph hands to zero; if it is operated while the hands are still moving, it activates the return-to-zero (flyback) function of these hands, enabling the wearer to start timing a new interval immediately, without using the stop and reset buttons. The flange around the dial displays a 15-minute scale for the regatta countdown, with the five final minutes distinguished in orange, along with a tachymeter scale that is measured in knots, which enables a sailor to determine the speed of his boat over a defined distance. For more details on this Panerai watch, including the price, click here . The price of the watch is $17,200.00 excl. sales tax (July 2017).

3. Rolex Yacht-Master II

The Rolex Yacht-Master II — the successor to the original Rolex Yacht-Master — debuted in 2007 and introduced a Rolex-exclusive regatta countdown function that can be “programmed” from 1 to 10 minutes and incorporates a mechanical memory that allows it to be reset to the same countdown duration used previously. Once launched, the countdown can also be synchronized on the fly, enabling adjustment to match the official regatta start-time countdown. Programming the countdown is easy, by means of the rotatable Ring Command bezel , a Rolex-developed system linking the bezel to the movement.

The Rolex Yacht-Master II has a 44-mm Rolex Oyster case (available in several precious metals, in Rolex’s proprietary “Rolesium” material, or in a new stainless steel version with blue Cerachrom bezel, shown below.) The watch contains the Rolex manufacture Caliber 4161, which has a COSC chronometer certification and includes a column-wheel chronograph. For more on the Rolex Yacht-Master II, click here .

4. Alpina Sailing Yachttimer Countdown

Not everyone who owns a boat is a millionaire, and the Alpina Sailing Yachttimer Countdown is a yachting watch for those on a slightly tighter timepiece budget. For under $5,000, the owner of this watch gets a clever yachting-specific complication, namely a moving countdown window that counts down from 10 to 1, gradually revealing a red “START” indicator for the start time of a regatta. The Alpina Sailing Yachttimer is a limited edition of only 8,888 pieces. The watch has a 44-mm stainless steel case, with a see-through caseback offering a view of the in-house movement, Caliber AL-880, and comes on a black rubber strap. The price of the watch is $3’695 (July 2017).

5. Perrelet Turbine Yacht

Introduced in 2014, the Perrelet Turbine Yacht — another new complication for the distinctive Turbine collection, which has swiftly become Perrelet’s flagship family — combines the spinning dial-side turbine-style rotor with an integrated windrose function, inspired by the world of yachting, which helps to orient sailors by points of reference and the position of the sun. The Perrelet Turbine Yacht has a substantial, 47-mm-diameter stainless steel case, also available with either black or bronze-toned PVD coating. The turbine rotor on the dial, made of titanium, has 11 blades, echoing the look of a submarine propellor, and rotates above a surface with a maritime-themed parallel-line pattern reminiscent of the teakwood deck of a yacht. The windrose — according to Wikipedia, “a graphic tool used by meteorologists to give a succinct view of how wind speed and direction are typically distributed at a particular location” — is on a bidirectional rotating ring surrounding the dial. prices for the Perrelet Turbine Yacht range from $6,550 to $7,200.

6. Bremont Regatta OTUSA

The U.K.-based Bremont brand has also served as Official Timing partner to the America’s Cup and to the competition’s defending champion, Oracle Team USA. To commemorate the races, Bremont brought out at this year’s Baselworld this COSC-certified regatta timer, the Bremont Regatta OTUSA. The watch has 15- minute and 5-minute countdown displays at 12 o’clock, a 12-hour counter and date aperture at 6 o’clock and running seconds at 9 o’clock. Bremont has incorporated into the crown a bit of carbon fiber taken from one of the foils of a 2013 Oracle Team USA AC72 yacht. The case is titanium, 43 mm in diameter, and water resistant to 100 meters. It has a transparent back through which you can see the rotor, decorated with a wave-like pattern and the words “America’s Cup.” Price: $6,895 (July 2017).

7. Ulysse Nardin Marine Regatta Chronograph

Ulysse Nardin tapped two professional yachtsmen, Loïck Peyron and Iain Percy from the Swedish Artemis Racing team (which the brand sponsors), to help design its new regatta timer, the Marine Regatta Chronograph , which debuted at SIHH 2017. The watch is a bi-directional chronograph counter that automatically begins timing the race once the countdown is complete, thus eliminating the need to hit the restart button at the precise moment when the race begins. Official fleet yacht races begin with either a five-, seven- or 10-minute countdown to the starting signal, during which time boats jockey for a position as close to the starting line as possible without crossing it and thus facing major penalties. The movement, Caliber UN-155, is based on the manufacture automatic chronograph Caliber UN-153 and has a three-day power reserve. The 44-mm case is stainless steel and has a fluted bezel with rubber inserts, molded rubber pushers, a screw-down crown and 100-meter water resistance. There are two dial variations, one in ocean blue with signature Artemis Racing yellow and the other in sea foam. There is also a limited-edition series of 35 Marine Regatta Chronographs with black champlevé enamel dials. The regular series is priced at $15,900, and the special edition, at $29,800.

This article was originally published in 2014; prices are subject to change.

Such a wonderfully informative blog. thanks for sharing

A correction to your Bremont piece: Oracle was the defender of America’s Cup in 2013 and 2017. The current Cup holder is Emirates Team New Zealand. (interestingly, although Omega has sponsored ETNZ since 1995….by far the longest relationship between a watch brand and an AC team…it has never developed a regatta-specific watch , instead issuing a few “ETNZ versions” of Seamaster Diver over the years).

What about the many Ulysse Nardin releases?

title should be 5 ugly regatta watches

yup ! sure is !

imho — Ugly watches? Just exactly what would you consider to be beautiful watches in this category?

I agree Erik, I think these represent the best watches from Rolex (the 2 tone would be best), Bremont, Alpina and Panerai. Other versions are just a bit boring, imho.

I have a omega NZL-32 I think it’s the best looking regtta timer out. It’s a very stunning watch.

I agree. The Omega NZL is beautiful but out of production yes?

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Yachting Timers & Watches

At worn&wound we’ve long been fascinated by watches that were designed specifically for individual sporting events. This is part of a series on these unique timepieces.

Yacht timers – also referred to as regatta timers, yachting chronographs, or sailing watches – are watches specially designed and made for the countdown to the start of a sailing race. As you can imagine, starting a race on water, with entrants powered by the wind, is not as easy as lining up on a grid, Formula 1 style, or lined up like sprinters at a track meet, waiting for the starting gun. As we just saw in the recent America’s Cup races in San Francisco, the yachts (we use the term loosely in the case of the America’s Cup boats) are already at speed as they approach the starting line. The trick for the skipper is to NOT cross the starting line before the starting gun goes off. If they do, they’re penalized quite heavily (how and how much depends on the rules in effect for the specific race).

So some sort of a count-down timer is useful to the pilot and tactician. Horns signal the start of the countdown period and a skipper can start his yacht timer by the audible signal. He then has an on board measurement of progress to the start of the race, and can sail his yacht accordingly – hopefully to reach the starting line, at speed, just as the starting gun sounds.

Over the decades there have been numerous yacht timers and specialized chronographs produced by the world’s watch companies. Perhaps the most well-known yachting timer today is the Rolex YachtMaster, but there are others, past and present. Current and recent pieces include those from Tutima, Alpina, Atlantic, Omega, Panerai, and IWC, as well as electronic offerings from TAG Heuer, Suunto, Tissot and others.

But the vintage timepieces – the regatta timers of old – are what really get our juices flowing. Sailing chronographs like the Heuer Autavia Skipper, the Regate (sold under three different brand names – Aquastar, Heuer, and Tissot), Heuer’s Yacht Timer (both wrist-mounted and stopwatch form factor), the Breitling Chronomat and SuperOcean (both in regatta timing trim), the Memosail (two are on eBay as we write this), Lemania’s self-branded Regatta Yacht Timer in handheld stopwatch format, and the wonderfully busy Wakmann.

Regatta timers have various ways of indicating the countdown time. There’s typically a multi-colored or numbered disc rotating beneath the dial with the colors or numerals showing through windows similar to a date disc. Five vari-colored dots – usually blue followed by red (Alpina, Regate), numerals against colored backgrounds (Memosail), or a separate chrono hand coupled with colored zones on the watch’s bezel (Tutima, Bretling, Heuer) or indicating time remaining to the start via a separate scale within the dial (Rolex).

Heuer’s Autavia Skipper was part of the legendary Autavia line in the 1970s. It featured the Autavia’s classic tonneau shaped case, a red, white, and blue countdown sub-dial at 3 o’clock, a small seconds at 10 o’clock, and date at 6. Chrono pushers were in the classic locations at 2 and 4, but the crown was positioned at 9 o’clock. The watch featured a 60 minute rotating bezel, and examples are often see with a blue dial & bezel combination.

Heuer’s Yacht Timer from the 1960s came in both a wrist-mounted version and a handheld stopwatch form factor. Color-wise, regatta timer dials are never shy, and the Heuer is no exception. This watch was basically a fifteen or thirty minute stopwatch (there were at least two versions) with a multi-colored dial formatted and printed for the countdown function.

Aquastar’s Regate, also branded and sold as Heuer, Tissot and other brands such as “Racing”  in the early 1980s, used a Lemania movement with a classic five-dot/ window format, with a tri-colored rotating disc beneath the dial. five windows for five minutes, and once the timing started the colored wheel would progressively show thru the windows, changing them one at a time from blue to red to white (or silver).

In the 1960s and early 1970s, Breitling produced watches in regatta timing trim in both the Chronomat and SuperOcean lines. The Chronomat featured a center mounted minute with a multi-colored inner chapter ring. The SuperOcean used the center-mounted totalizing hand with a multi-colored bezel. These black-cased watches featured Venus 178 or 188 movements, modified to handle the unique needs of a yachting chronograph.

Lemania’s self-branded Regatta Yacht Timer is another handheld stopwatch format timer. The timing function is the familiar series of five windows with a colored disc beneath, but with the letters S-T-A-R-T replacing the third color (similar to the Memosail).

The Wakmann , yet another 1970s piece, looks almost too nice to have been a working watch. To us, it looks more like a dress watch for the Yacht Club awards banquet (but then, so does the current Rolex Yachtmaster II). The timer’s motor is a Lemania Caliber 1341 automatic with hour sub-dial at 6 o’clock and running seconds at 9 o’clock. Countdown chrono minutes and seconds are indicated by center mounted hands with orange tips. The display has a lot going on, with a date window at 3 o’clock, a white stationary chapter ring with days of the month, a multi-colored chapter ring with days of the week (moveable via a secondary crown at 10 o’clock – line it up with the correct day of the week for the current month), and a third multi-colored chapter ring outside the first two, this one with 15 countdown minutes in the first quadrant and a tachymeter over the following three quadrants. We’d be concerned about reading this in the heat of racing battle. That said, we love this watch for its center minutes totalizer, its unique display of day of the week and month, and it’s cool 1970s cushion styling.

With ultra-modern quartz-based timers available (TAG Heuer produced what was effectively a dedicated smartwatch, specifically to be worn by members of the America’s Cup Team Oracle, which relayed real-time data stream of boat performance to each crew member), and the inevitably harsh conditions of sailboat racing, these wonderful vintage racers have probably seen their heyday (one can’t imagine a skipper actually wearing a Rolex Yachtmaster II in a modern race). But their unique styling, and sheer mechanical timing abilities are works of wonder in any age. We’d wear one, even if it’s only to sail our desk into next week.

by Ed Estlow

special thanks to our friends at analogshift.com for lending us the Wakmann

and Francesco B for use of his Racing Regatta images

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11 Nautical Watches For Sailing Your Next Regatta In 2021

Sailing requires precision, so a watch that’s designed to have accurate timing is one of the most important things in a yachtsman’s outfit.

Watchmakers have focused on this art for centuries. A company like Breguet, for instance, has been specializing in nautical watches over 200 years, making chronometers for the French Royal Navy. There’s the Marine Équation Marchante 5887, which is currently priced at over $200,000.

More brands soon followed and evolved, maintaining craftsmanship, precision, and hefty price tags. Some of the first brands that stand out include Aquastar, Breitling, Tag Heuer, Omega, and Rolex.

One of the most important things to look for in a sailing watch is a countdown timer. It is extremely important for a skipper to measure the interval that leads to the start of the race/regatta, which can be extremely challenging due to the wind conditions and current.

Ideally, you want a countdown timer that automatically converts to a race chronograph when it hits zero, like the one on the Tissot Sailing Touch Watch.

This article will feature both old and new brands, as well as different price points from affordable ones to luxury options. Below, we’ve rounded up some of the most efficient models on the market today.

Best Sailing Watches

Optimum time series 12 sailing watch: budget pick.

If you are looking for an affordable yet functional sailing watch, one of your best bets is the Optimum Time Series Sailing Watch.

This watch has a silicone strap (which can be personalized with different highlight colors), a stainless steel buckle, and a large display. You have the option to use its three-row display for easy viewing of the time and the timer at the same time.

The shock resistance OS Series 1231R has new and improved features like a clearer display/contrast and high contrast dot matrix display. Its USB-powered charging is convenient too. This one has a more casual, laid-back design, and is water-resistant up to 5ATM. It also has the Sync Button which allows you to get back to the race if you miss the gun. It’s not the most durable watch on the market, but it is priced as a budget watch.

Timex Intelligent Quartz Yacht Racer Watch

The analog Timex Intelligent Quartz Yacht Racer boasts of a pre-programmed date feature that only needs to be set once—you don’t need to adjust it for decades thereafter. This one was built especially for the sport, timing the race from start to finish.

This watch is water-resistant up to 330 ft, so it can also be used for swimming and snorkeling, and the newer models also have the Indiglo feature.

One of the things that a number of users have pointed out is the size of the watch. It’s 46 millimeters in diameter and is 14 millimeters thick, so it is usually preferred by users with bigger wrists. The price tag is very reasonable, making it an excellent entry-level watch for a first regatta.

Tissot Men’s Sailing Touch Watch

One of the most important features of the Tissot Sailing Touch is a countdown function, which turns into a race chronograph once it reaches zero. The watch also has a compass, barometer, and a tide feature (informs you of the time of high tides and low tides, and if they are coming in or going out).

This watch can assist you when competing in regattas, as it has a regatta timer that will let you position yourself on the starting line.

Some of the other design highlights include luminous markers and hands, a sapphire crystal interface, a backlight, and two time zones. The time is analog, which can also be displayed on the LCD. It also has a perpetual calendar. You can choose from a number of bezel colors too (red, blue, and silver).

Garmin Quatix 5

If you’re looking for a watch that has multisport functions, this should be at the top of your list. Garmin is a trusted brand when it comes to smartwatches for sports, so you’re sure that you’ll have some of today’s best technology.

The Garmin Quatix 5 is built on the powerful Fenix 5 platform, a smartwatch designed for use in the water.

This powerful GPS marine smartwatch has a heart rate monitor (it’s wrist-based, so you don’t need to use a chest strap). Aside from the boat features, this model also has functions for a wide array of sports (ie. running, hiking, biking, swimming, etc.)

Garmin has dozens of models for different sports and fitness activities, but the reason why the Quantix model made our list is that it has a Garmin SailAssist™ Capabilities that allows the user to have a virtual starting line. There is also a tack assist and a race countdown timer.

This one is excellent on water, but it’s equally efficient on dry land too. Its simple design is also excellent for daily wear.

Suunto Ambit

Another powerful multisport watch, the Suunto Ambit3.

Suunto is another brand that you can count on for use both on water and dry land. If you’d like a brand new Suunto for sailing, this multi-sport watch is compatible with sailing-specific apps available on the Movescount, a website and community that helps Suunto users to customize their watches.

A Suunto model that is excellent for these apps is the which relatively more affordable than the previously-discussed Garmin Quatix.

The Ambit 3, an outdoor and adventure watch, has ABC features (altimeter, barometer, compass), GPS, route navigation, heart rate feature, and weather information. It is also known for its excellent battery life, with 200 hours and 1-minute accuracy. Design-wise, the all-black design is much more subdued than some of the bright, luxury sports watches on this list.

The brand’s sailor-specific watch, the Suunto Elementum Ventus was one of our top picks in the past but this one is actually not being produced anymore, but you may still find second-hand models on the market today. Occasionally one will pop up on eBay ( if you’re in the UK/EU you could also search watchshop.com).

The Suunto Elementum Ventus is a smartwatch with a sleek and sophisticated design, sapphire crystal glass, stainless steel case, and leather strap. Some of the sailing features include a sailing timer, chronograph, compass, and weather predictions.

Now that we’ve got the more affordable models covered, it’s time to focus on the luxury brands.

Corum Admiral AC One 45 Tides

This brand also has a rich history. Swiss brand Corum has been around since the 1950s. It’s a prolific company, regularly producing new, limited-edition models. One of its most popular releases is the Admiral’s Cup line of watches, which started production in the 1960s.

The Admiral AC One 45 Tides, the updated model. has gone through a number of updates but stays true to its original design.

Its CO 277 caliber movement, which was meticulously developed for years with the Astronomic Observatory of Geneva and the Hydrographic and Oceanographic Services of the French National Navy. This CO 277 caliber is a unique movement that is specialized for tide indicator is what sets this watch model apart from the competition.

This one has a distinct 45mm dodecagonal titanium case, a brushed titanium bezel, an anti-reflective sapphire crystal case, and a vulcanized rubber strap. What makes this model special is the tides indicator: tide time and strength, lunar cycle, and strength of the currents/ height of the tides.

Rolex Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master II

The Rolex Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master, a regatta watch, is one of the most popular luxury yacht watches out there. The brand boasts of being “the only chronograph in the world with a mechanical memory,” a watch for water sports and sailing.

TheYacht-Master caliber 4161, is a “self-winding mechanical chronograph movement” developed by the company. The first-ever model of this Rolex was released in 2010. The movement, which comprises of 360 parts, took approximately 35,000 hours to create.

The Yacht-Master II is made of Oystersteel (developed by Rolex), which is powerfully resistant superalloys used in high-technology industries, which makes it exceptional in harsh environments. Users can program the countdown for a duration of between 1 and 10 minutes that returns to its previous setting at reset.

It’s waterproof up to 330 feet or 100 meters, is scratch-resistant and has a power reserve of approximately 72 hours.

Ulysse Nardin Marine Regatta

Another popular name in luxury regatta watches, the Swiss Ulysse Nardin Marine watch. This regatta chronograph has meticulously designed kinematics to ensure that it’s extremely precise.

One of the of highlights the Ulysse Nardin is the way that the chronograph starts. In most watches, the sailor activates the countdown, stops the countdown at the start of the crossing line, and then start the chronograph.

The UN Marine Regatta is designed to automatically switch from countdown to chronograph at the start at the end of the countdown. The company also assures an extended five-year warranty (which started in 2017) for anyone who buys a brand-new model.

Ulysse Nardin has been making precision marine chronometers since 1846, pioneering innovative products that continue to stay relevant today.

Panerai Luminor 1950 Regatta

Panerai has an interesting history. It is an old brand that entered the civilian market in the 90s, but prior to this, it created dive watches for the Royal Italian Navy’s underwater missions during World War II.

This history, and of course its precision, utilitarian features, and beauty has gained the brand passionate fans and collectors to this day.

Made especially for sailing, this classic dive watch has a professional regatta countdown.

The Panerai Luminor 1950 Regatta features a  47mm brushed titanium case with a rubber bracelet, the bezel is polished titanium, and the dial is black with luminous Arabic numerals and hour markers.

Bremont Regatta AC

The Bremont Regatta AC (America’s Cup) is a limited edition model (the company only produced 235 pieces) and is no longer in production.

You can still, however, try your luck searching for sellers on eBay.

Priced at around $6,800 when it was still available, this is relatively more affordable than the two luxury brands above. This series, along with a partnership with Oracle Team USA (OTUSA), were released in Baselworld 2016 with much acclaim. A Blog to Watch quoted Oracle Team USA Skipper Jimmy Spithill as saying (about both AC and OTUSA):

“Naturally, we have a central digital clock on the boat but every sailor still likes to have the time on his wrist, and before a race the countdown to the start is critical. It’s a really tough sport both mentally and physically, and not only does the team need to make decisions under immense pressure but we need to have equipment that allows us to do so,” Spithill said. “With the countdown function being so crucial when racing out on the water, we are really delighted that Bremont has invested in this for us and it’s incredibly special for me that the watches also incorporate some of our winning AC72 which I skippered in 2013.”

Some of the main features of the AC include a titanium case material, automatic movement, sapphire glass, and rubber bracelet. The sleek, classic design of this chronograph timepiece exudes elegance without being flashy.

TNG Classic Tornado Sailing Chronograph

This is one of the relatively newer brands on this list, but you can count on the company to produce a competitive product. One of TNG’s founders is Olympic sailor Herbert Dercksen, who has won multiple times at the World Tornado Championships. Co-founder Frans Dingerdis is also a sailor and marketing specialist.

The TNG (Tack & Gybe) Classic Tornado Sailing Chronograph has a full automatic sailing time that’s ready for a five and ten-minute countdown. This Swiss-made model has a simple, classic look that will look good in the water and for daily use.

Some of the other features of this Swiss-made/Dutch-designed chronograph are sapphire scratch-resistant crystal, a power reserve of 42 hours, automatic winding, 28.800 vibrations per hour, and superluminous indexes/hands. The design is a sapphire scratch-resistant crystal, a stainless steel case, and a screw-in crown and case back.

Sailing watches are clearly not cheap, but considering the time and workmanship that goes into every device, they deserve the investment.

Good luck with your search, whether you’re looking for a watch for your first regatta, or looking for a more high-end watch to add to your collection.

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Best Boating Watches For The Avid Sailor

Last Updated by

Daniel Wade

May 1, 2023

‍ Key Takeaways

• Sailing watches come in many variations and intended uses
• A digital sailing watch can be ideal if you enjoy advanced technology on the water
• Many sailing watches can track your data in real-time and give feedback
• A great sailing watch does not have to break the bank but some are quite expensive
• Sailing watches are often used for sailing races to help track the countdown timer

‍ Sailing watches are quite useful for sailors that spend a lot of time on the water. But what are the best watches for boating?

The best sailing watches are from reputable brands such as Seiko, Tissot, Casio, Garmin and Optimum. There are other sailing watch brands that make a competitive product such as Wrist Armor, Garmin, and Timex. What makes one sailing watch better than another will vary based on many factors.

Accurate timekeeping is crucial when sailing and that is why certified sailing watches are necessary. Dive watches are similar and they offer more benefits for sailing due to their complexity. In my experience there is a watch to suit every need.

Table of contents

‍ The Top 12 Best Sailing Watches

Different types of sailing watches offer various styles and functions. Some of these include smartwatches that have multiple features including MOB (man overboard) alerts, tidal calculations, and race timers.

Waterproof self-winding watches are also effective but may not have all of the same features. The introduction of smartwatch technology has revolutionized sailing and allowed navigation and communication tools easily wearable on the wrist.

Garmin Quatix 5 Multisport Marine Smartwatch

The Garmin sailing watch has a Quick Fit band system, steel bezel, and rear case for 24/7 monitoring without a chest strap. It also connects with the free Garmin connect app to link with chart plotters and other devices for remote waypoint marking, data streaming, and autopilot control.

The watch includes a built-in Fusion-Link Lite app for controlling stereo-active products. It offers exceptional activity tracking but it may not be the best choice for rugged outdoor activities due to its high price so keep this mind.

• Helps keep up with your activities
• Can keep track of vitals and has GPS
• Has sailing assistance capabilities
• Might be too expensive compared to other brands
• Smartwatch might not work for those that have difficulty with electronics

Seiko Divers Watch

The Seiko sailing watch blends sporty and classy aesthetics with superior functionality and affordability. Its screw-down crown and unidirectional rotating bezel are notable attributes. It checks all the boxes for basic sailing needs such as:

• Water-resistant
• Easy to see luminous hands
• Scratch-resistant
• Sturdy and ideal for rugged activities

The watch's small size is sleek and unobtrusive but it may not be suitable for individuals with larger wrists. The bezel may also be challenging to turn. It has proven to be a dependable and fashionable choice for everyday wear and outdoor pursuits at an affordable price point.

• Sturdy enough to handle many water activities
• Quality construction and water-resistant
• Classic look that many boaters admire
• Large wrists might not work with wrist strap
• Bezel might be difficult to rotate

Casio Sport Sailing Watch

This water-resistant sailing watch is ideal for everyday use including light water activities and showering. It features a silent tick and a rotating bezel but its grip can be challenging at times. The rubber band has a sliding holder to keep the excess strap secure.

It is not recommended for deep diving and does not have glow or backlight functions. It is a classic diver-style watch that is durable and affordable with a straightforward appearance.

• Solid water resistance of 328 feet
• Arguably the most affordable under $30
• Constructed from resin with a sturdy buckle fastening
• Not meant for diving deep or long periods in the water
• Difficult to see at night or dark environments

Optimum Sailing Watch Time Series

This regatta timer watch is ideal for sail racing and favored by many enthusiasts for its large polarized display. It can be worn around your waist or stretched around the mast and has user-friendly features such as large buttons and the ability to rotate the display. It is also:

• Water-resistant up to five ATM (atmospheres)
• Shock-proof
• Specialized sailing timer functions

The strap may become floppy over time and there is a lack of countdown customization but it is still a durable and reasonably priced option. This watch is a must-have for anyone looking to be prepared for sail racing and is easy to read and use. It also happens to be a great choice for those on a budget.

• Water resistance rating up to five ATM (165 feet)
• Designed for regatta racers in mind due to regatta timer capability
• Easily adjusts to fit your wrist over can be worn over your sleeve
• Strap can become floppy or weakened over time
• Does not allow for custom countdown features

Ronstan Race Timer Sailing Watch

This watch stands out as a high-quality yacht racing timepiece with precise start race timing. It sets the standard for years to come and has a handy SYNC function. It is recommended that you test it out before regatta races since it can be difficult to start the timer if you are not familiar with it.It is affordable and can be programmed for other countdown sequences. It comes in three color combinations with contemporary styling that does not compromise usability.

• Has large digit displays provide effortless and convenient viewing
• SYNC button makes it easy to match countdown and ideal for sailors that enjoy races
• Sleek design with large buttons and intuitive programming
• Might need to practice working it before a race
• Instructions are somewhat unclear

Bulova Marine Star

Bulova's marine star sailing watch is a renowned nautical timepiece with stainless steel and rose gold-tone accents with a blue glass insert on the rotating bezel. It is waterproof up to 200 meters and has a six-hand chronograph movement that is perfect for marine activities.

The only downsides are that the lume fades quickly and it is not recommended for extreme diving. It can also be a costly option compared to other watches with the same characteristics.

• Perfect for pro marine pursuits and high-adrenaline surface water sports
• Reliable chronograph features incorporated in the design
• Water resistance rating of up to 656 feet
• Glow fades quickly
• Cannot be used for long diving adventures
• Might be too expensive for some

SUUNTO Core Sailing Watch

This functional nautical watch is a reliable companion for any adventure. It stands out for its ability to easily monitor direction using a rotating bezel or by locking onto your destination while exploring new places.

The plastic bezel and dim backlight are potential drawbacks. It can be used for many water applications and is equipped with a smart storm alarm, altimeter, and long battery life.

• Water-resistant up to 65 feet
• Can be used in different languages
• Has a barometer and compass as well as an altimeter
• Bezel is plastic and has printed numbers
• Backlight might be hard to see

Tissot Sailing Watch Multi-Function

The Tissot sailing watch is a durable timepiece with great scratch resistance. It has a Swiss quartz tactile movement and a racing chronograph feature. Its LCD display shows time, date, barometric pressure, compass heading and allows for two time settings and alarms.

The metal and rubber watchband is adjustable but the rubber strap and background light may be subpar. This versatile watch is suitable for sailors and non-sailors, with meteorological monitoring, perpetual calendar, two time zones, and chronometer functions. Its battery life can help be extended by a sleep function.

• Water-resistant up to 330 feet
• Expertly designed round case chronograph watch with luminous hands
• Displays relative pressure changes of past six hours through Histogram design
• Rubber strap is not the most durable
• Backlight not as bright as it could be

Garmin Instinct Watch

This branded GPS sailing watch is reliable in harsh conditions with global navigation satellite systems and preloaded activity profiles. It has auto data uploads to the brand’s fitness community and tracks stress, activity, and heart rate. The battery lifespan is short and iOS devices may have delayed responses.

It is compact and durable but also easy to navigate with a clear screen. The Garmin instinct is a great deal from a reputable brand.

• Water-resistant up to 328 feet and able to handle changes in water temperature
• Keeps up with vitals
• Includes a barometric altimeter and tri-axial compass
• Not a great battery life
• Seems to lag when connected to iOS devices

Wrist Armor Sport Watch

Wrist Armor offers an affordable high-quality marine watch with innovative components and military standards. It is perfect for sailing and outdoor activities that is easy to set up.

Despite lightweight packaging it offers maximum precision and performance under extreme conditions. It is arguably stylish and durable but is a great option that will not break the bank.

• Best suited for swimming or light water activities
• Affordable and has dual time, alarm, and backlight
• Water-resistant up to 165 feet

Timex Intelligent Quartz

The Timex INDIGLO Night-Light watch is a highly-rated sailing timepiece that is water-resistant up to 328 feet. Its analog thermometer and tide tracker are convenient features for aquatic activities and it maintains accurate timekeeping.

The sailing watch may not fit smaller wrists and is not intended for diving. This is a sailing watch intended for tech-savvy adventurers who love swimming and snorkeling.

• Easy to see hands and background with Indiglo
• Multiple functions including compass, monitoring tides, and gauging air and water temperature
• Great for light-water activities
• Not meant for diving
• Bezel attached to plastic channel

Nautica Sport Watch

Nautica makes some quality products among clothes and other apparel items. Their Quartz Resin Silicone watch is a popular and reliable sailing watch with a classic design.

Despite lacking fancy features it stands out among sailing watches and offers a variety of strap options. It is also an affordable option for those wanting something without spending too much on other expensive brands.

• Easy to dials with 24-hour timekeeping
• Durable and scratch-resistant
• Feels heavy on the wrist
• Might not fit larger wrists

Tips to Find the Best Sailing Watches

Finding the best sailing watches takes time and patience. To maximize the value of your investment in sailing watches you should prioritize factors like water resistance and functionality over style.

Regatta watches can enhance your look but you need to make sure to choose a yachting watch that can withstand the challenges of sailing. By choosing wisely you will get a watch that satisfies your requirements.

Choosing Reputable Brands

​​When shopping for functional sailing watches you should prioritize the brand and consider those with unique designs, superior quality, and a range of prices. Established brands often provide the best quality along with reliable product warranties and customer service.

Basic Functions

Discover multifunctional regatta timepieces with a range of unique features such as:

• Thermometer (for digital models)
• Date and day display (for analog models)

These watches also include luminous features and countdown timers that are essential for race countdowns and available on either bezels or dials. Some are equipped with GPS capabilities that are great for long-distance sailing trips. These are especially a strong buying point if you have older or out of date navigational tools.

Having a tide tracker on a sailing watch is beneficial but it may not always be completely accurate. To ensure you have the most precise information based on your location it is important to choose a high-quality tide-tracking watch.

Many regatta watches cater to water activities like swimming, diving, fishing, and snorkeling with varying water pressure resistance. To ensure durability it is important to know the pressure limit of the watch you want to buy. Some watches can withstand 328 feet while others are crafted for deeper diving up to 3280 feet.

Quality Materials

Regatta watches are manufactured using various materials for the machine, screen, and strap. Water-resistant stainless steel is used for the device and case to prevent water damage. Watch straps are made with leather, rubber or synthetic, and stainless steel.

Stainless steel watches are now coated with rust-proof material to make them seawater-friendly. Regatta watches are designed to be both functional and stylish for sailors.

Your Budget

Sailing watches are available in a wide range of prices. High-end brands command higher costs based on various factors such as the brand name itself and the materials that are used. Reasonably priced alternatives are also easily accessible if you do not mind losing out on a few options or the way it looks.

Different Types of Sailing Watches

There are many different variations of sailing watches. They also have different names based on the features they carry and are often called:

• Yachting watches
• Digital sailing watches
• A race countdown timer

Yacht countdowns are indicated uniquely with rotating discs displaying numbers or colors through date-like windows and differ among timer models. Even autopilot control is an option for different brands but some also have various chronograph functions.

Mechanical sailing watches are commonly made in Switzerland. These are water-resistant and rely on winding movements.

They are favored for their precision and can resist depths up to 1,000 feet. Some models are chronometer-certified or have chronographs for race timing.

The most expensive ones are chronograph chronometers. Prices for mechanical sailing watches begin at $2,000 and are more than their digital counterparts.

Digital sailing watches offer diverse costs and designs while some cater to certain functionalities. They usually operate on batteries to show information. They are ideal for feature seekers and are now more affordable.

While basic models display time, date, temp, and heading, they lack real-time data. Essential features like temp, heart rate, and compass operate offline.

Advanced models connect to offer various tools such as:

• GPS mapping
• Weather forecasts
• Speed tracking

Waterproof digital sailing watches are suitable for offshore sailing. These are unlike regular smartwatches so make sure you know the difference.

What are Water Resistance Ratings?

Water-resistant watches are rated in feet, meters, or atmospheres, but ratings can be misleading. A watch rated to 50 meters may not be waterproof enough for sailing.

A 3 ATM watch is only suitable for showering, while a 5 ATM watch is marginally waterproof. A 10 ATM watch is reliable for extended use at shallow depths and can withstand rain and ocean spray.

For budget-friendly sailing adventures, 5 ATM or 50 meters of shielding (about 160 feet) are necessary for coastal cruising or short water dips with these affordable sailing watches. Having a 20 ATM watch is safer for extended underwater activities and dive watches are the most waterproof. Most of the well-known dive watches for serious diving have a 30 ATM rating.

Why You Need a Sailing Watch

The best sailing watches serve a multitude of purposes. Investing in a classic sailing watch is crucial for extreme outdoor sports enthusiasts. These watches can make outdoor activities more enjoyable and worthwhile besides just looking great on your wrist.

The best sailing watch will help play a vital role in the success of races and activities in rugged conditions and provide an easy-to-use technology for tracking time, weather, and other important factors. Today's sailing watches are both functional and aesthetically pleasing, with a range of professional features and the ability to be adjusted using a mobile device.

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I've personally had thousands of questions about sailing and sailboats over the years. As I learn and experience sailing, and the community, I share the answers that work and make sense to me, here on Life of Sailing.

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Yachting World

• Digital Edition

Best sailing watches: 16 options for racing and cruising

• June 9, 2024

Marine Tech Editor Fox Morgan has created a short list of 16 of the best sailing watches on the market. There's a range to suit all budgets and sailing needs, from a basic time waterproof timekeeper to a top of the range smart watch. There something for everyone, from racing to cruising sailors.

The best sailing watches can offer a multitude of functions, from MOB alerts to tidal calculations and large faced race count down timers. And yet still there’s utter simplicity of a waterproof self winding timepiece.

Just as tablets and even smartphones have revolutionised how sailors use multifunction displays and instruments, so the latest smart watch technology has now firmly filtered into sailing. While we’re now familiar with using our watches to give us directions, make calls and send messages, and act as a repeater screen on our wrists ashore, so the latest sailing watches also make navigation, data and comms technology wearable afloat.

You’ll see that Garmin have several entries in our best sailing watches guide and if you’re specifically after a Garmin, we have rounded up the best of those in this guide to the best Garmin watch for yachting sailing and more .

However, the cleverest watch is not always the best watch for sailing. For racing an extremely simple and speedy to operate model may suit better. Price is not always an indicator of functionality either; even some of the least expensive sailing watches, like the Casio we showcase below, can be packed with features.

At the other end of the scale,  luxury horology brands – including Rolex, Panerai, and Omega among others – have long been closely associated with sailing, seeing it as the perfect sport to demonstrate their style, waterproof and ruggedised qualities, and accuracy.

In making our selection of the best sailing watches, we’ve chosen those with features specifically suitable for wearing aboard. That doesn’t mean, however, that they float, so be sure to do the clasp up securely and be wary of pulling off jacket sleeves in a hurry and losing your prized timepiece overboard!

Editor’s top choices at a glance

Garmin quatix 7.

Best smart sailing watch

Specifications: Apple or android smart phone compatible,  Sizes: 47mm / 51mm, Weight 70g, Battery life: up to 16 days with screen on by demand, GPS tracking, waterproof to 10 ATM

Reasons to Buy: Large easy to read face | incredible versatility for an array of lifestyle activity | healthy wellbeing and boat interactivity | customisable to suit individual needs Reasons to Avoid: Battery life not as good as the Quatix 6 if screen is always visible | bright facia can be distracting | touchscreen is pointless without the additional kit it interfaces with

Garmin’s latest sailing smartwatch includes improvements to strengthen integration with onboard electronics.

It’s a touchscreen model that can, for instance, be used to control MFD displays or Fusion audio systems, as well as Garmin autopilots.

You can also pay for things with contactless payments, but you’ll need to use an intermediary app, such as Curve if you are in the UK as British banks haven’t signed up for that function directly yet.

So let’s address the major change for the Quatix 7 over the Quatix 6, and that’s the display. Plenty of folks complained about the darkness or difficulty seeing the Quatix 6 screen, so they’ve addressed that with a much brighter lit up style of screen.  It is very bright even when turned to its dimmest setting. To save the battery from being drained unnecessarily at night, there’s a night time version of the watch screen where you can view it as a digital numeric mono display, on demand, otherwise the screen is completely blank. This brighter clearer display does come at a compromise of battery life or screen saver settings.

The extra screen size in the same outer bezel size though is really very nice. Maps and other tracking options can be easily seen.

High end Sapphire models add a new ultra-clear AMOLED touchscreen.

The watch can output directly to Strava and myfitnesspal along with other apps according to your preference. We like this watch very much indeed and it is currently the best smart sailing watch for all round functionality. Pricey though, but worth it.

Casio Lithium Quartz

Best value sailing watch

Specifications: Type: Digital | Size: 48mm

Reasons to buy: Great value | Highly functional | 2 year warranty Reasons to avoid: Lacking in design | Lacking extensive features of premium alternatives

There’s no question that when it comes to affordable innovation, Casio is right up there.

Despite being one of the lowest-priced watches in our selection, the Casio Tide Watch Orange is a highly functional piece of kit which, in addition to all the usual time, day and auto date functions also features a tide graph and lunar phase display.

More conventional sailing watch functions include a timer, stopwatch and LED might. It is water resistant to 100m/10 bars and has a 2 year warranty, all packed into a 48mm diameter, 13 mm thick case.

Ronstan Clear Start Race Timer

Best Race Sailing watch

Specifications: Type: Digital | Size 65mm

Reasons to buy: Robust design with secure strap | Extra-large | easy to press silicon buttons | Great display Reasons to avoid: Some consumers report issues with clasp/strap

With wrist, hull, mast or boom mount options, the Swiss-made Ronstan ClearStart Race Timer is aimed squarely at racing sailors.

Made by renowned rigging and hardware company Ronstan, it’s a robust design with a secure elastic strap and substantial ‘bumper’ around the digital display.

The ClearStart Race Timer’s features include extra-large, easy-press silicon buttons, a highlighted start/stop button, oversized 16 mm digits set in a 65mm rotating face and a double line display simultaneously showing the race countdown and time.

In addition, the ClearStart Race Timer offers ‘5-4-1-0’ and Match Racing start sequence programmes, making it a great choice for competitive sailors. Ruggedly constructed and built to last, this sailing watch weighs in at 92 grammes and is water-resistant to 50 metres.

Garmin MARQ Captain

Best premium sailing watch

Specifications: Type: Smart | Size: 46mm

Reasons to buy: Weather and tidal data | MOB and GPS functions | Stream boat data to your wrist Reasons to avoid: Full extent of capabilities is governed by the onboard technology it’s connected to | Premium price

Tested by: MBY Editor, Hugo Andreae

Our top priced pick comes from wearable tech-specialists, Garmin. The MARQ Captain sailing watch comes packed with marine-relevant features.

Functions include weather and tidal data for your home port, a regatta timer to pinpoint starting times, a ‘tack assist’ function to determine whether you’re on lift or a header, a man overboard button and GPS.

The full extent of its capabilities is governed by the onboard technology to which it is connected, but possibilities include streaming boat data direct to your wrist wherever you are on the boat and controlling products from the Garmin-owned Fusion range of audio systems.

Note: We may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site, at no extra cost to you. This doesn’t affect our editorial independence.

Best big screen countdown race sailing watches.

Optimum Time Series 3 sailing watch

One of the most popular sailing watches on the market

Specifications: Type: Digital | Size: 65mm

Reasons to buy: Great price | Highly functional | Easy to read Reasons to avoid: It’s really big

The popular ‘big yellow’ Optimum Time Series 3 is a lower-priced, yet highly functional racing watch. And it truly is big – far too large for my wrist at a gigantic 65mm (2.56” in) diameter and 16mm (0.62” in) thick. It’s also available in colours other than yellow – including white, blue and pink.

An advantage for racing is that this watch is easy to read at a distance thanks to its huge 16mm digits. A bracket is supplied to fix it to a mast. It also has a sync button if you miss the start gun, and can then run a repeat sequence or race timer for handicap competitions.

Robust, and water resistant to 5 ATM, with a wide elasticated strap.

Optimum Time Series 14 Rechargeable sailing watch

Best racing sailing watch

Specifications: Type: Digital | Size: 68mm

Reasons to buy: Rechargeable battery | Packed with features | Suitable for mounting Reasons to avoid: Basic design

Optimum Time’s bold coloured watches are popular among racing sailors from dinghies upwards, and the new rechargeable design makes it more sustainable for anyone who uses theirs frequently.

Featuring a 36mm diameter LCD display mounted within a bright red and black 68mm ABS case, Optimum Time’s Series 14 watch is a substantial device that is equally suited to being mounted on a mast or boom as your wrist, while the digits are large enough to allow crew to see the same timer as the skipper.

Waterproof to 5 ATM (i.e. capable of withstanding a pressure of 5 bar), the sailing watch is packed with useful features and comes complete with a bespoke USB charger clamp for convenient charging.

Timex Intelligent Quartz Yacht Racer watch

Best for Analogue race sailing watch fans

Specifications: Type: Analogue | Size 46mm

Reasons to buy: Striking analogue display | Countdown timers Reasons to avoid: Larger than average design | Complex to set up | lacks reset button | Expensive

This is a very striking analogue watch, designed to appeal specifically to racing sailors who don’t want a digital display. It features a racing countdown timers (from 5 mins, 3 mins or 1 minute), then after the start the chronometer automatically starts a race timer for up to one hour.

This is a larger than average design, at 46 mm (1.81” in) diameter and 14mm (0.55” in) thick.

However, this watch is complex to set up, as some functions require three buttons to be pressed in sequence. There is also no ‘reset’ button for anyone who misses their start sequence timer.

Ronstan Clearstart RF4055 sailing watch

Best specialist racing sailing watch

Specifications: Type: Digital | Size: 50mm

Reasons to buy: Multiple start sequence options | Match racing timer | Can sync for early/late start Reasons to avoid: Larger than average design

This sailing watch is another specialist racing design. Race mode features include multiple start sequence options, match racing timer and the ability to sync for an early or late start.

The Clearstart RF4055 is unusual in that it has a fibreglass case, which is available in striking yellow and red as well as the more subtle black. It has a 50mm (2″) diameter face, which is larger than most watches, with a 13mm (0.5″ in) digital display, and the weight is 74gm (2.61oz), though the buttons have a lower profile than some other race watches making it neater to wear on shore.

Optimum Time Series 12 sailing watch

Best audible racing sailing watch

Specifications: Type: Digital | Size: 26mm

Reasons to buy: Audible warning features | Many colour choices Reasons to avoid: No GPS or interconnectivity | Small display is hard to read in hectic moments

Another race timer with countdown time and pre-programmed start and audible warnings. Despite its more smart watch-style appearance, there is no GPS or interconnectivity, but you do get a countdown repeat option, World Sailing 5-4-1-0 start sequence pre-programmed with audible warning signals, and a sync button.

The Optimum Time Series 12 is available in many colours, but has a small 26mm (1.02” in) display, with 10mm (0.34” in) figures, which will make it hard to read in the middle of a hectic race start.

Gill Race Watch Timer

Best racing sailing watch for watersports

Specifications: Type: Digital | Size 44mm

Reasons to buy: Water-resistant to 30 metres | Carbon housing | The sleep feature preserves battery life Reasons to avoid: Basic design and functions

This striking red and black Race Watch Timer is a sailing-specific watch developed exclusively for watersports apparel company Gill. It’s water-resistant to an impressive 30 metres, with the timepiece unit encased in a reinforced carbon ABS plastic housing with a stainless steel back.

As well as telling the time, the sailing watch’s functions include a countdown with synchro, day, date and alarm. There’s a keyboard lock feature to you don’t accidentally change the settings and an electro-luminescent backlight allows the wearer to check the data day or night.

A neat sleep feature preserves and prolongs battery life in a ruggedly constructed unit designed for durability and years of trouble-free service.

Limit ProXR Countdown sailing watch

Best value racing sailing watch

Reasons to buy: Large, clear, easy to read display | Multiple design options | Dual time, stopwatch, countdown and pacer functions Reasons to avoid: Lacks features/functions of more premium competitors | Chunky

Limit has been producing watches for more than 110 years and specialises in offering a wide variety of styles at great value prices.

For a budget-friendly sailing watch option, the Limit ProXR Countdown comes with a large, clear and easily readable display and is backed by a two-year guarantee.

It also has a dual time display and stopwatch, countdown and pacer functionality. No fewer than five alarms can be set and there’s a night time illumination facility.

Available in a choice of orange/black or blue/black, the looks of this chunky 50 mm case diameter sailing watch certainly belie its low price tag.

Best Smart sailing watches

Garmin Instinct 2S Solar

Specifications: Type: Smart | Size: 40mm / 45mm / 50mm, weight 53g(2oz)

Reasons to buy: GPS positioning on charts | barometric pressure and compass | Smartphone connectivity | An incredible amount of styles and colours | A single charge lasts 14 days Reasons to avoid: Premium price without a premium design

The Instinct 2, launched in February 2022 is Garmin’s all-round watch, which they call their outdoors watch. Features that are particularly relevant to sailors include GPS positioning on charts; barometric pressure and a compass.

It has smartphone connectivity, receives emails and texts, and can control music via a phone. This watch also has an inbuilt thermometer and heart rate monitor.

The Garmin Instinct is available in no fewer than 20 different styles and colours. It’s actual diameter is 47mm (1 13/16” in) but the viewable face is 32mm (1 1/4”). The Instinct is 16mm (5/8” in) thick and weighs 53g (2 oz).

For racing sailors, it also has multiple start sequence options. We have an indepth review from long term testing of this watch coming soon.

The Garmin Instinct watch is a good alternative for anyone seeking a more moderately priced alternative to the Quatix 6.

Garmin Quatix 6 Multisport Marine Smartwatch

Specifications: Apple or android smart phone compatible,  Sizes: 47mm / 51mm, weight 82g, Battery life: up to 16 days with screen always visible, GPS tracking, waterproof to 10 ATM

Reasons to buy: Suits a multitude of water activity | Highly customisable | An incredible amount of data available on your wrist | A single charge lasts 14 days Reasons to avoid: High level of functionality is not for the technologically phobic

This watch I tested comprehensively for several weeks/months – it is a very smart design, with functions for every type of pastime on the water and off it.

Garmin is well known for superior boating instruments and they have now managed to squeeze all the data of a ten-inch chartplotter into a 1.3” inch round sailing watch. Bluetooth functionality means you can connect it to a Garmin chartplotter using the free Garmin Connect app, and to other makes of plotter using the Garmin transceiver (a $150 extra).

This allows all the features of a chartplotter to be displayed on the watch, including charts and even autopilot control to allow you to change heading or follow a GPS route – provided it is also connected through the chartplotter.

The Quatix 6 also offers more typical smartwatch functions including the ability to receive email and texts, can be used to control music on board, and monitors the user’s heart-rate.

It’s simple to switch between ‘boat display’ and ‘stylish watch’ modes, as hundreds of different watch faces that can be downloaded to customise it to the wearer’s preference, including an antique style face and even a copy of Big Ben. The Quatix 6 can also be switched between analogue and digital.

It’s overall diameter is 51mm (2” in) with a 36mm (1 5/8” in) viewable face, and it is 17mm (11/16”) thick. The Quatix 6’s weight is 83g (3oz) with the plastic strap or 156g (5.5oz) with the stainless band, which is quite a bit heavier than a conventional watch.

Best Analogue Sailing watches

Ulysse-Nardin The Ocean Race Diver

Specifications: Type: Analogue | Size: 44mm

Reasons to buy: manufacturer with a strong history in watch making | ‘green’ credentials | classy and collectible Reasons to avoid: Lacks features/functions of more sailing-specific watches | you’ll need deep pockets

Swiss watchmaker Ulysse Nardin sourced discarded fishing nets to upcycle into the base material for this watch, highlighting the 640,000 tonnes of nets that are discarded at sea each year.

In addition, 95% of components for the mechanical movement are sourced from within 30km of Ulysse Nardin’s site.

Buy The Ocean Race Diver now on ulysse-nardin.com

Spinnaker Haas Automatic

Specifications: Type: Analogue | Size: 43mm

Reasons to buy: S mart styling | easy to read day and night | electronics free | self winding Reasons to avoid: Due to self winding mechanism the watch is not as slim as a quartz movement watch which might mean that cuffs on shirts and foulies are tight.

Tested by: Professional TopSail Schooner Skipper, Phil Pryor

The joy of a traditional analogue watch is right here in this stylish all metal timepiece from Spinnaker.

Spinnaker Watches collaborated with the Marine Conservation Society to produce this limited edition model that’s a tribute to marine biologist and pioneering diver Hans Hass.

If you want to ditch the computers and keep it simple then this is definitely worth a look.

It feels reassuringly sturdy with it’s all metal band and easy to read rating bezel.

It’s waterproof to 300m and requires no batteries as this watch self winds from the motion of your hand through every day movement.

The winder unscrews to allow time, day and date adjustment and that my friends is all there is to this gorgeous watch. At least as far as the wearer is concerned. Behind that metal back is the smooth Japanese workings of a self winding watch. When it arrived in the box the watch was still and inactive. But the moment I removed it from the box it started to self wind. With just a small amount of movement, the second hand was moving.

For sailors who want to a sleek non electric time piece and for those divers who like to go under the water as well as on it.

I love this safety yellow colourway as it really stands out and is easy to read. This might not be to everyone’s taste though which is fine because the Spinnaker Hass comes in 9 different colourways.

FAQ: What makes the best sailing watch?

The ability to read the time, countdown or data in a hurry or at an angle is key, so look out for digital readouts with large numbers – some sailing watches have the ability to switch from digital to analogue readouts – and screens that can be viewed in different qualities of daylight. Backlit functions are essential for anyone heading offshore, whether racing or cruising.

A well-fitting wristband or strap with a secure clasp is vital to keep the watch on your arm. Most sailing watches have soft rubber or synthetic wristbands, which are more durable in a marine environment, and safer than steel. Rubber straps are also lighter and easier to adjust.

If you plan to use your watch for race start timing, look for programmable start sequence options, a sync button, countdowns that switch to seconds in the final stages. A loud, clear alarm or ‘beep’ function that tells you time to the gun is particularly useful, so you can keep watching your course, trim and other boats around you during the final approach to the line rather than having to glance at your wrist.

You can read more about other types of GPS enabled and waterproof fitness trackers and smart watches at YBW.com

Didn’t find what you’re looking for? Head to Amazon’s dedicated boating page for more marine products.

Nautica Watches

Nautica values discovery: it is a movement and a way of life. It is the pride of expanding one’s knowledge, in being ready and open to break outside of the norm.  

Discovery is spontaneous – it’s not always planned, but it’s always celebrated. Nautica creates products that are made to last so you can discover more every day.

“WHERE THE WATER MEETS THE SHORE IS WHERE IS ALL BEGINS”

• Philipp Plein
• Plein Sport
• Watchmaking
• 555 Christian Road Middlebury, CT 06762 USA
• +1.203.346.5000

Best Sailing Watches in 2022 (From Budget to Luxury)

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Table of Contents

Best Sailing Watches

Garmin quatix 6 multisport – premium sailing smartwatch.

Read Amazon Reviews | See on Garmin

Tissot “Sailing Touch” Watch – Swiss-Made  

Casio Tide Watch (WS-1100H-4AVCF)

Optimum Time Sailing Watch: Simple Budget Pick

Garmin Quatix 5 

See the  quatix® 5 on Garmin.com | Read Amazon Reviews that mention “Sailing “

If you’re looking for a watch with multisport functions, this should be at the top of your list. Garmin is a trusted brand when it comes to smartwatches for sports, so you’re sure that you’ll have some of today’s best technology. The Garmin Quatix 5 is built on the powerful Fenix 5 platform, a smartwatch designed for use in the water. This is a good option if you want a more affordable version of the Quantix since the price has dropped since the release of the newers version 6.  There really are too many features to name here. If you want a closer look at what’s changed to see which is a better fit – check out this comparison of the Quatix 5 and 6 on Garmin. This powerful GPS marine smartwatch has a heart rate monitor (it’s wrist-based, so you don’t need to use a chest strap). Aside from the boat features, this model also has functions for a wide array of sports (i.e. running, hiking , biking , swimming, etc.) Garmin has dozens of models for different sports and fitness activities, but the reason why the Quantix model made our list is that it has Garmin SailAssist™ Capabilities that allow the user to have a virtual starting line. There is also a tack assist and a race countdown timer. This one is excellent on water, but it’s equally efficient on dry land too. Its simple design is also perfect for daily wear.

SUUNTO Core – All around value

The brand’s sailor-specific watch, the Suunto Elementum Ventus , was one of our top picks in the past but this one is not made anymore, but you may still find second-hand models on the market today. Occasionally one will pop up on eBay . The Suunto Elementum Ventus is a smartwatch with a sleek and sophisticated design, sapphire crystal glass, stainless steel case, and leather strap. The sailing features include a sailing timer, chronograph, compass, and weather predictions.

Garmin MARQ Captain (010-02006-06)

Read Reviews | See on Garmin.com

The Garmin MARQ Captain is an impressive luxury smartwatch filled to the brim with fantastic features for various activities. Along with Garmin’s staple features such as GPS, activity tracker, smart notifications, and Garmin Pay support – the MARQ Captain also provides Driver, Aviator, Expedition, Athlete, and Captain modes. This smartwatch is undoubtedly a masterclass in what these devices can achieve. Design-wise the Garmin MARQ is more oversized than your typical smartwatch. However, this bulkier appearance makes sense considering the MARQ’s build quality and feature-packed design. Also, despite the larger build of the Garmin MARQ, it is surprisingly lighter than you would think, at only 94 grams. In terms of features, the Garmin MARQ offers similar functionalities to the Garmin Fenix 6, and I would even dare say that the MARQ is simply a flashier version of the Fenix 6. However, one of the most notable features in the Garmin MARQ is undoubtedly the Athlete mode. This feature comes with layers of functionality that cover a vast selection of sports such as running, swimming, cycling, skiing, and golf. Besides the variety of sports features, MARQ also offers nifty functions such as a heart-rate sensor, stress tracking, and incident detection that sends notifications to your emergency contacts about your location. I also want to highlight the Recovery feature, which helps you keep track of your rest which can significantly help if you are nursing an injury. For sailing, I have to say that Garmin MARQ provides an unbeatable collection of features for sailors. The MARQ comes with a Regatta feature that helps you formulate the optimum route. The Tack feature also gives you real-time updates on wind shifts. In addition, the Garmin MARQ comes with a Man Overboard function that enables you to track a person who accidentally fell off the boat, which is one of its unique features. Garmin MARQ is undoubtedly one of the top options available in the market as a sailing watch. The Garmin Fenix 6 is a solid sailing watch, but the MARQ Captain is undoubtedly the more stylish of the two.

Ronstan ClearStart Sailing Watch – Budget

Corum Admiral AC One 45 Tides

Rolex Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master II

Ulysse Nardin Marine Regatta

Panerai Luminor 1950 Regatta

Bremont Regatta AC

[instagram url=https://www.instagram.com/p/BDRRISat_Ld/ hidecaption=true width=320] The Bremont Regatta AC (America’s Cup) is a limited edition model (the company only produced 235 pieces) and is no longer in production. However, you can still try your luck searching for sellers on eBay. It was priced at around $6,800 when it was still available, this is relatively more affordable than the two luxury brands above. This series and a partnership with Oracle Team USA (OTUSA) were released in Baselworld 2016 with much acclaim. A Blog to Watch quoted Oracle Team USA Skipper Jimmy Spithill as saying (about both AC and OTUSA):

“Naturally, we have a central digital clock on the boat but every sailor still likes to have the time on his wrist, and before a race the countdown to the start is critical. It’s a really tough sport both mentally and physically, and not only does the team need to make decisions under immense pressure but we need to have equipment that allows us to do so,” Spithill said. “With the countdown function being so crucial when racing out on the water, we are really delighted that Bremont has invested in this for us and it’s incredibly special for me that the watches also incorporate some of our winning AC72 which I skippered in 2013.”

Some of the main features of the AC include a titanium case material, automatic movement, sapphire glass, and a rubber bracelet. This chronograph timepiece’s sleek, classic design exudes elegance without being flashy.

TNG Classic Tornado Sailing Chronograph

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My love of watches started almost 30 years ago when I inherited my grandfather’s watch. A watch that is still in my collection and one of my most prized possessions although not the most valuable in terms of money.

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