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\u2019s utter simplicity of a waterproof self winding timepiece.
\nJust 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\u2019re 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.
\nYou\u2019ll see that Garmin have several entries in our best sailing watches guide and if you\u2019re 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.
\nHowever, the cleverest watch is not always the best watch for sailing. For regatta 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 can be packed with features. I\u2019ve created a guide to large face sports sailing watches if this is something you are looking for then have a look.
\nAt the other end of the scale, \u00a0luxury horology brands \u2013 including Rolex, Panerai, and Omega among others \u2013 have long been closely associated with sailing, seeing it as the perfect sport to demonstrate their style, waterproof and ruggedised qualities, and accuracy.
\nIn making our selection of the best sailing watches, we\u2019ve chosen those with features specifically suitable for wearing aboard. That doesn\u2019t 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!
\nEditor\u2019s top choices at a glance<\/p>\n
Garmin Quatix 7
\nBest smart sailing watch
\nSpecifications: Apple or android smart phone compatible,\u00a0 Sizes: 47mm \/ 51mm, Weight 70g, Battery life: up to 16 days with screen on by demand, GPS tracking, waterproof to 10 ATM
\nReasons 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
\nReasons 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
\nGarmin\u2019s latest sailing smartwatch includes improvements to strengthen integration with onboard electronics.
\nIt\u2019s a touchscreen model that can, for instance, be used to control MFD displays or Fusion audio systems, as well as Garmin autopilots.
\nYou can also pay for things with contactless payments, but you\u2019ll need to use an intermediary app, such as Curve if you are in the UK as British banks haven\u2019t signed up for that function directly yet.
\nSo let\u2019s address the major change for the Quatix 7 over the Quatix 6, and that\u2019s the display. Plenty of folks complained about the darkness or difficulty seeing the Quatix 6 screen, so they\u2019ve addressed that with a much brighter lit up style of screen.\u00a0 It is very bright even when turned to its dimmest setting. To save the battery from being drained unnecessarily at night, there\u2019s 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.
\nThe extra screen size in the same outer bezel size though is really very nice. Maps and other tracking options can be easily seen.
\nHigh end Sapphire models add a new ultra-clear AMOLED touchscreen.
\nThe 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.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Garmin Quatix 7 PRO
\nBest smart sailing watch
\nSpecifications: Apple or android smart phone compatible,\u00a0 Sizes: 47mm \/ 51mm, Weight 70g, Battery life: up to 16 days with screen on by demand, GPS tracking, waterproof to 10 ATM
\nReasons 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 | has a built in led torch!
\nReasons to Avoid: expensive bit of kit (but worth every penny)
\nGarmin\u2019s latest sailing smartwatch includes improvements to strengthen integration with onboard electronics and now sports a little red and white mini torch.
\nIt\u2019s a touchscreen model that can, for instance, be used to control MFD displays or Fusion audio systems, as well as Garmin autopilots.
\nYou can also pay for things with contactless payments, but you\u2019ll need to use an intermediary app, such as Curve if you are in the UK as British banks haven\u2019t signed up for that function directly yet.
\nHigh end Sapphire models add a new ultra-clear AMOLED touchscreen.
\nThe 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.
\nI\u2019m going to get straight to the point here, this watch is utterly brilliant. Once you put it on your wrist, you wont want to take it off. I have put a metal strap on mine as I find the Silicon strap, day to day can irritate my skin. But I pop on another sports strap for sportsing about.
\nI row, sail, swim, free dive, run, cycle, indoor row, do gym work, look up tides, sunrise and set times, Barometer, Storm alerts,\u00a0 monitor my heart rate, monitor my sleep patterns, use the multiple alarms for a multitude of stuff, sync the watch to the rowing machine, and pin drop where I parked my car because I tend to forget where I put it. Thankfully I\u2019ve never had to use the MOB alert button, but it\u2019s good to know it\u2019s there.
\nAnyway, if you want to know more about this and are wavering on dropping such a ton of money on it, just drop me a line and I\u2019ll happily answer any questions you might have.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Suunto Ocean Smart Diving and sailing watch
\nSpecifications:\u00a0Display: 1.43-inch AMOLED color display with sapphire glass and stainless steel bezel. Battery Life: Up to 60 hours in dive mode. Up to 50 hours with continuous GPS tracking.
\nDive Features: Supports single and multi-gas modes, including air and nitrox. Utilizes the Suunto B\u00fchlmann 16 GF algorithm for decompression management. Compatible with the Suunto Tank POD for wireless tank pressure monitoring. Customizable audio and vibration alarms for safety alerts.
\nSports and Activity Tracking: Over 95 sport modes, including running, cycling, swimming, and yoga. On-wrist heart rate monitoring, step counting, calorie tracking, and sleep analysis. Advanced training features with heart rate variability analysis.
\nNavigation and Outdoor Features: High-precision GNSS system for accurate location tracking. Offline maps available globally at no extra cost. Barometric sensor providing altitude readings and storm alarms.
\nReasons to Buy
\nDual-Purpose Design (Diving + Sports Tracking),\u00a0Premium Build with AMOLED Display,\u00a0Offline Maps & Advanced Navigation
\nReasons to Avoid
\nHigher Price Tag,\u00a0Limited App Ecosystem,
\nWhat I think of it\u2026
\nThis watch is a beast! As someone who enjoys both freediving and outdoor sports, this watch can handle both worlds on the water and under the water easily.
\nThe watch feels premium and rugged. The 1.43-inch AMOLED display is bright and crisp, even under direct sunlight. The sapphire glass and stainless steel bezel give it a solid, high-end feel, and I love that it\u2019s made in Finland with renewable energy. The strap is comfortable, and despite being packed with features, it\u2019s not overly bulky on my wrist, though let\u2019s not pretend this thing is small, I\u2019m used to wearing large watches, so if you do have a smaller wrist like me, it might take a little getting used to.
\nBattery life is good but not mind-blowing. I got around 50 hours with GPS tracking, and up to 60 hours in dive mode, but with regular smartwatch use, I needed to charge it every 4-5 days. That\u2019s reasonable, but some competitors last longer.
\nIf you\u2019re an adventurer who dives, hikes, and trains, this watch is one of the best all-in-one solutions out there. It\u2019s rugged, packed with features, and reliable in the water. However, if you\u2019re strictly a runner, sailor or cyclist, a dedicated Garmin or Coros watch might suit you better for the price.<\/p>\n
\u00a0
\n\u00a0
\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
Garmin MARQ Captain
\nBest premium sailing watch
\nSpecifications: Type: Smart | Size: 46mm
\nReasons to buy: Weather and tidal data | MOB and GPS functions | Stream boat data to your wrist
\nReasons to avoid: Full extent of capabilities is governed by the onboard technology it\u2019s connected to | Premium price
\nTested by: MBY Editor, Hugo Andreae
\nOur top priced pick comes from wearable tech-specialists, Garmin. The MARQ Captain sailing watch comes packed with marine-relevant features.
\nFunctions include weather and tidal data for your home port, a regatta timer to pinpoint starting times, a \u2018tack assist\u2019 function to determine whether you\u2019re on lift or a header, a man overboard button and GPS.
\nThe 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.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Note: We may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site, at no extra cost to you. This doesn\u2019t affect our editorial independence.<\/p>\n
Best Smart sailing watches<\/p>\n
Garmin Instinct 2S Solar
\nSpecifications: Type: Smart | Size: 40mm \/ 45mm \/ 50mm, weight 53g(2oz)
\nReasons 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
\nReasons to avoid: Premium price without a premium design
\nThe Instinct 2, launched in February 2022 is Garmin\u2019s 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.
\nIt 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.
\nThe Garmin Instinct is available in no fewer than 20 different styles and colours. It\u2019s actual diameter is 47mm (1 13\/16\u201d in) but the viewable face is 32mm (1 1\/4\u201d). The Instinct is 16mm (5\/8\u201d in) thick and weighs 53g (2 oz).
\nFor racing sailors, it also has multiple start sequence options. We have an indepth review from long term testing of this watch coming soon.
\nThe Garmin Instinct watch is a good alternative for anyone seeking a more moderately priced alternative to the Quatix 7.<\/p>\n
\u00a0
\n\u00a0
\nBest Big Screen Watch for Sailing<\/p>\n
Gill Stealth Sailing Regatta Race Watch Timer
\nSpecifications: Type: Digital | Size 65mm
\nReasons to buy:Robust design with secure strap | Extra-large | easy to press silicon buttons | Great display
\nReasons to avoid: Some consumers report issues with clasp\/strap
\nWith wrist, hull, mast or boom mount options, the Swiss-made Ronstan ClearStart Race Timer is aimed squarely at racing sailors.
\nMade by renowned rigging and hardware company Ronstan, it\u2019s a robust design with a secure elastic strap and substantial \u2018bumper\u2019 around the digital display.
\nThe ClearStart Race Timer\u2019s 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.
\nIn addition, the ClearStart Race Timer offers \u20185-4-1-0\u2019 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.
\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
Ronstan Clear Start Race Timer
\nBest Race Sailing watch
\nSpecifications: Type: Digital | Size 65mm
\nReasons to buy:Robust design with secure strap | Extra-large | easy to press silicon buttons | Great display
\nReasons to avoid: Some consumers report issues with clasp\/strap
\nWith wrist, hull, mast or boom mount options, the Swiss-made Ronstan ClearStart Race Timer is aimed squarely at racing sailors.
\nMade by renowned rigging and hardware company Ronstan, it\u2019s a robust design with a secure elastic strap and substantial \u2018bumper\u2019 around the digital display.
\nThe ClearStart Race Timer\u2019s 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.
\nIn addition, the ClearStart Race Timer offers \u20185-4-1-0\u2019 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.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Note: We may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site, at no extra cost to you. This doesn\u2019t affect our editorial independence.<\/p>\n
Optimum Time Series 3 sailing watch
\nOne of the most popular sailing watches on the market
\nSpecifications: Type: Digital | Size: 65mm
\nReasons to buy: Great price | Highly functional | Easy to read
\nReasons to avoid: It\u2019s really big
\nThe popular \u2018big yellow\u2019 Optimum Time Series 3 is a lower-priced, yet highly functional racing watch. And it truly is big \u2013 far too large for my wrist at a gigantic 65mm (2.56\u201d in) diameter and 16mm (0.62\u201d in) thick. It\u2019s also available in colours other than yellow \u2013 including white, blue and pink.
\nAn advantage for racing is that this watch is easy to read at a distance thanks to its huge\u00a016mm 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.
\nRobust, and water resistant to 5 ATM, with a wide elasticated strap.<\/p>\n
\u00a0
\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
Timex Intelligent Quartz Yacht Racer watch
\nBest for Analogue race sailing watch fans
\nSpecifications: Type: Analogue | Size 46mm
\nReasons to buy: Striking analogue display | Countdown timers
\nReasons to avoid: Larger than average design | Complex to set up | lacks reset button | Expensive
\nThis is a very striking analogue watch, designed to appeal specifically to racing sailors who don\u2019t want a digital display. It features a racing countdown timers (from\u00a05 mins, 3 mins or 1 minute), then after the start the chronometer automatically starts a race timer for up to one hour.
\nThis is a larger than average design, at 46 mm (1.81\u201d in) diameter and 14mm (0.55\u201d in) thick.
\nHowever, this watch is complex to set up, as some functions require three buttons to be pressed in sequence. There is also no \u2018reset\u2019 button for anyone who misses their start sequence timer.<\/p>\n
\u00a0
\n\u00a0
\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
Gill Race Watch Timer
\nBest racing sailing watch for watersports
\nSpecifications: Type: Digital | Size 44mm
\nReasons to buy: Water-resistant to 30 metres | Carbon housing | The sleep feature preserves battery life
\nReasons to avoid: Basic design and functions
\nThis striking red and black Race Watch Timer is a sailing-specific watch developed exclusively for watersports apparel company Gill. It\u2019s water-resistant to an impressive 30 metres, with the timepiece unit encased in a reinforced carbon ABS plastic housing with a stainless steel back.
\nAs well as telling the time, the sailing watch\u2019s functions include a countdown with synchro, day, date and alarm. There\u2019s a keyboard lock feature to you don\u2019t accidentally change the settings and an electro-luminescent backlight allows the wearer to check the data day or night.
\nA neat sleep feature preserves and prolongs battery life in a ruggedly constructed unit designed for durability and years of trouble-free service.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Limit ProXR Countdown sailing watch
\nBest value racing sailing watch
\nSpecifications: Type: Digital | Size: 50mm
\nReasons to buy: Large, clear, easy to read display | Multiple design options | Dual time, stopwatch, countdown and pacer functions
\nReasons to avoid: Lacks features\/functions of more premium competitors | Chunky
\nLimit has been producing watches for more than 110 years and specialises in offering a wide variety of styles at great value prices.
\nFor 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.
\nIt also has a dual time display and stopwatch, countdown and pacer functionality. No fewer than five alarms can be set and there\u2019s a night time illumination facility.
\nAvailable 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.
\n\u00a0
\n\u00a0
\n\u00a0
\n\u00a0
\nFAQ: What makes the best sailing watch?
\nThe 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 \u2013 some sailing watches have the ability to switch from digital to analogue readouts \u2013 and screens that can be viewed in different qualities of daylight. Backlit functions are essential for anyone heading offshore, whether racing or cruising.
\nA 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.
\nIf 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 \u2018beep\u2019 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.
\nYou can read more about other types of GPS enabled and waterproof fitness trackers and smart watches at YBW.com
\nDidn\u2019t find what you\u2019re looking for? Head to Amazon\u2019s dedicated boating page for more marine products.
\nThe post Best Sailing Watch: Waterproof Watches Tested appeared first on Yachting World.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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 … <\/p>\n