Phil Sampson and Roger Hughes take a look at 12 of the best sailing watches available with functions for racing and cruising sailorsPhoto: GarminJust 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.
\nHowever, the cleverest watch is not always the best watch for sailing. For racing an extremely simple and speedy to operate model may suit better.
\nPrice 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.
\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!
\nNote: 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.
\nBest\u00a0multi-function\u00a0sailing watches<\/p>\n
Garmin MARQ Captain
\nOur top priced pick comes from wearable techno-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.
\nRRP: \u00a31,699.99 \/ $1,850
\nBuy it now from Garmin
\nBuy it now from Westmarine.com
\nBuy it now from Jura Watches<\/p>\n
Casio Tide Watch Orange
\nThere\u2019s no question that when it comes to affordable innovation, Casio is right up there.
\nDespite 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.
\nMore conventional sailing watch functions include a timer, stopwatch and LED might. It is water resistant to 100m and promises a 10-year battery life, all packed into\u00a0a 43mm diameter case.
\nRRP: $82.99 \/ \u00a362
\nBuy it now from Amazon
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Garmin Quatix 6 sailing watch
\nSee\u00a0MBY\u2018s Garmin Quatix 6 review.
\nThis watch we tried out at length \u2013 it is a very comprehensive design, with functions for every type of pastime on the water, including diving. It is a beautifully crafted and extraordinary wrist computer.
\nGarmin 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\u201d inch round sailing watch.
\nBluetooth 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\u00a0change heading or follow a GPS route \u2013 provided it is also connected through the chartplotter.<\/p>\n
The Quatix 6 also offers more typical smart watch functions including the ability to receive email and texts, can be used to control music on board, and monitors the user\u2019s heart-rate.
\nIt\u2019s simple to switch between \u2018boat display\u2019 and \u2018stylish watch\u2019 modes, as hundreds of different watch faces that can be downloaded to customise it to the wearer\u2019s preference, including an antique style face and even a copy of Big Ben.\u00a0The Quatix 6 can also be switched between analogue and digital.
\nIt\u2019s overall diameter is 51mm (2\u201d in) with a 36mm (1 5\/8\u201d in) viewable face, and it is 17mm (11\/16\u201d) thick. The Quatix 6\u2019s\u00a0weight 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.
\nIt is waterproof to 100 metres, sunlight readable and has a night light mode.\u00a0The watch has a soft synthetic wristband, available in various colours.
\nA single charge will last 14 days with normal use, or there is also a solar-powered version for continuous self-charging (available at twice the price). But whatever you do, do not drop this sailing watch overboard, as it does not float!
\nRRP: \u00a3629 \/ $699
\nBuy it now on Amazon
\nBuy it now on eBay
\nBuy it now from Garmin
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Garmin Instinct outdoors watch
\nRead our Garmin Instinct review
\nGarmin also sent this watch for us to wear. The Instinct 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.
\nThe Garmin Instinct watch is a good alternative for anyone seeking a more moderately priced alternative to the Quatix 6.
\nRRP: \u00a3269.99
\nBuy it now on Amazon
\nBuy it now on eBay
\nBuy it now from Garmin
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\nBest sailing watches for racing<\/p>\n
Ronstan ClearStart Race Timer
\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.
\nRRP: $119.95 \/ \u00a385
\nBuy it now on Amazon
\nBuy it now from West Marine<\/p>\n
Optimum Time Series 14 Rechargeable sailing watch
\nOptimum Time\u2019s 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.
\nFeaturing a 36mm diameter LCD display mounted within a bright red and black 68mm ABS case, Optimum Time\u2019s Series 14 watch is a substantial device that is equally suited to being mounted on a mast or boom as\u00a0your wrist, while the digits are large enough to allow crew to see the same timer as the skipper.
\nWaterproof 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.
\nRRP: \u00a385 \/ $111
\nBuy it now on Amazon
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Timex Intelligent Quartz Yacht Racer watch
\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.
\nRRP: \u00a3132.99
\nBuy it now on the Watch Shop<\/p>\n
Optimum Time Series 3 sailing watch
\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.
\nRRP: \u00a359
\nBuy it now on Amazon<\/p>\n
Ronstan Clearstart RF4055 sailing watch
\nThis sailing\u00a0watch 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.
\nThe 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\u2033) diameter face, which is larger than most watches, with a 13mm (0.5\u2033 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.
\nRRP: \u00a385.95
\nBuy it now on Amazon
\nBuy it now on eBay<\/p>\n
Optimum Time Series 12 sailing watch
\nAnother 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.
\nThe Optimum Time Series 12 is available in many colours, but has a small 26mm (1.02\u201d in) display, with 10mm (0.34\u201d in) figures, which will make it hard to read in the middle of a hectic race start.
\nRRP: \u00a395
\nBuy it now on eBay<\/p>\n
Gill Race Watch Timer
\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 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.
\nRRP: $110 \/ \u00a375
\nBuy it now from Amazon<\/p>\n
Limit ProXR Countdown sailing watch
\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.
\nRRP: \u00a329.99
\nBuy it now on Nauticalia.com
\nWhat makes a good 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 watches: 12 options for racing and cruising appeared first on Yachting World.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Phil Sampson and Roger Hughes take a look at 12 of the best sailing watches available with functions for racing and cruising sailorsPhoto: GarminJust as tablets and even smartphones have revolutionised how sailors use multifunction displays and instruments, so the … <\/p>\n