Are you a sailing enthusiast? There’s nothing quite like the thrill of getting out on the water for some fun. Sailing is a challenging skill filled with ups and downs that will test your mettle against the elements of the ocean or lake.
Sailors rely on their position to show them their course while at sea. Without accurate positioning, it’s hard to tell where you are in the race and if you’re on the right course to win the event.
A sailing watch gives you everything you need to keep your position and time. These watches come with chronograph functionality for precision timekeeping, and they are available in smart and analog models.
This review unpacks the best sailing watches for your next aquatic experience. We’ll look at some of the top models and make our recommendations on the best sailing watch for your activities and budget.
Contents
Our Top Picks
- The Best Overall Sailing Watch – Garmin Quatix 6
The Garmin Quatix 6 wins our award for the best overall sailing watch. This smart model comes with a clean look, featuring stainless steel casing and a sapphire display. You get a bevy of smart functions in the watch, including GPS and timing functions. - The Best Premium Sailing Watch – SUUNTO 9
The SUUNTO 9 wins our award for the best premium sailing watch in this review. This smart model comes with GPS and timing functions, and you get a host of functions and features with great battery life. This model is expensive, but it’s a great choice if you want the best sailing watch available. - The Best Budget Sailing Watch – Garmin Instinct
The Garmin Instinct wins our award for the best budget model in this review. This smart sailing watch brings you outstanding functionality and a military-spec design. You get plenty of features, including GPS and timing functions. Best of all, this smart model comes with an affordable price tag.
Sailing Watches Reviews
The Best Overall Sailing Watch – Garmin Quatix 6
If you’re looking for a high-quality sailing watch offering you excellent performance in all conditions, we recommend the Garmin Quatix 6. This smartwatch features a rugged design with a sense of sophistication to its looks. We like the stainless steel bezel buttons and trim around the face providing a classy look to the watch.
You get a 1.3″ display that’s easy to read, with a simple interface providing a user-friendly experience. The watch comes with the Garmin QuickFit band system for easy adjustment to your wrist. The Quatix 6 connects to Garmin Chartplotters, allowing you to stream data to the watch.
- Provides comprehensive connectivity with compatible Garmin chartplotters and other devices (GPSMAP 7x2/9x2/12x2 Plus GPSMAP 10x2/12x2 GPSMAP 74/7600 GPSMAP 84/8600 GHC 20 GNX Wind GNT 10)
- Rugged sophisticated design features an always-on 1 3” display stainless steel bezel buttons rear case and QuickFit band system
- Improved sail racing assistance includes virtual starting line distance to start line race countdown timer and tack assist
- Preloaded apps for boating tides autopilot control Fusion-Link anchor fishing and GNT 10
- Support for optional BlueChart g3 coastal charts and LakeVü g3 inland maps with improved chart presentation for the latest in Garmin marine cartography
The Autopilot feature on the Quatix 6 lets you control the boat even when you’re not at the helm. The Autopilot app allows you to change your heading, follow a pre-planned GPS route or engage pattern steering. The Fusion-link app also allows full control of your entertainment system from the watch interface.
The Quatix 6 gives you all the critical data you need for your position and heading. The watch measures engine RPMs, water depth, wind, and much more. You also get waypoint marking included with the Quatix 6. Mark your favorite fishing spots and destinations so you can return to them later.
Garmin included support for Navionics data and a full range of charts for the east and west coasts and the Gulf of Mexico. Create virtual starting lines, and the track-assist function allows you to see if you’re on course or lifting.
The Quatix 6 includes preloaded topographic maps, multi-GNSS support, altimeter, and compass. The clean and crisp display is minimalistic, with all the data you need to improve your sailing experience. We rate the Garmin Quatix 6 as the best overall sailing watch in this review.
What We Liked
- Classic look with stainless steel finishes.
- Maps included and Navionics data available.
- Autopilot feature.
- Waypoint marking and Sail-Assist function.
- Comprehensive connectivity.
The Best Premium Sailing Watch – SUUNTO 9
If you’re looking for the best premium sailing watch, we recommend going with the SUUNTO 9 Baro & Peak. This smartwatch is the pinnacle of technology for sailing enthusiasts. The SUUNTO 9 comes with a durable design, with raised bezels to prevent scratching of the watch face.
You get a multisport GPS with accurate positioning and a 120-hour run time between charges. This model connects to your favorite sports and health apps with a 300-foot water-resistant rating. The intelligent GPS won’t run down the battery without compromising accuracy.
- Suunto 9 Baro: This durable multisport GPS watch is designed for athletes who demand the best; Featuring over 80 sports modes, a barometer for accurate altitude info, and wrist heart rate monitor
- Built To Last: Made for training, racing and extreme adventures, this GPS watch delivers up to 120 hours of continuous exercise tracking; Water resistant to 100 meters; Great for running, hiking, cycling and more
- Get Connected: Connect to your favorite sports apps and services from the Suunto app to get more from your watch; Share with your sports communities and access specific training analysis and guidance
- Adventure Starts Here: Combining Scandinavian design with ultra durable materials, our watches track your sports, daily activity, and sleep to help you keep life, training and recovery in balance
- Authentic Heritage: Founded in 1936, Suunto brings over 80 years of high-quality heritage craftsmanship, relentless accuracy, and pioneering innovation to our watches, compasses, and dive products. Proudly made with 100% renewable energy
There’s an altimeter barometer included in the watch, and the unique FusedTrack algorithm tracks your distance accuracy through the use of GPS and motion sensor data. This smartwatch also syncs with your calls, messages, and emails, allowing you to stay connected out on the water.
The 2-inch watch face features large, legible numbers and letters, and you get a high-quality rubberized strap for durable wear. The clean look of the bezel and buttons make this watch ideal for sports use, casual wear, and semi-formal use.
Overall, the SUUNTO 9 is a great choice for your sailing watch, but it comes with a steep price tag. Still, if you’re looking for the best model in this review, you can’t go wrong with the SUUNTO 9.
What We Liked
- Attractive design.
- Large 2-inch face.
- Comfortable strap.
- Apps and GPS data are available.
- Connects to messages and communications.
The Best Budget Sailing Watch – Garmin Instinct
If you’re searching for the best budget deal in this review, we recommend going with the Garmin Instinct. This sailing watch comes in your choice of 34 different colors. You get a rugged military-spec design, making the watch capable of handling the most demanding environments.
The Instinct meets 810G Military standards for shock, thermal, and water resistance up to 300-feet. You get a built-in 3-axis compass in the watch and a barometric altimeter. The Instinct includes multiple global navigation systems, including GPS, Galileo, or Glonass. As a result of the multi-GPS systems, the Instinct provides accurate positioning data.
- Rugged GPS watch built to withstand the toughest environments.Supported Application:GPS,Fitness Tracker,Heart Rate Monitor,Sleep Monitor. Connectivity technology:GPS. Wireless comm standard:Bluetooth
- Constructed to U.S. Military standard 810G for thermal, shock and water resistance (rated to 100 meters)
- Built in 3 axis compass and barometric altimeter, plus multiple global navigation satellite systems (GPS, Glonass and Galileo) support helps track in more challenging environments than GPS alone
- Monitor your estimated heart rate, activity and stress; Train with preloaded activity profiles
- Stay connected with smart notifications (with a compatible smartphone) and automatic data uploads to the Garmin connect online fitness community
The Instinct includes estimated heart rate, daily activity levels, and athletic strain. You also have the option of using the pre-installed activity profiles. The Garmin Instinct also provides you with smart notifications for your devices, and you get an auto-upload of your data to the Garmin fitness community.
The Instinct comes with the Garmin “Tracback” feature, offering you auto navigation of the same route to your starting point. The Instinct comes with excellent battery life, with up to 14-days standby in smartwatch mode, 16-hours in GPS mode, and up to 40-hours in the Ultratrac battery-saver mode.
Overall, the Garmin Instinct offers you the best value deal in this review. It’s a highly functional watch with everything you need to enjoy your time out on the water.
What We Liked
- Affordable quality.
- 3-stage GPS.
- Built-in 3-axis compass.
- Smartwatch vital monitoring.
- 34-colors available.
SUUNTO 7
The SUUNTO 7 is another great choice for your sailing watch. This model comes with a similar feel and interface to the SUUNTO 9 but with a price tag that’s half the cost of the SUUNTO 9. This watch features an attractive design, with a large 2-inch face and raised stainless steel or titanium bezels. With the adjustable rubber strap, you get a clean look, ensuring the watch sits securely on your wrist.
The SUUNTO 7 comes with 70-sports modes and a heart rate monitor. You get access to GPS functions, supporting Navionics data and maps. Connect to the SUUNTO app and bring the smartwatch to life with a range of custom functions.
- Suunto 7: This versatile smart watch combines Suunto's sports expertise with smartwatch technology; Track exercise accurately with access to more than 70 sports modes, GPS, and wrist heart rate sensor
- Make Life Easier: Compatible with Android and iOS phones, the Suunto 7 is powered by Wear OS by Google so you can see incoming calls and messages, make payments with your watch and download music to your watch to listen offline
- Get Connected: Connect to your favorite sports apps and services from the Suunto app to get more from your watch; Share with your sports communities and access specific training analysis and guidance
- Adventure Starts Here: Combining Scandinavian design with ultra durable materials, our watches track your sports, daily activity, and sleep to help you keep life, training and recovery in balance
- Authentic Heritage: Founded in 1936, Suunto brings over 80 years of high quality heritage craftsmanship, relentless accuracy, and pioneering innovation to our watches, compasses, and dive products
The SUUNTO 7 features the Google Wear OS, making it simple to integrate to any tech and your accounts. Download your favorite podcasts and music, and use the watch to Bluetooth it to your boat speaker system. This watch comes with the option of setting up dozens of widgets to enhance its functionality.
The SUUNTO 7 comes with smart battery technology. You get up to 40-days battery life in battery-saver mode, up to 2-days in smartwatch mode, and up to 12-hours in GPS mode. Overall, this model might not be as powerful as the SUUNTO 9, but you get a highly functional watch at half the price. There are eight colors to choose from when purchasing your SUUNTO 7.
What We Liked
- Compatible with Google apps.
- Accurate GPS tracking.
- Displays vital information like heart rate.
- Download music and podcasts.
- Long battery life.
- Eight color options.
SUUNTO Core
SUUNTO makes some of the best smartwatch models available, and the Core is another example of tech that enhances your sailing experience. The SUUNTO Core is a versatile smartwatch ideal for use out on the water. You get a range of connectivity features for your messages, calls, and emails, and plenty of apps and widgets to download to improve the functionality of this smartwatch.
The Core comes with a black face featuring red accents, giving it an appealing look—the raised bezels on the edges with navigational markings along the edges. The rugged nylon strap is water-resistant and tear-proof, ensuring a secure fit to your wrist.
- The daily companion in the mountains and on skiing tours – Ideal for all altitudes
- Storm warnings, Temperature, Time-, Date-, and Alarm functions, 12 month Battery life in time mode
- High durability thanks to aluminium case, Waterproof up to 30m (to ISO6425)
- Contents: 1x Suunto Core multisport watch (unisex), USB cable, Band length: 24.5 cm, Black/Red, SS023158000
- International products have separate terms, are sold from abroad and may differ from local products, including fit, age ratings, and language of product, labeling or instructions.
The SUUNTO Core comes with a barometric altimeter, compass, and depth gauge. You get real-time alerts for storm warnings, the air temperature, and a highly impact-resistant aluminum casing that’s nearly indestructible and scratch-resistant. The watch is waterproof up to 100-feet, and you get an easy-to-read face with large numbers and letters.
Overall, the Core offers you a great range of functions for your time out on the water. It’s an affordable watch in the smartwatch category and a fantastic choice for your first sailing watch.
What We Liked
- Attractive looks with a Nylon strap and red accents on the face.
- Barometric altimeter and compass.
- Connects to Android and Apple devices.
Citizen Eco-Drive ProMaster Sailhawk
Citizen have a legacy of manufacturing high-quality watches at affordable prices. The Eco-Drive ProMaster Sailhawk is a great example of a sailing-specific watch in the Citizen range, with a reasonable price tag.
The Sailhawk comes with a bright orange or blue color on the strap and bezel of the watch. The rest of the watch body features design and construction with stainless steel for corrosion resistance and an elegant look to the timepiece.
- This Promaster Sailhawk timepiece isn’t just stylish, however — it is packed with features like the ability to give the time in 30 cities worldwide, a yacht racing timer, split lap time, a 99-minute countdown timer, and two different alarms.
- Sustainably powered by any light, with our Eco-Drive technology this watch never needs a battery.
- Silver-Tone Stainless Steel Case with Orange Polyurethane Strap
- Retractable Hands and Mineral Crystal
- 200 Meters Water Resistant and 5 Year Limited Warranty
This watch features 30-time zones, a yacht racing timer, a 99-minute countdown timer, split-lap times, and two alarm settings. You get water resistance up to 600-feet and a 5-year warranty included with the Sailhawk.
This model is a great choice for anyone looking for an analog sailing watch without smart capabilities. There are two digital displays for the time zone and digital time. You get luminous hands and markings for low-light viewing and three low-profile function buttons.
The Sailhawk comes in a large plastic carry box. You get a one-touch interchangeable digital/analog time, digital backlit display, retractable hands, Universal Coordinated Time (UTC) display, and daylight savings time indicator.
Considering the price, the Sailhawk offers you excellent value for money and is one of the best sailing watches in this review.
What We Liked
- Rugged design featuring stainless steel construction.
- Eco-Drive technology means no battery changes.
- Yacht racing timer.
- 600-feet water resistance.
- 5-year warranty.
Casio Pro Trek
Casio has a reputation for manufacturing some of the best digital watches on the market. In the 80s and 90s, Casio dominated the entry-level watch market. Four decades later, the company still manufactures high-quality digital watches at an affordable price. The Pro Trek model is another great choice for your sailing watch.
The Pro Trek features a rugged design with the solar-powered operation and Multi-band atomic timekeeping. The attractive aluminum casing adds to the rugged look of the watch, and you get raised bezels with compass markings and luminous readouts on the face.
- Tough Solar Power, 100M Water Resistant, Low Temperature Resistant (-10 C / 14 F), Altimeter, Digital Compass, Barometer, Thermometer. Thermometer Display range: -10 to 60 C (14 to 140 F) Display unit: 0.1 C (0.2 F)
- Full Auto LED (Super Illuminator) Backlight with Afterglow, World Time, 31 time zones (48 cities + UTC), city name display, daylight saving on/off, Sunrise/Sunset Data, 5 Daily Alarms (4 one-time and 1 snooze alarm)
- Hourly Time Signal, 1/10 Second Stopwatch, Countdown Timer, 12/24 Hour Formats, Button operation tone on/off
- Storage Battery: Solar Rechargeable Battery, Battery Level Indicator
- Power Saving Function, Approx. Battery Life: 9 months on full charge (without further exposure to light), Module 3415
The Pro Trek comes with all the functionality you need in a sailing watch. There’s a duplex LCD, tide graph, moon cycle data, digital compass and altimeter, barometer, and thermometer. The watch face has full LED backlighting for viewing in low-light conditions and fire alarms, along with a 1/100th second stopwatch function.
There is a battery level indicator and a power-saving function. You get an auto-calendar and countdown timer with a solar-charged battery on this model. The Pro Trek offers you 5-months of operations without any exposure to sunlight.
The Pro Trek is water-resistant to 600-feet, and it comes with five alarms. Overall, the Casio Pro Trek is a great choice for your sailing watch, and it comes with an affordable price tag to boot.
What We Liked
- Affordable quality.
- Rugged aluminum body.
- Plenty of functions.
- Solar-powered operation.
Tissot Sailing-Touch
Tissot is another name in sailing watches that stands out from the pack. This Sailing-Touch model is another great example of a purpose-built sailing watch for your aquatic adventure.
This Tissot model comes with a 45mm stainless steel casing design for the watch body and a blue accent on the face and bezel. The hands are luminous, allowing for reading the time and data in low-light conditions.
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The Sailing-Touch features a sapphire dial for scratch-resistance and durability, and you get water resistance up to 330-feet with this watch. The Sailing-Touch includes a perpetual calendar and chronograph functionality. You get real Swiss Quartz movement and a hybrid analog/digital display with a backlighting function.
We like the Histogram function, showing you the evolution of relative pressure over the last 6 hours. You also get the minute hand indicating the tide at your chosen location, and the hour hand shows the low or high tide.
The Sailing-Touch also comes with a “regatta” function, allowing you to set the countdown from zero to ten minutes. The watch transforms into a racing chronograph when the countdown timer reaches zero. The digital display also notes the air temperature, and the compass function keeps your navigation on track.
What We Liked
- Clean design.
- Sapphire anti-scratch face.
- Blue-accent bezels.
- Stainless steel casing.
Casio G Shock Mudman
Who can forget the launch of the legendary “G-Shock” series from Casio? These watches were the hottest fashion item in the 80s and 90s, and for a good reason. These Casio watches are incredibly durable and the choice of many military operators.
The Casio G-Shock Mudman is a great choice for your sailing watch. This model comes with a mineral crystal display for durability and shock resistance. You get solar-power operation meaning the battery will never run out, and the buttons are all mud-resistant.
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You get a 600-foot water-resistant rating with the Mudman and plenty of features. The Mudman comes with moon [phase data, thermometer, digital compass, and backlighting with afterglow function. This watch comes with a preprogrammed calendar, world time, a stopwatch, and a countdown timer.
The G-Shock Mudman has a rubberized casing with a tick bezel and oversized buttons. It’s the ideal choice for sailors with larger hands looking for a durable watch that lasts a lifetime. The Mudman comes with a comfortable, adjustable rubber strap and a power-saving function for the battery.
What We Liked
- Classic G-Shock quality.
- Mud-resistant buttons.
- Sturdy shock-proof design.
- Digital compass.
Invicta I-Force
If you’re looking for an affordable and effective sailing watch, we recommend going with the Invicta I-Force. Invicta is one of the new timekeeping brands on the market. The company is making waves in the industry thanks to the high-quality materials and styling used in its watch design. The I-Force is a perfect example of one of the company’s elite products.
The I-Force comes with a 51mm stainless steel casing for durability and a classy look. You get blue dials on the watch that contrasts impressively against the brushed stainless steel. The watch face features design and construction with scratch-resistant flame fusion crystal. The rubber wrist band is completely adjustable for a secure fit, and you get a lightweight, powerful design for the watch.
- Stainless steel case 51mm diameter x 12.5mm thick; Black dial; Luminous hands
- Japanese quartz movement, VD57 Caliber; Assembled in Japan; SR920SW battery included; Watch weight: 164 grams
- Black polyurethane band, 210mm L x 26mm W; Buckle clasp
- Flame Fusion crystal; Screw-down crown; Stationary stainless steel bezel with blue top bezel ring; Functional Subdials: 60min, 60sec, 1/10th sec; 100 meter water resistant: Suitable for recreational surfing, swimming, snorkeling, sailing and water sports. Not suitable for diving.
The I-Force comes with several handy functions for sailors. There’s a 60-second and 1/10th second chronograph, luminous paint on the hands, and hour marking for easy reading in low-light conditions.
Overall, this watch has an impressive look, with classy use of stainless steel and plenty of features. Considering the price tag, it makes an excellent choice for an entry-level sailing watch.
What We Liked
- Very affordable.
- Polyurethane rubber strap.
- Chronograph functionality.
- Luminous hands.
- Flame fusion crystal face.
Other Best Selling Options
- 38mm x 20mm display size. Single row display. Massive 16mm digit height. Adjustable viewing angle.
- 5,4,1,0 ISAF start sequence pre-programmed with audible warning signals (can be silenced if preferred).
- Boom/Mast Mount Bracket Supplied. Elasticated Strap for Wrist or over sleeve wearing.
- Countdown repeat option or Countdown and Up to show elapsed time for handicap races.
- Large 65mm overall ABS case. Shock Resistant Construction. Water Resistant to 5 ATM.
- 38mm x 20mm display size. Boom/Mast Mount Bracket Supplied. Elasticated Strap for Wrist or over sleeve wearing. Water Resistant to 5 ATM. Shock Resistant Construction. Normal Timekeeping Mode (12 or 24 Hour). Specialist Sailing Timer Functions:
- Adjustable Viewing Angle
- Large 65mm overall ABS case
- Massive 16mm digit height. Countdown repeat option or Countdown and Up to show elapsed time for handicap races. 5,4,1,0 ISAF start sequence pre-programmed with audible warning signals (can be silenced if preferred)
- Single row display. 5 minute, 3 minute and multiples of 1 minute programs as well.
- Adjustable black 16 millimeter resin strap fits up to 8-inch wrist circumference
- 100-hour chronograph with 30-lap memory; 24-hour countdown timer. On-screen prompts make setting easy forward or backward setting
- 3 daily, weekday or weekend alarms; 24-hour military time mode; 3 time zones; Day, date and month calendar
- Gray and black 38 millimeter resin case with acrylic lens; Gray digital display; Indiglo light-up watch dial
- Water resistant to 100 meters (330 feet): In general, suitable for swimming and snorkeling, but not diving
- Countdown from programmable time with alarm at zero
- Last 30 seconds warning alarm sequence. Count Up to programmable time with alarm. Minute alarm every full minute elapsed on Count Up. Alarm sounds can be turned off. Large 65mm overall ABS case. 38mm x 20mm display size. Massive 16mm digit height
- Minute alarm on each full minute remaining. Single row display. Adjustable Viewing Angle. Elasticated Strap for Wrist or over sleeve wearing. Water Resistant to 5 ATM. Shock Resistant Construction. Normal Timekeeping Mode (12 or 24 Hour)
- The buttons have a positive click-type operation and are located on the tip of the watch to prevent accidental knocking.
- The ultimate event watch, known around the world as the best and most essential timer for the sport of eventing.
Sailing Watches Buyer’s Guide
After reading through the reviews of the best sailing watches, it’s time to decide on the right one for you. However, choosing the right sailing watch requires you the understand what you’re looking at.
This section will unpack the features and characteristics of sailing watches and what to look for in a prospective timepiece.
What is a Sailing Watch?
If you’re an avid sailor, it’s time to get yourself a timepiece that exemplifies your sport. A sailing watch, also known as a “regatta” or yachting watch, is ideal for sailing enthusiasts. The sailing watch is a timepiece dedicated to the sport, offering you the chance to capture accurate timekeeping during the journey.
If you’re into racing sailboats or yachts, you know that it’s challenging to line up at the starting line before the race. You’ll need to learn how to control the wind while waiting for the countdown to the race. It’s in these moments that a countdown timer pays dividends.
You’ll start your countdown timer at the resounding signal. The regatta watch gives you a measurement of progress and speed concerning time. With the right watch, you hit the start line right as the horn sounds at the beginning of the race.
A sailing watch is an essential piece of equipment for anyone that enjoys racing boats. This guide to sailing watches unpacks everything you need to know about these exquisite timepieces.
What are the Benefits of Sailing Watches?
Investing your hard-earned money in a sailing watch is money well-spent for yachting enthusiasts. If you enjoy getting into the outdoors and onto the water, they make a great watch for many different activities and sports, not just sailing.
The regatta watch is rugged and reliable, and it requires a sense of style. After all, you’re going to be flashing it around the yacht club, and you need a decent timepiece on your wrist, right? Most yachting enthusiasts require a sailing watch for several important actions.
The regatta watch will help you with timekeeping and tracking the weather, ad some also feature integrated GPS for easy reading of your position out on the water. Typically, the sailing watch has a straightforward design, without as many functions as you would receive in other sports-specific models. They focus on doing what the sailor needs – keeping time.
The sailing watch is easy to read and use and stylish, offering you a functional watch with an eye-catching aesthetic for dressing down or up.
What are the Types of Sailing Watches?
Sailing watches are available in a range of designs from several manufacturers. Sailing or “regatta” watches come in different models to suit your budget and activities out on the water. These dedicated marine watches have water-resistant features and materials for long-term use at sea.
You have options for analog, analog/digital, and smartwatches in this category. The models listed in our review represent the best of what we could find online. You have options for digital, analog, automatic, chronograph, dress, and quartz watches to suit your style and budget.
There are dozens of brands available, and we chose top manufacturers for the products in this review.
What are the Features of the Best Sailing Watches?
The best sailing watches come with basic features for timekeeping. However, manufacturing brands added several functions to these watches over the years. The introduction of the smartwatch added way more functionality to sailing watches, with some models having more than 70-functions.
Analog models come with hands and luminous markings for reading in the dark or with a backlit operation and glow function to help you tell the time in low-light conditions. The countdown timer is the most important feature of the watch, allowing you to get the best start to your race.
Let’s unpack some of the other critical features you need to look for in the best sailing watches.
Durability
The watch’s casing should feature design and construction with lightweight, durable materials. The classic watch designs usually use stainless steel in the casing, stopping any form of corrosion from damaging the look of the watch and its internal components.
Smartwatch models typically feature a durable plastic or rubberized casing to absorb shock and prevent damage to the watch. Most classic designs have thicknesses ranging to 45mm, with a 1.3-inch watch face.
The new smartwatch models may feature a thicker design to accommodate the electrical and digital components of the watch. The Regatta watch must stand up to the test of being in saltwater all time, whether your sailing, snorkeling, or diving.
Pricing
Depending on the model and the manufacturing brand, you can pick up a regatta watch at varying price points. There’s a reason why we left Rolex out of this review; not everyone has the kind of money to purchase one of those timepieces.
This review contains ten choices for the best sailing watches. We took our time to curate the list based on the watch’s functionality and its price tag. The models listed in this review all offer you value for money, and they won’t blow your budget.
What Straps are Available for Sailing Watches?
The sailing watch is available in a wide range of designs. Most of them feature straps that stand up to the test of being out in the elements. You can choose the strap to match the watch and your sense of style.
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel and titanium wrist straps are popular for more expensive models. These straps are ideal for people that want to wear their sailing watch as a dress timepiece. Stainless steel offers you the best corrosion resistance, and it’s a very strong, durable material. Typically, these straps come with links, and you might need to visit a jeweler to adjust the strap to fit your wrist.
Leather
Leather is another common material used in strap design for sailing watches. Leather is a great compliment to a classic-style sailing watch and durable materials. However, continuous exposure to the elements on your yachting trips may cause the strap to wear out faster than other materials.
Rubber or Synthetic
Most sailing watches come with rubberized or synthetic straps. These straps are durable, lo9ng-lasting, and easy to maintain. They won’t tear or weather in the salt air, and they are available in a range of colors to suit your style.
What Functions Do I Get with Sailing Watches?
What are the top features to look for in a sailing watch? This section unpacks the basic components and design elements of regatta watches.
Time and Date
Of course, the watch should offer you the time and the date. Analog models will use hands to read the time, but some might have a digital display alongside the analog operation.
Water-Resistance
As a sailor, you probably get in and out of the water all the time. So, it would help if you had a watch that matches your lifestyle, with the right water-resistant rating for your activities. Most regatta watches come with a water-resistant rating between 100 to 600-feet. When choosing your watch, make sure it has stainless steel components to prevent the watch from rusting.
Countdown Timer
The sailing watch is all about accurate timekeeping. The countdown timer in the watch is essential for helping you get the right start to the race. Look for models that have up0 to a 99-minute countdown timer. Typically, you’ll need at least a 30-minute timer for your race.
Chronometer
As mentioned, the regatta watch is all about accurate timekeeping. Most of the top models include a chronograph in the design. The chronometer is not only important for assessing time, but it’s also useful for calculating your longitude at sea.
Compass and Barometer
The best sailing watches come with a compass to help you navigate. Typically, analog or semi-digital sailing watches have the compass feature, while smartwatch designs rely on GPS for positioning information. The compass can come in handy, especially when you want to check your course on the fly.
The best sailing watches also include a barometer and altimeter. These features let you understand the air pressure and make adjustments to what you think the weather is going to do on your trip. A barometric altimeter can help you predict storms and bad weather, helping you to mitigate these risks in your float plan.
Tide information
The tide is critical to launching and returning to the marina. Some waters are not possible to navigate during low tide, and you’ll need to know what the water is doing if you want to avoid damage to your sailboat.
The best sailing watches offer you tide information. They can tell you the current tide status and when you can expect the tide to change.
Multiple Time Zone Information
The best sailing watches come with multi-time zone compatibility. The watch should offer you the time in several different zones, with some watches in this review offering you up to 30 different time zones.
When taking long trips, you need to keep your timekeeping accurate as you switch between time zones.
GPS and Other Features
Many of the best sailing watches are digital models, including GPS in its range of functions. Global Positioning Systems (GPS) are vital in giving you accurate location data for your position. If you’re calling the coast guard for assistance, you’ll need to let them know where you are. Giving the rescue team your exact coordinates will help them rescue you faster.
Most sailing watches with GPS function come with a set of maps built into the device interface. Some allow for map upgrades to extend the watches coverage of lakes and waterways around the United States. A GPS on your sailing watch could end up saving your life in rough weather.
The GPS in the watch also allows you to save your waypoints and routes, making navigation easier. They also allow you to mark dive spots and fishing grounds for easy identification on return trips.
Styling
While we all want the best functionality out of our sailing watch, we also need to ensure a stylish look. We have a model in this review to suit your tastes.
From the sleek, modern look of the Garmin Quatix 6 to the classic styling of the Invicta, there is a sailing watch in this review to suit your personal style.
Smart Sailing Watches Vs. Analog Sailing Watches
When assessing the best sailing watches, you have options for traditional analog models and smartwatches. The analog model is the conventional choice, and many sailors prefer analog models over smartwatches.
With an analog model, you don’t have to worry about the battery draining or the electronics in the watch malfunctioning. However, smart sailing watches offer you a bevy of functions, including GPS, that you can’t find on analog models.
Smartwatch models are typically more expensive than analogs, and they require more maintenance. You’ll need to ensure you fully charge the watch the night before going out on the water to have enough battery life for the trip. The last thing you need is for the watch to die on you when you’re navigating your way back to the marina.
The Best Sailing Watches FAQ
Q: What is a chronograph?
A: The word “chronometer” comes from the Greek language, meaning “timekeeper.” Chronometers are precision time measurement instruments, and they must meet international test conditions. The organization monitoring chronograph standards is the Swiss organization “Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres (COSC).” This organization tests all chronographs for 15-days in five positions and at three temperature levels.
Q: Do I go with a digital or analog sailing watch?
A: You have options for choosing digital or analog sailing watches. If you’re going out onto the water with a smartwatch design, you’ll need to ensure you have a charged battery and somewhere to set the watch if it goes flat. Analog watches don’t have this issue, and they are substantially more affordable than digital smart sailing watches. However, analog models don’t offer you the same range of functionality as digital smartwatches.
Q: How do I use a sailing watch?
A: Using a sailing watch isn’t as challenging as you think. You’ll sail from the beginning of the start/finish line to the other side. Use the lines marked at three or nine o’clock on the face to site your destination. If you find yourself steering on a course where you’re on the (+) side of the line, you’re on the best heading to win the race.
Q: Where can I buy the best sailing watches?
A: We recommend buying your sailing watch from Amazon. Amazon is the world’s largest marketplace with the best selection and prices. Prime members get free shipping and buyer protection on their orders. Sure, you could take a trip to the local jeweler for your sailing watch. However, we doubt you’ll find the same selection and great prices that you get in this review.
Sailing Watches – The Verdict
After reading the review and buyer’s guide for the best sailing watches, you probably have your eye on a specific timepiece for your activities out on the water. However, with so many great options in this review, you might find yourself struggling to make a purchase decision.
We get it; it’s challenging to make a decision when you have so many great options in front of you. If that’s the case, why not go with one of our top picks? We have a sailing watch to suit your needs and your budget.
- The Best Overall Sailing Watch – Garmin Quatix 6
- The Best Premium Sailing Watch – SUUNTO 9
- The Best Budget Sailing Watch – Garmin Instinct
