Best Sports Watches for Men
10 Rugged, Stylish Sports Watches That Deserve Your Attention
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Do you really need a sports watch?
Most of us are quick to think of dress watches when it comes to making a smart horological investment. But, if you’re looking for something that can easily become your daily drive — something that will last and look good for years to come — a sports watch might be a better purchase.
Think of it like this: though you can wear a nice pair of brogues with a suit or even with a dark pair of jeans, you won’t set any land speed records trying to sprint in them or survive 18 holes of golf without your feet turning blue. They just don’t work for everything, and the same goes for watches.
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While a nice Rolex might look fancy on a dinner date, it’s definitely not the best timepiece for the rigors of rock climbing or even something more laid back, like a weekend at the cottage. So yes, if you’re someone who wants to wear the same watch from Monday through Sunday, then a good sports watch will definitely come in handy. It’s just a matter of finding the right sports watch for you.
What to Look for in a Sports Watch
Because of their durability, sports watches typically err on the casual side in terms of style, and the more laid-back aesthetic means these watches are more appropriate for the active aspects of your life.
Before you purchase a sports watch of your own, consider what it is that you actually want to get out of your timepiece. Do you want it for diving or swimming? Do you need it to be rugged enough to handle regular weekends in the woods? Or maybe you want something that is simply durable for daily wear to work.
From competitive sports and workouts to diving, travel and adventure, the sports watch is the go-to timepiece when you seek out the rough and tumble. To make sure your sports watch can handle your lifestyle and keep on ticking for years to come, seek out quality construction with these key materials used throughout:
- Mineral crystal or sapphire glass to protect the dial
- Titanium, carbon, solid stainless steel or high-grade plastics for the case
- Rubber, solid stainless steel, or tough leather or canvas for the strap
- Quality shock-absorption system built in
And, in terms of features, these are definitely nice-to-haves depending on your use case:
- Water resistance for swimming or diving
- Luminous hands for better readability, day and night
- Stopwatch (aka chronograph) to time runs or other athletic activities
- Compass points for outdoor navigation
With this criteria in mind, we’ve laid out some of the best sports watches on the market to help guide your purchase. From high-end Japanese-made timepieces to more practical athletic-driven watches, these will suit every need and budget.
