Before you link your boat up to the motherboard and launch out into the deep blue, be sure to wear the best sailing watch.
That way you can really show off your crackerjack nautical moves and impress everyone on deck with your knowledge of tides, currents, and how to stay on target for the next port of call.
Our sailing watch reviews are here to help so, without further ado, let’s get right to the reviews.
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Optimum Time Series 3 Sailing Timer | Best Overall |  |
| Casio- Analog Sport Watch | Budget Pick |  |
| Seiko Divers Automatic Deep Blue Dial Mens Watch SKX009K1 | Upgrade Pick |  |
1. Optimum Time Series 3 Sailing Timer
Pros:
- Sufficiently large to be seen in all weather conditions
- Easy to read dials
- Precise stopwatch with lap timer
- Easy to read dials
Cons:
- The side buttons can be a bit difficult to figure out at first
- Light isn’t as bright as hoped in low light conditions
The Optimum Time Series 3 Sailing Timer is a reasonably priced watch that is geared towards those who are involved with sailing or competitive rowing. This sailing timer has features that can be easily customized, which makes it extremely user friendly.
For instance, the back dimmer setting allows you to see the dials in low light conditions. This lighthouse timer also has an audible alarm, which sounds when a goal is achieved. As a back-up, it also has a visual alarm every tenth of a second.
When running in its stopwatch mode, you can pre-set it up to 99 hours, 59 minutes, and 59.995959 seconds. This is an upgrade from the older 3 Series, which only allowed pre-set times up to 10 minutes.
2. Bulova Mens Marine Star
Pros:
- Water resistant up to a depth of 330 m
- Lightweight
- Simple to use
- Affordable price and durable
Cons:
- Very few of the features are analog
- Watch movements are automatic only
Bulova Mens Marine Star is a very popular sailing watch that is loved by many. It is perfect for those who are looking for a reliable and affordable watch. The feature that you will love most about this watch is the sturdy band and clasp. This watch is not like any other watch that you may have bought from the market. The band and the clasp are completely water-resistant. In comparison to other watches, this watch is very lightweight for all the features that it has.
This is one of the strongest and most rigid sailing watches. It is made from rubber and standard resin for the band. The only thing that may have a negative effect on your watch may be the clasp that is made from standard resin.
Great things about this sailing watch is that you can easily customize it with your own choices, like obtaining a secondhand for the watch. You can also get a different band or upgrade to different watch with an altimeter. The watch keeps automatic time round the year.
3. Garmin Instinct
Pros:
- Choose small or large wristband
- Rugged and water resistant
- Compatible with Garmin Marine Network via both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
- Dustproof, shockproof, and waterproof
- Very informative Garmin Chromo display
- Can store up to 999 waypoints
- GPS and GLONASS enabled
- Syncs with Garmin Connect
- Can be continuously used for up to 16 hours
Dependability with a barometric altimeter.
With the Instinct you can be alerted to storm-force winds, lightning alerts and jet-stream alerts, too.
The Garmin Instinct has a splash-proof design and will even float in water.
4. Seiko Divers Automatic Deep Blue Dial Mens Watch SKX009K1
Pros:
- Rugged case
- Strong strap
- Automatic movement
- 100m water resistance
- Hardlex crystal
- Shiny, white dial
- Blue hands and markers
- Date display at 3
Whether you sailing, swimming, diving, working, or cruising with your yacht, this Seiko Mens diver watch, brand model number SKX009K1, with a hardlex crystal face and an automatic self-winding movement is very fun. The white dial is raised above a thick bezel with an in-set date window at 3:00. The hands are brilliantly luminous and there’s a date window at 3:00. The hands illuminate well at night, thanks to a combination of Seiko’s LumiBrite technology and a high-intensity LED. The case is covered by a mineral crystal and the solid case back is engraved with the tsunami disaster relief efforts of the brand.
5. Casio- Analog Sport Watch
Pros:
- Easy to read dial
- Water resistant for up to 25 meters
- Comfortable and sturdy
The women’s SNe521 analog sport watch by Casio is an excellent choice for anyone who is looking for a good quality time piece at a reasonable price.
One of the things that we really like about this watch are the large digits, so there’s no confusion as to what time it is.
The dial rotates around the bezel of the watch, which makes it even easier to read the time.
6. Garmin quatix 5
Pros:
- Numerous boat features
- High-sensitivity GPS, GLONASS and Galileo satellite reception
- This can track your boat’s speed using GPS
- The high-sensitivity GPS can get a fix on your location in open water in a matter of seconds
- It provides metrics like time, distance, speed metrics
- Sailing’s tools like boat speed, weather information, up to the minute sunrise, sunset and tide times
- It ensures quick navigation to other locations and return
- The barometric functions provide accurate pressure readings and altitude
- It can withstand beach, pool, and shower use so that you can use it for a variety of different activities
- It’ll also display the local weather with satellite imagery
7. U.S. Military Men’s Analog-Digital Chronograph Silver-Tone and Black Silicone Strap Watch by Wrist Armor
Pros:
- Surprisingly affordable price
- Good size and easy to read..
Cons:
- Noisy bezel
- The velcro strap is a bit uncomfortable
The U.S. Military Men’s Analog-Digital Chronograph Silver-Tone and Black Silicone Strap Watch by Wrist Armor is sure to be a hot pick for this season. This stylish watch from last year is getting even more popular.
It has a great design that makes it look more expensive than what it is, and while it’s at a lower price-limit, it’s a great value for the money.
It comes in two color variants: Black & Silver, which is the one on this list, and a variant that is entirely silver.
8. Suunto Core All Black Military Men's Outdoor Sports Watch
Pros:
- Large, easy-to-read display
- Perfect for navigation
- Multi-functional and Water-resistant up to 100 meters
- Easy to read in low visibility situations
Cons:
- Not the most stylish watch on the market.
The Suunto Core All Black Military Men’s Outdoor Sports Watch is our top pick because it is an all-around multi-use outdoor sports watch. It works well for everyday use as well as for outdoor activities. This makes it a great option if you’re looking for a watch that will work for you all the time.
9. Ronstan Clear Start
Pros:
- Incredibly handy during both offshore and coastal races
- Quiet, vibration free, and virtually maintenance free
- Records start times, split times, average speeds and much more, all up to 10 races per memory
- Runs on a 3-volt lithium battery
The ClearStart Timer has an audible alarm that starts when the start occurs. It also includes run and stop times and has a pacemaker function. The memory stores up to 10 races, each of which has a timing number from one to 10.
The package includes 5 remotes, which means that up to 5 timers can be used at the same event and/or racing season.
The remote is the most convenient option, so the most experienced sailors tend to prefer that. But the main timer or an additional remote can also be used.
10. Timex Men's T2N721 Intelligent Quartz Compass Tide Temperature Silver Case Brown Strap Watch
Pros:
- Easy to read
- Size is just right for everyone
- Straps are comfortable
- Comes in different color options
- The hands and face are very simple
- The dial is dark and therefore easy to see
- Durable and sturdy
We decided to pick this Timex Intelligent Quartz Compass Tide Temperature Watch because of the following reasons:
The first one being its size, we think it’s one of the smallest and most comfortable men’s watches we own. The size is considered extremely small at around 1.5 inches in diameter.
The watch looks quite elegant and even though the dial is surprisingly quite modest, it’s very colorful.
11. Timex Intelligent Quartz Tide Temp Compass Watch
Pros:
- Features tide and sun/moon information
- Indiglo Nightlight provides illumination in the dark
- Quartz movement for precise tracking
- Lightweight, water resistant and durable
- Easy to set up and use
Cons:
- Luminous hands will put some people off
- Solar powered means you must get in some bright light to charge up
Timex Intelligent Quartz Tide Temp Compass Watch. If you love the beach, then you’ll want to know the tide times. This all-in-one watch allows you to see the time, ‘tide and moon’ information.
In addition to being a tide timer, the Timex Tide Temp will also tell you the temperature. It features a compass, alarm, and a date & day display window.
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12. Tissot Sailing-Touch Mens Black Face Multi-Function Watch T056.420.27.051.00
Pros:
- Comes with a five-year warranty
- Very waterproof
- Swiss-made
- Nice leather band
- Stylish
- Great for wearing to the office or at the dinner table
If you’re looking for a reasonably priced sailing watch then we’d recommend the Tissot T056.420.27.051.00. It fulfills all the criteria that we’d look for in a sailing watch.
Although it’s made from plastic, the watch is very waterproof. It can stay on your wrist at depths of 200m, so don’t worry about going swimming with this watch on.
The casing is made from stainless steel. The dial itself is surprisingly large and the case size is 43 mm, making it a good option for men with larger wrists.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the best sailing watch?
Sailing watches are a cool category especially for those who enjoy sailing. Technologically advanced, these watches are water-resistant (and often water-proof), have a tide tracker and have other features that only make sense if you like your watches to have a practical purpose.
Sometimes, sailing watches can be really expensive, but as you’re about to find out, there are always watches that although mid-range in price, don’t compromise quality.
What is a sailing watch?
If you're sailing, you need a reliable watch. You need to know what time it is so that you can make navigational and time-related decisions.
Sailing watches are special in many ways. They are often more expensive than a standard watch. And most models tend to be bulky. Sailing watches are also designed to resist the environment of the ocean.
The main thing to remember is that owners of yachts and sailboats already have plenty of watches at home. They won't need a new one, but will look for one that is rugged and reliable. This is the sort of situation where a watch that is a little on the pricey side makes sense.
Where should I start sailing?
The most common place for someone to start sailing is at a yacht club. There is essentially no risk to you or your boat, and you will be well supported by friendly club members.
What is a nautical watch?
Nautical watches are designed with boaters in mind. Typically they have highly luminous dials and hands, as well as other features that are specifically important to the boating community.
Nautical watches are essentially chronometers that have been designed with performance in mind, but that are primarily geared toward boaters and those who spend a lot of time on the water.
Conclusion
Products have different features and specifications. So you need to make sure which one of them is the best for yuo. Our research has helped us discover a few watches that come with all the features that a sailor needs. We hope that this review of these products will help you take informed decisions as you shop for your next sailing watch.
Our Recommendation
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Optimum Time Series 3 Sailing Timer | Best Overall | |
| Casio- Analog Sport Watch | Budget Pick | |
| Seiko Divers Automatic Deep Blue Dial Mens Watch SKX009K1 | Upgrade Pick | |