When it comes to tool watches, pilot and diving watches tend to get all the attention. And that’s no coincidence. Luxury brands tend to pay special attention to making various models of these timepieces because of their functionality and aesthetic design. One underrated tool watch category that’s worth another look is the sailing watch. If you’re a yacht and sailboat captain, or someone who competes in regattas, you already know the numerous benefits of a sailing watch. When it comes to navigation in open waters, it pays to have a precise and functional timepiece.
Several luxury watch brands have taken it upon themselves to create the best of the best sailing watches for those who are nautically inclined. Whether you want to buy a sailing watch for its intended purpose, or you just appreciate the craftsmanship and design that goes into it, these watches are a great addition to any collection. If you’re in the market for a sailing watch, we’ve made this list just for you. We’ve narrowed down some of the best sailing watches and highlighted some of our personal favourites. But first, let’s do a quick dive into the features of sailing watches.
If you haven’t been on the hunt for a sailing or yachting watch before, it’s good to know what to look for. Sailing watches are specifically made to be useful out in the open water. This means that at the bare minimum, it needs to be highly precise and waterproof. Beyond that, certain models will have additional, more specific functions that may be useful for maritime applications, such as a regatta countdown timer or refined waterproofing features.
As far as aesthetics go, you can generally expect a sailing watch to have a sporty, functional look, with highly legible indices, detailed dial and bezel features, and interesting complications.
There are a variety of functions and complications that sailing watches offer. Here are some important ones you may want to consider:
Waterproofing – As mentioned, you will definitely want a watch that is water-resistant to a certain depth. One way to another, your watch will likely be getting wet when you’re out on the water. Fortunately, most luxury watch brands offer some level of water resistance, even if the watch wasn’t specifically designed for sailing or yachting. It also helps to have your sailing watch be made with stainless steel or similar components, as this will help it resist corrosion from the elements.
Compass – Any sailor would be lost without their compass. Though not every sailing watch comes equipped with this feature, it can be a useful one to have.
Regatta timer – Those who enter sailing competitions will find a countdown timer highly useful. These highly visible counters make it easy to keep track of the five-minute countdown before the start of a race.
Chronometers – Chronometers can be useful when it comes to determining your longitude.
Dual time zone – If you’re making long excursions on your boat, it can help to have functions for multiple time zones.
Narrowing down the best watches for sailors is no easy task. The best luxury brands all take special care to create beautiful and functional timepieces that are more than seaworthy. With that in mind, here are some of our favourite choices for the best sailing watches.
First, we have the Breitling Superocean Heritage. As a diving watch, you will find this watch is more than up to the task of surviving at sea. Breitling released the Superocean Heritage as a celebration of the 50th anniversary of their first diving watch.
The watch pays homage to that original design while also updating it for the modern era, making it sportier and adding modern functionality. The 46mm steel case will give you plenty of visibility in any conditions, and functions like the chronograph and sub-dials will help you keep precise time. The 200m of water resistance means that you won’t have to worry about this watch having any problems on your journey.
Next we have the Panerai Luminor Submersible 1950 3 Days. This watch is built to last, with a massive 47mm case and ceramic materials for extra sturdiness. As you might guess from the name, the luminous components mean that you can read this watch in the darkest conditions.
The “3 days” refers to the impressive power reserve of this watch, which goes for 72 hours. Of course, 300m of water resistance only adds to how robust this timepiece is. The reliability and sturdy build of the Panerai Submersible 1950 3 Days will endure even the roughest waters.
When it comes to diving watches, there aren’t many that are more recognizable than the Omega Seamaster. Of course, the diving capabilities of this timepiece make it a great sailing companion. The addition of the chronometer on this model makes it even more suited for the wrists of skippers everywhere. This watch can easily withstand depths up to 300 metres and it looks great while doing so.
The nice thing about Omega Seamasters is how functional they are without necessarily looking like a tool watch. The Omega Seamaster is just as well-suited to the office or a night out with friends as it is on the high seas.
If you know Audemars Piguet, then you know the Royal Oak. The Royal Oak collection is undoubtedly the flagship of the prestigious brand, and the Royal Oak Offshore adds a sturdier and sportier design with more tool functionality.
The Royal Oak Offshore is equipped with an impressive platinum and ceramic 42mm case, so it can take on any conditions. With water resistance up to 100m, you can rest assured that it will be a reliable companion on your yachting adventure. Add a chronograph function and several functional subdials and you have a top-notch sailing companion.
Finally, it’s hard to beat one of the most popular luxury brands out there. Rolex takes care to ensure all of their tool watches are the best of the best. The Yacht-Master II is no exception.
The Yacht-Master’s regatta chronograph is perfect for competitors who need to make sure their countdown timer is precise to the last second. The mechanical memory allows you to set a countdown from ten minutes to zero, allowing you to customize your timer according to your needs. Combine that with a highly visible 44mm steel and rose gold case, the patented Ring Command bezel, and 100m of water resistance, and you have one of the best sailing watches on the market today.
Click here to read our article on the Rolex Yacht-Master.
When you’re in the market for a luxury sailing watch, make sure to choose BQ Watches. In addition to offering a huge inventory of pre-owned luxury timepieces, we also offer sourcing services if you have something specific in mind.
Simply get in touch with us today and let us know what you need. We’re ready to help you find your next perfect watch.
