So you want a sports watch, but you are not the sporty type? Sorry, that’s not allowed! Just stop bleating and go and find a normal watch!
Seriously, though, you do not have to be a marathon runner or deep sea diver to wear a sports watch. Some of us wear them just because we like the look of them.
In this feature, we take a look at some of the offerings available across the price spectrum – so, something to suit most budgets.
Bell & Ross Vintage Chronograph
Let’s start with a beautiful watch with a classic look and feel. Reminiscent of early pilot watches, the Bell & Ross Vintage Chronograph applies the modern touches to bring this right up to date.
Frankly, I could have chosen any watch from the Bell & Ross range. Their impressive watches are influenced by the military and boast military precision to match! But, they are functional as well as beautiful.
The Vintage Chronograph features a 42mm stainless steel case with refined bezel and a high quality black leather strap. The anti-reflective sapphire crystal glass protects the jet black dial, with bold Arabic numeral hour markers, luminous hands, two sub-dials and a date window between the 4 and 5 o’clock positions.
Under the bonnet, the watch is powered by mechanical automatic movement and is water resistant to 100m.
All-in-all, a stylish watch and a lot of watch for the money, even at £1,645.
TAG Heuer Aquaracer Automatic Chronograph
I have to confess to having something of a soft spot for TAG watches. Not the juiciest of confessions, I know, but that’s all you’re getting for now!
The TAG Heuer Aquaracer automatic chronograph men’s watch is, of course, an iconic timepiece, desired for its performance, as well as it’s design.
Stand out from the crowd with this distinctive watch, fastened with a fine brushed steel bracelet, Featuring a 43mm steel case, with an aluminium uni-directional bezel and a luminous dot at the 12 o’clock position. Nice touch, that!
Of course, it has scratch-resistant sapphire crystal glass, covering the clean white dial, large luminous hands and hour-markers and a date window, also at the 12 o’clock position.
Water resistant to an impressive 300m and powered by automatic movement, this is a resilient, functional and, damn it, beautiful watch!
If you have £1,450 to spend on a sports watch, you will struggle to better this one.
Tudor Fastrider Chronograph
OK, so this one’s a little different, but we all like different, right?
The Tudor Fastrider is the result of Tudor’s collaboration with the Italian motorcycle manufacturers, Ducati, in particular the Ducati Scrambler. Now, I’m not a biker, so not sure what that means. All I know is that, if this is the result of that partnership, bring it on!
This watch is not new to the scene, having first hit the shelves in 2011, but it certainly does not look tired! It was designed to bring together the quality engineering of Tudor with the undoubted style that the Italian designer’s are famous for! Far from resting on their laurels, though, Tudor have tweaked and perfected this timepiece since it’s first issue to the magnificent specimen we see today!
Featuring a 42mm stainless steel satin-finish case with a screw-down case back, winding crown and black ceramic tachymeter scale. The scratch-resistant sapphire crystal glass protects the stylish, but daring, bright yellow dial, with baton hour markers, three chronograph sub-dials and a date window between the 4 and 5 o’clock positions. All held on by a resilient black rubber strap.
This watch, priced at £2,800, will make a statement. Sporty, sure. Stylish, luxurious, of course. But it has that something extra, that little bit more personality that some timepieces are sadly lacking.
TAG Heuer Formula 1 Diamond Set Ceramic Ladies Watch
Next, something for the ladies, because ladies play sport as well, you know! Yes, shock, horror, it’s true!
Seriously, though and this is a serious watch for serious ladies, serious watch lovers, or serious sportswomen. I’m serious!
The TAG Heuer Formula 1 diamond chronograph is a very nice looking piece of bling to have on your wrist, that’s for sure.
The 41mm case is made from polished steel, with a black ceramic bezel. Surrounding all that are no less than 60 Wesselton diamonds! The polished steel bracelet also features a scratch-resistant black ceramic inset.
The scratch-resistant sapphire crystal covers the black dial, which features yet more diamonds! 12 of them to be precise, as these form the hour markers. More polished steel, as well, on the hands, with luminous infills. Chronograph sub-dials at the 3 and 9 o’clock positions and a date window between the 4 and 5 o’clock positions complete the look.
Powered by a quartz movement, with a screw-in crown and water resistant to 200m.
What more do you need? Looks fabulous, works a treat and it’s a TAG! Plus, it’s a bargain at £1,900.
Casio G-Shock MT-G Chronograph
Maybe not the first choice brand for watch connoisseurs, but you would be doing yourself and them a disservice if you were to discount Casio.
For true sports enthusiasts, extreme sports included, the G-Shock is the way to go. Trust me, it can handle just about anything you can throw at it! It has been specifically designed for just that purpose, able to keep going in even the toughest environments and conditions.
Featuring a large 50mm black steel and resin shock-resistant case attached to a black steel and resin bracelet.
The sapphire crystal glass protects a black dial with luminous coating for long-term illumination in the dark, world time function, 1/20 sec stopwatch function, a daily alarm, a date window between the 4 and 5 o’clock positions and radio signal in Europe, America, Japan, China and Canada. Water resistant to 200m and powered by quartz movement.
That is an impressive list of features for such a little price, just £1,080. So, if you are serious about sports, give Casio a chance and get a serious sports watch!
Citizen Eco-Drive Satellite Wave World Time Men’s Watch
This is one for the techies, because they are capable of playing sports, if they can tear themselves away from the screen for long enough!
The Citizen Eco-Drive Satellite watch is packed with state-of-the-art engineering, all in a stylish design with award-winning, environmentally friendly technology which harnesses the power of light and converts it into energy.
44mm stainless steel case with black bezel and world time function. Brushed and polished stainless steel bracelet. Round face with a black dial featuring silver baton hour markers, a date window at the 3 o’clock position and silver hands.
A perpetual calendar power reserve indicator with satellite GPS timekeeping technology with Worldwide reception and time adjustment available in 27 cities. Powered by an Eco-Drive F150 movement and water resistant to 100m.
All this for under a grand? Oh, yes, just £599
Michael Kors Bradshaw Chronograph Ladies Watch
Another one for the ladies and this one is maybe a little daintier!
Michael Kors is an American brand, so this may be the exception to the rule that bigger is better!
The Bradshaw chronogragh is a nice balance of resilience, practicality and style.
Featuring a 35mm stainless steel and silver tone case with polished bezel. Stainless steel and silver tone bracelet. The round face has a silver dial, with Roman numeral hour markers, three chronograph sub-dials and a date window between the 4 and 5 o’clock positions.
Powered by quartz movement and water resistant to 100m.
A stylish ladies sports watch for just £239
I have an anniversary coming up and this article is perfectly timed. My wife is a Michael Kors fan and I know she will love a surprise! Thanks for the article David, very informative.
I am sure your wife would love the MK.
Thanks for your comments.
David