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Best Luxury Sports Watches To Buy

By Mike Fried,

Luxury sports watches have become one of the most popular categories of wristwatches since their debut in 1972 by Audemars Piguet. While some styles are specific to one sport, others encompass a broader net. 

The versatility of sports watches means there is a model for every lifestyle. They are suited for physical activities but look elegant enough for a business meeting. 

What is a Luxury Sports Watch?

Sports watches are a diverse lot. Yet they have a few basics in common. Sports watches all contain unrivaled accuracy, durability, and a level of water resistance. These timepieces enhance your adventures through accurate time and various features. 

Typically these utilitarian watches are made from durable stainless steel to handle any hard knocks from exploration.  

Luxury sports watches are versatile and can be worn during a workout or a more formal occasion. 

Pilot's sports Watch
Pilot’s Watch

Features of Luxury Sports Watch

The features of a luxury sports watch range from time-only pieces to the more complex. Most luxury sports watches have a degree of water resistance.

Luxury Sports Watch Buying Guide 

Shopping for a luxury sports watch is an exciting endeavor. There are a few aspects of your future-watch to consider. 

Sports 

During what activities will you wear your watch? Which features will help you the most during these activities?

Watch Movement 

Most luxury sports watches use an automatic movement, a few use quartz. Quartz watches will need more frequent battery changes. Automatic movement watches will need more costly repairs. 

Watch movement repair

Watch Complication/Features 

Some sports need a watch with only the time. Other sports can improve with a watch housing a chronometer, tachymeter, or minute repeater. 

Watch Material/Straps

Stainless steel is the most popular material for sports watches. Not only is stainless steel strong, it’s gentle on skin even after a sweaty workout. 

You can read more in our guide to luxury watches.

Best Luxury Sports Watch Brands

You may scoff at spending more on a name brand watch. But these brands have upheld a reputation through their years of excellence. Many are expensive with good reason. You can save a bundle by shopping for pre-owned watches instead of new. 

Some names you can trust for luxury sports watches are Rolex, Omega, Breitling, Oris, Patek Philippe, and Grand Seiko. 

Where To Buy Luxury Sports Watches

For a costly item like a luxury watch, you want to trust the place you buy your watch. For sports watches, we recommend shopping at Bob’s Watches because of their commitment to excellence. They offer a host of perks to serve their customers:

  • Free Buyer’s Protection Plan
  • Authentic Product
  • Largest collection of pre-owned Rolex watches
  • Best Prices

If you want help finding the best watch for your lifestyle, feel free contact us. We are here to answer any questions. 

Best Luxury Sports Watches (Our Picks) 

Sports watches happen to be our favorite genre to shop for. Many of the watches we list can be found in different colors or variations. We categorized our favorite sports watches by activity: 

Best Luxury Watches for Diving 

If you spend a lot of time in water, we recommend a dive watch. Very few people actually use them for scuba diving but they guarantee high water-resistance ratings. 

Rolex Submariner

Pre-Owned Rolex Submariner Sports watch
Pre-owned Rolex Submariner sports watch from Bob’s Watches
  • $9,995

This beauty can handle 300 meters below water. The unidirectional bezel mounting comes in handy for countless situations. 

Key Features & Specifications

  • Movement: Automatic 3135
  • Bracelet: Stainless steel Oyster with Folding Fliplock clasp and extension link
  • Case: Stainless steel with unidirectional rotatable bezel and scratch resistant sapphire crystal
  • Diameter: 40mm
  • Authenticity: Certified by WatchCSA
  • Gender: Male

Pros and Cons of the Watch

  • Pros: waterproof, sleek design, chronometer rating
  • Cons: servicing can be costly

We love the versatility of this watch: great for the office or the ocean depths. 

Omega Seamaster 300 

Omega Seamaster 300 Sports Watch
Omega Seamaster 300 sports watch from Bob’s Watches
  • $7,595

This watch combines a retro appearance with new technology. 

Key Features & Specifications

  • Movement: Automatic self-winding Master Chronometer 8806
  • Bracelet: Stainless steel with retro style Omega logo clasp
  • Case: Stainless steel with bidirectional rotating timing bezel and scratch resistant sapphire crystal
  • Diameter: 39mm
  • Authenticity: Certified by WatchCSA
  • Gender: Male

Pros and Cons of the Watch

  • Pros: trendy design, waterproof 
  • Cons: waterproof of 300 meters may not be deep enough for professional divers

This watch pays tribute to the original 1957 Omega Seamaster. We love the sentimental flair with the modern amenities. 

Best Luxury Watches For Racing

The chronograph feature in racing watches measures elapsed time. Many watches have a duo or trio of registers. 

Rolex Daytona 

Rolex Daytona Two Tone
Rolex Dayotona sports watch from Bob’s Watches
  • $19,495

A perfect watch for adventurous entrepreneurs or aspiring race car drivers.. 

Key Features & Specifications

  • Movement: Automatic 4130
  • Bracelet: Stainless steel and 18K yellow gold Oyster with Folding Oysterlock safety clasp 
  • Case: Stainless steel with 18K yellow gold engraved tachymeter scale and scratch resistant sapphire crystal
  • Diameter: 40mm
  • Authenticity: Certified by WatchCSA
  • Gender: Male

Pros and Cons of the Watch

  • Pros: easy to use, perfect fit
  • Cons: high price point

We love the side case push buttons on this watch. It’s easy to calculate average speed and elapsed time. 

Omega Speedmaster Chronoscope

Omega Speedmaster Blue
Omega Speedmaster Blue Sports Watch from Bob’s Watches
  • $6,995

This watch houses a trio of Tachymeter scale, pulsometer scale and telemeter scale. 

Key Features & Specifications

  • Movement: Manual-winding Omega Co-Axial Master Chronometer Calibre 9908
  • Bracelet: Stainless steel with fold over clasp and comfort setting
  • Case: Stainless steel with engraved tachymetric bezel
  • Diameter: 43mm
  • Authenticity: Certified by WatchCSA
  • Gender: Male

Pros and Cons of the Watch

  • Pros: versatile features, assertive appearance
  • Cons: lacks scratch-proof ceramic bezel insert

This statement piece allures the eye with its spiral track. The spiral track is a flashback to the original Omega watches made in the 1940s. 

Best Regatta Watches

The regatta watch is for sports of competition. Their features allow sailors to track the official countdown to the start of a race. 

Rolex Yacht-Master

Rolex Yacht-Master Watch
Rolex Yacht-Master sports watch from Bob’s Watches
  • $7,495

Created for venturesome men and women, this watch is perfect for everyday wear and sailing seas. 

Key Features & Specifications

  • Movement: Automatic 2235 
  • Bracelet: Stainless steel Oyster with Folding Fliplock clasp
  • Case: Stainless steel with platinum bidirectional rotatable time-lapse bezel and scratch resistant sapphire crystal
  • Diameter: 35mm
  • Authenticity: Certified by WatchCSA
  • Gender: Uni-Sex

Pros and Cons of the Watch

  • Pros: classy, functional, great investment
  • Cons: high price of repairs

The red second-hand and bezel on this timepiece ensure you’ll never miss the start of a race. 

Rolex Yacht-Master II 

Rolex Yacht-Master II sports watch
Rolex Yacht-Master II sports watch from Bob’s Watches
  • $18,995

This watch gives more features to the precise accuracy of the classic Rolex Yacht-Master.

Key Features & Specifications

  • Movement: Automatic 4161
  • Bracelet: Stainless steel Oyster with Folding Oysterlock safety clasp and Easylink 5mm comfort extension link
  • Case: Stainless steel with 90 degree rotatable ceramic bezel, inner reflector ring engraved with serial number and scratch resistant sapphire crystal
  • Diameter: 44mm
  • Authenticity: Certified by WatchCSA
  • Gender: Male

Pros and Cons of the Watch

  • Pros: diversity of features
  • Cons: too bold for some

We love the brawny waterproof case, self-winding technology, subdials and rotating bezel. 

Best Pilot’s Watches

It’s up for debate whether a pilot watch fits in the category of “tool watch” or “sports watch”. It’s agreed that pilots need a highly legible display of time. 

Panerai Luminor Marina 

Panerai Luminor Marina sports watch
Panerai Luminor Marina sports watch from Bob’s Watches
  • $5,995

Between the iconic sandwich dial and the classic cushion-shaped case, this watch is captivating. 

Key Features & Specifications

  • Movement: Automatic self-winding Panerai caliber
  • Bracelet: Panerai black rubber strap with stainless steel tang clasp
  • Case: Stainless steel with smooth bezel, exhibition caseback and scratch resistant sapphire crystal
  • Diameter: 44mm
  • Authenticity: Certified by WatchCSA
  • Gender: Male

Pros and Cons of the Watch

  • Pros: large case makes easy visibility
  • Cons: design doesn’t suit everyone

The seconds-hand is easily viewed thanks to the bright blue embellishment. 

Breitling Navitimer

Breitling Navitimer Blue sports watch
Breitling Navitimer Blue sports watch from Bob’s Watches
  • $8,495

This timepiece stands out from the crowd with the striking juxtaposition of blue against stainless steel. 

Key Features & Specifications

  • Movement: Automatic self-winding Breitling caliber 04
  • Bracelet: Stainless steel with deployant clasp
  • Case: Stainless steel with slide rule bezel, exhibition caseback and scratch resistant sapphire crystal
  • Diameter: 48mm
  • Authenticity: Certified by WatchCSA
  • Gender: Male

Pros and Cons of the Watch

  • Pros: automatic movement, chronograph pushers, high visibility
  • Cons: can feel bulky to some

A unique watch, it has the slide rule bezel and chronograph pushers. 

Classic Sports Watches

Classic sports watches thrive in a variety of different athletic activities. 

Tudor Black Bay

Tudor Black Bay sports watch
Tudor Black Bay sports watch from Bob’s Watches
  • $2,995

Inspired by the 1960s US Navy, this watch has a durable stainless steel case and is water-resistance up to 200 meters. 

Key Features & Specifications

  • Movement: Automatic self-winding Tudor caliber MT5612 (COSC)
  • Bracelet: Hybrid brown leather and rubber strap with stainless steel folding clasp
  • Case: Stainless steel with 60-notch, 12-hour graduated steel bidirectional bezel Diameter: 42mm
  • Authenticity: Certified by WatchCSA
  • Gender: Male

Pros and Cons of the Watch

  • Pros: durable stainless steel, 70-hour power reserve
  • Cons: lacks dual timezone feature

We love the screw-down crown for water resiliency up to 200 meters. 

Rolex Explorer II

Rolex Explorer II sporst watch
Rolex Explorer II sporst watch from Bob’s Watches
  • $9,795

The classy appearance of this watch gives effortless style to wear everyday– indoors and out. 

Key Features & Specifications

  • Movement: Automatic 3185
  • Bracelet: Stainless steel Oyster with Folding Fliplock clasp and extension link
  • Case: Stainless steel with Fixed GMT bezel and scratch resistant sapphire crystal
  • Diameter: 40mm
  • Authenticity: Certified by WatchCSA
  • Gender: Male

Pros and Cons of the Watch

  • Pros: patented waterproof case and Perpetual movement
  • Cons: can be costly to maintain

This watch is sure to hold its value as an investment. The Fixed GMT bezel is a useful tool for globetrotting. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Who made the first luxury sports watch? 

The first luxury sports watch dates back to 1972 when Audemars Piguet released the quintessential Royal Oak. The successor of the Royal oak is Patek Philippe’s Nautilus, both designed by Gérald Genta.

What is the most famous luxury sports watch brand?  

Brands known for their luxury sports watches are Rolex, Omega, Breitling, Oris, Patek Philippe, and Grand Seiko.

Does Rolex sell sports watches? 

Rolex has several models of sports watches for diving, yachting, racing and flying. 

Is it worth buying a used luxury watch? 

Luxury watches are built to endure generations. Buying a pre-owned luxury watch is a great idea if you trust the dealer. We love Bob’s Watches for their selection and quality. 

What is considered a luxury sports watch? 

A luxury sports watch is high-quality, durable, and water resistant.

Conclusion

Luxury sports watches are handy tools that are both handsome and useful. Whether you want a watch you can swim in or track a race, there are countless options of sports watches available.

We’d love to help your search for the perfect watch. Have questions? Need a shopping buddy? Contact us anytime. 

Here are more specific watch topics to browse:

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About the author

Mike Fried Mike Fried Mike Fried has over 25 years experience in the diamond industry working with Leo Schachter Diamonds, Moshe Namdar Diamonds, and joining The Diamond Pro in 2007. He is recognized as an industry expert and has been quoted in publications such as Us, People, Page Six, The Next Web and more.

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