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.
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 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 Diving Watches
- Best Racing Watches
- Best Regatta Watches
- Best Pilot’s Watches
- Best Classic Sports Watches
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
- $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
- $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
- $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
- $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
- $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
- $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
- $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
- $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
- $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
- $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:
- How to buy luxury watches?
- What are the best luxury watch brands?
- Why are Rolex watches so expensive?
- What are pre-owned luxury watches?
- What is the price of entry-level luxury watches?
- What are the best luxury watches under 5k?
- What are the best luxury watches under 10k?
- What are the top luxury watches for men?
- Are luxury watches a good investment?
What we love about them:
- No questions asked returns within 30 days of shipment. James Allen will send you a paid shipping label to return the ring.
- Lifetime Warranty
- Free International Shipping
- Free prong tightening, repolishing, rhodium plating and cleaning every 6 months
- Provide insurance appraisals
- One free resizing within 60 days of purchase
- Free ring inscriptions
- Best-in-class high quality imagery of all diamonds in stock
- 24/7 Customer Service
- Best-in-class packaging
What we love about them:
- No questions asked returns within 30 days of shipment. Blue Nile will send you a paid shipping label to return the ring.
- Lifetime Warranty
- Free Shipping
- Free prong tightening, repolishing, rhodium plating and cleaning every 6 months
- Provide insurance appraisal
- One free resizing within the first year of purchase
- High quality images of about half of their diamonds
- 24/7 Customer Service
- 100% credit towards future upgrades (must be at least double in value)
- Best in class fulfillment
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