Best Sailing Watches for 2025
No matter what type of boat you prefer, having a great waterproof watch is essential for staying safe on the water. And with our list of the best sailing watches for 2025, you’re sure to find the perfect timepiece (and more) for your wrist.
January 29, 2025
Boaters of all shapes and sizes have spent years in search of the best timepiece to take on the water. And with the development of smartwatches and other wearable tech, the best marine watches now do so much more than just tell the time.
From digital watches with perfectly accurate time to smart devices that can show essential sailing data such as barometric pressure and temperature, the best sailing watches for the modern sailor can even function as a compass, depth gauge, GPS, route planner, and so much more.
But with so many functions to choose from, not to mention style preferences for the watch face and strap, how do you even start picking a sailing watch? Well, we’ve got you covered there. Whether you’re looking for a timeless timepiece that can be passed down the generations or something fun and waterproof for racing days, you’re sure to find inspiration in our list of the best sailing watches.
When buying the best sailing watch, you need to consider durability, water resistance, legibility, and maritime features. Photo by pexels.
What to consider when buying a sailing watch
Before you start shopping, it’s a good idea to make a quick list of the features you’d really like your sailing watch to offer. You could also consider what you’d like the watch to look for, as well as the type of water activity you’re going to be wearing the watch for most.
Beyond your personal preferences, use our handy checklist to make sure you’re picking the best watch for your needs:
- Readability - Whether analogue or digital, any watch is useless if it can’t be easily read. Look for a device with a large, clear, uncluttered display and glare-free (coated) glass. If you’re going digital, make sure the backlight is sufficient to read in the sun - remembering that it’s even brighter on the water with limited shade!
- Marine features - A digital watch with useful marine features such as a barometer, compass, and tidal data can make your sailing even easier, and doesn’t need to cost a fortune. Check out our next list for some key marine features you might want to look out for.
- Casing and straps - Although smartwatches have come a long way in recent years, the casing on a truly waterproof watch can be bulkier than expected, so be sure to check that the strap is long enough to handle this. You may also want to wear your sailing watch on the outside of your clothing, so again you’ll need to consider whether you need a longer strap.
- Waterproofing - Speaking of waterproofing, even if you’re not really in the market for a diving watch that can be fully submerged up to 500m, it’s a good idea to consider the watertight integrity of any watch you intend to wear on or by the water. After all, salt water can wreak havoc on electronics, so the better the waterproofing, the longer your sailing watch is likely to last.
Marine watch features
In addition to the above points, it’s a good idea to remember that sailing watches, like sailors, can offer a multitude of skills. But not every function will be useful to every sailor, and you may find yourself paying more than you need to if you just go for the most extravagant option. Instead, consider what you really need before shopping - you can always add on extra features later if your budget allows!
Some of the best features in a marine watch (in our opinion) include the following:
- Race Timers & Countdown Functions: Ideal for regatta and racing sailors looking to improve their time.
- Barometer & Weather Alerts: Help track changing weather conditions so you never get caught out in bad weather (or at least get a warning when the weather is likely to change so you can reef first).
- GPS & Navigation: More than Google or Apple Maps, GPS and navigation integration on your wrist can make route planning quicker and easier, and many sailing watches even allow on-water navigation options.
- Tide & Current Information: Don’t get stuck in waters that are too shallow for you again. Whether you’re timing a marina entrance or looking for the fastest current to give you a boost in your next race, a sailing watch that offers tidal data makes boating easier.
- Durability: Even if you don’t intend to use it as a diving watch, any water user should look for a watch that’s shock- and water-resistant, at least up to 100 metres, to ensure your timepiece will survive the often harsh conditions aboard a boat.
Best watches for sailing
Now we’ve considered some of the features to look out for in a marine watch, let’s jump in and take a look at some of the best watches for sailing on the market today.
1. Garmin Quatix 7
The Garmin Quatix 7 range is suitable for all sailors with plenty of marine features and integration with chart plotters, autopilots, fish forecasts, and more.
“Plot your paradise on the water and beyond” with the Garmin Quatix 7. Available in Standard, Pro, Sapphire, and Solar editions, prices start from £499.99. The Standard Edition offers up to 18 hours of battery life (in smartwatch mode), so you won’t need to worry about losing time on long passages, and the large 1.3” always-on display with stainless steel bezel makes it easy to use and see the display all day long. What’s more, the watch is water-rated up to 10ATM (or 100 metres), so it can certainly take a splash or even a swim when you get to your next anchorage!
The Garmin Quartex 7 offers multiple features for sailors of all shapes and sizes, including compatibility with selected Garmin chart plotters, autopilot control, alarms and alerts, fish forecasts, waypoint marking, water depth, engine RPM, wind, custom data, and more. In other words, you’ll basically have everything you need to sail your ship right from your wrist!
Key Features
- Waterproof up to 100 metres.
- Large, easy-to-read display.
- Option to use touchscreen or more traditional watch buttons.
- Features GPS navigation and can connect to selected Garmin chart plotters - it can even drop waypoints and advise you the best time to go fishing.
- Features multiple marine features, such as tide and current information, barometric data, water depth, wind, and more.
- Able to control your autopilot and outboard entertainment systems.
- Lasts up to 18 days on a single charge (smartwatch mode).
Summary: The Garmin Quatix 7 features multiple advanced sailing features and allows easy integration with marine electronics, making it an excellent choice for casual and professional sailors alike.
2. Suunto 9 Baro
The Suunto 9 Baro Black is a rugged outdoors sports watch with over 80 sports modes, military-grade durability, and maritime features.
“Designed for athletes who demand the best from their smart watch”, the Suunto 9 Baro costs £259 from the manufacturer and is a “rough and tough outdoor sports watch” that “goes the distance… just like you!”. Featuring intelligent battery modes, sapphire glass, weather functions, and over 80 sports modes, this GPS watch is perfect for anyone looking for a timepiece that can keep up with their adventurous lifestyle.
The Suunto 9 Baro is water-resistant up to 100m and has been tested against US military standard 810, passing several tests, including sand and dust, humidity, extreme temperatures, shock and drop, and freezing rain. For sailors, it offers marine features such as a compass, GPS tracking and navigation, an altimeter and barometer, weather data, and more.
Key Features:
- The titanium case and sapphire crystal face provide durability in all situations.
- US military tested to standard 810 and water-resistant up to 100m.
- Battery life of up to 120 hours with the GPS on.
- Provides weather tracking, including barometric pressure readings, sunrise/sunset, and storm alerts.
- Over 80 different sports modes (including sailing), perfect for any adventure or activity.
Summary: The Suunto 9 Baro Black is a GPS sports watch for the outdoor adventurer, offering vital data including wrist heart rate, weather data, GPS, over 80 sports modes (including sailing), and a long battery life.
3. Ronstan Clearstart™ Race Timer Sailing Watch
The Ronstan ClearStart Race Timer watch is the perfect sailing watch for racers with synchronisation options and pre-programed match-racing sequences.
Our top pick for racing sailors, this smart sailing watch offers “true sailing functionality” and a bold, stylish appearance with large buttons, easy-to-read displays, and intuitive, advanced programming specifically designed for modern racing sailors.
The Ronstan Clearstart™ Race Timer' offers a plethora of racing features, including ClearStart’s SYNC function that allows you to quickly synchronise and re-synchronise your watch to the official race time, as well as sound signals and World Sailing 5-4-1-0 and match-racing start sequences pre-programmed. The watch is water- and shock-resistant, rated at 5ATM, and is suitable for all racing boats, from dinghies to keelboats to powerboats.
Key Features:
- Large, clear display with oversized digits for easy viewing.
- Pre-programmed and customisable match-racing start sequences.
- Water- and shock-resistant rated to 5ATM.
- Sound signals and synchronisation tools for official racing times.
- Luminescent backlight for easy visibility at night and can easily be turned on/off for a quick view without harming your night vision.
Summary: The Ronstan Clearstart™ Race Timer smartwatch is a must-have companion for racing sailors with regatta countdowns, race timers, and an incredibly easy-to-read display.
4. Polar Grit X Pro
The Polar Grit X Pro is a premium outdoor multisports watch with an ultra-long battery life perfect for offshore adventures.
The Polar Grit X Pro is a premium outdoor multisports watch that allows true freedom. Priced at £484 on the manufacturer’s website, this watch promises military-level durability with sapphire glass that’s strong enough for even the harshest conditions and has the ultra-long battery life to allow you to enjoy an off-grid existence whether racing or cruising.
The Polar Grit X’s always-on outdoor features and “ultimate training solutions” are perfect for the on-sea adventurer and include functions such as an altimeter, barometer, compass, weather information, and training and recovery guidance. The assisted-GPS also allows faster fix times, supporting GPS satellite systems including GLONASS, Galileo, and QZSS for the best positioning experience wherever you are.
Key Features:
- Military-grade durability for extreme outdoor conditions.
- Marine watch features include an altimeter, barometer, compass, and weather alerts.
- High-tech GPS integration and route planning.
- Up to 100 hours of battery life in power-saving (GPS) mode.
Summary: Combining fitness tracking with sailing functionality, the Polar Grit X smartwatch is perfect for land and water activities and truly off-grid adventures.
5. Tag Heuer Aquaracer 300M
Combining luxury with durability even in extreme weather conditions, the Tag Heuer Aquaracer is a fantastic and stylish sailing watch.
A more expensive and luxury sailing watch, the Tag Heuer Aquaracer 300M costs £3,500 and combines extreme weather resistance with a stylish, elegant look that makes it one of the most premium and beautiful sailing watches on the market.
This gorgeous pressure-proof watch offers unparalleled comfort with a tapered steel bracelet and 8 VS (0.078ct) diamonds that can withstand water submersion up to 300m, making it a beautiful and functional diving watch. The traditional watch display shows the time and date and even features a 60-minute scale to help measure elapsed dive time, with luminous hands for easy reading in low light or while night sailing.
Key Features:
- Water-resistant up to 300 meters.
- Scratch- and pressure-resistant design with ceramic bezel, a stainless steel case, and tapered steel bracelet.
- Features a date and time window, as well as a 60-minute scale to measure dive time.
- A classic and traditional luxury dive watch with a rugged aesthetic inspired by nautical adventures.
Summary: Combining luxury with extreme weather resistance, the Tag Heuer Aquaracer 300M provides a stylish and elegant look with premium durability, making it an ideal sailing or diving watch.
6. Garmin fēnix® 7X – Solar Edition
The Garmin fēnix® 7X is a rugged yet stylish sailing watch with full GPS functionalities and solar charging for up to a year of battery life!
The Garmin fēnix® 7X – Solar Edition is a beautiful yet rugged multisport GPS watch with a Power Glass solar charging lens that lets you enjoy unparalleled battery life and advanced training features, including sports apps, health and wellness monitoring, and even music, right from your wrist.
The watch costs €749.99 from the manufacturer and includes several marine functions, including preloaded maps, tide charts, compass, GPS, route planning, and more. The integrated flashlight is perfect for night sailing, and the smartwatch is also water-resistant, rated to 10ATM.
Key Features:
- Up to one year of battery life when solar powered in battery-saving mode.
- Features multiple health and wellness tools, including heart rate, pulse ox, and more.
- Connect to your smartphone, receive notifications, and play music from your wrist.
- Built-in LED flashlight.
- Comes with preloaded maps, tide charts, and GPS, enabling marine features such as route planning.
- Water-resistant to 10ATM.
Summary: With a rugged yet stylish design, the Garmin fēnix® 7X Solar Edition provides unparalleled battery life and all the features you could want from a sailing watch.
7. Casio G-Shock Gulfmaster
The Casio G-Shock Gulfmaster stopped production in 2018, but it’s still an incredibly functional and premium sailing watch that any water-goer will love (if you can find it!).
The Casio G-Shock Gulfmaster is a little tricky to find from non-specialist retailers but can be purchased on Amazon for a somewhat surprising (considering the elegance and functionality of the watch) price of £300. Although the Gulfmaster series is no longer in production, you can still pick it up, and this specific watch is a valuable addition to our list as one of the best sailing watches available with its incredibly stylish appearance and shock and water resistance up to 200 meters.
For sailors, this watch features multiple marine features, including tide graphs, moon data, a barometer, a compass, a thermometer, a water depth gauge, and more. Be sure to pick up one of the later models, as Gulfmaster watches pre-2018 did have a defect that meant the analogue clock hands didn’t always return to the same position.
Key Features:
- Stylish design.
- Plenty of marine features, including tide graphs, moon data, barometers, and more.
- Shock- and water-resistant up to 200 meters.
- Incorporates “tough solar technology” for a longer battery life.
- GPS sensor allows tracking and data logging under passage.
- Large, easy-to-read display with a digital-analog hybrid format is easy for sailors at the helm.
Summary: Although the G-Shock Gulfmaster hasn’t seen any updates since 2018, this stylish and durable sailing watch includes GPS integration and solar power for longer and more adventurous sailing and outdoor activities.
8. Rolex Yacht-Master 42
The Rolex Yacht-Master has to be the most luxurious sailing watch, built from 18ct white gold and an Oysterflex bracelet for premium comfort and durability.
If you’re looking for a traditional heirloom-worthy timepiece, the first brand we all think of has to be Rolex. But did you know that Rolex also makes sailing watches? The Rolex Yacht-Master 42 costs an impressive £27,800. It comes in 18ct white gold with a black dial and Oysterflex bracelet that offers a sporty alternative to most metal sailing watch straps without compromising on quality.
For sailors, the Rolex Yacht-Master 42 offers a premium functional bezel which allows the wearer to calculate the sailing time between buoys or during races. The broad hands and hour markers in simple shapes are filled with a luminescent material that emits a long-lasting glow for low-light use, while the watch itself is water-resistant up to 100m.
Key Features:
- Elegant design with premium materials, including 18ct white gold, luminescent watch hands, and an Oystersteel bracelet.
- The rotating bezel makes it easy to track race times.
- Durable and water-resistant up to 100m.
Summary: When you think of premium watches, there can be no watch manufacturer more famous than Rolex. With the Rolex Yacht-Master 42, you can combine superior luxury with an analogue watch as suitable for a day on the water as a champagne brunch or dinner at the Ritz.
9. Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean 600M
The Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean is probably the best diving watch available with water-resistance up to 6,000 metres.
The Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean range of sailing watches offers top-tier luxury combined with robust functionality for every sailor. Coming in at £12,300, this is a premium diving watch that’s water-resistant to 6,000 metres, meeting the ISO 6425:2018 standard for saturation divers’ watches, as certified by the Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology (METAS).
This beautiful watch features a dial inspired by “the mysteries of the deep” and has a secret message hidden on the dial that’s only visible when a UV light is shined on it. The O-MEGASTEEL makes this one of the most durable sailing watches available and a beautiful timepiece for serious sailors, divers, and adventurers.
Key Features:
- Water-resistant up to 6,000 meters, testing in real ocean conditions.
- The rotating bezel features an anti-clockwise direction to easily track elapsed time underwater.
- Durable and scratch-resistant with a ceramic bezel and sapphire crystal face.
- Beautiful design inspired by the mysteries of the deep for a stylish yet nautical appearance.
Summary: The Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean series is probably the best diving watch ever. With water resistance up to 6,000 meters (tested in real ocean conditions) and a beautiful appearance, sailors of all skill levels will love the Seamaster watch range.
10. IWC Big Pilot's Watch "Top Gun" Edition
The IWC Big Pilot watch “Top Gun” edition is inspired by navy pilots and desert planes but is equally at home on the water as it is in the sky.
The IWC Big Pilot Top Gun watch is another premium offering for the best sailing watches, selling at £14,300. This particular watch is generally more associated with aviation and is a popular choice with pilots. The flight suits of navy pilots and the desert landscape of the Naval Air Weapons Station in China Lake inspire the “Mojave Desert” colour.
Suitable for the sky or sea, the Big Pilot watch is designed to be durable and legible in the toughest conditions and is water-resistant up to 60 metres. For longer offshore passages, the watch features a power reserve indicator and has a sapphire glass, convex, antireflective coating on both sides.
Key Features:
- Highly legible and durable, suitable for both aviation and maritime use.
- Features a power reserve indicator so you never loose power, even on long passages.
- Suitable for high-pressure and tough conditions and water-resistant up to 60 metres.
- The ceramic case is durable and lightweight for comfort even with rugged use.
Summary: Suitable for sky or sea, this watch is perfect for maritime use thanks to its pressure- and water-resistance, durability, and legibility even in the toughest conditions.
