The best sports watches for any athletic gent

These tough timers will keep ticking along no matter how hard times get

For the modern gent, an active lifestyle is pretty much par for the course. We’re expected to be able to compete with beach-volleyball-playing swimwear models in summer, and rival the best on the black runs in winter.

But while such energetic endeavours are great for you and your body, they can be murder on the average timepiece. That dress watch your father handed down to you years ago won’t stand a chance in the surf off St Barts, for example.

That’s why we’ve curated this selection of rugged, go-almost-anywhere watches. With one of these on your wrist, you can focus on keeping up with the jet-ski-riding Joneses without having to worry about timekeeping.

Breitling SuperOcean Héritage II B20

A watch ready to take a dip

While functionality is key in a sports watch, it also has to look good, and with its ceramic bezel and rose-gold accents, this SuperOcean more than makes the grade.

  • Water resistance: 200m
  • Case size: 42mm
  • Power reserve: 70 hrs
  • Bezel: Ceramic, unidirectional and ratcheted
Breitling SuperOcean Héritage II B20

Breitling SuperOcean Héritage II B20

£4520.00

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Girard-Perregaux Laureato

A sports watch with a bit of edge

The 1970s were a dark time for horology, yet witnessed the birth of a new breed of sports watches. The revamped Laureato epitomises the era while bringing things bang up to date.

  • Water resistance: 100m
  • Case size: 42mm
  • Power reserve: 54 hrs
  • Dial: Blue “Clou de Paris” pattern
Girard-Perregaux Laureato

Girard-Perregaux Laureato

£8500.00

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Tudor Black Bay Fifty-Eight

We can probably think of more than 58 reasons why we want this watch

With its heritage-inspired design, this ultimate tool watch from Tudor is capable of handling the most gruelling of outdoor lifestyles, from mountain climbing to deep sea diving.

  • Water resistance: 200m
  • Case size: 39mm
  • Power reserve: 70 hrs
  • Bezel: Anodised aluminium
Tudor Black Bay Fifty-Eight

Tudor Black Bay Fifty-Eight

£2560.00

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Bell & Ross BR 03-92 Diver Blue

Bell & Ross know how to make a splash with colour

A square peg might not fit into a round hole, but Bell & Ross has mastered the art of fitting a round dial into a square case. We especially love the blue version of its square diver’s watch.

  • Water resistance: 300m
  • Case size: 42mm
  • Power reserve: 40 hrs
  • Bezel: Unidirectional blue steel
Bell & Ross BR 03-92 Diver Blue

Bell & Ross BR 03-92 Diver Blue

£2800.00

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Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Memovox

An alarmingly good timepiece

This modern Polaris is water-resistant to 200m and features an alarm. Adjust the alarm’s inner disc (via the upper crown) and it’ll tell you when to resurface… or take the roast out of the oven.

  • Water resistance: 200m
  • Case size: 42mm
  • Power reserve: 45 hrs
  • Limited series: 1,000 editions
Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Memovox

Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Memovox

£11100.00

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Piaget Polo S

Classic design to be passed down the generations

Sporty chronographs don’t have to be big and chunky. Here the beauty is in the details, such as the contrast between the polished and satin-brushed finishes, and the horizontal guilloché dial.

  • Water resistance: 100m
  • Case size: 42mm
  • Power reserve: 50 hrs
  • Dial: Blue guilloché
Piaget Polo S

Piaget Polo S

£13200.00

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Seiko Prospex SRPA21

Dive into japanese watch making with the PADI

If you’re a sporty sort and want something on your wrist you won’t ever have to worry about, this reasonably priced, 200m-water-resistant Seiko could be the one for you.

  • Water resistance: 200m
  • Case size: 45mm
  • Power reserve: 42 hrs
  • Crystal: Hardly glass
Seiko Prospex SRPA21

Seiko Prospex SRPA21

£429.00

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Omega Seamaster Diver 300M

If it’s good enough for 007, it’s good enough for us

A ceramic, laser-engraved dial, raised, Super-LumiNova-filled hour markers and a look 007 would definitely approve of. The new Seamaster Diver is a winner for Omega fans.

  • Water resistance: 300m
  • Case size: 42mm
  • Power reserve: 55 hrs
  • Dial: Blue laser engraved
Omega Seamaster Diver 300M

Omega Seamaster Diver 300M

£3600.00

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Rolex Sea-Dweller

The king of watch brands finds a home underwater

If you want something that’ll handle extreme conditions, it’s hard to beat the Rolex Sea-Dweller. Rated waterproof to a depth of 1,220m, or 4,000ft, this is pure performance watch in an elegant black.

  • Water resistance: 1,220m
  • Case size: 43mm
  • Power reserve: 70 hrs
  • Bezel: Unidirectional Cerachrom
Rolex Sea-Dweller

Rolex Sea-Dweller

£8700.00

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TAG Heuer Aquaracer Caliber 5

Taking a plunge with TAG

The classic sports watch from the ultimate sports-watch brand. Water-resistant to 300m and with an ocean-blue ceramic bezel, it’s at home on and in the big blue.

  • Water resistance: 300m
  • Case size: 43mm
  • Power reserve: 38 hrs
  • Bezel: Unidirectional ceramic
TAG Heuer Aquaracer Caliber 5

TAG Heuer Aquaracer Caliber 5

£2050.00

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This feature originally appeared in the September/October issue, sign-up now to get the next issue sent straight to your door…

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