In recent years, sports watches have never been more in demand, and it’s not hard to imagine why. Compared with fine dress watches, sports watches are not only durable companions that can accompany you through any challenging environment, but also offer versatile functions akin to precision instruments, such as a chronograph or diving functions, not to mention attractive designs that are equally sporty and stylish.
Not the outdoorsy type? It doesn’t really matter. Premium sports watches are superbly crafted and extremely appealing, and their fashionable designs are second to none, even to that of dress watches. Whether it’s for social occasions, business meetings, or private daily leisure travel, elegant sports watches are definitely a versatile choice for both active and sedentary lifestyles.
Sporty timepieces are the best fashion statement. An elegant sports watch can accompany you to all corners of the world. The following are the five recommended high-end sports watches with distinctive features.
OMEGA Seamaster Aqua Terra 150M Co-Axial Master Chronometer GMT Worldtimer 43mm
Examples of a sporty timepiece combined with a world time function are hard to find. This is especially true in the case of the OMEGA Seamaster Aqua Terra 150M GMT Worldtimer, which not only has the distinct form of a signature Seamaster Diver, but also features a laser-engraved titanium map dial, endowing it with the grandeur of a high-end complication watch.
The stainless-steel case enhances the practicality of everyday wear and is easier on the wallet than the gold version. The world map is made of titanium plate that has been laser-ablated (sculpted) to create the relief engravings of the world’s major land masses. The signature straight stripes of the Aqua Terra series are also featured, along the names of cities in the world’s 24 time zones and a 24-hour scale divided into day and night. With its rich details and distinctive layers, it is one of the very few sports watches available today characterized by intricate craftsmanship.
The Caliber 8938 that powers the Seamaster Aqua Terra Worldtimer is a Master Chronometer certified by the independent Swiss agency METAS, accurate within 0/+5 seconds per day, with the ability to resist magnetic fields up to 15,000 gausses. The exterior is tough, but the inner core is even more so. This dynamic and versatile watch is a great choice that is never out of place, whether outdoors or in the office.
CHOPARD Alpine Eagle Large
The Chopard Alpine Eagle collection, launched only three years ago, features the most popular elements of sports-chic watch design and has been in the limelight since the first day of its public debut. This collection is inspired by the St. Moritz collection created by Chopard President Karl-Friedrich Scheufele in 1980, when the brand first launched its sports watch line.
The richly layered case shape is inspired by the Swiss Alps, and is made from Chopard Lucent Steel A223, which is 1.5 times harder than ordinary stainless steel, and is hypoallergenic and highly luminous, making it more durable while standing out from ordinary sports timepieces.
The one-piece bracelet with a slightly protruding central link is akin to a snow-capped mountain ridge, glistening with the reflection of daylight. The round bezel is decorated with eight screws, each in a set of two, distributed in four compass positions to ensure water resistance to 100 meters. The rock-shaped engraving on the dial evokes impressions of the pupil of an eagle, while the hands resemble an eagle’s feather, with every detail revealing Chopard’s unique aesthetic craftsmanship.
ZENITH Chronomaster Sport
When it comes to the history of chronographs, the El Primero chronograph movement launched by ZENITH in 1969, with a frequency of 36,000 vibrations per hour, is considered a groundbreaking technical breakthrough.
In 2021, Zenith launched the Chronomaster Sport chronograph collection incorporating new technologies, featuring a new and improved version of this iconic movement. The large central second hand makes one revolution every 10 seconds, six times faster than a conventional chronograph hand, giving off a deep impression of the hands running at high speed. When stopping the chronograph, the 10 scales on the black ceramic bezel can be easily read with an accuracy of up to 1/10th of a second.
The iconic blue, silver, and grey counters on the dial, also derived from the classic 1969 design, are understated and unobtrusive, yet instantly recognizable to the connoisseur who will understand the depth of its historical significance.
With a case diameter of 41 mm, its robust stainless steel, friendly size, and price point make it extremely practical for everyday use, making it one of the most collectible chronographs of recent years.
FRANCK MULLER Vanguard Yachting
The tonneau-shaped case designed by the genius watchmaker Franck Muller is one of the most recognizable and classic shapes in the watchmaking industry, and paired with the Art Deco variant of Arabic numerals, it has won the hearts of many watch enthusiasts the world over. The latest iteration of the Vanguard collection has been reinterpreted to give the classic tonneau case a more contemporary twist.
Among the many tonneau-shaped watches of Franck Muller, the most iconic probably goes to the Vanguard Yachting collection designed for yachting sports, which not only retains the signature arched tonneau curves of the Vanguard, but also incorporates the nautical elements of yachting in its design details, such as the dark blue dial, the composite fabric rubber strap, and the bright white strap stitching, all of which evoke the impression of sailing across aqua seas and blue skies.
The compass rose in the center of the dial and the 360-degree orientation marker on the outer bezel of the timepiece accompany the intrepid adventurer and offer guidance along the way.
PANERAI Luminor Chrono PAM01110
Panerai, first created for the Italian navy in the 1930s as a durable and imposing military watch, has since evolved into a fashionable accessory at the forefront of the latest trends. The cushion-shaped case is square with a rounded center, making for a bold and elegant statement. The half-moon shaped crown guard on the right side of the case not only provides reassuring durability, but also makes for an instantly recognizable design statement.
The Luminor Collection, with its origins dating back to the 1950s, has launched Luminor Chrono, a timepiece with a chronograph function. In a departure from the conventional three sub-dial layout of modern chronographs, the Luminor Chrono features a vintage two sub-dial design, making it harmoniously symmetrical and classically elegant, with Arabic numerals at 6 o’clock and 12 o’clock and stick-shaped hour-markers, both with Panerai’s famous sandwich dial and skeletonized design, which clearly reveals the bright and vivid luminescence of the base.
The all-new reference PAM01110 is equipped with an extremely rare one-piece bracelet, the shape of which is derived from the crown guard, adding to its legendary character and appeal.
Drop by the nearest boutique to pick up a new sports watches.
