What Are The Best Sailing Watches… Updated For 2023

To Summarize: We looked at a wide variety of sailing watches, investigating what we thought were the main things that sailors would find useful. Through our investigations, our pick as the best sailing watch that we looked at was the Optimum Time Series 3 Sailing Timer.

This was our winning watch last year, and in 2023, we still can’t go past it. We really liked this watch for a variety of reasons, however, at the top of the list was its practicality when on the water. It was also very reasonably priced… definitely not over the top, especially when compared to some of the fancier watches on the market.

The main winning points (and why we liked it):

• Extra-large display (16mm high digits), making it easy to catch the countdown timer at a quick glance
• Audible countdown timer functions at important intervals during the countdown to the race start
• Sync button, so if you miss the 5-minute gun, you can get a more accurate countdown time at the 4-minute flag

Optimum Time Series 3 Sailing Timer

Let’s be honest… it may not be the most attractive watch going around. But for most sailors, it’s more about practicality, features, and how it works, rather than looking smart, when out on the water.

For a good-looking watch, we liked the Nautica N83 Men’s Accra Beach Watch, so if looks are more your thing, then check this one out.

Our Picks Of Top Sailing Watches

Below is a table of some of our picks of the top watches for sailors at the moment. And further below, we look at each one in more detail, so read on…

Watch	Name	Water resistant to	Warranty	Rating	Price & More Info
	Ronstan Clear Start Sailing Watch	5 ATM / 50m / 150ft	Please contact the seller directly for warranty information for this product.	4.6 out of 5 stars	$$
	Optimum Time Series 3 Sailing Timer	5 ATM / 50m / 165ft	12 months	4.5 out of 5 stars	$$
	Suunto Traverse	100m / 330ft	Manufacturer’s warranty can be requested from customer service.	4.5 out of 5 stars	$$$$$
	Timex Ironman Classic 30 Full-Size Watch	100m / 330ft	One-Year Limited Manufacturer Warranty	4.6 out of 5 stars	$
	Gill Stealth Timer Watch	50m / 165ft	2 years	3.5 out of 5 stars	$$$
	Casio Men's Pro Trek PRW-3500T-7CR Digital Sport Watch	200m / 660ft	Check with the manufacturer regarding warranty.	4.7 out of 5 stars	$$$$$
	Nautica Men's Quartz Resin Silicone Watch	100m / 330ft	Nautica 5-year manufacturer's warranty	4.4 out of 5 stars	$$
	Nautica Men's N83 Watch	50m / 165ft	Nautica 5-year manufacturer's warranty	4.4 out of 5 stars	$$
	Timex Women’s Ironman Transit 33mm Watch	100 m / 330 ft	Check with the manufacturer regarding warranty.	4.5 out of 5 stars	$$

Background

For sailors, a sailing watch is more than just a fashion statement. They are not necessarily trendy fashion accessories that sailors wear as status symbols. More than anything else, a good sailing watch is a vital tool; an integral part of every sailing outing.

A sailing watch is just like a good comrade – reliable, trustworthy, and dependable. They excel in the rugged, rough, and tumble of a sailor’s life and are able to keep a good time just the same. They have an array of functions and features that are especially useful when racing or cruising. Every serious sailor owns one.

A seasoned sailor knows exactly what to look for and what they want in sailing watches. Of course, though, every individual has their own preferences. Whether they are looking for basic functions or more high-tech capabilities, every sailor has a perfect watch in mind, with water resistance, an easy-to-see display, and ease of use at the top of many sailors’ lists.

Whether you are looking to buy a sailing watch for yourself, or as a special sailing gift, check out our picks of the best sailing watch options available below…

Detailed Reviews Of Some Of The Best Sailing Watches for 2023

Of course, we can’t tell you which watch is best for you, as everyone’s requirements and personal preferences are different. However, we can give you the information you need to make an informed decision and highlight some that we like. In the reviews below, we are going to take an in-depth look at some of the best sailing watches available on the market right now.

Ronstan Clear Start Sailing Watch

Key Specs

This watch has an oversized display which is perfect for hitting the starting line on time. As would be expected, the watch has a number of settings important for sailing, including time and countdown & up.

The buttons are so prominent that it is just impossible to miss them. It also beeps for a low battery warning. It fits well with any wrist size.

Ronstan has a number of different styles of watches on the market, so you are bound to find one that you like.

For the best price for the Ronstan Clear Start Sailing Watch, click here.

Optimum Time Series 3 Sailing Timer

Key Specs

This Optimum Time Sailing Timer makes it easy to start your countdown when the gun goes so you won’t miss the start.

It has some great features that are specifically designed for sailors, such as a 5, 4, 1, 0 start sequence with audible tones, and a “sync” button so that you can instantly sync your countdown if you do miss the gun by a little.

The extra-large display (16mm or 0.63in digit height) makes catching the time left before a start easy.

It also comes with an elastic strap so that you can wear it on your wrist or over your sleeves, as well as a mast/boom mounting bracket for even more viewing options.

As well as being one of the best countdown timers on the market, it will also work well as your day-to-day watch.

For the best price on the Optimum Time Series 3 Sailing Timer, click here.

Suunto Traverse

Key Specs

This watch is more than just a sailor watch… it has heaps of cool features that will serve you well on and off the water.

The watch has an in-built GPS, compass, barometric trending functions, and flashlight to keep you out of trouble. You can track your movements and transfer wirelessly to a map when back onshore to visualize your course over the day. Of course, it is water-resistant, up to 100m / 330 feet.

For the best price on the Suunto Traverse watch, click here.

Timex Ironman Classic 30 Full-Size Watch

Key Specs

This is a no-nonsense type of sailing watch that suits most wrist sizes, even those who have smaller wrists.

Starting and resetting the countdown is easy, and following race starts for the team becomes simpler with the rolling countdown option.

It is also water-resistant up to 100m or 330ft.

It’s at the more affordable end of the spectrum, so if you are looking for something a little cheaper, then make sure you check this one out.

For the best price on the Timex Ironman Classic 30 Full-Size Watch, click here.

Gill Stealth Timer Watch

Key Specs

This sailing watch not only has a large display during the last minute of the countdown but is also audible. The 44mm x 30mm dot matrix display is extremely easy to read even in the rain. It is also water-resistant to 50m.

It has an impact-resistant design construction which is handy when out sailing. It also has a digital compass, a “stealth” mode vibrate function and a sleep mode that can preserve battery life.

For the best price on the Gill Stealth Timer Watch, click here.

Casio Men’s Pro Trek PRW-3500T-7CR Digital Sport Watch

Key Specs

This Pro Trek Men’s PRW-3500T-7CR sailing watch features so many functions that are useful in any sport. However it has details that are especially vital to sailing such as large function buttons that allow easy manipulation even when the hands are wet or wearing sailing gloves, the key functions are intuitive and it does not require frequent revisits to the manual.

Pressure changes monitoring of the barometer are graphically depicted as trends, and the watch has a digital compass that could come in handy in case of an emergency.

For the best price on the Pro Trek Men’s PRW-3500T-7CR, click here.

Nautica Men’s Quartz Resin Silicone Watch

Key Specs

This sailor watch features so many functions that are useful in any sport. However it has details that are especially vital to sailing such as large function buttons that allow easy manipulation even when the hands are wet or wearing sailing gloves, the key functions are intuitive and it does not require frequent revisits to the manual.

Pressure changes monitoring of the barometer are graphically depicted as trends, and the watch has a digital compass that could come in handy in case of an emergency.

For the best price on the Nautica Men’s Quartz Resin Silicone Watch, click here.

Nautica Men’s N83 Watch

Key Specs

Here is a classic-looking round watch that features a sweeping second hand. There is also a date window, luminous hands, and an embossed bezel.

The brass case is 43 millimeters in diameter. The watch comes with an analog display and a 20mm adjustable silicone strap.

It is solar-powered so spending time out in the sun sailing keeps it charged.

Being water-resistant to 50 meters / 165 feet this should be more than adequate for doing the job when on the water or in the clubhouse.

Timex Women’s Ironman Transit Watch

Key Specs

If you are looking for an unusual and elegant watch, this Timex Women’s Ironman Watch watch would be a good choice.

It has a cool white and rose-gold case and an easy-to-read display. The case is 33 millimeters in diameter and the resin strap fits a wrist circumference of up to 7.5 inches.

It is water-resistant to 100 meters / 330 feet.

What To Look For In A Good Sailing Watch

Buying a sailing watch is not easy – there are so many to choose from. It’s also difficult to know what features are important and what to look for to get the best value for money.

First, you need to determine what kind of sailing you do, and how you use your watch. If you are a casual sailor who only goes out every now and then, you may not need a watch that has all the bells and whistles. If you are a racer or spend a lot of time on the water, you’ll need a watch that will withstand harsh conditions and have all the functions you need.

Below is a list of some features and functionality that you might want to consider when buying a sailing watch…

Digital vs. Analog

With either, it is important to have an easy-to-read layout, with large digits and fluorescent hands/digits or a good backlight. Personally, I prefer digital so that I can set the countdown timer with ease, and you can get them with very large displays so no mistakes are made in the battle at the start line.

Water Resistance

This goes without saying (but I’ll say it anyway)… if it’s not water-resistant, then don’t wear your watch sailing.

That being said, the water-resistance numbers (eg. Water resistant to 30m) don’t actually mean that they can be worn down to that depth. This has always baffled me but mainly has to do with the new watch being initially tested in ideal conditions (with water pressure and temperature not changing rapidly), with the seals being brand new and the watch itself being in perfect condition. For some more info on how deep you may be able to go with your watch, check out this article.

If you do get your battery replaced, make sure that your watch is pressure tested afterward to verify integrity.

Handy Sailing Features

Obviously, for sailing, it’s good to have a countdown feature. Another handy feature is an option to sync the countdown, so if you miss the 5-minute gun, you can sync it easily when it is coming up to the 4-minute mark.

Another great feature is having an audible alert during the countdown sequence. In addition to the alert at the start-gun time, good sailing watches also have extra alert tones that go off at various intervals. This means that you can focus on watching the water, sails, and other boats than having to drop your eyes to your watch all the time.

You also want your watch to be easy to use. There is nothing worse than being out at the start and trying to navigate through the watch menus and trying to set the countdown timer but having difficulty. The easier it is to use, the better. That being said, spend some time at home before your next race to get up-to-speed with how the watch works. Spending time familiarizing yourself with all the features and how the watch works will be time well spent.

Extra Features

Watches these days can be like miniature Swiss army knives – they can have all sorts of features. Eg. GPS, compass, barometer. Some features are nice to have, but may not be worth the extra money. Try to work out exactly what you need, and ensure that your watch does it all well. Check out reviews and YouTube videos (see more info in our reviews below) for others’ opinions and to take a closer look.

Band Size & Type

Some sailors like to wear watches over the top of their shirt or jacket so they can easily check the time. If this is your preference, then you want to be sure that the band size is large enough to accommodate this. Additionally, you want the band to be comfortable and, since the watch will quite likely get knocked about while sailing, it has to be strong and keep the watch secured (ie. Not come undone easily).

A strap made of silicone or rubber is also good since it does not absorb water, making it more comfortable to wear even when wet.

Personal Preferences

A sailing watch is a vital sailing instrument and a serious implement that any skipper cannot do without. If you are a long-distance sailor, you may not realize that they can now come with a barometer and can detect variations in pressure, an important factor in predicting the weather. Some racers love to have chronograph movements and compasses that detect line bias and bearings. These might be nice to have but maybe more than just the basics that you really need.

And for others, it’s not so much about all the functions that can help with sailing but more about the look when back at the bar.

However, whatever your reason for having a favorite watch for sailing, with the range that we have provided above, we should have you covered.

Sailing Watch FAQs

What’s Your Preference As The Best Sailing Watch?

These are just a few of the many watches that sailors can find on the market today. You can find many different makes and models on the internet, so you are sure to find one that precisely meets your requirements. Have a look at some more of our picks here.

Sailor watchmakers are conscious of what sailors want with their watches and are endeavoring to produce ones that can truly meet the requirements of sailors. There are some excellent watches out on the market these days which can make deciding on the best watch for your personal circumstances difficult… hence why we have put this list together to try to narrow down the choices to some of the better ones on the market and make it a little easier for you to choose.

Sailing watches are reflections of the character and requirements of the user. So whether you opt for a simpler watch with only the basic functions or go for the more sailing-specific features, the best sailing watch is the one that is a perfect match for you… and this will be different for different people. But no matter how serious you are about your sailing, make sure to check out the watches above, as they will be a good start.