Category: Watch Reviews

If you’re anything like me, you know there’s nothing quite like the buzz of finishing a great run, whether it’s a breezy 5K, a sweaty treadmill session, or a long weekend slog where you question every life choice you’ve ever made.

And while most of us can’t afford some fancy personal trainer or have a sponsorship deal with Garmin, we can decide what running watch to strap to our wrist.  

Thanks to several advancements in technology over the last decade, women’s running watches are no longer glorified step counters. They’re more like coaches, DJs, and health gurus all rolled into one.

They can do everything from track your running pace and heart rate to how much you’re crushing a hill climb. Some also come with GPS, women’s health tracking, sleep monitoring and so much more.

But with so many shiny options of women’s running smartwatches out there, choosing the right one can feel like its own marathon. So, I’ve done the legwork for you and rounded up the very best running watches for women right now.

What To Look for in A Women’s Running Watch

Okay, so what actually makes a great running watch for women? It’s not just about pretty straps and colourful touchscreen displays, although they definitely do help. The best women’s running watches pack in smart, practical features that make your run smoother, safer, and generally more fun.

First up, GPS is an absolute must if you run outdoors. It tracks your route, distance, and pace in real time, so you’ll always know how far you’ve gone and how fast you’re moving, without guessing or retracing your steps.

Working alongside this, features like distance and pace monitoring are really handy, as they’ll make sure you’re keeping motivated and on track with your personal goals. Heart rate tracking is also super useful as it shows how hard you’re working and helps you avoid overdoing it or slacking off.

And finally, if you’re anything like me, music is a must when running. So look for watches with Bluetooth connectivity that pair with wireless headphones so you can skip tracks, pause, or pump up your power song without needing to dig your phone out mid-run.

The Best Running Watches for Women

Now that you’ve got a feel for what to look out for and what features you’ll actually care about (because not everyone needs a watch that measures their VO2 max at 5am), it’s time to dive into the good stuff.

I’ve rounded up the very best running watches for women that’ll help to level up your runs, no matter whether you’re a total beginner or chasing down your next marathon medal.

Garmin Lily 2

This is actually the running watch I wear myself and I love it. The Garmin Lily 2 is perfect if you want all the running essentials without sacrificing style. It’s small, super lightweight, and looks more like a piece of jewellery than a chunky sports watch. But alas, don’t be fooled because it’s packed with plenty of smart running features.

For running, it covers everything I need including connected GPS, heart rate monitoring, distance tracking, and built-in sports apps for runs, walks, yoga, and even dance fitness. It tracks calories burned, steps, and intensity minutes too.

One thing that’s a nice bonus is the women’s health features. It lets you track your menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and even daily hydration. I also love the Body Battery energy monitor, which shows if your body’s ready to smash a run or if the day is a deserving rest day.

RRP: $249.99

Garmin Vivoactive 6

If you’re after something a little bigger than the Garmin Lily but still sleek and stylish, the Garmin Vivoactive 6 is a brilliant pick.

It’s got that classic smartwatch vibe, with a bright, colourful AMOLED display and comes in some gorgeous colours including a Metallic Pink Dawn version that I’m slightly obsessed with.

For running, it comes with all the necessities including built-in GPS, so you don’t need to lug your phone around to track your route, plus heart rate monitoring, pace, distance, and even VO2 Max to measure your fitness levels.

It also has Garmin Coach which offers personalised, adaptive training plans right on your wrist. Beyond running, it packs 80 plus sports apps, animated workouts, and handy extras like Body Battery energy monitoring, sleep tracking, women’s health tracking, and stress management tools.

RRP: $299.99

Garmin Fenix 8

I promise this list isn’t only Garmin watches, but they just make so many great running watches for women, you can expect to spot a few more here.

The Fenix range is one of Garmin’s best-selling lines, and for good reason. It’s a little pricier than the models I’ve mentioned above, but it more than makes up for it with serious features.

Designed for athletes and adventurers who love pushing limits, the Fenix 8 offers a stunning AMOLED display, a built-in speaker and mic for calls and voice control, and even a proper LED flashlight with variable settings and a red safety light.

It’s packed with advanced performance tools like training readiness scores, endurance and hill metrics, multisport auto transitions, and detailed health insights including ECG, Pulse Ox, and sleep coaching. There’s also a solar-powered version if you’re outdoorsy and want to stretch its already impressive battery life even further.

RRP: $1,099.99

Apple Watch Series 10

The Apple Watch Series 10 marks a major milestone in Apple’s lineup and it’s an excellent option for runners. It features Apple’s largest and most advanced display yet, with a wide-angle OLED screen that stays bright and easy to read, even at a glance.

The screen area is dramatically larger than past models, making it easier to view pace, distance, heart rate, and workout details while on the move.

Beyond the display, Series 10 packs useful health and fitness features. The Activity app keeps track of your daily goals, while Fitness+ offers guided runs and workouts with real-time stats right on your wrist.

Sleep tracking breaks down your time in REM, Core, and Deep sleep, with overnight vitals like heart rate and respiratory rate recorded automatically. For heart health, the ECG and Heart Rate apps offer insights and alerts, and fast charging makes it easy to top up before or after a run.

RRP: $399

Suunto Race S Sports

Suunto’s range of running watches doesn’t get enough attention, in my opinion, but the Suunto Race S is a standout that definitely deserves more recognition.

With its combination of sleek design, advanced features, and impressive performance, it’s an excellent choice for runners. It’s another running watch with a high-definition AMOLED screen that’s easy to read, even in bright sunlight.

It also offers free offline maps for trail runs or general outdoor adventures, more than 95 sport modes, including race-specific features like Race Pacer and Race Time Estimator, and advanced training metrics like heart rate variability recovery measurement, which gives you valuable insights into your recovery and training load. The built-in Suunto Coach AI also provides personalized workout advice to help you improve efficiently.

RRP: $349

Sekonda Flex

The Sekonda Flex is a solid choice if you’re on a budget but still want all the essential features for your runs and workouts.

It has a sleek silver alloy case and an interactive dial, so it’s both stylish and practical. When it comes to fitness, it’s a smartwatch that tracks your steps, calories, and activities like running, walking, and hiking. You can also monitor your heart rate, blood oxygen, and sleep.

A feature I love, as would anyone else that spends a lot of the day sitting at a computer, is the movement reminder.

If you’ve been sitting too long, it’ll nudge you to take a few minutes to move around, which is a nice touch. It also keeps you connected with notifications for calls, messages, and social media, so you won’t miss anything.

RRP: $100

Fitbit Sense 2

The Fitbit Sense 2 is an excellent running watch, especially for women who want a balance of fitness tracking and wellness features. It has a sleek, modern design and lightweight build so it’s both comfortable for daily wear and workouts.

It comes with a heart rate monitor to track your cardio effort during runs, provides insights into fat burn, cardio, and peak zones and boasts GPS for tracking your route, distance, and pace/

When you’re not running, the Sense 2 can make daily life easier with its stress management tools, such as all-day body-response tracking and guided breathing sessions.

It even tracks sleep, helping you understand your rest patterns and how they affect your performance. Plus, it comes with a six-month free subscription to Fitbit Premium so you can test out some of the more advanced metrics and guidance before you commit.

RRP: $249.95

Garmin Venu 3S

If you love running, but you equally like to switch things up with other activities from time to time, the Garmin Venu 3S is a great choice. With over 30 built-in sports apps and animated workouts, it covers everything from running and cycling to yoga and swimming, making it perfect for diverse fitness routines.

And of course, the Venu 3 tracks all the important metrics like heart rate, pace, cadence, and even running power so you can fine-tune your performance and achieve your goals more effectively.

One of the standout features is the Body Battery which tracks your energy levels throughout the day, helping you understand when to push yourself and when to take it easy. Plus, its advanced sleep tracking provides insights into your sleep quality, HRV, and skin temperature, ensuring you recover optimally for your next workout.

RRP: $449.99

Apple Watch SE

Another budget-friendly yet feature-packed running watch is the Apple Watch SE. It arrives with built-in GPS so you can track your outdoor runs without needing your phone and a handy Workout app to help you monitor key stats like distance, pace, and calories burned.

The heart rate monitor ensures you’re staying within your target zones, and with high and low heart rate alerts, you can easily stay on top of your fitness goals.

It doesn’t just focus on fitness either, this women’s running smartwatch integrates smoothly with your Apple ecosystem, allowing you to take calls, respond to texts, or stream music on the go. It also has a relatively healthy battery life of up to 72 hours in low power mode.

RRP: $249

Garmin Forerunner 55

Lastly, we have one final Garmin to round off this list of best women’s running watches. The Garmin Forerunner 55 is another great training partner packed with everything you need to track your progress.

It comes with built-in GPS that keeps tabs on your distance, pace, and speed, giving you real-time stats to fuel your run. It also has you covered with smart features like Garmin Coach which creates adaptive training plans that evolve based on your performance.

It’s also not just a running watch, but a multi-sport powerhouse with activity profiles for swimming, cycling, and even Pilates.

Plus, it tracks your heart rate, stress levels, and Body Battery energy to give you a full picture of your health. Beating the Apple Watch above, it also boasts a whopping two weeks of battery life so you’ll rarely have to pause your active lifestyle to recharge.

RRP: $199.99

Conclusion

At the end of the day, you really can’t go wrong with any of these running watches. Each one brings something unique to the table, whether it’s premium features and advanced tracking or just the reliable essentials wrapped up in a stylish design.

Some might suit your budget better and others might check off every single feature on your wishlist. It all comes down to what you value most in a women’s running watch, whether it’s style, size, battery life, fitness insights, or maybe all of the above.

You already know what makes the best field watch; it’s the kind of watch that pairs with just about anything in your wardrobe but looks simple, rugged, and military-infused.

The archetypal field watch tends to have the black dial, the white luminous-coated appliques, and a NATO strap, but today’s watch-collecting society has made room for many variations of this tool watch.

In fact, it has become one of the most versatile categories of watches to take interest in, especially since the smaller wristwatch has come full circle. Take a look at these affordable recommendations and see for yourself…

The History of the Field Watch

It wasn’t until the Second World War that the field watch, as we know it today, came into existence. Before then, soldiers had been strapping watches to their wrists but without the important specifications stipulated by governments, namely the US military watch technical specification 94-27834B.

One notable feature in particular was the “hacking” feature, which enabled the wearer to stop the second hand when setting the time. This feature became crucial on the frontline when soldiers needed to sync their watches to coordinate battlefield operations and training exercises.

Heavyweights adhering to the strict standards of the more “modern” field watch were those such as Omega, Jaeger-LeCoultre, and IWC Schaffhausen.

Those successful in meeting the criteria went by the name of the Dirty Dozen and were commissioned under British War Office Specification R.S./Prov/4373A “Watches, Wristlet, Waterproof” (W.W.W). They are considered huge collectibles and form the inspiration for today’s many modern field watches.

What Makes a Field Watch a Field Watch?

More than anything else, a field watch must be rugged, durable, and equipped with attributes that make it a reliable companion for out on the frontline. That’s not to say everyone wearing a field watch must be military personnel. In fact, most collectors of the field watch genre are those who love their unique style.

Field watches are deeply rooted in military history. For that reason, they appeal to historians, but in the modern world, they deliver on values of reliability, legibility, and performance for everyday wear, too.

Traditionally, field watches have high-contrast dials with either a dark background, white, highly legible hour markers, and hands, or a display in the opposite combination – a white background with black details.

Even so, many variables today exist, particularly those with khaki green and blue dials proving popular. The high contrast dial is one of the most important features of the field watch since it allows for time to be read in all lighting conditions.

Case and strap materials are essential to ensure field watches can survive all weather conditions. The cases are often crafted from conventional stainless steel, lightweight titanium, or stealthy black carbon and are equipped with suitable water resistance.

Strap-wise, field watches often feature a NATO-style strap made from either nylon or canvas or a more classic-looking leather band. However, many reputable manufacturers are now venturing into areas of eco-friendly materials.

With all of these characteristics working together, field watches continue to reserve a very special place in the collections of avid enthusiasts all over the world. Take a look at these top field watches under $500.

Citizen Garrison

The Citizen Garrison is the brand’s answer to a classical-looking field watch, so if you don’t want a design too tool-heavy, this model is worth some serious consideration.

It’s insanely underappreciated, as well, because the vast amount of consumers looking for a field-specific watch tend to overlook Citizen as a worthy contender. The crux of the matter is that Citizen creates a field watch with serious badassery.

From its large, legible Arabic numeral hour markers to its very classic-looking brown calfskin leather strap – every element of this budget-friendly field watch is carefully considered. This 42mm steel model with a brushed surface and 100 meters of water resistance will suffice as an everyday watch.

It also bears pilot’s watch elements, including the triangle at 12 o’clock and several other mission-ready details like the popular 24-hour inner scale inside the main hour track.

Roll all of this into an eco-friendly design, and you have Citizen’s solar-powered technology to enjoy, which rules out the aspect of ever having to organize another battery change.

Timex Expedition North Field Post Mechanical

Maybe the Citizen Garrison is a little on the large side for your wrist? If that’s the case, turn your attention to something like the Expedition North Field Post Mechanical watch from Times.

Timex is one of the most respected brands for affordability and has to be one of the best value watches on the market for this price point. If you’ve never considered Timex for a sports watch before now, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by its quality.

This is a 38mm steel model with a reasonable case height of 8.5mm. Even better, you still get top-notch materials with this sub-$300 watch – namely the sapphire crystal glass and a water-tight case that upholds a water resistance of 100M.

You’ll also be pressed to find a field watch powered by a mechanical movement for the same price bracket, let alone one that offers features as good as these.

The Timex Expedition North Field Post Mechanical is strong, sturdy, and ready for frontline action. It has a deep penetrative blue dial, vivid luminescent hour markers, and hands, and an eco-friendly strap made of DriTan leather.

Seiko 5 Sports Field Sports Style

Seiko’s 5 Sports watch collection continually delivers on values of robustness, accuracy, and reliability. Within that collection is the Field Sports Style watch by the Japanese brand, which offers a glimpse into the company’s mechanical mastery thanks to a see-through exhibition caseback.

The Calibre 4R36 sits behind the glass, working relentlessly to guarantee accuracy, reliability, and a power reserve of 41 hours. On the dial side, military green has been used to display the time via an inner 12-hour scale and another 60-minute scale with double-digit numbers.

This affordable field watch evokes a utilitarian-military vibe with a strong steel 39mm case and a deep khaki green canvas strap with a vibrant orange inner lining.

Seiko 5 Sports Field Street Style

Fancy a field watch that oozes stealth and inconspicuousness? Seiko delivers again with its 5 Sports Field Street Style watch, encased in black hard-coated stainless steel. The case measures 39mm in diameter and is topped with Hardlex mineral.

It’s not as durable and scratch-resistant as sapphire crystal that much is true, but it’s Seiko’s version of mineral glass, and it comes with its own layer of scratch-resistant technology.

The material has been heat-treated to improve scratch and shatter resistance, allowing the zesty orange elements to pierce through a matte black dial. It’s the orange hands that are such a stand-out feature in this field watch design, however.

Seldom does Seiko do anything as vivid and fun as this, and the subtler details, like the inner orange lining on the black nylon strap, don’t go unnoticed either.

Victorinox Swiss Army Heritage

A 40mm diameter really is a sweet spot when it comes to sports watches, and the makers of the original Swiss Army knife seem to master these proportions perfectly with a 9.1mm depth, a 100-meter water resistance, and a tough sapphire crystal glass front.

This quartz-powered watch packs a punch with its robust steel case and sloping brushed lugs. I’ll put the record straight for anyone doubting this watch’s quality. The Victorinox Swiss Army Heritage is one of the most solidly built field watches at this price point.

Its design evokes the field watches worn by the same military members that popularized the knife. Finer details round the design off tastefully, like the red-coated central seconds hand that ties in nicely with the Victorinox shield logo under 12 o’clock.

The rugged, stitched leather strap in dark green underscores the relentlessly simple design of the Swiss Army Heritage watch, as does the 6 o’clock date window and the sword-shaped hands. If the Victorinox I.N.O.X is a little too aggressive in design aesthetics for you, this model is an unfussy, simplified version with easy legibility and an even more attractive price tag.

Marathon General Purpose Mechanical

Whoever said small watches weren’t for men was very wrong. Smaller watches are the way trends are leaning toward these days, making the Marathon General Purpose watch one of the best propositions for men with less-endowed wrists.

Its 34mm diameter evokes vintage military watch sizes of yesteryear and features a 30-meter water-resistant case crafted from stainless steel, delivering an overall utilitarian package.

The watch uses an alternative to the more common Super-LumiNova material with tritium material applied to its Arabic numerals and hands. The black dial features the characteristic 24-hour inner scale, which glows longer thanks to the tritium application.

Underneath this dial lies a third-party movement from Seiko. Being just 34mm in diameter makes the Marathon General Purpose Mechanical watch exceptionally lightweight and compact, and since Marathon is the sole official supplier of watches to the US Armed Forces, there’s probably no watch manufacturer you’d want to trust more than this one.

Bulova Hack Watch

Bulova’s list of horological feats is impressive, to say the least, making it all the more baffling that this watch brand is often overlooked when shopping for affordable, reliable watches. It was the first company to broadcast TV and radio adverts and even developed a watch that walked on the moon.

The brand also shaped the quartz and electrical watch revolution in the 1960s and 1970s with the Accutron. But what many people aren’t aware of is its Hack watch – an ‘A-11’ specification navigation watch.

The brand released the watch in limitless variations, all specifically supplied to American soldiers and chronometer-certified. Bulova’s 2022 release of a modern-day Hack watch is dedicated to honoring those A-11 watches, with a 38mm steel case, a mineral glass front, 100M water resistance, and a vintage military-inspired design that nods to the original watch with the special lock down mechanism for the running seconds.

Bulova equips this affordable field watch with cathedral hands, a red seconds hand against a matte black dial, and a muddy khaki NATO leather strap.

Nodus Sector Field

Lovers of the sector dial are bound to be impressed with Nodus’ range of field watches done in a sector format. Bang on the $500 mark is the Nodus Sector II Field watch crafted from lightweight titanium.

This ergonomically developed sports watch is a new addition to Nodus’ field watch category and features a design inspired by models worn on the wrists of soldiers in battle.

Of course, the advantage of the titanium case doesn’t just guarantee a lightweight body but a corrosion-resistant and hypoallergenic material too.

The case has been re-engineered by masters at Nodus to deliver a new slimness of 11.7mm. Meanwhile, the box-shaped crystal allows the hands and dial to sit closer to the glass.

The grey Hybrid TecTuff® rubber strap with titanium buckle injects this model with a sportier vibe, but you could always switch it out for a more classic leather band if you prefer.

Bertucci A-1S

The Bertucci A-1S is the most budget-friendly field watch on this list. Is it any less capable of delivering on grounds of legibility and reliability? Absolutely not.

If you aren’t too bothered by the thought of wearing a lesser-known brand on your wrist, the Bertucci version of a field watch meets the standards of a true classic, with essential functions and a clean and easily readable dial.

The black display is home to hands and Arabic numeral hour markers treated with Super-LumiNova material, along with a red seconds hand and the archetypal 24-hour inner scale. The model’s rugged screw-down crown and caseback are all part of Bertucci’s patented case – the Unibody™.

The construction is designed for comfort and practicality, with an ergonomic 4 o’clock crown and 100M water resistance. The A-1S is also completed on a long-lasting US patented B-TYPE heavy-duty nylon webbing band for added comfort.

Vaer S5 Calendar Field White – 40mm Quartz

The S5 Calendar watch by Vaer delivers a clean and crisp military white dial with calendrical functions on a stylish beige NATO strap, encompassing a field watch’s key features in one compact 40mm package.

The watch, crafted from stainless steel, features a locking crown to uphold a water-resistant rating of 100 meters and a sapphire crystal for optimum legibility. Vaer watches are all assembled in the US and come in a range of quartz and automatic versions, this S5 watch of which features a quartz movement.

The brand even offers Dirty Dozen-inspired models, but for a simple, classic field watch that communicates understated elegance, you can pick this time-and-date version of the S5 up for less than $200, and its timeless utilitarian aesthetic certainly won’t disappoint.

Hamilton Khaki Field Quartz

Most field watches by Hamilton exceed the $500 mark, and that’s no surprise. Hamilton has perfected the military tool watch look and uses luxury-grade materials to create its innovations from the Khaki line.

This Hamilton Khaki Field watch is a very manageable 38mm steel model with a deep blue dial and matching colored textile strap with a steel pin buckle. The Hamilton Khaki family can trace its lineage across two world wars and over 50 years of supplying rugged tool watches to the US military.

This model features a revised minute track, large, chunky Arabic numeral hour markers, and a simple no-date layout that strips timekeeping duties back to the basics. This is a quartz-powered model, which is just about the only sacrifice you’ll make for a sub-$500 Hamilton watch.

That said, quartz-powered movements are hassle-free and accurate, and they don’t rely on the movement of your wrist to keep good time, so they’re often a preferred choice for those entering the world for affordable watch collecting.

Conclusion

Only by understanding the history and features of the classic field watch and its many variables can you fully appreciate the versatility and appeal of one. The field watch has a unique style but no longer appeals to a niche audience.

Many enthusiasts are now appreciating the value and charm this watch can bring to a collection and the fact that there are now more dial colors, strap materials, and sizes to choose from means that just about every watch fan can find a field watch that aligns with their personal preferences and fits right into their collection.

You could understand if, over recent years, the blue dial watch had lost some ground from a popularity point of view, particularly given the rise of more disruptive dial colors hitting the market over recent years. But that isn’t the case.

There is something profoundly simple and timeless about the blue dial, so much so that it is still a go-to shade for anyone looking to break away from the mundane black or white varieties.

That doesn’t mean to say there is no place for the latter, however (black and white dials will always win on the grounds of clarity, and they’re the easiest dial colors to pair with elegant evening attire and suits). But peer deeply into a classic blue dial and tell me you aren’t instantly entranced by one.

Blue dials reign supreme even though everyone expected them to be a passing trend during the smartwatch craze.

They’re a natural choice for the classic dress watch but also bring a sporty elegance to the chronograph. Blue dials have also found their way into the dive watch sector, as well as featuring on GMT complications, minute repeaters, and tourbillons.

The color just seems to work with just about any style and feature going, complimenting a myriad of straps, too, from the sophisticated metal bracelet to the traditional leather strap and even something more relaxed, like a rubber strap or a casual canvas band. 

The Allure of Blue Dial

It matters not whether you’re a seasoned collector and you want to debut the blue dial on your wrist for the very first time or whether you’re a soft touch for the color blue and want to see more of it in your collection, this list has some excellent options, depending on your preference for style, functionality, and features.

The color blue has always represented elegance and class and has a strong emotional pull. Perhaps it’s because we have seen this choice of color in so many iconic designs of the past.

Or maybe it’s the sheer variety of shades we can choose from. Luxury watches come in all types of blue, from navy to vibrant cerulean and even the more green-tinted shades of aquamarine. Then there’s the iconic Tiffany blue dial – one of the world’s most sought-after dial colors.

Anyway, without further ado, let’s look at what we’ve rounded up. A superb selection of blue dial watches covering many styles, features, and budgets.

Glashütte Original SeaQ Chronograph Blue Dial on Blue Strap 1-37-23-02-81-36

German brand Glashutte Original creates the SeaQ Chronograph for serious underwater explorers, equipping it with a solid steel case, 300-meter water resistance, a unidirectional rotating bezel, and an ocean blue-inspired sunray dial with chronograph counters placed at 3 and 9 o’clock.

The watch adheres to ISO standards and emphasizes the idea of personal style, providing the watch with several styles of strap, including a blue canvas band, a rubber strap, or a stainless steel bracelet to compliment that marine blue display.

Oris 01 733 7771 4055-07 8 19 18 Sixty Five Cotton Candy Blue Dial

The Oris Cotton Candy versions of the Sixty-Five watch collection caught everyone’s attention back in 2020 and were a refreshing wave of playfulness and a much-needed touch of fun after lockdown.

The bubble-gum blue color of this retro-inspired dive watch looks good enough to eat and features the stainless steel bracelet that arrived as part of the second-gen Cotton Candy design.

Compact too, this 38mm model is a unisex design, featuring a 60-minute track in relief on a steel bezel, not to mention a strong sapphire glass front, luminous dial markings, and a reliable Sellita-based movement that can keep precise time for up to 41 hours once away from the wrist.

Arnold & Son Eight-Day Royal Navy Blue Dial 1EDAS.U01C.S136D

Arnold & Son has a history deeply rooted in marine chronometer accuracy. It continues to celebrate its marine history with the Eight Day watch in ocean blue with a striking wave-like pattern.

The watch boasts a unique dial layout, with a power reserve at 12 o’clock, balanced by a small second sub-dial at 6 o’clock. If you’re drawn to unconventional dial layouts, this blue dial Eight Day watch will be the perfect addition to your collection.

As you’ll have guessed, the brand’s innovative mechanical movement has an impressive 8-day power reserve, which you can track through that intuitive indicator on the dial.

Ball NM9052C-S1C-BE Roadmaster M Perseverer 40mm Navy Blue Dial

Ball is a master of the luminescent tritium gas tube technology, kitting its watches out with features that will glow stronger and longer than conventional Super-LumiNova. An example of this can be seen in its 16 micro gas tubes on this captivating blue dial, adorned with a horizontal striped texture.

This is the kind of watch you’d throw on when you want to smarten up a shirt and jeans duo. It can also easily accompany an office suit, thanks to its slim case depth and stainless steel bracelet, which gives it a somewhat dressier vibe.

Despite being one of Ball’s more classier watches, the Roadmaster watch is still a performance tool that is designed to endure a life on the wrist, with a solid 100M water resistance, a sapphire crystal glass front, and a relentless automatic movement with a superb 80-hour power reserve.

Omega Constellation Co-Axial Master Chronometer Sedna Gold Blue Dial on Strap

The Constellation watch by Omega is unique in so many ways, particularly for its depiction of the Observatory of Geneva on its cashback and its timeless “Griffes” on the bezel. This blue dial variant of the Constellation is a perfect example that shows off all the finest features of this classically elegant watch design.

This 39mm model is elevated by its 18K Sedna gold case, creating a breathtaking combination alongside the rich blue dial. Rose gold accents continue over the surface of the almost marble-like dial texture, traveling over the Omega name and logo at 12 o’clock.

The watch also features a date aperture at 6 o’clock and gently tapering hands treated with a stripe of luminescent material for reading the time during the night. The Co-Axial Master Chronometer Calibre 8801-powered watch is completed on a blue alligator leather strap in what can only be described as a perfect color match for the model’s entrancing textured dial.

Blancpain 5200 0140 O52A Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Chronographe Flyback Automatic 43.6mm Blue Dial

If you’re drawn to the idea of wearing a watch on your wrist that tells a story, the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Chronographe Flyback watch is steeped in history. For starters, Blancpain is the oldest watchmaker in the world. Secondly, the Fifty Fathoms was widely considered the ultimate modern dive watch when it was first released in 1953.

This 43mm model is crafted from ceramic, which makes its architecture feel less clunky and beefy. The circular hour markers are clear despite being much smaller than the ones you tend to see on modern dive watches.

Luminous material has also been applied generously to the hands, and the unidirectional rotating bezel is designed to be butter smooth under the fingertips.

Marrying in with the sumptuous blue tones of the dial is a blue canvas strap, while inside the 300-meter water-resistant watch is the company’s self-winding F385 calibre, complete with 50 hours of power reserve.

Bremont TN40-PWR-SS-BL-L-S Terra Nova 40.5 Blue Dial on Leather Strap

British brand Bremont is a perfectionist when it comes to aviation watches, but since the brand had a huge overhaul last year, distinct changes in its branding have changed. The Terra Nova is a modern-day example of Bremont craftsmanship and features a new Wayfinder logo at 12 o’clock against a stunning dark blue dial.

The 40.5mm watch has a bi-directional turning bezel with compass markings for navigating your way throughout a hike or any other outdoor pursuit.

What gives the Bremont Terra Nova watch its subtle military vintage hint, however, is the smooth brown calfskin strap adorned with contrast stitching down the sides for a gentle field watch vibe.

Longines L3.764.4.90.2 Legend Diver 39mm Blue Dial on NATO Strap

When looking for the best of something in a watch, it’s easy to lose sight of value-for-money propositions, which is a shame because it could mean missing out on gems like the Legend Diver from Longines.

This reference L3.764.4.90.2 is an absolute smokeshow of a blue dial. Layers of depth, combined with true diver-style hour markers and the signature arrow-shaped hour hands,, capture the spirit of Swiss innovation – something that Longines has always been associated with.

The watch has a handy internal rotating bezel, and the use of the NATO strap gently manipulates the Legend Diver into retro dive watch territory. Perhaps what is most impressive is that the Longines Legend Diver has been around since 1959 and looks just at home on the wrist of the modern gent as it did all those years back. 

Maurice Lacroix Aikon Automatic Blue Dial AI6008-SS001-430-1

Fancy something sporty? The blue dial variant of the Aikon by Maurice Lacroix unites urban styling with sports luxe. The design delivers on that perceived high-value feel, yet it’s the brand’s flagship model and is surprisingly very reasonably priced.

Whether it’s the Grand Tappisserie pattern of the AP Royal Oak dial you love or the waffle-style dial of the Tissot PRX, this winning element of any sports watch is what wraps an entire design up perfectly.

In the case of the automatic 200M water-resistant Aikon watch it’s a Clous de Paris pattern rendered in grey-blue tones. The watch’s finishing touch is the classic blue alligator leather strap, adorned with the Maurice Lacroix monogram in metal on the band’s surface and a brand-engraved stainless steel buckle to finish.

Meistersinger Bell Hora Blue Dial

I’m a big lover of German watches. Glashutte Original, Nomos, Junghans, you name it. But Meistersinger is that little bit extra special since all its watches adhere to the single-hand timekeeping philosophy, which gives its wearer no choice but to enjoy a more simplified and relaxed way of telling the time.

The watch benefits from a beautiful Sonnerie au Passage mechanism. The bells, or chiming mechanism, is a unique feature to enjoy in a novelty piece and is activated by the crown, which you can pull out to silence whenever you need to. 

The movement is exposed through a see-through sapphire exhibition window on the rear, while on the dial side, the rich gemstone-blue color shimmers when caught in different angles of light. The gold numerals are a nice touch in this design, but my favorite feature is the single white hand that gently tapers to a needle-fine point, reaching out to kiss the minutes.

Frederique Constant Highlife Automatic Cosc FC-303BL4NH6B Blue Dial

I love the simple, modernistic design of the Frederique Constant Highlife watch. In this iteration, masters at the brand’s Swiss manufacturing facilities equip pill-shaped hour markers and sword-shaped hands to a muted blue dial adorned with a globe depiction.

This is a COSC-certified watch, which means it promises an accuracy in line with the Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres – aka the Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute. Frederique Constant uses a Sellita-based movement to power this watch.

The Calibre FC-303, complete with a refined rose gold rotor, can be admired through a sapphire exhibition caseback. Most attractive of all, however, has to be this steel model’s tonneau-shaped case.

The barrel profile of this blue dial watch connects with an integrated bracelet to create a timeless sports watch design that is sure to pair with pretty much anything in your wardrobe and could easily be promoted to elegant or professional duties by night.  

Junghans Mister Hand Wound Blue Dial 027/3504.02

If you love a watch with a slim case, Junghans achieves an undeniable sense of charm with its charismatic Mister Hand Wound model with a rich, minimalist blue dial. The sumptuous silhouette of this Junghans watch, complete with a bezel-less edge, achieves complete Bauhaus beauty.

Inside the ultra-slim case is an equally thin movement, the Calibre J815.1 – a hand-wound movement that provides the perfect opportunity to appreciate the allure and refinement of a traditionally crafted engine.

The intricately crafted, artisanal elements of the hand-wound German movement areare also shown through the back of the 30-meter water-resistant case, complete with traditional decoration and hand-applied finishes.

The deep, entrancing blue dial of this Junghans Mister Hand Wound watch features elegantly tapered hour and minute hands, along with a seconds feature displayed in the sub-dial of this minimalist dial at 6 o’clock.

H. Moser & Cie. Streamliner Flyback Chronograph Blue Dial 6907-1200

The Streamliner Flyback Chronograph by H. Moser & Cie looks like it’s stepped out of a time machine and even has a sci-fi-shaped cushion case that lends itself to a funky, blue-black gradient dial.

The chronograph complication augments its appeal by displaying its features against a deep entwining blue that lacks any sub-dials. Instead, the flat push-pieces on the dial activate the stopwatch features of this watch, whilst its flyback functionality allows you to start, stop, and reset a chronograph timing with a simple push of a button.

Meanwhile, take in that svelte, futuristically sculpted steel case integrated with a subtle wave-link bracelet. This fluid design boasts a flash of sporty color in the second hand and along the five-minute intervals of the minute track but otherwise remains fairly minimalist and simple.

Nivada Grenchen F77 Blue Dial

Anyone who knows anything about luxury sports watches will be familiar with the Nivada name and its highly sought-after Grenchen design, which takes inspiration from the brand’s many historical models. This faithful reissue of a golden oldy is crafted from steel and measures a compact 38mm, appealing to those with a small wrist circumference.

Its baton indexes and baton-style hands are dressed against a basket weave dial pattern in a rich blue dial color. One of the most attractive features of the Grenchen F77 is its dateless layout, constituting a cohesive and clean dial to read the time from at any time of the day or night.

A. Lange & Söhne Saxonia Triple Split Pink Rose Gold 43.2mm Blue Dial LSLS4244AK

Now we are entering the realm of high-end complications with masterful works of art from the likes of this brand – A. Lange & Sohn. This manufacturer produces some of the world’s most expensive watches, but boy are they worth it.

The Triple Split complication from the Saxonia collection takes the blue dial to the next level with a watch that marks the first ever mechanical to allow multi-hour comparative time measurements via a split-second chronograph.

The richness of the blue dial, combined with the rose gold appliques that match the 18ct rose gold case, is a heavenly mix; in some lights, the dial can even appear soft black.

The is a manual wound movement, so for those who appreciate the tactile experience of owning a mechanical watch, you’ll always have the perfect excuse to reach for the Saxonia Triple Split watch and enjoy its complexity on an intimate level while you wind it.   

Breguet Marine Hora Mundi 5557 Rose Gold Blue Dial on Rubber Strap

Breguet is the brand associated with the world’s first wristwatch. Its history dates all the way back to the late 1700s. Suffice to say, it’s still going strong today, with exquisite designs like this – the blue-dialed Marine Honda Mundi watch – a true paragon of horological excellence.

Adding to that all-important exclusivity factor, this Breguet watch took three years to design and carries a total of four patents. This complication watch is all about the innovative pusher and crown set-up. All you need to do is set the first city, date, and time, then the second city.

The Hora Mundi will calculate the time and date of this second time zone using a clever system of cams and hammers. By operating the push-piece alone, you won’t disturb time whilst switching from one side of the world to another.

The Breguet Hora Mundi watch is a 43mm 18ct rose gold model with a globe-decorated blue dial festooned with superimposed plates in gold and sapphire that interpret the world map. A true work of art for anyone who prefers watches that incorporate next-level craftsmanship. 

Conclusion

From navy blues to powder blues and from cornflour tones to glacier ice-inspired shades, the blue dial watch is a trend that will continue to reinvent itself, whether in the form of a rugged tool watch, a durable diver, or a traditional three-handed complication.

And with options at every price point, you’re sure to be able to walk away from the article with at least a handful of luxury options that require some level of investment but without breaking the bank. It’s clear from this curated selection of blue dial watches that they are far from just an accessory.

Moreover, they’re a classic fusion of artistry and mechanical prowess, proving that the world of luxury watches is diverse and full of timeless options for every style and every preference.

The Swiss watch industry churns out 20 million timepieces annually, but that only makes up a portion of global manufacture. Value-wise, however, it contributes to around 50%. Crazy, right? So, you’re wondering who the big players are and what they contribute to within the horological world?

Well, “best” is a pretty subjective term, and there’s an endless list of watchmakers all chomping at the bit to become the next leading brand. There are low-end, mid-tier, and high-end categories – each deserving a written piece of its own.

But if we’re talking about rounding up the hard hitters that experience year-on-year success, I have 11 lined up here for you.

The watch brands I’ve chosen for this list are based on my eleven years of industry experience and data from 2023 to 2024. Of course, there will be names you think should be on this list and maybe a brand or two you believe should be further down the ladder.

But these are the names collectors are digging right now. Learn how each one has earned its place on this list of best watch brands in 2025, and jump right in!

No.1 Rolex

How can a “best watch brands” list not include the name Rolex? It may not be the most boundary-pushing of brands by today’s standards, but there is a reason for the crown logo on the dial of every timepiece, and that’s because Rolex is king.

Rolex is the most recognized watch brand on the planet, and pretty much every design it has ever created has earned itself the title of “icon.”

Rolex watches cost as much as houses, especially when it comes to auction prices (take Paul Newman’s very own Daytona watch as an example, which sold in 2017 for over 17 million dollars!). But guaranteed, if you ever find yourself stranded in a foreign country, you could buy yourself out of any situation with a Rolex.

Back in 2023, Rolex occupied 30% of the entire Swiss market, with 1.24 million watches sold. The company made around $11.2 billion, with bestsellers like the Submariner, the Datejust, Day-Date, Daytona, and GMT-Master II, proving top of a collector’s wish list. But why is Rolex the No.1 watch brand?

It’s all to do with the company’s presence across the industry and a history steeped in firsts, like the first waterproof and dustproof watch in 1926 with the Oyster watch and Rolex’s first self-winding perpetual rotor in the early 1930s.

Rolex was also the first brand to create a watch that displayed the day and date on a dial back in 1945 with the Datejust. Moreover, Rolex watches are investment pieces, with most designs retaining their value exceptionally well, if not appreciating over time, making them an appealing proposition to those who know when to strike when the iron is hot.

No. 2 Cartier

The No. 2 position used to be held by Omega but is now held by Cartier, and are you surprised? If you are, you shouldn’t be. After all, Cartier invented the first wristwatch for men, remember? The Cartier Santos – a bold, square, and kind of industrial-inspired watch for its time.

Other iconic models include the Tank – a wristwatch inspired by military tanks of WWI, and the Cartier Ballon Bleu – a bubble-like, balloon-inspired design adorned with a sapphire cabochon crown. Around 18 months ago, Cartier took up an 8% market share, selling over 3 million watches.

Even though Cartier holds the second place in this list of best watch brands in the world, the drop between Rolex and this brand is still huge. If anything, it shows what a domineering giant Rolex really is.

From a consumer’s point of view, Cartier watches are the ultimate symbol of luxury and prestige and became even more respected across elite watch collecting circles when it began putting old collectibles back into production, like the recently released A Guichets watch from the 1930s.

The Prive collection is dedicated to modern relaunched variants of classic designs like this and includes models such as the Tortue and Tortue Monopoussoir Chronograph.

No. 3 Omega

Without a doubt, Omega is one of the most famous names in the industry. Part of that global recognition is down to the Speedmaster, which became famous as the first watch that went to the moon.

Technically, though, the Speedy was initially intended for the racetrack, hence its trio of chronograph counters at 3, 6, and 9 o’clock and its black tachymeter bezel for measuring speed based on distance. Still, the Speedmaster passed all of NASA’s stringent testing criteria and became its most famous design of all time, alongside other bestsellers like the Seamaster, Constellation, and De Ville.

Like Rolex, Omega has put its hand to manufacturing its own materials and crafts some of its most covetable watches from Sedna Gold – the brand’s own 18k rose gold alloy, and Moonshine, a slightly paler-looking yellow gold with a composition of silver, copper, and palladium.

Aside from the iconic Speedmaster, Omega made history in other ways, including its first minute-repeater wristwatch in 1892 and its first pioneering watch movement, which was created for mass production in 1984.

No. 4 Audemars Piguet

If you’re unfamiliar with Audemars Piguet, you’ll at least recognize its history-shaping Royal Oak or the many inspired designs that have followed it. Audemars Piguet is one of the oldest luxury watch manufacturers in the world, revolutionizing the luxury sports watch market with its Gerald Genta-designed Royal Oak.

The highly covetable sports watch is distinguishable by its octagonal bezel and Grand Tapisserie dial. The equally popular Royal Oak Offshore followed in its footsteps – a chronograph with beefier proportions and a more aggressive aesthetic.

Despite its popularity, the Royal Oak is notoriously difficult to obtain due to its high demand and limited production. As in many cases where the thousands seek an iconic watch, production rarely meets consumer demand, which drives prices up even higher on the second-hand market.

Back in 2023, Audemars Piguet made $2.6 billion in sales and sold 51,000 watches. This gives a much clearer view of each AP watch’s retail price compared to units sold.

Audemars Piguet has a reputation to uphold and a standard to keep up with, so it’s unlikely that its watches will ever come down in retail price. Thus, we’re unlikely to see prices come down on the pre-owned market any time soon, either.

No. 5 Patek Philippe

Patek Philippe is the Rolls Royce of watches and is revered in the watch community for its high complication watches using some of the industry’s finest materials.

Patek Philippe watches are elegant, complex instruments that garner a lot of attention for their horological beauty. The average cost of a PP watch is $44,000, making this brand one of the most expensive of all time.

 Patek Philippe sold 70K watches in 2023 and retains 6% of market shares, making $2.28 billion on an average year. A combination of factors contribute to PP’s high price tags, one being the brand’s rich history and the other its excellent craftsmanship.

These watches are designed to outlive you and me, making them superb heirlooms thanks to their exquisite movements and fascinating complications.

Aside from the iconic Nautilus, which dominated the sports watch industry throughout the 1980s, the brand also experienced success with the dive-ready Aquanaut, the classic Calatrava dress watch, and the Grand Complications series, home to platinum and gold watches equipped with minute repeaters, tourbillons, and perpetual calendars.

And if you like a bit of history behind the brand you wear, Patek Philippe has an incredibly interesting one. From the invention of the keyless winding system to the patenting of its perpetual calendar mechanism, there’s a lot to appreciate and respect about this brand.

No. 6 Richard Mille

Richard Mille crafts the most expensive toys. What appeals to many is its non-conventional design langauge. Richard Mille watches don’t look like anything else on the market.

Some models are incredibly complex, while others are disruptive, aggressive, and highly sporty. These designs are built like Formula 1 cars and demand attention with carbon nanotubes and space-age materials.

If you plan to own a Richard Mille watch one day, you’d better start saving. They can top out around $250k, with lower-priced models proving barely more attainable, starting at around $171k.

Thanks to this brand’s association with high-end sports and luxury, many celebrities and professional athletes sport Richard Mille watches on their wrists, selling the lifestyle with which these high-end timepieces are most associated. It’s one of Richard Mille’s most successful marketing strategies.

Meanwhile, innovative materials like the brand’s gold-and-carbon fused cases and its silicone nitride designs sell themselves as some of the most shock-resistant materials on the market. Above all, Richard Mille watches are not just flex watches. They’re actually horological powerhouses.

No. 7 Longines

Now, we’re getting into entry-level luxury watches. Those that are both more attainable and versatile enough to wear with classic and casual attire. Longines dates back to 1832 and has a solid history steeped in precision and elegance.

The brand has a strong presence in sports, especially equestrian events. It was the official timekeeper for the Olympics in 1952 and shared the role with Omega and Junghans in 1968 and 1972, respectively.

The brand sells around 1.6 million watches annually; an average timepiece costs around $1,100. The brand makes around $1.2 billion in sales each year and is a gateway brand into the realm of affordable watch collecting.

Think about when you travel and you take a look at the duty-free section; Longine’s name is always there. The brand is synonymous with making quality Swiss-made watches and began developing its own movements from the late 1800s onwards.

Longines is also the brand responsible for creating the first wrist chronograph, as well as the first high-frequency pocket chronograph and the first flyback chronograph.

Today, Longines offers a vast range of designs to choose from, its most popular designs being the Hydroconquest, the DolceVita, the Master Collection, Spirit, and the Record collection.

No. 8 Vacheron Constantin

Vacheron Constantin is a relatively new member of the billionaires club, with $1.22 billion in sales in 2023. The watchmaker is part of the Holy Trinity, sitting alongside Patek Philippe and Audemars Piguet.

It takes 3% of the market share and became a significant player in the industry when it launched the iconic Overseas watch during the zeitgeist of the sports watch.

Vacheron Constantin is under the Richemont umbrella and plays by the book. It has upheld a solid reputation in crafting beautiful timepieces, many of the classic nature, that excel in quality craftsmanship and artistry. It’s also one of the oldest watchmakers, so if brand provenance is essential to you, Vacheron Constantin has it by the bucketload.

If you’re clued up on high-end watchmaking, then designs like the Patrimony, Traditionnelle, and Egerie may be familiar to you.

The company has produced some of the most complicated wristwatches in history and followed that up recently with the 2025 release of the Les Cabinotiers Solaria Ultra Grand Complication, complete with 41 complications.

No. 9 Breitling

Breitling sells around 178k watches per year and holds 2% of the market share, with the average watch costing around $7,500. Although Breitling watches don’t tend to hold their value as well as a Rolex, they do offer great value for money. The watchmaker was an expert in crafting pilot’s watches and pioneered some crucial developments for the chronograph mechanism, including the first chronograph pusher in 1815 and the second independent pusher in 1934. The innovations helped prevent accidental chronograph activation and helped develop the pathway to the modern sports watch as we know it today.

Most tool watch collectors and sports watch fans will have heard of the Navitimer and the Chronomat. The Navitimer was the ultimate pilot’s watch instrument when it launched in the 1950s.

It was equipped with the indispensable slide rule bezel for onboard calculations like descent rate, multiplication, and fuel consumption.

Meanwhile, the Chronomat remains one of the brand’s most covetable timepieces today, with distinctive rider tabs on the bezel and the special roll-like link bracelet designed exclusively for the collection.

No. 10 IWC

Many may be surprised to see the IWC name on this list of best watch brands, as it’s quite the underdog brand. However, the Schaffhausen-based brand has begun to realize the impact of social media and the power of the secondary market.

Over recent years, the brand has dedicated more focus toward making its own materials, just as many other brands have done, and it now takes up around 2% of market shares.

IWC specializes in robust, legible pilot watches and has developed case materials and designs that testify to their environments.

Its use of Ceratanium for its cases combines the lightweight materials of titanium with the scratch resistance of ceramic to provide an ultra-tough construction that IWC specialists have mastered adding color to.

In addition to its Pilot’s Watch collection, IWC is also loved for its more classic dress watches belonging to the Portugieser and Portofino series, not to mention its popular sports watch designed by Gerald Genta in the 1970s – the Ingenieur.

Jaeger-LeCoultre

Without even mentioning the designs, it’s worth knowing that Jaeger-LeCoultre has developed some of the world’s best movements in its near-on 200-year history.

The watchmaker is renowned for its innovative designs like the Reverso, with a case that could turn in on itself, and the Memovox – the world’s first alarm wristwatch. Above all, Jaeger-LeCoultre is synonymous with in-house design.

Every component of a watch made by this company has been developed in-house, giving connoisseurs that all-important feeling of exclusivity in a wristwatch. Today, the average price of a Jaeger-LeCoultre watch is around $8000, with more expensive timepieces reaching up to around $25,000.

From the early days, experts at Jaeger-LeCoultre began working hard to miniaturize intricate movements and adapt them to fit inside smaller wristwatch proportions.

The brand developed the first watch capable of measuring a micron with the Millionometre in 1844, followed by the first mechanical wrist alarm and a diver’s watch with an advanced escapement with the 1968 Polaris watch.

Conclusion

The watch market is an ever-changing climate, and any one design’s popularity is often driven by emotion. Still, some brands have built long-standing foundations on a solid reputation and have taken years to acquire a global fanbase, with brands like Rolex, Audemars Piguet, and Omega retaining their high-up position on the horological ladder.

Interestingly, all these brands are of Swiss origin. Yet German and Japanese brands are not far behind, but that’s for another time.

All these brands in this article deserve recognition and respect for their contribution to horology. But there is always room for a newcomer, too, which keeps the watch-collecting climate so exciting and unpredictable. You never quite know what’s coming next.

A watch for hiking is a very convenient thing. There’s just something about going off-route and immersing yourself in the wild without a car or another person in sight and with nothing apart from the essentials strapped to your wrist.

Just as this kind of environment can prove dangerous, muddy, and wet at times, it can pose a risk to your watch, too, so it’s crucial that you select the right kind of tool for this kind of adventure. You’ll need to look for toughness and legibility in a watch for hiking and something that looks good with all your outdoor gear, come rain or shine. 

Remember, watches don’t need to be expensive to be fun. These days, you can spend a lot less and get a lot more out of your watch on a functional level than you used to be able to, especially when it comes to smartwatches – the new standard in hiking watches.

But it doesn’t matter whether you’re looking for a watch to help you pinpoint coordination or track your progress on a new trail; there’s a whole load of robust wristwatches for hiking to explore, including both smartwatches and analog styles.

Most hiking watch guides you read today are limited to a list of the most current smartwatches. But we’re doing things a little differently.

We’re highlighting a range of smartwatch models and three-handed analogs so that you can decide for yourself which is best. And, of course, for those new to the smartwatch world, the features, and language associated with wearable technology can be a little overwhelming, so we’ll finish each listing with a simple breakdown of its key features to make the guide a little easier to digest.

The Advantages of Wearing a Smartwatch for Hiking

It won’t surprise you to learn that there are several advantages to wearing a smartwatch for hiking. They can record distances, collect data, display elevation gain, and provide details on your pace and stop time. Wearing a smartwatch while on a walk can help you gauge remaining mileage, count calories burnt, and read stats while on the fly.

Some smartwatches even allow you to backtrack on a route and guide you back to your trail should you lose your way; plus, you’ll never need a paper map again with a smartwatch’s built-in GPS functionality. Of course, wearing a traditional wristwatch has many advantages, too. But primarily, let’s look at some of the best smartwatches for hiking.

Best Smartwatches for Hiking

Whether you recognize all these smartwatch brands or not, each one has what it takes to assist you from the point at which you leave your front door to the furthest point in your journey.

They all offer impressive durability, excellent build quality, and a handful of features that enable you to become more intuitive whilst embarking on your backpacking ventures. Take a look at these best smartwatches for hiking.

Garmin Fenix 7 Pro

The Garmin Fenix 7 Pro is the way to go if you’re an extreme athlete or hiker. It has the advantage of combining GPS technology with health-related information that you can access anywhere and anytime. It also pushes an average of 2 weeks of battery life when in standard mode and 50 hours once in GP activation.

With solar-power charging, however, you can take advantage of around 3 weeks or 70 hours, respectively. The Garmin Fenix 7 Pro is an excellent watch for hiking because you can download tracks, create your own, and save new ones to your list.

Far superior to other smartwatches on the market, the battery power of a Garmin watch is what makes it stand out from the crowd. Models like this are made for supreme sports and feature cases and bezels crafted from lightweight titanium.

The Fenix 7 Pro has also been tested to US military standards, benefiting from a strong sapphire glass front and a built-in flashlight.

Price: $850

• Key Features: GPS, 3-week battery life in solar-charging mode, built-in flashlight, upgraded heart-rate monitor
• Case Material: Titanium
• Size: 47mm

Suunto Vertical Titanium Solar

The Suunto Vertical Titanium Solar is another watch aimed at mountain hikers and those who like to push the limits. It also offers versatility since you can mix and match the watch with a load of different colored quick-release silicone straps that add a pop of color to the wrist.

However, this smartwatch’s key selling feature is its GPS capabilities. The Suunto Vertical Titanium Solar is perfect for moments when you need help with a spot of mountain navigation.

It’s an all-weather companion with excellent build quality for its price point. The model’s navigation features are available offline, and with the added feature of the storm alarm, you can avoid getting into danger regardless of whether you’re running, taking a gentle walk, or cycling.

Price: $800

• Key Features: GPS, altimeter, barometer, sunrise & sunset alarm, solar charging, 60-day battery life
• Case Material: Titanium
• Size: 49mm

Garmin Enduro 2

If you’re going ultra-distance, the function-focused Enduro 2 by Garmin can get you through just about anything. Appealing to lovers of type 2 fun, this Garmin smartwatch is perfect for lengthy adventures and harsh climates.

It can take you to the brink with an insane solar power life, robust mapping features, and course tracking capability. It can run for 46 days on standard battery mode and 81 hours in full satellite system mode while running alongside your favorite tunes.

There’s also a bevy of other features like an LED flashlight, surfing features, an ascent planner, advanced pacing metrics, a VO2 max reader, and bike-focussed data. Thanks to its fiber-reinforced polymer case and titanium bezel amounting to a total case weight of just 70g, this is a lightweight, ergonomically formed smartwatch for those who aspire to go the distance. 

Price: $1,100

• Key Features: Superior solar power, ascent planner, GPS capabilities, advanced pacing metrics, course tracking capability 
• Case Material: Fibre-reinforced polymer 
• Size: 51mm

Garmin Fenix 8

There are many reasons why the Garmin Fenix 8 is so well-suited to outdoor activities like hiking, biking, and mountaineering. For a start, this is the most recent Fenix watch released by the smartwatch giant, so it comes with all the brand’s latest features and cutting-edge technology, including voice command features that can be used even when you’re not close to your phone.

Additionally, it features a flashlight for emergencies and ABC sensors, too. This model has a rugged design that goes well with all kinds of sporty outdoor gear and boasts a clear, bright, and colorful display.

As well as its long battery life, which is well suited for hiking, the Garmin Fenix 8 also features an intuitive interface with customizable options and a choice of different layouts to display all the details important to you. Its super responsive touchscreen will allow you to track your hike clearly and easily, while a host of health-related features like sleep and stress tracking metrics are great for utilizing throughout the week. 

Price: $999 

• Key Features: Built-in speaker and microphone, advanced strength training features, GPS, ABC sensors, route tracking capabilities, rugged design, voice commands, built-in flashlight, HIIT workouts, enhanced map navigation 
• Case Material: Carbon & steel
• Size: 43mm, 47mm, 51mm

Coros Apex 2 Pro

Coros is a brand renowned for cramming a lot of tools into a relatively cheap watch, so it’s a good option for those shopping for a hiking watch on a budget. It’s also respected for revamping its older models and equipping them with the latest technology, future-proofing those watches already appreciated and loved by fans.

The Coros Apex 2 Pro is hard to beat for high-end navigation housed in an affordable design. The watch is loaded with training features and health sensors, allowing you to track all the most important stats while you’re out exploring new routes. It also has dual-frequency GPS as well as topographical maps that you can access when you’re offline.

The Coros Apex 2 Pro is certainly the most advanced on the market for its price point. And if you like the thought of planning a new itinerary while you’re on the go, it can do that, too. Sadly, the watch doesn’t utilize solar power technology, but even so, it can still last up to three weeks in standard mode and can push the 60-hour mark in GPS mode.

You’re unlikely ever to need more than that, realistically. I would go as far as to say that this smartwatch gives you the most bang for your buck.

• Price: $400
• Key Features: 50M water resistance, barometer, altimeter, GPS, imports and exports routes, access to topographical maps when offline, 60-hour battery in GPS mode. 
• Case Material: Part-titanium case
• Size: 43mm 

Best Analogue Watches for Hiking

Scrambling up and down rocky paths, facing adverse rainstorms, and sliding down muddy trails requires a specific type of wristwatch. One that can sustain unsuspecting bumps and impact. Not all watches are built for this kind of environment.

Sports watches are aplenty, but for hiking, backpacking, spelunking, and anything else that requires endurance and navigating microclimates, look for a watch designed for extreme sports. Here are a handful of examples.

G-Shock Mudmaster GWG-2000

The Casio G-Shock Mudmaster GWG-2000 looks and wears like a tank on the wrist. It has to be one of the most overbuilt watches on the market right now, but if affordability and robustness are two important features of a hiking watch to you, it’s worth a look.

The case is made from wear-resistant resin and features a steel bezel along with a sapphire crystal glass front. This G-Shock Mudmaster features a mud-resistant gasket construction that works alongside Casio’s shock-resistant technology to protect all the watch’s internal components, perfect for routes that take you through knee-deep mud and rivers.

Combine this with a 200-meter water resistance, and you have a watch for all weather and hiking abilities. You get an all-sensors package with this Casio. That’s the barometer, the altimeter, and the compass – they’re all there.

The Mudmaster is also Multi Band-6, meaning that it can sync the time to radio signals emitted by towers all over the world. The hybrid watch will not be as easy to read the time from as Garmin’s bright AMOLED displays. But the Ana-Digi watch is not a smartwatch. It’s arguably one of the toughest sports watches in the world, and you won’t break the bank investing in one, either.

• Price: $900
• Key Features: Solar charging capabilities, mud and shock-resistant case, radio signal accuracy, barometer, Altimeter, digital thermometer, 200M water resistance 
• Case Material: Stainless steel 
• Size: 61mm 

Seiko Alpinist

One of the most standout visual features of the Seiko Alpinist has to be its internal bezel with compass markings. Any real explorer will appreciate this advantage, and the idea of using your watch for a compass rather than your phone is far more appealing when enjoying the great outdoors.

The Seiko Alpinist is synonymous with exploration, having enjoyed a history steeped in adventure. Initially intended for Japanese explorers, its design is respected for its strong case and rugged, reliable construction.

The Alpinist watch by Seiko is primed for mountain climbing, thanks to its legible dial, equipped with cathedral-style hands, and its generous treatment of lume. Its 200M water resistance and internal bezel make it suitable for wet conditions, navigating trails, and a host of other outdoor activities.

It also looks remarkably classic when paired with a leather band, though something more durable, like a steel bracelet or rubber band, works better for outdoor pursuits.

• Price: $950
• Key Features: Internal bezel with compass, robust steel case with 200M water resistance, lume-coated hands and hour markers, tough sapphire crystal glass front, compact size for smaller wrists
• Case Material: Stainless steel
• Size: 39mm

Breitling Endurance Pro

The Breitling Endurance Pro is a marvel of technical sophistication with an aerospace, cockpit-inspired aesthetic that looks different from many other outdoor tool watches on the market. What I love so much about the design of the Endurance Pro is that it’s lightweight and built for comfort.

Its Breitlight case is relatively thin and lightweight for hours of wear on the wrist. The propriety material made in-house by Breitling experts is also hypoallergenic, tough, and scratch-resistant.

Whilst it’s not exactly flashy, it has a futuristic look, combining analog and digital features into one dial. The Endurance Pro 44 models are big and bold and come in various eye-catching colors.

It’s also worth noting that you can enjoy this watch in a much more compact 38mm size. These watches are powered by COSC-certified SuperQuartz movements for superior precision. The rubber straps are pretty fun, too! 

• Price: $3,400
• Key features: Lightweight and robust Breitlight case, 100M water resistance, Thermocompensated quartz movement for ten times greater accuracy, 1/10th of a second, and 30-minute chronograph features.
• Case material: Breitlight
• Size: 44mm

Luminox LM3741 Bear Grylls Survival Master

Any product that references legendary adventurer and survival expert Bear Grylls in its title sells itself, especially since the TV presenter designed it in collaboration with Luminox. This masculine and rugged-looking 45mm black-coated stainless steel watch epitomizes strength and robustness with 300 meters of water resistance and an easy-crown ring in orange for an easy grip.

This is a watch designed for challenging outdoor conditions, so you can easily see how it comes into its own when worn during a hike. The self-illuminating gas tubes against the model’s rich black dial glow longer and brighter than traditional luminous material.

At the same time, the unidirectional rotating bezel with a countdown quadrant is ideal for measuring elapsed time while completing crucial outdoor tasks. A robust quartz movement powers this Luminox watch, while its supple rubber band is strong enough for extended wear outside.

• Price: $1300
• Key Features: 300M water resistance, unidirectional rotating bezel, carbon case, self-illuminating gas tubes
• Case material: Carbonox
• Size: 45mm

Conclusion 

You’ll pay more for a well-built analog watch for hiking than you are for a multi-functional smartwatch; that much is true. Despite there being an entire suite of features to enjoy in a smartwatch, they still lack some of the appeal that true horological connoisseurs seek in a robust timepiece.

Still, they are perfect for tracking health metrics, navigating you to safety, and enabling you to become a more intuitive hiker while exploring new routes.

The choice between the two boils down to preference. There are pros and cons for both the analog watch and the smartwatch when it comes to exploring the great outdoors. Hopefully, this list gives you some food for thought. And if you’re struggling to choose between the two, there’s no harm in having one of each.