Category: Watch Reviews

Dive watches are some of the best all-around watches you can own. They usually have strong cases and are built to handle a lot of water. These watches work great in many situations and can even be worn with a suit and tie. 

Today, we’re looking at some of the top dive watches you can buy right now. Watch brands know that dive watches are a favorite for many collectors. Some brands like to take risks and try new things, while others stick to classic styles with just a few small changes.

So, what’s the right dive watch for you? That’s a tough one—because I’m not you. But I’ll walk you through how I think when I’m looking for a new watch, and maybe it’ll help you on your own watch journey. 

One of the first things I ask myself is: does the watch have an easy-to-adjust clasp? That’s important for me because my wrist size changes in the tropical weather where I live. Then I ask, does the watch make me feel something when I see it? Does it make me look at it twice? If I get the chance to try it on, I’ll check how it fits on my wrist. 

And finally, I ask myself if I can see this watch fitting in with my everyday outfits and lifestyle. For me, dive watches usually match well with how I live and what I want in a watch. So, let’s get into some of the best dive watches out there.

15 Best Luxury Dive Watches

Rolex Submariner

The Rolex Submariner is the most well-known and popular luxury dive watch out there. It’s instantly recognizable and has become a symbol of status. The latest version of the Submariner has a water resistance of 300 meters, a 41mm case, and a starting price of $10,400 for the model with a date feature. 

You can spot this watch from across the room, and it’s easily one of the most talked-about watches ever made.

There are tons of videos and articles, like this one, that praise how great and nearly perfect it is. The Submariner has set the gold standard for what a luxury dive watch should be. Some watches come close, but they don’t quite reach that same level. 

Sure, some people will say other watches have fancier movements, better water resistance, or smaller sizes that fit smaller wrists better. But none of them is the Rolex Submariner. That’s why we’ll use it as our guide to compare the rest.

Omega Seamaster Diver 300M

The Omega Seamaster Diver 300M is a strong runner-up in popularity, right behind the Rolex Submariner. My in-laws know I’m really into watches—it’s one of my favorite hobbies. My mother-in-law always brings up that scene from the James Bond movie where they’re on a train, and a woman asks James Bond (played by Daniel Craig) if he’s wearing a Rolex. He simply replies, “Omega”. 

People have heard of Omega, but many don’t know what the brand actually offers. Omega has several dive watches in its lineup, and some of them have built a huge fan base. There are a lot of versions of the Diver 300M, but my personal favorite is reference 210.30.42.20.04.001, which has a clean white dial and a black bezel. 

This watch has 300 meters of water resistance, a date feature, and an easy-to-adjust clasp. It’s 42mm wide and 13.6mm thick, which makes it pretty comfortable to wear compared to other dive watches. The bracelet is 20mm wide all the way through and doesn’t taper. The Seamaster Diver 300M also has a 55-hour power reserve and a price of $5,900.

Omega Seamaster Ploprof 1200M

Let’s keep riding the Omega hype train with the next watch—the Omega Seamaster Ploprof 1200M. The first time I saw this watch, I honestly thought Omega had teamed up with the Spy Kids movie franchise—but they didn’t. 

For a long time, it was hard to find one of these in an Omega boutique, but I finally got to see one in person. And wow—this watch is wild. It definitely takes a certain kind of person to wear this. I personally loved how it looked, but that’s as far as it went for me. On the wrist, it’s a massive 55mm, and it has an insane 1,200 meters of water resistance. 

This is a serious dive watch, and if you can pull off wearing something that big, this one might be for you. Right now, it comes in two versions: one in summer blue and the other in full titanium. The titanium version even has a titanium bracelet that Omega says is “sharkproof.” With a price tag of $13,800, this is definitely a watch that grabs attention.

Panerai Luminor Submersible

Staying with the theme of bigger watches—but not too big—next up is the Panerai Luminor Submersible 42mm. This one has a price of $11,700 and is one of the rare Panerai models that you can actually get on a bracelet. It features Panerai’s signature crown protector and has a date window at the 3 o’clock position. 

With 300 meters of water resistance, it’s more than ready for your next trip to the bottom of the local beach. One thing that really stands out about this Submersible is how easy it is to read. Thanks to the bright lume and large dial, you’ll be able to tell the time no matter the lighting or conditions.

Glashütte Original SeaQ

Glashütte Original has been around since 1845 and has made some well-known watches over the years. I want to highlight the SeaQ for two main reasons: it’s easy to read and has a very wearable case size.

Most dive watches tend to be on the bigger side and really stand out on the wrist, but the SeaQ is a bit different. It has a case diameter of 39.5mm and a thickness of 12.15mm, with a price of $10,300. 

Those dimensions make it a great fit for a lot of people and hit that sweet spot many collectors are looking for. The SeaQ comes in several styles—you can get it on a rubber strap, a fabric strap, or a stainless steel bracelet.

You also get to choose between a closed steel case back for a more classic look or a sapphire crystal case back so you can see the movement inside. Dial colors include green, black, and blue, and all versions come with a date window. Each color really pops in natural light and looks even better in person.

Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Automatique

Blancpain has been around for a long time—almost 300 years, to be exact. In my opinion, their Fifty Fathoms is one of the best-looking dive watches out there.

One thing that really stands out is the bezel. It’s made of sapphire, which gives it a totally different look compared to other dive watches. It almost feels like you’re looking at a smooth, bubble-shaped piece of plastic—but in a good way. 

The watch comes in a 42mm case, and since it’s Blancpain, you know they’re only using top-quality materials. You can see that clearly through the open case back, which shows off the Caliber 1315 movement with an impressive 120-hour power reserve. This is a great choice for people with slightly larger wrists. 

It has a black dial, a date window tucked at the 4:30 position, and comes on a steel bracelet. With a price of $18,000, it’s definitely a luxury pick—but it brings a lot to the table.

Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Date

This is honestly one of my favorite watches—and the more I write about it, the more tempted I am to get one for myself. The Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Date comes in a few dial colors: grey, blue, green, and black. Each one has a date window at the 3 o’clock position, but for me, the green dial is the one to go for. 

JLC says each dial has 35 layers of lacquer, which makes it one of the most readable dials on any dive watch. The Polaris Date has a price of $11,100 when paired with the rubber strap and uses JLC’s Calibre 899, which offers a solid 70-hour power reserve.

But since JLC holds itself to such a high standard, let’s step things up and look at their higher-end version—the Polaris Perpetual Calendar. This version is priced at $36,100  and is still super wearable, with a 42mm case and a slim thickness of just 11.97mm. 

Even though it only has a 100-meter water resistance, this watch still brings a lot to the table. It even comes with both a steel bracelet and a rubber strap to switch things up. Wow.

Tudor Pelagos FXD

Tudor has really made a name for itself in the dive watch world over the past few years, and we’ll be talking about a couple of their standouts in this list. First up is the Tudor Pelagos FXD, reference M25707B/25-001, also known as the Marine Nationale version.

This watch has a 42mm case and is 12.75mm thick. The dial is a rich navy blue, and it features fixed lugs made specifically for a matching navy blue fabric strap. 

And let me say—Tudor’s fabric straps are some of the best in the game. No question about it. Now, because of the fixed lugs, you won’t be able to wear this watch with a steel bracelet or any two-piece strap. But honestly, that shouldn’t stop you from enjoying such a great watch.

It has 200 meters of water resistance and comes in at the more affordable end of the luxury dive watch scale with an MSRP of $4,325. And if blue isn’t your thing, don’t worry—the Pelagos FXD also comes in matte blue, black, or matte black options.

TAG Heuer Aquaracer Diving Professional 300

The TAG Heuer Aquaracer got a recent update that gave it a more modern look and made it more appealing to buyers. It has a 42mm case and an 80-hour power reserve.

There are several color and movement choices available. One version is the GMT model, which features a black and blue bezel, a date window, and a magnifier over the date. 

It’s a sharp-looking watch, although it might remind some people of designs from other brands. The light blue GMT hand pops against the blue sunray brushed dial. This watch sells for $4,600 and includes a quick-adjust clasp, perfect for fitting over a wetsuit. 

Tudor Black Bay Monochrome

When the Tudor Black Bay Monochrome was released, it made a big splash in the watch world—and after seeing it in person, it’s easy to understand why it’s been such a hit.

The blacked-out design looks sleeker and slimmer than before, making it more appealing to a wider audience. The case is 41mm wide with a solid thickness of 13.6mm, which wears well on the wrist. 

It’s a strong addition to any watch collection, but what really makes it stand out is the bracelet. The jubilee-style bracelet looks amazing in person and feels incredibly comfortable, hugging the wrist better than most others out there.

This watch hits the sweet spot for anyone into dive watches, offering 200 meters of water resistance and a solid 70-hour power reserve—all for $4,700.

Grand Seiko SBGA463

Grand Seiko has been gaining a lot of attention lately for their textured dials and impressive movements. When you look through their collection, you’ll notice they don’t make many dive watches.

But one of the few they do make, the SBGA463, really stands out. It was clearly designed with divers in mind. The watch is made from titanium, and its hands are shaped to be easy to read, even in tough conditions. 

That said, this is a big watch—it could give some of Panerai’s oversized models a run for their money. It has a case diameter of 44mm and a thickness of 14mm. If you ever stop by a Grand Seiko store, you’ll quickly see that every detail feels intentional.

The SBGA463 is a great-looking watch with the smooth, mesmerizing motion of its Spring Drive hands, and it comes in at a retail price of $7,300.

Breitling Superocean Automatic 42

One thing I really like about Breitling is how they offer their watches in a bunch of different sizes. The Superocean, for example, comes in 36mm, 42mm, 44mm, and 46mm. If you’ve got smaller wrists, the 36mm is probably the best fit, but I think the 42mm hits the sweet spot.

A great version to check out is the A17375E71G1A1—it has a clean white dial, a blue bezel, and comes on a stainless steel bracelet. 

The case is pretty slim at just 12.5mm thick, and it’s built to handle water with a 300-meter resistance rating. One thing I really enjoy about this Superocean is the strap options. You can swap in some colorful straps that give off major summer vibes for beach days, or just keep the bracelet on if you’re going for a more classy, Casino Royale-type look. The 42mm model on a steel bracelet is priced at $5,400.

IWC Aquatimer Perpetual Calendar Digital Date-Month

A lot of dive watches kind of look alike, but each one still has its own style. I think IWC picked up on this and dropped something pretty unique—the Aquatimer Perpetual Calendar Digital Date-Month. Just in case you find yourself stuck at 100 meters underwater and really need to know the date, this one has you covered. 

It’s got a beast of a case at 49mm wide and 19.4mm thick—that’s almost as thick as the thickest part of a Rolex Submariner’s bracelet.

This one definitely stands out in a crowd. It’s made of Ceratanium, which is a mix of ceramic and titanium, so it’s tough and lightweight. If you’re rocking this, people will know you’re serious about IWC. It comes with a hefty MSRP of $57,600.

Rolex Sea-Dweller

If you’ve got bigger wrists and want something larger than your standard 41mm watch, the Rolex Sea-Dweller might be calling your name. With a name like “Sea-Dweller,” it’s pretty clear what this watch was made for. It measures 43mm across and has a massive water resistance of 1,220 meters—probably the highest on this list. 

Inside, it’s powered by Rolex’s Caliber 3235, which it shares with the Datejust and Yacht-Master. There are a few different versions of the Sea-Dweller, but I’m a fan of the 126600—the all-steel version with a classic black dial. If you’re bold enough to pull off the two-tone version, more power to you. Let that gold shine while you dive deep.

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Diver

First off, that reference number looks more like a Wi-Fi password—but that’s part of the charm. The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Diver has a 42mm case and is water-resistant up to 300 meters, so it definitely holds its own as a real dive watch.

It comes on a rubber strap, so it’s ready for all your water adventures. The dial is black with a cool texture, has a date at 3 o’clock, and there’s even an extra crown at 10 o’clock.

That crown controls the inner rotating bezel, which is tucked inside the case instead of outside like most dive watches. The case is 13.75mm thick—not too chunky.

I’m not usually a huge fan of the Royal Oak lineup, but this one feels different. Knowing it was built more for diving than showing off at a club makes me appreciate it more. On the secondary market, this model usually goes for around $16,000.

Conclusion 

I’ve mentioned “diving” a lot when talking about these watches, but let’s be real—most of them will never actually see 200 or 300 meters underwater.

That’s not really the point, though. I like dive watches because they’re super versatile, can handle everyday bumps, and they’ve got enough water resistance for everyday stuff, like washing your hands without worry. 

They just check a lot of boxes, which is why I think so many people who only want one watch often go for a dive watch. If I had just three seconds to pick one for myself, I’d go with the JLC Polaris Date. It’s not the flashiest or most famous dive watch out there, but something about it just clicks for me. It gives me that little spark. So, find the watch that gives you that feeling. That’s the one worth wearing.

Looking for some greener grass? Found it! Okay, well, it’s not really grass… but I bet you’re not interested in lawns anyway so much as the very finest in watchmaking if you’re here reading this blog. 

We’re here to talk watches, and this list of the best 12 green watches is the most vibrant and verdant that you’ll find. There’s a bit of everything here, from budget-friendly picks to supreme haute horlogerie. Interested? Then let’s jump right in and start mowing through this list! (Sorry. It was right there. Couldn’t help myself.)

Green Watches: The Modern Trend

Everyone says green watches are taking over these days. Heck, even GQ wrote about it. All of the top brands are releasing green watches right alongside the much more commonly seen blues, whites, and blacks that are staples of most catalogs. Why?

It’s hard to say exactly what the reason behind it is, but I think the real question to focus on is why not. Watch dials have been pretty limited in color and scope for about a century now in just the wristwatch world, and longer than that if you include pocket watches.

For a long time, blue was just about the only real color that you’d see offered by most brands. Now, the world of color is exploding. 

Rolex, notorious for their restraint and reserve, offered a shocking puzzle-piece Oyster Perpetual with emojis on its date window and colorful text instead of the day of the week. It’s a wild time to be a watch lover, and green watches are a great part of that trend. 

They’re more subdued and wearable than other colors that could be featured on a dial, like bright reds or yellows. Green is a cooler color, easy on the eyes, and matches a lot of the world around us. It looks great in a colorful but not too overwhelming way. In a sense, it’s perfect.

The 12 Best Green-Dial Watches

So without further ado, let’s get right into the list. We’re only looking at green dial watches here, to be specific, so don’t be upset if you don’t see your favorite Hublot SAXEM in lime green on the list (it has a mostly black dial, to be clear, so it doesn’t quite count. Believe me, I’m disappointed too.). 

All of these watches are highly wearable and most are pretty understated, making them lovely green companions for your summer days or touches of nature and color in the bleak winter ones.

TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Green Dial

The Carrera Chronograph is arguably the third most well-known and important chronograph, preceded only by the very illustrious Speedmaster and Daytona. For many, though, it ranks first in charm and class. In a lot of ways, it’s exactly what modern collectors are looking for. 39mm case?

Check. Chronograph functionality with prominent and elegant pushers? Check—and on that note, I think they’re my favorite pushers of any of the big 3 chronographs. 

The dial is the best part of this show, though. Circular brushing and a beautiful teal green color make for an eye-catching but not overbearing light show every time you wear this one out and about. 

Finally, I love the applied indices and hands that float above the dial: they’re complex and multifaceted, making for a really fascinating experience when you choose to dive a little deeper and really examine the subtleties of the dial shielded behind your watch’s crystal. For $6,700, it’s also a lot more affordable than its competition. Win-win!

Trilobe Les Matinaux Vert Soleillé

Trilobe is one of those brands that mostly just does one thing, but they do it so incredibly well that they’ve enjoyed a serious cult following since their first release in 2018. The Vert Soleillé, or Green Sunray, is one of their finest pieces, for just shy of $10,000 (9,000 euros). 

You get a good bit of customization with this watch, as you can pick either a 38.5mm or 40.5mm case size (both are fantastic options) and can also order the right strap size for your wrist (goodbye, annoying extra strap length!).

One of the things I love most about this watch is that it’s so classy in the way it only tells the time, but completely reinvents the way it does what it does. 

That is true innovation, something that we don’t see often in the traditional watch world. As for that green dial, it fades beautifully between a rich green and a more aqua blue-green hue depending on the light. Gorgeous.

Patek Philippe Cubitus 5821/1A-001

The Cubitus has gotten a lot of hate lately from collectors, and I would adamantly say that it’s completely undeserved. The case is extremely elegant and has so many dimensions, with an overall square shape marked with rounded lines and corners that break up what could have been a harsh and industrial silhouette. 

The horizontal embossing on the sunburst olive green dial is sporty but elegant, as all Patek should be. The Cubitus is one of the finest luxury sport watches to be made and is likely the greatest not to be designed by Gerald Genta (which rules out the Royal Oak and Nautilus). Plus, at just 8.3mm thick and 45mm in diameter at its widest point, it’s extremely wearable. 

The $41,240 price tag might cause a bit of sticker shock, but it is Patek, and one glance at the gorgeous movement (cal. 26-330 S C/430, if you care) should soothe that shock for any passionate watch nerd.

Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 40mm Green Dial

One of my close friends absolutely swears by this watch, and having seen it quite a few times on his wrist, I’m inclined to agree with him. The green dial with tapisserie finishing (that’s the little squares you see, much like the dial on the Royal Oak) works so well to catch light in some settings, but for the most part remains subdued yet textured. 

As the Powermatic 80 name suggests, the movement supplies a whopping 80-hour power reserve. Plus, you get an exhibition caseback and custom engraved rotor. The case itself is restrained but spot-on, with a 40mm diameter and polished bevels to contrast with the main brushing over the lugs. 

With all this, you’d probably expect to hear a $2,000 to $3,000 price tag. Good news! This PRX is available for a retail price of just $725, making it a great budget green-dial pick.

Grand Seiko SBGJ259

I love Grand Seiko dials. Setting aside enamel, they’re probably the best in the industry, and the SBGJ259 is no exception. It’s inspired by a Japanese garden path, and the gorgeous dial reflects that with vertical striping much like the texture of Côtes de Genève, with a broad variety of green hues to create the effect of bamboo. 

Thanks to the diversity of its green color palette and the texture of the dial finishing, it plays magnificently with all forms of light.

Rest assured, though, this watch isn’t a one-trick pony: it runs on the superb caliber 9S86, which is a high-beat movement (10 beats per second!) with the great accuracy level of -3/+5 seconds per day. Oh, and did I mention it’s a GMT? You can pick one of these garden path beauties up for $7,300.

H. Moser Endeavour Concept Centre Seconds Lime Green

The Concept series by H. Moser is a really admirable idea, in my opinion. They strip away all branding, all text, and allow the watch to speak for itself. And speak it does, through a megaphone.

Just look at that hammered dial, covered with a gentle coat of fumé green enamel for a gradient of color and texture, all while staying within a monochrome palette! The SBGJ259 sure has a run for its money here. 

At 40mm, it’s easy to wear and comes on a strap made of Kudu leather. If you flip the watch over, you’ll find the reverse end to be just as pleasing as the dial, as it’s one of H. Moser’s finest, the calibre HMC200 with a 72-hour power reserve, blued balance cock, Côtes de Genève, skeletonized engraved rotor, and double hairspring. All that watch comes for a lot of cash—$27,600—but boy is it a lot of watch.

Maurice de Mauriac Racquet Rallymaster III

This watch makes me wish I played tennis just so I could have an excuse to buy it. It’s just so darn fun. While many of our other listings here have stayed within a monochromatic green palette, the Rallymaster III works in a full rainbow of playful colors that all work together shockingly harmoniously. 

It’s a watch that barely takes itself seriously, if at all. And yet you’d be wrong to think it’s merely a joking affair: it runs on the Landeron 24 (a Swiss ETA 2824 clone, so it’s pretty solid) and is limited to just 100 pieces.

Plus, it was designed by Carlton DeWoody, a noted interior designer from Los Angeles. Tennis fans, this one’s for you with love from Maurice de Mauriac for $2,400.

Ressence Type 3 EE

Ressence, like Trilobe, has completely pioneered the way we see and read time. The Type 3 EE, like most of their other watches, features the special Ressence Orbital Convex System (ROCS) module, which is, as they say, the reason for the season—er, watch dial layout. That eucalyptus green dial is subdued but elegant, and will really pop at night with blue-emission Super-LumiNova. 

Displayed in the watch’s many dials are hours, minutes, day, date, oil temperature, and running seconds. Wait, oil temperature? You bet.

This puppy is filled with oil from the dial to the crystal, which creates a stunning optical illusion where it looks from many angles like the dial is pressed up right against the crystal. Wallets be warned, however: at $44,200, all this innovation doesn’t come cheap.

Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional Co-Axial Master Chronometer Chronograph 42mm – Moonshine Gold with Green Dial

This mouthful of a Speedmaster is one of Omega’s dressiest options, and boy does that combo of green-on-gold work well for it. The movement, Omega’s calibre 3861, deserves some serious attention in this review, because it’s one of the best parts of the watch. It ticks away on George Daniels’ famous Co-Axial escapement, one of the very best in the industry (if not the best altogether). 

Thanks to this little contraption, it’s achieved certification as a Master Chronometer for prodigious accuracy. This involves 8 tests over 10 days, with every possible attribute examined (magnetic and water resistance, accuracy in all six positions, etc.), applied by METAS, the Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology. 

In other words, it’s pinpoint-accurate mechanical timekeeping with a gorgeous exterior and a long history of mechanical innovation. The gold won’t come cheap, though: you can pick one of these up for around $42,600.

Louis Vuitton Tambour Fiery Heart Automata

Whenever I do an article like this, I can never resist the temptation to throw an absolute horological stunner in there just for kicks. This is that watch. The Fiery Heart Automata is a ladies’ watch with a total of 7 animations and a flying tourbillon to boot. I’ll give you a second to pick your jaw up off the ground before we move on to the rest of it. 

It also features 107 hand-set diamonds (0.53 carats total), and an 18K pink gold case. But we’re just getting warmed up, because the dial is the real show. It features enamel and miniature painting and hand engravings, so a wide variety of crafts have been brought to bear to bring each one of these works of art to reality. 

The colors are bright and vibrant, and almost as eye-catching as the animations, which you’ll have to see for yourself to really appreciate. You’ll have to fork over $490,870 to put this little beauty on your wrist, but man, what a trade-off that would be.

Dennison Malachite Dial

Dennison is a relatively new revival that is known for one thing and one thing only: making affordable watches with quartz movements and gorgeous stone dials.

Typically, malachite dials go for a lot more than what Dennison demands at just $690. Many people love to write this type of watch off as “too ’70s”, but I’m a firm believer in the exquisite beauty of showcasing a gemstone in all its imperfection, yet with completely natural elegance. 

The case does a great job of putting the dial at the heart of everything, and it’s actually taken right from Dennison’s old catalog as the last case type they created before they went bankrupt originally. Sure, it’s not a mechanical work of art—but man, for $690 for a stone dial, I’d more than willingly overlook that.

Oris Big Crown ProPilot x Kermit Edition

I love fun watches, if you couldn’t tell by my crazy Fiery Heart Automata pick. The Swiss mechanical watchmaking world takes itself so seriously sometimes, and it’s refreshing when a brand like Oris creates something completely off the cuff and wild.

Petition to inaugurate “Kermit Day” as the official first of every month? Oris sure is pushing for it: the frog’s little face will pop up in your date window as a delightful reminder to relax, to find joy in the moment, and to not take yourself too seriously. 

It’s got a fun mid-range price too, at $4,900. Oh, but allow me to mention just how serious Oris is about having fun. They equipped their Kermit Edition with the calibre 400, which has two barrels and an insane 5-day power reserve with an accuracy of -3/+5 seconds per day. Don’t mess with the frog.

Conclusion

I hope you had as much fun as I did exploring some of the best green dials out there. From those that give the dial their all to those that turn it into a beautiful accentuation of the overall layout, there’s a wide diversity of options out there. 

Whatever your budget, whatever your style, there’s something here for you.

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.