Are you fond of extreme sports? Prefer to spend your free time racing, skydiving, climbing mountain peaks, exploring the ocean floor, or simply exercising at the fitness club? But do they meet your individual requirements and requests? Unfortunately, everyday and classic models are not suitable for sports. Indeed, in this case, the watch should not just show the time, but become a 'smart', almost omnipotent personal assistant. Only specialized models are capable of this! If you are still looking for a decent gadget, then our article will help you make the final decision. We will tell you how to choose a wristwatch for active recreation. Discover something new, join!
How to choose a watch for active leisure?
First of all, you need to decide what technical characteristics the wristwatch that is optimal for you should have. Perhaps this is the most difficult stage in the selection process, but it can also be dealt with. What should you pay special attention to?
A strong steel structure is indispensable if you prefer some rather dynamic sports, be it scuba diving, mountaineering, yachting or mountain biking. It is able to withstand heavy loads (impacts, falls, deep sea pressure, elevation changes, and so on). Enclosure tightness is optional, but desirable. Especially if there is a possibility of rain or another dive to coral reefs.
Wristwatches for active sports are distinguished by high strength of the case, glass and bracelet
Outdoor models usually have a quartz movement. Its main advantage is its precision. You can forget about changing the battery for several months, since this mechanism absorbs little energy.
Watch bracelets for extreme leisure activities are most often made of steel, strong textiles, rubber, and rubber. It is important that the strap is durable and suitable for the intended use. After all, these are not men's bracelets for a stylish look, but real 'workhorses'. But the design and colors are a matter of personal taste.
The glass can be different: sapphire, mineral or polymer. Any of them is highly durable and can withstand large overloads (shocks, scratches, falls, water pressure). But a special pleasant surprise in such models is the absence of glare under any rays of natural or artificial light. A very useful trifle for true extreme lovers!
The dial on watches for outdoor activities is most often made in black, but there are also white, green, brown, blue variations. In principle, this does not really matter, but arrows and numbers are better visible against a dark background. At night, the dial readings will become visible thanks to the backlight. In some models, this function is automated and works from a slight rotation of the wrist relative to the person's face.
Additional functions. The wristwatch can be equipped with a stopwatch, timer, barometer, compass, GPS navigator, pedometer, altimeter, heart rate monitor and other useful devices. Which model to choose depends entirely on the sport you prefer and the objectives you have set for you.
The design of a wristwatch belongs to the secondary characteristics and is chosen based on the individual preferences of a man.
A brief overview of models relevant for extreme sports and recreation
Light, bright, comfortable, practical, functional … These are the epithets that come to mind when you are looking for a model of a wristwatch that is optimal for an active pastime. What do manufacturers offer for avid fidgets?
For diving
This wristwatch skillfully combines the aesthetic appeal of design with high functionality. They have a case made of stainless steel or with a titanium coating, excellent water resistance at a depth of 100-5000 meters, high accuracy even at high water pressure. They can also be equipped with an automatic winding, a power reserve of up to 38 or even 68 hours, and additionally built-in instruments. And the discreet design of some of the models allows you to wear them in combination with smartcasual clothes.
Some of the diving watches are: Tag Heuer Aquaracer, Casio's G-Shock Frogman, Citizen Eco-Drive Professional, Aquadive Bathysphere 500, Oyster Perpetual Rolex Deepsea, Seiko Prospex SRP775K1, Victorinox Master 500 Mecha, Pita Barcelona Oceana.
Casio's G-Shock FROGMAN watch is suitable for divers diving to a depth of 200 m
The legendary Seamaster 300 Omega Master Co-Axial 41 mm 'SPECTRE' Limited Edition is also among the scuba diving models. She is known to the world for taking part in the filming of the film 'Specter' about the ultra-popular agent James Bond, for which she was released in a limited edition. But this list does not end with a long list of worthy specimens. In addition, each diver has their own preferences for a particular brand or manufacturer of special watches. But maybe you already have the perfect model that doesn't appear on our list?
SEAMASTER 300 OMEGA MASTER CO-AXIAL 41 MM 'SPECTRE' LIMITED EDITION will delight fans of legendary agent James Bond
Pilot's watch
They have a simple but modern design. Their diameter usually exceeds 50 mm. The pilot's wristwatch is distinguished by high precision and a large power reserve, a shockproof case, chronograph, altimeter, GPS and other useful functions in the air. Some of the models are equipped with protection against magnetic fields, as well as an analogue of the pilot's logbook, allow loading the route of the flight, and are powered by solar energy. The range of such watches is wide enough, they are produced by many Russian and foreign manufacturers. Models differ in design features or their technical functionality. Here it is easy to choose a worthy accessory that fully meets the requirements of a particular man.
The multifunctional Fortis Pilot Professional Automatik Chronograph is one of the most popular models among pilots.
Here are some of the well-known and popular models today:
- Pilot Time Series;
- IWC Big Pilot's Heritage Watch 48;
- Breitling Exospace B55;
- Aviator Mig-29 Cockpit Chrono;
- Raketa Pilot 031;
- Longines Avigation;
- Bremont ALT1-ZT;
- Hamilton Khaki Action Flight Timer Quartz;
- Omega Speedmaster Skywalker X-33;
- Garmin D2;
- Citizen Men’s Eco-Drive Satellite Wave-Air Watch;
- Patek Philippe 5524G-001;
- Rolex Oyster Perpetual Air-King;
- Fortis Pilot Professional.
Of course, this is not all the pilot's wrist watches. There are other manufacturers and models.
Field clock
Their direct purpose is to withstand any tests that arise during military operations. But in recent years, field hours are increasingly common in the city. Here they found a place for themselves in casual sets. The main thing is to replace the strap with a leather or steel laconic design.
There are both models showing only time and date with a simple design, and technically equipped, modern solutions for special forces. In any case, field wristwatches are distinguished by high wear resistance and shock resistance, are made of high-quality steel, have a quartz movement, and withstand the influence of a humid environment, including jets of water. How does it feel?
Lum-Tec Combat B27 Military wrist watch has a laconic design and can be used in combination with casual clothes
Popular models include: Lum-Tec Combat B27 Military, Bell & Ross WW1-92 Military Watch, Hamilton Khaki Field Titanium Auto, G-Shock GWG-1000GB-1A Watch, Seiko Prospex, Citizen Eco-Drive, Suunto X-Lander Military Watch, Timex T49928 Expedition Digital Compass Watch.
Suunto X-Lander Military Watch with built-in altimeter, timer, barometer will help you come out victorious even from the most extreme situation
Did you like any of the models?
For hiking and mountaineering
Such a wristwatch should be multifunctional. Manufacturers equip models with an altimeter, GPS, compass, barometer, as well as a distance counter, calorie calculator and many other useful 'chips'.
The Garmin Fenix 3 watch, due to its versatility, is considered a suitable model for various outdoor activities
For those who cannot imagine life without hiking and mountaineering, we recommend paying attention to the following watches: Garmin Fenix 3, Suunto Traverse, Seiko SARB017 Alpinist, Suunto Ambit 3, Casio Pro Trek PRW 3000 1A, Suunto Core Crush and others. Some of the listed models are also relevant for swimming, running, cycling. Go for it!
For fitness and sports
A wrist watch with a large number of useful functions has been created for the gym and for practicing traditional city sports. This is tracking distance, speed, heart rate, time, analysis of an individual daily routine. Also, the watch can have a built-in MP3 player, calorie counter, workout planner, sleep tracker, weather forecast and wireless connection function. In addition, sports models are distinguished by the brightness of the case and bracelet colors. These will not leave you indifferent!
The TomTom Spark watch will measure your heart rate, tell you about the kilometers left behind, calories consumed today, play your favorite music, and all this is possible while doing sports.
Among the novelties popular among men: TomTom Spark, Garmin Forerunner 235, Fitbit Surge, Moto 360 Sport, Suunto Ambit3 Sport, Polar V800, Tom Tom Runner, Sony SmartWatch 3, Garmin Vivo active, TomTom Multisport Cardio, Garmin Forerunner 15. The choice is yours!
Finally
If you are just a beginner so far, then you should not immediately buy an expensive wristwatch. Start with a budget solution. When you use your watch in extreme conditions, you will understand what functions necessary for solving specific tasks are missing in the watch. It is this experience that should be taken into account when choosing the next, already more expensive model. If you are a professional with many years of experience in outdoor activities, then you probably have several hours, each of which is 'sharpened' for a specific sport. Which models did you like or prefer already? Why? Write in the comments! It is important for us to know your opinion.
