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Home » Gear » best travel watch

17 Best Travel Watches for your Travel Style in 2024

If there is ever a time to have a trustworthy watch, it’s when traveling. A great travel watch can save your ass time and time again. Journeys of all kinds rely on being in the right place at the right time – to catch a flight, meet up with a guide, claim that restaurant reservation, or check in to a hotel.

Though other bits of gear, like smartphones, have usurped the role of the watch for many in everyday life, with changes in time zone and attempts to get away from the constant demands of working life, there’s still no single item more useful to the modern traveler than a good watch.

Besides, in certain places, you want to reduce how often you’re pulling out your phone. A travel watch can keep your smartphone from getting snatched in busy urban areas, where it’s all too common.

Here we bring you what we believe are the very best travel watches to keep you on schedule!

Quick Answer: The Best Travel Watches

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• Best men’s travel watch – Casio G-Shock Gravity Master
• Best women’s travel watch – Timex Women’s Ironman Transit
• Most attractive travel watch – Nordgreen Influencer
• Best watch under $500 – Garmin Instinct 2 Solar
• Best watch under $100 – SOLARMATE watch CITIZEN Q
• Best analogue travel watch – Tissot Seastar 1000
• Best digital travel watch – DIDITIME Sports and Military Watch
• Best travel watch for hikers – Samsung Galaxy Watch
• Best smart watch for staying fit while traveling – Fitbit Charge 4
• Best travel watch with GPS – Garmin Fenix Chronos

Casio G-Shock Gravity Master

• > Protective body
• > Water resistant to 200 m

Timex Women’s Ironman Transit

• > Durable on the go
• > Follows two time zones

Nordgreen Pioneer

• > Quality Build
• > Interchangeable Straps

Garmin Instinct 2 Solar

• Price > $$$
• > GPS tracking and route finding
• > Web connectivity

SOLARMATE watch CITIZEN Q

• > Large digital display
• > Metal wristband

Tissot Seastar 1000

• Price > $$$$
• > Luminous hands
• > Large face

DIDITIME Sports and Military Watch

• > Fabric strap

Samsung Galaxy Watch

• > In-built GPS
• > 4-day battery life

Fitbit Charge 4

• > Measures heart rate without chest strap
• > GPS connectivity

Garmin Fenix Chronos

• > TracBack GPS feature
• > Activity monitor

• > Great look
• > Water resistant

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The Casio G-Shock Gravity Master is a serious travel watch for serious travelers. What makes it so great? First off, the microchips and inner workings of the G-Shock Gravity Master are encased in a body that protects from sudden shocks such as dropping or knocking, centrifugal forces, and vibration. Then there’s the fact this watch is water resistant down to 200 meters, meaning evening scuba diving is an option with this watch. Finally, techies, in particular, will love the fact that the G-Shock Gravity Master will automatically synchronize to your time zone when you reach a destination – using a combination of GPS and radio waves. How cool is that!

• Protective body
• Water resistant to 200 m
• Automatic synchronization to time zone
• A little bulky for some
• Analogue-digital display
• Imported from US for UK customers
• 52 mm diameter

Is the Casio G-Shock Gravity Master for me?

If you’re a frequent traveler or you simply struggle with working out time zones when you do, the Casio G-Shock Gravity Master is definitely the travel watch for you! Not only does it use GPS technology to ensure it’s always synchronized to the correct time (even taking account of daylight saving time!), its hard protective body and impressive level of water resistance mean you’ll never find yourself without a functioning watch when away.

The Women’s Ironman Transit by Timex offers a great blend of functionality and style. The relatively large digital display makes it super easy to check the time while moving, whether you’re on a busy underground train or scaling a mountain on a rope harness. The resin case means it will resist knocks, while the strap is durable and easily cleaned. The clock itself has the option of two different time zones, so you can keep a clear idea of the time at home, and a customizable alarm, which is always a useful feature while traveling. What’s more, it’s also water resistant to a depth of 100 meters! What more could you want?

• Durable on the go
• Follows two time zones
• Water resistant
• Resin strap
• Simple buckle closure
• No automatic synchronization of time zones
• Digital display

Is the Timex Women’s Ironman Transit for me?

The answer is undoubtedly yes! Its stylish modern design of smooth lines and molded resin certainly means it looks the part, while the ability to follow two time zones, the customizable alarm, and water resistance down to 100 m also means it acts the part! It may not have some of the bells and whistles of other travel watches on our list, but we still love it!

Nordgreen Pionee r

Not every travel watch has to feature James Bond level gadgets and gizmos. The Nordgreen Pioneer is an industry leader when it comes to producing quality minimalist watch designs that are fit for your days exploring cities and nights on the town. A big selling point for this watch is that you can easily change out the bands if you are feeling like a different look/color (bands sold separately).

The combination of sleek specs like the domed Sapphire crystal face and Japanese quartz make for a watch that you will be using for many years to come. In addition to being a sexy travel watch – the Nordgreen Pioneer also is a great everyday watch. 

• Minimalist design
• Comes with Steel Case
• Water-Resistant
• Scandinavian Made
• Extra Watch band colors not included
• No smart technology
• No alarm feature

Is the Nordgreen Pioneer for me?

If you are looking for a no-frills watch that looks much more high-end then the price reflects, this is the watch for you. As mentioned, the Pioneer is not just a travel watch – and it is classy enough for use in a professional setting as well as when you are not on holiday. 

Just scrapping under the $500/£390 mark at its full recommended retail price, the Garmin Instinct 2 Solar gives the widest array of features for a travel watch under $500. Coming from a trusted brand like Garmin, you know what you are getting here! What we also love the most is that being solar powered it will basically stay charged indefinitely if you spend a few hours a day outside, pretty rad! It’s also got stealth mode to disable wireless communication if you’re going to be doing some rogue ops or just don’t want your crazy girlfriend to know your whereabouts!!

Other cool features include built-in 3-axis compass and barometric altimeter plus multiple global navigation satellite systems meaning you can track your adventures over varied and challenging terrain. You’ll never be lost again!

If that wasn’t enough, this watch also boasts several built-in sports tracking modes like running, biking, swimming and strength training as well as tracking for things like heart rate, VO2 max and sleep!

• Tested to military standards
• GPS tracking and route finding
• Real-time weather information
• Web connectivity
• Requires USB charging
• Nylon strap
• Not touchscreen

Is the Garmin Instinct 2 Solar for me?

You don’t have to be a hardened adventure to see the benefits of the Traverse Alpha GPS Outdoor Watch by Suunto. If you’ve ever got hopelessly lost in a foreign city you’ll really appreciate the real-time GPS tracking and route finding functions, while its web connectivity will ensure you can stay in contact with friends and family while away too!

Want to compare this watch to other awesome outdoor models? Check out our EPIC review of the best outdoor watches .

We think the SOLARMATE watch CITIZEN Q is simply a bargain for what it offers! Deep within the inner workings, you’ll find (if you were ever to look), a movement by Japanese watchmakers Citizen, and a battery meant to last three years. On the outside, you have a large, easy to read, digital display with a classy metal band. The watch is also waterproof so you’ll have no issues taking anywhere you end up on your travels.

• Great price
• Trustworthy internal workings
• Large digital display
• Metal wristband
• Only water resistant to 50 m
• Not great for slim wrists
• No second time zone function

Is the SOLARMATE watch CITIZEN Q for me?

You don’t have to be counting the pennies to think that the SOLARMATE watch CITIZEN Q is a great buy for what it offers. For an incredible price, you get a trustworthy brand, and an easy-to-read digital display alongside waterproofing and a nice look. Brilliant!

Although aimed at the diving market, the Swiss-engineered Tissot Seastar 1000 is just as functional as a general analogue travel watch. The large face makes it easy to read the luminous dials even in the low light of an aircraft cabin or a candle-lit restaurant, while maintaining enough style to ensure you won’t feel embarrassed at wearing it even at more formal occasions. The tough body will keep it safe from knocks, while the resin strap is comfortable and easy to keep clean. As you might expect, the Seastar 1000 also has an impressive degree of water resistance too – safe down to 300 m!

• Luminous hands
• Water resistant to 300 m
• Lacks GPS features
• Not as tough as the Casio G-Shock Gravity Master

Is the Tissot Seastar 1000 for me?

Having been making watches for more than one and a half centuries, Tissot is clearly doing something right! Their Seastar 1000 is no exception, with this analogue travel watch bringing a touch of class to the proceedings. But more than just having a pretty face (very literally) its also functional thanks to luminous hands and water resistance to 300 m.

From the best analogue travel watch to the best digital watch of our reckoning with this number from DIDITIME. It can be argued whether the best digital watch should be as simple as possible or as feature heavy as possible – we’ve sided with simple. But simplicity doesn’t mean you’re laying aside reliability – the DIDITIME is based around a Japanese-made movement and battery for precision timing. The time/date display, auto calendar, alarm, and backlight are matched nicely by the black fabric strap, and protected by the carbon fibre case.

• Japanese movement
• Fabric strap
• Lacks features of other digital watches we’ve covered
• Not suitable for submersion
• No analogue dial
• Some customers mention build issues

Is the DIDITIME Sports and Military Watch for me?

If you’re after a digital watch that can tell you exactly where you are at any given time and what the weather is likely to be in the next couple of hours, we’d recommend the Garmin Solar 2 Watch, however if you’re looking for a simple digital display with which to tell the time, this DIDITIME watch will be perfect for you!

It’s a fact of life that tech has encroached into the world of hiking as much as other sports and activities, and while a paper map and physical compass is always a good idea, a lot of the hard work of route finding can be made simple with a watch such as this Samsung Galaxy offering. As well as keeping you connected with calls and messages straight to your wrist to keep you hands-free, the Samsung Galaxy also automatically (yes, automatically) detects movement and activity and monitors it for you. This watch also has in-built GPS, so you can follow pre-planned routes or find a short cut home on the move effortlessly!

• Lets you stay connected hands-free
• Automatically detects and monitors activity
• In-built GPS
• 4-day battery life
• Requires regular charging
• Water-resistant to only 50 m
• Weighs 300 g

Is the Samsung Galaxy Watch for me?

If you’re an Apple fan, look away now…While a smart watch may not be the obvious choice for hikers, the Samsung Galaxy watch does in fact make a fine travel watch for hikers. Why? Because you can stay connected, have your activity monitored without even having to touch a screen, and have the safety and security of GPS route finding as well!

Market leaders are market leaders for a reason, and the Charge 4 by Fitbit remains to our mind the best smart watch for staying fit while traveling. The smooth lines of the Charge 4 monitor your heart rate from your wrist – meaning no unwieldy chest strap for starters. Its all-day activity tracking measures distance, steps, and calories among other metrics, and can remind you to move if you’ve remained still for longer periods. Finally, with its GPS connectivity, you can see real-time stats in addition to your current location and route!

• Stylish look
• Measures heart rate without chest strap
• All-day metric measurement
• GPS connectivity
• Requires regular charging (every 4+ days)
• Additional accessories cost extra
• Touch screen scratches quite easily
• Two-year warranty

Is the Fitbit Charge 4 for me?

Staying fit while traveling used to be difficult to monitor, what with the change in routine (and the added calories that undoubtedly come with many types of travel!). Then the Fitbit Charge 4 came along, with the possibility to record metrics from heart rate to steps taken without issue, alongside the brilliant functionality of GPS connectivity.

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You’ve got to love GPS, don’t you? Endlessly useful in your home town and abroad, its certainly saved us from all manner of potential pitfalls! The Garmin Fenix Chronos is a masterly GPS-enabled travel watch, with a tracking log for pinpoint accuracy and its ‘TracBack’ feature that helps users head back the same way you’ve come. But as well as GPS functionality the Fenix Chronos has ABC (or altitude, barometer, and compass) functions, and will record and monitor your activity levels, whatever sport or activity you’re undertaking. All this, smart phone connectivity, and a battery life of up to eight days make this the best travel watch with GPS for us!

• TracBack GPS feature
• Altitude, Barometer, and compass readings
• Activity monitor
• 8 day battery life
• Leather strap
• Water resistance to just 100 m
• Has a traditional look some users may not like

Is the Garmin Fenix Chronos for me?

If you’re regularly traveling, looking for the very best of travel watches with GPS, we think you’ve probably found it with the Garmin Fenix Chronos! The ‘TracBack’ feature will be really useful for many, while more seasoned adventures will love the ABC functionality too!

The FIZILI’s combination of ageless elegance and simple minimalist design makes their watch a hands-down winner. Their travel watch, just like the Nomatic travel bag , is extremely versatile; it can be used whether you’re traveling for work or pleasure, and when roughing it or in the highest-end resorts – without looking out of place.

There are a whole number of different colourways to choose from too, whether you want the uber cool black-on-black look or you want to throw in some red highlights or a blue face, there’s even gold, silver and blue wristbands available too.

Is the FIZILI for me?

If you’re after a pared-back but classy travel watch which you know you can rely on while on the move the FIZILI is the perfect choice for you. With a style that looks great in any situation, the quality steel mesh strap and the variety of different styles means there’s something to suit everyone and at this price you could buy them all!

Shinola Runwell

Detroit’s Shinola has a growing legion of fans on both sides of the Atlantic, and travelers old and new will be sure to fall for the Runwell too. This analogue watch has a traditional look, complete with a real leather strap, while ensuring a large face to ensure the clock face is easy to read whatever the light levels. The sapphire crystal window is scratch resistant, which is obviously ideal when traveling, and the watch is also water resistant down to 50 m – more than deep enough for a swim in the hotel pool!

• Beautifully styled traditional look
• Scratch resistant sapphire crystal window
• Water resistance to 50 m
• Imported from the US for UK customers
• Luminous hands but no backlight
• Not for budget travelers
• No GPS functionality

Is the Shinola Runwell for me?

The style-conscious traveler will be very happy to be seen wearing the Shinola Runwell, as a result of its phenomenal looks and literally crystal-clear analogue display. But this watch isn’t just style over substance, with durability built in with the leather strap, scratch resistance, and water resistance. When looking for a traditional and trustworthy watch, the Shinola Runwell is a great option!

Seiko SEIKO SRPE99 Prospex

The SEIKO SRPE99 Prospex watch comes with a stainless steel bracelet style strap that slips over the hand to close. The 21 jewels used in its analogue movement ensure accuracy, and although this is an automatic movement – rather than a battery-powered one – it has a power reserve of 40 hours, meaning you can forget to wear it for an entire day without having to manual wind the watch on to restart it. The face incorporates a very useful day and date window, that will surely stay clear as a result of the scratch resistant Hardlex crystal glass. The fact it’s a diver’s watch also means it boasts water resistance to a depth of 200 m.

• 21 jewel movement
• 40-hour power reserve
• Scratch resistant Hardlex crystal glass
• Automatic movement
• Metal bracelet style strap
• Intended as a men’s watch

Is the Seiko Divers Automatic for me?

If you’re an experienced diver you’ll be probably looking for a more sophisticated divers watch than that offered by the Seiko Divers Automatic. However, for mere mortals, this watch reaches the right balance between everyday practicality and specialization. Accurate and tough, we can’t see the Seiko Divers Automatic letting you down!

Timex Expedition Scout

The Timex Expedition Scout offers an analogue face with both twelve- and twenty-four-hour time settings, and accuracy you know you can trust. This rugged outdoor watch is protected by a durable body that is guaranteed to be water resistant down to a depth of 50 m and has the added feature of an ‘Indiglo’ light-up watch face. There’s also a quick date window on the face so you’ll never lose track of the time or date, while the classic yet contemporary look will have to check the time far more than is actually necessary!

• 12 and 24-hour dial settings
• Water resistant to 50 m
• Indiglo light-up dial
• Analogue watch
• Lacks different time zone settings
• Date but no day window on face

Is the Timex Expedition Scout for me?

Forget those tempting added features of other watches in our review, the Expedition Scout is a good ‘solid’ watch that will see you through while always looking fresh and up to the minute thanks to its classic looks.

Suunto Core

The brother of the Suunto Traverse Alpha GPS Outdoor, you might consider the Core the more basic (and also cheaper) of the two watches, but that’s not to say the Core is not a fantastic travel watch in and of itself. Though it obviously doesn’t match all the Traverse Alpha GPS Outdoor’s incredible functions – such as being military grade – this unisex watch still has a lot of flash features of its own! Its barometric altitude measurements, depth gauge, and weather warnings make it an ideal companion in the Alps if you’re hiking, snowshoeing, or skiing, where its tough enough to do the job thanks to a metal casing. Comprising aluminium, it keeps the watch light, while it has a battery life of up to a year, meaning you have little worry over when it’s going to need its next charge!

• Dedicated mountain watch
• Cheaper than the Traverse Alpha GPS Outdoor
• Detailed altitude and depth measurements
• Lightweight
• Water resistant to just 30 m
• No GPS tracking
• Too large for some wrists
• No different time zone settings

Is the Suunto Core for me?

Avid skiers and mountaineers are the target market for the Suunto Core, and they are undoubtedly the group of people likely to get the most benefit from wearing the Core thanks to its barometric data, altitude graphics and depth gauge. The rest of us will just have to make do with having a pretty cool watch on our wrists!

North Edge Dive and Sports Watch

North Edge brings us this travel watch which is water resistant to a depth of 100 m, meaning you can check out its analogue-digital face pretty much anywhere you choose – from a city centre café to a shipwreck on a coral reef! The large backlit dial makes it easy to read the time too, while the mineral glass mirror surface is resistant to scratches and the body protective against knocks and bumps. This clever little watch is also capable of monitoring steps with its pedometer, and calculating calories burnt, as well as offering users the ABC of altimeter, barometer, and compass too!

• Trusted brand
• Analogue-digital face
• Water resistant to 100 m
• ABC functions
• Intended for men only
• No GPS tracking or route finding
• Stainless steel strap
• Not the longest battery life when heavily used

Is the North Face Dive and Sports Watch for me?

This dive and sports watch by North Edge should definitely find its way onto your shortlist for best travel watch, combining traditional analogue looks with the benefits of digital technology. It has great features for anyone who likes to get outdoors, from mountains to seabed, making it a good all-round travel watch!

Lad Weather Sensor Master III

Look at the full list of what the Lad Weather Sensor Master III can track and you’ll feel like you’ve got NASA monitoring your every move, calories, highest peaks, lap speed, total distance…. We could fill up this entire space just listing them! So this watch by Lad Weather certainly meets the need of anyone who likes (or needs) to record data while travelling. What also makes it a great travel watch is the fact it is preset with 59 city time zones, can provide a weather forecast for your location, has two daily alarms, AND is water resistant to 100 m – far deeper then you’ll ever head unless scuba diving!

• Fantastic data collection
• Preset city time zones
• Weather forecasting
• Overly complicated for some travellers
• Large dial face
• Thermometer function can be affected by body heat
• Plastic dial window

Is the Lad Weather Sensor Master III for me?

Greatly improved over the Sensor Master I, the Sensor Master III is a phenomenal travel watch by Lad Weather. Having clearly absorbed customer feedback from the previous models, this travel watch is both well protected against physical damage and packed full of very useful monitoring and forecasting data!

Luminox Navy SEAL Colormark

And finally… we bring you the Luminox Navy SEAL Colormark, and unbeatable travel watch when it comes to durability! Comprising an incredibly light carbon compound case, this analogue watch has been tested to 20 atmospheres of pressure, has a window made from tempered mineral glass, and has the added protected of a double-gasket security crown. The large numbers on the face make it easy to read in all light levels, although the in-built Luminox light technology will provide constant night lighting for up to 25 years! The Swiss-made movement comes with a two-year guarantee against faults, providing added peace of mind!

• Very light on the wrist
• Added Luminox light technology
• Swiss-made movement for precision
• Analogue rather than digital
• Large bezel numbers can confuse with time

Is the Luminox Navy SEAL Colormark for me?

If it’s good enough for the Navy SEALs its good enough for us, right? As you would expect from a watch made for military personnel this Luminox is as tough as old boots and you’d have to really go out of your way to damage it – great news for all travellers! It also has a Swiss-made movement for accuracy, and innovative lighting technology for checking the time in the dark.

Now, you  could spend a fat chunk of $$$ on the WRONG present for someone. Wrong size hiking boots, wrong fit backpack, wrong shape sleeping bag… As any adventurer will tell you, gear is a personal choice.

So give the adventurer in your life the gift of convenience: buy them an REI Co-op gift card!  REI is The Broke Backpacker’s retailer of choice for ALL things outdoors, and an REI gift card is the perfect present you can buy from them. And then you won’t have to keep the receipt. 😉

Still have some questions? No problem! We’ve listed and answered the most commonly asked questions below. Here’s what people usually want to know:

What is the most stylish travel watch?

Our favorite is the Nordgreen Pioneer . With the changeable straps and the sleek design you can combine it with every outfit. It’s also relatively affordable.

What is the most practical travel watch?

The Suunto Traverse Alpha GPS Outdoor Watch is a military tested travel watch that stands out with amazing features. You can connect it to the internet, track your location precisely and get real-time weather information.

Smart watch, digital or analogue?

What kind of watch you should purchase really depends on what your travels will look like. If you can afford it, a smart watch will always offer the most features, while a digital or analogue watch is way more reliable.

What does a a travel watch need?

A travel watch needs to be reliable, durable and ideally, track your location. Especially for backpackers and hikers, a GPS tracker to look back at miles and location comes in very handy sometimes.

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There we have it – the very best of the best when it comes to travel watches. Whether you prefer a simpler analogue watch, want a digital watch with GPS tracking and route-finding, or are happy with a travel watch that looks stylish whatever the backdrop, we’re sure you’ll find your next travel timepiece among these fantastic watches!

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Check out Vaer watches. Swiss ETA movement, American assembly. 100M water resistant with a screw down crown. To me, it’s a much better value than the Nomad.

Hi Joel, Indeed we will check out Vaer watches, thanks for the heads up.

The Nomatic battery does not last 45 years! No watch battery does. It’s rated for 45 months.

Thanks for the correction Dwight! Indeed, no battery will last 45 years :).

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Can I wear a travel watch every day? ⌚14 Best Travel Watches: Your Perfect Journey Companion

Can I wear a travel watch every day? Yes! Travel watches are designed for daily wear, offering durability and versatility suitable for various occasions.

Traveling is an adventure, and every adventurer needs a reliable companion on their wrist. Enter travel watches – the perfect blend of style, functionality, and durability.

Whether you’re climbing mountains or exploring vibrant cities, having the best travel watch is essential.

Your style, particularly your accessory choices, reveals a lot about you. Watches are one of the most popular purchases for men and women, but which ones are the best travel watches?

• Classy or bold?
• Digital or analog?
• Leather or titanium?

In this guide, we’ll explore the world of travel watches, helping you choose the perfect timepiece for your journeys.

🤷🏻 how many watches can I travel with?

2. type (digital or  analog ), 3. characteristics, 4. material, 5. water resistance, 7. dial size and style, 1. sne329 sport solar-powered stainless steel watch by seiko, 2. casio g-shock gravity master, 3. samsung galaxy watch 4 44mm smartwatch with ecg monitor tracker for health fitness.

• 4. Women's Ironman Transit 33mm Watch By Timex

5. Premium GPS Running / Triathlon Smartwatch By Garmin

• 6. Eco-Drive Promaster Diver Quartz Men's Watch By Citizen 

7. Rugged Outdoor Watch With GPS By Garmin

• 8. Men's 3051 EVO Navy SEAL Colormark Watch By Luminox

9. Fitbit Charge 2 Heart Rate + Fitness Wristband

• 10. The Runwell Quartz Movement Blue Dial Men's Watch By Shinola

11. Wrist-Top Computer Watch With Altimeter By Suunto

12. suunto traverse gps watch, 13. garmin fenix chronos.

• 14. Nordgreen Pioneer Men's Gun Metal Chronograph Watch

Q. Are travel watches water-resistant?

Q. do travel watches require special care during flights, q. are travel watches suitable for different time zones, q. can i replace the watch battery on my own, q. do travel watches come with warranties, q. how do i choose the right travel watch for my needs, q. are water-resistant watches necessary for all travelers, 😇 conclusion, ✉ which travel watch from the list above is your favorite let us know in the comments..

While we don’t advise taking lots of watches on the trip, if you do, think about getting a lockable carrying case. To avoid deterioration, place each piece in a watch travel case or roll, like the one available from the shop. Keep in mind that you should ALWAYS take your watch(es) with you and never put it in your checked luggage .

🧐 Things To Consider Before Buying The best smartwatch for travel [Buying Guide]

Finding and purchasing a new watch is confusing because there are so many different elements to consider. However, it is important to choose the ideal watch for your personality and lifestyle.

We should look at the most important factors to consider when purchasing a watch. 

Watches come in a variety of styles and sizes. Watches can be categorized into one of the following styles.

• Sports Watches   
• Luxury Watches
• Casual Watches
• Vintage Watches

The style you should choose is dependent on how often you plan to wear your watch.

Like mobile phones, digital watches have large numbers across the face that indicate the time. Analog watches include clock hands and either Roman numerals or numbers around the outside, making them appear a little more antique.

The majority of athletic watches feature digital displays, whilst luxury and casual watches have analog displays. While digital watches are simpler to read and often provide more functionality, they are far more complex to use.

Decide on how you’ll use the watch. This is also related to the watch’s style and type.

How much more do you require, even if you have decided that you require more than a basic timepiece?

A timer and stopwatch are standard on most sports watches , but you might also want GPS, a speed calculator (tachymeter), or several alarms.

If you’re buying a watch for camping, it’s probably a good idea to look for a watch with a lot of functions.

The most common materials (for the band and case) are as follows:

• Leather (just for the band)

Although canvas and plastic watches appear to be less expensive, they are often more durable and useful outside.

The metal materials, on the other hand, all look fantastic, but gold and silver watches can quickly become too costly.

Leather is less durable than metal, but it is lighter and gives the watch a more classic look.

Nowadays almost all watches are water-resistant , so you won’t have to worry about water splashing on them when you’re washing your hands.

Many watches (especially sports watches) are splashproof or appropriate for swimming and diving.

It is one of the important things that we need to consider while purchasing the watch.

Brand matters if you’re buying a watch for fashion purposes, such as flaunting at work. A low-cost Rolex has more brand recognition than a high-end Timex watch. Rolex , Omega , and Seiko are some of the most well-known watch brands.

The case and the outside of the face are usually referred to as the dial. In general, select a dial size that matches the size of your wrist.

Choose a dial with a tiny height and diameter if you have thin, small wrists. If your wrists are thick, choose a larger face and a higher casing.

The weight of the watch is a final consideration. Some watches are so light that they barely feel like they’re on your wrist, while others are as heavy as a brick.

Look for anything that makes you feel at ease. If you enjoy a watch but prefer a lighter version of the watch , go for a model with a leather strap rather than a metal band.

• Adjustable green 20mm nylon strap fits up to…
• Black dial with date window at 3 o’clock; full…
• Black 40mm brass case with mineral glass crystal
• Indiglo light-up watch dial; luminous hands

• Adjustable black 12 millimeter genuine leather…
• White easy-to-read dial with date window at 3…
• Silver-tone 25 millimeter brass case with mineral…
• Indiglo light-up watch dial. To screw in, push the…

• 100 M Water Resistance
• 10-Year Battery
• Extra Wide Face
• LED Backlight (Illuminator) with Afterglow

Last update on 2024-05-06 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

✉ List Of 11 Best Travel Watches For Men And Women

After reading a lot of reviews and research we have shortlisted some of the best watches for travel .

A solar-powered watch is what catches everyone’s eye! Having a beautiful, yet pleasantly understated look. Having an analog with a day and date display makes it easy to read. It is a perfect watch for travel lovers .

A battery having a reserve of 10 months and deceptively light by nature is what makes it even more attractive. Having a 100m water resistance makes it suitable for swimming but not for scuba diving.

• Round watch with gleaming sunray dial featuring…
• 43 mm stainless steel case with Hardlex dial…
• Solar-powered Japanese quartz movement with analog…
• Nylon band with buckle closure. Operational…

Last update on 2024-05-12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Also Read : 10 Best Smartwatches For Kids That Ideal For Travel

If you are a daring adventurer and lover of outdoor activities, this Casio G-Shock gravity master watch is all that you need! Having an automatic synchronization to the time zone tells you about your destination.

A 200m water resistance, water-lovers this is a Jackpot. Having a compass that is easy to calibrate and a thermometer along with an analog/digital display makes the day easy.

Being bulky is a drawback, but the pros surely outweigh the cons. This watch comes under the list of best luxury travel watches.

• Sports Watch Men’s Master Of G Gravitymaster Black

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Are you a fitness freak? or a marathon runner? This Samsung Galaxy watch is what calling you. Having an inbuilt GPS always keeps you on track. With the silver touch, it gives an aesthetic appeal.

Keeping your hands free connects you with your loved ones’ calls and messages and detects every moment of yours automatically.

From counting your steps to average heartbeats a built-in sleep tracker for peaceful sleep is what makes it perfect for you. However, 50m water resistance and regular charging are something to look out for.

• BODY COMPOSITION ANALYSIS: Galaxy Watch4 is the…
• BETTER SLEEP STARTS HERE: Wake up feeling…
• BE SMART ABOUT YOUR HEART: Take care of your heart…
• MAKE EVERY WORKOUT COUNT: Get the most out of…

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4. Women’s Ironman Transit 33mm Watch By Timex

This stylish and elegant watch from Timex is available in 8 vibrant colors to carry from the pool to a nightclub! Plenty to choose from.

With an Adjustable [with respective color] 12mm resin strap that fits up to a 7.5-inch wrist circumference and a grey digital display, the Indiglo light-up watch dial makes it more versatile.

All those women who are into swimming this watch is calling for you with 100m water resistance.

Digital display and day-date-month calendar are what make it more preferable. Due to its variety of uses, it comes under the best watch for adventure travel .

• Adjustable purple 12mm resin strap fits up to…
• 100-hour chronograph with 10-lap memory; 24-hour…
• Customizable alarm; 24-hour military time mode; 2…
• Purple and chrome 33mm resin case with magenta…

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Who does not like to hear songs? This Forerunner 945 watch allows you to take your music where you go.

With full-color, onboard maps, you’ll never get lost, and it has a battery life of 2 weeks in smartwatch mode.

A sports lover can find tons of sports categories in mind blogging. Sleep tracker, training metrics and the lightweight make this watch a full package of what you can truly desire. Also, it is one of the best smartwatches for travel.

• Premium GPS running/triathlon smartwatch with…
• Download songs to your watch, including playlists…
• Performance monitoring features include Vo2 Max…
• Garmin Pay contactless payment solution (available…

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6. Eco-Drive Promaster Diver Quartz Men’s Watch By Citizen 

SCUBA diving enthusiasts, here you go!!! This Citizen watch is 200m water-resistant and is the perfect wear for all sorts of marine activities.

Having luminous hands and markers, with the analog display can enable you to read the time how deep in water you are, or simply where you are.

The light-powered eco-drive is another breathtaking feature where the watch recharges itself continuously in any light for eternity. This is worth every penny you spend.

• Iconic Promaster watches with advanced functions…
• 3 Hand, Date
• Silver-Tone Stainless Steel
• Luminous Hands and Markers and Anti-Reflective…

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Too picky when it comes to choosing the color? This is the best automatic travel watch that best world travel watch offers you plenty of options. The Strap material made up of Silicone is what makes it more attractive.

The battery lasts for 14 days in smartwatch mode and the GPS navigation mode, it’s packed full of useful features (like the navigation and the ability to control Spotify) and yet it looks like a normal watch.

Having thermal, shock, and water resistance of 100m. It estimates your heart rate, activity and stress throughout the day, telling you how hard you work. Every feature makes this watch a must-buy!

• Solar charging capabilities allow you to extend…
• Rugged GPS Watch is water-rated to 100 meters and…
• Built-in 3-axis compass and barometric altimeter…
• Track your activities for running, biking,…

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8. Men’s 3051 EVO Navy SEAL Colormark Watch By Luminox

If you’re on the lookout to purchase an EVO navy seal color mark watch that’s as handsomely rugged as it is practical, you may want to consider that one.

The glow is peerless: you will see time no matter how dark it is outside, making it a remarkable feature.

Water-resistant to 200 m, suitable for professional marine activity [except scuba diving]. Its lightweight and durability add to the reasons why to buy this one.

• Officially licensed by the United States…
• Technical Specifications: 200 meters / 660 feet /…
• Lighting Technology: Blue & green Luminox Light…
• Details: Case diameter 44 mm, Case thickness 14…

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Everyone wants calmness and this fitness wristband watch provides this! Tracking all-day activities like steps taken, calories burned, floors climbed and active minutes helps you to find moments of calm throughout your day with personalized guided breathing sessions based on your heart rate.

You can also see call, text & calendar notifications on the OLED display on your wrist. A perfect guide for your everyday reminder!

• Pure Pulse continuous, automatic wrist-based heart…
• Maximize your workouts using simplified heart rate…
• See call, text & calendar notifications on the…
• Get a better understanding of your fitness level…

Also Read : 09 Best Portable Chargers For Travel To Make Your Life Easy On The Go

10. The Runwell Quartz Movement Blue Dial Men’s Watch By Shinola

Shinola, based in Detroit, has a growing fan base on both sides of the Atlantic, and travelers old and new will undoubtedly fall in love with the Runwell.

This analog watch has a classic design with a genuine leather band, as well as a large face that makes it easy to see whatever the lighting conditions are.

The sapphire crystal window is scratch-resistant, which is great for traveling, and the watch is water-resistant to 50 meters, which is plenty deep for a swim in the hotel pool !

This electric black watch counts your ascent or descent, measures your overall progress on a climb, and identifies your present elevation—making it perfect for mountaineers, skiers, and wilderness visitors.

Along with a Compass to navigate and pinpoint locations to safely find your way through the wilderness and in whiteout conditions.

Keeping a close eye on air pressure tends. Lightweight and 1-year battery life. This should be on your list if going to the mountains next time!

The Suunto Traverse Alpha combines a strong, high-quality design with a comprehensive array of outdoor functionality. With GPS/GLONASS navigation, it provides your companion in the wild, keeping you on course.

Specific hunting and fishing features, such as automatic shot detection, moon phase calendars, sunrise alerts, weather trend alerts, and red backlights for use at night, provide useful tools for your activity.

• Features a rugged, knurled stainless steel bezel,…
• Suunto’s automatic shot detection technology keeps…
• Gps tracks your path, helping you find your way…
• Location based moon Phase calendar with moon rise…

Along with estimates of your VO2 max and training status, advanced training elements like PacePro provide grade-adjusted pace guidance throughout your exercise.

The battery life in smart Watch mode is up to 14 days, in GPS and music mode is up to 10 hours, in expedition GPS activity mode is up to 28 days, and in battery saving, Watch mode is up to 48 days.

• Fit for performance with rugged, sophisticated…
• Advanced training features include PacePro for…
• Navigate the outdoors with preloaded TOPO maps,…
• Support for Garmin Pay contactless payments (not…

14. Nordgreen Pioneer Men’s Gun Metal Chronograph Watch

Our design is a simplified reflection of the characteristics and elegance of Copenhagen, where we are from. a constant push to do better.

Our objective is to provide customers with more than just a watch, but also a taste of inspiring Copenhagen, where enduring aesthetic value is combined with accuracy and usefulness.

• Minimalist Scandinavian designer watch designed by…
• 42mm Gun metal men’s Chronograph watch with a…
• Interchangeable black 20mm soft rubber watch band…
• Domed scratch resistant sapphire crystal glass in…

We hope you find this helpful and can find what you were looking for.

🙋🏻‍♀️ FAQs About Best Travel Watches

A lot of questions are asked by consumers when purchasing travel watches. The answers to a few frequently asked questions are provided here.

A. Yes, many travel watches come with varying degrees of water resistance. It’s crucial to check the specifications of each model to understand its capabilities.

A. While most travel watches are equipped to handle changes in air pressure, it’s advisable to check the manufacturer’s recommendations for air travel.

A. Yes, many travel watches feature multiple time zone settings, making them ideal companions for globetrotters.

A. While some travel watches have user-replaceable batteries, it’s recommended to have battery replacements done by professionals to ensure proper sealing and water resistance.

A. Yes, most reputable brands offer warranties on their travel watches. It’s essential to register your watch and adhere to the manufacturer’s guidelines for warranty coverage.

A. Consider factors like durability, features, and design that align with your travel style.

A. While not mandatory, they are recommended, especially for those engaging in water-related activities.

In the realm of travel, time is both a constant companion and a precious commodity. The Best Travel Watches seamlessly blend style, functionality, and durability, ensuring your journeys are not just measured in miles but in moments. Elevate your travel experience with the perfect companion strapped to your wrist.

Also, don’t forget to book your personalized holiday package with  Fiery Trippers . Let us make your vacation a romantic as well as a dreamy getaway.

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Rahul Siddharth

He is a dedicated travel writer with a wealth of 10 Years + experience that enriches his narratives. He holds a degree in Hospitality and Hotel Administration from IHM Dehradun, which he couples with hands-on expertise in the field. Drawing from his diverse experiences, Rahul's writings offer readers a captivating glimpse into the world of travel. Embark on a journey of exploration and inspiration with Rahul as your guide. Read More

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• 🥇Sports & Outdoor

10 Best Travel Watches

• August 22, 2022
• 12 minute read
• James Hampton-Smith

Preparing for a trip can be both a little scary and incredibly exciting. It’s not uncommon to walk around with that nagging feeling of having forgotten something, whether that be your cellphone, cellphone charger, wallet, deodorant. We all do it. That inevitable stress doesn’t go away just because we reach our travel destination either – suddenly we have to keep track of all those tours we’ve pre-booked.

We also want to make sure to wake up on time, and there’s so much more. But to avoid taking stress with us on our vacation, why not invest in a high-quality traveler watch? It’ll help you remember everything important. All you need to do is sit back and relax.

Travel watches can be incredibly useful when out in the world, which is why we have put together this product guide to help you find the best travel watch for you.

View The Best Travel Watch Below

1. garmin fenix 5x sapphire.

The Garmin Fenix 5X has a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal covering the large round dial, which in itself is a feature that indicates quality and durability. Inside the dial, surrounded by a stainless steel bezel, you have three smaller sub-dials, displaying altimeter, barometer, and gyroscope, complete with a three-axis compass.

It’s one of those products that can do it all; it has GPS and GLONASS thanks to built-in sensors, luminous hands, accurate time-telling, and much more to make it perfect for travelers. If that wasn’t enough, it’s also a Smartwatch! This means you can receive all your Smartphone notifications, such as social media and incoming phone calls, directly to your digital travel watch.

Pros: + Extended battery life + Multiple time zone options + Smartwatch features + Full-color TOPO mapping

Why We Like It – If you want adventure watches that can do it all, you’re going to love this black Smartwatch and all its traveling features. These are premium timepieces that fit both women and men.

2. Samsung Galaxy Active2 Watch

These travel watches are available in three different colors and with several watch bands and watch faces; You can pick the one that goes best with your personality and style. It’s water-resistant and rechargeable with a long battery life which can last over a day on a single charge. The heart rate monitor will alert you to any drastic drops or peaks in heart rate. This is a great field watch by Samsung .

Thanks to all the Smartwatch functions, and it can be paired both with both Android and iOS devices for your convenience. This sets it apart from the Apple Watch , which is only compatible with iOS devices. You can check your social media accounts to make sure you don’t miss anything while traveling, use GPS, Maps and more, and do it in style with this smart, water-resistant travel watch.

Pros: + Durable water-resistant construction + Compatible with both iOS and Android + Exchangeable strap and multiple colors + With stainless steel or aluminum

Why We Like It – The reliable pairing with both iOS and Android devices makes this digital watch one of the best travel watches for trips to populated areas, and when traveling to remote locations.

3. Casio ‘G-Shock’ Quartz Resin Sport Watch

This is a brand that has been around for a long time, offering excellent products often at an affordable price. The G-Shock has a large 48.5 mm resin case, which not only looks impressive but also makes for easy use when out on the road. It has a digital display and quartz movement, multiple alarms, afterglow EL backlight, a countdown timer, and an auto-calendar.

This Casio watch is a great option for the active traveler who needs a watch with a variety of sports features. These travel watches are water-resistant to 200 meters, and can be used for water sports, but not scuba diving. You can get the perfect field watch with time zones, a track function and compass all for a reasonable price.

Pros: + Large 48.5 millimeters resin case + 200-meter water resistance + Automatic movement and alarms + Daily alerts and email notifications

Why We Like It – With a digital travel watch like this, you get great features for outdoor sports and activities. The price is surprisingly low, considering everything you get for your money.

4. Samsung S3 Frontier Smartwatch with Bluetooth

It’s a massive advantage not having to pull out your smartphone every time you need something. With this digital watch , you can get travel tips, useful features, and turn it into the perfect travel gadget for your next trip once paired with either an iOS or Android device. It can also track your heart rate, map out travel routes and more, and the battery is strong enough to last for a whole day.

With impeccable military-grade performance, this travel watch won’t let you down. It has built-in GPS to help you navigate in unfamiliar locations, so you won’t waste time on routes that won’t get you anywhere, or worry about getting lost.

Pros: + Rotating steel bezel + Samsung Pay option + With military-grade performance + 380mAh Li-ion battery

Why We Like It – This Samsung S3 is a smartwatch with automatic movement and military-grade performance, which gives you excellent accuracy, and a sporty watch style you can’t say no to.

5. NIXON Regulus Watch

Add this sleek, stylish and sporty watch to your list of potential travel watches and let it surprise you with function after function, all there to aid you in whatever activity you decide to take part in. The watch has been made to withstand heat, cold, rain and more. It was designed after receiving valuable input from real U.S. Special Operations personnel, which sets it apart from pretty much all competing products.

You can set multiple time zones, list relevant alarms, use the light to see the dial at night and experience a watch that’s water-resistant. This watch is a style appropriate for the adventurous traveler – it has a looper lock strap that can be adjusted to fit any wrist. When you’re on the hunt for a travel watch, this black beauty is one you need to consider.

Pros: + Resistant to all the elements + Comfortable looper lock strap + 100-meter water resistance + With dual-chronograph

Why We Like It – The batter of this travel watch lasts for five years. It has water resistance down to 100 meters and is made to be durable enough to accompany you on trips and adventures.

6. Timex Ironman Essential Watch

Are you not loving the idea of a plain black watch? These Timex watches come in colors like orange, navy, blue, and yellow, giving you a unique opportunity to find a watch that properly fits your personality. Wear it with pride and make use of functions like the 100-hour chronograph, the Indiglo Light up watch dial, the stopwatch, a 10-lap memory, two time-zone options (set the time zone you’re currently in, and the time zone you’re traveling to).

You also get a digital clock, a calendar (complete with day, date and month), an easy-to-set alarm function and much more, and while this watch is comparable to the Timex Expedition, the Timex Ironman is even more apt for traveling and travel-related activities.

Pros: + Wide comfortable strap + Indiglo Light-Up Watch Dial + Two options with time zones + 100-hour chronograph

Why We Like It – Water-resistance is one of this watch’s top features. It has all the perks you would get with the Timex Expedition, at a surprisingly affordable price.

7. Tissot Analog Display Quartz Watch

Looking for something a little fancier? These watches suit a classier style, for anyone who likes to look their best while traveling. Instead of a strap, it has a gorgeous stainless steel bracelet that sits securely around your wrist. Sapphire crystal glass protects the dial. These durable watches come with dual time zones – perfect for traveling from one time zone to another.

They make the list of the best travel watches, thanks to the ultimate combination of style, design, price, tough construction, and accurate time-telling ability. If you plan to be traveling in the city, this master watch is a product you can wear whenever you feel like it, and for anything from a night out, to a fancy lunch date or a business meeting.

Pros: + 39mm diameter case + Reliable quartz movement + 330 feet water resistance + Stainless steel bracelet

Why We Like It – A travel watch can be a man or a woman’s best friend when traveling. If you want a watch that stands out and can be worn to any event, these watches have class.

8. SUUNTO Core Military Outdoor Sports Watch

For an adventurous soul who wants a watch that can be used for any activity, the SUUNTO Core is a watch you can’t go wrong with! These watches will track the movement of the sun, inform you of the weather, provide accurate barometer and altimeter and much more, making it the ultimate travel watch to wear the next time you book a train, plane or bus ticket.

You should always love the watch you wear. This isn’t hard with this sporty and unique design, and clever features to make sure your trip goes as smoothly as possible. This watch can prevent you from getting lost if you’re into outdoor challenges.

Pros: + Barometer for air pressure trends + Altimeter to measure elevation + With weather trend graph + Suunto core weather tracking

Why We Like It – This watch can do it all; it has an altimeter, barometer, weather trend graph and many other things. It’s easy to start using, even when you have never used a sports watch like this before.

9. Fitbit Charge 2 Heart rate and Fitness Wristband

Traveling can mean so many different things depending on who you ask. For some, a good trip is doing something physical like hiking or backpacking in an exotic location. If you’re interested in fitness and training when you travel, then perhaps a Fitbit fitness tracker should be at the top of your list.

These Fitbit watches are made to show you everything you need to know in regards to your health. It tracks your sleep automatically, showing you how many times you wake up, how long it took to fall back asleep, whether you rested properly, etc. It also has a special tracking feature for women, providing you with important information and updates regarding your period, ovulation and more.

Pros: + Automatic sleep tracking + Female health tracking + Fitness guidance and tips + Lightweight and small in size

Why We Like It – These watches come at a reasonable price and are perfect for anyone who enjoys sports and active holidays. The lightweight design makes them easy to wear for hours at a time.

10. Swatch Once Again White Dial Watch

There’s something very modern about this 33mm plastic watch. It’s perfect for the travel enthusiast who wants a lightweight watch with largely visible Arabic numerals. The round white dial creates a nice contrast with the black details. There’s a date window right there at 3 o’clock to keep track of important dates throughout your travels.

It’s water-resistant to 30 meters, meaning it is fine to spill water on it, but you should not take this watch with you when you go swimming on your next vacation. Swatch is a highly respected watchmaker, and these watches are guaranteed to keep up with your globetrotter lifestyle!

Pros: + Quartz movement with analog display + Plastic wristband with buckle closure + Large easy-to-read Arabic numerals + Durable plastic dial window

Why We Like It – You will love these watches if you’re someone who wants basic functions at an affordable price . These watches are also water-resistant to protect them from the elements.

Travel Watch Buyers Guide

The first thing you’ll want to ask yourself is what matters the most to you when you’re traveling? Do you want a simple and lightweight travel watch to help you keep track of time, or are you looking for something a little more sophisticated, with fitness tracking, GPS, or a compass? Do you fancy a diver watch , or perhaps a classy timepiece with a leather strap?

Knowing what you’ll be using your travel watch for will make it easier for you to find the best one for your personal needs. This buyer’s guide will make it a little easier to find your ideal watch, by providing you with useful tips in regards to what to look for.

If you travel frequently to parts of your own country, or to another part of the world where there’s another time-zone, you could benefit from purchasing a travel watch with dual-time, which means it has two time-zone options. These watches are often referred to as GMT watches . They’re great for cross-continent traveling.

A watch like this can work in a few different ways, but analog watches will usually have two hourly hands to simultaneously show time in both zones, and that way you don’t have to get confused when you land, or when you want to make a phone call to someone back home, etc. etc. Instead, you get the best possible coverage no matter where you are traveling to or where you are coming from, so consider getting a dual-time watch if you enjoy being out and about.

Fitness Tracker

Want to keep track of your fitness and health while out there? This is useful if you just want to know how far you’ve walked while sightseeing, if you enjoy counting your steps, or if you want to monitor your heart rate or sleep. It could be for someone who engages regularly in more extreme fitness activities like climbing, hiking, and biking while traveling.

If you want to make the best of your active travel holiday, you need your new travel gear to have a fitness tracker (such as the Apple Watch or a Fitbit), and you will find a variety of models offering this useful feature.

Battery Life

It’s not unusual to be out for hours at a time when you’re traveling, and you don’t want your watch to run out of battery-time while you are busy doing something fun. This could have negative consequences when you’re traveling, as you could easily miss a flight, be late for a booked activity, or miss an important work appointment.

Whenever you plan to use a watch for traveling, make sure you check the product specifications to see how much battery-time you get on a single charge and use that information to determine whether it’s the best option for your needs.

When looking for the best deal, it’s also a question of how much you want to pay. Not everyone has hundreds of dollars to spend on a watch, and that’s okay! The good news is that there are great alternatives available in all price classes, and it’s possible to get the best functions for a reasonable price.

You might notice that the more things you can do with your watch, the pricier it gets, but this is more of a tendency than an actual rule. One thing’s for sure – you should never settle for anything but the best, regardless of how big or small your budget is. That’s why we have included a variety of options in this review, to make sure there is something for everyone.

Does it matter what the watch looks like when you travel?

When choosing the best watch for your trip, consider where you’re going and what you’ll be doing. If you’re going to an area with a high risk of theft, choosing a more discrete watch might be a good option, but other than that, you should choose a watch that you like, since you’ll probably be wearing it for hours at a time.

Is it important for a travel watch to be water-resistant?

Traveling often means spending a lot of time outdoors, especially when you’re traveling in big city environments, as sightseeing tends to be done outside. This means you run the risk of being caught in unexpected rain. A water-resistant watch will make sure that’s is the least of your concerns, so you can continue enjoying your holiday and laughing about the fact that you got wet.

Having a good watch when you travel is something you might have never thought about, but once it sits there on your wrist, you’ll quickly discover the many benefits. The battery of a watch tends to last much longer than that of a phone, so your travel watch could become your lifeline when trying to find your way using GPS, or when you need to set alarms to keep track of important things like flight times and departures.

There are thousands of watches out there to choose from, so you want to make sure you pick the best one. Hopefully, this guide will have given you the tools you need in order to find the perfect travel watch for your next big adventure. Having a good watch is so much more than just a fashion statement, and it has the potential of making your traveling experiences a lot more enjoyable.

Make sure you keep your travel watch clean and in top condition, as this will prolong its overall lifespan, so you can enjoy your traveling timepiece to the maximum.

Did You Know

Watches have been used for traveling since they were first invented, but a modern travel watch can do so much more for you with modern features like heart rate monitoring and GPS.

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The 8 Best Travel Watches: Your Perfect Time Companions!

• July 29, 2023

Join us as we explore the best travel watches available today. We’ll discuss the key factors to consider when buying one and provide you with a curated list of top-notch options that combine style, functionality, and durability.

Did you know that in 2019, over 1.4 billion people traveled internationally? Whether you’re a frequent globetrotter or just planning your dream vacation, having the right accessories is essential for a smooth journey.

Get ready to embark on your next adventure with the perfect travel companion!

Key Takeaways

• Travel watches are essential accessories for travelers, offering convenience and additional features such as multiple time zone displays and alarms.
• Consider factors such as the material (stainless steel, titanium, canvas), the purpose of travel (business or outdoor), water resistance, durability, and personal style preferences.
• Travel watches should be durable, withstand harsh conditions, and offer accuracy and precision, especially for tracking multiple time zones.
• Some recommended options include SUUNTO Core, Amazfit Cheetah, Garmin Instinct 2 Solar, Fitbit Sense 2, and Garmin Fenix 7 Sapphire Solar, each offering unique features and capabilities.

Table of Contents

Things to consider when buying a travel watch.

First, think about the material of the watch. Stainless steel or titanium are great options for durability and style.

Also, consider the purpose of your travels – do you need a watch for business meetings or outdoor adventures?

Next, water resistance is important if you encounter any unexpected water activities.

Lastly, check the durability and accuracy of the watch to ensure it can withstand different climates and time zones.

When considering the material, two popular options are stainless steel and titanium cases. Stainless steel watches are known for their strength and resistance to corrosion, making them ideal for frequent travelers.

On the other hand, titanium cases offer a lightweight yet sturdy option that is also rust-resistant. Apart from these options, steel cases are also available, which provide a classic look with added durability.

For those seeking a casual or sporty style, canvas, and plastic watches can be great choices as they offer flexibility and comfort. If you prefer a touch of elegance, gold and silver watches are perfect for both luxury and casual occasions.

Ultimately, when selecting a watch based on its material, it’s essential to consider your personal style preferences, desired features, and durability.

Water Resistance

Water resistance is an important consideration when buying a travel watch  Water resistance is indeed an important consideration when purchasing a travel watch. Here are a few reasons why:

1. Outdoor activities: When traveling, you might engage in various outdoor activities such as swimming, snorkeling, or water sports. A water-resistant watch ensures it remains functional and unaffected by water exposure, preventing potential damage. 2. Weather conditions: Weather conditions can be unpredictable during travel. Sudden rain showers or accidentally getting your watch wet can happen. A water-resistant watch keeps it safe from water damage and ensures accurate timekeeping. 3. Durability: Water resistance is usually an indicator of a watch’s overall durability. Watches that withstand water exposure are generally built with more robust materials and construction. This durability helps them withstand potential impacts or drops while traveling, making them more reliable and long-lasting.

Altimeter or Barometer

If you’re an adventure seeker who loves exploring the great outdoors, having an altimeter or barometer on your wrist can be incredibly useful. Not only will it help you navigate through different terrains, but it will also provide you with important weather information.

When searching for the best travel watch, consider these options:

• Altimeter: This feature measures your altitude, which is crucial when hiking or climbing mountains.
• Barometer: A barometer tracks changes in atmospheric pressure and can predict weather patterns.
• Fitness wristband watch: A fitness wristband watch with altimeter/barometer capabilities is an excellent choice for those who prioritize fitness tracking alongside outdoor adventures. Consider the high-quality offerings from Garmin or Fitbit.

Overall, having an altimeter or barometer on your favorite travel watch ensures you stay prepared and informed during your explorations.

Best Travel Watches

If you’re looking for the best travel watch options, there are several top contenders to consider.

The SUUNTO Core, Amazfit Cheetah, and Garmin Instinct 2 Solar are all excellent choices for outdoor enthusiasts with their durable designs and advanced features.

For fitness-focused travelers, the Fitbit Sense 2 and Garmin Fenix 7 Sapphire Solar offer a wide range of health-tracking capabilities to keep you on top of your wellness goals while on the go.

SUUNTO Core

Embrace the adventure with the Suunto Core, your compass to exploration and connection with nature. This imported classic outdoor sports watch combines intelligent features with a durable design, making it the perfect companion for hiking, biking, camping, and other outdoor activities.

With its Storm Alarm, Altimeter, Barometer, and compass, you can stay prepared for any weather conditions or changes in altitude. The Suunto Core also offers dual times, date display, alarm functions, and predicted times for sunrise and sunset. It even has a depth meter accurate up to 30 feet, making it suitable for swimming and diving adventures.

• Suunto Core: This classic outdoor sports watch is packed with intelligent features like a Storm…
• Essential for Adventure: This watch has dual times, date display, and alarm, plus predicted times…
• Suunto Sports Watches: Versatile and durable, Suunto sports watches are great for running, swimming,…

Product Specs:

• Storm Alarm
• Date display
• Alarm functions
• Predicted sunrise and sunset times
• Depth meter accurate up to 30 feet
• Versatile and durable design
• Tracks sports, daily activity, and sleep
• Easy access to important information such as sunrise and sunset times
• Readable display in bright light or low light with backlight
• Some users may not prefer silicone watch band
• Concerns about battery replacement and warranty support

Amazfit Cheetah

The Amazfit Cheetah is a lightweight smartwatch designed specifically for runners. It features advanced GPS technology called MaxTrack, which ensures accurate tracking even in dense cities or areas with tall buildings and high trees. This makes it perfect for navigating bustling city streets or lush forest trails.

One of the standout features of the Amazfit Cheetah is its personalized AI-powered Running Coach, known as the Zepp Coach. This coach generates customized running plans based on your current level, target race type and date, and race goal. It provides a tailored training program to help you reach your running goals.

In addition to its GPS and running coach capabilities, the Amazfit Cheetah offers precise route navigation and offline maps. You can download color maps from the Zepp App, giving you a detailed understanding of your surroundings. This is especially useful when exploring new running routes or traveling to unfamiliar locations.

The watch’s BioTracker PPG optical sensor is another notable feature. It accurately monitors heart rate, blood-oxygen levels, stress levels, and sleep quality. This comprehensive health and fitness monitoring capability lets you track your progress and make informed decisions about your training and recovery.

The Amazfit Cheetah has a streamlined and lightweight design, making it comfortable to wear during runs. It is made with durable fiber-reinforced polymer material, ensuring its longevity and resistance to wear and tear.

• MaxTrack: Industry-leading GPS Technology: Amazfit’s dual-band circularly-polarized GPS antenna…
• Personalized AI-powered Running Coach: The Zepp Coach harnesses the power of AI to provide…
• Precise Route Navigation and Offline Maps: With this sport watch, you’ll always know where to run….

Overall, the Amazfit Cheetah offers accurate GPS tracking, customized running plans, detailed route navigation, and comprehensive health and fitness monitoring capabilities. Its lightweight design adds to its appeal for runners. However, it’s worth noting that some users have reported inaccurate heart rate readings during exercise if not checked frequently.

Garmin Instinct 2 Solar

The Garmin Instinct 2 Solar offers a wide range of features, making it a versatile option for outdoor enthusiasts. It has solar charging, which provides unlimited battery life as long as you wear it all day with 3 hours of direct sunlight. The watch also has dedicated tactical features like Jumpmaster activity and waypoint projection, making it suitable for military or adventure use. It has a built-in 3-axis compass and barometric altimeter with multiple global navigation satellite systems for accurate positioning information. The Instinct 2 Solar also provides comprehensive health monitoring features such as heart rate tracking, sleep analysis, and Pulse Ox measurement.

• Go longer than ever with solar charging that gives you unlimited battery life in smartwatch mode…
• Battery life: in smartwatch mode, unlimited with solar charging in 3 hours of direct sunlight…
• Dedicated tactical features include Jumpmaster activity, waypoint projection, dual-position GPS…
• Solar charging for unlimited battery life
• Dedicated tactical features
• All-day health monitoring
• Built-in compass and altimeter
• Multiple global navigation satellite systems
• Solar charging capability
• Tactical features for military or adventure use
• Comprehensive health monitoring functions
• Potential inaccuracy in heart rate and sleep measurements

Fitbit Sense 2

Immerse yourself in a world of advanced health and fitness with the Fitbit Sense 2. This smartwatch effortlessly tracks your stress levels, heart rate, sleep patterns, and daily activity.

The Fitbit Sense 2 offers all-day stress detection with cEDA technology. It provides a daily Stress Management Score to help you better understand and manage your stress levels. The ECG app allows for assessing atrial fibrillation, and irregular heart rhythm notifications keep you informed about potential issues.

You can easily monitor your overall well-being with SpO2 measurement and a health metrics dashboard. The Fitbit Sense 2 also features personalized sleep profiles, daily sleep stages, and a Sleep Score to help improve your sleep quality.

Stay connected with on-wrist Bluetooth calls, texts, phone notifications, customizable clock faces, and even make payments with Fitbit Pay. The built-in GPS and workout intensity maps make this watch perfect for tracking outdoor activities.

Other features of the Fitbit Sense 2 include an Active Zone Minutes tracker for optimal exercise intensity and water resistance up to 50 meters.

• Learn to manage stress, sleep better and live healthier with Sense 2—our most advanced health and…
• Manage stress and live healthier: all-day stress detection with cEDA and daily Stress Management…
• Measure and improve sleep quality: personalized Sleep Profile(5), daily sleep stages & Sleep Score,…
• Advanced health and fitness smartwatch
• All-day stress detection with cEDA technology
• ECG app for atrial fibrillation assessment
• Irregular heart rhythm notifications
• SpO2 measurement
• Health metrics dashboard
• Personalized Sleep Profile
• Daily sleep stages and Sleep Score
• Smart wake alarm and do not disturb mode
• Built-in GPS and workout intensity map
• Accurate tracking of stress levels, heart rate, sleep patterns, and activity
• Comprehensive health metrics dashboard
• Personalized sleep profiles for improved rest
• On-wrist Bluetooth calls, texts, and phone notifications
• Customizable clock faces
• Water resistant up to 50 meters
• Limited options for custom watch faces
• Difficulty in setting timers/alarms
• It lacks some slick features compared to other smartwatches

Garmin Fenix 7 Sapphire Solar

The Garmin Fenix 7 Sapphire Solar offers advanced performance tracking with built-in sports apps and 24/7 health monitoring, making it a reliable companion for fitness enthusiasts. With over 30 built-in sports apps, you can easily track your workouts and monitor your progress. The watch also features 24/7 wrist-based heart rate monitoring, Pulse Ox (not available in all countries), stress tracking, and enhanced sleep tracking, ensuring a comprehensive view of your overall health and wellness.

In addition to its fitness features, the Fenix 7 Sapphire Solar is equipped with outdoor navigation capabilities. For accurate positioning, it supports multi-band frequency and GNSS networks (GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo). The watch also comes preloaded with TopoActive maps and maps for thousands of golf courses and ski resorts worldwide.

Other notable features include smart notifications, music storage, Garmin Pay contactless payments (in supported countries), and built-in Wi-Fi for easy map downloads without a computer. Its durable design features a scratch-resistant Power Sapphire lens and mineral blue DLC titanium color scheme with a Whitestone band; the Fenix 7 Sapphire Solar is both functional and stylish.

• Long-running solar powered multisport GPS watch with scratch-resistant Power Sapphire lens and…
• Battery performance: in smartwatch mode, up to 18 days while indoors or up to 22 days with solar…
• Take your training to the next level with endurance and real-time stamina tracking, training status,…
• Product Dimensions: 1.85 x 1.85 x 0.57 inches
• Item Weight: 2.56 ounces
• Battery Performance: Up to 18 days in smartwatch mode or up to 22 days with solar charging; Up to 57 hours in GPS mode or up to 73 hours with solar charging
• Extensive sports app selection
• Comprehensive health monitoring features
• Accurate outdoor navigation capabilities
• Preloaded maps for various activities
• Durable design
• Limited availability of Pulse Ox feature in certain countries
• Relatively small display size compared to other smartwatches
• Pricey compared to other fitness watches

Citizen Men’s Promaster Air Skyhawk Eco-Drive

Now, let’s shift our focus to another contender for the title of the best travel watch – the Citizen Men’s Promaster Air Skyhawk Eco-Drive. While the previous subtopic highlighted the impressive features of the Garmin Fenix 7 Sapphire Solar, we’ll explore what sets the Promaster Air Skyhawk apart this time.

This watch is a true standout with its renowned craftsmanship and advanced technology. The Eco-Drive technology ensures you’ll never have to worry about replacing batteries, as it harnesses power from any light source. Additionally, its titanium construction makes it incredibly lightweight and comfortable for extended wear during your travels.

One aspect worth noting is that setting the time can be challenging without instructions. However, with online resources readily available, mastering this process becomes much more manageable.

• Modern, pilot-inspired Promaster timepieces equipped for professional use to discover the world from…
• Synchronized to Atomic Time Clock for Superior Accuracy, Atomic Timekeeping Technology with…
• Black Stainless Steel

Now let’s delve into the specifications, pros, and cons of the Citizen Men’s Promaster Air Skyhawk Eco-Drive:

• Eco-Drive technology
• Titanium construction
• Lightweight and comfortable to wear
• Self-setting feature within half an hour
• Outstanding craftsmanship
• Challenging to set without instructions initially

SEIKO Dress Watch (Model: SSG021)

The SEIKO Dress Watch effortlessly combines style and functionality with its sleek design and advanced features. The black dial with blue accents gives it a modern and sophisticated look, while the angular black ion finish stainless steel case adds a touch of elegance.

This luxury watch is visually appealing and highly practical for travelers. Powered by light energy, you don’t have to worry about changing batteries, and the watch automatically receives radio signals to adjust time and calendar, ensuring accuracy wherever you go. Additionally, once fully charged, the 6-month power reserve provides peace of mind during long trips.

The integrated black bracelet offers comfort during wear, while the sapphire crystal and cabochon crown enhance durability. With a water resistance of up to 100 meters, this watch can withstand various travel activities.

• BLACK DIAL: this men’s watch features a bold, black dial, two-tone stainless steel watch case and…
• LUMIBRITE HANDS & MARKERS: never struggle to tell the time in low light conditions, with LumiBrite…
• RADIO SYNC SOLAR CHRONOGRAPH: this Seiko chronograph watch automatically receives radio signals to…
• Case Diameter: 44.5mm
• Features chronograph, radio signal reception display, power reserve indicator, date calendar
• LumiBrite hands and markers
• Stylish design with black dial and blue accents
• Powered by light energy with no need for battery change
• Automatically adjusts time and calendar through radio signals
• Long-lasting power reserve of up to six months
• Inadequate packaging from Amazon lacks collision protection

TAG Heuer Formula 1

Now that we’ve discussed the SEIKO Dress Watch, let’s move on to the TAG Heuer Formula 1, another great option.

This stainless steel timepiece offers a sleek, durable design that can withstand various outdoor activities. Its water resistance of up to 200 meters makes it suitable for marine activities and surface water sports. The luminous hour markers and date display ensure easy readability even in low light conditions. The scratch-resistant glass bezel adds to its durability, while the Swiss quartz movement ensures accurate timekeeping.

• Stainless steel watch with unidirectional black bezel and dial with luminous hour markers and date…
• 41 mm stainless steel case with synthetic-sapphire dial window
• Swiss quartz movement with analog display

Now, let’s take a closer look at the TAG Heuer Formula 1:

• Stainless steel case with synthetic-sapphire dial window
• Rubber band with buckle closure
• Water resistant to 200 m (660 ft)
• Good entry-level TAG watch
• Decent size and quality
• Scratch-resistant glass bezel
• It comes in a nice box
• The rubberized strap may not be as durable as a steel strap
• The band is slightly less than 20mm, limiting replacement options

Matt Francis

Hi, I'm Matt Francis. A digital nomad, blogger, web developer and all-around good egg! I am the brains (and brawn) behind Everyday Ape. My website features a wide range of topics, with a focus on travelling and working online.

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The 10 Best Watches for Travelers

Caroline Morse Teel

Caroline Morse Teel is the Executive Editor for SmarterTravel Media. Caroline has a passion for adventure travel and has hiked to the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro and the bottom of the Grand Canyon in pursuit of a good story. Follow her around the world on Instagram @TravelWithCaroline .

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This story is sponsored by eBay.

Whether you want to keep track of two time zones at once, measure your depth while scuba diving, check your route while hiking, or simply look stylish and well-accessorized, the right watch is an essential travel item. 

However, finding a legitimate watch online for a great price can be harder than snagging a cheap flight deal. You can shell out tons of money, but with knockoffs everywhere, how do you know that your watch is the real deal? The simple answer: get your watch on eBay , where you can search for watches that are covered by eBay’s amazing Authenticity Guarantee . 

Filter your search for watches that have eBay’s Authenticity Guarantee badge, and you can order with the peace of mind that you’re getting the real thing. Here’s how the process works: the seller ships the watch to independent experts who verify the watch through a multipoint inspection that looks at the movement, crown, bezel, dial, case, clasp/buckle, hands, end links, serial numbers, and more. The inspector then issues a NFC-enabled card that is included with the watch to prove the authenticity and ships the watch directly to you.

The Best Authenticity Guaranteed Watches for Travelers

Omega seamaster.

If you want a watch that you can wear on the beach and also out to a nice dinner, look no further than the Omega Seamaster . This classic timepiece has an eye-catching blue face with a subtle wave design that will go with any outfit. It’s also functional for outdoor activities like diving thanks to the helium escape valve, unidirectional rotating bezel, and screw-in crown.

Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date GMT-Master II

The original Rolex GMT-Master line was designed with Pan American Airways and worn as part of the crew uniform on long-haul flights. The newer GMT-Master II model features an adjustable hour hand that can be set to local time, so you can keep track of the time both at home and at your destination. 

Rolex Yacht-Master Watch

There may be a worldwide Rolex shortage , but you can find plenty of options from this iconic brand at eBay, all for a great price. The Rolex Yacht-Master is a classic for a reason , with an easy-to-read face and streamlined design. This model is available with eBay’s Authenticity Guarantee and will save you over $4,500 compared to buying new. 

Patek Philippe Complications Annual Calendar White Gold Mens Watch

For a splurge that won’t look out of place in the first-class cabin, Patek Philippe’s Complications watch is the best luxury watch for travelers. The stunning enamel dial center displays a map of Europe, Africa, and the Americas. Simply push a button and you can display two time zones at once, to help you stay on top of your jet lag. 

The Best Affordable Watches for Travelers

The apple watch series 6.

The Apple Watch Series 6 puts some serious tech on your wrist. On the Series 6, you can get real-time flight alerts, translate a conversation, and check walking directions, all without you having to dig out your phone. 

The Apple Watch makes a great adventure partner. It’s water-resistant so you can wear it while swimming or boating, it can track miles and your route while you hike, and it can even detect if you’ve taken a hard fall and connect you to emergency services if needed. 

Citizen Eco-Drive Elektra Women’s Crystal Silver-Tone Watch

When your phone is dead and you’re far from a charger, Citizen’s Eco-Drive Elektra watch will still be able to tell you the time. This beautiful timepiece is solar-powered and doesn’t require a battery. This model features gorgeous sapphire crystals to add a touch of sparkle to any look. 

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Citizen Eco-Drive Promaster Diver Date Display 

Looking for an affordable, stylish, and functional dive watch? Citizen’s Eco-Drive Promaster Diver checks all the boxes. This solar-powered watch will never need a battery (so no need to worry about finding a charger or extra battery while you’re traveling). ISO rated for depths up to 200 meters, this watch will show you the date, time, and how long you’ve been in the water at a glance.

Garmin Fenix 6 Multisport GPS Watch

No matter how far you venture into the backcountry, you’ll never get lost as long as you have Garmin’s Fenix 6 Multisport watch on your wrist. This watch uses multiple global navigation satellite systems to track in places that are too remote for regular GPS. No access to electricity? Put the Fenix 6 in expedition mode and it will run for weeks without a charge. 

In addition to finding your way in nature, the Fenix 6 is great for urban travels, with the ability to send and receive text messages, tap-to-pay, sleep monitoring, and hydration tracking. 

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Bulova Classic Women’s Quartz Silver-Tone Bangle Watch

Bulova’s Classic watch has a sleek and understated design that will look elegant without calling attention to you while traveling. The simple black enamel face features four simple metalized crystal dashes to mark the time. The link bangle bracelet is comfortable to wear and can be easily adjusted for a custom fit. 

Splurge vs. Steal: The Best Travel Gifts at Every Budget (from $11 to $2,200)

Casio G-Shock G-Steel Tough Solar Connected Watch

Need a watch that can withstand anything? Made from a lightweight and extremely durable carbon steel, the Casio G-Shock G-Steel is nearly indestructible. This watch features G-Shock’s powerful shock resistance and can even be connected to your smartphone via Bluetooth. 

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Top 10 Watches For Traveling

When it comes to categorizing watches, we tend to organize them by the strict purposes their styles were originally meant for. That translates into a world of dive watches, pilot watches, racing watches, formal watches, business watches, etc… A category that only loosely exists in the traditional sense but that is nevertheless extremely important is “travel watches.” What is a travel watch? Well, traditionally, a pocket watch was the original travel watch because it was designed to be portable. More recently, the travel watch has been a more ambiguous category of watches that serve travelers with a range of needs both functional and fashionable.

The question we seek to answer in this article is “what are the elements of a good watch to wear while traveling?” Of course, the answer depends on where you are going, but you’ll see a lot of commonalities between these watches despite there being many different types of timepieces that would nevertheless be good to travel with.

You’ll also find a lot of watches that advertise themselves as being “ideal for traveling” that we don’t include here. Why not include every potential type of travel watch in this list? When it comes down to it, we are rather demanding of what our travel watches should do and how various things like the fragility (or complexity) of a movement balances out a watch’s overall design and utility. That means some timepieces meant for travel might simply be too delicate and/or difficult to use to be truly relied on.

I’d also like to debunk the myth that all traveler’s watches need to have complications in addition to the time. With today’s technology at our fingertips, there is little reason to absolutely rely on your wrist watch to know the time in many different time zones. If you are a modern traveler, you are going to have a phone and other electronic devices which are going to be a lot better at tracking various time zones with ease. That doesn’t mean all “traveler-centric” watch complications aren’t useful, but rather that the totality of a watch’s design and functional value should be taken into consideration, and it also means that a lot of watches which only tell the time can make for excellent travel watches if they do other things well.

Are you the type of person who travels with just one watch, or do you bring a small collection with you? This latter approach can help enhance your wrist wearing options but can also be a safety liability when it comes to loss or theft. Some people love to travel with a few watches (sometimes more), but many others like to rely on just one timepiece to get them through a trip.

The most important thing we can say about the top travel watch choices is that they need to be versatile in both functionality and style. Think about it, the watch you are traveling with potentially needs to work well on your wrist while on a plane, while wearing a suit at a meeting, casually out to dinner, and potentially for sports activities or being outdoors. It isn’t impossible, but it sure is tough to find a watch that satisfies each of these needs. Few can, but it is important to consider everything you might require of a timepiece while you are away from home base.

In reality, there is no absolute top 10 list of travel watches, but rather, we are including a cross-section of timepieces that will serve a lot of important needs while you are traveling and that you’ll find handy in a range of situations. Watches similar in style or design to these “archetype choices” will also likely serve you well.

Before we get to the watches, I want to talk a bit about useful features and complications that should appeal to travelers. No single watch has everything, but many watches combine a lot of important elements that you (within the subjective reality of your needs) should be looking for.

The most important thing to ask yourself is what the most demanding situation will be that you’d like to wear your watch during. Maybe the flight and airport journey is the most demanding activity your travel watch will be subjected to, or perhaps, you plan on going hiking, diving, or just want to exercise with your watch. Most people who do more simple things like working out at a gym or running can get away with simply taking their watch off, but if you are planning a trip out into the wilderness, you might decide that wearing your timepiece is enjoyable, useful, and perhaps, safe.

Thus, you’ll need at least one watch suitable for wear during these activities. Of course, not all trips involve leisure time like this, but then again, people travel for different reasons. If you are a serious outdoors person, then you probably aren’t going to assume that your sporty beater watch will be the same timepiece to rely on when in a meeting with business colleagues. So the hikers, divers, and all-around adventurers are better off with a dedicated activity watch, and one to wear when you get “cleaned up.”

Also, a few thoughts on safety. Depending on where you travel, having an expensive watch might be a liability (or an asset). Perhaps, the number one biggest concern most travelers with nice watches have is “I don’t want to be a target for crime.” That’s true; in certain parts of the world you don’t really want to be traveling with an item that makes you any more susceptible to being discreetly robbed or even violently mugged. If you are traveling to a more dangerous part of the world, please consider how showy your timepiece is and how your overall look may communicate your likelihood to be wearing expensive things.

At the same time, having an expensive watch in certain parts of the world can be an asset in emergency situations. A great brand to mention now is Rolex. People have said in the past that if you have a half-way decent Rolex watch pretty much anywhere in the world, you should be able to relatively readily “exchange it” for a trip home in the event you are in an emergency situation. This, of course, isn’t a universal rule, and doesn’t work with all watches in all places. Nevertheless, if you have a quality watch from a popular brand such as Rolex (and especially Rolex), there is a high likelihood that people even in remote places will recognize its value and either give you cash or services in exchange for it if you find yourself in a pickle. Whether those same people just steal the watch from you without offering fair value is really going to depend on how well the individual person gauges the situation.

In order to sum up a list of the top 10 watches for traveling, I’ve decided to list and explain a watch style archetype and then mention a specific brand and model that fits in really well to that archetype. These examples are by no means the only good travel watches out there, but it was important for me to at least generally explain the types of watches that we feel make for the best travel timepieces.

The Classic Sporty GMT: Rolex GMT-Master II

While many timepieces (including other watches in this list) fall into this category, the Rolex GMT-Master II (review here) is probably the gold standard in luxury GMT sport watches. Good looking, durable, and with a great history, few watches really capture the sheer versatility and functionality of this classic sports watch, as well as the depth of its appeal.

On a basic level, the GMT second time zone hand offers the time elsewhere in a 24-hour format. That means you have the local time and a “reference time” to know (for example) what time it is back home. GMT sport watches like the Rolex GMT-Master II are also fashionably versatile. Sure, it looks like a slightly different version of the Submariner dive watch, but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. From a fashion perspective, there is little you can’t wear this watch with, and it should stand up to activity and abuse, as well as cleaning up nicely for dressier occasions. While it can’t do everything, you will be surprised at how much use you can get out of just one watch while traveling with a Rolex GMT-Master II or something similar to it.

Modern Analog Satellite Watch: Seiko Astron Chronograph

How modern satellite-controlled electronic watches like the Seiko Astron will fare during the age of the smartwatch is unclear – but right now, there is nothing in the smartwatch camp that even comes close to the universal appeal (and application) for the Seiko Astron Chronograph (hands-on here) . Perhaps the most important things to point out are, first, that the battery inside the Astron is charged by light, so you don’t really need to worry about a battery dying; and second, that the watch itself connects to satellites to update the current time and time zone on your watch automatically. Thus, you don’t need to worry about a dead battery in most instances, and you also don’t need to rely on a host device.

Seiko’s Astron Chronograph adds a chronograph complication which makes it very handy to time travel legs such as flights to predict travel times. Chronographs are actually really useful when traveling, so it isn’t a bad idea to look for travel watches that do have chronograph complications. Designed to have some dressy appeal, the Astron Chronograph doesn’t look like your typical nerdy gadget watch – which makes it even more attractive as a sole travel watch. Better yet, its real value of knowing the time anywhere via direct connection to GPS signals means it will shine the most when you are the furthest from civilization.

Business World Time Chronograph: Girard-Perregaux ww.tc Chronograph

While “world time” watches are designed for traveling, there aren’t too many of those types of watches on this list. That is because I am going to lump them all in this category since, in essence, they operate the same way using a disc such as this or various windows that allow you to see the time in multiple time zones. Let me first say that this complication is in fact very useful and available on a host of watches. I actually like this complication mixed with a chronograph so that you can get the benefit from a world timer with a touch of extra added utility.

One of the more popular chronograph world time watches is the Girard-Perregaux ww.tc (hands-on here) which has been offered in a range of styles over the last several years. Using an in-house made movement focusing on dress elegance and contemporary style, these make great solo travel watches for those who nevertheless like to keep track of the time in various cities. In other words, as a travel watch, a timepiece such as a world time chronograph has the most relevant complications specifically designed for travel and will prove useful on the wrists of many travelers.

All-Purpose Professional’s Watch: Rolex Day-Date 40

If all you really want is a prestigious business/professional watch that doesn’t need specific travel functions, then a great place to begin is the Rolex Day-Date 40 (hands-on here) . On the negative side, this isn’t the most original choice in the world, and it will make you a target for crime in the wrong parts of the world. On the plus side, a watch like the Rolex “President” is universally known as a sign of success and in emergency situations can be traded for a lot of value.

While there is certainly a more “mature” slant to the design and fashionable appeal of the Rolex Day-Date 40, it has been known to work with anything from a suit to most any business to classy casual attire. Use your phone and gadgets for all the more complicated information, and a Rolex Day-Date 40 or other all-purpose professionals’ watch as a solid choice for a sole travel watch if most of your travels takes you on paved roads and into climate controlled rooms.

Luxury Dive Watch On Rubber Strap: Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean GMT

You might dismiss a luxury dive watch on a rubber or NATO-style strap as too casual or not totally appropriate for all travel situations. You’d be right. If you are traveling and expect to be in a suit most of the time, your sports watch on a colorful strap might not be a good idea. If, however, you are going on vacation or to a more tropical environment, this can be an excellent choice. Rubber straps really shine in tropical environments or any place where it is hot and you are likely to sweat. Maybe you’ll also end up taking this watch into the water or off the beaten path – which is something it is certainly designed for.

There is, honestly, a huge assortment of dive watches on rubber straps with good choices starting from just a few hundred dollars. Since we are talking about “ideal” choices, we might as also go with a luxury watch. The Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean is at heart a solid dive watch with a sleek design and a range of versions. The Omega Planet Ocean GMT (review here) happens to also have a second time zone complication, making it an even better travel watch – but the GMT element is optional. The point here is to have a good looking sport watch designed to be comfortable in warmer environments that nevertheless communicates that the wearer has some taste and is perhaps a “watch guy.”

World Time Casual Business Watch With Prestigious Name Value: Patek Philippe Calatrava Pilot Travel Time

One particular subset of world time watches are those with “East” and “West” pushers that allow the time to be advanced or subtracted in one hour increments to make switching the time between various time zones simple and straight forward. One such family of watches that feature this complication are the various “Travel Time” watches by Patek Philippe. These all include the same movement even though they exist in various product families such as the Nautilus, Aquanaut, and also this Patek Philippe 5524 Calatrava Pilot model (hands-on here) .

In a 42mm-wide 18k white gold case, this is a deceptively ritzy pilot watch with a simple, demure attitude, but with the Patek Philippe name prestige many international travelers are looking for. Unlike a yellow or rose gold watch, the Patek Philippe Calatrava Pilot Time will call surprisingly little attention to itself, but in the right circles, people will know exactly what you are wearing. This is a good opportunity to have a convenient travel watch with a useful dual time zone complication, as well as being a serious luxury watch that really won’t command unwanted attention to the wearer. It can also work with business attire as well as it does with shorts.

Function-Filled Pilot Watch: Zenith El Primero Doublematic

Pilot watches make excellent travel watches because, by nature, they are designed for traveling. Perhaps more specifically, for flying, but pilots clearly travel and have traditionally needed comfortable, legible watches that allow them to keep informed in various time zones. Pilot watches can be simple or very complicated – and the latter are actually quite rare. If you like the idea of having various features in a pilot watch that can be useful while on the road (or in the air), then a recent timepiece which exemplifies the appeal of a complicated pilot watch is the Zenith El Primero Doublematic (hands-on here) .

Let’s be clear that timepieces such as this are rare. Zenith’s legendary “high beat” El Primero automatic movement serves as the base for a movement with a ton of complications – all of which are designed for travel. The Zenith El Primero Doublematic has the time, world time disc for knowing the hour in any of the 24 time zones at a glance, a big date indicator, a 30 minute chronograph, and an alarm! All in a handsome 45mm-wide case with a dial that is both classy and respectably legible.

Deceptively Inexpensive Dress Watch: Orient Bambino

It would be remiss of us to simply suggest luxury timepieces for travel, especially for use with formal attire. It is true that in many places in the world having a nice timepiece is a prerequisite to having a serious business conversation. If you are in one of those situations, you might not want to necessarily go down this route. If, however, you are concerned about losing or damaging your watch during travel or simply don’t want to worry about having something too expensive, then pick up something decent and discount made by the Japanese.

As there is a whole world of nicely-priced Seiko and Citizen sport watches for travel, I figured that I would take the other side of the coin and remind you about well-priced dress watches. Depending on your travel plans, you don’t always want to wear your Seiko Orange Monster. When in a formal meeting or dinner, you might want to choose something a bit dressier, but equally good at delivering value. In that case, allow me to suggest the also Japanese Orient Bambino – or other Orient dress watches. aBlogtoWatch mentioned the great value pricing of the Orient Bambino collection in the past , and we extend that recommendation as being also good for a travel watch when the owner wants to take something they don’t need to worry that much about. Have no worries either, these watches tend to be nice enough that unless you have a lot of specific knowledge of timepieces, no one will know you spent just $100 – $200 on an automatic dress watch like the Orient Bambino.

All-Purpose Digital Sports Watch: Casio G-Shock

Above, we mentioned the Seiko Astron Chronograph as a solid choice for a GPS-controlled quartz watch when looking to travel with something less traditional on your wrist. Nevertheless, as quartz watches go, the Astron collection is still on the pricier side. Something a lot more durable, and easy to choose for most budgets is something in the Casio G-Shock family . For the most part, these are strictly watches for casual and leisure activities, and I don’t recommend wearing a G-Shock if doing anything that requires dinner and long sleeves. This is going to be the most casual choice, but you will be rewarded with a virtually indestructible watch that will happily put up with a lot of abuse and will not heavily penalize your bank account if it gets lost or damaged.

Casio G-Shocks find themselves on the wrists of countless soldiers and outdoor adventurers around the world for good reason. They put up with almost anything and have an impressive set of functions such as a world timer, alarms, chronograph, and most that travelers use all the time. Also, because they aren’t particularly expensive, G-Shock watches rarely attract negative attention and are nevertheless fun.

“Cleans Up Well” Chronograph GMT Sport Watch: Breitling Chronomat 44 GMT

Without trying to be redundant, here is yet another flavor of high-function sport watch that lends itself well to picky travelers. The key here is a watch with a versatile personality that combines a chronograph complication along with a GMT hand for a second timezone. This is especially good for mechanical watch lovers who want a timepiece for travel with features that they will use on a regular basis.

I’ve personally traveled with a lot of chronograph GMT watches as my sole timepiece and rarely felt the need for more as long as that watch worked well on the plane, in the meetings, walking on foot around town, and at dinner. A timepiece that comes to mind which exemplifies this category well is the Breitling Chronomat 44 GMT (review here) . At 44mm wide (with a series of dials and straps available), the Breitling Chronomat 44 GMT even has companion watches without the GMT hand as well as additional case sizes. That doesn’t even begin to mention the universe of other good chronograph GMT watches out there that could equally satisfy as a traveler’s timepiece.

Best Travel Watches For Men & Women – Top Picks Reviewed

Those who love to travel know how specific time is since they are at its mercy. From checking in a hotel and catching a flight to meeting up with someone and or going to far-flung tours, time keeps them on their toes. And we are sure nobody wants to let the time slip from their fingers. This is why we will show you the best travel watches that will save you hassle at times.

Table of Page Contents

Here is the Quick Answer for The Best Travel Watches in 2022:

• Best Travel Watch for Men: Citizen Watches Men’s Eco-Drive
• Best Travel Watch for Women: Gramin Fenix Chronos Smart Watch
• Best Travel Watch for Kids: Waterproof Smart Watch
• Cheapest Travel Watch: BUREI Men’s Analog
• Best Travel Smart Watch: Samsung Galaxy Smart Watch
• Best Smart Watch Apple: Apple Watch Series 4
• Best Stylish Watch: Tissot Seastar 1000
• Best Waterproof Watch: Hamilton Men’s 

Travelers carry all the necessary gadgets while traveling , but they rely on their smartphones for the time. Have you ever considered that smartphones can die at any moment, and you might miss your journey because of not getting an accurate time estimate?

Here’s when a reliable and robust wristwatch helps you track time while you travel. Yes! That’s true. Though we know that smartphones have usurped wristwatches, there’s still something classy about them. You can’t pull out your phone in certain instances, for example, while swimming, but you can check time anywhere with the help of a watch.

And let us tell you something significant; this timeless tool serves as an excellent accessory for modern travelers to stick to their schedule. It’s more important the essential travel accessories for long flights .

But what is the best travel watch?

Want to gear up for a trip but don’t know how to select the best travel watch according to your requirements? Let us help you in doing this!

Let us help you in doing this!

First things first , reflect upon the features you want in a wristwatch. Still confused? We consider a watch the best which has certain features including;

Time zone- Can it adjusts itself with the time zone, or is it manual?

Stylish- Consider, is it good if you are going on a fine dinner or to formal events?

Durable- The most important thing; is it robust and sturdy?

GPS – Does the watch has a GPS tracker to help you make way if you are lost?

Visibility- Especially for night travelers. Can I see in low light or dark?

Water-resistant/Water-proof – For the marine adventurers or those who love to swim and snorkel.

Tachymeter- It can be a useful feature to consider as it lets you estimate short time frames.

Risk – Shock free and knock free

Alarm- Does the watch has a built-in alarm?

Versatility – Will it suit on formal occasions as well?

Battery timing – Do I need to charge it every 24 hours, or can I go without charging for months?

The strap – Will I feel comfortable while wearing it?

Having said that, to save you from the frustration of missing your journey because of improper time tracking, we have listed some of the best travel watches for you.

Best Travel Watches for Men

Gone are the days when the wristwatches used to tell time only. For travelers to be more proactive, manufacturers are coming up with unique and innovative designs. From up-ticking accurate time to pinpointing locations, these watches are helpful and range from being affordable to incredibly expensive. 

In a rush? Let’s have a look at the best travel watches for men . Find the best and the cheapest travel watches on this page for men who like to wear stylish watches.

1. Citizen Men’s Eco-Drive Promaster Diver

With all its style and simplicity, this beautiful timepiece is a technical dive. This watch is specially designed for travelers who have packed their bags for an overseas adventure. And did we tell you that it works underseas too?

It has a mineral crystal dial and is an epitome of a style that is wearable. The time and date display are crisp because of the anti-reflective mineral crystal. This watch features a one-way rotating bezel and comes with an adjustable strap plus buckle to ensure it does not fall down your wrist.

With having a water resistance of 660ft (200m), you can wear this wristwatch while snorkeling or swimming. It is also suitable to wear this watch while in the shower. Want to do scuba diving? Well, we can’t get enough of this watch as you can wear it underwater without any worry.

Travelers have given this watch some extra points because it comes in scuba tank display packing. And the best thing, there is no need to insert batteries every time because of its Eco-Drive technology powered by light. It can convert artificial or natural light into energy, so it recharges and runs forever.

• Light power
• Water-resistant
• No batteries required
• A little bulky
• Analog display

2. Casio G-Shock Gravity Master

A combination of robustness and style, this timepiece is excellent for serious travelers. But what makes this watch the best? This watch’s microchips and inner dials are encased in a body, hence protecting the inner workings from any sudden shocks, for example, centrifugal forces, knocking, and vibration. Want to plan a scuba diving while wearing this watch? G-Shock Gravity Master, besides being shockproof, is also water-resistant. So, you can dive into the water for a maximum of 200 meters. 

We bet that this travel watch is best for globetrotting explorers as its technology is one of a kind.

Using a combination of GPS and radio waves, this Gravity Master synchronizes with the time zone once you reach your desired destination. It allows you to travel without worrying about time. Plus, the hybrid system ensures that the time displayed is correct every time wherever you are. Isn’t this a cool feature?

Save yourself from the hassle of setting the time manually.

• It has a calendar
• Its body is protective
• Water Resistant up to 200m
• It automatically synchronizes with the time zone
• Built-in thermometer
• G-shock resistant
• Some might find it bulky
• Analog-digital display
• Its diameter is of 52m

3. Bulova Precisionist 98B257

For travelers who want a sporty yet classy look, this watch serves their demand. Wanderers particularly like this watch because they can flaunt a sporty façade while wearing it.

Bulova has been making time watches for ages, and the watches they make are still the best. This flawless timepiece comes with a stainless-steel strap which is ion-plated and has a black matte finish, hence giving it a sophisticated look. Moreover, as perfect as the name, this perfectionist 98B257 can tell insanely accurate time because of its high-frequency quartz. A tachymeter coupled with a precision chronograph and vibrating at 262 kHz makes it stand out among high functional travel watches.

However, serious divers who want to dive into the water below 300 meters cannot wear this watch as it is not waterproof. Therefore, this watch is more towards recreational diving.

• Stainless steel strap
• Precise chronograph
• Gives insanely accurate time
• Ultimately sophisticated
• Great for fine dining or beach
• Low water resistance
• Not recommended for scuba divers
• Lack of pressure relief

4. BUREI Men’s Analog-Digital Sport Watch

Is adjusting your watch to different time zones every time seems a hassle? Buy this BUREI Men’s Analog Watch. This watch offers a convenient style while having the ability to adjust time itself in different time zones and that too with precision. The digital display makes it easy to view time in a second.

Now you won’t need to put an alarm on your phone as the watch comes with an alarm clock to wake you up at the set time. Moreover, the inner workings are enclosed in stainless steel, and its soft band makes it easy to wear.

Travelers can wash hands without worry while wearing this watch as it is splash-proof.

• Splash proof
• Auto adjustment to different time zones
• Digital display
• Not water resistant
• No GPS tracker

5. Hamilton Men’s 

This watch is among the perfect watches built for travelers. The dial of this watch is aviation-inspired and easy to read dial hence enabling the users to watch time quickly when they are in a rush. Along with the luminous hands, you can see a day/date window.

The dials and inner workings are encased in stainless steel, making no way for rust with a screw-in case displaying date and day. Travelers who go out on a day full of marine activity can use this wristwatch as it is water-resistant up to 600 ft.

Its brown leather strap and pin buckle make it less intricate for those who love minimalist style.

• Stainless steel
• Imported from the U.S.A.

6. Suunto Core All Black – Military

This masterpiece from Suunto has a robust case and is coal black. It has various features, including an alarm clock, altimeter, and a compass; so, you can locate your desired destination anytime, anywhere. You can see the air pressure and prediction about changing weather because of its built-in barometer.

However, please note that it is water-resistant for only 30 m. Moreover, it displays record sessions, shows elevation, and displays ascent or descent. Did we tell you that it tracks the sun and temperature as well? This watch is the best travel watch for those who want to plan their activities, keeping in mind the weather. 

The best part? It also tells you the drop in air pressure and senses any upcoming storm due to its storm alarm intelligence.

• Intelligent storm detector
• Weather trend graph
• In-built compass
• Heavy on pocket
• Water-resistant up to 100ft.

7. Samsung Gear S3 Frontier

Among all the best travel watches, Samsung Gear S3 is at the top of the list. Its top-notch features and simple yet elegant design will make you forget any other watch. But how?

This powerful gadget plus timepiece has a round and bezel design with a built-in GPS feature. Find nearby attractions or restaurants for mouth-watering food with this gadget instead of having a hard time locating them on maps.

Travelers who want to keep themselves fit and active will love this watch as it comes with an activity tracker and keeps their heart rate and fitness level checked. And the best part; you won’t have to take out your phone every time it buzzes with notifications because you can directly check notifications from your Samsung Gear S3 as it synchronizes via Bluetooth on Android devices.

What else might one need? It can be used as a payment method through Samsung pay.

But there are more features as well, including detecting high temperatures, shockproofing, and withstanding water above 5 feet.

The battery life of this watch is 2-3 days, which is not bad for a device like this, but travelers have to charge it constantly, which is cumbersome for those who move frequently.

• Activity detector
• Manually synchronizes with your phone
• Detects high temperatures
• The constant need to recharge the battery
• Is not compatible with iPhone users

8. Citizen Eco-Drive World Time AT9010-52E

The citizen Eco-Drive offers something best for the travelers. Those who are always on the move particularly love this watch. Its stainless-steel construction gives it a chic view. If you like something contemporary, then you won’t want to miss this watch. Moreover, it offers radio-controlled synchronization of time means that the time can be synchronized in 26 zones. It is adjusted to synchronize to an atomic clock and gives a superior time accuracy. This feature makes it stand out among the best travel watches.

This timepiece also offers a scratch-resistant feature, and it’s orange accented dial makes time watching an easy job. The combination of rechargeable lithium-ion battery and solar power holds charging forever, hence making it easy for frequent travelers always on the run. It converts light into energy and recharges in any light.

It has a built-in alarm, an indicator that displays power reserve, and has an anti-reflective sapphire crystal.

• Best for travelers who like to hop around different time zones
• Radio-controlled time keeping both automatically and manually
• Striking and functional
• Not suitable for serious scuba divers

9. Tissot Seastar 1000

As the name implies, Seastar is a travel watch explicitly designed by keeping marine adventurers in mind. Swiss watchmakers have come up with the idea of creating an entry-level watch for travelers; so they can quickly move between land and sea. Its classic and aesthetic design is loved by all types of travelers, let alone marine adventurers.

With a delicately crafted bezel, which is dive-style, it is available in different colors, keeping in mind their customers’ choice. The 42mm dial of this watch makes it exquisite and adds depth to it hence implying the serious water adventurers.

This timepiece will not let you feel out of place and features a silicone band hence pushing it towards the end of the spectrum. The hands of this watch are luminous and will not hurt your eyes, which makes this watch easy to read even at night or in situations where light is low.

Forget worrying about watching time during water sports. Moreover, it has a water resistance of up to 984 feet and a valve to depressurize the watch.

• Best travel watch for the marine enthusiast
• Fulfills all the land or in-water functions
• Up to 300m water resistant
• It cannot withstand shocks
• Lack of GPS can make travelers lose their track

10. Apple Watch Series 4 (GPS, 40mm)

I am presenting you with the game-changer watch, a leader of watches if we talk about form and function. This apple watch is a mix of splendor and more than a tech accessory.

We recommend you buy this top-notch travel watch, which will make people’s heads turn wherever you go. Its 30% enhanced display is the new incarnation in this series.

Want to monitor your heart activity after a day full of adventure? This watch comes with an ECG heart monitor so you can check your health any time, anywhere. Take the ECG on your wrist!

Also, it features a gyroscope for detecting falls. Along with this, GPS, a world clock, and a sleep tracker in this watch will make you choose this over other timepieces every time you look for the best travel watch.

Oh! And did we tell you that you can calculate currency exchanges and see real-time weather with this watch? Isn’t this something out of the world?

No need to fish around in your pocket or purse because this apple watch is everything.

Wait! We have another great feature of this watch. Now you can handle text messages and phone calls on your wrist. Use your favorite apps while on the go with Siri Shortcuts.

• ECG heart monitor
• 30% large dial
• Tracks sleep

Hey! We Gotcha. You are looking for the best Apple Watch charger, and that’s why we have listed this for you.

11. Ugreen Portable Charger

This is a certified charger best suited for charging smartwatches. And the best thing about this charger is its compatibility with all the Apple smartwatches, including a series of four-time pieces.

It is a portable charger and is compact, which means that you can take it anywhere hence making it ideal for travelers. Its design is foldable, and the charging module is magnetic and is known for its reliability. Moreover, its design has a contemporary touch.

And the best thing about the charger is that it is pocket-sized, which makes it more worthy. This charger has short circuit and overvoltage protection, and when you order this, you will get a 4 ft USB cable so you can charge the device by plugging it in any socket or PC.

12. Casio Men’s Digital Watch

This watch is the upgraded version of the Casio calculator watch, which was there a long time ago. And it is one of the highly recommended watches. Why?

Because it has the world time feature through which it allows travelers to access and set, not 10 not 20, not 25, but 31 (yep, you read that right) time zones and displays 48 city codes. A perfect choice for thrifty travelers that will keep you stick to the time anywhere. It comes in a stainless-steel case, which adds a class and style to it. Also, the strap is adjustable and comes with a buckle.

Moreover, it features five daily alarms that can be configured easily, or you can set only one alarm. It allows you to disable the alarm anytime you want.  And at the top of that, you can adjust it in a way and turn on an hourly time signal that beeps after every hour.

It is water-resistant up to 100m which is suitable for everyday snorkeling or swimming but not good for serious scuba divers or marine adventurers.

• Great on pocket
• 31 time zones
• 48 city codes
• No light for night wanderers

Best Travel Watches for Women

Not only men but women also travel frequently due to specific reasons such as job requirements, or they are cabin crews, or they might have a seminar to attend or they are traveling for leisure or are wanderlust. Thus, to make their traveling more comfortable, we have come up with some of the best travel watches for women that they can carry while on the go.

1. GARMIN FENIX CHRONOS

Manufactured according to the taste of women, keeping delicacy and style in mind, the GARMIN timepiece features a sapphire lens that is scratch resistant. This resistance is a convenience for those who move around a lot for one reason or another.

Moreover, it has a hand-brushed forged titanium hybrid link that makes it lightweight at the same time. Logically, it has a built-in GPS and a TracBack feature so you can reach the place from where you started your tour.

There’s a fitness tracker in the watch hence making it ideal for women who work out. Its VO2 max estimator provides data like the speed of running, heart rate, beats per minute, and a recovery advisor. Plus, if you connect it with a compatible smartphone, you can receive e-mails, messages, and alert displays anywhere.

• A.B.C. (altitude, barometer, compass) readings
• 8-day battery life
• Monitors activity
• TracBack GPS feature
• Extensive monitoring
• Up to just 100m water resistant
• Requires USB charging
• Leather strap

2. Timex Women’s Expedition Mini Watch

Are you looking for a travel companion? This slim and delicate timepiece can be a trustworthy travel companion. The Timex series is tried and tested to be water-resistant up to 165 feet. Moreover, it is ideally suited for trekkers because of its Indigo night-light. It is available in three different colors so you can choose according to your style.

• Light-weight
• Indigo light for night wanderers
• Suitable for recreational swimming
• Nylon strap
• Not useful while diving or snorkeling

3. Timex Women’s Ironman Transit

This watch is a perfect blend of style and functionality. Its strap is easily cleanable and durable. The large display makes it easy to check the time, especially when you are in a hurry or hiking on a mountain. The resin case is shock resistant, hence making your watch safe to use.

Also, this clock shows two time zones, so you will get a clear idea of the time at the place where you are and the time at home, which itself is a useful feature. You can also use its customized alarm, which is a helpful feature when you are traveling. And the best thing, this watch is water-resistant up to a depth of 100m.

What more could one want?

• Displays two time zones
• Water-resistant up to 100m
• Customized alarm
• Shock resistant
• Manual synchronization of time zone
• Resin strap

4. FOSSIL Q VENTURE HR

Let’s start by understanding the feature that is hidden in the name. ‘HR,’ which is heart rate monitoring. You can monitor your heart on your wrist.

This watch tracks your activity, including how many steps you have taken, the calories you burnt, and the distance you covered. Whether you work out, do yoga, run, or meditate, you will get precise feedback on your heart rate during all the activities.

Want to set customized goals? With this watch, you can set the health goals for yourself, such as the amount of water intake or any particular exercise. Also, this will keep you more productive by reminding you of the goals set by you.

Not to forget the splendor this watch carries because of its rose-toned stainless-steel case, which is lightweight and sturdy—hence giving you a feeling like you are wearing a bracelet. Thanks to its design, the strap is interchangeable with any 18mm.

You are tired of manually setting time when in a different time zone? This piece comes with automatic time adjustment features which prevent you from the worry of setting time. And you won’t lose track as it has a built-in GPS so you can explore any part of the earth.

You can also enjoy your favorite music while cherishing the scenic views because it stores music in itself. You can listen to any music through wide-ranging apps, including iTunes, Soundcloud, Spotify, or Google Play.

This watch helps you make online payments in places where credit cards can be used. Moreover, once you connect it with your phone, you will be able to receive calls, alarm clock, text messages, and all other notifications from your smartphone. You can also set the alarm on this watch in case you have a crucial meeting to attend or any vital work to do.

Water splashes are not a big deal as your watch is swim-proof.

Its built-in microphone enables you to give voice commands or enable any specific function to different buttons. You can also personalize this time tool according to your mood and taste.

However, the battery life is only 12 hours, which makes the frequent travelers look for other options. But its charging time is super-fast, and you get it charged up to 80% in an hour.

Not a bad deal for travelers who want to travel to nearby places.

• Elegant and stylish design
• Quick charging
• Heart rate monitor
• Light and sturdy
• Straps are interchangeable
• Its battery timing is not too good

Best Case for Travel Watches

We pack everything correctly from our dresses to small accessories, but when it comes to watches, we don’t care much. However, it’s also imperative to find the best place for our expensive travel watch.

Therefore, to keep your watches safe and well-organized, here are our favorite and best watch travel cases.

1. Cheopz Travel Watch Case

Do you want to carry an extra watch while traveling? You can go for this watch pad travel case, which is easy to carry. Its shell is hard with a Ballistic nylon exterior that keeps your watch protected and safe while traveling. The inner material of this case is soft hence preventing it from scratches and knocks.

You can’t go wrong with this travel case because of its ergonomic design, which comes with a zipper hence locking your watch in place and preventing water from going in.

And the best thing; this case can fit in any watch from your minimalistic watches to luxury timepieces.

2. ROTHWELL Watch Roll Travel Case

Protect your precious watches with this leather watch roll. Those who want to secure their collection of watches can get this as it’s designed in such a way

. It is compact, easy to store, and you can carry it along yourself anywhere. Made from high-quality leather, this roll is incredibly stylish and has plenty of space for your collection.

A lot to digest, eh? These are the best watches when it comes to traveling. From minimalist, analog, or digital clock to a watch with GPS trackers and shockproof tech, or a watch that looks stylish and classy, you can choose any from the list mentioned above.

The Conclusion

Time is money, so spend your money and invest in the best watch to save yourself from missing out on the journey. Also, read our guide about the “beach vacation packing list” for families. We tried our best to present you with the best and cheap travel watches , and we hope you like our effort. Happy travels!

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Tested: The Absolute Best GMT Travel Watches for Your Collection

By: Ethan Brehm Published: Oct 25, 2023

By: Ethan Brehm and Johnny Brayson Published: Oct 25, 2023

Contributors

With the holidays upon us, many are preparing for their trips, both near and far. But in order to travel, one needs certain accouterments. A suitcase is essential, a passport sure comes in handy, and comfy travel clothes are a must. And then there’s the GMT travel watch. You may think that you don’t need a watch while on vacation . After all, your phone tells you the time, right? But you’d be wrong, as the best GMT watches are indispensable travel partners.

Yes, your phone tells you the time, but does it tell you the local time as well as the time at home at a glance? Didn’t think so. A GMT watch will do this, offering you the time in two places at once with a quick look at your wrist. Not only that, but the best GMT travel watches will also complement any outfit you have on and act as a companion that accompanies you on all your excursions , making memories alongside you. Are we being just a bit romantic about GMT watches? Maybe, but once you know the history of the GMT watch, it’s hard not to wax poetic about them.

Best GMT Watches Breakdown

Best Quartz GMT

Q Timex GMT 38mm

Best Budget Automatic GMT

Seiko 5 Sports SKX Sports Style GMT

Best Microbrand GMT

Lorier Hyperion Series II

Best GMT Diver

Mido Ocean Star GMT

Best Office GMT

Monta Skyquest

Best Vintage-Inspired GMT

Longines Spirit Zulu Time

Best Quartz True GMT

Grand Seiko SBGN027

Best Overall GMT

Tudor Black Bay GMT

Honorable Mention

Rolex GMT Master II

The gmt’s high-flying history.

Come Fly With Me

GMT watches often conjure images of mid-century jetsetters and playboy pilots — think Leonardo DiCaprio in Catch Me If You Can and you’ll be on the right track. That’s because the watches were born in that era for those types of customers. Back in the early 1950s, long-haul intercontinental flights were becoming more and more common. Pan Am, the largest airline of the day, put out a request to watch companies to develop a watch that could track two timezones simultaneously so pilots could monitor the time at both their destination and origin. Two companies answered the call. The first was Glycine, which unveiled the Airman in 1953. That watch kept time on a 24-hour scale, with a rotating 24-hour bezel for tracking a second timezone. The next year, Rolex introduced the GMT Master. It kept time on a standard 12-hour scale but incorporated a fourth hand that made its way around the dial once every 24 hours. A rotating 24-hour bezel was employed here as well, allowing the wearer to track a second timezone on the fourth hand while still reading their current time on a 12-hour scale. Rolex’s design took off like a rocket, and other manufacturers began producing their own GMT watches based on the Rolex template. The age of the GMT watch had begun.

Video Guide: The Best GMT Travel Watches

While we’re suckers for the written word, nothing beats seeing our favorite GMT travel watches in all of their 4k glory.

Types Of GMT Watches

True Vs. Office

True GMT: When researching GMT watches, you may have come across the term “True GMT” and wondered what it meant. In 1983, Rolex made GMT history again. The brand introduced the GMT Master II, a new version of their travel watch icon with a handy new feature. The movement in the GMT Master II allows you to independently adjust the hour hand without stopping the seconds hand or disturbing the other hands. That means that, if your GMT hand is set to your home time, all you have to do when traveling is pop your hour hand over to quickly set your new local time. It’s a faster and more convenient way to set your watch for travel, and some watch enthusiasts consider it to be the only “true” GMT there is. That’s, of course, nonsense — there were GMT watches for nearly 30 years before this type of movement existed — but GMTs with this type of movement, also called a “flyer” GMT, are slightly better for travel.

Office GMT: The other type of (more common) GMT is the “office” or “caller” GMT. Instead of having an independently adjustable hour hand, these GMTs have independently adjustable GMT hands. This is far more convenient if you want to track a second timezone while you’re at home — as someone in a west coast office may do if they have East Coast colleagues — but it isn’t the most convenient arrangement when traveling.

Having said that, we’re talking about a minute or less in the difference it takes to set your local time on a “true” vs “office” GMT, so really any GMT watch will work just fine when traveling.

How We Tested

Our Selection Process

You could easily make a case that enthusiasm for wristwatches has never been higher than it is right now. We’ve seen a definite influx among younger wearers, who are taken by the idea of mechanical masterpieces adorning their wrists, as well as a plethora of new brands cropping up, many of which have something to offer. Not only that, the market now offers us more variety than we’ve ever seen, with wide-ranging prices as well as an increase in specialization. Sure, this means that there are more options out there to delineate, but it also means that the world is proving that digital technology isn’t always what people want.

Nevertheless, selecting the perfect timepiece in any category or price point has become more difficult. To tackle the task of finding the best GMTs out there, we began by selecting the watches we suspected would be the best candidates. Using both the eye test (e.g., design, color , dial configuration) and our expertise in the space to dig through specs (e.g., size, materials, strap, movement), we whittled all the options down to the ones we thought could be worthy of making the cut for this list. We also factored in price, value, and the reputation of the watch’s manufacturer itself, which is an earned quality in this industry.

And then there was the matter of testing the timepieces themselves. Any watch collector can tell you that, regardless of what you read on paper, you truly have to wear a watch on your wrist to get a feel for it and get a sense of the user experience. After acquiring the demo pieces for our initial shortlist, we put the watches on our wrists and put them through a variety of scenarios to see their fit, comfort, and wrist presence firsthand. The overall process took us weeks, but finally we were able to land on the list of the best GMT watches you see before you.

Why It Made the Cut

• Timex’s retro reissue is an incredibly inexpensive option for those into vintage-style timepieces, featuring an integrated bracelet and Pepsi-style bezel.

Best Quartz GMT: We’re so happy that Timex has been embracing retro-style models with its Q lineup. Inspired by the dive style of the original Q from 1979, this 38mm timepiece is still very much a GMT, with its bi-directional “Pepsi” bezel, domed acrylic crystal, hooded lugs, and functional battery hatch on the caseback. It has loads of nostalgia and is a steal at just over $200.

Recently revived in 2019, the Q Timex Reissue features an integrated bracelet with its 38mm barrel-shaped case. It’s incredibly compact, wears small, and feels even smaller than the dimensions suggest, but we love the sharp, angular styling and mix of vertical and horizontal brushing across the top of the main case. If you’re looking to save some shekels with a quality quartz-powered movement and a retro style, this will be your best bet.

Case Size: 38mm Water Resistance: 50m Movement: Quartz

• Seiko taps into the ethos of its discontinued SKX with this 5 Sports watch, featuring vintage charm, an exhibition caseback, and a fair price tag.

Best Budget Automatic GMT: After Seiko discontinued its beloved SKX dive watch, it revamped its entry-level Seiko 5 Sports range, albeit with loose relation to the outgoing models. However, with the debut of the first-ever GMT in the 5 Sports lineup, it finally gave the SKX the homage it deserved. Harkening back to its progenitor with similar color schemes and design ethos, the new 42.5mm GMT features an independently adjustable fourth hand and a rotating 24-hour bezel.

The larger case helps with visibility, as do the Lumibrite-coated hands and indices and the date window magnifier. It also ditches the 5 Sports’ Oyster-style bracelets and opts for a five-link Jubilee-style stainless steel option instead. We love the exhibition caseback to display the 4R34 movement, and the divisive five-row jubilee bracelet adds some charm and comfort that some third-party options forego. Despite the 100m of water resistance, this one certainly has that vintage Seiko diver character. However, the off-centered push-pull crown at 4 o’clock might make you cautious of taking this timepiece on your most aqueous adventures.

Case Size: 42.5mm Water Resistance: 100m Movement: Automatic GMT with manual winding capability

• Lorier’s handsome vintage-inspired watch is very robust, inexpensive, and endlessly classy.

Best Microbrand GMT: The very first Rolex GMT Master in the 1950s was the ref. 6542. It originally came with a lumed red and blue “Pepsi” bezel made of a plastic predecessor called Bakelite. However, concerns over the brittle bakelite cracking and exposing the radioactive tritium lume below caused Rolex to switch to aluminum bezel inserts after just a few years. These days, original bakelite bezel 6542s regularly sell for six figures, but you can get the same vintage feel for far less with this stunning microbrand GMT.

Series II of Lorier’s Hyperion uses Hesalite for its lumed Pepsi bezel insert and domed crystal, offering serious retro vibes to go with its traffic-stopping looks. For just $100 more than the Seiko GMT above, you can get a true GMT with an independent hour hand at an accessible price point. We love everything about this timepiece, including the price, the mid-century-inspired aesthetic that evokes the heyday of aviation, the robust construction featuring a marine-grade steel case and the aforementioned impact-resistant crystal, and, of course, the classy Pepsi bezel.

Case Size: 39mm Water Resistance: 100m Movement: Automatic “True” GMT

• Mido found the perfect middle ground between GMT and dive watch with this Ocean Star, sporting a graduated Pepsi-style bezel.

Best GMT Diver: Dive watch GMTs are becoming more and more popular, as you can see from this guide alone, and while there are several notable examples, our favorite has to be this Pepsi-bezeled Ocean Star from Mido. Whether you’re jet-setting or simply heading out on the trail –– or both –– this 44mm timepiece will do the trick. Boasting 200m of water resistance, the true GMT could have easily copied the styling of the iconic Rolex, but instead, Mido does its own thing with a fixed internal 24-hour bezel on top of the traditional rotating one on the outside.

Mido is a member of the Swatch Group. That means the brands have access to some of the same movements, such as the ETA Powermatic 80 GMT caliber that’s found here, with 80 hours of power reserve. Sure, the 44m steel case feels heftier on the wrist, but that translates to a superb wrist presence for those who want a bit more attention on their timepiece. Fortunately, the flat sapphire crystal helps with the thickness, erring more towards a modern styling in that regard. In terms of the bracelet , we also loved how you could adjust it quickly thanks to the double push button system within the clasp.

Case Size: 44mm Water Resistance: 200m Movement: Automatic “True” GMT

• With 300m of water resistance, the Skyquest from Monta showcases the brand’s unique design language while featuring superb on-wrist comfort.

Best Office GMT: American-owned and Swiss-made, Monta is one of the most highly-regarded microbrands in the business, and the Skyquest is arguably their best watch. The finishing is comparable to watches that cost twice as much, the fully-articulating bracelet features a quick-adjust clasp, the bezel is made of scratch-resistant ceramic, the water resistance is an impressive 300m, the hands are diamond-cut and rhodium-plated, and the GMT hand sports a quirky and ingenious bend that allows it to clear the applied indices while reaching to the outer edges of the dial.

Opposed to some other office GMT models, the Skyquest may be a little pricier, but with that price, you get a lot more than you’ve bargained for. This includes the in-house M-23 automatic movement , the overall build quality and finishing, and the Coke bezel, which nods to Rolex’s Pan Am collab in the ’80s. At 40.7mm across, the timepiece wears slightly smaller than you’d expect thanks to the lugs, which curve slightly towards the wrist. Operating with its own unique design language, the Skyquest is truly a sight to behold in person, with its features popping off the wrist and its contrast lending to nice visibility. We also love the bracelet, which features fully articulating links and supreme comfort.

Case Size: 40.7mm Water Resistance: 300m Movement: Automatic “Office” GMT

• Longines nods to its aviation-filled past with the Spirit Zulu Time, which pops off the wrist thanks to its 18K gold accents and handsome design.

Best Vintage-Inspired GMT: Longines may be one of the oldest Swiss watch manufacturers in existence — the brand was founded in 1832 — but they remain on the cutting edge of the industry, even credited with having the first watch with more than one time zone. Last year, it added a true GMT to its Spirit line. Named after a watch from about 100 years ago (which took its name from the military term for “GMT”), the Zulu Time is a watch made for true globetrotters, with 72 hours of power reserve and an independently set hour hand.

As classy as ever, the Spirit Zulu Time is a pilot’s watch through and through, with inspired colorways, a 72-hour power reserve, superb dial visibility, and easy adjustment. At a wearable 39mm, the stainless steel timepiece was dropped down a few sizes from its 42mm predecessor and the difference in comfort is noticeable on-wrist. Aesthetically, the 18K yellow gold accents truly pop and bring a great deal of wrist presence to the timepiece. Not to mention, Longines has several other variants if this handsome anthracite version isn’t for you.

For a deeper dive, read our Longines Spirit Zulu Time watch review .

Case Size: 39mm Water Resistance: 100m Movement: Automatic “True” GMT

• Pricier for a quartz watch, Grand Seiko proves that it’s movements are no cheap endeavor, while also finding a compromise between sportiness and class.

Best Quartz True GMT: The first watch to feature a GMT version of Grand Seiko’s lauded 9F High-Accuracy Quartz movement — arguably the best quartz movement in the world — this may be the ultimate “grab and go” travel watch. Accuracy is conservatively rated to within 10 seconds per year (1 second per year anecdotes are not unheard of), the finishing is easily the best you can get for the price thanks to Grand Seiko’s famed distortion-free Zaratsu polishing, and the handmade, fully-decorated, thermocompensated movement is a “true” GMT. Plus, it’s got looks for days.

Decidedly sportier than Grand Seiko’s typical options, this SBGN027 is certainly more expensive than your average quartz piece, but here it serves to preserve the timekeeping of the watch itself. Even when the offset crown is pulled out, the quartz GMT continues to keep the time. In-person, the 39mm diameter and 45.9mm lug size are about as perfect of proportions as you can get for everyday watch wearing. We’re also fans of the fixed 24-hour bezel with its black embossing and radial-brushed steel. The three-link steel bracelet looks beautiful, matching the case finish, and is easy to adjust with the screw posts and push-button clasp.

Case Size: 39mm Water Resistance: 200m Movement: Quartz “True” GMT

• Tudor’s near-perfect GMT utilizes its iconic Black Bay as the base layer, continuing to challenge conventions while maintaining a traditional ethos.

Best Overall GMT: As the more affordable sister brand to Rolex, Tudor has long had the reputation of offering Rolex quality and style for less eye-watering prices. And that’s never been more true than with this modern classic. Based on the brand’s popular vintage-inspired Black Bay diver, this GMT boasts a bi-directional bezel with a beautiful aluminum Pepsi insert, a subtly textured dial, and an in-house automatic movement with a “true” GMT function. It’s the closest one can get to a Rolex GMT — vintage or modern — without coming close to approaching the five-figure mark.

First debuting in 2018, the Black Bay GMT is still a favorite today. Boasting 200m of water resistance, this piece may have some definite diver properties, but we love it as a travel watch the most. Inside the 24-hour Pepsi bezel is a pearl-like opaline white dial, which is a nice change of pace from the typical dark GMT dials. Despite the modern touches, this automatic true GMT has some vintage design cues, including the aforementioned bezel with its coin edge and the domed sapphire crystal. Hopefully, Tudor will soon include its T-Fit adjustment system on the newer Black Bay GMTs, even if the bracelet is still really comfortable.

For a deeper dive, read our Tudor Black Bay GMT watch review .

Case Size: 41mm Water Resistance: 200m Movement: Automatic “True” GMT

• You can’t have a “Best GMT” list without including the most lusted-after GMT in the world.

Honorable Mention: You knew this was coming. The descendent of the original GMT watch, the GMT Master II remains the most lusted-after GMT in the world. The waitlist to purchase a new stainless steel Pepsi bezel variant is years long, and they routinely sell for more than double the retail price on the secondhand market. But the watch commands such demand for a reason. It’s unspeakably gorgeous, with an iconic design that few watches in the world can match. It’s also robust, dependable, and luxurious, and there’s not a person alive who wouldn’t want one of these on their wrist while traveling the globe.

As legendary as the Rolex GMT is, we couldn’t acquire the watch in time to perform in-studio testing. However, of all the pieces here, the reputation of the GMT Master II should be able to precede it.

Case Size: 40mm Water Resistance: 100m Movement: Automatic “True” GMT

Tested: The Best Dive Watches to Buy

Looking for a solid diver to add to your collection? We’ve done the work for you and tested out the best dive watches on the market today.

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The Ultimate Guide to Watches and Travel

From GMT and world time watches to tips and tricks for safety and enjoyment, here’s all you need to know about traveling with watches.

By Zen Love

There are plenty of good reasons to consider the watch you take traveling: the right timepiece offers a sense of preparedness in a relatively unfamiliar environment; it can become part of lasting memories; and, of course, you want to catch planes, make meetings on time and beat jet lag.

Since travel forces you to select only the few items you’ll be spending time with, you want to choose carefully. The right travel watch might be a dedicated tool with features specifically meant for tracking different time zones, one that’s rugged and ready for adventure, or just one that you love and want as a travel companion. In the coverage below, we’ve got all you need to know about the watches that are best for day trips or globetrotting, as well as the tips, tricks, gear and solutions that’ll enhance your excursions.

Travel is largely curtailed for many people around the world at the moment, of course, but we’re optimistically looking forward to the chance to get away again. The following articles and the cool watches featured will get you ready and inspired to get back out there as soon as it’s safe and responsible to do so.

These Are Our Favorite Adventure Watches of 2020

From rugged dive watches to world timers, these are some of the timepieces we want to take adventuring in 2021.

How to Pack and Travel with Your Watches

Let the watches you travel with enhance your memory-making and selfie-taking adventures.

The Best Cases, Rolls and Pouches for Traveling With Your Watches

Keep your beloved timepieces safe and orderly.

One Simple Feature Makes These 3 Watches Perfect for Traveling

A 12-hour rotating bezel is a handy way to track another time zone without the added cost of a GMT complication.

The 11 Best Mechanical Watches to Wear When Traveling

Whether you’re driving coast to coast or flying from JFK to Narita, here are the watches that will keep you on time.

These Are Seven of the Most Affordable GMT Watches

GMT watches needn’t be bank-breaking. From big Swiss companies and upstart microbrands, here are 7 affordable GMTs.

Travel in Style with These Seven Incredible World Time Watches

World time watches allow you to see the current time in any place in the world with just a quick glance at your wrist.

What Makes Rolex’s GMT-Master The Best Travel Watch Ever?

This two-timer from the jet age is technically and aesthetically the mother of all GMT watches.

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6 of the Best Travel Watches Around Right Now

If nothing else, the last year or so has made foreign travel an adventure again, at least for those who enjoy navigating their way through vaccination regimes and test requirements. It feels long ago when instead the burning question was whether it’s cocktail hour at the destination yet.

For the well-prepared traveler, the answer is on your wrist, as one of the few really useful complications watchmakers offer is the ability to show two or more time zones at a glance. Simply put, a “complication” in watch parlance is any function on a timepiece other than showing the time, such as a stopwatch or moon-phase display. Of course, you can do it in your head or use a world-time app on your phone, but a GMT or worldtimer saves you the bother and looks considerably more stylish. 

However, as easy as it is for you to decipher, showing multiple time zones is a significant challenge for both the watchmakers and the designer, as there’s always a tradeoff between simplicity and utility. How do you want the second time zone to be set? Should it link to the date? Do the time zones need to be named? How do you make sure the “travel” time is sufficiently distinct from the “home” time? What about places with just 30-minute differences? 

Here is our edit of some of the best mechanical worldtimers you can get right now, from entry level to high-end. All should serve you well, wherever your travels—once they begin again in earnest—may take you.

The standard approach to a GMT watch is exemplified by the Explorer II from Rolex, which has a second hour in bright orange that runs on a 24-hour cycle: set this 24-hour hand for your second time zone, then read the hour off the bezel scale, and minutes as normal. 

The design is built entirely around the presence of the extra hand and the bezel, with the contrast between hour and GMT hands being a feature rather than a hindrance (whether that’s a good thing is a straightforward matter of taste).

It’s simple, effective, and, as it’s a Rolex, bomb-proof. And even if you’re not traveling across time zones, Rolex points out that it might be useful for distinguishing day from night, should you emerge from a storm in an Arctic high summer.

This new version retains the signature 42mm sizing (want a larger case? Look to the brand's rugged 43mm Sea-Dweller and 44mm Deepsea). Inside is the in-house caliber 3285 power plant, new in the Explorer II, and the same currently found in the GMT-Master II. 

The really good news is this 3285 automatic movement—powered by the natural movement of the body as you wear it—packs in the best that Rolex currently offers: Chronergy escapement, 70 hours of power reserve, blue Parachrom balance spring and Paraflex shock absorbers. What does all this mean? A much more accurate, efficient, and robust piece that keeps running much longer after you've stopped wearing it. 

By Carlton Reid

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Price:   £7,550 | Watches of Switzerland | Goldsmiths

The same solution seen in the Rolex is behind Bell & Ross’s BR03-93 GMT, but the design makes the GMT more subservient to the watch design, obviously derived from the modular format of cockpit instruments, an aviation-inspired look that Bell & Ross has come to dominate over its 30-year history. 

One difference here is that the bezel can be turned, giving the watch more flexibility in terms of the extra time zone (the bezel is rotated however many hours difference between home time and the third zone to see the time in that destination without having to set the watch). Some will welcome that, others will see it as a complication too far, but it’s a smart watch that delivers a design presence that Rolex doesn’t look for. Speaking of which, the popular colorways of red and black—the "Coke" look as opposed to the red and blue "Pepsi" style—will justifiably draw attention.

The sturdy 42mm watch also has 100-meter water resistance, a 42-hour power reserve, curved anti-reflective sapphire crystal, and a small, subtle rounded date window towards the 4:30 position. Yes, you get a black calfskin leather strap, but we prefer this ultra-resilient synthetic fabric option.

Price:   £3,550 | Selfridges

Breitling’s Chronomat UTC offers a brutally effective, if not especially subtle, solution to the demand for worldtimer watches: fit a completely separate mini, quartz-powered watch into the strap . 

It helps that the Chronomat is a hefty piece of kit to begin with—44mm by 14.45mm, so the extra bulk shouldn’t be an issue. The mechanical movement has 70 hours of power reserve, which is the length of time it continues to tick once you have removed the Chronomat from your wrist. It's also water-resistant up to 200 meters.

The “UTC" name references Coordinated Universal Time, or UTC , the primary time standard by which the world regulates clocks and time and is not adjusted for daylight saving, making it effectively a successor to Greenwich Mean Time, or GMT, which is where worldtimers derive their alternative moniker from.

The Chronomat was inspired by the Frecce Tricolori watch that Breitling created for the Italian Air Force’s aerobatic fleet back in 1983, and is very much an all-purpose sports watch, which explains why the second time zone function was incorporated into the strap and not the watch itself.

Price: £7,990 | Jura

There’s an alternative solution that can be seen in Chopard’s latest travel watch, the L.U.C Time Traveler One Black, which is to show time everywhere in the world at once, via an arrangement of counter-rotating discs on the edge of the dial. 

Amazingly, it’s almost suspiciously easy to read—the number below the city is the time there—but it needs a sensitive designer to manage the hierarchy of information delivered. Going monotone, as Chopard’s watch shows, is a beautifully effective way of doing just that. 

It's actually based on the Time Traveler One launched back in 2016, but now with an added dose of modernity thanks to that monochrome color palette that extends to the 42mm ceramised titanium case (which has a hardness of 700 Vickers when 316L stainless steel has a hardness of 150 to 200 Vickers). On closer inspection, it's not black but myriad subtle shades of gray. This is the secret to the watch's legibility. 

One the outside of the dial is a city disc, marked with 24 locations around the globe. The crown at 4 o’clock lets the user rotate this city disc. When the chosen city for the local time is set at the 12 o’clock position, you can determine the prevailing hour in all of those 24 locations simultaneously.

Price: £13,600 | Chopard

TAG Heuer has just dropped three new 2022 Autavia models comprising two new chronograph models and this, a three-hand GMT model—a first for TAG's Autavia collection to mark the line's 60th year.

Fitted with an automatic movement that will keep running up to 50 hours after you've taken the watch off, the piece focuses on simplicity and legibility: numerals and hands coated with glow-in-the-dark Super-LumiNova on an uncluttered blue dial contained in a 42mm steel case that's water-resistant to 100 meters. 

The addition of easily interchangeable straps is another boon, with traditional stainless-steel or  leather straps as well as on-trend woven NATO bands, too.

Price: £3,500 | Watches of Switzerland | Goldsmiths

Not all globe-trotting GMT watches cost the Earth. Christopher Ward's C63 Sealander GMT has a pleasingly classic style yet costs a fraction of the other pieces here. You get a round stainless steel 39mm case secure to 150 meters, a power reserve that extends to 56 hours, and this piece is the first from the brand to use its new automatic movement that not only adds the display of a second time zone (indicated by the large orange hand), but also allows for a slightly more precise GMT setting than the previous version. 

It is available in black, white, green or blue polished lacquer dials, boasts an anti-shock system and is compatible with a range quick-change straps that includes this options made from recycled ocean plastic.

In the past, a criticism levied at Christopher Ward has been a tendency to add unnecessary information and clutter to its dials, as it did with its 2014 C900 Worldtimer, but here there are no such issues. It's smart and simple. 

Price: $950 | Christopher Ward

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Best Affordable Travel Watches For Men (Updated for 2023)

As a traveler, I know how important it is to keep track of time. We always have a schedule that needs to be followed. Whether it’s check-in time, a bus tour, or meeting with friends, it’s important to have a great travel watch.

According to Wikipedia , watches progressed in the 17th century from spring powered clocks and the technology of digital and mechanical watches has significantly improved over the years. They keep getting better and better.

Not only are watches just used to keep track of time, but for many other great features like scheduling, mapping and even making phone calls. Having a good travel watch is almost a necessity these days for most travelers.

It is not always easy to make the right selection when looking at watches for travel. There are so many styles and options, and some of the best travel watches can be confusing to make the right choice. And you don’t need to spend a fortune. You can stay on a budget and still buy a very nice watch.

In this post, I will show you the best affordable travel watches for men. Look at all the different styles, prices, and specifications of all the best travel watches and see which one is the best for you.

#1. Best Value Travel Watch –  Casio G-Rescue Solar Atomic Classic Color Watch

Features And Specifications:

✅ 1/100-second stopwatch

✅ Atomic timekeeping

✅ Solar-powered sport watch

✅ Resin band with buckle closure

✅ Water resistant to 200 m (660 ft)

✅ Dimensions: 4.4 x 3.6 x 4 inches

✅ Weight: 8.8 ounces

✅ Battery: 1 CR2 battery required

This is the perfect watch for travel if you are sticking to a budget and you just want a solid watch that is reliable, durable and easy to use .

It is a solar powered sport watch, that has atomic timekeeping — world time in 48 cities. It has 24/48 hr time formats and will keep track of 31 time zones with a calendar. This watch is tough and doesn’t scratch easy. It’s great for hikers and campers as well.

The one thing I don’t like about this watch is that it is not very fashionable. I don’t like the look of the screws on the front. But that is just my preference; it may not be an issue for you.

Who should buy this watch?

Anyone who is on a lower budget and wants a watch that is very tough and great for keeping track of different time zones. It’s also great for adventure travelers as it’s durable and long-lasting.

Who should not buy this watch?

Scuba divers. The Casio G-Rescue is only certified water resistant to 200 meters or 660 feet. This is definitely not a watch for you if you like to scuba dive. Also, if you are looking for a watch that looks good or has advanced features like some of the more expensive watches, you should probably look elsewhere.

For the price and durability, it is a great watch that I think you will be happy with.

You can get the  Casio G-Rescue Solar Atomic Classic Color Watch  on Amazon here.

#2. Best GMT Watch-  Citizen Men’s Eco-Drive Navihawk Atomic Timekeeping Watch

Features and specifications.

✅ Japanese quartz movement with analog display

✅ 48-millimeter stainless steel case

✅ Atomic timekeeping technology

✅ 99-minute countdown timer

✅ Universal coordinated time (UTC) display

✅ Pilot’s rotating slide rule dial ring

✅ Dimensions: 4.3 x 3.9 x 8.3 inches

✅ Weight: 4 ounces

✅ Battery: 1 lithium ion battery required

With so many great GMT watches on the market today, I wanted to review the watch that will give you the best value for an affordable price.

GMT watches can be way too expensive in my opinion, and for a fraction of what some higher-end models charge, you can get a very comparable watch like the Citizen Eco-Drive .

This watch uses atomic clock synchronization for superior accuracy. It will display the time digitally in 43 cities. The Citizen is a very durable watch that looks great as well. I love the Polyurethane band as well, plus it is only 23mm in width.

It’s also very lightweight at only 4 oz; this is something I always have an issue with when buying a watch. But, the Citizen’s weight is perfect.

This watch will suit any traveler who crosses multiple time zones and is looking for a modern look and feel. This watch is very comfortable and has a great price tag and specs to match some of the higher priced watches.

Again scuba divers will not be happy with this watch. It’s water resistant to 200 meters or 660 ft. Other than that, I think the Citizen Eco-Drive is a great choice.

You can get the Citizen Eco-Drive Navihawk on Amazon here.

#3. Best Budget Digital Travel Watch –  Casio G-Shock GD-100-1B Watch

✅ Shock resistant & 200M water-resistant

✅ 12/24 hour formats

✅ Multi-time (four different cities)

✅ Dimensions:   3.9 x 4.2 x 2.4 inches

✅ Weight: 3.52 ounces

This is another Casio G-Shock watch that is  excellent for travelers on a budget.  This watch is cheaper than the G-Rescue mentioned earlier but still have some nice features.

A nice improvement for this watch is a newly designed high-density LED light, which has been employed to light up the dial face from behind.

As you can tell, I’m a huge fan of the Casio G-Shock watches as a suitable match for someone is budget focused. They are very tough and durable, hold up to a variety of weather conditions, and are reliable.

As mentioned earlier, the Casio G-Shock watch is a perfect watch if looking for a lower cost. It’s great for all types of travelers including hiking and camping. Also, if you’re not looking for the higher-end features of expensive watches, this is for you.

Anyone who is looking for the added features like the atomic timekeeping should go for the Casio G-Rescue. Also, if you’re looking for a watch that is a classy or modern design, this is also probably not what you are looking for.

Although this watch doesn’t have the screws in the front face like the first watch I mentioned earlier, I still don’t find it fashionable.

You can get the Casio G-Shock digital watch on Amazon here.

#4. Affordable Smartwatch For Travel-  Samsung Gear S3 Frontier Smartwatch

✅ Make payments with Samsung Pay almost anywhere

✅ Compatible with Android and iOS smartphones

✅ S Health Fitness Tracking

✅ Built-in GPS

✅ Built-in speaker/microphone

✅ Rotating bezel navigation

✅ Dimensions: 1.81 x 1.93 x 0.51 in

✅ Weight: 5 oz

The Samsung Gear S3 is my favorite watch on the list. It connects via Bluetooth so you can receive texts, emails, and alerts without reaching for your phone. With a built-in speaker and microphone, you can also make and answer calls hands-free.

Now for people that know me, you know I am a huge Apple fan. I only use Apple Mac and iPhones and as you can see from my blog post I wrote about the best tablets for international travel , I review and recommend the Apple Ipad. So why don’t I recommend the Apple watch here?

Well for only 2 reasons. I LOVE the look of the Samsung Gear S3 . It’s very fashionable and modern looking and in my opinion, a huge factor of owning a smartwatch is that you want it to look good, right?

Although I love the Apple watch as well, I put the Samsung ahead for appearance reasons. Also at the time of writing this, Samsung is currently cheaper than the Apple. And since this post is based on the best affordable travel watches for men, I listed it here.

Now I still highly recommend the Apple Watch 3 , but you can’t go wrong with the Samsung Gear S3.

Who Should Buy This Watch?

Anyone looking for the advanced technology of a smartwatch. I t has all the connectivity features using Bluetooth, this watch is also very comfortable to wear and looks great. If you are looking to have a very classy-looking watch, this is a great choice.

Here’s the thing with smartwatches. They are addictive! I find that most people who own them are so into all the technology and cool features that they tend to forget the main function of a watch: to tell time!

So if you are looking for a basic watch for travel without all the fancy tech, phones, Bluetooth etc. this is not the one for you.

You can get the Samsung Gear S3 on Amazon here:

#5. Best GPS Watches For Travel –  Garmin Forerunner 35 Watch

✅ Garmin GPS built-in quality

✅ 24/7 heart rate monitoring

✅ Vibration alerts

✅ New high-resolution display

✅ Smartphone compatibility

✅ Dimensions: 1.4 x 0.5 x 1.6 inches

✅ Weight: 1.6 ounces

When choosing a watch for a main specific feature like GPS capability, it’s  important to go with a brand that is known for it’s GPS products, like Garmin.

For anyone that has other GPS products, you will know that Garmin produces excellent quality gear at great prices. Now in saying that, they also make very high-end and expensive GPS watches. But that’s not what we are focusing on here.

The Garmin Forerunner 35 is the perfect GPS watch for the outdoor adventure traveler. It still has some of the main features of the higher end Garmin 735XT model, but at a fraction of the price while maintaining the Garmin quality.

I love the smartphone connectivity feature of this watch; it’s something that more people are looking for in a watch these days.

Anyone who is an outdoor adventure traveler looking for a GPS watch. Hikers, runners, walkers, campers will appreciate the Garmin Forerunner 35. Also if you are looking for a quality GPS watch and don’t want to break the bank, this is the one for you.

Anyone who is not an outdoor adventure traveler, this watch is most likely not for you. There are so many great features that you probably won’t appreciate having like heart rate monitoring. Also, if you are looking for a classy looking watch, this is not the watch for you.

You can buy the Garmin Forerunner 35 on Amazon here.

So as you can see, there are quite a few options to choose from when looking for an affordable travel watch for men.

When deciding, you will most likely see several watches for travel. Have a look at all the main features and try to eliminate the things you don’t need or are not really looking for in a watch.

For example, if you don’t need the advanced features of a smartwatch and just want a basic, affordable, and durable watch, go with the Casio G-Rescue. If you don’t need the GPS capability, then the Garmin is not for you.

But if you wanted to spend a bit more money and have all the great features of a smartwatch, then try the Samsung Gear S3. I honestly don’t think you can go wrong with any of these watches on the list. They are all great watches for the features that they have.

If you enjoyed our Best Affordable Travel Watches for Men guide, have a look at all our travel gear guides here:

• Laptops/Tablets
• Gadgets And Tech
• Photography
• Phones/Sim Cards

Hopefully, you found these guides helpful. 

Thanks for reading!

Some of the links on this page are affiliate links, which means we may receive a small commission if purchases are made through those links at zero cost to you. I will only sell and recommend products that I have either used personally or believe will be helpful for you. You will only see proven and trusted gear, and I will help guide you away from the products that simply don’t work!

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Top Travel Watches for Your Next Vacation (2024)

W hether vacationing on land or by cruise, a reliable watch is a must-have for any traveler. However, finding that perfect travel watch that is versatile, aligned with your style, and durable can be challenging, especially when considering the risk of loss or theft for luxury watches.

I will help you explore five exceptional watches that meet the unique needs of the world traveler. They offer a blend of sophistication, functionality, and peace of mind and are available at various price points, between $95 and $4,900.

Disclosure: This page has affiliate links, meaning we may earn a small commission if you click the link and proceed with a purchase  at no cost to you . Some of the watches were sent to us for purposes of this review. We recommend cruises, experiences, products, and services we have tested or personally use. As Amazon Associates, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Top 5 Travel Watches at Various Price Points

• 1. Norqain Neverest GMT
• 2. Benrus SEA LORD
• 3. Armitron Wave
• 4. Christopher Ward Aquitaine GMT
• 5. IWC Spitfire

Read about our favorite watch strap company and the safe options you should invest in for your home to protect your valuables when traveling.

My Firsthand Experience with Travel Watches as a Watch Enthusiast

Everyone has a cell phone in their pocket that acts as a camera and a watch. We realize that's a reality in the 21st century. But when traveling, I often find myself in situations where carrying a phone isn't feasible, especially during our various cruises. Yet I still need to know the time, especially so we return to the ship before it leaves a port.

Whether for water activities or simply a desire to disconnect and be text-free onboard , a dependable watch becomes a lifeline. We love well-designed watches, which is why we often visit whatever shops are onboard a cruise ship as soon as they open to consider buying a watch on a cruise .

The best watch must withstand the rigors of travel — from water and climate exposure to accidental bumps — while maintaining its elegance for evening dinners.

The watches we have selected to highlight have proven to be valuable companions. They ensure we never miss a scheduled spa treatment, when we must meet our guide for an excursion, making the tender times, or a ship's departure, all while enhancing our travel wardrobes.

Mikkel and I often wear pricier timepieces at home that we have invested in (yes, I'm proud to say I turned her into a watch enthusiast like me). But when we travel on land or by cruise, we wear watches that we will not be worried about someone in a foreign country following us to steal. And yes, that does happen, unfortunately, so you must keep this in mind if you're considering traveling wearing a Rolex.

1. NORQAIN Neverest GMT: For the Stylish Explorer

Price: $3,950

This is my top choice for an elegant, upscale travel watch that won't break the bank. I love the GMT function that keeps time in multiple time zones, the ability to dress it up or down, and its design. The brand is newer in the watch world; though it's high-quality with Swiss parts and Swiss movement, it remains a hidden gem. Robbers have targeted tourists for well-known watches like Rolex, but Norqain pieces are luxury watches that still fly under the radar. This works to your advantage while you travel.

This watch looks good during daily activities, when you're wearing shorts and a t-shirt — or whatever adventure cruise attire you wear daily, from the Caribbean to Alaska — but also looks great dressed up, like in a button-down shirt and dark pants, by night. Its details, including the criss-cross metal knurling on the side of the bezel and the Norqain logo on its dial, are appreciated by watch aficionados and novices.

You cannot beat the satisfaction you feel when looking at the watch's skeleton back (that's watch speak, for a see-through, open case back), where you can see some of the 28 rubies inside.

Another fun fact is that when you buy this watch, you're helping to support Nepal's local community. “10% of the earnings from the sales of NEVEREST timepieces are donated to the Butterfly Help Project in Nepal helping families of sherpas who have lost their lives in the Himalayan mountains and give their children access to education.”

Additional Features of the Norqain Neverest GMT

The NORQAIN Neverest GMT is not just a watch; it's an investment in quality and functionality. Its mechanical automatic movement, 70-hour power reserve, and dual time zone with jumping hour feature make it a reliable choice for travelers. The scratch-proof sapphire glass is anti-reflective and scratch-proof; we know firsthand how much durability matters in the watch you bring on vacation as adventure takes over and your carefree days and nights are spent exploring new destinations.

The flex fabric strap (shown in photos) adds a touch of fun and flair to its design, but the watch from Norqain also has the following straps available: a stainless steel bracelet, a green rubber NATO strap, and a black rubber strap inspired by the knurled bezel design.

With its detailed Swiss mechanical automatic movement and comfortable 41mm case size, this watch offers excellent value for those looking for a high-quality, travel-friendly timepiece with a unique design.

Extra Protection for Your Valuables at home: safes

Invest in a waterproof and fireproof safe to store your valuables at home. You can put your jewelry in it — watches included — and important documents like passports and birth certificates. We recommend SentrySafes .

2. Benrus SEA LORD: Rugged Elegance

Price: $595

The Benrus SEA LORD perfectly blends vintage charm and modern technology. Its 39.5mm size comfortably fits most wrists. Its high-quality rubber strap and water resistance up to 98 feet make it suitable for adventurous travels. The Super-LumiNova markers ensure low-light visibility, enhancing its utility and style.

The brand was founded in 1926 and almost immediately marketed to a travel audience. Benrus was steeped in adventure from the get-go, using the famous pilot Charles Lindbergh as its spokesperson in 1926. In 1929, Benrus was the official watch of National Air Transport, which became United Airlines.

The Sea Lord, in particular, was available throughout the 1960s-70s. This revitalized watch style has a vintage feel in a modern offering, which is a huge reason why I like it; I'm a vintage watch guy.

Additional Features

This Swiss-made watch features automatic movement with a 38-hour power reserve. It requires no battery and charges with wrist movement, making it ideal for traveling.

Barton Watch Bands

Our favorite third-party watch band company is Barton Watch Bands . We have purchased several of their bands, from rubber to canvas, NATO straps, and then some. Be sure to read the description and measure the millimeters for the size watch strap you need before purchasing.

3. Armitron Wave: The Eco-Conscious Traveler’s Choice

Founded in 1975, Armitron has been a mainstay in affordable watches for decades. Did you know that Armitron is the Official Timekeeper of the New York Yankees?

The Armitron Wave stands out for its recycled materials and sportiness. The brand's commitment to sustainability manifests itself in this watch, made from recycled ocean-bound plastic from Tide Ocean Material SA. This watch makes a statement in addition to being an affordable travel option. The watch's packaging is also made from sustainable materials.

It has water resistance of up to 165 feet (50 meters) and an easily adjustable and washable band. This low-cost watch is designed for eco-conscious travelers who value both form and function at a price of under $100. Mikkel has the teal Armitron Wave with white details, and I have the black one, though all options are unisex. It is also available in navy.

It's worth mentioning that the 40 mm dial size didn't comfortably fit our wrists. We recommend purchasing the watch, testing it out at home, and wearing it for a few hours before committing to see if it's comfortable on your body.

The watch comes in various fun colors, is battery-powered, and offers a simple design that is perfect for a day of activities.

4. Christopher Ward C65 Aquitaine GMT: The Globetrotter’s Dream

Price: $1,590

For those who prefer a larger watch for traveling, the Christopher Ward C65 Aquitaine GMT's 41mm case and 656 feet of water resistance make it a robust companion. Its automatic movement, date window, and additional GMT hand for a second time zone are perfect for keeping track of things at home while exploring new destinations.

I like that this watch is easy to read, thanks to its large hands and big round hour markers. The skeleton back is a rare addition to a watch under $1,600, revealing the attractive movements inside the timepiece. The watch comes on a bracelet, but you can swap the band to personalize it, as I do with many watches.

The stainless steel bracelet is designed for all-day comfort, and its elegant design can be dressed up for formal dinners, making it a versatile choice for your itinerary.

5. IWC Pilot's Watch Automatic Spitfire: The Ultimate Travel Companion

Price: $4,900

Inspired by WWII-era aviation history, the IWC Spitfire combines history and elegance. Its 39mm case size, easy-to-read hands, and Swiss automatic movement ensure reliability and style. Water-resistant up to 196 feet, it’s built for adventure yet sleek enough for formal events. It's also a brand name many people are familiar with and trust, from its long-standing reputable history, founded in 1868.

It's easy to find a reputable IWC boutique worldwide, especially in USA port cities coast to coast, whether you're cruising from the Port of Los Angeles or Miami.

The face isn't overly complicated; its beauty is in its clean elegance and simplicity, yet it still has a rugged feel. This watch matches any outfit, day or night.

The watch's adventurous look and date window feature make it a versatile option for travelers who demand functionality without compromising on style.

Five Best Travel Watches

Every traveler deserves a watch that's as reliable and stylish as they are. Whether you're a seasoned watch enthusiast or new to the world of luxury timepieces, our curated selection caters to every budget and need. From the sustainable Armitron Wave to the exquisite IWC Spitfire, each watch offers a blend of functionality, quality, and style, making them perfect for any journey.

Choose a travel watch that reflects your taste and accompanies you through every adventure, and you'll embark on your next journey with confidence and elegance. Remember, a watch is not just a tool; it's a part of your travels. Always read reviews and research before deciding, ensuring your travel watch is a companion you can rely on, no matter where your adventures take you.

Read this next:

• Buying a Watch on a Cruise Ship: 18 Things You Need to Know 
• Top Binoculars for Alaska & Antarctica Cruise: Leupold BX-2 Alpine HD Review
• Awesome Cruise Gift Ideas for Cruise Fans & People Going on a Cruise

The post Top Travel Watches for Your Next Vacation (2024) appeared first on Sometimes Sailing .

This article may contain affiliate links that Microsoft and/or the publisher may receive a commission from if you buy a product or service through those links.

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Watches With Two Timezones: 24 Best Travel Watches from Entry-Level to Luxury

Aimed at frequent travelers, watches with two timezones are among the most practical of complicated timepieces. Even in an era in which it's easier than ever to check one's current time on any mobile device, being able to read two distinct times more or less simultaneously with a simple glance at one's wrist is still a compelling argument to recommend such a watch to anyone whose work or leisure takes them far from home on a regular basis. In this article we take a look at a range of dual-time watches (also called "GMT" watches, named for the calculation of "Greenwich Mean Time," or the worldwide 24-hour timekeeping system based upon the Greenwich Meridian in London), priced from entry-level to high luxury, from a variety of watchmakers large and small. 

Citizen Promaster Nighthawk

Price: $391, Case: 42mm, Lug Width: 26mm, Crystal: Mineral, Water-Resistance: 200m, Movement: Quartz Eco-Drive, Water-Resistance: 200m

The Citizen Promaster Nighthawk Black PVD sports a highly technical dial that takes its cues from instruments in the cockpits of U.S. military helicopters. The watch’s 42-mm case is made of black PVD-coated stainless steel and its black dial is packed with scales in contrasting white type that are of particular use to aviators and navigators, including the circular slide rule printed on the ion-plated rotating bezel. Two luminous central hands display the current time, while an airplane-tipped smaller hand shows the time in another time zone on a 24-hour scale; the date appears in a rectangular window at 3 o’clock. The movement inside the stealth-look case, Citizen’s quartz-powered Caliber B877, runs on the Japanese brand’s proprietary Eco-Drive technology, enabling constant recharging of power via any light source. 

Seiko 5 Sports GMT

Price: $475, Case Size: 42.5mm, Thickness: 13.4mm, Lug Width: 22mm, Crystal: Hardlex, Water Resistance: 100 m, Movement: Automatic Seiko 4R34

Seiko introduced the first GMT complication to its entry-level, automatic Seiko 5 sports line in 2022, equipping the watches with the automatic Caliber 4R34. Available in three colorways for the dial and bezel — blue, orange, and the black version featured here — the watches have a central GMT hand in a contrasting color, used in coordination with the bicolor day/night bezels (here in black and gray), with rings made of Hardlex glass like the crystal, to indicate a second time zone. The GMT hand is coated in Seiko’s proprietary LumiBrite for nighttime legibility. Based on the design of the much-beloved SKX series of Seiko sports watches, the model has a five-link bracelet with polished middle rows.

Bulova Wilton GMT

Price: $595, Case Size: 43mm, Thickness: 12.7mm, Lug to Lug: 49.5mm, Lug Width: 22mm, Crystal: Sapphire, Water Resistance: 30m, Movement: Automatic Miyota 9075

Over its long history, Bulova has become well-known for offering mechanical complications at very accessible prices, and the timepiece that joined its Classic collection in 2022 is no exception. At just under $600 in our shop, the Wilton GMT is the rare example of a “true” GMT — i.e., one with an independently adjustable local hour hand — that just about any enthusiast can afford. The watch has a brushed steel case at 43mm; a dial in either white or blue, with applied Roman numerals matching the case tone, a date window at 3 o’clock, and a world-map textured pattern on its surface that adds to its value proposition. The central arrow-pointed GMT hand indicates a second time zone on the bicolor 24-hour scale on the dial’s flange. The Japanese Miyota movement inside is self-winding and stores a 42-hour power reserve.

Zodiac Super Sea Wolf GMT Automatic

Price: $1,695, Case Size: 40mm, Lug Width: 20mm, Crystal: Sapphire, Water Resistance: 200 meters, Movement: Automatic Soprod C-125

Channeling the vintage spirit of Zodiac’s fondly remembered Aerospace model from the 1960s, the Super Sea Wolf GMT Automatic replaces the usual 60-minute dive-scale bezel of the Sea Wolf family with a bicolor 24-hour bezel in bright, eye-catching color combos such as the fan-favorite orange-and-cream “Sherbet” edition and the Neon Edition pictured above. The regular-production models introduced in 2020  (which followed up the preceding, sold-out  limited editions) offer either a steel or gold-tone bezel with a semi-gloss black dial, rectangular hour and minute hands that further distinguish the GMT models from the Super Sea Wolf divers’ editions, and a white-tipped, bright red GMT hand. Zodiac equips the Super Sea Wolf GMT Automatic with an outsourced but proven engine, the Swiss Soprod C-125, which replaces the increasingly hard-to-get ETA 2893-2 that powered the limited editions.

Baltic Aquascaphe GMT

Price: 920 Euros, Reference:  N/A,  Case Size: 39mm Case Height: 12mm, Lug to Lug: 47mm, Lug Width: 20mm, Crystal: Sapphire, Water Resistance: 100 meters, Movement: Automatic  Soprod C125

Founded in France in 2017, Baltic has swiftly staked out its spot on the independent microbrand scene with its vintage-influenced collection, particularly the Aquascaphe, a retro divers’ watch heavily influenced by midcentury classics like Blancpain’s Bathyscaphe models. For the GMT version of the Aquascaphe, Baltic replaced the base model’s unidirectional bezel with 60-minute dive scale with a more travel-friendly, bidirectional (and bicolor) 24-hour bezel, which can be used in conjunction with a central arrow-tipped hand to read the time in a second time zone. The dive-watch DNA of the Aquascaphe series is clearly present, with the dial sporting geometric hour markers, plentiful lume on the markers and hands, and a 100-meter water resistance (half of the diving model’s 200-meter rating, but still substantial). Adding to the value proposition is Baltic’s use of a self-winding Soprod movement inside the brushed steel case.

Mido Ocean Star GMT

Price: $1,250, Reference: M0266291105101, Case Size: 44mm Case Height: 13.28mm, Lug Width: 22mm, Crystal: Sapphire, Water Resistance: 200 meters, Movement: Automatic Mido 80 (ETA C07.661 base)

Wildly popular in Latin America but only vaguely familiar to many watch aficionados in the U.S., Mido has been making watches since 1918 and its nautically inspired Ocean Star line has been around since the 1940s, even before the era of the modern diver’s watch. The Ocean Star GMT, launched in 2020, is the collection’s first dual-time-zone watch, with a sturdy steel case and ceramic divers’ bezel. The 24-hour scale that you might expect to find on the bezel is instead printed on the dial’s flange. A long, arrow-tipped hand points to the scale, enabling the wearer to read the time in additional time zones while the two main hands display the local time. The Powermatic 80 caliber inside the 44mm steel case (the “80” denotes how many hours of power reserve it stores) has been equipped with a specially made module for the GMT functionality.

Longines Spirit Zulu Time

Price: $2,950, Reference: L3.812.4.93.2, Case Size: 42mm, Case Height: 13.9mm, Crystal: Sapphire, Water Resistance: 100 meters, Movement: Automatic Caliber L844

Longines, a watch brand that has supplied aviation pioneers like Hugh Herndon, Clyde Pangborn and Amy Johnson with watches and onboard clocks, stylishly revisits its history of developing dual-time instruments with the Zulu Time model, which joined the brand’s aviation-inspired Spirit series in 2022. (“Zulu Time” is the military radio jargon for the “zero” time at the Greenwich Meridian, aka GMT.) The watch’s 42-mm steel case houses a proprietary automatic movement that allows independent adjustment of both the traditional hour hand and the GMT hand that indicates an additional time zone on the 24-hour bezel, with lacquered engraved numerals on its colorful ceramic bezel insert. For lots more on the history of the Longines Zulu Time and details on the modern watch, read our review here.

Oris Whale Shark Limited Edition

Price: $3,200, Case Size: 43.5mm, Lug Width: 24mm, Water Resistance: 300m, Crystal: Sapphire, Movement: Automatic Oris Caliber 798 (Sellita SW 330-1 base)

Oris has released a number of special editions devoted to supporting environmental charities, specifically those with a mission of preserving endangered marine wildlife. Among the most notable is 2021’s Whale Shark Limited Edition, which features a multi-part stainless steel case measuring 43.5 mm in diameter and a robust 300-meter water resistance thanks to its securely screwed crown. The bezel, with an inlaid blue ceramic insert to match the dial, rotates in both directions and is etched with a 24-hour GMT scale that reveals a second time zone with the aid of an orange-tipped hand — meaning it’s more of a watch for traveling than actual diving. The bezel’s gradation bleeds from black, for nighttime hours, to blue, for daytime, while the dial has both a similar light-to-dark motif and a sharkskin-textured, engraved  texture that evokes the watch’s marine predator namesake; the solid steel caseback also depicts a relief illustration of a whale shark. The movement inside is the automatic Oris Caliber 798, based on the Sellita SW330-1, with a power reserve of 42 hours.

Ball Watch Hydrocarbon AeroGMT

Price: $3,499, Case Size: 42mm Case Height: 13.85, mm Lug to Lug: 54mm, Lug Width: 21mm, Crystal: Sapphire, Water Resistance: 100 meters, Movement: Automatic BALL RR1201-C

Ball Watch’s Hydrocarbon AeroGMT is not the first homage to the trendsetting “Pepsi” Rolex GMT-Master model of the 1950s, but it is one of the most solidly built, with a rugged, 42mm steel case whose bicolor, bidirectional GMT bezel is made of scratch-resistant sapphire. The dial has a 24-hour scale rather than a traditional 12-hour layout, with 12 corresponding hour markers instead placed on an inside flange. Using the red-tipped GMT hand along with both scales, the wearer can potentially read three time zones at once. Like all watches from Ball, the dial uses tritium-filled micro-gas tubes for its luminous elements rather than the more common Super-LumiNova; the former glows brighter and longer than the latter and requires no outside light source to activate. Beating inside is an ETA-based, COSC-certified, self-winding movement, protected from magnetic fields up to 4,800 A/m and impacts up to 7,500 Gs.

Bell & Ross BR V2-93 GMT Blue

Price: $3,500, Reference:  BRV293-BLU-ST,  Case Size: 41mm, Crystal: Sapphire, Water Resistance: 100 meters, Movement: Automatic Caliber BR-CAL.303

Bell & Ross veers away from its square-cased “Instrument” look with this model from its BR V2 series of round-cased timepieces (the “V” in this instance referencing the “vintage” influence). The sunburst blue dial hosts large Arabic numerals and intermittent indices along with a prominent red-hued arrow-tipped hand to point out the second time zone on a 24-hour bezel that has been subdivided into gray and blue sectors (for daytime and nighttime hours, respectively). The date appears discreetly in a round window at 4:30, and the seconds hand’s airplane-shaped counterweight subtly references the brand’s devotion to aviation-inspired design. Bell & Ross’s ETA-based, automatic Caliber BR-CAL.303 ticks inside, offering a power reserve of 42 hours.

Tudor Black Bay GMT

Price: $3,850 - $5,550, Case Size: 41mm, Case Thickness: 15mm, Crystal: Sapphire, Water Resistance: 200 meters, Movement: Automatic Tudor Caliber MT5652

The Tudor Black Bay GMT takes the classical design of the GMT-Master from parent brand Rolex and gives it a very contemporary spin that is distinctly 21st-Century Tudor.  Like its iconic predecessor, its bezel sports a bicolor 24-hour ring on which the wearer can read a second time zone thanks to the dial’s GMT hand; on the Tudor model, the famous bright red-and-blue “Pepsi” colorway of the bezel is slightly modified to a more muted indigo-and-burgundy combo that speaks to the design language of the Black Bay. The newest version features an opaline white dial with a galvanic finish that imparts to it a silvery-grained texture. The outlines of the dial’s hour indexes have been darkened to stand out more boldly. The 41mm steel case holds Tudor’s self-winding,  manufacture Caliber MT5652, which boasts an antimagnetic silicon balance spring and a “weekend-proof” 70-hour power reserve. Like all Tudor in-house movements, it carries a chronometer certification by the Swiss testing agency COSC .

Bulgari Aluminium Amerigo Vespucci Edition

Price: $3,950, Case Size: 40mm, Thickness: 9.70mm, Lug Width: 20mm, Crystal: Sapphire, Water Resistance: 100 meters, Movement: Automatic Caliber B192

In the late 1990s, Bulgari became the first watchmaker to pair a case made of aluminum with a sporty rubber strap. The Italian jewelry-and-watch brand resurrected the Aluminium model (its preferred spelling in Europe) in 2020 and added a handsome GMT-equipped model a year later, targeted at travelers eager to emerge from lockdowns. This 1,000-piece limited edition released in Summer ‘22 pays tribute to the 15th-Century Italian explorer for whom the Americas are named, and the Italian naval vessel named for him. Its 40-mm aluminum case features a black rubber bezel engraved with the double “BVLGARI” in Roman-style letters; inside its border, surrounding the black dial is a two-tone 24-hour scale in yellow and black that is used in concert with the central yellow-tipped GMT hand to set the time in the wearer’s home city or any other chosen time zone. Exclusive to this special edition is the tricolored strip above 6 o’clock representing Italy’s flag. The stylish strap is made of the same rubber as the bezel, the exhibition caseback is titanium, and the self-winding movement on display behind that caseback stores a power reserve of 42 hours.

Grand Seiko Sport Collection Spring Drive GMT Triple Time Zone “Mount Hotaka Peaks” SBGE295

The green dial of Grand Seiko’s newest GMT-equipped watch takes its eye-catching texture from the summertime vegetation on the peaks of Mount Hotaka in Japan’s Nagano prefecture, which loom over the skyline of the city of Shinshu and are visible through the windows of Grand Seiko’s watchmaking studio there. The stainless steel case is 44mm in diameter, with a 24-hour bicolor GMT bezel whose durable ring is made of sapphire and underpinned by a generous coating of Grand Seiko’s proprietary LumiBrite luminous material. The dial has large indexes and hands, also LumiBrite-coated, and a 24-hour chapter ring on the flange that can be used to track a third time zone, The movement inside is Caliber 9R66, a descendant of the original Caliber 9R65 from the first generation of Grand Seiko Spring Drive timepieces, with a three-day power reserve and an added hour hand that can be adjusted to the local time without stopping the movement.

Montblanc Geosphere Chronograph 0 Oxygene

Price: $8,600, Case Size: 44mm, Case Height: 17.10mm, Crystal: Sapphire, Water Resistance: 50 meters, Movement: Automatic Caliber MB 29.27

Montblanc takes its mountain-exploration theme to a new height — or perhaps, a new summit — with the 1858 Geosphere Chronograph 0 Oxygene, introduced in 2022. As its name implies, it is the world’s first “zero oxygen” timepiece, meaning it has been constructed to be utterly devoid of oxygen inside the case, which eliminates fogging and oxidation that might otherwise occur when using the watch at the high altitudes and freezing temperatures that one would encounter on a mountaineering expedition. As part of the Geosphere series, the watch features a unique dual-time display via two turning globes on the dial, one for each hemisphere, along with a 24-hour scale, a day-night indicator, and a date disk. This model — which Montblanc says has actually been tested on an expedition up Mount Everest — also features an integrated chronograph. The oxygen-free automatic movement is ensconced inside a titanium case, between the “glacial blue” dial and the solid caseback with a laser-engraved, photorealistic rendering of Everest.

Panerai Luminor BiTempo

Price: $10,600, Case Size: 44mm, Lug Width: 24mm, Crystal: Sapphire, Water Resistance: 300 meters, Movement: Automatic Panerai Caliber P.9012

Panerai continues to build on its now-famous heritage as the purveyor of robustly engineered and boldly designed dive watches for the Italian Navy in the 1940s with its modern Luminor collection, which welcomed the dual-time BiTempo model to the family in 2022. The 44mm steel watch depicts two distinct time zones on its sandwich-style dial, in either sunbrushed blue or matte black, both with a central arrow-pointed hand in bright Cerulean blue that points to the hour in a traveler’s home time zone. Running seconds are displayed on a subdial at 9 o’clock, while the date appears at 3 o’clock and an additional subdial at 5 o’clock uses another, smaller bright blue hand to indicate the state of the movement’s 72-hour power reserve (with the Italian word “Ore” for “hours” serving as a reminder of Panerai’s Florentine origins). The case features the brand’s patented, bridge-style crown protection device on the right side and contains the self-winding in-house Caliber P.9012, on display behind a sapphire caseback.

Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean 600M GMT Big Blue

Price: $11,700, Case Size: 45.5mm, Lug width: 22mm, Crystal: Sapphire, Water Resistance: 600 meters, Movement: Automatic Omega Caliber 8906

Omega offers a handful of GMT options in its Seamaster Planet Ocean line, the most noteworthy of which is the Deep Blue edition, the successor to the Deep Black models, which is the first Omega watch with a case made entirely from a monobloc of blue ceramic. Orange and blue are the signature colors of the Planet Ocean series, so orange highlights abound throughout the design, including in the 24-hour GMT scale surrounding the dial and the first 15-minute-sector of the bezel’s 60-minute diving scale, which combines orange rubber and ceramic. Inside the stately 45.5mm case is an in-house movement, Omega’s Master Chronometer Caliber 8906, with a 60-hour power reserve and an industry-leading 15,000 Gauss magnetic field resistance.

Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Duoface

Price: $11,700, Case Size: 47mm x 28.3mm, Thickness: 10.3mm, Lug Width: 20mm, Crystal: Sapphire, Water Resistance: 30 meters, Movement: Manually Wound Caliber 854A

Jaeger-LeCoultre’s signature dress watch, the Reverso, was originally designed as a sports watch, its reversible swiveling case making it a practical timekeeper for polo players who wore it during a match to protect the crystal from being struck by errant mallets and balls. In production since 1931, the Reverso is now available in numerous variations, including the Duoface models, which feature two different time zones depicted on both sides of the reversible dial. The watch features the clean, angular Art Deco-era styling that has become emblematic of all Reverso watches, including the gadroons at the top and bottom. Its main, front dial has a sleek sunburst finish while the back dial hosts a figure eight of overlapping opaline subdials framed by a clous de Paris guilloché background; the larger subdial shows the time in a second time zone, while the smaller one displays the time in 24-hour format along with a day-night display. The Reverso Duoface houses the manually wound Jaeger-LeCoultre Caliber 854A/2, an in-house movement with a 42-hour power reserve.

Ulysse Nardin Marine Torpilleur Dual Time

Price: $12,000, Case Size: 44mm, Thickness: 11.4mm, Lug Width: 20mm, Crystal: Sapphire, Water Resistance: 50 meters, Movement: Automatic Caliber UN-334

To many, Ulysse Nardin’s most iconic watch is the disruptive, idiosyncratic Freak, which the maison introduced in 2001 and has been refining ever since. However, more classical in its design and more evocative of Ulysse Nardin’s origins as a provider of chronometers to navies in the 19th and 20th centuries, is the Marine Torpilleur, which takes its name from a historical type of torpedo on battleships. The steel case and marine-blue dial take inspiration from a vintage sea captain’s chronometer, with Roman numerals, ornate hands, and a stacked subdial arrangement. The Dual Time variant features on its dial a large date in a double window at 2 o’clock, a small seconds subdial at 6 o’clock, and an indicator for its traveling wearer’s home time (in 24-hour format) in a round window at 9 o’clock. User-friendly “+” and “-” pushers on the side of the polished steel caseadjust the hour hand forward or backward to quickly change the local time on the hands. Ticking inside is the automatic Caliber UN-24, with a decorated gold rotor and a power reserve of 42 hours.

Rolex Oyster Perpetual GMT-Master II

Price: $15,200, Case Size: 40mm, Case Height: 12.5mm, Crystal: Sapphire, Water Resistance: 100 meters, Movement: Automatic Caliber 3285

The original Rolex GMT-Master, released in 1954, was a trend-setter for many travel watches to follow: it was the first watch capable of displaying the time in two separate time zones via a fourth, central 24-hour hand and a bidirectional rotating 24-hour bezel. Its dual-time functionality — and its now-iconic red-and-blue bicolor 24-hour bezel — are the products of Rolex’s collaboration with Pan Am Airlines pilots to develop the model, which was intended to allow pilots to track time simultaneously at their home and destination cities. The rest, as they say, is history, as the GMT-Master and its successor, the GMT-Master II, which added an independently adjustable GMT hand, has gone on to become one of Rolex’s, and the world’s, most storied and coveted luxury sports watches. The modern models are 40mm in diameter and are powered by in-house, chronometer-certified automatic movements that achieve a power reserve of 70 hours.

Hublot Big Bang Unico GMT

Price: $24,100, Reference:  471.QL.7127.RX,  Case Size: 45mm, Crystal: Sapphire, Water Resistance: 100 meters, Movement: Automatic Caliber HUB1251 Unico

Hublot’s Big Bang is not a watch one usually thinks of when looking for a utilitarian travel watch, but the Big Bang Unico GMT, which eschews the usual chronograph function, is one of the most user-friendly models to be found. The chronograph-style push-buttons advance the hour hand forward or backward in hourly increments to set the local time independently of the other hands, including the GMT pointer, and a safety mechanism prevents both pushers from being accidentally operated at once. The skeletonized dial, a hallmark of the Big Bang series, is designed to display two time zones at once, both on 12-hour scales, and features a day-night ring for an easy reading of the home time in AM/PM format. Hublot’s Unico HUB1251 caliber can be viewed through both the front and back of the 45mm case through sapphire crystals. 

Vacheron Constantin Overseas Dual Time

Price: $27,100, Reference: 7900V/110A-B546, Case Size: 41mm, Case Height: 12.8mm, Crystal: Sapphire, Water Resistance: 100 meters, Movement: Automatic Caliber 5110 DT

Vacheron Constantin has been making watches since 1755 but it waited until 2018 to install a dual-time complication in its sport-luxury Overseas collection. The 41mm case’s distinctive six-sided bezel, inspired by the maison’s Maltese Cross emblem, frames a lacquered black dial with a velvet-textured flange. The red-tipped GMT hand indicates the home or reference time on the same ring of 12-hour indexes as the hour and minute hand for the local time and is linked to the AM/PM indicator at 9 o’clock. With an additional, sophisticated hand-type date display on the subdial at 6 o’clock, which is linked to the local time, the Overseas Dual Time offers additional everyday functionality for the wearer while at home or abroad. Vacheron’s self-winding manufacture Caliber 5110 DT beats inside, behind a sapphire caseback, distinguished by a gold rotor with an engraved wind rose emblem. 

Parmigiani Fleurier GMT Rattrapante

Price: $28,700, Case Size: 40mm, Thickness: 10.7mm, Crystal: Sapphire, Water Resistance: 60 meters, Movement: Automatic Caliber PF051

With the introduction of the Tonda PF GMT Rattrapante in 2022, Parmigiani Fleurier created a world-first complication: a practical “jumping” GMT hand to quickly and easily shift between two time zones. Here’s how it works: the dial hosts two superimposed hour hands, both in the brand’s familiar Delta shape: one in rhodium-plated gold to display the local time, the other in rose gold for the home time. Pressing the pusher at 8 o’clock moves the former hand forward in one-hour increments to change the local time when the wearer travels abroad. Pushing the rose-gold button integrated in the crown snaps this local-time hand backward, in the same manner as a split-seconds chronograph hand, to its original position aligned with the home-time hand when the traveler returns home. This useful functionality comes in Parmigiani’s typically elegant package: the watch’s Milano blue dial is enhanced with the barleycorn guilloché motif that distinguishes the Tonda PF collection, and the platinum bezel on the 40mm polished steel case has been finely knurled. The same nature-inspired guilloché pattern adorns the gold micro-rotor of the all-new manufacture Caliber PF051, along with an array of other haute horologerie finishes.

Patek Philippe Calatrava 24-Hour Display Travel Time

Price: $57,370, Case Size: 42mm, Thickness: 9.85mm, Crystal: Sapphire, Water Resistance: 30 meters, Movement: Automatic Caliber 31-260 PS FUS 24H

Patek Philippe’s 2023 headliner at Watches & Wonders Geneva was the Calatrava 24 Hour Display Travel Time, which features a rare 24-hour dial with a hand that makes one full rotation (rather than the traditional two) around it per day. This unconventional timekeeping display is paired with Patek’s now-familiar Travel Time complication, which indicates two time zones via a patented system in which the local-time hour hand can be easily moved in  both directions by a press of the crown. The elegant simplicity of the dial, with noon represented at 12 o’clock with a “12,” and midnight at 6 o’clock with a “24,” allows Patek Philippe to dispense with the usual day-night or AM-PM indicator that one often finds on a dual-time dial. The classical, round Calatrava case measures 42mm in diameter and just under 10mm thick; beating inside it is the in-house automatic Caliber 31-260 PS FUS 24H, with a 48-hour power reserve. The navy blue dial has a variety of contrasting elegant finishes, a railway style minute track, and applied Arabic numerals and baton markers in rose gold to echo the case. The hands, including both “local” and “home” hour hands, are in the vintage syringe style emblematic of Patek’s Pilot collection and made of rose gold, except for the contrasting sword-shaped seconds hand, which is in white gold.

A. Lange & Söhne Lange 1 Time Zone

Price: $57,800+, Case size: 41.9mm, Thickness: 10.9mm, Lug Width: 22mm, Crystal: Sapphire, Water Resistance: 30 meters, Movement: Manually Wound L141.1

The now-iconic Lange 1 has been the modern flagship of the reconstituted A. Lange & Söhne brand since its introduction in 1994 and the Lange 1 Time Zone was Lange’s first watch with a dual time-zone indication when it debuted in 2005. In a clever tweaking of the original, asymmetrical Lange 1 dial ensemble, the main (i.e. local) time display remains on the large subdial at 9 o’clock, and the large “outsize” date stands in its usual position, while the smaller 5 o’clock subdial, rather than hosting the decentralized running seconds, displays a second time zone on two hands in a 12-hour format. The “Auf/Ab” power-reserve indicator occupies the spot between the latter two elements, and a switchable city ring occupies the dial’s periphery. The watch’s synchronization mechanism enables the wearer to “swap” between the time zone indicated on the two subdials. In 2020, A. Lange & Söhne upgraded the Lange 1 Time Zone to the manually wound L121.3 caliber, which achieves the same 72-hour power reserve as its predecessor but stores it in a single barrel rather than two, and added day-night indicators for both the home time and local time to the dial.

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The 8 Best Watch Travel Cases of 2024

Watches are a serious investment — here’s how to protect yours on your next trip.

In This Article

• Our Top Picks
• Tips for Buying

Frequently Asked Questions

• Why Trust T+L

Travel + Leisure / Brian Kopinski

When traveling, an important function of luggage isn’t just getting your stuff from Point A to Point B, but it’s keeping it safe along the journey, too. And if you’re someone who has invested in your timepieces, you’ll probably want to make sure that these costly accessories are secure, scratch-free, and protected from the elements along the way. There are so many different types of watch travel cases out there — from roll style cases, to flat folding cases, to large-and-in-charge chunky plastic ones that are impervious to the damaging effects of water along the way.

But not all watch cases are created equal; it can be tricky to find one that balances form with function, and meets your specific needs. For example, not every traveler needs to worry about water exposure, and not everyone wants to bring along multiple timepieces. That’s why we’ve combed the market for the best of the best in a range of sizes and styles with options to suit every traveler’s needs.

Best Overall

Shinola travel watch case.

The leather is beautifully broken in, like a piece you’ve had forever.

It should be cleaned and conditioned annually for longevity.

Count on Shinola for beautiful products, especially leather goods, that are made in the U.S. and built to last. This leather watch case has the broken-in patina of a piece that you’ve had forever and taken on many adventures, even when it’s brand new! A matte black zip-around zipper keeps your watches secure inside the case, and opens to reveal a smart technical-suede-lined interior with two pockets to hold your watches, as well as a partition to prevent your watch faces from scratching each other. We also love this folding case for its low profile, which slips easily into your checked luggage or carry-on bag.

The Details: 6.5 x 3.75 x 1.5 inches | Zip closure | 2 watches | Leather

Best Waterproof

Benrus black watch travel case.

This case offers total waterproof protection.

It will take up a little more space in your luggage than softer cases.

People often think about impact resistance and dust accumulation when it comes to watch storage, but what about the elements, and, specifically, water? This small-yet-mighty travel watch case provides a watertight environment for your timepieces. We love the rugged look and feel, and the sturdy outer shell, which is not only waterproof but also shockproof and crushproof. And with a soft foam interior, this case is sure to keep your watches safe and sound no matter what environment you put it in.

The Details: 5 x 3.5 x 2.25 inches | Snap closure | 1 watch | ABS outer shell with foam interior

Best Impact-resistant

Invicta plastic watch box case.

It’s made from super sturdy, protective hardshell plastic.

It’s on the bulkier side, which could be an issue if you’re trying to pack light.

For trips where you need to keep your timepieces extra secure, consider this heavy-duty travel watch case from Invicta. The exterior shell is made from very durable plastic which is pretty much impervious to impacts, scratching, and the elements. It features a sturdy rubber grid handle and a double-latch closure so the case doesn’t open accidentally in transit. Inside, the case is filled with egg-crate-style memory padding that keeps your watches secure and scratch-free. The case holds three watches.

The Details: 5.91 x 5.91 inches | Snap closure | 3 watches | Plastic

Citizen Watch Roll Travel Case

We love the translucent cover so you can see inside without necessarily opening the case.

It only fits one watch.

Some collectors prefer the protection offered by a roll case; these store your watches in the same round shape as if they were on your wrist, which protects the integrity of the watch’s construction and prevents slipping and sliding like some flat cases. We loved this one for its clear top panel so you can easily see inside, and the sturdy zipper which opens and closes easily, but still keeps the case securely closed while in transit.

The Details: 3.5 x 2.75 inches | Zip closure | 1 watch | Ultrasuede interior

Best Folding

Wind up watch shop adpt edc watch fold.

Wind Up Watch Shop

The neoprene expands to accommodate any watch shape or size.

It doesn’t offer the impact resistance of sturdier watch cases.

Sleek, simple, rugged — that’s how we would describe this travel watch case. It unfolds to reveal two neoprene pockets, which expand to adjust to the shape and size of your watches, so you can easily slide them in and out and know that they will be protected. We love how portable, lightweight, and effortless this watch case feels, and how durable its materials are. The soft neoprene also makes this one a great case for sunglasses, or other small items you don’t want to get lost in your luggage. Simply fold it up, zip the paracord closure, and head out for your next adventure since, when you’re traveling with this case, you can rest assured that your valuables are safe.

The Details: 5.75 x 2.5 inches | Zip cord closure | 2 watches | Nylon and neoprene

Best Splurge

Lorenzi milano leather watch case.

Net-A-Porter

It’s made from highest quality Italian nappa leather.

It also comes with a few small tools for on-the-go watch adjustments.

Does anyone do leather goods better than Italy? This luxe Lorenzi Milano leather watch case is about as sumptuous as it gets as it’s handcrafted in Italy from the finest quality nappa leather, and stitched by hand. This case features an integrated foam roll to keep your timepieces secure and scratch-free, and a magnetic closure so it’s easy to open and close. It also comes with a few small tools so you can make minor watch adjustments during your trip, too.

The Details: Magnetic closure | 2 watches | Leather

Best Budget

Watchpod single watch travel case.

It’s small, it’s lightweight, and it’s under fifteen bucks.

It isn’t completely impact-resistant like some of the sturdier cases on this list.

Don’t overthink it — sometimes all you need is a single, small, secure case to prevent a timepiece from getting lost or damaged in your luggage. This one is made with a woven nylon exterior that sufficiently keeps minor bumps and shakes at bay, and is lined with a soft velvet interior to prevent scratching. And, at just under fifteen bucks a pop, it’s one of the best value travel watch cases you’ll find anywhere.

The Details: 4.5 x 2.25 inches | Zip closure | 1 watch | Nylon exterior with velvet interior

Best for Multiple Watches

Mark & graham travel watch roll.

Mark & Graham

It has a thoughtfully designed hidden compartment for cufflinks, collar stays, or small watch tools.

It’s made from polyurethane, not leather, and is not waterproof.

There is so much to love about this sleek Mark & Graham travel watch case. It rolls into a tidy cylinder that fits easily into your luggage yet preserves the shape of your watches’ wristbands yet, pull out the interior removable cushion and — voilà ! — it opens up to reveal a hidden compartment, just large enough to store some cufflinks, collar stays, or small watch tools. The case comfortably holds three watches, making it great for traveling with multiple timepieces without necessarily being overly large or bulky.

The Details: 6.75 x 3 inches | Double snap closure | 3 watches | Polyurethane exterior with microsuede lining

Tips for Buying Watch Travel Cases

Pick the best size for your needs.

Not all luggage is created equally — and buying even smaller accessories such as watch travel cases should be relevant to your particular needs. You’ll want to consider how many watches a case can carry and how much room it will take up in your luggage (which might relate to how protective it is). Don’t go larger than you need to, but be careful not to get something too small to fit your timepieces.

Consider adding security and other special features

Depending on your specific needs, the value of the watches you’re trying to protect, and the budget you’re set aside for a case, there are a range of added features available. You may want to look for a travel case that is lockable, so you can leave your watches with confidence if they’re beyond your reach while you’re in transit. Other features to consider are how discreet the watch case looks; if the worst happens and someone breaks into your luggage, you may not want a case that overtly screams, “Expensive watches in here!” Going for something a little more understated could therefore be its own form of security.

This is probably a bigger answer than you’d expect. Yes, cases keep the elements away from your watch and, in many instances, offer waterproof protection, impact protection, or, at a minimum, scratch resistance from other items in your luggage. But watch cases also offer a degree of security. Some can be locked, or easily tucked away in your luggage, so you can travel with confidence knowing that your watch is staying put as you reach your final destination.

The difference between a watch travel case and a watch roll is exactly what it sounds like — watch rolls store your watch in a rolled-up shape that mimics the shape of a human wrist. For more complicated and expensive watches, it can be better to store your watches in a rolled-up shape, which protects the structural integrity of the wrist band, and prevents the sliding and bunching which can sometimes happen in flat travel cases.

Care depends on the material of the watch travel case itself. Most cases are made from durable materials which can be cleaned with a soft cloth, or in some instances, a barely damp soft cloth. If your watch travel case is made from leather, you’ll also want to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for leather care (such as conditioning periodically) so that it lasts for many adventures to come.

It’s all in the details. Some basic travel cases are little more than a nylon envelope with a zipper whereas others have design details such as magnetic flap closures, hand stitching, Italian leather, or hidden compartments to carry small accessories or watch repair tools. But just because a travel case is more expensive doesn’t necessarily mean it will protect your timepieces any better than a less expensive model; read the product descriptions closely to see what kind of features your watch case includes.

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

For this story, writer Todd Plummer drew upon extensive market research, and years of writing about menswear and travel to create this roundup of the best travel cases for watches.

Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we’ll send you our favorite travel products each week.

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Best Men's Watches, Reviews and Guides

Timex vs Citizen Watches: Which Budget Brand is Best?

By Nina Scally Updated May 21, 2024

Timex vs Citizen – what a dilemma. Here’s a quick guide that will help you decide which brand is best for you.

If you’re debating whether to buy a Citizen watch or a Timex watch, read this article. Despite whatever you’ve read before, there are pros and cons to each brand. 

Let’s explore the ingenuity and technical expertise of both watchmakers and their heritages to determine which is best for you.  

Table of Contents

Timex vs Citizen — Comparing the Two

You might recognize Citizen as the official timekeeper for the US Open tennis championship or its presence at Manchester United. But what many don’t realize is that its versatile range of affordable wristwatches is a cut above the rest.

Japanese brand Citizen is one of the world’s largest watch manufacturers. The company developed the Eco-Drive technology in 1976, with advantages that rendered many quartz watches irrelevant. 

The solar-powered technology proved to be incredibly precise, even when exposed to darkness for months. Considering its pricing and quality, people often compare Citizen to Timex.

American company Timex began its story under the Waterbury Clock Company in 1854 but rebranded in 1944. The “Timex Corporation” saved the company from collapse, and it soon became one of the world’s most prolific watchmakers.  

During the 1970s, Timex had to scramble to survive the Quartz Crises, propelled by Seiko’s electronic watches. As a result, it turned to digital computing technologies for a while before returning to analog watches.

The introduction of its Indiglo watch in the 1990s, however, marked a point when Timex began experiencing worldwide success. The company even played into the vintage watch craze, producing back catalog re-issues of its Marlin Mechanical watches .  

To get a better understanding of how both of these brands compare, let’s take a closer look.

An Overview of Citizen the Watch Brand 

Today, Citizen’s catalog is huge. The Promaster series, for example, splits into Land, Sky, and Marine sub-categories. You can find some really good value quartz watches in the Land series. 

Electronic compasses, altimeters, and stopwatches accurate to 1/100th of a second are among them.

The Promaster Marine collection is home to robust dive watches that comply with ISO standards. A screw-down crown at 8 o’clock differentiates these watches from others on the market.

Quick Take: The Citizen Promaster Marine Eco-Drive Diver 200M

This daring and confident-looking Promaster Marine watch , for example, demonstrates the quality you can expect from Citizen’s dive watch range.  

It features a unique whale shark stamp on its caseback, 200-meter water resistance, and Eco-Drive technology . 

Its lightweight titanium case construction features the brand’s surface-hardening technology. 

This is a bulky 45.6mm size model and, like many of the brand’s designs, wears on the large side.

On the other hand, the Promaster Sky is ideal for pilots. Packed with countless features to aid with calculating flight data, these models benefit from radio-controlled accuracy and lightweight titanium cases.  

Citizen also offers some pretty neat three-handed watches with date displays from the Elegant collection. Without a doubt, the highlight is the Satellite Timekeeping System, which relies on GPS signals for precise atomic time.  

Citizen Sport is another large collection that promises sufficient 100-meter water-resistant ratings and reasonable prices.   

Quick Take: Citizen Series 8 Automatic 

The Citizen Series 8 Automatic subscribes to the desirable steel sports watch aesthetic but at a fraction of the price. If you don’t want to remortgage your house to invest in an AP Royal Oak, this alternative should suffice.

The mechanical sports watch has an ultra-clean execution crafted from stainless steel, measuring 42mm. It also features 200-meter water resistance , an octagonal case profile, and an integrated bracelet. 

In my opinion, this is one of the brand’s most collectible designs.   

An Overview of Timex, the Watch Brand 

The Timex watch catalog is broad and varied. Some of its cheapest models cost less than $25! 

One of the brand’s biggest achievements is its Ironman watch series. Collectors particularly enjoy them for their luminous dial markings and vintage-inspired designs.  

Quick Take: The Timex Ironman Adrenaline Chronograph 48mm  

Here’s a superb example of the Timex Ironman. This stainless steel model with a black PVD coating features recessed sub-dials on its black display. Shots of vibrant red from the sporty chronograph hands punctuate the rich black dial.

The Ironman was originally a digital watch with great legibility and functionality. It’s incredible to see how Timex has evolved this watch to accommodate the needs of the modern man.

Beware, though, that this watch measures large. Its 48mm diameter imparts masculinity and power. It can certainly match up to Citizen’s offerings, which tend to measure on the large side.  

One of the company’s biggest innovations, however, was the brand’s Indiglo light technology, which I mentioned earlier. 

The proprietary watch backlight followed on from the Ironman. Developed in the 1990s, it featured a thin paper film placed over the dial. 

When the wearer activated the backlight, the film acted as a light bulb. The feature illuminates the entire dial with the simple push of a button.  

Quick Take: Timex Waterbury Classic 

This watch pays homage to Timex’s roots. Its legible and clear dial format is incredibly versatile, and it benefits from the brand’s Indiglo light technology. 

The Timex Waterbury Classic 40mm watch, as its name suggests, promises manageable dimensions. Its stainless steel case holds a quartz movement within and promises 50 meters of water resistance.

Understandably, since Timex watches cost less than Citizen watches , the brand’s technology is a little less impressive. But the engineering of a Timex watch certainly can’t be sniffed at. 

What the Waterbury Classic guarantees is a clean and simple timepiece that is perfect for formal occasions.  

The Indiglo light-up dial also provides easy timekeeping during the night, making it a great option for pairing with evening attire.  

Is Timex or Citizen Better?

Citizen has been a leader in solar-powered wristwatches since the 1990s. It also produced the first Japanese watch with shock protection in 1956. 

Since then, many leading luxury watch brands have adopted this Parashock system, which helps protect mechanical movements from unexpected impact. It is one of the brand’s greatest innovations to date.

By 1959, Citizen had produced its first water-resistant watch. Suffice it to say, the Japanese brand has always pushed the horological limits despite being an affordable manufacturer.

It continues to lead the way in affordable wristwatch technology, especially with its impressive Eco-Drive technology.  

Timex also upholds a reputation for affordability and quality. The brand promises plenty of bang for your buck, beating Citizen’s prices by a mile. 

That said, the American brand hasn’t achieved quite as many horological innovations as Citizen and lacks the same level of expertise. However, innovations like the iconic digital Ironman Series and the Indiglo light technology have stood the test of time.  

While most Citizen watches feature stainless steel, the brand does offer some innovative designs made from recyclable plastic. 

Still, they don’t quite live up to the quality materials chosen by Citizen. The Japanese brand uses lightweight titanium for many of its watches, fortifying the material with a proprietary surface-hardening technology.  

The Takeaway

When it comes to deciding between Timex vs Citizen, the jury is still out.

Although both brands come from completely different parts of the world, they are enjoyed for the same values. They promise reliability and affordability and demonstrate an innovative spirit, too. 

Citizen’s achievements, however, are a little more impressive. Its sticking point, however, tends to be its large case sizes.

Deciding between Citizen vs Timex really comes down to what you consider the most important in a watch. Is it price? Technological features? Or both? Leave a comment and tell me what you think!

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The Best Running Watches, According to Runners

In this article

• Best overall
• Best (less expensive) overall
• Best for iOS users

Best battery life

• Best for multi-sport athletes
• Best (less expensive) multisport

The Strategist happens to be full of runners, so this week, we hit the ground running (literally), testing tons of running gear and interviewing experts to give every kind of runner all the intel they might need. Welcome to  Running Week .

When I’m not running, I’m admittedly somewhat of a Luddite when it comes to wearable tech. I don’t like tracking every single activity. I still use wired headphones, the only non-sport watches I wear have an analog display, and I’ve only recently started wearing a smartwatch for non-athletic purposes. But when it comes to running , I want all the data. I track all of my runs with a running watch because it can provide important metrics, not only during my run but immediately after my sessions too — it’s like a mini-coach that fits on my wrist. I can compare that training data over time and chart my progress.

You might see running watches referred to interchangeably as smartwatches , fitness trackers, or GPS watches. Indeed, many of the watches below could be placed in any of those categories. But a running watch can generally be defined by the metrics it tracks: GPS capability, time, duration, distance, pace, and heart rate.

All of these watches will track and record those metrics (and load more activities, like biking, swimming, yoga, and gym workouts, for example), but there are a few differences that make each of these recommendations the right fit for certain runners. All I really care about as an intermediate runner is being able to track my runs, see my pace and heart rate, and then check out a map of my route when I get home. But for athletes like ultramarathoner Emily Halnon , a watch with more battery life will better suit her long-haul sessions. (She told us back in 2021 that she wears a Coros watch because of its “ridiculous” battery life.) Someone like pro surfer Nathan Florence , who runs and does other aerobic activities for cross-training, might find a multisport watch more beneficial than a simpler model that can only track a handful of basic activities.

To make it easier for you to choose the right running watch, I tested five models, running over 1,800 miles with them in the last year; spoke with running experts and professional athletes to find out which models they recommended; and rounded up all of the best watches we’ve written about before. Plus, I chatted with a few Strategist staffers and included their top picks.

Best running watch overall

The Forerunner 265 is my top recommendation because almost every feature is designed specifically with runners in mind, from its bright, easy-to-read screen, to its simple menu navigation, to the way it displays your metrics. I run some variation of the same loop on most of my training runs, so I have a good sense of where the mile markers are and what paces I normally hit at certain sections of the run. I found the Forerunner to be consistent and accurate with its GPS tracking (especially after cross-referencing with an online map pedometer), and the stats for my pace and heart rate were easy to read at a glance mid-stride. Its pace reading seemed accurate and quick — other watches have a tendency to lag and display a much slower pace than what I’m actually running (especially when I stop and then start again, like at a crosswalk). But my favorite feature is its AMOLED screen. It’s bright and colorful and easy to read in the sunlight, yet it’s also easy on the eyes at night.

Strategist newsletter editor Ashley Wolfgang swears by her Forerunner, which she’s been using for the past four years. “I was first introduced to Garmin after spotting a version of the watch on the wrists of nearly every runner in my running club,” she says. “I was particularly drawn to a (now discontinued) black and rose-gold colorway of the 645 that my friend has and bought the same one during a Black Friday sale in 2019. After previously running — and recording — all my runs with my phone in hand with the Strava app open, I loved how freeing wearing a running watch was.” It’s also one of Citius Mag founder Chris Chavez ’s favorite watches.

Best less-expensive overall

Much like the Forerunner, the Coros Pace series is well beloved among runners and a solid choice for folks who want a smartwatch but don’t need to track many other activities outside of running. The Pace has kept its design consistent throughout each iteration — like previous versions of the Pace, which I’ve tested, the Pace 3 has a customizable watch face and simple format. Its dial-button lets you scroll and navigate the screen — similar to the Apple Watch’s dial — and it has one other button below it. It’s also one of the most affordable running watches available.

My favorite aspect of the Pace is the Coros app, which I found to be the most straightforward and helpful dashboard for running training among those I tried. Oftentimes, these fitness apps are a headache to navigate (I don’t need a news feed or to read a company blog — I really just want to see my run data). The Coros app is refreshingly easy to use, and there aren’t any confusing pages or unnecessary metrics. I often wish I could use it with other running watches. Largely because of the app, I would recommend the Pace 3 — or the Apex Pro 2, below — to any runner who likes to dig into their data post-run.

Runner and former professional soccer player Hellah Sidibe , who ran across the country in 2021 and has run every day since 2017, often runs with two watches on each arm , as part of an ongoing test (he’s unsponsored).

When it comes to battery life, Sidibe says the Pace 3 is leagues better than the competition. “It’s one of those watches where I don’t worry about leaving my charger behind because I know it can give me a good amount of days,” he says. “I’m a person who runs every day, so I use it every single day. I can guarantee myself two weeks with no red battery warning coming on, nothing. I could probably go for three weeks — I just haven’t let it go that long.” It charges quickly, too. Sidibe says you can get a quick 10 to 15 percent boost within five minutes of charging.

Best for safety features

The Apple Watch is about as ubiquitous as the iPhone, and its features are well known. But after testing out different watch-screen interfaces for this article, I found that the Apple Watch’s felt familiar and intuitive — and I assume that’s true for other iPhone users or those who have devices in the Apple ecosystem. As someone who never runs with their phone, I find that the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is about as close as you can get to that experience without actually having to lug one around.

Unlike the Apple Watch Series 9, the Ultra 2 has an “Action Button” on the side that works like a shortcut start button for workouts, which I found handy on the days where I’d roll out of bed and want to get started on a run right away (as opposed to having to sit around and wait for the GPS to connect, like I do with some watches). As a Spotify user, I found it super-easy to load my playlists and listen to music while running. One thing you might want to consider is bulk: At 2.15 ounces, it’s the heaviest watch on this list (for comparison, the Forerunner 265 weighs 1.65 ounces). But once I get moving, that weight isn’t very noticeable.

Sidibe, who has tested 15 running watches in the last five years, says, “If I were to pick only one watch that I’d use for the rest of my life, I’m going to have to say the Apple Ultra 2, not only because it does a really good job tracking my miles and my pace, but because of its safety features. If I fall off a trail or anything like that, it can tell if it’s a really dangerous fall versus if I just jumped over something. If I’m unconscious, the watch can call the nearest emergency crew.”

In his guide to the best smartwatches , Strategist writer Jordan McMahon wrote that he thinks the Apple Watch Ultra 2’s “bigger screen, longer battery life, more durable design, and additional Action Button for quickly triggering workouts” are worthy of considering an upgrade. But if you don’t think you’ll need the bigger display and extra features and still want to stay in the Apple ecosystem, you might be better off sticking with the Apple Watch Series 9. (McMahon spoke with Thomas Watson , ultrarunner and editor-in-chief of Marathon Handbook , and Watson recommends the Series 9 because “it tracks just about every type of workout you can imagine.”)

Coros has a reputation for making durable watches with incredible battery life, and the Apex Pro 2 is no exception. The brand lists the Apex Pro 2 as having an estimated battery life of 24 days with daily use. After consulting with friends who have used the Apex, I believe that to be accurate. Though I haven’t had the chance to test out the Apex Pro 2 specifically, I tested the Apex and the Apex 2, and there were weeks that went by where I’d only have to charge it once or twice — and even then, I didn’t have to charge the full battery. (The Pro 2 has a larger screen and a longer battery life compared to the Apex and Apex 2.) When Sidibe ran Western States, a 100-mile trail race in California, he wore four watches — and all of their batteries died during the race except for those of the Apex Pro 2. “It had 39 percent battery left, and I was using it for almost two weeks afterward,” he says.

That long-lasting battery is housed in a surprisingly small and lightweight case. When I spoke with professional runner Des Linden about her favorite gear, she described her Apex Pro 2 as an “insanely light” way to help her track workout data.

The majority of running watches can track the same things (pace, heart rate, etc.) and most but not all of the time, the differences between all that tracking are small (and even then, they might only matter to elite athletes). That’s why I found the Suunto Race, the brand’s premium running watch, to be such a good deal: It offers the wide selection of features that you’d find in a GPS multisport watch, like the Garmin Fenix 7 below, but at the same price as less expensive models like the Forerunner and Apex Pro 2.

The Race offers 95 (!) sport modes, a digital crown that helps you navigate through the menus and zoom in and out of maps, and a bright AMOLED screen that’s supremely readable, especially in the sun. In the few weeks I’ve tested the Race, the only complaint I have is that swiping and scrolling through the menu is slow. There’s a slight delay in the button input and what it triggers on the screen. If you’re trying to cycle through different modes and features by pressing buttons in succession, it can feel slightly laggy. But other than that, the Race felt easy to use.

Suunto watches in general will be a good investment in the long run. They got the stamp of approval from artist Geoff McFetridge , who’s also an avid runner, skier, and biker. He likes his Suunto because the brand supports older models with software updates — that means older models aren’t immediately obsolete when newer versions are released (an all-too-familiar tale).

Best for multisport athletes

If you’re a triathlete or a runner who also wants to track outdoor activities (or any sport), then the Fenix 7 Pro will be your best bet. It’s a premium GPS watch that has mapping capabilities, over two dozen different sports modes, a solar-charging lens that juices up the battery when you’re out in the sun, and a flashlight, which no other model on this list has. It’s a watch loaded with features that a trail runner would love, but to put it another way: This is the watch I’d want if I was lost in the woods or anywhere out in the wilderness.

While Garmin’s Fenix line is intended for serious outdoor athletes, I found its interface approachable and easy to use. There are four buttons and a responsive touch screen that doesn’t lag when navigating the menus. And while its features might feel like overkill — especially at $800 — it can track any activity imaginable.

Professional surfer Nathan Florence takes advantage of all those tracking capabilities. “I’ve been loving the Garmin for tracking surf sessions, workouts, cycling, everything,” he says. And he appreciates the insights it gives him into what his body is doing. “If I’m surfing 30-foot waves at Jaws , I want to see what my heart rate is doing out there,” he says. “It goes from resting heart rate to 185 for 30 seconds and then back down. That’s a wave, and a fall, and a beatdown. It’s just so cool to see.”

Best (less expensive) for multisport athletes

If you prefer a simpler watch that can log your run and help you organize fitness goals, then I would recommend the Vivoactive 5. What struck me immediately about it right out of the box was how discreet it is. Its case is smooth and simple, and besides two low-profile buttons on the right side of the watch, the rest of the face is featureless. Often the trade-off with more pared-down watches is you lose out on features like GPS and data tracking. Not the Vivoactive 5 — it offers sports modes for running, swimming, cycling, strength training, plus 26 other modes, in addition to the ability to load and store music. What I found most impressive about the Vivoactive was its display, which was brilliant and clear (similar to the Forerunner 265) and was readable during my run.

Overall, I would recommend the Vivoactive 5 to runners who prioritize other workouts and activities (and want to track them). We’ve written about a previous version of the Vivoactive — the 4s — which former Strategist senior writer (and avid runner ) Karen Iorio Adelson said was “the best combination GPS watch and fitness tracker I’ve ever tried — and I’ve tried a lot.” For her, it replaced the Fitbit and her Garmin Forerunner as her regular tracker.

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