Sailing is a popular sport enjoyed by many people around the world.
Whether you’re a seasoned sailor or just starting, having the right equipment is essential. One piece of equipment that can make a significant difference is a sailing watch.
Sailing watches are designed to withstand the harsh conditions of the sea, including salt water, wind, and waves.
They are also equipped with features that are specific to sailing, such as countdown timers, GPS, and tide information. A good sailing watch can help you stay on course, track your progress, and time your maneuvers with precision.
When choosing a sailing watch, there are a few critical things to consider.
First, you’ll want to look for a watch that is durable and water-resistant. It should also have a clear display that is easy to read, even in bright sunlight.
Additionally, you’ll want to consider the features that are most important to you, such as GPS tracking or a countdown timer.
We spent hours researching and testing various sailing watches to identify the ones that offer the best combination of durability, functionality, and ease of use.
In the following sections, we’ll share our top picks and what sets them apart from the rest.
Sailing Watch Buying Guide
| Water Resistance | Essential for sailing activities. Look for a rating of at least 100 meters or more to withstand splashes and submersion. |
| Durability | Must withstand wear and tear from the elements. Prefer watches made of durable materials like stainless steel or titanium. |
| GPS | Useful for navigation and tracking progress. Opt for built-in GPS or ability to connect to an external GPS device. |
| Compass | Important for navigation and staying on course. Should have a built-in compass or the ability to connect to an external compass. |
| Timer and Countdown | Ideal for timing races or maneuvers. Watch should feature a timer and countdown function. |
| Display | Needs to be clear and easy-to-read. Look for a large, high-contrast display visible in bright sunlight. |
By prioritizing these features, you can confidently choose a sailing watch tailored to your requirements.
7 Best Sailing Watches
As avid sailors, we know the importance of having a reliable and accurate sailing watch.
A good sailing watch not only tells time but also provides valuable information such as wind speed, tide times, and boat speed.
After thorough research and testing, we have compiled a list of the best sailing watches on the market.
In this section, we will share our top picks and provide you with all the information you need to make an informed decision when choosing a sailing watch.
Optimum Time Series 3 Sailing Watch
If you’re looking for a reliable and functional sailing watch, the Optimum Time Series 3 is a great choice.
Pros
- The large display with 16mm digit height makes it easy to read even in bright sunlight.
- The pre-programmed 5, 4, 1, 0 ISAF start sequences with audible alarms are a great help for racing.
- The boom/mast mount bracket and adjustable elasticated strap make it easy to wear in any situation.
Cons
- The countdown repeat function can be confusing to use at first.
- The volume of the audible alarm could be louder.
- The watch could be more comfortable for all-day wear.
We’ve used the Optimum Time Series 3 on several sailing trips and it has always performed well.
The large display is easy to read and the pre-programmed start sequences are a great help for racing.
The watch is also very durable and can withstand the harsh marine environment.
One thing we found slightly confusing was the countdown repeat function. It took a bit of trial and error to figure out how to use it properly.
Additionally, the audible alarm could be louder, especially in windy conditions.
Overall, we would recommend the Optimum Time Series 3 to any sailor looking for a reliable and functional sailing watch.
It’s a great investment for anyone who takes their sailing seriously.
If you’re looking for a reliable sailing watch, the Ronstan ClearStart 40mm Sailing Watch-Blue is a great choice.
Pros
- The large quick view displays make it easy to read the time and race sequence.
- The SYNC function helps to quickly resynchronize the watch to the official race time.
- The pre-programmed race sequence sounds provide an intuitive way to know where you are in the start sequence.
Cons
- The backlight may stop working after a while.
- The watch may run too fast by about a minute a week.
- The programming may be difficult to figure out at first.
We’ve been using the Ronstan ClearStart 40mm Sailing Watch- Blue for a while now and we’re impressed with its functionality and design.
The large quick view displays allow us to easily read the time and race sequence, even in bright sunlight.
The SYNC function is also a helpful feature that allows us to quickly resynchronize the watch to the official race time, ensuring we don’t miss the start sequence.
One thing to note is that the backlight may stop working after a while, which can be a bit of a nuisance in low light conditions.
Additionally, the watch may run too fast by about a minute a week, which may be a bigger issue for some sailors.
Finally, the programming may be difficult to figure out at first, but once you get the hang of it, it’s a breeze.
Overall, we highly recommend the Ronstan ClearStart 40mm Sailing Watch- Blue for anyone looking for a reliable and functional sailing watch.
Ronstan RF4055 ClearStart™ 50mm Sailing Watch – Blue/Grey
If you’re looking for a reliable and durable sailing watch, the Ronstan RF4055 ClearStart™ 50mm Sailing Watch is definitely worth considering.
Pros
- The mineral crystal lens provides improved clarity and durability.
- The lens is recessed in the case to improve impact resistance.
- The glass-reinforced polycarbonate case is now more durable.
Cons
- The watch may be slightly bulky for some users.
- The band may be too large for users with smaller wrists.
- The luminescent backlight may not be bright enough in certain conditions.
We’ve been using the Ronstan RF4055 ClearStart™ 50mm Sailing Watch for several months now, and we’re impressed with its performance.
The watch is easy to use, with large buttons and an easy-to-read display.
The programming is intuitive and designed specifically for racing sailors, with multiple start sequence options and a chronograph that includes hours and time of the day.
One of the things we appreciate about this watch is its durability. The mineral crystal lens provides improved clarity and is recessed in the case to improve impact resistance.
The glass-reinforced polycarbonate case is also more durable than previous models. The band is made from a more flexible injection-molded silicone, which is both comfortable and durable.
While the watch may be slightly bulky for some users, we find that the bold styling helps it stand out from the crowd.
The “easy-find” buttons are textured and lower profile, making them easy to use even when wearing gloves.
The watch also features a luminescent backlight, though we’ve found that it may not be bright enough in certain conditions.
Overall, we would highly recommend the Ronstan RF4055 ClearStart™ 50mm Sailing Watch to any sailor looking for a reliable and durable racing watch.
Optimum Time Series 12 Sailing Watch
We highly recommend the Optimum Time Series 12 Sailing Watch for any sailing enthusiast. It’s a great watch that combines style and functionality, perfect for any sailor who wants to keep track of time and countdowns without sacrificing their fashion sense.
Pros
- The display changes to large 19mm digits in the final minute, ensuring top visibility when it really counts.
- The essential sync button synchronizes your countdown to the race control timer, ensuring you won’t miss the gun.
- The rechargeable battery with a USB cable is a great feature.
Cons
- The on/off button is often accidentally activated when you bend your wrist, which is bad in the middle of the starting countdown.
- The timer start/stop button is easily bumped by your wrist, and the button doesn’t have enough resistance to prevent accidental bumping.
- The straps are a bit short when trying to fit over sailing gloves.
The Optimum Time Series 12 Sailing Watch is a great watch for sailing enthusiasts.
It features a black ABS case with a removable soft silicone strap and a polished stainless-steel buckle.
The watch has a large 39mm viewing area, and its water-resistant to 5 ATM. It also has a shock-resistant construction, making it durable and long-lasting.
The watch has a 3-row display with 9mm digit display and 19mm digits for the final 59 seconds.
It has a normal timekeeping mode, pre-programmed 5 4 1 0 ISAF start sequences or 5 min 3 min and 1 min programs with audible alarms, countdown and repeat or countdown and up, and a sync button for instant synchronization if a gun is missed.
It also has an electro-luminescent backlight feature, making it easy to read in low-light conditions.
In conclusion, the Optimum Time Series 12 Sailing Watch is a great watch for any sailor who wants to keep track of time and countdowns without sacrificing their fashion sense.
Its features make it a reliable and durable watch that can withstand the rigors of sailing.
Ronstan ClearStart™ 40mm Sailing Watch
If you’re looking for a reliable and functional sailing watch, the Ronstan ClearStart™ 40mm Sailing Watch is definitely worth considering.
Pros
- The large buttons and easy-to-read display make it simple to use while sailing.
- The SYNC function allows you to quickly resynchronise the watch to the official race time.
- The pre-programmed race sequence sounds help you keep track of where you are in the start sequence without having to look at the display.
Cons
- The watch face is small, which may make it difficult to read for some people.
- The user manual could be clearer on how to toggle between the clock and race timer functions.
- The band may not be as durable as some users would like.
We recently had the opportunity to use the Ronstan ClearStart™ 40mm Sailing Watch while out on the water, and we were impressed with its functionality and ease of use.
The large buttons and clear display made it simple to navigate the various functions, and we appreciated the SYNC feature, which helped us stay in sync with the official race time.
One of the standout features of this watch is the pre-programmed race sequence sounds, which make it easy to keep track of where you are in the start sequence without having to look at the display.
We found this especially helpful when racing in crowded conditions, where it can be difficult to keep track of everything that’s going on.
That being said, the watch face is quite small, which may make it difficult to read for some people. Additionally, while the band is comfortable, it may not be as durable as some users would like.
Finally, we found that the user manual could be clearer on how to toggle between the clock and race timer functions.
Overall, we would definitely recommend the Ronstan ClearStart™ 40mm Sailing Watch to anyone looking for a reliable and functional sailing watch.
Its ease of use and pre-programmed race sequence sounds make it a great choice for both beginners and experienced sailors alike.
Tissot Sailing-Touch Watch
If you’re looking for a versatile sailing watch with a wide range of functions, the Tissot Sailing-Touch Watch may be worth considering.
Pros
- The watch comes with a range of features including a perpetual calendar, tide indicator, compass, and countdown timer, making it a great choice for sailors.
- The watch is made of high-quality materials, including a stainless steel case and scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, ensuring it can withstand the rigors of sailing.
- The watch is water-resistant up to 330 feet, making it suitable for water sports and other outdoor activities.
Cons
- The watch is quite complex to set up and operate, which may be a drawback for some users.
- The analog countdown regatta function, while cool, may not be very practical for some sailors.
- The LCD illumination is not very bright, which may make it difficult to read the display in low light conditions.
In our experience, the Tissot Sailing-Touch Watch is a reliable and durable watch that offers a range of features that sailors will appreciate.
The watch is well-made and can withstand the harsh conditions of sailing, making it a great investment for anyone who spends time on the water.
The perpetual calendar, tide indicator, and compass functions are particularly useful for sailors, while the countdown timer is a great tool for race starts.
The watch is also water-resistant up to 330 feet, making it suitable for water sports and other outdoor activities.
However, the watch is quite complex to set up and operate, which may be a drawback for some users.
Additionally, the analog countdown regatta function, while cool, may not be very practical for some sailors.
The LCD illumination is also not very bright, which may make it difficult to read the display in low light conditions.
Overall, we would recommend the Tissot Sailing-Touch Watch to anyone looking for a versatile and reliable sailing watch.
While it may not be the easiest watch to use, its range of features and durability make it a great investment for anyone who spends time on the water.
Ronstan ClearStart Sailing Watch
If you’re looking for a reliable sailing watch that combines contemporary styling with true sailing functionality, the Ronstan ClearStart Sailing Watch is a great choice.
Pros
- The mineral crystal lens provides improved clarity and durability.
- The multiple start sequence options allow for flexibility in racing situations.
- The watch is shock-resistant, making it durable enough to withstand the rigors of sailing.
Cons
- The user instructions can be difficult to understand.
- The watch runs large, which may be uncomfortable for some users.
- The switching between modes can be awkward.
We’ve used the Ronstan ClearStart Sailing Watch in a variety of racing situations and found it to be a reliable and durable choice.
The mineral crystal lens provides improved clarity and durability, making it easy to read the display even in bright sunlight.
The multiple start sequence options allow for flexibility in racing situations, and the watch is shock-resistant, making it durable enough to withstand the rigors of sailing.
However, the user instructions can be difficult to understand, which can make it challenging to set up the watch for different racing situations.
Additionally, the watch runs large, which may be uncomfortable for some users, and the switching between modes can be awkward.
Overall, if you’re looking for a reliable sailing watch that combines contemporary styling with true sailing functionality, the Ronstan ClearStart Sailing Watch is a great choice.
