Russell Sheldrake
Whenever I think of sailing, I automatically picture JFK on a nice yacht, wearing a fitted polo shirt and a Cartier Tank on his wrist. However, his watch of choice was probably not the most practical for his chosen hobby. While I would never try to give fashion advice to someone like JFK, I think there are some better options available when it comes to sailing watches for the average person. Of course, sailing is not a common hobby and is often considered a fairly exclusive one. As such, many of the watches made for this purpose are aimed at higher-income earners, whether they own a boat or want to own one.
But that doesn’t mean there aren’t still great bargain options out there. Similar to dive watches, most people who sail regularly or take part in regattas have a digital timer strapped to their wrist. Not only are these less expensive than mechanical watches, they’re also far more accurate, though less romantic than the watches on this list. These quaint analog artifacts speak to the traditions of sailing and the aesthetics of this ancient form of transportation that’s now a hobby and competitive sport.
Yema Yachtingraf Croisière
It’s no secret that we at Time+Tide are fans of Yema. The brand combines in-house movements with a strong French design ethos to create watches with unique points of difference. And they do this at a very affordable price. We should point out that the meca-quartz movement used here is not Yema’s own design, but a Seiko VK63, which is not a bad thing as it helps keep the price down. In addition to the accurate movement, the watch has a nice retro-style design, with both the blue and white dial versions reminiscent of the Abercrombie & Fitch Seafarer and Solunar with their multi-colored subdials. Water resistant to 100 meters and available on both a steel Milanese bracelet and a leather strap, the Yachtingraf Croisière is a great value proposition in a market dominated by luxury brands. Price: $369 USD
Tissot Sideral
One of last year’s best-selling watches, the Tissot Sideral gives the Swiss brand a retro flair. With a countdown timing display on the dial, it might not be the most common companion when attending a regatta, but if you end up racing on the high seas, this watch will still serve your purpose. With a forged carbon case and bright color options, it’s a surprisingly modern take on a model that’s been lurking in Tissot’s back catalogue since the ’70s. Even better, the watch is available to purchase from the Time+Tide Shop. Price: $1,090 USD
Tudor Pelagos FXD Chrono Alinghi Red Bull Racing Edition
It’s no secret how Tudor has been working with sports teams lately. This collaboration watch with the Alinghi Red Bull Racing sailing team symbolizes Tudor’s ambitions on the water. With a lightweight carbon composite case, the watch truly lives up to the definition of an active, sports-focused watch. With chronograph functionality, a 70-hour power reserve and water resistance to 200 meters, the Pelagos FXD is a watch worthy of the America’s Cup. Price: USD 5,275
Rolex Yacht-Master 42 RLX Titanium
The titanium Rolex Yacht-Master might be the first watch that comes to many people’s minds when it comes to sailing or yachting watches. This is due not only to Rolex’s high profile, but also to the model name itself. The Yacht-Master is synonymous with luxury sea travel, and while the watch has seen many variations over the years (including its more race-focused sibling, the Yacht-Master II), the new RLX titanium model seems to be really popular these days. The matte ceramic bezel insert blends perfectly with the fully brushed bracelet and case, making it a pretty stealthy look for a Rolex. Price: USD 14,050
TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Skipper Rose Gold
If you’ve met our founder, Andrew McWitchen, in the past few months, you’ll have heard him tell you how much he loves this watch. A precious metal version of last year’s Glass Box Skipper, this rose gold Carrera embodies that magical nautical essence that every sailing watch aspires to. Taking the tradition of the original Skipper as its blueprint, the Glass Box design, complete with a colorful regatta countdown indicator on the 3 o’clock sub-dial, helps elevate the Skipper into the present day. While the steel version may be more practical for those attending regattas, we think this rose gold model is perfect for owners with a significant investment in their boat who will be watching from the safety of their yacht club. Price: USD 21,500
Breguet Marine Chronograph Ref. 5527TI
Breguet may not be the first brand that springs to mind when you think of life on board, but the brand has a longer history in the naval world than any other. The brand produced marine chronometers in the 18th century, so it has a lot of heritage to draw from, but the modern iteration of the Marine line shows a more forward-thinking side to this historic brand, embracing titanium and a bold aesthetic that brings a brand that many feel is only suitable for formal occasions to the sea. Price: USD 27,000
IWC Portuguese Yacht Club Moon & Tide
Out at sea, one thing is always at the mercy of the tides, and that’s the tides, of course. So having something on your wrist that can tell you exactly where the tides are flowing can be a pretty handy tool. Enter the IWC Portugieser Yacht Club Moon & Tide. Launched in 2020, this watch successfully straddles the line between functionality and luxury. Combining a solid rose gold case and highly technical moon phase and tide indications with a practical rubber strap and highly legible dial, this large (44.6mm) watch has everything you need when deciding the best time to take your boat out on the water. Price: USD 34,100
Time+Tide Timeless Pick: Lemania Regatta
There are many lists of outdated or quirky watch complications on the internet, but these old-fashioned regatta timers are often on those lists. The five color-changing dots that act as a countdown timer to the start of the regatta give these vintage watches great personality, and Lemania watches always emphasize this difference. This watch, for example, has a great angular case and “lobster” bracelet that truly reflects the 70s design era. These days, you can find these fun complications from other brands all over the internet for very low prices. I personally recommend the brands that brought this look back. Price: Approximately $3,500 USD
