The Best Sailing Watches

The best sailing watches are those specifically designed for maritime pursuits, with exceptional durability and functions that are truly useful. Whether you’re a seasoned sailor or a passionate water enthusiast, these watches offer more than just accurate timekeeping; they become reliable companions in navigating the vast oceans.

The latest smartwatch technology has many features a sailor could need, and while we’re now familiar with using our watches for directions, making calls and sending messages, the latest sailing watches also make navigation, data and comms technology possible.

However, for many sailors, the watch with the most features and technology isn’t always the best watch. For example, for racing, a simple device that’s easy to operate might be better.

Let’s take a look at some of the best sailing watches out there right now…

Gill Stealth Racer Watch

The Gill Stealth Racer Watch has a range of features, including a compass function, 4 countdown modes, a stopwatch and timer functionality, and an electro-luminescent backlight. It shows the time, date and day and also has an alarm function and alert sounds. Additionally, it is hard-wearing and water resistant up to 50 metres and made from carbon-reinforced ABS plastic with a stainless steel case back and a flexible, hardwearing TPU strap with a marine-grade stainless steel fastening.

Limit Pro XR Countdown Watch

The Pro XR model features rugged marine styling with a case diameter of 50mm and is water resistant to 100m. It has a dual time display, stopwatch, countdown timer, pacer, five alarms, night-time illumination and also shows the day and date. This is a more straightforward style racing watch, with fewer features, making it perfect for those who want something simple and easy to use. It also comes with a two year guarantee for your peace of mind.

Optimum Time Sailing Watch Series 11

The pink Optimum Time Series 11 Sailing Watch is the entry level sailing watch from Optimum Time and has a plastic case with a fully integrated strap. There is a single row LCD display making it simple to read and it has a backlight for easy reading in low-light conditions.

It has various sailing functions and and audible alarm, a sync button for instant synronisation if a gun is missed and has a 5,4,1,0 sequence and 1, 3 and 5 minute programmes. Additionally it has the ability to count up from zero and shows the time, calendar and has alarm functionality.

Optimum Time Series 3 Sailing Watch

This is the original watch from Optimum Time and still the most popular sailing watch in the world. If you want a large display with the perfect functions for sailing in a big, easily visible watch, this is the watch for you. It can be strapped to a mast or boom or worn on the wrist or over garments and the face can be rotated in the outer casing for the best viewing angle.

As well as all the usual functions you’d expect from a watch, the sailing functions it features are as follows:
• Pre-programmed 5,4,1,0 ISAF start sequences or 5 min, 3 min & 1 min programs with audible alarm (can be silenced if preferred)
• Countdown & repeat or Countdown and up to show elapsed time for handicap races
• SYNC button for instant syncronisation if a gun is missed
• Count up from zero

Gill Stealth Watch Timer

The Gill Stealth Watch Timer has been expertly designed to offer the clearest definition dot matrix display, so even in driving rain, it can be easily read. It has a digital compass mode which includes a clever course shift feature and four countdown models, including a vibrate function. It also has an updated module mount, with a safety release feature to prevent accidental release during use. There is the ability to use both the pre-set countdown timers and to utilise user-defined countdown timers with synchronisation too.

This watch is also sturdy and durable, as it is shock and impact-resistant and is water resistant to 50 metres.

At True North Sailing, we stock a wide range of the best sailing watches that you can browse the different features of. We have watches to suit every budget and there’s free delivery on orders over £50.