At their introduction in the early 16th century, portable watches were fragile gadgets that could only be afforded by the upper classes. Spring- and gear-driven pocket watches had widespread popularity until the First World War when servicemen learned their limitations under harsh conditions. Most of them were destroyed, crushed, or lost in the Western Front’s muck and mire. Many men were already sporting wristwatches by the time peace treaties were signed. Nonetheless, they weren’t flawless.

Watchmakers saw the need to make water resistance their top priority. Wristwatches, while less delicate than pocket watches, nonetheless needed to be removed before swimming or showering. And that was the rub. The popularity of water activities was on the rise, and divers were eager to discover what lay under the waves. With the help of their scuba gear, they were able to get an up-close look at the marine life.

To ensure that timepieces are truly watertight, the International Organization for Standardization has begun testing them. They guarantee that watches can be submerged without damage. To ensure that the modern watch cases are watertight, they perform tests on both the watch itself and the material it is made of. Currently, the best watch brands typically have some type of model that is geared toward active people who prefer to go outside and play sports. The sports watch market is indeed expanding at a far faster rate than the overall watch market. Can you define a sports watch for me?

There is no one universally agreed-upon definition, although they all have certain characteristics. The standard is that they are ridiculously simple to read. When you’re into diving, whether it’s scuba or spelunking (cave diving), you’ll spend a lot of time in the dark. Because of their legibility in the dark, sport watches frequently feature luminescent watch hands.

You can find chronograph functions in the subdials of many sports watches. Common time units are the 30s, 60s, and 1h. You can use them for running, swimming, and any other athletic endeavor, whether you’re an amateur or a pro. Take a few minutes and read our thoughts on some of the best sports watches available.

Silver-Tone Invicta Men’s 8932 Pro Diver Collection Watch¶

We already discussed how sports watches are meant to be straightforward. Large and imposing, the dial of this Invicta watch is midnight black with bright white hour markers. The watch is protected by a mineral crystal case and is powered by a sturdy Japanese Quartz movement. The watch is suitable for professional divers because it can withstand depths of up to 200 meters (660 ft). In addition to a unidirectional black bezel, the watch also has luminescent white hands and a date window at the three o’clock position. The watch band is constructed from stainless steel that has been polished for comfort, and it secures with a diver’s buckle that can be adjusted and has a safety clasp.

Men’s TAG Heuer Aquaracer Chronograph Watch¶

Different watchmakers will put their emphasis on various aspects of the industry. Not everyone is keen on wearing a dress watch, though; some people are more comfortable with more laid-back styles. TAG Heuer was an early pioneer in the creation of high-end sports watches. Some of the world’s most renowned racing drivers and pilots have worn their watches since they first debuted. Many of these styles incorporated gold because they were intended to be worn with formal attire. Most modern TAG Heuer timepieces are constructed from more robust materials. The case and bracelet of the Aquaracer Chronograph Watch are corrosion-resistant stainless steel. If you need to check the time in the dark, the white hour markings on a black background will help you out. The watch can be submerged to a depth of up to 300 meters (1000 feet) thanks to the sapphire crystal used in the dial window. Each of the three dials acts as a stopwatch, measuring time in increments of 30 seconds, 1 minute, and 1 hour. Below the noon hour marker is a date window, making this a very nice watch. Quartz movement provides precise and reliable timekeeping for this long-lasting timepiece.

This is a Movado ESQ Sport Classic Chrono with a silicone band¶

Although Movado is well-known for its timeless Museum Watch dial, they have just recently begun producing rugged watches. The ESQ collection offers timepieces with silicone bands and stainless steel cases. Blue background, with white hour markings and watch hands (including second hand). Athletes and casual users alike can benefit from the chronograph’s stopwatch features. Water resistance is rated at 99 feet (30 meters), an impressive feat given that the mineral crystal coating is scratch-proof. The date window at four o’clock is a nice touch.