As the world turns its attention to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, athletes and enthusiasts alike seek the perfect blend of performance and style in their gear. One essential accessory that stands out it the watch; a tool for precision, timing and motivation. Throughout this guide, we will dive into the best watches for Olympic sports, highlighting features that cater to the needs of cyclists, sailors and so on. Whether you’re an aspiring Olympian, or a passionate fan, keep reading to discover timepieces that embody the spirit of the competition and its excellence.
Watches for Olympic Sports
Sailing
The best sailing watches can offer a multitude of functions, from MOB alerts to race count down timers. And as of recently, they have smart notifications too. While there is a good variety on the current market, there is one in particular that has caught our eye. That being the Garmin Quatix 7. Rugged, reliable and ready for action, it is the ultimate companion for any sailor.
Garmin Quatix 7 Sapphire Edition GPS AMOLED Display Smartwatch 010-02582-61
With this Garmin, you’ll get all the features you need on your boat and the ones you want off it. Not just this, but a rugged, sophisticated design perfect for everyday wear as well. The design comprises of a fibre-reinforced polymer case, with a titanium rear cover, a titanium bezel, and a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal. Together, they make for an extremely durable, yet lightweight, watch. For added comfort, a dark blue silicone strap secures the watch to the wrist. Garmin know that chargers weigh you down, so the internal, rechargeable lithium battery provides up to 16 days of power; with Quatix 7 on your wrist, your sailing adventures are in capable hands.
Whether you touch or tap, through the easy-to-read bright AMOLED display you can browse a wide selection of special sailing features; such as a fish forecast and waypoint marking. When it comes to sailing, don’t just time your start – visualise it with the Sail Assist feature so you can time the perfect start. No matter where you go, with coastal charts and inland maps you always know where you are. When you own a boat, you want to stay connected. So, this Quatix 7 allows you to receive emails, texts and alerts right on your wrist. You can also breeze through shopping queues with Garmin Pay contactless payment solution.
Equestrian
Whether it be dressage, show jumping or eventing, when we think of Equestrian there is just one watch brand that comes to mind; Longines. Longines’ passion for equestrian sports dates back to the early years of the brand, in the 19th century. And said passion continues to grow through their role of Official Timekeeper at various equestrian events and their selection of Longines Athletes. The perfect combination of elegance and precision, Longines watches and horse riding are a match made in heaven.
LONGINES SPIRIT ZULU TIME GMT 42mm Black Dial Stainless Steel Bracelet L38124536
Favoured by the Travelling Reserve of the Swiss Equestrian Olympic Team, Edouard Schmitz, Spirit Zulu Time GMT showcases precision at an impeccable pedigree. For ease of handling, this model has an oversized crown, and for ease of reading, the black matt dial features Swiss Super-LumiNova Arabic numerals and hands; the date aperture at 3 o’clock further showcases this. To ensure optimal durability, a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, with an anti-reflective coating, protects the dial. As well as this, a 42mm stainless steel case, a bi-directional rotating ceramic bezel and a screw-in crown which aids the watch’s 100 metres of water resistance. Within this case lies a highly reliable automatic movement with a 72-hour power reserve. Said movement allows the reading of a second time zone with the blue-tipped GMT hand. A stainless steel bracelet concludes the design of this classic timepiece.
Show jumping requires excellence, finesse and power. These three values have gone into the production of this Longines watch. Hence it makes great sense that it is favoured by Schmitz. As well as this, the timepiece showcases a perfect balance between elegance and practicality; making it a great choice for those seeking watches that bear resemblances to Olympic sports.
Cycling
Whether your racing on track or cycling off road, there are various smartwatches that pair effectively with bikes. But when looking at the features of each, there is one that impresses us the most; the Polar Vantage V3. Although a multi-sport watch, it is especially helpful for cyclists who want more specific and personalised data. A stellar companion, it is designed to push you in sports, performance, and in life.
Polar Vantage V3 Premium Multisport Watch (47mm) Black / Night Black S-L 900108890
Powered by Polar Elixir Biosensing Technologies, this multi-sport watch is ready to put in the performance of a lifetime; all while looking right at home on the wrist. The design of this Night Black model consists of an aerospace aluminium case, a matching bezel, and strong Gorilla Glass. Measuring 47mm in diameter, the case is large enough to make a statement but small enough to guarantee comfort. Talking of comfort, a night black silicone strap secures the watch to the wrist. With multiple days of battery life on a single charge, the watch won’t fail on you mid cycle. So it is a trustworthy companion, ready to embark on whatever test you put it through.
Through the 1.39 inch AMOLED touchscreen display, the wearer can browse a comprehensive suite of training and recovery tools. And in terms of cycling, there is a variety of beneficial features. While monitoring your training, FuelWise gives you smart carb and drink reminders; reminding you to refuel and helping you maintain adequate energy levels. When paired with a power sensor, the cycling performance test feature can show you how much power you maintain for 60 minutes. From this, you can optimise your training and continue to track your cycling performance development over time. This watch also syncs with Strava and komoot, so you can record your ride and get assistance with navigation. Cycling aside, Polar Vantage V3 comes with all-new wrist ECG, SpO2, and skin temperature sensing so you can understand your body better; it truly is the ideal training partner.
Tennis
Lacoste is a well-established name in the world of tennis, and its watches are great to wear when spectating courtside; or even at home. Embodying the visionary spirit of the late René Lacoste, the fashion brand’s watches are high-performing, reliable and totally stylish. Whether you’re a tennis player, or an avid watcher, a Lacoste watch is a timeless accessory which perfectly combines fashion and function. What’s more, Novak Djokovic is the face of the crocodile, so by wearing a Lacoste you are showing your support to the tennis superstar.
Lacoste Men’s Boston (42mm) Green Chronograph Dial / Stainless Steel Bracelet 2011346
Embracing the colour of the iconic Lacoste crocodile, this chronograph model features a green dial with three sub-dials. The crocodile itself features just below the 12 o’clock position. The dial also exhibits silver-tone baton indices and silver-tone hour, minute and second hands. A green tachymeter bezel frames the dial; with this you can measure speed through elapsed time. A stainless steel case also frames the dial. Measuring 42mm in diameter, it houses the watch’s chronograph quartz movement. Reliable and precise, it ensures for accurate timekeeping. A stainless steel bracelet concludes the design of this classic tennis style timepiece; its deployment buckle ensures great security on the wrist.
The Boston watch is the essential finishing touch for any courtside look. Perfect for daily wear, thanks to its 50 metres of water resistance, it offers a harmonious blend of chic styling and sporty lines.
What are your thoughts on our watches for Olympic sports? Will you wear one whilst watching the games over the summer? Let us know in the comments below!