The Best Sailing Watches in 2021

Luxury sailing watches have lost none of the cachet in 2021. If anything, consumers are more willing to invest in them than at any time in the past. If you’re among those who want to buy a first luxury sailing watch in 2021, or who would like to add something to your collection, here are some examples of the most popular options of the year. One of them may be just what you want.

Patek Philippe Nautilus

With a beautiful 40 mm steel casing, this watch offers a unique Sunburst dial in olive green. There are 30 jewels paired with 45 hours of reserve power. The stainless steel bracelet offers the popular fold-over clasp feature that’s both attractive and practical. You won’t have any trouble ensuring bracelet is secure on your wrist whether lounging on your sailboat, fishing, or enjoying a dive. 

In terms of water resistance, this watch offers up to 120 meters. That translates to around 393 feet. The self-winding movement works well, and you’ll enjoy the sapphire crystal case back as well as the easy-to-read date. That’s helpful whether you’re in the boat or in the water.

Rolex Explorer II Black Automatic Steel Mens Watch

Rolex is know for more than luxury. It also has a reputation for practicality, tasteful designs, and high quality. You’ll find that the Rolex Explorer II offers all of these qualities and more.

With a casement and bracelet made of stainless steel, there is no doubt that the watch is made to hold up well in all sorts of settings. At the same time, the 42 mm dimension ensures that the watch is proportioned enough to look good on the wrist. The date display is found at the traditional 3 o’clock position and is easy to read. The black dial paired with luminous hour markers makes reading the time at a glance a simple task, even if you’re underwater. In terms of water resistance, you’ll find that the Explorer II offers a respectable 328 feet (100 meters). You’ll also love the performance of the Caliber 3187movement.

Cartier Santos-Dumont Mechanical Silver Dial Mens Watch

Cartier is another brand that many people associate with quality and luxury. You’ll find that this watch lives up to that reputation. Sporting an 18k pink gold case, the brown alligator leather band provides the perfect contrast. For those who plan on wearing the watch around or in the water, it’s also possible to invest in a gold stainless steel bracelet instead of the brown leather band. A silver dial paired with blue hands and Roman numerals make for a striking appearance while ensuring it’s still easy to note the time with a quick glance.

The mechanical movement holds up well over time, making it that much easier to ensure your watch is always wound and ready to go. A solid case backing helps to protect the movement from any harm. In the way of sub-dials, you find that the power reserve is easy to read and is found at the 6 o’clock position. The scratch-resistant sapphire crystal continues the luxurious look. For a little something unexpected, you’ll find the date display is at the 12 o’clock position rather than the more traditional 3 o’clock location. Keep in mind that this watch offers water resistance for a depth of up to 100 feet or 30 meters.

Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Control Memovox

Simple elegance is the hallmark of the Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Control Memovox. In fact, the design may have you thinking of a time when life seemed much less complicated. This particular watch offers a 40 mm steel casing that sports a white face and silver date markers paired with hour and second hands that are also in silver. The simplistic dial does include a date at the traditional 3 o’clock position as well as a beautiful leather band. As with many other luxury watches, you can opt for a stainless-steel bracelet rather than the leather band. This makes it easy to enjoy the same watch while adjusting the look for different settings.

The automatic self-winding feature makes it easy to ensure that the watch is always set to the correct time. Enjoy a maximum water resistance of 165 feet (50 meters) if you decide this is the watch you want to wear while on or in the water.

Rolex DateJust II

Rolex continues to be among the most sought-after watches on the market today. The DateJust line has been around for some time and remains a popular option with many collectors. One of the most popular ones at present is the Rolex DateJust II in stainless steel and yellow gold for the casement and the bracelet. A gold fixed bezel adds to the look as well as the practicality of the watch. You’ll also love the way that the 41 mm casement looks on your wrist.

The automatic movement ensures that the hours, minutes, seconds, and date are always accurate. Black is particularly popular for the watch face, helping to enhance the stylish look. The use of Roman numerals as hour markets also adds to the overall appearance. A sapphire crystal that resists scratching helps to maintain the look. You’ll also like the fact that the watch provides water resistance of up to 330 feet or 100 meters. 

Panerai Submersible

For those who enjoy physically active pursuits, there’s no doubt that the Panerai Submersible is a watch that’s made for the great outdoors. The 42 mm stainless steel case ensures that the watch is made to hold up to a lot of use. The shark-gray dial ensures that identifying the time at a glance is simple. This task is even easier thanks to the contrasting white and darker gray luminescent hands. An easy to ready date is found at the 3 o’clock position, along with simple date markers that add to the overall appearance.

There’s also a small sub-dial found at the 9 o’clock position that you’ll find helpful. Thanks to the push-pull crown, adjusting the time is easy. You can also put the 15-minute engraved zones on the bezel to good use while you’re out and about. With a power reserve of up to 72 hours, a sturdy blue rubber strap, and a water resistance of around 984 feet (300 meters), it’s easy to see why this is one of the more popular sailing watches this year.

When you head out to find the ideal luxury sailing watch to make your own this year, remember to be aware of the features that the watch must provide. Consider where you will wear it and how often it will grace your wrist. Consider the quality and reputation of the brand as well as how you like the overall look. Take your time, compare several watches first, and it always make sure you approach a dealer who’s known to offer nothing but authentic watches. If you do, there’s no doubt you will be happy with the watch that you finally purchase.