I recently wrote on how the intersection of watchmaking, sports like mountaineering, and advertising came together to give rise to the phenomenon of modern steel sports watches. These watches, also called the ‘go-anywhere-do-anything’ or GADA watches form the cornerstone of the business of watches.
A sports watch should be robust, durable and also versatility. It should be constructed from good quality stainless steel, with a water resistance rating of preferably 100m or higher. And finally, the watch should come with a good automatic or quartz movement, with the automatic ones having a power reserve of 40 hours or longer. With this in mind, here are six excellent sports watches (one of which is in bronze!) that you can get in India.
Also Read: Rolex, Mt Everest and the rise of GADA watches
HMT Pilot
This legendary Indian sports watch, with its svelte 35mm dial and hand-wound mechanical movement, is the ultimate in versatility. Excellent as an everyday watch but also perfect for a formal do.
Case Size: 35mm
Crystal: Acrylic
Movement: Mechanical HMT 0231A
Water Resistance: 30m
Price: ₹3,663
Available at Hmtwatches.in
Oris Big Crown Pointer Date
Oris celebrated its 80th anniversary edition by casing its classic aviator’s watch in bronze. The robust Big Crown now looks more classy than ever.
Case Size: 40mm
Crystal: Sapphire
Movement: Automatic Oris 754
Water Resistance: 50m
Price: ₹1,71,800
Available at Ethoswatches.com
Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra
Few sports watches can be as easily dressed up or dressed down as the Aqua Terra. While it comes with some serious professional specs, it also looks stunning in the metal.
Case Size: 41mm
Crystal: Sapphire
Movement: Automatic Omega 8900
Water Resistance: 150m
Price: ₹4.77 lakh
Available at Ethoswatches.com
Seiko Alpinist
The Alpinist is proof that a rugged outdoors watch meant for mountain travel can also look drop-dead gorgeous. The textured fumé green dial and the gold cathedral hands on the SPB155J1 add a touch of class.
Case Size: 38mm
Crystal: Sapphire
Movement: Automatic Seiko 6R35
Water Resistance: 200m
Price: ₹57,000
Available at Seikowatches.co.in
IWC Schaffhausen Spitfire
IWC and pilots watches have been synonymous since World War II, and the compact Spitfire pays homage to military watches produced by IWC for the Royal Air Force in the 1940s.
Case Size: 39mm
Crystal: Sapphire
Movement: Automatic IWC 32110
Water Resistance: 60m
Price: ₹3.49 lakh
Available at Kapoorwatch.com
Rolex Explorer
All steel sports watches owe their DNA to the Explorer. It’s now back in its classic 36mm case size, reclaiming the crown as the ultimate everyday watch.
Case Size: 36mm
Crystal: Sapphire
Movement: Automatic Rolex 3230
Water Resistance: 100m
Price: ₹4,61,700
Authorised Dealers: Kapoorwatch.com and Ethoswatches.com
