How to choose the best waterproof watch for swimming and diving. What features are crucial for underwater performance. Which models offer the best value for different needs. How to ensure your watch can withstand the depths you plan to reach.
Waterproof Ratings: Choosing the Right Depth for Your Needs
When selecting a swimming or diving watch, understanding water resistance ratings is crucial. How deep can your watch safely go? For casual swimmers, a 30m or 50m rating suffices. However, scuba enthusiasts require more robust protection.
Recreational divers exploring depths around 40m should opt for watches with at least 100m water resistance. For those venturing beyond 100m, 200m or 300m ratings become essential. Always check the ATM or BAR rating on the dial to confirm the tested depth.
- 30-50m: Suitable for surface swimming
- 100m: Ideal for recreational scuba diving
- 200-300m: Necessary for deep diving expeditions
Can you rely solely on these ratings? While they provide a good baseline, it’s wise to choose a watch rated beyond your maximum intended depth for an extra safety margin.
Diver’s Bezel: A Critical Tool for Underwater Time Management
A unidirectional rotating bezel is more than just an aesthetic feature on diving watches. It serves as a crucial safety tool for tracking immersion times. How does it work?
Before submerging, align the bezel’s zero marker with the minute hand. As you dive, the bezel allows you to monitor elapsed time at a glance, ensuring safe decompression practices. Diving-specific watches feature pronounced, easy-grip bezels designed for use with gloves.
Why is the unidirectional rotation important? This design prevents accidental movement that could lead to underestimating dive time, a potentially dangerous scenario underwater.
Key Bezel Features to Look For:
- Clear, high-contrast markings
- Grip-friendly edges for easy manipulation
- Ratcheting mechanism for precise adjustments
- Luminous pip at the 12 o’clock position for low-light visibility
Dial Readability and Lume: Ensuring Clarity in Murky Waters
Visibility becomes a critical factor when you’re submerged in dark or turbid waters. How can you ensure your watch remains readable in challenging conditions?
Opt for watches with high-contrast dials featuring bold hands and indices. The application of luminous paint, commonly referred to as lume, is essential for underwater legibility. Quality lume should glow brightly and maintain its luminescence for extended periods.
Evaluating Lume Quality:
- Brightness: How easily can you read the watch in complete darkness?
- Duration: How long does the lume remain visible after exposure to light?
- Consistency: Is the lume evenly applied across all markers?
User reviews often provide valuable insights into real-world lume performance. Don’t hesitate to research thoroughly before making your choice.
Comfort and Security: Ensuring a Snug Fit Underwater
A diving watch must stay securely in place during your underwater adventures. How can you ensure optimal comfort and fit?
Look for watches with adjustable straps or bracelets that can accommodate wetsuit sleeves. Soft, pliable materials like silicone or rubber offer excellent comfort and prevent pinching or hair pulling. Some high-end models feature micro-adjustment clasps or extension systems for fine-tuning the fit on the fly.
Strap Considerations for Divers:
- Quick-release mechanisms for easy strap changes
- Textured surfaces for improved grip when wet
- Hypoallergenic materials to prevent skin irritation
- Reinforced strap holes to prevent tearing under pressure
Have you considered the watch’s weight? While a hefty timepiece might feel substantial on land, it can become cumbersome underwater. Strike a balance between durability and wearability for the best diving experience.
Swim Tracking Features: Enhancing Performance with Technology
Modern swimming watches offer a plethora of features to help athletes analyze and improve their performance. Which metrics should you prioritize?
SWOLF (a portmanteau of “swim” and “golf”) is a valuable efficiency metric combining stroke count and time per lap. Lower SWOLF scores indicate better swimming efficiency. Many advanced watches also include lap counters, interval timers, and stroke type detection.
Essential Swim Tracking Features:
- SWOLF calculation
- Automatic lap counting
- Stroke type recognition
- Distance tracking
- Pace monitoring
- Rest timer functionality
Do you need all these features? Consider your swimming goals and experience level. Competitive swimmers and triathletes will benefit most from comprehensive tracking, while casual swimmers might prefer a simpler interface.
Heart Rate Monitoring: The Pulse of Your Aquatic Workout
Heart rate monitoring has become increasingly common in swimming watches, offering valuable insights into workout intensity and calorie burn. How accurate are these underwater readings?
While optical heart rate sensors have improved, they still face challenges in aquatic environments. Water movement and reduced blood flow to the extremities can impact accuracy. However, for many swimmers, the convenience of wrist-based monitoring outweighs minor discrepancies.
Maximizing Heart Rate Accuracy:
- Ensure a snug fit to minimize sensor movement
- Position the watch slightly higher on the wrist for better readings
- Consider using a compatible chest strap for critical heart rate data
- Compare readings across multiple sessions to establish baseline accuracy
Are you training in specific heart rate zones? Look for watches that allow you to set custom zones and provide real-time alerts to keep you on track during your swim workouts.
Battery Life and Charging: Powering Through Your Aquatic Adventures
Nothing disrupts a diving or swimming session quite like a dead watch battery. How can you ensure your timepiece keeps up with your aquatic lifestyle?
Consider your usage patterns when evaluating battery life. Do you need a watch that lasts for weeks between charges, or are you comfortable with more frequent charging in exchange for advanced features?
Battery Life Considerations:
- GPS usage dramatically impacts battery drain
- Always-on displays consume more power than traditional watches
- Some models offer power-saving modes to extend battery life
- Solar-powered options provide excellent longevity for outdoor enthusiasts
Have you thought about charging convenience? Look for watches with easy-to-use charging systems that won’t be compromised by water exposure or residue. Magnetic chargers and wireless charging options can be particularly useful for swimmers and divers.
Materials and Durability: Built to Withstand the Depths
A swimming or diving watch must endure not only water pressure but also potential impacts and exposure to corrosive saltwater. Which materials offer the best combination of durability and style?
Stainless steel remains a popular choice for its corrosion resistance and classic look. However, lightweight materials like titanium and advanced polymers are gaining traction for their strength-to-weight ratio and comfort.
Key Watch Components and Optimal Materials:
- Case: 316L stainless steel, titanium, or ceramic for maximum durability
- Crystal: Sapphire crystal for superior scratch resistance
- Bezel: Ceramic or hardened steel for longevity and aesthetics
- Gaskets: High-quality rubber or silicone for reliable water resistance
Do you dive in saltwater environments? Look for watches with additional corrosion-resistant treatments or materials specifically designed to withstand marine conditions.
Smart Features and Connectivity: Bringing Tech to the Depths
As smartwatches continue to evolve, many now offer impressive water resistance alongside their connected features. How can these smart capabilities enhance your swimming or diving experience?
GPS tracking allows for accurate open-water swim distance measurements and route mapping. Bluetooth connectivity enables quick data syncing with your smartphone or tablet, facilitating in-depth analysis of your aquatic workouts.
Valuable Smart Features for Swimmers and Divers:
- Customizable watch faces with swim-specific data fields
- Smartphone notifications for staying connected (when appropriate)
- Integration with popular fitness apps for comprehensive tracking
- Contactless payments for post-swim convenience
- Music storage and playback (with waterproof headphones)
Are smart features a priority for you? Remember that more advanced technology often comes at the cost of battery life and potentially reduced water resistance. Carefully weigh the benefits against your core needs as a swimmer or diver.
Price and Value: Balancing Features with Budget
With swimming and diving watches spanning a wide price range, how do you determine the best value for your needs and budget?
Entry-level swimming watches typically offer basic water resistance and swim tracking features, often priced under $100. Mid-range options ($100-$300) incorporate more advanced metrics, improved build quality, and longer battery life. High-end diving watches ($300+) boast professional-grade water resistance, premium materials, and comprehensive feature sets.
Factors Influencing Watch Pricing:
- Water resistance rating
- Build materials (e.g., stainless steel vs. titanium)
- Crystal type (mineral vs. sapphire)
- Advanced sensors (GPS, heart rate, etc.)
- Smart features and connectivity
- Brand reputation and heritage
Have you considered the long-term value? While a more expensive watch might seem like a significant investment upfront, its durability and feature set could provide better value over time compared to repeatedly replacing cheaper models.
Brand Reputation and Warranty: Ensuring Long-Term Satisfaction
When investing in a swimming or diving watch, the manufacturer’s reputation and warranty coverage can provide peace of mind. How do you evaluate a brand’s reliability?
Research the brand’s history in producing waterproof timepieces. Established dive watch manufacturers often have decades of experience refining their designs and testing procedures. Additionally, look for brands with strong customer service reputations and comprehensive warranty coverage.
Key Warranty Considerations:
- Duration of coverage (longer warranties often indicate confidence in product quality)
- What’s included (water resistance failures, mechanical issues, etc.)
- Service network availability (especially important for international travelers)
- Transferability of warranty (valuable for potential resale)
Does the brand offer after-sales support like battery replacements or water resistance testing? These services can extend the life of your watch and ensure it continues to perform as expected.
User Reviews and Professional Recommendations: Real-World Insights
While specifications and features are important, nothing beats real-world experiences from fellow swimmers and divers. How can you leverage user reviews and expert recommendations to make an informed decision?
Seek out reviews from individuals with similar needs and usage patterns. Pay attention to long-term durability reports, accuracy of tracking features, and overall satisfaction. Professional reviews from dive watch enthusiasts and swimming coaches can provide valuable technical insights and comparisons.
Key Areas to Focus on in Reviews:
- Comfort during extended wear
- Accuracy of tracking features
- Readability in various conditions
- Battery life in real-world usage
- Durability and water resistance over time
- Customer service experiences
Have you considered joining online communities dedicated to swimming and diving? Forums and social media groups can be excellent resources for asking specific questions and gathering diverse opinions on different watch models.
If you’re a regular swimmer or diver, having a reliable waterproof watch is essential. But with so many options on the market, how do you choose the right one? This article will highlight 15 key factors to consider when selecting the best swimming or diving watch to suit your needs in 2023.
Make Sure It’s Waterproof to the Depths You’ll Dive
The first thing to look for is a watch with a water resistance rating suitable for your intended diving depth. Most watches are only water resistant to 30m or 50m – fine for surface swimming but not deep diving. For recreational scuba diving to around 40m, look for at least 100m water resistance. Serious divers who plunge beyond 100m will need 200m or 300m rated watches. Checking the ATM or BAR rating usually displayed on the dial indicates the depth it’s been tested to.
Consider a Diver’s Bezel for Tracking Immersion Times
A unidirectional rotating bezel is a handy feature on many diving watches. You can align it with the minute hand when you submerge, allowing you to track elapsed dive times for safe decompression. Watches designed for diving will have more pronounced bezels with markings that are easy to grip and read underwater.
Pick a Watch with a Readable Dial and Strong Lume
To check your watch in murky low-light waters, you’ll want highly visible hands and indexes coated in luminous paint (lume) to maximise readability. The best diving watches use bright lume that lasts – check reviews to compare the quality across watch brands.
Choose a Watch That’s Comfortable and Secure
As a swimming or diving watch needs to be snug on your wrist underwater, comfort and adjustability are important. Look for softer, pliable bands that won’t pinch or pull arm hair. Features like extension straps, adjustable clasps and easy swapping of bands can get the perfect fit.
Look for Useful Swim Tracking Features Like SWOLF
SWOLF is a value based on time and strokes per lap – lower numbers are better. It’s a handy metric that can help competitive swimmers analyse their technique and improve times. Other useful swim tracking features include lap counters and rest timers. If analysing your performance matters, look for a swimming watch with these capabilities.
Don’t Forget Your Heart Rate Monitor
Many high-end swimming watches now offer built-in optical heart rate monitors. While wrist readings are less accurate in water compared to chest straps, they’re improving – and still useful for monitoring intensity and calories burned. If heart rate tracking is a priority, do your research to find the most accurate optical sensors.
Swimming watches have come a long way, with waterproof designs packed with helpful features for lap swimmers and divers alike. Evaluate your needs, research the latest models, and find the perfect sports watch to take the plunge with.
For regular swimmers and divers, a top-notch waterproof watch isn’t just a nice accessory – it’s an essential piece of gear. But with the vast selection of sport watches flooding the market, it can be tricky to pick the perfect model suited for your aquatic adventures. This guide will dive into the key features to consider when choosing your next swimming or diving companion.
Consider a Diver’s Bezel for Tracking Immersion Times
One useful feature found on many diving watches is a unidirectional rotating bezel, which allows you to easily mark and monitor elapsed time underwater. Here’s how it works: Before submerging, turn the bezel so the zero marker aligns with the minute hand. As time passes, you can quickly reference the bezel markings to see how many minutes you’ve been down. This helps you keep tabs on bottom times for safe decompression.
Watches designed specifically for diving will have more pronounced, grippy bezels with clear indicators to provide excellent functionality even when wearing bulky gloves. The ratcheting mechanism allows rotating in one direction only, to prevent accidental knocks from shifting the alignment. If you want the flexibility to track immersion times, look for a quality diver’s bezel.
Pick a Watch with a Readable Dial and Strong Lume
When you’re fathoms deep or swimming laps in cloudy water, it’s crucial your watch has high visibility and is easy to read at a glance. Seek out watches with bold, high-contrast dials and thick hands that allow quick checking even in low light conditions. Luminous paint (lume) that makes the hands and indices glow is also a must. The best diving watches have bright, long-lasting lume applied liberally on markings so they shine under water.
Reviews from real customers are invaluable for comparing lume quality between watch brands. Don’t settle for illegible watches – do your research and find a swimming or diving watch with optimal readability and illumination for your adventures.
Choose a Watch That’s Comfortable and Secure
Finding a watch that’s physically comfortable and stays put on your wrist is crucial for water sports. As it will be worn snugly tightened for swimming and diving, the band material should be soft and pliable to avoid pinching or pulling. Look for bands made of supple rubber, flexible resin or woven fabric straps. Metal bands can get uncomfortably cold in water.
Features like extension straps, adjustable clasps and easy band swapping provide more adaptability to get an ideal tight but comfortable fit. You want your watch stable and not shifting around to avoid losing it in the depths. Test out the comfort and security before purchase.
With the right balance of key features like a rotating bezel, bright lume, and adjustable secure fit, you’ll be equipped to dive in with the perfect aquatic watch companion.
When you take the plunge into the pool or open waters, having a waterproof sports watch designed for swimming and diving is a smart move. But with countless models on the market, it can be overwhelming to pick the perfect one suited to your aquatic adventures. This guide dives into the key features to look for.
Pick a Watch with a Readable Dial and Strong Lume
Being able to clearly read your watch at a quick glance – even in low light underwater conditions – is a top priority for swimmers and divers. Seek out watch faces with high-contrast dials and thick, bold hands that allow easy checking of the time. Luminous paint (lume) that makes the hands and indexes glow brightly in darkness is also clutch.
The highest quality diving watches use copious lume on the markings so they shine clearly even when submerged deep. Reviews from real-world users are invaluable for comparing the luminosity and longevity of lume between different watch brands and models. Don’t settle for a watch that’s hard to read – do your homework to find one with optimal dial readability and lume for your aquatic adventures.
Choose a Watch That’s Comfortable and Secure
For swimming and diving, you need a watch that’s physically comfortable when worn snugly for extended periods, and stays securely put on your wrist without shifting while you’re in motion. Seek out bands made of soft, pliable materials like rubber, flexible resin or fabric instead of metal, which can feel unpleasantly cold in the water.
Features like adjustable clasps, extension straps and easy band swapping provide adaptability to fine tune the fit. Test drive the comfort and stability before buying to ensure your watch won’t pinch or loosen when you dive in.
Look for Useful Swim Tracking Features Like SWOLF
SWOLF is a handy metric calculated using your swim time and strokes per lap – lower scores are better. It’s a great tool competitive swimmers can use to analyze and refine their technique. Other useful features include lap counters to keep track of completed lengths, and rest timers to time your intervals between sets.
If tracking your performance in the pool is a priority, seek out a swimming watch packed with these capabilities. The right stats can help take your aquatic training to the next level.
When starting your search for a waterproof sports watch, prioritize readability, comfort and the features that match your goals in the water. With the right companion on your wrist, you’ll be ready to take the plunge!
Choose a Watch That’s Comfortable and Secure
When you’re in the pool doing laps or diving into the ocean, having a waterproof watch that stays put and keeps track of your time is essential. With so many options on the market, choosing the right swimming and diving watch for your needs may feel overwhelming. To help narrow your search, keep comfort, security, waterproof rating, and features in mind.
A watch that is lightweight and has a comfortable band will make your time in the water much more enjoyable. Look for watches made of high-quality silicone or rubber that won’t pinch or pull arm hair. The band should have holes throughout its length so you can find the perfect fit. Some models have bands that are interchangeable, allowing you to pick materials and colors to match your style.
You’ll also want a secure clasp that stays closed while swimming and moving actively. Many waterproof watches use buckle clasps, fold-over safety locks, or magnetic closures. Make sure to test the clasp prior to purchasing by trying to open and close it yourself. The last thing you want is your new watch slipping off unnoticed into the depths of the pool.
When considering waterproof ratings, look for watches that are suitable for swimming and snorkeling. These typically have water resistance ratings of 50 meters to 200 meters, meaning they can withstand pressure at those depths. Dive watches have higher ratings, normally 300 meters or more.
As for features, all waterproof watches should have a stopwatch function to time your laps and splits. Many also offer helpful swim tracking like lap counts, distance per stroke, and SWOLF scores. GPS capability, though not essential, can be nice for open water swims to map your route. Heart rate monitoring is also popular for monitoring intensity while training.
To help you find the right waterproof watch for your aquatic adventures, here are 15 top-rated options for 2023:
Best Waterproof Swimming & Diving Watches for Women
Garmin Forerunner 945 – With GPS tracking and extensive swim metrics like pace, distance, stroke count, SWOLF, and more, this premium multisport watch helps take your training to the next level. The silicone band is comfortable for all-day wear.
Suunto 5 – Slender and lightweight, this mid-range fitness watch tracks all the key swimming metrics and offers adaptive training guidance. The knurled stainless steel bezel adds durability.
Citizen Eco-Drive Promaster Diver – A stylish diving watch with 200m water resistance, a Japanese quartz movement, and eco-drive technology that eliminates battery changes. The stainless steel bracelet incorporates diver extensions.
Swimovate PoolMate 2.0 – With robust swim tracking features and lap memory for up to 99 laps, this budget-friendly watch is great for lap swimming. The simple monochrome display conserves battery life.
Garmin Swim 2 – Designed especially for lap swimming, this watch tracks advanced metrics like stroke type, stroke rate, SWOLF, distance, pace, and more. The slim profile minimizes drag in the water.
Best Waterproof Swimming & Diving Watches for Men
Apple Watch Ultra – With a depth rating of 100m and innovative Oceanic+ dive features, the new rugged Apple Watch Ultra takes waterproofness seriously. The action button provides quick access to functions.
Suunto D5 – Suunto’s flagship dive watch boasts 300m water resistance, durable stainless steel construction, and useful dive features like ascent rate and no decompression limits. Customizable straps available.
Garmin Swim 2 – Great for both pool and open water swimming, this watch tracks distance, pace, stroke count, SWOLF, and other helpful metrics. It also features pool size auto-detection.
Seiko Analogue Prospex Solar Diver – A classic dive watch with 200m water resistance, solar-powered functionality, and a sturdy silicone strap. The luminous hands and markers provide visibility underwater.
Citizen Eco-Drive Promaster Nighthawk – Stylish aviation-inspired design meets 200m water resistance in this solar-powered stainless steel watch. Features dual-time and chronograph.
When swimming laps in the pool or adventuring beneath the waves, it’s important to have a waterproof watch designed to keep up. Look for comfort, security, ample water resistance, useful features like lap tracking or dive functions, and a style that suits your needs. With technology improving all the time, the options in waterproof watches just keep getting better.
Happy swimming with your new waterproof watch!
Look for Useful Swim Tracking Features Like SWOLF
Let’s dive right in – when purchasing a new waterproof swimming watch, you’ll want to look for models with useful swim tracking capabilities. Features like SWOLF, lap counts, stroke type detection, and more can take your training to the next level.
One of the most helpful metrics is SWOLF, which stands for stroke count and lap time. It measures your swimming efficiency by adding together your time and strokes per length – the lower the number, the better. SWOLF provides actionable feedback to help you refine your technique.
The ability to track lap counts is also invaluable for measuring distance and timing intervals or splits. You can easily keep yourself accountable during workouts. Viewing your splits over time also shows real evidence of improvement.
Some high-end watches can even detect your stroke type, counting laps for freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly. Seeing your stroke count and rate helps you work on taking fewer, more powerful strokes to propel you forward.
Of course, basics like elapsed time, distance covered, pace, and calories burned are standard on most waterproof watches these days. GPS capability enables open water tracking if you swim in lakes, rivers or oceans.
When researching swimming watches, prioritize ones that measure the metrics that matter most for your training and goals. Here are some top-rated picks for 2023:
Waterproof Watches with SWOLF + Lap Tracking
The Garmin Swim 2 is designed specifically with lap swimmers in mind. It tracks distance, pace, stroke count, stroke type, SWOLF score, calories burned and more. The slim design minimizes drag. It can even auto-detect pool size.
With 30 different preloaded sports modes including pool swimming, open water swimming, and triathlon, the Coros Vertix 2 can track all the essential swim metrics. View your data in the app after your workout.
The Form Swim Goggles have a heads-up display that lets you view key swim stats like split times, distance, stroke rate and SWOLF score in real-time while wearing the goggles. Easily export data to view your trends.
High-End Watches with Advanced Swim Tracking
Featuring onboard heart rate monitoring, the Garmin Forerunner 945 can track your effort level in the water. It measures advanced swim metrics like SWOLF, distance, pace, stroke count, strokes per length, and more. Customize your data screens.
The Apple Watch Ultra introduces an innovative Oceanic+ app for tracking depth, water temperature, elapsed time and other helpful dive metrics. The Action button lets you easily access functions while underwater.
Suunto’s flagship dive watch, the Suunto D5, offers detailed insights for open water and pool swimming. Track lap and stroke counts, swimming style used, and heart rate. The 300m water resistance is ideal for divers.
Basic Waterproof Watches on a Budget
The affordable YAMAY waterproof watch tracks steps, distance, calories burned, and sleep, with swimming as one of its exercise modes. The slim design is comfortable for men and women.
The Letscom fitness tracker counts laps, measures pace, and calculates calories burned for pool swimming. Use connected GPS during open water swimming. The large 1.3″ color screen is easy to read.
The Fanmis swim watch has basic waterproof function up to 50 meters. Use lap mode to track pool exercises and record times. Comes in various color options to suit your style.
Whether you’re training for a triathlon or just looking to mix up your workouts, a waterproof watch with useful swim tracking gives you the data you need to improve your fitness. Tracking those SWOLF scores, lap counts, and other metrics keeps you striving for new personal bests!
Don’t Forget Your Heart Rate Monitor
When researching new waterproof swimming watches, don’t neglect to consider models with built-in heart rate monitoring. Tracking your heart rate data while training in the pool or open water provides useful insights into workout intensity, calories burned, and cardio fitness improvements.
During swim workouts, a heart rate monitor helps you stay in targeted zones for different training effects. For low intensity aerobic training, aim for 60-70% of your max heart rate. For high intensity interval training, go for 80-90% of max heart rate to torch calories and build endurance. Heart rate tracking allows you to monitor your level of exertion in real time.
Over time, you can use your heart rate trends to gauge increases in cardiovascular fitness. As you get fitter, your resting and active heart rates will decrease. Seeing quantitative proof of your improving endurance is incredibly motivating to continue regular swim workouts.
But not all heart rate monitoring is created equal. Here’s what to look for in waterproof watch heart rate tracking:
Wrist-Based Heart Rate
Many waterproof smartwatches like the Apple Watch use LED lights under the skin to detect blood volume changes. This optical heart rate monitoring works reasonably well in the water since the watch stays attached to your wrist.
Models like the Garmin Swim 2 and Suunto 5 have this wrist-based heart rate tracking. For lap swimming, it provides a general gauge of workout intensity. But the data may be less accurate for more static activities like water aerobics.
Chest Strap Monitors
For the most reliable heart rate data in the water, use a wireless chest strap monitor. These use ECG electrodes to detect the electrical signals of your heartbeats. Popular picks are the Garmin HRM-Swim and Polar H10.
Chest strap monitors connect to your watch via Bluetooth or ANT+ technology and provide real-time, accurate heart rate readings while swimming. This allows precise zone training and effort analysis. They are indispensable for serious swim training and racing.
Watch Models with Built-In HR Tracking
Here are some top-rated waterproof watches that feature wrist-based heart rate monitoring:
– Apple Watch Series 5, 6, 7, or Ultra
– Garmin Forerunner 945
– Polar Grit X
– Suunto 5 or Suunto 9
– Fitbit Charge 5
– Withings ScanWatch
So don’t settle for a basic swim watch with just lap tracking. Look for waterproof smartwatches with onboard heart rate monitoring or pair a heart rate chest strap with your multisport watch. Tracking your heart rate transforms swimming from basic laps into targeted, optimized training you can feel great about.
Now dive in and start improving your cardiovascular fitness one heart beat at a time!
For swimmers and divers, having a durable watch that can withstand chlorine exposure is crucial. As an avid swimmer myself, I know the struggle of cycling through watch after watch when the band starts to deteriorate or fog builds up inside the glass. After testing dozens of watches over the years, I’ve compiled a list of the 15 best waterproof options that can stand up to endless laps in the pool.
Find a Durable Watch That Can Stand Up to Chlorine
When searching for a swimming or diving watch, water resistance is just the baseline – you need something that can handle the corrosive effects of chlorine exposure day after day. I’ve ruined more than a few watches from regular swimming where chlorine eventually broke down the band or caused issues with the internals. Here are the key factors that make a watch chlorine-proof:
- Titanium or stainless steel construction – Avoid watches with aluminum casing.
- Silicone bands – Chlorine can degrade leather, nylon, and even some rubber watch bands.
- Screw-down crown and caseback – Prevents leaks better than push/pull crowns.
- Crystal face – Sapphire crystal is most scratch-resistant.
- Gaskets – Ensure they are viton or fluoroelastomer rather than latex or nitrile rubber.
You’ll also want a watch with a water resistance rating of at least 50 meters – but the higher the rating, the better. While most swimmers don’t go deeper than a few feet, a higher water resistance provides a safety buffer and indicates a more durable construction.
The 15 Best Swimming and Diving Watches
Based on my experience, here are 15 great watch options that can withstand endless hours in the pool and frequent chlorine exposure:
This is my personal favorite swim watch due to its comprehensive tracking features and ultra durable construction. It uses a fiber-reinforced polymer case, stainless steel bezel, and silicone band. With 50m water resistance and swimming metrics like distance, pace, stroke count, and SWOLF score, it has everything I need.
The newest Apple Watch model is uniquely optimized for underwater use with a depth meter, water temperature sensor, and 100m water resistance rating. The titanium case and sapphire crystal display offer scratch protection.
Suunto’s dive watches are renowned for their durability. The D5 has a titanium construction, fluorescent hands that are easy to read underwater, and can go as deep as 100m. The replaceable silicone strap is also super comfortable.
Another great option from Garmin built for lap swimming, with metric tracking for stroke count, distance, pace, and more. The silicone band prevents irritation and its 50m water rating provides peace of mind.
Living up to its name, the Grit X Pro withstands rugged use with a fiberglass-reinforced case and fluoroelastomer band. It tracks open water and pool swims with metrics like heart rate, distance, and pace. Water resistant up to 100m.
A smartwatch with pool swim profile, open water swim tracking, and 10 ATM water resistance. Stainless steel bezel, silicone band, and durable polycarbonate backplate.
You can always count on G-Shock for an ultra-rugged watch. This model is swim-focused with stroke type and lap data tracking. The 50m water rating and mineral glass face offer protection.
A unique analog-digital watch powered by Citizen’s Eco-Drive technology so it never needs a battery. The titanium case and bracelet are super durable, and it has a 200m water resistance rating.
Beautiful Swiss dive watch with a ceramic bezel, sapphire crystal face, and 200m water rating. The silicone band provides flexibility and durability during swims.
Hydrocarbon titanium case for lightweight and corrosion-resistant durability. Features a helium escape valve and 600m water resistance rating. Swiss automatic movement.
Garmin’s dive watch tracks depth, temperature, heart rate, and more. Up to 100m water resistant with a titanium bezel and chemically strengthened glass face.
Seiko’s dive line is renowned for durability. This model has a super-hard coating to resist scratches, 500m water resistance rating, and durable silicone strap.
Swiss dive watch rated for 600m with a helium escape valve. The stainless steel case has a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal face and a ceramic dial.
Water resistant to 300m, this dive watch features a stainless steel case, luminous markers, and a durable ceramic bezel. The fluorine rubber strap is super flexible.
The Submariner is renowned as one of the most durable dive watches available. Waterproof up to 300m, it has a corrosion-resistant Oystersteel case and Sapphire crystal glass face.
So whether you swim competitively or like to track your laps for fitness, these watches can survive endless hours submerged in chlorinated pool water. Having reviewed the options and tested many personally, I can recommend any of these durable picks if you’re seeking a high-performing swimming watch.
Get a Watch with Swim Workout Features
If you’re an avid swimmer, having the right gear can make all the difference in tracking your workouts and improving your performance. In 2023, the swimming watch game has seriously stepped up, with high-tech features that go far beyond simple waterproofing. From open water GPS to advanced stroke analysis, today’s swim watches allow you to fine-tune your training, monitor your progress, and smash your personal records.
But with so many options on the market, it can be tricky to figure out which watch is right for your aquatic needs. To help simplify your search, we’ve compiled this list of the 15 best waterproof watches for swimming and diving in 2023. Whether you’re a recreational lap swimmer or a competitive open water athlete, these high-performing watches have the features and durability to meet your underwater demands.
Key Features to Look For
When shopping for a new swimming watch, keep an eye out for these key features:
- Waterproof rating of at least 50 meters – this allows for lap swimming and recreational use
- Open water GPS tracking – records distance, pace, and route for open water swimming
- Stroke recognition – detects stroke type to provide detailed swim metrics
- Heart rate monitoring – tracks heart rate zones during swim workouts
- Customizable pool sizes – input pool length for accurate lap counting
- Swim-focused sports modes – includes specific settings for pool and open water swims
- Underwater heart rate – uses wrist or optical technology to track heart rate while swimming
- Swolf score – measures swim efficiency based on strokes and time
The Top 15 Swimming Watches
Based on the above criteria, we’ve selected and reviewed the 15 best swim watches available today. Read on for details on each watch and why it made our list!
With advanced swim tracking and coaching features, the Garmin 945 is designed with competitive swimmers in mind. It can detect and analyze your stroke, provide critical heart rate data, and even offer timed sets and pacing alerts for interval training. The stainless steel bezel and silicone band ensure waterproof durability.
The new rugged Apple Watch Ultra makes a big splash, with an impressive WR100 water rating for recreational scuba diving up to 40 meters. It provides detailed metrics on stroke type, distance, pace, and splits. The bright screen is easy to view underwater. And it even has a depth gauge and water temperature sensor.
Built to withstand tough outdoor conditions, the Grit X Pro tracks open water swims with integrated GPS. It measures heart rate at the wrist and coaches you through interval training. Plus, it estimates recovery time after challenging sessions. The military-grade durability is ideal for open water adventures.
A more affordable option from Garmin, the Swim 2 still packs impressive swim-specific features. These include stroke type detection, pace alerts, auto rest timers, and heart rate monitoring at the wrist. The compact design is comfortable for extended pool sessions.
With an impressive battery life up to 170 hours in training mode, the Suunto 9 Peak won’t quit even on long open water swims. It tracks distance, pace, stroke count, and more in the pool or open water. Plus, it’s durable enough for hiking, trail running, and other outdoor pursuits.
The Vertix 2 offers ultra-precise GPS tracking for open water swims, along with a host of advanced metrics for the pool. These include lap count, pace per 100M, and automatic rest detection. At 60 hours, the battery life is another big plus for endurance athletes and open water adventures.
While not technically a watch, Form’s smart swim goggles display key workout data like splits, distance, pace, and more – right before your eyes, no wrist glancing required! Connect to the goggles via Bluetooth to capture and analyze all your swim data.
The Fitbit Charge 5 packs an impressive array of features into a slim, lightweight design. With SmartTrack swim mode, it automatically detects pool swims and records laps, duration, and calorie burn. Use the stopwatch to time interval sets. See real-time stats on the bright AMOLED display.
This rugged outdoor watch tracks open water swims with built-in GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo positioning systems. It’s water resistant up to 100 meters and uses Firstbeat algorithms to analyze workout data like heart rate zones, recovery time, training load, and more.
Built for tough conditions, the durable Garmin Instinct 2 features GLONASS and Galileo satellite tracking for open water swims. It estimates heart rate at the wrist and offers helpful training features like pace alerts and rest timers. The scratch-resistant display is easy to read, even underwater.
In addition to onboard GPS and wrist-based heart rate for open water training, the Huawei Watch GT Runner detects and analyzes common swim stroke types. It also automatically activates its water lock mode when submerged. A high-res AMOLED display provides sharp stats tracking.
Affordably priced but packed with features, the GTR 4 tracks pool and open water workouts via built-in GPS. Smart tracking recognizes stroke type and analyzes performance. The BioTracker sensor monitors heart rate 24/7. Military-grade protection makes it ultra-durable.
Weighing just 29 grams, this lightweight watch is comfy for endless laps. It automatically tracks swim workouts, utilizing the optical heart rate sensor to capture heart rate zones. Use it in open water mode to track distance, pace, stroke count, and more via GPS.
While not technically a smartwatch, this heart rate monitor armband provides clinically accurate readings – even underwater. Pair it with your favorite swim watch to capture precise heart rate data during workouts. The comfortable neoprene won’t slide around or chafe.
Designed just for swimming, the PoolMate Pro tracks lap-by-lap splits with impeccable accuracy. It learns and recognizes your stroke signature to log stroke count, rate, and type. Speed, distance, pace, and rest times are also automatically captured and analyzed.
Dive In with the Right Swim Watch
Whether you’re looking to drop time in the pool or track an open water swim, today’s high-tech swim watches provide the features you need to optimize your water workouts. Hopefully this breakdown of the top 15 options for 2023 gives you a better sense of the latest offerings and helps match you with the right watch for your aquatic ambitions! Let us know if you have any other questions as you gear up and dive in.
Make Sure the Battery Life Lasts Through Long Workouts
When you’re deep in the middle of a long swim workout, the last thing you want is for your watch battery to die. There’s nothing more frustrating than losing your pace, distance, and other metrics before you’ve finished your desired distance or time. That’s why battery life is one of the most crucial features to evaluate when selecting a swimming watch.
For swimmers who log hours in the pool or open water regularly, you’ll want a watch that can keep up with your endurance. Watches that conk out after just a few hours of training won’t make the cut. You need a watch with juice that will last through your longest swims and full weeks of workouts.
Below we detail what to look for in battery specs and highlight some of the top swimming watches with marathon-worthy battery life. Let’s dive in!
Key Battery Considerations
When researching swimming watches, keep an eye out for:
- 10+ hours of GPS battery life – For open water swims
- 5+ days in smartwatch mode – For daily wear and pool sessions
- Quick charge capabilities – For topping off mid-week
- Power management modes – To conserve battery when needed
- Long-lasting proprietary batteries – For greater longevity
The Top Long-Lasting Swim Watch Batteries
Based on the above criteria, here are some of the top swimming watches with stellar battery life:
The Suunto 9 Peak is designed for ultra-endurance athletes, with an impressive battery that can last up to 170 hours in training mode. That’s nearly a week straight of continuous use. Even in full GPS mode, it still lasts up to 40 hours.
In smartwatch mode, the Garmin 945 can keep going for up to two weeks without charging. When tracking GPS, it lasts 36 hours. And in GPS with music mode, the battery provides up to 10 hours of runtime.
With Garmin’s power-sip Bluetooth technology, the rugged Instinct 2 squeezes out a whopping 28 days in smartwatch mode. When tracking GPS, it will run for up to 30 hours on a single charge.
The Grit X Pro touts an impressive 40 hours of battery life when using the continuous GPS mode – plenty for the longest open water swims. For day-to-day use, it lasts up to 7 days between charges.
Coros packs a high-capacity battery into the outdoor-optimized Vertix 2. It lasts up to 60 days as a smartwatch and 140 hours with continuous GPS activated. Quick-charge technology provides a full day’s charge in just 30 minutes.
With advanced battery management technology, the T-Rex Pro achieves 18 straight days of use in smartwatch mode. In basic watch mode, it can run for up to 45 days without charging. Impressive for the price point.
While not as long as some others, the svelte Charge 5 still impresses with up to 7 days between charges when used as an all-day activity tracker and smartwatch. The fast charge feature provides a full day’s power in just 12 minutes.
Apple’s latest rugged watch promises up to 36 hours of runtime with normal use. In workout mode with GPS, expect around 8 hours. The new low-power setting can stretch to reach up to 60 hours for less frequent tracking.
In addition to smart swim tracking capabilities, FORM’s goggles also boast an impressive battery that lasts up to 16 hours on a single charge. That gives you time for countless swim sessions before needing a recharge.
Don’t Let Your Battery Die Before You Do
Nothing will sabotage a long training swim quicker than a dead watch battery. With power-hogging features like GPS and 24/7 health tracking, battery life is a key consideration for endurance athletes. Thankfully, continuous improvements in battery technology allow several swimming watches to now offer multiple days and even weeks of use between charges. Look for long-lasting batteries along with quick recharge capabilities so you can keep logging endless laps and open water miles.
Select a Watch That Syncs Easily with Your Tech
One of the biggest advantages of modern swim watches is the ability to sync your workout data with other devices and platforms. Being able to seamlessly transfer your stats from watch to phone to computer makes it easy to analyze your progress, track trends over time, and share your accomplishments.
But clunky syncing can quickly negate these benefits. Fussy Bluetooth connections, complicated syncing protocols, and lack of compatibility with your existing devices can turn post-swim analysis into a hassle.
That’s why it’s important to choose a swimming watch that integrates easily into your personal tech ecosystem. Read on for what to look for and some top picks for effortless syncing.
Key Syncing Features
When researching swim watches, consider these syncing capabilities:
- Bluetooth connectivity – For wireless pairing with smartphone
- WiFi connectivity – For syncing without a phone present
- Cloud storage – For accessing data across devices
- Smartphone app – For comprehensive data analysis
- Desktop app – For more detailed data breakdown
- 3rd party app integration – For syncing with platforms like Strava or TrainingPeaks
Top Swim Watches for Seamless Syncing
Based on the above criteria, here are some of the best swim watches for hassle-free syncing:
Seamlessly syncs swim data to Apple Health app, viewable on iPhone and Mac. Integrates with 3rd party apps like Strava. Backs up to iCloud automatically.
Auto-uploads workouts to Garmin Connect via Bluetooth and WiFi. Data viewable on smartphone and web. Integrates with training platforms like TrainingPeaks.
Built-in Bluetooth and ANT+ connectivity provides reliable syncing with Polar Flow app. Sync data to Strava, TrainingPeaks, and other popular platforms.
Sync open water GPS data quickly via Bluetooth to COROS app. Integrates with Strava, TrainingPeaks, and more. WiFi connects directly to cloud storage.
Automatically syncs swim data with Fitbit app via Bluetooth. View workout data, trends, and insights on smartphone or computer via cloud.
Workout data automatically saved to built-in memory. Quick Bluetooth transfer to FORM app for analysis. Integrates with Apple Health, Strava, and TrainingPeaks.
Connects to wrist heart rate, bikes sensors, and more. Syncs data to Suunto app via Bluetooth, uploadable to Strava and other sites.
Sync swimming metrics with Zepp app via Bluetooth. Data integrates with Strava, Apple Health, and Google Fit for broad accessibility.
Sync for Simpler Analysis
At the end of the day, being able to easily access, analyze, and share your swim data is key. Comparing your stats across sessions and spotting micro trends over time provides invaluable insight into your progress. Finding a swimming watch that seamlessly and reliably syncs data to your existing suite of devices and fitness apps allows you to skip the tech headaches and focus on the training.
Consider a Smartwatch for Smart Features
The latest advanced swim watches do more than just track laps and lengths. Today’s smartwatches come packed with tech-savvy features to provide deeper insight into your workouts and overall health.
From wrist-based heart rate monitoring to sophisticated stroke analysis, smartwatches for swimming capture much more than basic speed and distance. They help you fine-tune your training, optimize recovery, and better understand your body’s responses.
If you want more than just waterproof stopwatch functionality, here’s what to look for in a feature-packed swim smartwatch.
Key Smart Features
Top swimming smartwatches offer in-depth metrics like:
- Heart rate analysis – Train in specific zones for different goals
- VO2 max tracking – Monitor cardio fitness improvements
- Sleep monitoring – Optimize rest and recovery
- Smart notifications – View texts, emails, calls poolside
- Music storage – Motivational underwater playlists
- Stroke recognition – Analyze and perfect your technique
- Open water GPS – Map route, distance, pace
Smart Swim Watch Recommendations
Based on the above criteria, here are some of the most smartly equipped swim watches available:
In addition to advanced swim tracking, the Ultra offers ECG, blood oxygen sensing, crash detection, and deep integration with iOS apps and features.
Top-tier triathlon watch provides detailed swim metrics plus training load analysis, recovery tracking, on-watch workouts, music, and Garmin Pay contactless payments.
Outdoor-focused Grit X Pro tracks open water swims along with sleep, daily activity, weather, and more. FuelWise feature reminds you to refuel during long workouts.
Rugged adventurer watch offers altitude acclimation insights, navigation sensors, ECG tracking, advanced running features, and sophisticated swim tracking.
Slim and lightweight tracker monitors heart health, sleep, stress, skin temperature variation and more, in addition to logging swim workouts.
See real-time swim stats like pace, distance, strokes, and splits displayed right on the goggles’ integrated heads-up display.
Combines advanced run tracking with strong swimming features like stroke recognition. Also offers heart monitoring, sleep tracking, stress tracking, and more.
Train Smarter with a Smart Swim Watch
Modern smartwatches let you take your swim tracking to the next level with more insightful metrics, expanded connectivity, and greater integration with your holistic health and fitness. So if you’re looking to step up your wearable game in the pool, check out the newest generation of smart swim watches packing the latest tech.
Choose a Watch with Accurate Lap Counting
If you’re logging countless laps in the pool, you need a swimming watch that can keep up and accurately tally each and every length. Inaccurate or missed lap counts are incredibly frustrating and make it impossible to track your true yardage and distance.
So when researching your next swim watch, precision lap counting should be a top priority. Here’s what to look for and some recommendations for watches that nail this critical function.
Essentials for Reliable Lap Counting
Key features that lend themselves to precise lap totals include:
- Automatic lap detection – Recognizes turns to log laps swum
- Customizable pool lengths – Set your pool size for correct distances
- Multi-sport modes – Tailored swim settings optimize tracking
- Underwater heart rate – Uninterrupted wrist-based tracking
- Swim-proof display – Easy viewing mid-swim
- Audible alerts – Customizable pace and distance alerts
Our Top Picks for Accurate Lap Counts
Based on the above criteria, here are some of the best swimming watches when it comes to nailing lap totals:
Premium multisport watch reliably auto-detects turns and lengths with customizable pool size settings.
Impressive recognition of pool lengths and auto-laps. Allows customization of pool length for precision distance and pace data.
Open water watch also precisely tracks lap swims with automatic turn detection in pool mode. Vibrates on turns and lengths.
Smart functions like wrist-based heart rate and swim proof design enable continuous accurate lap counting underwater.
Garmin’s swim-specific watch provides dependable auto lap detection along with a pool length setup option.
With customizable pool sizes and modes tailored for the pool, the 9 Peak reliably logs auto-detected laps.
Slim fitness tracker accurately counts laps swum and pool lengths with SmartTrack automatic exercise recognition.
Specializes in precise lap tracking using motion-based stroke detection to auto-log each length you swim.
Count On Your Watch for Perfect Lap Counts
Truly optimizing your swim workouts requires having 100% confidence in the accuracy of your watch’s lap counting capabilities. Before your next big training block, consider upgrading to one of the swimming watches above with the precision tracking to correctly log every length.
Look for a Watch with Open Water Features
For swimmers who like to mix up pool laps with open water swimming, it’s important to find a watch that can keep pace in both environments. Tracking distance, stroke, and pace in a pool is one thing, but open water brings added challenges like GPS, currents, and sighting.
That’s why you’ll want to choose a swimming watch with specific features tailored for open water. Here’s what to look for and some top options that fit the bill.
Key Open Water Watch Features
When researching watches, seek out these open water-focused capabilities:
- Built-in GPS – Tracks distance, pace, and route
- Extended battery life – For long swims away from land
- Swim-proof design – Clear viewing mid-swim
- Alerts and pacing – For hitting target times/distances
- Stroke detection – Records efficient stroke count
- Heart rate tracking – Monitors exertion in the water
- Tide data – Helps time swims efficiently
Top Open Water Swim Watch Picks
Based on the above criteria, these watches are primed for open water:
Advanced smartwatch with onboard GPS, pacing alerts, power metrics, and extensive swim data.
Rugged outdoor watch with route mapping, stroke counter, and Marathon battery life.
Made for adventures with 60-day battery and GPS mapping plus ECG and altitude sensors.
Robust design and precise GPS tracking ideal for open water with added safety features.
Built-in triathlon mode maximizes GPS tracking for open water events and training.
Military grade build with GPS route tracking designed for outdoor adventures.
Rugged GPS watch with silicone bands provides tracking and data for outdoor swims.
Find Your Open Water Watch
Don’t limit your swim training to the pool. With the right open-water capable watch, you can safely expand your aquatic adventures. GPS connectivity, extended battery life, and swim-focused features will help you get the most out of every stroke regardless of whether you’re in the lake, ocean, or lap pool.
Find One with Swim Stroke Detection
Swimming is an excellent way to stay in shape and maintain cardiovascular health. But to really maximize your workouts in the pool, having a high-tech swimming watch can make a big difference. The latest waterproof watches go far beyond simply tracking laps – they can monitor your strokes, offer swimming-specific workouts, and more.
So is it time to upgrade your old swimming watch? Read on to learn about 15 of the top waterproof watches on the market for swimmers and divers in 2023.
What to Look for in a Swimming Watch
When shopping for a new swimming watch, keep these key features in mind:
- Waterproof rating of at least 50 meters – this allows you to swim laps and go diving while wearing the watch.
- Swim tracking metrics like lap counts, pace, distance, and stroke type.
- Heart rate monitor, which is useful for interval training.
- GPS for open water swimming tracking.
- Smartwatch connectivity for accessing notifications poolside.
Advanced swim watches will also offer insightful metrics like SWOLF score, rest times, and more. Staying within your budget while getting the right mix of features for your needs is key.
Top Swimming Watch Picks for 2023
Based on the above criteria, here are 15 of the top-rated waterproof swimming watches to consider this year:
The Garmin Swim 2 is designed specifically with swimmers in mind. It can detect and log stroke type, distance, pace, and more for pool swimming. Open water swim metrics, heart rate monitoring, and overall workout tracking capabilities make this a very versatile option.
The new rugged Apple Watch Ultra is made for athletic adventures, including swimming. It has an extended battery life, GPS tracking, and a water depth app. While pricey, it offers seamless iPhone connectivity and Apple’s excellent health and activity tracking.
Samsung’s flagship smartwatch, the Galaxy Watch5 Pro, is a sleek and stylish swim watch option. It’s waterproof up to 50 meters and can detect stroke type and lap counts. Health and wellness monitoring, GPS, and music storage also make it great for open water swimmers.
Made for adventures, the Coros Vertix 2 is waterproof up to 100 meters. It has excellent GPS capabilities, long battery life, and extensive swim metrics. Open water swimmers will appreciate the navigation features and enhanced waterproofing.
Featuring a rugged, sporty design, the Suunto 9 Peak is waterproof up to 100 meters. It packs in heat rate tracking, GPS navigation, wrist-based heart rate, and an extensive feature set for pool and open water swimming. The battery can last up to 170 hours in training mode.
Polar’s outdoor multi-sport watch, the Grit X Pro, offers excellent swim features. These include advanced stroke metrics, lap tracking, pacing, distance logs, and more. It also boasts up to 200 hours of battery life in low power mode, making it great for open water swimming adventures.
While not a watch, Form’s smart swim goggles deserve a mention. These high-tech goggles display key swim metrics right before your eyes, like split times, distance, pace, and more. They connect to your phone to track full workouts. The future of swim tracking?
A budget-friendly rugged option, the Amazfit T-Rex 2 costs much less than most feature-packed swim watches. Despite the low price, it still offers 10ATM water resistance, stroke detection, activity tracking, and excellent battery life up to 24 days.
Great for open water swimmers, the Huawei Watch GT Runner includes GPS tracking, route navigation, workout analysis and more. It’s waterproof up to 50 meters and can track heart rate while swimming for high-intensity interval training.
A basic and affordable swimming watch, the Timex Ironman R300 offers the core essentials. It counts laps, tracks times and splits, and logs stroke counts. The sporty style and 100 meter water resistance make it a practical choice.
Fitbit’s Charge 5 bands tracks all the key swim metrics you need. It has lap counting, pace tracking, stroke detection, and more. Smartwatch notifications, excellent battery life, GPS, and Fitbit’s intuitive app syncing also make this a great pick.
Featuring a unique layered display, the TicWatch Pro 3 is a smart swimming companion. It can automatically detect stroke type and has open water GPS tracking. The Wear OS functionality also lets you control music, see notifications, and more while swimming.
One of Garmin’s premier multi-sport GPS watches, the Forerunner 955 has all the swim features you need. These include stroke detection, pacing alerts, advanced biometrics and more. It also offers up to 15 days of battery life in regular usage.
With its luxury design, the Withings ScanWatch Horizon doesn’t look like a typical swim watch. But it tracks all the key metrics and is water resistant up to 100 meters. The extended battery can last up to 30 days between charges.
Here’s one for camera lovers – the Olympus OM-1 watch has a built-in action camera! It can capture photos and video while swimming up to 15 feet deep. A digital display lets you frame shots. While unconventional, it’s perfect for documenting your underwater adventures.
Dive Into Your Swim Training
When it’s time to upgrade your swim watch, be sure to consider key features like waterproof rating, stroke detection, heart rate monitoring, GPS tracking and smartwatch connectivity. With the right swimming watch, you can better track your workout progress and improve your performance in the water.
The latest waterproof swim watches blend the advanced metrics serious swimmers need with stylish designs and smartwatch functionality. So dive in and find the perfect swimming watch to take your training to the next level.
Pick a Stylish and Sleek Swimming Watch You Love Wearing
Let’s be honest – if you’re going to wear a swimming watch daily for both casual wear and hardcore training, style matters. The good news is today’s waterproof watches come in sleek designs you’ll be proud to wear inside and outside the pool.
So don’t settle for a bulky, unattractive swimming watch just because it tracks your laps. There are plenty of options out there that blend fashionable looks with high-tech swim tracking. Here are 15 of the most stylish waterproof watches for hitting the pool or open water in 2023.
What Makes a Swim Watch Stylish?
Here are some features to look for if style is important in your swim watch:
- Sleek, lightweight construction vs. bulky and sporty.
- Fashionable colors and bands – think rose gold, leather, etc.
- Luxurious designs using premium materials.
- Customization options to match your personal style.
- Smartwatch connectivity for notifications, music and more.
Of course, stylish swim watches still need to perform. So be sure any fashionable pick still has essentials like waterproofing, lap tracking, stroke detection and more.
The Most Stylish Swimming Watches for 2023
Based on looks, versatility and function, here are 15 sharp-looking swim watch picks:
Boasting a bright, oversized display and rugged yet refined design, the new Apple Watch Ultra is quite fashionable for an outdoor watch. Pair it with different bands to match your style.
With its minimal bezel and curved display, the Galaxy Watch5 Pro is a stylish smartwatch option. You can also change watch faces and bands for a unique look.
Crafted with premium materials like sapphire glass and stainless steel, the Withings ScanWatch Horizon is both durable and luxurious. Interchangeable bands let you customize the style.
Garmin’s Venu 2 Plus smartwatch has a bright AMOLED display and sleek silicone band, making it equally suited for the pool or a night out. Garmin’s robust health/swim features provide added value.
The lightweight Polar Vantage V2 comes in stylish color options like black titanium and copper rose. It offers in-depth swim tracking alongside running and biking features.
With its fashionable design language and minimal bezel, the Huawei Watch GT 3 is stylish enough for daily wear. The two-week battery life is a major plus too.
The newly launched Fitbit Versa 4 has a slim, watch-like design that comes in beautiful color combos. Track swims alongside overall health stats with ease and style.
A budget-friendly pick, the Amazfit GTR 4 still impresses with its slim, circular watch design. The interface allows deep customization to match your personal tastes.
Featuring a stainless steel bezel and Italian leather band, the TicWatch Pro S is fashion-forward. It runs Wear OS and has essential swim tracking functionality.
Designed to blend a sporty yet sleek look, the Suunto 7 is a handsome Wear OS watch with serious swim tracking skills. GPS, heart rate monitoring and music controls provide added versatility.
Skagen is known for its minimalist Danish designs, and the Jorn HR brings that aesthetic to swim tracking. Its slim profile and mesh band look great for any occasion.
With its signature minimalist Museum dial, the Movado Connect 2.0 is a fashionable smart swimming companion. Customizable watch faces let you change up the look.
Channeling vintage mid-century style, the clean Metropolitan R watch from Timex is ideal for dapper swimmers. The perforated leather strap and 41mm casing are timeless.
Garmin’s smallest smartwatch, the Lily, is stylish and crafted for women. The floral-inspired design options look like jewelry but offer Garmin’s excellent activity tracking.
Make a Splash with Style
When searching for your next swimming watch, don’t think you have to sacrifice looks for top-notch swim tracking. Today’s waterproof watches come in gorgeous styles perfect for regular wear, from the boardroom to backyard BBQ.
Look for sleek silhouettes, smartwatch connectivity, premium materials and customization options as you shop. With the right fashionable swim watch, you can seamlessly transition from tracking laps to drinks with friends while looking fantastic.