SuperWatches

Smartwatches for the Space Age

Maygen

Citizen Watches

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Citizen Watches

Introduction

Citizen watches is a well-known brand for making fine timepieces. They started in 1930 and have always focused on the needs of all kinds of people.

Their signature collections are the Signature, Dive and Eco-Drive. The Eco-Drive contain Citizen’s in-house technical development which uses solar power to charge the quartz battery. 

The Signature offerings incorporate meticulous detail and an array of features.

The Dive collection offers plenty of features in a modest design. 

Regardless of which collection you opt for, you’ll find accuracy baked into every timepiece.

Blue Angels

$439

The AT8020-54L Blue Angels is a brushed stainless steel case and matching link bracelet. It’s 42mm by 12mm. It comes in yellow with navy features and is characteristic of aeronautical devices. 

This timepiece is about precision and accuracy. It has automatic timekeeping that syncs with atomic clocks. This means you get the time in 26 timezones. It offers the date at the 3 position and this also stays accurate, forever. It keeps going thanks to Japanese quartz movement.

It’s water-resistant to 200m.

A-T Eco-Drive

$259 / £220

This has a masculine polished and brushed stainless steel link bracelet. The face is a two-tone of black and orange. It has both hour markers and numbers that are white and luminous for easy reading. There’s a second hand too, which is thin but strikingly white so you cannot miss it. It’s almost on the thick side at 43mm by 12mm.

The sapphire crystal that protects the face is anti-reflective and anti-scratch. It’s also water-resistant to 200m so all in all, you can feel safe knowing you’re unlikely to damage your watch.

Nighthawk Eco-Drive

$312 / £289

This is another aviation-inspired timepiece. It’s cheaper than the Blue Angels because it doesn’t have the chronograph design and is less of a dress watch. There aren’t as many features but it’s still a good-looking timepiece. Read below for more on the Eco-Drive features…

Eco-Drive Stainless Steel 

$219 / £199

This has a 37.2mm case in stainless steel. The face is black and has luminous second, minute and hour hands, of which the second is red. It’s protected by mineral crystal which is scratch-resistant. 

The design blends in with most outfits. It’s office-worthy but would also fit in with jeans and a t-shirt. 

Satellite Wave

Starts at $600 / £599

The design of this watch, known also by the serial number, CC3000-89L is thickset at 43.5mm. It’ll stand out, but anyone with a smaller wrist should be careful (you can read about what watches to wear on a smaller wrist here).

The strap is reasonably thin at 12.7mm. It’s quite lightweight, but that makes it comfortable.

The face is black and protected by hardened mineral crystal. The seconds are indicated by large numbers every ten seconds. 

It’s water-resistant to 200m and technically classified as a dive watch so feel free to dive in with peace of mind. 

The band is made of polyurethane, a popular material for sports devices.

Titanium Eco-Drive

$350 / £290

This is a classic look from Citizen. It’s not as classy as the automatic, granted, but that isn’t to say it’s not stylish. It’s for those who like simple and understated. It has a soft pig leather wristband which comes in tan with white stitching.

There is a tachymeter found on the inner circle and it measures how much time taken to get from point 1 to point 2. There’s a chronograph offering a stopwatch feature. 

Inside is Japanese quartz, famous for its accuracy.

Titanium Chrono AT

Around $350 / £270

Here we see a titanium bracelet. It makes this watch resistant to corrosion and is generally very durable. You’re safe to take it in seawater and not worry about rusting. 

Titanium is strong but equally lightweight so it doesn’t sit too heavy on the wrist. 

It’s also water-resistant to 200m so it’s fine to take fishing, snorkelling or light diving. 

It has three chrono sub-dials which show a calendar with both the day and week. It has a tachymeter, too.

Promaster

$260 / £239

This dive watch is powered by Citizen’s own crafted solar technology. Precision and accuracy are paramount. Inside is Japanese quartz movement so you know you can rely on this watch. 

There are luminous hour markings on the 43mm dial, which make readability really easy. 

Again we see a polyurethane wristband, which won’t snap or decay easily at all.

Citizen Quartz Watches – Are they worth it?

The quartz offerings from Citizen covered here have their own pros and cons, like any other watch. 

They are famously low-maintenance. They also run very quietly. These are the most commonly seen pros. Third in line is praise for Citizen’s solar technology, which means no need to replace the battery. The only real consistent downside noted by wearers is that it does slow a little in low-lit conditions.

The case material makes a huge difference in the wearing experience. The titanium options versus the stainless steel see the former winning every time. This is because, for a dive watch, you want something that won’t corrode due to exposure to salt or chlorine. 

All in all, a Citizen watch is great value for money when you consider the features and materials you get for the price you pay.

Summary

If you’re wondering whether or not you want to buy a Citizen watch, hopefully, this gave you some direction. Always remember before shopping that you need to know what features you want and expect. Will you put it through its paces in wet conditions? Is it your everyday office watch? Is it a formal watch?

You shouldn’t let price sway your decision too much (beyond your budget). However check out our article on affordable watches for men that look expensive, if you’re just looking for something flashy.

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Let’s Talk About Atomic Watches

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Atomic watches

You’ve heard the term ‘atomic watches’, but do you know what it actually means?

An atomic watch is the most accurate watch you can get.

Atomic watches get calibrated using an atomic clock. They maintain this calibration via radio signals received from this clock. So you know exactly what the time is with precision originating from NASA. Literally. NASA uses an atomic clock on their countdowns.

It would take a very long time to discuss the science of an atomic clock. The process is intensely complicated. In as basic an explanation as possible, an atomic clock judges the length of a second by tracking the number of oscillations a caesium-133 atom makes. The number of spins that happen in one solitary second is just over 9 BILLION.

Understanding how this intricate mechanism works would require a PhD in physics, which isn’t why we’re here. Hopefully, you’ll trust what you’ve learned and we can move on…

Are atomic watches truly the most accurate?

If you have a watch that isn’t atomic, the simple answer is that you don’t own the most accurate time-keeper available. Yes, it might be made with the most incredible craftsmanship possible, but there will be a few fractions of a second worth of drifting. 

All watches experience this drift. It’s a shift away from its reference clock and therefore synching is less accurate. If you compared that watch to the atomic watch some time after you’d purchased it, you’d realise the difference. 

An atomic watch will drift too, but we’re talking a maximum of one second in a 100 million years. So you probably won’t notice.

So, to answer the question, yes, there are no more accurate watches than atomic watches.

How does an atomic watch work?

As THE atomic clock won’t fit on your wrist, you have to wear a device that talks to it via receiving signals. If you’re in the US, this will be the atomic clock that lives in Fort Collins. 

American atomic timepieces are developed in such a way to search for the radio signal from Fort Collins. They do this every day.

It will receive the signal and then decode it. Constant contact isn’t needed 24/7 but it does need regular contact to avoid this drift.

Will an atomic clock always be accurate?

An atomic watch is undeniably a feat of engineering and technology. They are not perfect, though. To work as intended, as mentioned, it needs to have a connection to the atomic clock. Two things could disrupt this.

The first factor is distance. If a watch moves away from the range of the atomic clock, simply, the connection will be lost.

Most American watches won’t synch with any other atomic clock around the world. Typically they’re limited within their region.

Secondly, it’s open to disruption to the signal. Radio signals penetrate pretty much any surface but there are things that can block them.

Some metals, like those used in building construction, block the signal. Similarly, signals from other electronic devices can get in the way. 

The level of disturbance an atomic watch will experience is really very minimal. With your human eye, you’re not likely to even notice.

Newer atomic watches have technology built in that is so advanced it can block the disruptions. GPS has been added so the watch is able to pick up the signal from satellites or from other geographically located atomic clocks.

Are atomic watches accessible to everyone?

Some atomic timepieces have insane price tags. Some, though, are affordable. Some you can use everyday wear. 

Casio, known best for their brand, G-Shock, make a range of atomic watches that run on solar power.

The G-Rescue is only $93.07. It offers 200m water-resistance and features a stopwatch, alarms, a countdown timer and world timezones. For sub-$100 this watch packs a huge punch.

The Citizen JY8035-04E ($332.99) is another excellent offer. If you’re not familiar with the Eco-Drive range from Citizen, you’re in luck because we’ve written a review that you can check out here.

If you’ve got a better budget to play with than $100, this watch offers some exceptional quality like mineral crystal with anti-glare and high-quality Japanese quartz on the inside.

Features-wise it offers a countdown timer up to 99 minutes. It knows the time in 43 different world cities. It has both digital and analogue display.

If you’re not looking to even spend $100, that’s fine. The Casio AQS800WD-1EV for men is under $50.

This knows the time in 48 world cities and 31 timezones. It will allow you to set up to 5 alarms and has a countdown timer. It offers 100m water-resistance too. This really is a sensational price considering everything you get here.

Should I buy an atomic watch?

Atomic watches offer us an insight into the level of intelligence the human species has. Without atomic clocks, everything could crash, Y2K-style.

But does this mean you need to wear an atomic watch on your wrist?

Most modern technology runs on atomic time. If you’re in need of precision, then yes, absolutely. But is your personal life reliant on that level of accuracy? Unlikely. It’s cool though, isn’t it?

Whether you should buy one or not is subjective. If you like them, then go for it. It’s a matter of your own style.

If you enjoyed reading this article, you’ll love our article on the kinds of watches favoured by the military.

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GMT Watches

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GMT Watches

Introduction

GMT Watches

When you think about it, watches haven’t really been around all that long. A once functional item has now developed into a fashion accessory, a science project, a personal assistant and a fitness trainer and coach. 

Maybe one of the most basic features to be created was the GMT function.

With the introduction of a second and adjustable 24 hour hand and bezel, watches could then monitor two timezones at the same time. 

If you’re someone who travels a lot, this is a nifty feature. You’re going to want to keep reading to find out the 7 best GMT watches for 2020.

Citizen Eco-Drive Nighthawk ($375.2)

We’ve written all about the Eco-Drive range, here. But if you’re interested in GMT watches, stick around. 

The dial on the Nighthawk is a little cluttered. But there’s a reason. This watch has a lot of functionality on offer. 

Including GMT, this watch has a date window and what’s known as a pilot’s slide rulde, which is used to convert metric to imperial, speed, distance, even fuel consumption. This is an avitation expert’s best pal as it’ll take over should any vital instruments go down for a period. 

If you just like flashy watches and you’re a bit of a jet-setter, you’ll love it.

Luminox SXC PC Carbon GMT ($439.99)

We’ve also written about Luminox watches and you can read the review here.

Luminox made themselves famous for developing extensively-rugged military timepieces and dive watches. 

They also make some incredible GMT watches. 

It comes in almost completely all black with a red GMT hand and silver second, minute and hour hands. It has a carbon fibre case on the outside, protecting an accurate quartz movement inside. The strap is made of rubber and the watch itself is water-resistant to 200m. It’s a great all-rounder.

Hamilton Broadway GMT Limited Edition ($1,126.32)

Wouldn’t you know it, if this review of the Hamilton GMT catches your attention, you can read our review of the brand, here.

This is the first on the list to have automatic functionality. It’s a limited edition and comes with an exclusive signature H14 movement inside that has an 80 hour power reserve. You’ll also never need to change the battery.

The case is made from durable stainless steel and the bezel is ceramic.

You can use this to monitor the time in 24 cities worldwide. You can, therefore, technically, track 26 in total. 

If you’re very busy and two places simply aren’t enough, then look to hamilton.

Timex Allied Three GMT (£215.00)

This is a quartz offering from Timex with 3 GMT movements inside. You can know the time in 24 different time zones.

The case is stainless steel with a black dial and a bi-colour bezel of black and blue. It’s fairly chunky at 43mm by 22mm and will offer you 100m of water-resistance.

The hour and minute hands are luminous and you’ll notice the second hand is a striking orange, offering you exceptional readability, even in low lighting.

You can read about Timex and their signature backlight technology in our Indiglo article, here.

Oris Big Crown ProPilot GMT ($2,140.00)

Oris was founded in 1094. They have a rich history in producing some very fine aviation watches. 

The Big Crown is part of their signature collection in terms of the design. The style dates back to the 30s so if you like something authentically-vintage, this will tickle you pink.

This is a limited edition 40mm case which pays homage to the original pilot watch developed by Oris. It not only looks good, but it has history.

It’s made of stainless steel, offers the date as well as hour, minutes and second hands. It’s an automatic self-wound movement and offers 50m of water-resistance.

You can read more about Oris watches here.

Bell & Ross Vintage BRV293 GMT ($3,000.00)

This brand also have a heritage in travel-inspired timepieces. This particular watch doesn’t carry the signature square case, but the design is still as gorgeous as its siblings.

Its functionality is outstanding. It has a clean and classic aesthetic and inside the beautiful case, you’ll find an automatic movement. The back of the case is an exhibition style and the dial has a bi-directional rotating bezel. It’s also water-resistant up to 100m.

Omega Planet Ocean Seamaster GMT Black ($7,700)

Omega is a very serious dive watch player. They understand the needs of their wearers very well. It’s only natural they’d develop a GMT for travellers. 

The Seamaster is a dive watch at the core. It’ll withstand water-pressure up to 600m.

It also has a dedicated hour hand that syncs with the bi-directional rotating bezel to track two timezones. 

It has a date window located at the 3 position and you can change the straps if you like. This particular one is black rubber, but you can get a NATO strap or leather. 

Inside it’s got a self-winding movement.

Rolex GMT Master II ($12,865.00)

This isn’t just a great watch. It is categorically one of the most important watches ever made.

Rolex have refreshed a classic. They’ve kept the signature style and added an automatic movement. It has a ceramic bezel that will just not quit and has an oyster steel band. 

This watch is a perfect blend of old style with new technology and it will remain fact forever that you cannot beat a Rolex.

Summary 

If you’ve enjoyed the fact that we’ve ended on some luxury brands whilst creeping into dive watch territory, you have to read our article that talks about the watches James Bond has worn over the years.

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Daniel Wellington Classic Bristol Watch

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Daniel Wellington Classic Bristol
Daniel Wellington Classic Bristol

Daniel Wellington – We all know smartwatches are making a big splash, but there’s absolutely no reason why you shouldn’t put a classic analogue watch in the mix of your collection, too. They’re all about style.

So let’s take a look at the Classic Bristol Watch from Daniel Wellington.

Strap

The Classic Bristol comes with a sturdy but sophisticated leather strap. The stan leather is incredibly supple and wears comfortably on the wrist. 

Like any leather product, you’ll need to break it in a little before you find it will mould to your shape. It also looks better the older it gets.

The stitching matches the colour of the leather. 

If you don’t like it, that’s fine. In your box you’ll find a tool that lets you remove the leather strap and swap it with one you do like. There’s a black Sheffield strap, a croc-leather York strap.

If you don’t like leather at all, DW offers some quirky coloured nylon straps. The Glasgow, for example, is striking; it’s a rich navy blue with a white accent.

It’s likely you’ll find that the tan leather strap will suit almost all occasions, but you have the option to swap and change to suit your mood.

Case, Crown and Dial

The Classic Bristol is offered in silver or rose gold. Some people feel the latter is more feminine, but if you like it, hey, there are no rules. If you really look at it, it’s more like brushed copper than a pink. The silver is a little more universal.

You’ll notice the colour bleeds into the face and dial. There is a matching hour and minute hand. There isn’t a second hand. There are also no numbers cluttering the face.

The crown is round and minimal. It has received some criticism for being tricky to pull out. It’s quite small so it’s hard to know if it’s been pulled out enough to be able to change the time.

Underneath the case is also simple. You’ll find the watch spec here, and the DW logo.

The case is 40mm and 6mm thick, which is about average. It’s therefore great for fitting in with many types of outfit and occasion. It’s small enough to be comfortable, big enough to easily read. It’s a perfect, unisex, ‘one size fits all’.

The whole thing exudes elegance.

Movement

Inside the Classic Bristol is quartz movement. This might cause some ripples amongst watch connoisseurs. It tells the time accurately and doesn’t slow over time, even if used as an everyday watch. Due to less moving parts inside than a lot of watches, it can be used during a workout too, if you like.

The Japanese quartz is responsible for making the watch tick every second. It’s a shame the watch doesn’t actually have a second hand, considering the type of movement. 

Quartz watches are less expensive to make due to the lack of moving parts, so they’re typically more durable.

Of course you’ve probably got a smartphone. You should compare the time every once in a while and you won’t be disappointed to see that the DW Bristol keeps up well. Compare it with your oven and it’s unlikely you’ll see the same result. The DW Bristol won’t be seduced into freestyle timekeeping.

Japanese quartz, historically, meant a watch had less value but thanks to some dramatic improvements, the reserse is now true. There aren’t any legal barriers like there are with Swiss-made watches. But, we know Japanese products are sensational so you can expect the same quality here.

Price

In the watch market, the retail price could be a potentially touchy matter. Watches contain a lot of different materials. Some have some high-spec technology baked in. Some are made from titanium, some are made from plastic. All these things make a watch price vary greatly.

So, the price of this watch is $230. It’s mid-range. As mentioned above, some might call out the Classic Bristol as an expensive watch for what it is because of the uncomplicated Japanese quartz and minimal moving parts. Maybe this is subjective because fans will say this is a benefit. 

$230 may be over-priced in some people’s opinion. The good news is, if you search online you will  find the Classic Bristol for less than half of this. Amazon offers it for $110. This makes the taste a little less bitter.

If you can get your hands on one at the lower price, you should definitely add it to your collection. It’ll serve as a great watch that’ll do with a smart shirt or t-shirt.

Even at $230, this isn’t luxury level (considered to be $500 and up). If you think about jewellery, this price isn’t much. And a watch is an accessory, after all.

Whether you think it’s expensive or not truly depends on how much you intend to use it, how often and how reliable you’ll be on it.

Summary

It’s easy to fall in love with the Classic Bristol’s elegance and class, as well as the analogue element.

It goes with so many outfits, for various different occasions. 

It’s nice that you don’t have to rely so heavily on a smartphone to know the precise time because the Classic Bristol will keep up precisely with any iPhone or Android. You won’t get your notifications on your wrist, of course, and there’s no alarm, but you can forgive that for what you get in style.

If you’re looking for something closer to the $100 level, but still want minimalist style from a traditional watch, you’ll absolutely adore Skagen. Check out our review here.

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Three Top Skagen Watches

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Skagen watches are really popular. They made an appearance in 1992 and have been making a splash in the watch market ever since.

If you’re in the market for a new watch and want to know if Skagen is any good, look no further. This article will run through three of the company’s top timepieces and tell you if they’re worth your money.

So, let’s go!

233XLTTN

$100 / £79

Known as the Grenen, this watch is popular worldwide for its awesome and instantly-recognisable design.

Design and features

The Danish style is apparent in the great colour combination of a powder blue dial and silver 37mm stainless steel case. It’s a slim and lightweight watch. 

The Milanese bracelet is elegant, but not too formal, and the face offers Arabic numerals for hour markers. There are second and minute markers inside the inner circle. There’s some colour contrast so it’s very easy to tell the time despite the thin hands. There’s also a date display at the 6 position. Inside there’s a Japanese quartz movement and its water-resistant up to 30m.

The Grenen is a wonderful everyday option. It look more expensive than it actually costs (and if you’re into this kind of watch, you should check out some more in our review of affordable watches here). It will be noticed and you will get a lot of compliments that is for sure.

Advantages

  • Modern and classy design in a lightweight watch
  • Very reliable
  • Accessible price tag
  • Lasts for many years
  • Comfortable on the wrist

Disadvantages

  • Some have complained about the durability

SKW6108 Ancher

$99 / £69

The Ancher is both clean and classy. Underneath the good-looking hood is a reliable timepiece at an affordable price. 

The Danish minimalism is to the fore in this design and you can tell Skagen put a lot of love into making sure readability was at the top of the list of requirements.

Design and features

The round face offers easy-to-read white hour markers against a black background with a date window found at the 6 position.

The 7.9mm thick case is made of stainless steel and fairly chunky at 45.3mm. Inside there’s a reliable Japanese quartz movement, the dial has scratch-resistant mineral glass protection and it also has a water-resistance rating of 10ATM. 

If you want something elegant at a decent price, the Ancher is a great choice. 

Advantages

  • Delightful design proving to be a crowd-pleaser

Disadvantages

  • Water-resistance could be better
  • Some argue the case is too big for smaller wrists

SKW6007 Melbye

$100 / £88

This is a little more understated in comparison to other models, but it’s one of the most reliable Skagen watches at this price point.

It has the trademark minimalism, presented in an artful way – one reason why it’s become so popular.

Design and features

There’s an orange inner circle that has a seconds track on a grey background. This subtle design feature is impossible to ignore.

The face has Arabic numerals at the 6 and 12 positions and there’s a huge day and date window at the 3 position. The Skagen logo sits proudly beneath the 12 positon and there are hour markers.

The case is titanium so it’s lightweight and comfortable on the wrist. Hardened mineral glass protects the face. It’s a shame not to see sapphire crystal on a titanium watch, but this would increase the price considerably. A mashed band keeps it all together.

Advantages

  • Stylish
  • Classy
  • Functional
  • Reliable
  • Luminous hands to aid readability

Disadvantages

  • Some argue it’s hard to read the time because of the design on the face

Summary

Skagen shows us that watches don’t need to be rugged. They can pack a world of functions and look good at the same time.

If you want something that makes people sit up and pay attention, a Skagen is a great choice. Simple, understated and always beautiful. It takes real artistry to create something this sophisticated.

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Watches with a Compass

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watches with a compass

Introduction

Watches with a Compass – in order to choose the best watch for your needs, you need to know what features to look. If you’re a swimmer, you’ll be wanting a swimming watch. If you’re into triathlons, you’ll need a multisport watch. 

Activities aside, there are different environments that your watch will need to be suited to. If you’re into outdoor adventures, you’ll want a compass watch.

A compass watch should be simple to set and read. It should be lightweight enough to avoid any unnecessary bulk on your wrist or getting caught in a sleeve.

Let’s have a look at some top-rated compass watches. Spoiler alert, this list is Casio-heavy.

Casio PAG240T-7CR

$198 / £154

This rounded offering from Casio (known as The Pathfinder) weighs only 114g. It has a solid, 51mm stainless steel case, mineral glass, a digital display and a titanium band.

This watch is solar-powered. It has a triple sensor, which provides an altimeter as well as a barometer, thermometer and, of course, a compass.

This watch has a design you won’t find anywhere else. It also has a unique resistance to low-temperatures for adventures in all seasons.

Furthermore, it offers a useful backlight with an after-glow which gives the watch great readability in low lighting. It can show 31 timezones and displays them with the city code. 

This watch also has up to five alarms. Optional daylight savings and tells you how much battery power you have left. The time format is your choice, 12 or 24 hour. It also has a timer with countdown feature, a calendar that updates itself, a battery saving mode and it’s water-resistant up to 100m.

Advantages

  • Fantastic features
  • Solar-powered so no need for a charger
  • Accessible price
  • Fantastic features

Disadvantages

  • Although it’s got a 10ATM rating, this isn’t dive-worthy

Casio G-Shock GA-1000-8A 

$250 / £210

This model is heavy at just under 81g. It has both digital and analogue display on a round face. The band is 25.4mm and both case and band are resin.

The design is pretty special, featuring a grey and black dial with a powerful yellow G-Shock logo and numbers. There’s a timer and a backlight that allows the wearer to see the time, day or night.

It features a thermometer and compass, as well as a reliable calendar that tells you the day, date and month. The watch is water-resistant up to 200m.

Advantages

  • Unique, striking design
  • High-quality
  • Rugged
  • Good water-resistance
  • Accurate compass
  • Handy thermometer

Disadvantages

  • Some think the strap is too short

Casio Men’s SGW100B-3V

$140 / £110

This watch also offers a display in digital format. It has a calendar which displays the day, date and month. 

It offers a stopwatch as well as a compass and can show the time in several major cities. Furthermore, it has a backlight so you can see this information at night. Like the above, it has some rugged features like 200m water-resistance, vibration-resistance and low-temperature resistance. This is thanks to the hardened mineral glass over the face and carbon on the case. It’s quite chunky at 51.2mm by 14.1mm. The wristband is resin, which is great for sporty people. 

It’s both functional and reliable for outdoor adventures where going in the right direction is key. The battery will last up to three years, which isn’t at all bad.

Advantages

  • Comfortable on the wrist 
  • Durable thanks to the materials
  • A lot of great functionality for a reasonable cost

Disadvantages

  • The backlight time doesn’t last long enough
  • It’s quite chunky for smaller wrists.

Timex Expedition

Around $70 / £55

Anything you buy from Timex is going to serve you well. This one has a digital display with a black face, while the band, bezel and case are all resin, meaning this watch is ready for tough treatment. The case itself is 48mm by 16mm so slightly smaller than others mentioned here.

It has an ISO certified shock-resistance rating. This watch has Timex’s signature Indiglo backlight for seeing in low lighting (and you can learn more about the Indiglo collection, here) and a calendar displaying the date. It also offers a superb water-resistance rating of 2ATM (200m), so you can safely embark on above-surface sports, but it’s still not recommended for diving.

The digital compass acts as a wonderful guide.

Advantages

  • Digital compass is decent
  • Shock-resistance of ISO standard
  • Materials suitable for outdoor torture testing

Disadvantages

  • Reports say the wristband snaps easily

Casio SGW500H-1BV

$79.99 / £59.99

This next Casio is round with a striking black and blue colouring. The blue is on the band, the buttons and the bezel.

The case measures just shy of 49mm. On the face sits a patented hardened mineral. It offers water-resistance up to 100m, so you can comfortably take it snorkelling. 

It can tell the time in up to 48 cities and offers that time in 12 or 24hr format. The digital compass is easy to use and accurate. It also offers a countdown timer, stopwatch and thermometer.

Advantages

  • Offers digital and analogue display
  • Can swear it swimming or snorkelling
  • LED afterglow gives great readability in the dark

Disadvantages

  • Reviews say it’s not scratch-resistant
  • The wristband apparently snaps easily
  • No backlight for use in low lighting

Summary

If you’re interested in a compass watch, then a GPS watch might also be good for you. GPS watches are typically made for those who enjoy the outdoors and are built to be rugged. Check out our review of the best GPS smartwatches, here.

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