Everyone has their own ideal holiday. Whether you’re the beach type or the outdoorsy type, we all long for that perfect travel destination. But no matter the destination, it’s not the ultimate trip without the perfect companions — be it your loved ones, friends, pets, or the right tools and equipment. And one that’s almost automatically a part of every adventurer’s checklist is the right travel watch.
From the highest mountain peaks to the deepest trenches of the ocean, there’s a perfect travel watch for you. In that regard, we gathered here all the best travel watches — from Casio, Nomos Glashutte, Omega, Rolex, and more— for every type of adventurer and why we need them to guarantee a smooth-sailing trip!
20 Best Travel Watches for Every Adventurer
1. Rolex GMT Master II
Nicknamed by Rolex as ‘The Cosmopolitan Watch’, the Rolex GMT Master II is the ultimate travel watch that every globetrotter should get their hands on. Officially unveiled in 1982, the GMT Master II precedes the iconic GMT Master that originally served as a navigation device for professional jet setters. The GMT Master, launched in 1955, bore witness to the rise of intercontinental travels and even became the official watch of Pan American World Airways, more popularly known as ‘PanAm’. Improving upon its predecessor, the GMT Master II launched with an hour hand, set independently from other hands.
One can see two time zones simultaneously with the Rolex GMT Master II. It features the usual hour, minute, and seconds hands, as well as a triangle-tipped 24-hour hand and a bidirectional rotatable bezel with a 24-hour graduated Cerachrom insert. The watch’s calibre 3285 makes this possible, a movement entirely developed and manufactured by Rolex with 70 hours of power reserve. Not to mention, this timepiece can withstand shocks and magnetic fields! They’re available in various designs and color iterations to fit every style preference.
2. Cvstos HMS Challenge II Sealiner GMT
European brand Cvstos speaks volumes when it comes to style and functionality. In particular, the Challenge II Sealiner GMT watch from the Cvstos HMS collection, with its signature tonneau-shaped case, proves stylish with its selection of colours and material. They come in either steel, blue, black, brown with red gold 5N components, or in bicolour 5N Pink gold. It also has an exhibition caseback, protected by sapphire crystal for optimum scratch resistance to showcase the CVSTOS 6511 GMT calibre. With a second 24-hour indicator, it’s a stylish choice that can transition from sporty to dressy smoothly.
3. Bell & Ross Instruments
With a passion for aviation, Bell & Ross reinterprets on-board instruments through a collection inspired by the clock in an aeroplane cockpit. This collection, perhaps, is the most popular selection by the brand with its iconic square case that even has an iteration that plunged from the air to the seas. The Bell & Roll Instruments collection carries a certain flair, ideal for the jet setter not only for pleasure but for a living. The watch’s legibility makes it a reliable companion for pilots on the air with chronograph iterations, perfect for measuring everything down to the last 100th of a second.
The Instruments collection seamlessly captures every personality with its wide range of designs. From a sand-coloured camouflage to a sporty tinge of orange on the strap and dial, there are not enough words to describe the versatility of this collection. It also comes in minimalist design or an open-heart design. Its features span from your typical date window to having dual time zones.
4. NOMOS Glashütte Zurich
NOMOS Glashütte upholds a certain standard on all their timepieces. They’re mostly very minimal with the design, but highly functional and ultimately a stylish statement that gets you through the most harrowing business meetings to a night out for celebrations. The NOMOS Glashütte Zurich collection carries the same identity and applies even better functionality to the timepiece with its ‘World Time’ feature. Not all watches can carry the same feature without making the dial look cluttered or complicated. NOMOS Glashütte does what they do best with their designs and applies it to a timepiece you can carry with you all around the world.
There are only two iterations of the watches in the Zurich collection with both versions available in either a white silver-plated or midnight blue dial. But what we love the most about it is the World Time model, with access to various timezones with just a push of a button. It has an inner dial that indicates the city of your selected time zone and another sub-dial for the appropriate time in that very city. It’s a hassle-free, stylish rendition of the world timers we love!
5. Omega Seamaster
It’s impossible to name a timepiece by Omega that doesn’t come with the greatest features. The brand truly knows how to craft masterful timepieces with the intent of providing the luxurious gift of time all over the world. The Omega Seamaster collection already built a name for itself as a reliable timepiece for all your aquatic adventures. The Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra can be one’s entry-level Seamaster of choice with 150m of water resistance and a collection of timepieces that can be taken globally. We’re referring to the brilliantly designed Aqua Terra WorldTimer.
Right off the bat, the Aqua Terra WorldTimer displays volumes of luxury with its 18K Sedna™ gold or stainless steel case with straps available in rubber or leather. To keep it refined despite being a sporty timepiece, the straps have been integrated with polished links. And its most magnificent detail comes with the vertical teak stripes, surrounded by a circle of top global destinations including Bienne in Switzerland, where Omega is headquartered to this day. The 24-hour hesalite crystal ring at the centre of the dial indicates a light blue half for daytime and dark blue for night. With the Earth’s imagery crusted on a grade 5 titanium plate, this timepiece not only embraces its identity as a GMT watch but also keeps you grounded in artful means.
6. Casio G-Shock
Casio G-Shock already sets the bar for tough watches that can withstand just about anything. As Casio takes its time developing timepieces for every type of world traveller, it’s impossible to pick a G-Shock watch that wouldn’t suit your travelling standards. Made especially for the outdoors, the collection includes subfamilies of its own that make it an outstanding selection from all Casio watches.
While it’s ridiculous to pick one out from such a wide range of watches, it’s easy to fall in love with the G-STEEL lineup that includes models with a carbon bezel. It embraces fashionable iterations of your favourite G-Shock timepiece made of lightweight and rigid carbon material. It still has the distinctive shock resistance that put the G-Shock collection on the map, with sapphire crystal to provide additional protection to the timepiece. What’s better is that the G-STEEL collection includes timepieces with a Bluetooth function, to let you connect the watch with a smartphone at a single press of a button. From there, you may be able to acquire accurate time information from an Internet server. It harnesses the power of technology with Tough Solar that makes for a sustainable and stable supply of power no matter where you are!
7. Seiko Astron
From a world-renowned collection to one that’s been making waves since its release, the Seiko Astron collection makes it on our list with a timepiece that’s perfect not only for an outdoor adventure but also for a dressy evening: the Seiko Astron 8X Series World-Time watch. Seiko truly deserves the recognition it has today. Notably, the Astron is the first-ever quartz watch in 1969 that sent the industry to a massive push for an affordable timepiece, evolving today with powerful technology that remains unparalleled to this day. Introduced in 2012, the Astron served as the world’s first solar power GPS watch.
The Seiko Astron 8X Series World-Time watch holds the key to the powerful GPS watches of today. It harnesses satellite signals to indicate an accurate time reading right to your wrist, wherever you are around the world. It allows you to navigate effortlessly through a base time as well as a second time zone with capabilities to automatically detect daylight savings. It’s also available in various stylish iterations that make it an easy pick for the lovers of sporty steel watches and utmost functionality.
8. Patek Philippe Complications
A complication makes a timepiece anything more than just telling the time and simple date. The Patek Philippe Complications collection embraces the complexity of timepieces with numerous features that can be useful during various everyday situations. If you’re an avid traveller, the Patek Philippe Complications World Time displays two timezones at once, with just a push of a button.
Everyone’s first impression of Patek Philippe’s famous World Time watch speaks volumes in luxury with a cloisonné enamel dial centre. It displays Europe, Africa, and the Americas, crafted entirely by hand – giving it a remarkable detail, colour, and depth. The self-winding mechanical movement displays a 24-hour dial with a day/night indication for all the 24 time zones. This timepiece is a classy representation of world time watches, making it a perfect companion for a business executive who is always on the go.
9. Breitling Transocean
The Breitling Transocean is a vintage style watch that most collectors revere for its design and function. It features a wide and thick case that gives it even better legibility with a masculine kick to it. But despite its size, it remains sleek and timeless.
Jetsetting will never be the same with the Breitling Transocean Unitime Pilot. Powered by the Breitling Calibre B05 movement, the watch includes a World Time complication as well as a chronograph. It also easily sets with a crown that snaps the date and time of the chosen city, with 24 cities to choose from. It’s an easy option for a World Time watch with a chronograph function especially made for professionals. This watch from Breitling also has a sleek design with a tinge of colour that increases its legibility, especially in dimly lit places.
10. Montblanc Timewalker
Montblanc has a history of producing timepieces that are both reliable and completely stylish. The Montblanc Timewalker series goes by the same code, providing patrons with the sleek style choices of a Montblanc timepiece with great functionality. With its vintage look, the Timewalker gets a major improvement with a more durable case and a chronograph function that perfectly suits lovers of great adventures. For avid travellers who need timepieces that can help them get through the toughest of situations, the Montblanc Timewalker Dual Carbon Chronograph is certainly one to consider.
This vintage-style automotive-themed timepiece not only simply coats stainless parts with black PVD, but Montblanc lets the watch case undergo stamping, machining, polishing, thermal treatment by carbon diffusion, finishing, and finally, applying black diamond-like carbon (DLC) coating. This makes the timepiece three times more resistant to scratches than other DLC-coated cases. If you’re looking for a stylish timepiece with utmost rigidity, this is the watch for you.
11. Ulysse Nardin Executive
Ulysse Nardin really knows how to make a classy watch. The Ulysse Nardin Executive is made for the fashionable directorate. From the watch’s design to its function, it’s a timepiece with personality and panache. It’s as practical as it is dapper and dressy. It’s an unexpectedly jazzy fusion of steel, ceramic, and leather.
This watch has a dynamic dial with exploding style indexes and a horizontal rectangle with a railroad-style minute track. Despite its complication, this timepiece is quite easy to set with a quick setting for a second time zone and a permanent base time display. To further enhance the timepiece’s class, the Calibre UN-24 can be observed from the exhibition case back. It also features a 42-hour power reserve and has a water resistance of up to 100m.
12. Jaeger-LeCoultre Master
Jaeger-LeCoultre crafts timepieces with a certain flair that’s unique only to luxury watch brands. The Jaeger-LeCoultre Master collection includes a sleek design with three major subfamilies: the Master Grande Tradition, the Master Ultra Thin, and the Master Control. Our focus today is on the Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Control Calendar with a moon phase and a jumping date that flies between the 15th and 16th day of the month.
The watch’s calendar is a unique feature of the watch. The Master Control Calendar has a design that veers away from the unnecessary details. Taking inspiration from the triple calendar timepiece — an icon made by Jaeger-LeCoultre themselves — the timepiece has a delicate staging with Arabic numerals, rhodium-plated hour-markers Dauphine hands, and a date indicator that stand out clearly on the dial.
13. IWC Portugieser
IWC crafted the Portugieser for the expert navigators of the land, sea, especially air. The IWC Portugieser is imposing in size, with simple Arabic numerals and slim Feuille hands. The chapter ring comes in a railway track-style that originated in the 1930s. It truly is a classic with a vintage touch to it. It’s very organised and is still unrivalled to this day. Large pocket watch movements began in the 1930s. When two Portuguese businessmen ordered wristwatches with the precision of marine chronometers, large wristwatches began to rise in trend and remain a reliable choice today.
The IWC Portugieser Annual Calendar is a classic model from the collection, with an annual calendar that displays the month, date, and day in three separate, semicircular windows. While this timepiece needs manual correction via the crown once a year at the end of February, it’s still a rare combination of an annual calendar and a 7-day calibre. Watch connoisseurs revere this timepiece just for this complication. Not to mention, the exhibition sapphire-glass back gives an unimpeded view of the IWC 52850 calibre.
14. Tissot T-Classic
If there’s anything Tissot does best, it’s remaining a classic choice by valuing its core values and tradition. The Tissot T-Classic collection heralds the greatest thing about Tissot – displaying Swiss innovation and excellence through its designs and functions. One of its most iconic timepieces is the Tissot T-Classic Tradition Perpetual Calendar that shows everything great about Swiss timepieces — artistry, precision, and accuracy.
Inspired by a 1950s design, the Tissot Tradition includes modern tech that a lot of enthusiasts look up to date. The vintage design perfectly balances the classical details and subtle finishes like the guilloche decoration. Perfect for an executive meeting or a business trip overseas, the Tissot T-Classic Tradition Perpetual Calendar is every dapper gentleman’s choice of timepiece.
15. Sinn Frankfurt Financial District Watch
Sinn watches have a certain flair to them that makes for a perfect dress watch and even a companion for a hectic overseas trip. The SINN Frankfurt Financial District Watch shows individual characteristics for its selection. The collection includes watches with a classic chronograph that has a calendar week display. This is the first special function of its kind to be used in a watch with such a display configuration. Businesses are done right with this timepiece as it shows the day, date, and month. Your trip will be a smooth sailing one with the information of time right around your wrist. Made with a stainless-steel case and protected by a sapphire crystal glass on both sides, this timepiece also includes a classy engraving on the rotor.
16. Tudor Prince Date Day
A subsidiary of Rolex, Tudor was created by Hans Wilsdorf to provide people with timepieces more affordable than Rolex. At first, these timepieces had off-the-shelf movements using Rolex cases and bracelets to make them as reliable and dependable without having to cost as much as Rolex watches do. One of its most popular collections is the Tudor Prince and Princess watches. Just like any of their timepieces, this watch has a great similarity to an iconic Rolex watch.
With a great resemblance to the Rolex Datejust, the Tudor Prince Date Day only costs a fraction of the price. Despite this, it remains true to its roots of excellence and precision – undergoing rigorous quality control and meticulous craftsmanship. It displays all the basics you need in a classy timepiece. You’ll surely enjoy carrying it through all functions and occasions, whether locally or overseas.
17. Rolex Day-Date
Rolex launched the Day-Date in 1956 as the first-ever self-winding waterproof chronometer wristwatch that had a calendar that showed instantaneous day display. The day display, spelt out at 12 o’clock, is unique to this timepiece and became an instant icon upon its launch. The Rolex Day-Date comes with various design choices, depending on your personal preference. Whether you want a smooth or fluted bezel, or even have it gem-set with precious stones, your Day-Date watch is all yours to modify.
This watch includes an iconic President bracelet that has comfortable semi-circular three-piece links created for the Oyster Perpetual Day-Date in 1956. This refined bracelet provides the utmost comfort for whichever activity you choose to enjoy in your travels. Not to mention, it’s a Rolex and therefore a symbol of success, making it the ultimate style pick for every successful man.
18. Omega De Ville
Known models of Omega continue to dominate the market to date. One of them is the Omega De Ville collection. Introduced back then as a part of the Seamaster series, the De Ville earned its rightful separate line due to its more streamlined look. Where the Seamaster looks sportier, the De Ville is the perfect dress watch.
The Omega De Ville Hour Vision harnesses complexity with fine details on its sophisticated dial as well as its mechanism. This timepiece displays a two-zone anthracite dial that includes a month and date windows at 3 o’clock. It’s also scratch-resistant, with a sapphire crystal to protect its majestic dial. Visible on the transparent caseback is the Omega Co-Axial calibre 8601 that powers this fine timepiece.
19. Breguet Type XX – XXI – XXII
Breguet is a legendary house founded by Abraham Louis Breguet himself. Since its foundation, the company has been producing timepieces that became one of the most storied names today. It saw the prime of watch brands supplying timepieces for the armed forces. Breguet created a legendary collection, the Breguet Type XX – XXI – XXII, in the 1950s specifically for the French naval air army. It made a renaissance retrofitted for the modern-day gentleman with a self-winding movement. Made for aeronautics, this timepiece completes all the requirements for every airborne traveller.
20. Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore
Designed by Gerald Genta himself, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak is already an iconic watch in itself. But Audemars Piguet builds on the watch’s best features and made it perfect for a night out. Following the design codes from Royal Oak, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore collection has been a sporty, masculine watch that experts look to since 1993. At 42 mm, it’s sizable and sturdy with the push-piece-guards fitted to the case. This creates a supremely technical and high-performance model. With a water resistance of 100m, it’s a completely reliable timepiece you could bring on a yacht trip or a cruise, even for a casual swim on an open lake!
Importance of the Right Travel Watch
Every travel watch holds a great advantage for different kinds of traveller. If you’re about to plunge into the sea for a diving adventure or explore the Himalayas, your watch must provide you with all the necessary information you need and even keep you safe from any trouble that may come ahead. Some travellers might need a hardcore watch like a Casio G-Shock, while others might need a simple timepiece to keep them on schedule like a Tudor Prince Date Day. Wherever it is you’re going, here are some reasons why you should never set forth without bringing with you the perfect travel watch.
1. To provide necessary foresight
Outdoorsmen don’t rely on smartphones as much as they do watches. Firstly, smartphones have a lifespan that can only last less than a day. This wouldn’t be ideal if your trip lasts for days, even weeks. If you happen to find a solution via a portable charger, there are worse things to keep in mind. Even if a smartphone can provide all the information you need with just a tap (or a voice command), it’s still not an efficient companion. It’s not waterproof and doesn’t do as well in the shock-proofing section.
If you need foresight for your trek, hike, or any other outdoor trip, the right timepiece can provide it to you. Yes, that little thing around your wrist can be just as smart too! Most outdoor watches have the ABC function or altimeter, barometer, and compass functions. Others have thermometers as well! Not to mention, these timepieces usually are military-grade, meaning they’re shock-proof and sometimes even anti-magnetic!
2. To help you adjust to different time zones
Travelling across the globe or even just half-way through can be a daunting task. And we’re not only talking about the logistics of it; we’re referring to the struggles of adjusting to jet lag. GMT watches such as the Rolex GMT Master II or the Patek Philippe Complications World Time can keep you grounded timewise. If you’re a globetrotter having trouble adjusting to different time zones, you’ll surely need a GMT timepiece to accompany you.
3. To keep your trip on schedule
Every trip includes an itinerary that is mostly planned down to every minute. A lot of tourists face the challenge of having to keep up with their very own made-up schedules. Others travel for business, with meetings after meetings lined up on their agenda. Without a watch to guide you through it, imagine just how hard it could be to navigate such time constraints. A timepiece to help you power through a hectic trip, whether it’s for pleasure or business, can be of huge help.
4. To stay up to date
Not all watches are created equal. And by that, we’re mean functionality. Every person has a preferred timepiece. Others may like the straight-to-the-point types of timepieces like the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore that comes with a date and chronograph iteration. Don’t be mistaken – this is a practical timepiece! But some people need smart functions like text, call, and email notifications, app integrations, and more to help them stay up to date. You can get weather updates on your watch too! If you don’t have time to check your phone, especially if you’re in an important meeting, a good smartwatch to accompany you on your trip is simply the best.
5. To always be presentable
Watches are, after all, accessories. No matter the function your timepiece includes, it’s always better if they appear at their best. If you’re planning on taking your timepiece to certain meetings, parties, or other functions, owning a good travel watch that fits just right on any and all occasions is very much necessary.
How to Pick the Best Travel Watch for Your Trip
Different adventures also require different timepieces. Choosing the right travel watch (or watches) to bring with you on your trip is not as simple as one may think. There are certain specifications we must look at first in order to be certain it’s the appropriate one. Here are some things to keep in mind when buying a timepiece specifically for travelling.
Brand
Every brand carries specialization that a lot of people may tend to overlook. For instance, once people hear Casio, the first thing that comes to mind is the Casio G-Shock line. Nicknamed the toughest watches in the world, Casio stood out among the competition for its affordability and practicality. On the other hand, brands like Montblanc, Jaeger-LeCoultre, and even IWC can give a much different impression. So, learning about the brands available in the market will already help you identify which one’s perfect for your next escapade.
Features
Every adventure requires certain tools to help one get through obstacles or avoid them altogether. Knowing a watch’s features greatly helps especially if it’s one that requires special equipment. Need something that would keep you on the right path during a trek? A GPS watch like a Seiko Astron is what you’re looking for. Need reminders every now and then? Watches from the Tissot T-Touch collection or the TAG Heuer Formula 1 collection may assist you!
Durability
Durability spans many different things. Firstly, if it requires, your timepiece has to be shockproof. Outdoor activities or other dynamic functions may demand this to keep it working at its best. Secondly, a good watch that would last you any and all adventure should have at least some water-resistance. Whether it’s splashproof or a dive watch, look for a timepiece that could withstand contact with water such as a Longines Hydroconquest or a Hamilton Khaki Navy.
Style and Design
A watch’s design goes a long way especially when it comes to its versatility. Even travelling for business sometimes require going out at night. So, you need a watch that can transition through various occasions effortlessly. If you’re packing light and don’t have the luxury to bring numerous watches with you, make sure the watch that tags along with you doesn’t get in the way of your style choices.
Personal Preference
At the end of the day, your personal preference should always be considered. Some people prefer digital over analogue, while others like a clean face over cluttered dials. Whatever the type of watch you end up getting specifically for your travels, make sure it’s something you’ll treasure. Timepieces can be pricey and you’d want to spend your money wisely on them!
Final Thoughts
The 20 timepieces that we have listed above all have their own strengths, which you can harness on your jet setting adventures. Each one will be of advantage, especially if chosen wisely. They can help you accomplish everything, from measly tasks to record-breaking deals. Whether you’re travelling for business or exploring the milieu of nature, these watches may provide you with everything you need on your trip. They’re as convenient as they’re stylish – perfect for every traveller who needs something to get them through a hectic schedule.
Ready to take on your trip? Don’t forget to bring one of these with you!
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