Top 7 Luxury Sport Watches for Men

As the name suggests, this type of wristwatches combines luxurious details with sporty characteristics. In comparison with traditional timepieces, they are more rugged and versatile. Thanks to these qualities, a luxury sports watch can be worn on any occasion, ranging from formal events to outdoor sports activities. Here, we are going to introduce 7 top luxury sport watches for men.

Top 7 Luxury Sport Watches for Men

The luxury sport watch was first appeared in the early 1970s with the launch of the iconic Audemars Piguet Royal Oak. Designed by Gerald Genta, it was the first high-end wristwatch in stainless steel. Until then, only precious metals were used for manufacturing expensive timepieces. Dedicated to opulent customers with an energetic lifestyle, Royal Oak instantly became a cult object. Following this trend, several watchmakers launched their own interpretations of the luxury sports watch.

Presently, it is one of the best-selling segments in the premium category. In this article, we are highlighting seven luxury sports watches of the modern era.

(1) Audemars Piguet Royal Oak

Audemars Piguet is one of the most prominent luxury sports watch brands in the world. In 1972, the iconic Swiss manufacture created Royal Oak, which heralded a new era in the industry. Now celebrating its 50th anniversary, this prestigious collection has been known for its emblematic features like octagonal bezel with eight hexagonal screws, integrated bracelet and Tapisserie pattern dial.

The first audemars piguet royal oak watch was launched with a 39mm diameter steel case and a self-winding movement for powering the hour, minute and date functions. Presently, this well-established collection is offering an extensive selection of timepieces in various case-sizes, material choices and functions, including grand complications. In addition to stainless steel, the brand uses materials like ceramic, gold, platinum, titanium and tantalum for manufacturing Royal Oak watches. Depending upon the version, they feature self-winding, hand-wound or quartz movements.

The smallest watch in the present ap royal oak collection is the 33mm quartz model for women. The smallest self-winding Royal Oak has a 34mm diameter case. The most popular case size is 41mm, in which the brand is offering various self-winding models including three-hands with date watches, chronographs, flying tourbillons, perpetual calendars and skeleton timepieces. The large models in the present line-up are the 42mm Minute Repeater Supersonnerie and the 44mm Openworked Grande Complication.

The collection also includes wristwatches with 39mm diameter case, inspired by dimensions of the first Royal Oak watch released in 1972. The other case sizes available are 37mm and 38mm. The retail price range of AP Royal Oak in Singapore begins at S$23,000. The models featuring precious metals, diamond-setting, high complications or open-working usually cost above S$100,000.

(2) Patek Philippe Nautilus

Nautilus, the much-admired luxury sport watch from Patek Philippe, was introduced in 1976. The first model was reference 3700. Made of stainless steel it introduced the iconic octagonal case with gently rounded corners. Equipped with a self-winding movement, this luxury sport watch for men measured 42mm in diameter and offered a water resistance of 120 meters. The brand has gradually expanded this casual elegant watch series by adding new models featuring various case sizes as well as versions made of precious metals. Patek Philippe also created some variants featuring multiple complications.

In 2006, marking the 30th anniversary of the collection, the Geneva Maison launched a modern generation of Nautilus watches with upgraded design features and technical specifications. The revised edition included models like 5711/1, 5712/1, 5712 R&G, 5800/1 and 5980/1. In 2016, the 40th anniversary of this iconic series was celebrated.

Presently, Nautilus collection is offering various luxury sports watches for men. The notable references are 5719, 5712, 5726, 5740, 5980 and 5990. In addition to these masculine timepieces, the series includes women’s watches like 7010 and 7118. The brand has recently announced the discontinuation of the best-selling 5711/1 stainless series. Announced in December 2021, the Patek Philippe Nautilus Tiffany blue watch (reference 5711/1A-018) is the final production of this highly sought-after reference. The retail price range of Nautilus in Singapore starts at S$40,000.

(3) Vacheron Constantin Overseas

Vacheron Constantin introduced its first luxury sports watch in 1977. Created to mark the 222nd anniversary of the venerable Geneva watchmaking house, this timepiece (reference 222) is the ancestor of the Overseas collection. Standing out with an atypical bezel design, this stainless steel luxury sport watch for men had a water resistance rating of 120 meters.

Introduced in 1996 and revived in 2016, the vacheron constantin overseas collection presently offers an exceptional selection of luxury sports watches imbued with the essence of travelling and adventurism. It includes minimalistic versions featuring date or small-seconds as well as complication models with chronograph, dual-time, perpetual calendar, tourbillon or world time functions. Equipped with automatic or quartz movements, they are available in stainless steel, gold, bi-metal and diamond-set versions.

Men’s watches are offered in 37mm, 41mm, 41.5mm, 42.5mm and 43.5mm case sizes. For women, 33mm and 37mm models are available. A stand-out feature of the Vacheron Constantin Overseas is an innovative interchangeable strap system that allows the wearer to instantly change the metal, leather or rubber straps.

In Singapore, the average retail prices of Overseas watches range from S$20,000 to S$250,000.

(4) Rolex Submariner 

Rolex Submariner was introduced in 1953 as a tool watch for divers. The first model featured a stainless steel case with a water resistance of 100 meters. The present generation submariners are 300m water proof. Although born as a diving instrument, rolex submariner has gradually turned into a luxury sports timepiece because of its opulent details.

Now, the brand is offering submariners in Oystersteel (906L), 18K gold and Rolesor (combination of Oyster steel and 18K gold) versions. It is one of the most exclusive collections in the Rolex portfolio and offers a limited number of variants. The bezel-insert of new generation timepieces is made of Cerachrom, a proprietary ceramic material with superior corrosion-resistance and scratch proofness. Featuring a 41mm diameter case, submariners are available with or without date function. They usually come with Oyster style bracelets.

Equipped with the manufacture self-winding 3235 caliber, the Submariner Date features a Cyclops lens over the date window at 3 o’clock. The “time-only” submariner is powered by in-house self-winding caliber 3230. Both movements provide a power reserve of 70 hours. Certified as superlative chronometers, these rolex sport watch models offer a precision of -2/+2 seconds/day.

The suggested retail price range starts at 12,000 Singapore dollars.

(5) Bulgari Octo Finissimo

Bulgari produces premium watches by combining the esteemed Swiss watchmaking traditions and the world-renowned Italian jewellery heritage. The brand’s octo finissimo series is known for a number of groundbreaking ultra-thin luxury sport wristwatches. It is comprised of mechanical timepieces made of 18K gold, carbon, ceramic, platinum, stainless steel, DLC coated steel or titanium. They feature extremely thin automatic or manual-winding movements.

The bulgari octo finissimo collection includes time-only models and complication watches featuring chronograph, minute repeater, perpetual calendar, tourbillon or world-timer. The brand also offers multi-complication watches like the Chronograph GMT and the Tourbillon Chronograph. Some of the bvlgari octo finissimo models are world record holders in the ultra-thin segment. The retail price range starts at S$20,000.

(6) IWC Ingenieur

IWC’s Ingenieur watches have been renowned for their extreme durability, innovative designs and superb precision. The origins of this collection date back to 1954, when the company debuted automatic calibers 852 and 8521 endowed with Pellaton winding system and soft-iron cage for reducing magnetic interference. The first Ingenieur timepiece (reference 666) was introduced in 1955.

Equipped with automatic movements, these robust luxury sport timepieces stand out with their superior antimagnetic properties. Presently, the iwc ingenieur watches are available in 316L stainless steel, gold, ceramic, carbon and titanium versions. The brand offers three-hands with date, chronograph, constant force tourbillon and perpetual calendar models from this collection. The retail price range starts at S$7,000.

(7) Zenith Defy

Defy is luxury sport watch series from the iconic Swiss manufacturer Zenith. This comprehensive collection includes models like 21, Classic, Double Tourbillon, Extreme, Fusee Tourbillon, Midnight, Revival, Skyline, and Zero G. They incorporate cutting-edge movements, futuristic designs and high-quality materials.

Zenith’s Defy watch collection offers ceramic, 18K gold, sapphire, stainless steel, platinum and titanium timepieces. The available case sizes are 36mm, 37mm, 41mm, 44mm, 45mm and 46mm. They feature mechanical calibers from the iconic El Primero or Elite movement families.

The smallest timepiece in the collection is the 36mm Defy Midnight for women. The zenith defy classic and skyline models feature 41mm cases. The Zenith Defy 21 watch has a 44mm diameter case. Both Extreme and Fusee Tourbillon watches come with 45mm cases. For the Zero G and the Double Tourbillon models, Zenith is using 46mm diameter cases. The retail price range of the Defy collection starts at S$8,500.