Uhrinstinkt Magazine
Rolex Submariner, Omega Seamaster, Tag Heuer Carrera: the box of watch celebrities is dominated by luxury sports watches. For decades, we’ve been thrilled by the concept of an all-rounder that stylishly brings outdoor, leisure and business under one roof. But does it always have to be the same names? Our team has come together to bring you a great top 5 of luxury sports watches for men and women off the mainstream. Be curious!
What qualities must a good luxury sports watch possess?
Solid luxury sports watches for life don’t have to cost a fortune: You’re already in the upper class between 1,000 and 2,000 euros and get a reasonable overall package from the right manufacturers. An indispensable quality of successful luxury sports watches for men and women is a high everyday utility: From sufficient robustness for one’s needs (not everyone needs 200 meters of water resistance) to smooth readability, the instruments should primarily serve their purpose.
However, they are not pure workhorses; after all, the “luxury” aspect must also show. In plain language, this means uncompromising material and workmanship quality paired with a respectable brand image, a serious history and, above all, the ability to trigger emotions in the owner. We don’t want to define the price range from which luxury sports watches begin; for a newcomer, 1,000-euro models can already feel extremely exclusive, while experienced watch enthusiasts are more likely to be in the five-digit range.
Performance for the Nürburgring: MÜHLE Glashütte Teutonia Sport I
Anyone who thinks Tag Heuer is the only reference for masculine racing chronographs will be proven wrong by the MÜHLE Glashütte Teutonia Sport I (Ref. M1-29-63-NB). Red and black are the dominant colors of the 42.6-millimeter stainless steel behemoth, which, with its tachymeter scale (and an owner who understands it), would love to immediately take on the Nordschleife. Although the Teutonia conveys no signs of restraint, its appearance appears harmonious: framed by a bilaterally rotatable 60-minute bezel, the dial, along with its Trikompax layout, scores high on clarity. The second hand and tachymeter scale are not the only places on the 100-meter water-resistant chronograph where red brings it to life: the bezel, the start pusher and, above all, the leather-rubber strap also catch the eye like a Ferrari. Through a glass back, the MU 9413 automatic movement reveals itself, with its locally typical woodpecker-neck regulation and a decent 62-hour power reserve. This powerhouse from Glashütte puts the fear of God into even significantly more expensive luxury sports watches for men!
Retro style at the highest level: EBEL Sport Classic
EBEL has mastered the art of understatement like few other manufacturers and has made the leap into our top list with the 24-millimeter EBEL Sport Classic (Ref. 1216555). Tailor-made for delicate women’s wrists, the bicolor model made of stainless steel and 18-karat yellow gold features 53 brilliant-cut diamonds that wrap like a crown around the green mother-of-pearl dial with another eight diamonds. Analogous to the prominent Omega Constellation, the luxury sports watches shine with a flowing case and bracelet design that ergonomically hugs the skin and benefits from the EBEL Sport Classic’s extremely low height; 5.15 millimeters is a statement and ensures comfortable wear even during athletic activity. To realize the low-profile design, the sports watches for women are equipped with a Swiss quartz movement. The retro style of the EBEL model looks back on a long and glorious company history; founded in 1911 in the watchmaking town of La-Chaux-de-Fonds, the manufacturer once produced mechanical rarities of the absolute top class.
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Mechanical legend in a new look: Zenith Chronomaster Sport
Also notable is the history of the Zenith El Primero: launched in 1969 as the world’s first automatic chronograph movement, it remains one of the best movements of all time and finds its latest use in the Zenith Chronomaster Sport (Ref. 03.3100.3600/21.C822). While its mechanics – a caliber 3600 with the typical high frequency of five hertz and 60-hour power reserve – outshine many competitors from Tag Heuer, Omega and the like, the black ceramic bezel on the pleasantly proportioned 41-millimeter stainless steel case ensures a high recognition value.
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Paired the modern accents with traditional Zenith features: In addition to the pump-style pushers, the three-color dial is particularly eye-catching, transforming the Chronomaster Sport into an extremely harmonious sight. The fast-ticking high-flyer has no shortage of practical capabilities: 100 meters of water resistance and the robust rubber strap with Cordura effect give the luxury sports watches an uncompromising suitability for outdoor, vacation and leisure. When it’s time to go back to the office, the elegance of the Chronomaster Sport will look good on any suit.
Diamonds for Every Day: Chopard Happy Sport
The Chopard Happy Sport (Ref. 278559-6003), on the other hand, is made for chic ladies’ outfits and, despite its sporty airs, puts the “luxury” aspect in the foreground: while other luxury sports watches pursue a moderate use of valuable materials for practical reasons, the Happy Sport knows no compromises: The 36-millimeter bicolor case made of stainless steel and 18-karat rose gold bears a whopping 1.96 carats of brilliant-cut diamonds on the bezel, which are joined by seven dancing little stones in the dial totaling 0.35 carats. You read that right: These luxury sports watches for women feature moving diamonds, which have been Chopard’s ultimate trademark since 1976. Is this five-figure priced work of art perhaps too good for sports use? In our eyes, no doubt, but the Happy Sport nevertheless manages a confident balancing act between business and leisure. Ladies with a pronounced sense of glamor and glitter should set their sights on the Happy Sport and, in addition to all the aesthetic exclusivity, still get a noble automatic movement inside.
Focused minimalism: Union Glashütte Belisar Datum Sport
Initially, we claimed that great luxury sports watches are already available between 1,000 and 2,000 euros. The Union Glashütte Belisar Datum Sport (Ref. D009.907.11.047.00) provides proof of this statement: Straightforward and simply designed, the 200-meter water-resistant multi-talent with a whopping 45-millimeter diameter hangs on the gentleman’s wrist and knows no qualitative compromises: As with models from Omega, Tag Heuer and Blancpain, not only the dial but also the rotating bezel is covered with sapphire crystal. Perfect legibility on the front is countered by a glass back, which allows a clear view of the automatic movement UNG-07.S1 with 60-hour power reserve and silicon hairspring.
If you take a closer look, you’ll also recognize the trademark of the Belisar: with screwed-on flanks, the Glashütte sports watches stand out from the crowd and reinforce their robust overall impression. In addition to the solid stainless steel band, a blue Nato strap is also included; ideal for hot summers and outdoor activities.
