Sameera Gamage 
It’s Christmas time, and that means the man in the red suit will be coming our way soon. We’ve assembled a range of gift guides this year to help you pick something for that special someone, even if that someone is yourself! Today, it’s all about sports watches…
Sports timepieces are the ultimate combination of functionality, durability and aesthetics. Sports watches are usually defined by their robust construction to meet the demands of an active lifestyle, however unlike other watch categories like diving or aviation-inspired, sports timepeices have a more “loose” criteria. Watches like the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak redefined what sports watches are, being a simple time and date model with an integrated bracelet.
Sports watches can come in a range of styles, from chronographs, and diving watches to aviation timepeices. The watches exude luxury while also being able to be worn outdoors. They are versatile, allowing one to wear a sports watch to even formal occasions and not be out of place. For this Christmas Gift Guide, we have chosen some of the best sports watches on the market right now, whether it’s for yourself or someone special who needs a timepiece to cater to all the different events in their life!
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Selfwinding
Starting of the list is one of the most iconic sports steel watches. When the Audemars Piguet was first released in 1972, it took the world of horology by storm as it was the first steel sports watch to come with the unique octagon bezel along with an integrated bracelet. Since then the brand has been continuously developing the model but still keeping the iconic design intact. The latest in the Royal Oak collection is this stunning light blue dial with the signature “Grande Tapisserie” pattern.
- Reference: 15550ST.OO.1356ST.08
- International Recommended Retail Price: CHF 23,000
For More Information, Visit: Audemarspiguet.com
Breitling Navitimer Automatic GMT 41
Breitling’s Navitimer model is one of the most iconic aviation timepieces, and it also falls under the sports watch category. The brand has recently started to expand the Navitimer collection without the chronograph, offering a more simpler dial. The watches still, however, retain the Navitmer’s signature functionality with the multipurpose bezel and dial utilities. This particular model also comes with a GMT function, with the 24-hour scale shown in the inner circular ring. The colour combination of black, green and gold is also incredibly beautiful!
- Reference: R32310251L1P1
- Australian Recommended Retail Price: AUD $21,790
For More Information, Visit: Breitling.com.au
Bremont Supermarine 300M GMT ‘Ember’ Red
One of the latest watches from Bremont is the Supermarine 300M GMT in Ember Red. This limited-edition timepiece takes it’s dial inspiration from the rugged landscapes of Iceland. The Supermarine 300M collection is built for explorers, with a simple, easy-to-read dial and a comfortable, quick-release stainless steel bracelet. And that red gradient dial is just stunning. The applied hour indices and hands with white SuperLumi-Nova and the white bezel markings contrast beautifully against the dial!
- Reference: Supermarine 300M GMT, ‘Ember’ Red
- Australian Recommended Retail Price: AUD $6,700
For More Information, Visit: Bremont.com.au
Chopard Alpine Eagle XL Chrono
Chopard’s Alpine Eagle collection features timepieces with a sporty, relaxed style. This is evident from the latest Alpine Eagle Xl Chrono, which features a grade 5 titanium case and bezel and is paired on a matt black rubber strap. The standout feature of this timepiece is ofcourse the “Rhone Blue” coloured eagle iris inspired dial. The iris design is more prominent in this colour, which also contrasts nicely against the black chronograph counters!
- Reference: 298609-3008
- Australian Recommended Retail Price: AUD $40,900
For More Information, Visit: Chopard.com.au
Citizen Series 8 NB6036-52N
Citizen’s GMT 8 collection is one of their most popular models of late. The brand offers the Series 8 in a range of dial and bezel colours, with this latest model being the stand-out in the collection. Designed for both everyday wear and adventure seekers, this latest Series 8 GMT model comes in a two-tone black and blue stainless steel case and bracelet. To match this aesthetic, the bezel also has a black and blue bi-direction bezel, with the colours representing day and night on the 24-hour scale. However, this timepiece’s stand-out feature is the stunning blue mother-of-pearl dial!
- Reference: NB6036-52N
- Australian Recommended Retail Price: AUD $2,999
For More Information, Visit: Citizenwatches.com.au
Girard-Perregaux Laureato Absolute Chronograph Aston Martin F1 Edition
If you or know someone who is an Aston Martin fan or owns an Aston Martin, or even a fan of Formula One, then we have the perfect gift choice! Girard-Perreguax’s Laureato Absolute Chronograph Aston Martin F1 Edition is the perfect choice for an enthusiast of the luxury British motor brand. The timepiece looks the part too, with a titanium and carbon case (with the carbon being used from two previous Formula One cars that raced during the 2021 season!) and a sunray brushed ‘Aston Martin Racing Green’ dial with cross-hatching pattern that you would find on the seats of Aston Martin cars!
- Reference: 81060-41-3071-1CX
- International Recommended Retail Price: USD$ 27,800
For More Information, Visit: Girard-Perregaux.com
Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Chronograph
Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Polaris, with its signature dial, is another great candidate in the “sports watch” category. While the more common model is the blue dial Polaris, this particular chronograph version features a lacquered grey dial. The brand states that the signature dial is achieved through “The gradation of multiple nuances is achieved thanks to a process that consists of applying almost 40 layers of varnish followed by coloured and transparent lacquer to the dial before the final step: polishing.” The dial’s multiple different finishing, along with the black counters, certainly make it pop, giving that aesthetic beauty to this functional timepiece.
- Reference: Q902843J
- Australian Recommended Retail Price: AUD $23,400
For More Information, Visit: Jaeger-Lecoultre.com.au
Montblanc Iced Sea Automatic Date
Montblanc’s Iced Sea Automatic Date is becoming something of a signature timepiece for the brand. With its clear dial design, the large hands, mixed hour indices and the easy-to-use bezel are all characteristic elements of this timepiece. This latest version, released during Watches And Wonders 2024, features a dial that is sure to be a conversation starter! With the underlying glacier pattern now done in deep red colour to mimic the evening sun as it hits the glaciers, the dial contrasts beautifully against the white indices and hands, making it the centre of attention!
- Reference: MB132291
- Australian Recommended Retail Price: AUD $5,590
For More Information, Visit: Montblanc.com.au
Oris Aquis Great Barrier Reef Limited Edition IV
Oris’ Aquis Great Barrier Reef Limited Edition IV is a 2000-piece timepiece that is created using inspiration from the pioneering work of the Reef Restoration Foundation. Dedicated to our ever-attractive Great Barrier Reef, this model comes with an aesthetic gradient blue dial mimicking the waters around our national treasure. The watch also features Oris signature Calibre 400 five-day automatic movement!
- Reference: 01 400 7790 4185
- Australian Recommended Retail Price: AUD $6,700
For More Information, Visit: Oris.com.au
Rolex Yacht-Master 40 Rolesium
While Rolex has a variety of sports models in their catalogue, if you are after something different from your everyday Sub or Daytona, then the Rhodium Dial Yachtmaster is the model for you! Unlike the other variations of this model, it features a unique material: Rolex’s Rolesium, a combination of the brand’s own Oystersteel and platinum. The touch of blue for the second hand and the “Yachtmaster” inscription is a nice touch that stands out against the monotone colour theme of the timepiece.
- Reference: 126622
- Australian Recommended Retail Price: AUD $19,250
For More Information, Visit: Rolex.com.au
Seiko 5 Sports SSK035
Seiko’s 5 Sports collection features a variety of timepieces dedicated to sports. This latest model is a favourite, however, due to its deep green dial, the Cyclops date window, the two-tone bezel for the watch’s GMT function and the glimmering 5-link bracelet. This watch is a multi-purpose timepiece that is also affordable!
- Reference: SSK035
- Australian Recommended Retail Price: AUD $875
For More Information, Visit Seikowatches.com.au
TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 300 Date
TAG Heuer’s latest Aquaracer collection is getting better looking by the minute! This latest Aquaracer Professional 300 date features an aesthetic blue dial with the Aquaracer’s signature wave pattern. The orange seconds hand stands out proudly in the sea of blue as well. Along with the steel case and 3-link bracelet, this is one of the more stylish sports-steel timepieces around.
- Reference: WBP5111.BA0013
- Australian Recommended Retail Price: AUD $5,500
For More Information, Visit: TAGHeuer.com.au
Tissot PRX Automatic Chronograph
We all know how popular the Tissot PRX is. When the standard time and date model was released, it was the craze of the world of horology. Since then, Tissot has slowly been updating the PRX collection with new dial patterns and colours. This particular variant features a deep green dial that has a sunray finish, which makes the dial transition from almost black to light green, depending on the lighting angle. The polished case and integrated bracelet make this sports model another stylish offering.
- Reference: T137.427.11.091.00
- Australian Recommended Retail Price: AUD $3,050
For More Information, Visit: Tissotwatches.com.au
Omega Speedmaster Pilot
Released earlier this month is Omega’s Speedmaster Pilot. A timepiece dedicated for pilots. In fact, when Omega teased us with this release earlier this year, it was shown on the wrist of a pilot in a U-2 spy plane, an aircraft that can reach altitudes of almost 70,000 feet! Safe to say, this is no ordinary pilot’s watch! The showstopping colourful dial features a seconds and a 12-hour counter. The second counter has an artificial horizon background, while the 3 o’clock 12-hour counter has a cockpit-inspired “burn-rate” indicator.
- Reference: 332.10.41.51.01.002
- Australian Recommended Retail Price: AUD $15,725
For More Information, Visit: Omegawatches.com.au
Zenith DEFY Extreme Jungle
Zenith’s boutique exclusive DEFY Extreme Jungle edition (limited to just 50 watches) is, as the name suggest, inspired by the jungle. Unlike previous editions of the DEFY Extreme, this timepiece features quite a few aesthetic additions, such as the sapphire green seen on the centre of the dial and behind the 1/100th of a second chronograph counters. The watched also uses Tiger’s Eye gemstone for the bezel and the chronograph protectors. This is also a unique design element, as each gemstone will naturally vary in colour from golden to brown hue, making each watch slight different!
- Reference: 95.9202.9004/26.I001
- Australian Recommended Retail Price: AUD $41,500
