Sports watches have undergone a transformation in recent years, moving beyond timekeeping to become sophisticated tools combining detailed health data, advanced navigation and integrated safety technology. New models in 2025 reflect that shift.
Watches such as the Apple Watch Ultra 3 and Garmin Fenix 8 are becoming indispensable companions for professional athletes, recreational users and adventurers. They offer detailed tracking of indicators such as blood oxygen saturation, electrocardiograms and heart rate variability, alongside satellite communication for safety in remote and extreme environments. Technology, however, is only one dimension of these devices.
Their evolution also reflects a clear market strategy. Garmin, Apple, Polar and Suunto are competing for market share with models that go beyond a gadget to become ecosystems integrating fitness, health and daily life. Users increasingly want a combined view of performance, recovery and lifestyle, with every reading contributing to a broader picture of health and athletic performance.
Here is a selection of training and sports watches that stand out for advanced functions, durability and popularity among professional athletes and serious recreational users.
Apple Watch Ultra 2 / 3
An advanced multisport watch with precise GPS, satellite SOS functionality, a diving depth gauge, and ECG, SpO2 and HRV sensors. Aimed at triathletes, hikers, divers and marathon runners. Price: €900–€1,200.
Garmin Fenix 7 / 8 (Pro)
A high-end multisport GPS watch offering solar charging, offline maps, VO2 max, a Pulse Ox sensor and advanced recovery metrics. Used by ultramarathon runners, mountaineers, cyclists and military professionals. Price: €700–€1,200.
Garmin Forerunner 970
A lightweight sports watch with an AMOLED display, designed for runners seeking precise pace, cadence and recovery data. Known for long battery life and detailed running analytics. Price: about €700.
Polar Vantage V3
A multisport watch focused on biomechanics, with the Recovery Pro system and advanced sleep and recovery analysis. Popular with coaches and athletes tracking long-term performance across different sports. Price: €600–€750.
Watches for Runners and Triathletes
| Luxury watch | Performance counterpart | Shared characteristic |
|---|---|---|
| TAG Heuer Carrera Sport | Garmin Forerunner 965 | Precise time and pace measurement |
| Zenith Defy Skyline Skeleton | Polar Vantage V3 | Performance focus and elegant design |
| Chopard Alpine Eagle | Apple Watch Ultra 3 (running mode) | Everyday luxury and smart functionality |
Coros Vertix 2
An exceptionally durable watch for mountaineering and expeditions, offering up to 60 days of battery life and 3D mapping capabilities. Popular with climbers, runners and ultra-endurance athletes, including Kilian Jornet. Price: €700–€900.
Suunto Vertical Titanium Solar
Finnish toughness meets elegant design. Offline maps, solar charging and precise navigation make it an option for trail runners, hikers and expedition athletes. Price: €700–€950.
Suunto Ocean
A high-precision dive watch with an AMOLED display, multigas support, depth measurement and tank-pressure monitoring, plus free offline maps and weather forecasts. It tracks everything from steps and sleep to storms and depths at pressures of up to seven bar, for adventures above and below the water. Price: about €800.
Watches for Diving
| Luxury watch | Performance counterpart | Shared characteristic |
|---|---|---|
| Rolex Submariner | Garmin Descent Mk3i | Iconic dive-watch functionality, now with advanced sensors |
| Omega Seamaster Diver 300M | Suunto D5 / Suunto Ocean | Reliable, professional diving tools |
| Panerai Luminor Submersible | Garmin Descent G1 Solar | Rugged watches for extreme depths and conditions |
Whoop 4.0: A Band, Not a Watch
The focus is exclusively on recovery, heart rate variability, sleep quality and performance optimization. Used by athletes in the NBA, NFL and Premier League. Subscription: about €20–€30 a month.
More Than Style: When Athletes Choose Luxury Watches
Luxury watches often appear on athletes’ wrists away from competition—at press conferences, on red carpets or in advertising. Yet many brands design models for actual sporting use: on water, in the air, under pressure or at high speed. These watches combine craftsmanship, resilience, ergonomics and sporting functionality.
Rolex Cosmograph Daytona
Sport: Motor racing / Formula 1.
This legendary chronograph was developed for professional drivers, with a tachymeter scale for measuring speed. Worn by champions, it is now one of the most sought-after collector models, with some examples fetching several hundred thousand euros on the secondary market.
Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean
Sport: Diving / Swimming.
Water-resistant to 600 meters and fitted with a helium escape valve, the watch is a favorite among professional divers and part of the brand associated with James Bond. Omega is also an official partner of the Olympic Games. Prices start at €7,000; a new orange model has recently reached the market.
Watches for Hiking, Adventure and Expeditions
| Luxury watch | Performance counterpart | Shared characteristic |
|---|---|---|
| Rolex Explorer II | Garmin Fenix 8 Pro | Resilient, reliable and built for expeditions |
| Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean | Suunto Vertical Titanium Solar | Durability, diving capabilities and outdoor mapping |
| Breitling Emergency | Apple Watch Ultra 3 | Emergency communication and safety |
TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E4
Sport: Golf / Running / Cycling.
This luxury smartwatch offers exclusive golf applications, GPS functions and a titanium case, combining digital performance with classic Swiss design. The golf edition shown is priced at €1,700.
Richard Mille RM 27-04 Rafael Nadal
Sport: Tennis.
Weighing just 30 grams, it is designed to withstand forces exceeding 12,000 G. Nadal wore it during matches. Its construction draws inspiration from cables and tennis rackets. The Richard Mille RM 27-04 Rafael Nadal can command prices of up to $1.2 million.
Panerai Submersible QuarantaQuattro Luna Rossa Ti-Ceramitech
Sport: Sailing / Extreme sports.
A high-performance dive watch with a case made from an innovative material: titanium transformed into hard blue ceramic. Lightweight, durable and water-resistant to 500 meters, it is powered by the automatic P.900 caliber. Diving functions, a skeletonized movement and a futuristic appearance are designed for use on the open sea. Price: €16,500.