So what is the perfect vacation watch? The thought passed as I was preparing for a trip just recently. You want a watch that is water resistant (see The Leak Mystic), especially for trips to the beach etc., but you also do not want to draw attention to yourself and become a target for sharks with a shiny Rado or something! And more commonly is leaving the timepiece at the beach in a towel so that fat guy with the metal detector can find it later the next morning. So what do you take? Ya gotta look good, but not too, good! My answer to the dilemma, Fortis easy reader Pilot-Retails under a thousand, dull sandblast finish to keep sharks away and splash proof for my waist high swimming adventures. CTWG
Tissot T-Touch for me thanks. It’s great – got a barometer and a thermometer. You can swim with it (although not dive with it). Compass, alarm and stopwatch.
More than you need on most vacations
And the thermometer is great when you have kids on vacation in hot places.
I had a similar dilemma a while ago while looking for a decent travel watch. Price was a factor to me as well, not wanting to drop a bundle on a watch that might get scratched/stolen/waterlogged. I just ended up wearing one of my “beater” watches.
Anyway, choosing a vacation watch greatly depends on the features you’re looking for, such as alarm, dual time zone, GMT and day/date. Deciding on these down will greatly narrow down your choices.
However, to keep this brief, here are a few to consider (with a tight budget in mind):
Casio recently released an Oceanus line of watches that are really quite nice. They might only be available in Japan, but most definitely worth a look.
If you’re looking for something rugged, Luminox has greatly updated their line of “Navy Seal” watches with many stylish offerings.
If you like ‘em big and chunky, I was always impressed by the Nixon line of wristwatches (www.nixonnow.com). Originally targeted to surfers, they have also upgraded their collection to appeal to us city-types. Make sure you look at them in person before you buy; I was surprised at their girth.
Finally, if you value style over accuracy or features, you could always buy a replica Rolex for forty bucks.
What about a Seiko “Monster” Automatic Diver with an orange dial to look good?
In my collection there are three watches, that I am using as a holiday watch – Panerai Marina, Arnold & Son Longitude II and AP Offshore Chrono in Titanium. Depends where I am traveling to. Definetley do not want to take more than one watch with me on a holiday trip.
Some people think otherwise. A friend of mine does not go aboard of an aircraft or a yacht if he is not wearing Beitling Emergency – he is very scared of travel. Once he is ashore, obviously, he is changing the watch to whatever else he brought with him.