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Jul 31, 2006, 7:28 AM
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Re: [reefer] Best Sailing Watch?
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Scuttlebutt Polls:
(July 27-31, 2006) Scuttlebutt put the suggestions in this thread to a vote. As the price range and features varied amongst the watches discussed, we asked the voters what they felt was the best watch for the weekend sailboat racer, regardless of cost? Here are the results:
Timex Ironman 30.98%
Casio 22.55%
Suunto 21.74%
Ronstan 10.60%
Musto 7.07%
Gill 4.08%
Optimum Time 2.99%
Note: Looking at the top two vote-getters, it is likely that cost and brand familiarity might have factored in. Also, we understand that Opitmum Time was making the watch for Musto (which is now discontinued), so you could argue that the votes from those two brands might be combined.
Here are links to view the watches:
Sailing Pro Shop (Various)
Team One Newport (Various)
Ocean Racing (Optimum Time)
Musto (Musto)
Below are comments that some of the voters offered, though not all mention the watch they voted for:
- I big numbers on the second display helps old farts like me. Quick reset.
- They don''t make it anymore!!!
- Any SEIKO diver, automatic, no batteries,pure quality, 100% reliable
- cheap, reliable and easy to use
- The Seiko Sports 100 (yachtmaster) watch released in the 80''s is still the best watch hands down. It is a great pity it has been discontinued. All the additional gimmicks (other than time related) on the current range of "yachting" watches are just that; "gimmicks" and of little real value to a racing sailor.
- wildy ugly, but reliable and readable...
- I have and like the Gill, but the blue start/stop button can''t be trusted on mine or 2 other friends'' watches. Finally, for style and unexpected use, how about the TNG (british tack and gybe)model?
- Hadn''t seen the Optimum Time before. I want one.
- But the cheapest watch that is reasonably durable and waterproof and that has a light up dial feature. Get one with minutes and seconds but don''t obsess over all the crap that might be offered. You don''t need a palm pilot on your wrist, nor do you need a camera, a cell phone or GPS. You need to know what time it is (ie: when do you have to get up to go on watch) and perhaps you need to have a stop watch feature, but then why not just have a separate stop watch. Keep a watch simple and easy to use.
- big letters, easy to use, stlyish enough for everyday. The only watch you need.
- love the large display. Had several Optimums and they failed. poor battery life. Ronstan seems so far to be much more robust
- I have a titanium solar powered version that is bullit proof
- Simple, easy to catch up if you miss a hoorn or flag; great battery life
- The count up and count down plus night light and big letters is all that is necessary. I have worn one for 15+ years and only change out the battery every 4 or 5 years; Cheap at Costco...
- I own the Yachtsman ... awesome watch.
- Casio Sea-Pathfinder rules!!!!!! I have a Suunto also-it sucks!!!!!
- Have had Casio G-Shock 200M maybe 15 years Swim and sail with it all the time. Its a tough watch.
- Sea Pathfinder: versatile countdown timer, compass, barometer, $135
- Great all around watch, the G-shock also comes with tide graph, the buttons are recessed, so no accidental hits.Great count down and lap counter. Coupled with a velcro band is good even over wetsuit sleeves. Velcro bands are great, as it takes breaking both watch pins before you lose the whole watch.
- big digits, easy handling, no gimmicks
- Certainly the best watch for sailboat racer. You have everything you need to make competitive tactic. On my opinion, the only problem is the way to use it: not so easy...
- Bought a Casio Sea Pathfinder for 30euro in Argos. 100m Water Resistant.
- Has a countdown that counts up to get race length. And it will tell u the moon period and tide stage of your home location.
- Simple and cheap. I have used these watches in various versions for years for both sailing and running events. I bought my current Ironman for $3.00 on ebay ($4.00 S&H) and it still going strong after 2 years. How can you beat that? Answer: free shipping
- You forgot to include the Citizen Sail Hawk
- Nothing else has the versatility an ability of the Suunto line, I have the Yachtsman. Its a bit complex, you have to concentrate on learning what it can do but it can do more than anything else.
- I use an older citizen stars and stripes (now my second one... an ebay special) but I have yet to find a really good watch for sailing. My watch and the Suunto are too easily tripped to stop or start when flexing the wrist... The Ronstan is ugly as sin and could never be worn by a weekend racer without receiving at least a few comments.. (Heck, I got comments for the Suunto I used to use). The Gill is annoying (I don''t like the lcd/ hand overlay. So i guess the Ironman has given me some of the best luck, having its start/stop on the top and being wearable away from sailing.
- You left out a great watch, the Citizen Sailhawk. it is a great watch with lots of great features
- The first watch I found with the 5,4,1 start sequence in it!
- rugged, inexpensive and lasts for years. I always replace the plastic strap with a velcro one after losing a watch during a jibe.
- Must be a yactman all others are too complicated.
- Just purchased the new Suunto. Large read out. As always, too many features but once you figure out what you need it is easy to use.
- Best feature is easy one button countdown timer start.
- If it goes overboard - just get another - likewise when the battery finally runs out!
- The range of functions on my G-Shock - including tide and multiple countdown timers - at a $100 pricepoint make this the best value without the absurd size and price of a Suunto. IMHO. Dan Phelps
- The older the better. Newer versions of the watch - which have some great features - have weak buttons that can sheer off when you are scrambling across the deck.
- The Suunto M3 has great big numbers, is easily syncronized, and then (if you want it) counts up for the race length so you can figure out how you stand for time on time handicap.
- I tried the Gill. It is typical Chinese product. Buttons glitchy, can''t see the thing, bezel locked up quickly, paint chipped off bezel numbers within weeks, back to the old Ironman.
- Cheap (no tears if you lose it overboard), easy to (re)program the count-down timer (in case the RC uses the old 3 minute countdown rather than the more recently imposed system from ISAF). Also if the watch dies, you can usually get another one just like it (so you''re not up all night learning how to program yet another gizmo) at a Wally-World near whatever regatta venue you''re at.
- Cheap and bomb proof. If you loose it overboard you don''t have to break the bank for a new one.
- simple to use, big numbers, audio alarms. Works great
- Love the big clear display. Easy to reset when you miss the gun. Really tough, elastic wristband is a great idea. Not too expensive for the average sailor. I have owned the Gill watch, very unimpressed, threw it out! Used to wear the timex as my basic watch.
- Suunto Regatta. It''s a plain and simple watch to use. You don''t need a Ph.D. to figure the thing out. Leave it to the Finns to simplify the sailboat racing world.
- Clear Start-the big fat one that you can put on the boom, mast or wear it. it is great for big or small boat starts. with or without beeps, rolling starts or not, 5 minute, 3 minute and other sequences preprogrammed.
- Counts down accurately, easy to read. That is all you need.
- This watch is simply the best!
- multiple settings for count down timer, count-down repeat is great for rolling starts and recalls.
- Can set count-down, count-up for elapsed time. Multiple chronographs. Next to industructible. And, best of all, very inexpensive.
- big, easy to set and read.
- Easy to read, easy to program, repeating countdown. And the price makes it disposable.
- Timex Ironman - hands down favorite regardless of price!
- This was the perfect watch as it had the right features without a lot of extras you don''t need/use. Though mine crashed and had to be sent back to the store, many of my sailing cohorts have them and they work great. For the price this is the best I found Am waiting for the new version.
- G Shock WR 200M Solar Powered Atomic Time Setting
- Casio Yacht Timer with countdown repeat is the best sailing watch ever made. Sadly out of production for a long time.
- The Ironman comes in a couple of models. The base model has up and down timers that can roll over and up, its waterproof and has a great back lighting system for distance racing. Its also cheap enough to drop overboard from the bow and not get upset. Its ugly, but switch out for the party.
- Any casio with the progress beeper function. I even found one with extra-large numbers. Unfortunately, I belive Casio has now reconfigured their product line, and these are hard to find.
- And I couldn''t beat the price. For half the cost of one of those big ones with the sync button, I can get 2 Casios, set one to 5 minutes and one to 4 minutes and be just ready!
- whichever watch you choose it is worthless without a reapeat timer
- Large numbers,repeat countdown,waterproff, idiot proof.
- Simple and inexpensive. Good inshore and offshore
- Ronstan design & functions are excellent, but watch is too sensitive to touch & moisture
- Timex Ironman is not sensitive (a real sport watch) - has great functions and is extremely reliable
- Cheap, easy to use and hard as nails. They do keep on ticking.
- Simple, effective, not too costly. Perfect.
- You forgot the Citizen "Yachtsman" watch! Best timers with 5 min. 10 min. and 15 minute count-down Starter functions. Both visual and audible. I think it is even endorsed by Dennis Connor. $250 range but only good for 2 to 3 seasons before the buttons start sticking!
- M3 Large numerals plus all the usual features. I need reading glasses in order to read my old watch!
- Price really is important
- Economical, useful 24/7, utilitarian.
- M3 by Suunto is the best. Looks big, but is very light and tne numbers are readable, even with polarized shades. I have had them all...this is the best. Discounted all over the internet, too.
- It would be more useful if you gave the specific website for each model you would have us choose between. Otherwise, owning only one sailing watch, how would I know if a better on existed? I am voting for Casio only because they had the best diving watch, which of course they no longer make because no one was aware that it was truely the absolute best one on the face of the planet or under its surface. Lets do this pole again?
- I use my Gill watch as my everyday watch (stainless band) as well as my race timer. The switch from analog to digital is fast and simple and the large display is great for older eyes.
- While all these watches provide usefull data and functions. They all lack in the image is everything catagory. I propose another discussion on the best sailing watch: Rolex, Corum, Panerai, Ulysse Nardin?
- Need BIG, BIG numbers. I currently have a Ironman. It was cheaper that most others, and on sale at Mervyn''s. I wear it daily. It had the largest numbers I could find at the time. But during the last Lido nationals, when the critical last few seconds were clicking down, my over 40+ year old eyes failed me and had a hardtime seeing the numbers.
- GREAT SURVEY. I notice most of the watch specs, only mention large numbers, the Optimum gives the dimensions, 10 & 16 mm. Ronstan also sells their model.
- has countdown...simple and cheap
- I think the Citizen yacht timmer watch is the best, I have not seen them in a few years but mine is 15 yrs old and still ticking.
- can operate easily with full gloves
- With the Musto a close second due to price.
- Perfect for the visually impaired. Can be worn on the wrist or on the mast of a small dinghy. Audible alerts are awesome as well.
- I chose this only because the Elvstrom Lemania is not on the list. The best watch by far.
- Suunto Yachtsmen - The good: big numbers, easy to read, countdown time is easy to set and sync to the start requence. The digital compass is good for tracking gains/losses to other boats like with a handbearing compass. There is no annoying leveling bubble in the cnter. The not-so-good: the buttons aren''t labeled and their functions are a little hard to remember and use. The leather strap (gets/stays wet) doesn''t make a lot of sense on a marine watch; synthetic would be better.
- As a Laser sailor, Ronstan''s break too easily. I use Musto now, but it is bad for Left-handed people. Watch has to be relatively cheap, because watches can get lost or dissapear
- All the guts without the glamour...
- Timex Ironman - $30 at K-Mart, simple functions and easy to set/reset, you can''t beat. Now, if I can only talk one of my crew members into using it (correctly), life would be great. BTW: my Rolex is pretty to look at but it''s not for starting races :)
- If the battery dies or the band gets groady just throw it away and buy another for about $30.
- cheap and basically disposable
- Casio Illuminator-- Good countdown with digital sweep
- Fabric strap with Velcro and locking clip is really secure
- I love to look and functionality of the Musto but I cannot find a US retailer. How can I buy this watch???
- suunto regatta is amazing
- The Casio G SHOCK provides Continuous countdown in any unit you choose ( 3,5 or any other unit)making this a very inexpensive and phenomenally accurate yacht watch. The audible signal is too weak for my ears, but I only need to adjust a few seconds every six months to stay with the atomic clock
- like both opti time & ronstan "VERY LARGE" displays
- The combination of countdown, race timer along with compass to orient yourself at a new venue, and barometer graph to keep an eye on weather trend, and tide movement is just awsome.
- M-3 Costs about $150. Can count down for any minute setting (not just 3,5, 10.(for dingy races, we use 2 min. sequence.) Can sync down or to nearest minute. Large easy to read numbers. Also, works as a great daily watch. Fairly comfortable for its size. I now use it as my regular watch. Does not have barometer, compass, GPS etc.
- Sychronization is the best feature. All others pale.
- $20 bucks, countdown as well as stopwatch and waterproof as well. I''ve used the Casio 50 meter for diving, racing and running for 20 plus years.
- I enjoy the large clear digital display and the variable countdown capabilities, with or without alarms...
- The Casio Module No. 2532 is the best watch I''ve ever owned. 6 alarm features , sailing start countdown with
- too many other features to list and all for under $50 on the net. I''m on my second one.
- Craig Leweck, Scuttlebutt
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