The Best Water Resistant Watches of 2024
What man doesn’t like classy wristwatches? Sure, some are more passionate about them than others, but everyone loves having a timepiece that they’re proud of. Since you’re reading this article, you probably also belong to that demographic. But don’t you just hate it when you buy a watch and it stops working in a month or so? For the longest time, the labels of “lifetime durability” have stuck to luxury brands like Rolex, Tissot, and Rado — mostly due to their immaculate waterproofing.
But thankfully, the advent of technology has brought reliable and durable watches within reach of everyone’s budget. While all watches seem to have the words “water-resistant” printed on the back, only some can truly withstand the test of time. We’ve already done all the hard work for you and gathered those gems in this carefully handpicked list. Check out the quality water resistant watches of 2024!
The Best Water Resistant Watches
Best Overall
The Cubitt Viva Pro Water Resistant Watch brings a harmonious blend of style, utility, and innovation to your wrist. The AMOLED display is impressive because of its high resolution and smooth refresh rate. It provides a vibrant and interactive visual experience overall. Not only does the display double as a customizable dial but it also monitors your health around the clock.
This water resistant watch can track your heart rate, analyze your sleep patterns, and monitor your blood oxygen levels. The smartwatch goes a step further by becoming your fitness buddy with the help of its built-in GPS and over 60 sports modes. It records your heart rate, calories, steps, and distance. Additionally, it keeps you connected on the go by enabling you to make or receive calls, send messages, and receive app notifications from the convenience of your wrist, making it our top pick.
Pros
- Integrated Alexa feature
- Precise heart rate monitor
- Extended battery life
Cons
- Battery drains quickly
Best Fit
We’re starting off with the sleeves option — the Fizili Water Resistant Watch. It features an incredibly unique dial where all the number markings match and blend into the surroundings for an incredibly minimalistic aesthetic. The dial and needles come in a variety of color combinations, and every option looks equally stunning.
But visual appeal isn’t what the watch is all about! Its stainless steel build makes it super durable and fit for all male demographics. It’s also waterproof in up to 3 atmospheric pressure and won’t give up on you anytime soon.
Pros
- Stunning look with an ultra-thin design
- Sturdy build made of stainless steel
- Lots of colors to choose from
Cons
- Adjusting the band length requires effort
Most Durable
Next up, we have the most reliable option amongst all other options on this list — the Casio Men’s Water Resistant Watch. As you might already know, Casio is a well-established Japanese brand established in 1946, widely known for its digital watches and calculators. They’re known for their products’ durability, and it shows in this chronograph digital watch that’s water resistant down to 165-feet depths. It has a battery life of about ten years — so you can just buy it and forget about that factor altogether!
The watch features a stainless steel case at the back, a protective mineral in the front to prevent scratches, and quartz movement. You even get an LED light integrated into it for convenient viewing, even in a dark room. That feature comes in handy when you randomly wake up at 3 AM at night wondering what time it is. Overall, if durability is your highest priority, this one might be the best choice.
Pros
- Unmatched sturdiness and durability
- Reliable and well-established brand name
- Unbelievably long battery life of 10 years
Cons
- Outdated shape and looks
Best Digital
At number three, we have the Yuink Water Resistant Watch. It’s a men’s sports-oriented option with an ultra-thin design. The stainless steel build is super sturdy and isn’t susceptible to rust or oxidation. In fact, you can swim in shallow waters freely and take cold showers with this watch as it’s waterproof within a depth of 165 feet. The manufacturer suggests not to press any buttons when you’re underwater. But besides that, this watch can comfortably take on underwater use!
It’s a digital watch that focuses on sports and activity with features like backlighting, a stopwatch, and an alarm clock. It comes in 22 different color and band material combinations — with options ranging between a stainless steel mesh and a flexible resin band for comfortable mobility. It’s also highly durable, which is backed by the brand’s 24-months warranty.
Pros
- Secure purchase with a 30-day money-back guarantee
- Useful sporty features
- Appealing and versatile designs
Cons
- Not suitable for diving
Best Features
Next, we’ve got the Beasy Water Resistant Watch with the most interesting set of features on this list. At first glance, you’d think it’s just a simple-looking digital watch, but it packs options like a dual time zone, a stopwatch, a countdown timer, an auto calendar, backlighting, alarm mode, and the choice to switch between 12 and 24-hour formats. You can choose from trendy colors like red, black, blue, orange, white, and pink as per your preferences. With 164 feet of water resistance, it’s suitable for shallow-water swimming and cold showers. But remember to take it off for a hot shower as the steam could harm it.
Seeing so many features with such an affordable price tag might make you think it’s just another flimsy watch that’ll stop working by the end of the month — but that’s not the case. Its one-year guarantee is a testament to its premium build quality!
Pros
- Great value for money
- Lots of valuable options
- Has multiple alarm modes including reminders
Cons
- Not designed for deep swimming pools
Best Analog
If you’re an old-school type guy who likes rocking an analog timepiece with an easy-to-read dial, this last entry is for you. The Smith & Wesson Water Resistant Watch features a military design that’s made to keep up with a fast-paced lifestyle. The dial features large 12– and 24-hour numbers that are very clearly visible, along with three needles to precisely show the hours, minutes, and seconds.
It’s protected by a hardened and scratch-resistant glass crystal which is ideal for the rough lifestyle of people in emergency response teams, defense forces, sports, and adventure enthusiasts. It comes with a one-year limited warranty. It comes in two muted color options for the dial and band: black and olive.
Pros
- Sophisticated design with high practicality
- Clear and easy-to-read dial
- Features durable and scratch-resistant hardened glass crystal
Cons
- Only waterproof up to 99 feet
Water Resistant Watch Buying Guide
We’ve tried to make our list as dynamic as possible by including some great choices for all demographics, such as the youth, the business class, and people leading active and adventurous lives! But like all other personal choices, ordering the right timepiece for you comes down to preference.
This in-depth buyer’s guide covers some key considerations and tips to help you find the perfect match for your wrist — so read it till the end!
Determine Your Budget
Before anything else, it helps to give yourself a specific budget to work with. This takes a lot of guesswork out of your decision and saves you from wasting time on products you can’t afford and those that are simply too cheap.
As evident from the list above, you can find many decent water resistant watches for under 20 bucks, but stepping that number up a bit opens the door to many more features, better designs, and sturdier build quality. So, start by having a clear range in your head, and it should be an amount that you’re completely comfortable with. This distinction alone will help you narrow down the crowded market into a much smaller portion that fits your budget.
Related: The Best Dive Watches for Any Man’s Budget
Metal Band or Casual Strap?
Next up, you’ve got to decide if you need a more mature-looking metal band around your wrist or a regular leather or fabric band for a more casual look. The market offers many options for both, so selecting one can narrow your choices a lot!
If you ask us, a metal band is a no-go for people who plan on wearing their watch while working out, swimming, or doing anything that requires fast pace and flexibility. For that, you’re much better off with a stretchy resin, rubber strap, or even a leather one.
On the other hand, metal bands provide an unmatched classy aesthetic with premium materials like stainless steel and even silver. They come in unique mesh finishes, which can instantly add a flair to your business outfit. So, if you lead such a lifestyle, feel free to jump on the metallic side of the aisle! This decision
Analog or Digital?
We’ve narrowed down the market quite a bit by now, and here’s a final distinction that’ll leave you with very few options to consider and choose from. Do you want an analog watch or a digital one?
Traditionalists love their dials and needles and don’t want anything to do with digital watches. If you’re that type, we’d completely respect it and wholeheartedly recommend you options like the Fizili and the Smith & Wesson watches from the above list. These are generally much more elegant and sleek in their appearance and ideal for corporate individuals.
On the other hand, people who are into sports would be much better off with a digital watch. They generally come with many useful options like a stopwatch, timer, built-in alarm, dual time zones, and even backlighting. The designs are typically geared towards the younger generation. So if that demographic sounds like you, go for a digital watch!
Water Resistance
Lastly, if you like wearing your watches 24/7, remember to look closely at the water resistance of the one you’re planning to buy. Ideally, it should stay safe underwater up to a depth of at least 150 feet if you plan to swim with it. Some water-resistant watches like the Smith & Wesson only have a range of 99 feet, which isn’t necessarily ideal for the pool.
People Also Asked
How water-resistant should my watch be?
For most people, wristwatches should at least be able to withstand a cold shower and accidental splashes. But if you plan on taking your watch underwater for a swim, we recommend finding one that’s water-resistant up to 5 ATM pressure (150 feet).
Which watch is better, waterproof or water-resistant?
A waterproof watch is technically much more secure than a water-resistant one. The former claims to provide complete protection from rain, while the latter is only “resistant” to it. But you should always pay attention to resistance specs rather than marketing terminologies.
How do I maintain my water-resistant watch?
Water resistant watches should be pressure-checked annually, and their seals should be replaced every two to three years. While cold showers are fine, you should never take hot showers with your watch on. With proper maintenance, they can last years.