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Home » Gear » best travel watch

17 Best Travel Watches for your Travel Style in 2024

If there is ever a time to have a trustworthy watch, it’s when traveling. A great travel watch can save your ass time and time again. Journeys of all kinds rely on being in the right place at the right time – to catch a flight, meet up with a guide, claim that restaurant reservation, or check in to a hotel.

Though other bits of gear, like smartphones, have usurped the role of the watch for many in everyday life, with changes in time zone and attempts to get away from the constant demands of working life, there’s still no single item more useful to the modern traveler than a good watch.

Besides, in certain places, you want to reduce how often you’re pulling out your phone. A travel watch can keep your smartphone from getting snatched in busy urban areas, where it’s all too common.

Here we bring you what we believe are the very best travel watches to keep you on schedule!

Quick Answer: The Best Travel Watches

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Best men’s travel watch – Casio G-Shock Gravity Master
Best women’s travel watch – Timex Women’s Ironman Transit
Most attractive travel watch – Nordgreen Influencer
Best watch under $500 – Garmin Instinct 2 Solar
Best watch under $100 – SOLARMATE watch CITIZEN Q
Best analogue travel watch – Tissot Seastar 1000
Best digital travel watch – DIDITIME Sports and Military Watch
Best travel watch for hikers – Samsung Galaxy Watch
Best smart watch for staying fit while traveling – Fitbit Charge 4
Best travel watch with GPS – Garmin Fenix Chronos

Casio G-Shock Gravity Master

> Protective body
> Water resistant to 200 m

Timex Women’s Ironman Transit

> Durable on the go
> Follows two time zones

Nordgreen Pioneer

> Quality Build
> Interchangeable Straps

Garmin Instinct 2 Solar

Price > $$$
> GPS tracking and route finding
> Web connectivity

SOLARMATE watch CITIZEN Q

> Large digital display
> Metal wristband

Tissot Seastar 1000

Price > $$$$
> Luminous hands
> Large face

DIDITIME Sports and Military Watch

> Fabric strap

Samsung Galaxy Watch

> In-built GPS
> 4-day battery life

Fitbit Charge 4

> Measures heart rate without chest strap
> GPS connectivity

Garmin Fenix Chronos

> TracBack GPS feature
> Activity monitor

> Great look
> Water resistant

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The Casio G-Shock Gravity Master is a serious travel watch for serious travelers. What makes it so great? First off, the microchips and inner workings of the G-Shock Gravity Master are encased in a body that protects from sudden shocks such as dropping or knocking, centrifugal forces, and vibration. Then there’s the fact this watch is water resistant down to 200 meters, meaning evening scuba diving is an option with this watch. Finally, techies, in particular, will love the fact that the G-Shock Gravity Master will automatically synchronize to your time zone when you reach a destination – using a combination of GPS and radio waves. How cool is that!

Protective body
Water resistant to 200 m
Automatic synchronization to time zone
A little bulky for some
Analogue-digital display
Imported from US for UK customers
52 mm diameter

Is the Casio G-Shock Gravity Master for me?

If you’re a frequent traveler or you simply struggle with working out time zones when you do, the Casio G-Shock Gravity Master is definitely the travel watch for you! Not only does it use GPS technology to ensure it’s always synchronized to the correct time (even taking account of daylight saving time!), its hard protective body and impressive level of water resistance mean you’ll never find yourself without a functioning watch when away.

The Women’s Ironman Transit by Timex offers a great blend of functionality and style. The relatively large digital display makes it super easy to check the time while moving, whether you’re on a busy underground train or scaling a mountain on a rope harness. The resin case means it will resist knocks, while the strap is durable and easily cleaned. The clock itself has the option of two different time zones, so you can keep a clear idea of the time at home, and a customizable alarm, which is always a useful feature while traveling. What’s more, it’s also water resistant to a depth of 100 meters! What more could you want?

Durable on the go
Follows two time zones
Water resistant
Resin strap
Simple buckle closure
No automatic synchronization of time zones
Digital display

Is the Timex Women’s Ironman Transit for me?

The answer is undoubtedly yes! Its stylish modern design of smooth lines and molded resin certainly means it looks the part, while the ability to follow two time zones, the customizable alarm, and water resistance down to 100 m also means it acts the part! It may not have some of the bells and whistles of other travel watches on our list, but we still love it!

Nordgreen Pionee r

Not every travel watch has to feature James Bond level gadgets and gizmos. The Nordgreen Pioneer is an industry leader when it comes to producing quality minimalist watch designs that are fit for your days exploring cities and nights on the town. A big selling point for this watch is that you can easily change out the bands if you are feeling like a different look/color (bands sold separately).

The combination of sleek specs like the domed Sapphire crystal face and Japanese quartz make for a watch that you will be using for many years to come. In addition to being a sexy travel watch – the Nordgreen Pioneer also is a great everyday watch.

Minimalist design
Comes with Steel Case
Water-Resistant
Scandinavian Made
Extra Watch band colors not included
No smart technology
No alarm feature

Is the Nordgreen Pioneer for me?

If you are looking for a no-frills watch that looks much more high-end then the price reflects, this is the watch for you. As mentioned, the Pioneer is not just a travel watch – and it is classy enough for use in a professional setting as well as when you are not on holiday.

Just scrapping under the $500/£390 mark at its full recommended retail price, the Garmin Instinct 2 Solar gives the widest array of features for a travel watch under $500. Coming from a trusted brand like Garmin, you know what you are getting here! What we also love the most is that being solar powered it will basically stay charged indefinitely if you spend a few hours a day outside, pretty rad! It’s also got stealth mode to disable wireless communication if you’re going to be doing some rogue ops or just don’t want your crazy girlfriend to know your whereabouts!!

Other cool features include built-in 3-axis compass and barometric altimeter plus multiple global navigation satellite systems meaning you can track your adventures over varied and challenging terrain. You’ll never be lost again!

If that wasn’t enough, this watch also boasts several built-in sports tracking modes like running, biking, swimming and strength training as well as tracking for things like heart rate, VO2 max and sleep!

Tested to military standards
GPS tracking and route finding
Real-time weather information
Web connectivity
Requires USB charging
Nylon strap
Not touchscreen

Is the Garmin Instinct 2 Solar for me?

You don’t have to be a hardened adventure to see the benefits of the Traverse Alpha GPS Outdoor Watch by Suunto. If you’ve ever got hopelessly lost in a foreign city you’ll really appreciate the real-time GPS tracking and route finding functions, while its web connectivity will ensure you can stay in contact with friends and family while away too!

Want to compare this watch to other awesome outdoor models? Check out our EPIC review of the best outdoor watches .

We think the SOLARMATE watch CITIZEN Q is simply a bargain for what it offers! Deep within the inner workings, you’ll find (if you were ever to look), a movement by Japanese watchmakers Citizen, and a battery meant to last three years. On the outside, you have a large, easy to read, digital display with a classy metal band. The watch is also waterproof so you’ll have no issues taking anywhere you end up on your travels.

Great price
Trustworthy internal workings
Large digital display
Metal wristband
Only water resistant to 50 m
Not great for slim wrists
No second time zone function

Is the SOLARMATE watch CITIZEN Q for me?

You don’t have to be counting the pennies to think that the SOLARMATE watch CITIZEN Q is a great buy for what it offers. For an incredible price, you get a trustworthy brand, and an easy-to-read digital display alongside waterproofing and a nice look. Brilliant!

Although aimed at the diving market, the Swiss-engineered Tissot Seastar 1000 is just as functional as a general analogue travel watch. The large face makes it easy to read the luminous dials even in the low light of an aircraft cabin or a candle-lit restaurant, while maintaining enough style to ensure you won’t feel embarrassed at wearing it even at more formal occasions. The tough body will keep it safe from knocks, while the resin strap is comfortable and easy to keep clean. As you might expect, the Seastar 1000 also has an impressive degree of water resistance too – safe down to 300 m!

Luminous hands
Water resistant to 300 m
Lacks GPS features
Not as tough as the Casio G-Shock Gravity Master

Is the Tissot Seastar 1000 for me?

Having been making watches for more than one and a half centuries, Tissot is clearly doing something right! Their Seastar 1000 is no exception, with this analogue travel watch bringing a touch of class to the proceedings. But more than just having a pretty face (very literally) its also functional thanks to luminous hands and water resistance to 300 m.

From the best analogue travel watch to the best digital watch of our reckoning with this number from DIDITIME. It can be argued whether the best digital watch should be as simple as possible or as feature heavy as possible – we’ve sided with simple. But simplicity doesn’t mean you’re laying aside reliability – the DIDITIME is based around a Japanese-made movement and battery for precision timing. The time/date display, auto calendar, alarm, and backlight are matched nicely by the black fabric strap, and protected by the carbon fibre case.

Japanese movement
Fabric strap
Lacks features of other digital watches we’ve covered
Not suitable for submersion
No analogue dial
Some customers mention build issues

Is the DIDITIME Sports and Military Watch for me?

If you’re after a digital watch that can tell you exactly where you are at any given time and what the weather is likely to be in the next couple of hours, we’d recommend the Garmin Solar 2 Watch, however if you’re looking for a simple digital display with which to tell the time, this DIDITIME watch will be perfect for you!

It’s a fact of life that tech has encroached into the world of hiking as much as other sports and activities, and while a paper map and physical compass is always a good idea, a lot of the hard work of route finding can be made simple with a watch such as this Samsung Galaxy offering. As well as keeping you connected with calls and messages straight to your wrist to keep you hands-free, the Samsung Galaxy also automatically (yes, automatically) detects movement and activity and monitors it for you. This watch also has in-built GPS, so you can follow pre-planned routes or find a short cut home on the move effortlessly!

Lets you stay connected hands-free
Automatically detects and monitors activity
In-built GPS
4-day battery life
Requires regular charging
Water-resistant to only 50 m
Weighs 300 g

Is the Samsung Galaxy Watch for me?

If you’re an Apple fan, look away now…While a smart watch may not be the obvious choice for hikers, the Samsung Galaxy watch does in fact make a fine travel watch for hikers. Why? Because you can stay connected, have your activity monitored without even having to touch a screen, and have the safety and security of GPS route finding as well!

Market leaders are market leaders for a reason, and the Charge 4 by Fitbit remains to our mind the best smart watch for staying fit while traveling. The smooth lines of the Charge 4 monitor your heart rate from your wrist – meaning no unwieldy chest strap for starters. Its all-day activity tracking measures distance, steps, and calories among other metrics, and can remind you to move if you’ve remained still for longer periods. Finally, with its GPS connectivity, you can see real-time stats in addition to your current location and route!

Stylish look
Measures heart rate without chest strap
All-day metric measurement
GPS connectivity
Requires regular charging (every 4+ days)
Additional accessories cost extra
Touch screen scratches quite easily
Two-year warranty

Is the Fitbit Charge 4 for me?

Staying fit while traveling used to be difficult to monitor, what with the change in routine (and the added calories that undoubtedly come with many types of travel!). Then the Fitbit Charge 4 came along, with the possibility to record metrics from heart rate to steps taken without issue, alongside the brilliant functionality of GPS connectivity.

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You’ve got to love GPS, don’t you? Endlessly useful in your home town and abroad, its certainly saved us from all manner of potential pitfalls! The Garmin Fenix Chronos is a masterly GPS-enabled travel watch, with a tracking log for pinpoint accuracy and its ‘TracBack’ feature that helps users head back the same way you’ve come. But as well as GPS functionality the Fenix Chronos has ABC (or altitude, barometer, and compass) functions, and will record and monitor your activity levels, whatever sport or activity you’re undertaking. All this, smart phone connectivity, and a battery life of up to eight days make this the best travel watch with GPS for us!

TracBack GPS feature
Altitude, Barometer, and compass readings
Activity monitor
8 day battery life
Leather strap
Water resistance to just 100 m
Has a traditional look some users may not like

Is the Garmin Fenix Chronos for me?

If you’re regularly traveling, looking for the very best of travel watches with GPS, we think you’ve probably found it with the Garmin Fenix Chronos! The ‘TracBack’ feature will be really useful for many, while more seasoned adventures will love the ABC functionality too!

The FIZILI’s combination of ageless elegance and simple minimalist design makes their watch a hands-down winner. Their travel watch, just like the Nomatic travel bag , is extremely versatile; it can be used whether you’re traveling for work or pleasure, and when roughing it or in the highest-end resorts – without looking out of place.

There are a whole number of different colourways to choose from too, whether you want the uber cool black-on-black look or you want to throw in some red highlights or a blue face, there’s even gold, silver and blue wristbands available too.

Is the FIZILI for me?

If you’re after a pared-back but classy travel watch which you know you can rely on while on the move the FIZILI is the perfect choice for you. With a style that looks great in any situation, the quality steel mesh strap and the variety of different styles means there’s something to suit everyone and at this price you could buy them all!

Shinola Runwell

Detroit’s Shinola has a growing legion of fans on both sides of the Atlantic, and travelers old and new will be sure to fall for the Runwell too. This analogue watch has a traditional look, complete with a real leather strap, while ensuring a large face to ensure the clock face is easy to read whatever the light levels. The sapphire crystal window is scratch resistant, which is obviously ideal when traveling, and the watch is also water resistant down to 50 m – more than deep enough for a swim in the hotel pool!

Beautifully styled traditional look
Scratch resistant sapphire crystal window
Water resistance to 50 m
Imported from the US for UK customers
Luminous hands but no backlight
Not for budget travelers
No GPS functionality

Is the Shinola Runwell for me?

The style-conscious traveler will be very happy to be seen wearing the Shinola Runwell, as a result of its phenomenal looks and literally crystal-clear analogue display. But this watch isn’t just style over substance, with durability built in with the leather strap, scratch resistance, and water resistance. When looking for a traditional and trustworthy watch, the Shinola Runwell is a great option!

Seiko SEIKO SRPE99 Prospex

The SEIKO SRPE99 Prospex watch comes with a stainless steel bracelet style strap that slips over the hand to close. The 21 jewels used in its analogue movement ensure accuracy, and although this is an automatic movement – rather than a battery-powered one – it has a power reserve of 40 hours, meaning you can forget to wear it for an entire day without having to manual wind the watch on to restart it. The face incorporates a very useful day and date window, that will surely stay clear as a result of the scratch resistant Hardlex crystal glass. The fact it’s a diver’s watch also means it boasts water resistance to a depth of 200 m.

21 jewel movement
40-hour power reserve
Scratch resistant Hardlex crystal glass
Automatic movement
Metal bracelet style strap
Intended as a men’s watch

Is the Seiko Divers Automatic for me?

If you’re an experienced diver you’ll be probably looking for a more sophisticated divers watch than that offered by the Seiko Divers Automatic. However, for mere mortals, this watch reaches the right balance between everyday practicality and specialization. Accurate and tough, we can’t see the Seiko Divers Automatic letting you down!

Timex Expedition Scout

The Timex Expedition Scout offers an analogue face with both twelve- and twenty-four-hour time settings, and accuracy you know you can trust. This rugged outdoor watch is protected by a durable body that is guaranteed to be water resistant down to a depth of 50 m and has the added feature of an ‘Indiglo’ light-up watch face. There’s also a quick date window on the face so you’ll never lose track of the time or date, while the classic yet contemporary look will have to check the time far more than is actually necessary!

12 and 24-hour dial settings
Water resistant to 50 m
Indiglo light-up dial
Analogue watch
Lacks different time zone settings
Date but no day window on face

Is the Timex Expedition Scout for me?

Forget those tempting added features of other watches in our review, the Expedition Scout is a good ‘solid’ watch that will see you through while always looking fresh and up to the minute thanks to its classic looks.

Suunto Core

The brother of the Suunto Traverse Alpha GPS Outdoor, you might consider the Core the more basic (and also cheaper) of the two watches, but that’s not to say the Core is not a fantastic travel watch in and of itself. Though it obviously doesn’t match all the Traverse Alpha GPS Outdoor’s incredible functions – such as being military grade – this unisex watch still has a lot of flash features of its own! Its barometric altitude measurements, depth gauge, and weather warnings make it an ideal companion in the Alps if you’re hiking, snowshoeing, or skiing, where its tough enough to do the job thanks to a metal casing. Comprising aluminium, it keeps the watch light, while it has a battery life of up to a year, meaning you have little worry over when it’s going to need its next charge!

Dedicated mountain watch
Cheaper than the Traverse Alpha GPS Outdoor
Detailed altitude and depth measurements
Lightweight
Water resistant to just 30 m
No GPS tracking
Too large for some wrists
No different time zone settings

Is the Suunto Core for me?

Avid skiers and mountaineers are the target market for the Suunto Core, and they are undoubtedly the group of people likely to get the most benefit from wearing the Core thanks to its barometric data, altitude graphics and depth gauge. The rest of us will just have to make do with having a pretty cool watch on our wrists!

North Edge Dive and Sports Watch

North Edge brings us this travel watch which is water resistant to a depth of 100 m, meaning you can check out its analogue-digital face pretty much anywhere you choose – from a city centre café to a shipwreck on a coral reef! The large backlit dial makes it easy to read the time too, while the mineral glass mirror surface is resistant to scratches and the body protective against knocks and bumps. This clever little watch is also capable of monitoring steps with its pedometer, and calculating calories burnt, as well as offering users the ABC of altimeter, barometer, and compass too!

Trusted brand
Analogue-digital face
Water resistant to 100 m
ABC functions
Intended for men only
No GPS tracking or route finding
Stainless steel strap
Not the longest battery life when heavily used

Is the North Face Dive and Sports Watch for me?

This dive and sports watch by North Edge should definitely find its way onto your shortlist for best travel watch, combining traditional analogue looks with the benefits of digital technology. It has great features for anyone who likes to get outdoors, from mountains to seabed, making it a good all-round travel watch!

Lad Weather Sensor Master III

Look at the full list of what the Lad Weather Sensor Master III can track and you’ll feel like you’ve got NASA monitoring your every move, calories, highest peaks, lap speed, total distance…. We could fill up this entire space just listing them! So this watch by Lad Weather certainly meets the need of anyone who likes (or needs) to record data while travelling. What also makes it a great travel watch is the fact it is preset with 59 city time zones, can provide a weather forecast for your location, has two daily alarms, AND is water resistant to 100 m – far deeper then you’ll ever head unless scuba diving!

Fantastic data collection
Preset city time zones
Weather forecasting
Overly complicated for some travellers
Large dial face
Thermometer function can be affected by body heat
Plastic dial window

Is the Lad Weather Sensor Master III for me?

Greatly improved over the Sensor Master I, the Sensor Master III is a phenomenal travel watch by Lad Weather. Having clearly absorbed customer feedback from the previous models, this travel watch is both well protected against physical damage and packed full of very useful monitoring and forecasting data!

Luminox Navy SEAL Colormark

And finally… we bring you the Luminox Navy SEAL Colormark, and unbeatable travel watch when it comes to durability! Comprising an incredibly light carbon compound case, this analogue watch has been tested to 20 atmospheres of pressure, has a window made from tempered mineral glass, and has the added protected of a double-gasket security crown. The large numbers on the face make it easy to read in all light levels, although the in-built Luminox light technology will provide constant night lighting for up to 25 years! The Swiss-made movement comes with a two-year guarantee against faults, providing added peace of mind!

Very light on the wrist
Added Luminox light technology
Swiss-made movement for precision
Analogue rather than digital
Large bezel numbers can confuse with time

Is the Luminox Navy SEAL Colormark for me?

If it’s good enough for the Navy SEALs its good enough for us, right? As you would expect from a watch made for military personnel this Luminox is as tough as old boots and you’d have to really go out of your way to damage it – great news for all travellers! It also has a Swiss-made movement for accuracy, and innovative lighting technology for checking the time in the dark.

Now, you could spend a fat chunk of $$$ on the WRONG present for someone. Wrong size hiking boots, wrong fit backpack, wrong shape sleeping bag… As any adventurer will tell you, gear is a personal choice.

So give the adventurer in your life the gift of convenience: buy them an REI Co-op gift card! REI is The Broke Backpacker’s retailer of choice for ALL things outdoors, and an REI gift card is the perfect present you can buy from them. And then you won’t have to keep the receipt. 😉

Still have some questions? No problem! We’ve listed and answered the most commonly asked questions below. Here’s what people usually want to know:

What is the most stylish travel watch?

Our favorite is the Nordgreen Pioneer . With the changeable straps and the sleek design you can combine it with every outfit. It’s also relatively affordable.

What is the most practical travel watch?

The Suunto Traverse Alpha GPS Outdoor Watch is a military tested travel watch that stands out with amazing features. You can connect it to the internet, track your location precisely and get real-time weather information.

Smart watch, digital or analogue?

What kind of watch you should purchase really depends on what your travels will look like. If you can afford it, a smart watch will always offer the most features, while a digital or analogue watch is way more reliable.

What does a a travel watch need?

A travel watch needs to be reliable, durable and ideally, track your location. Especially for backpackers and hikers, a GPS tracker to look back at miles and location comes in very handy sometimes.

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There we have it – the very best of the best when it comes to travel watches. Whether you prefer a simpler analogue watch, want a digital watch with GPS tracking and route-finding, or are happy with a travel watch that looks stylish whatever the backdrop, we’re sure you’ll find your next travel timepiece among these fantastic watches!

And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links . That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!

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Check out Vaer watches. Swiss ETA movement, American assembly. 100M water resistant with a screw down crown. To me, it’s a much better value than the Nomad.

Hi Joel, Indeed we will check out Vaer watches, thanks for the heads up.

The Nomatic battery does not last 45 years! No watch battery does. It’s rated for 45 months.

Thanks for the correction Dwight! Indeed, no battery will last 45 years :).

6 of the Best Travel Watches Around Right Now

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If nothing else, the last year or so has made foreign travel an adventure again, at least for those who enjoy navigating their way through vaccination regimes and test requirements. It feels long ago when instead the burning question was whether it’s cocktail hour at the destination yet.

For the well-prepared traveler, the answer is on your wrist, as one of the few really useful complications watchmakers offer is the ability to show two or more time zones at a glance. Simply put, a “complication” in watch parlance is any function on a timepiece other than showing the time, such as a stopwatch or moon-phase display. Of course, you can do it in your head or use a world-time app on your phone, but a GMT or worldtimer saves you the bother and looks considerably more stylish.

However, as easy as it is for you to decipher, showing multiple time zones is a significant challenge for both the watchmakers and the designer, as there’s always a tradeoff between simplicity and utility. How do you want the second time zone to be set? Should it link to the date? Do the time zones need to be named? How do you make sure the “travel” time is sufficiently distinct from the “home” time? What about places with just 30-minute differences?

Here is our edit of some of the best mechanical worldtimers you can get right now, from entry level to high-end. All should serve you well, wherever your travels—once they begin again in earnest—may take you.

The standard approach to a GMT watch is exemplified by the Explorer II from Rolex, which has a second hour in bright orange that runs on a 24-hour cycle: set this 24-hour hand for your second time zone, then read the hour off the bezel scale, and minutes as normal.

The design is built entirely around the presence of the extra hand and the bezel, with the contrast between hour and GMT hands being a feature rather than a hindrance (whether that’s a good thing is a straightforward matter of taste).

It’s simple, effective, and, as it’s a Rolex, bomb-proof. And even if you’re not traveling across time zones, Rolex points out that it might be useful for distinguishing day from night, should you emerge from a storm in an Arctic high summer.

This new version retains the signature 42mm sizing (want a larger case? Look to the brand's rugged 43mm Sea-Dweller and 44mm Deepsea). Inside is the in-house caliber 3285 power plant, new in the Explorer II, and the same currently found in the GMT-Master II.

The really good news is this 3285 automatic movement—powered by the natural movement of the body as you wear it—packs in the best that Rolex currently offers: Chronergy escapement, 70 hours of power reserve, blue Parachrom balance spring and Paraflex shock absorbers. What does all this mean? A much more accurate, efficient, and robust piece that keeps running much longer after you've stopped wearing it.

There is currently no way to purchase a Rolex online. You will need to use Rolex's dealer locator that we've linked to below. This page has the model information you'll want to share with a dealer.

The same solution seen in the Rolex is behind Bell & Ross’s BR03-93 GMT, but the design makes the GMT more subservient to the watch design, obviously derived from the modular format of cockpit instruments, an aviation-inspired look that Bell & Ross has come to dominate over its 30-year history.

One difference here is that the bezel can be turned, giving the watch more flexibility in terms of the extra time zone (the bezel is rotated however many hours difference between home time and the third zone to see the time in that destination without having to set the watch). Some will welcome that, others will see it as a complication too far, but it’s a smart watch that delivers a design presence that Rolex doesn’t look for. Speaking of which, the popular colorways of red and black—the "Coke" look as opposed to the red and blue "Pepsi" style—will justifiably draw attention.

The sturdy 42mm watch also has 100-meter water resistance, a 42-hour power reserve, curved anti-reflective sapphire crystal, and a small, subtle rounded date window towards the 4:30 position. Yes, you get a black calfskin leather strap, but we prefer this ultra-resilient synthetic fabric option.

Breitling’s Chronomat UTC offers a brutally effective, if not especially subtle, solution to the demand for worldtimer watches: fit a completely separate mini, quartz-powered watch into the strap .

It helps that the Chronomat is a hefty piece of kit to begin with—44mm by 14.45mm, so the extra bulk shouldn’t be an issue. The mechanical movement has 70 hours of power reserve, which is the length of time it continues to tick once you have removed the Chronomat from your wrist. It's also water-resistant up to 200 meters.

The “UTC" name references Coordinated Universal Time, or UTC , the primary time standard by which the world regulates clocks and time and is not adjusted for daylight saving, making it effectively a successor to Greenwich Mean Time, or GMT, which is where worldtimers derive their alternative moniker from.

The Chronomat was inspired by the Frecce Tricolori watch that Breitling created for the Italian Air Force’s aerobatic fleet back in 1983, and is very much an all-purpose sports watch, which explains why the second time zone function was incorporated into the strap and not the watch itself.

There’s an alternative solution that can be seen in Chopard’s latest travel watch, the L.U.C Time Traveler One Black, which is to show time everywhere in the world at once, via an arrangement of counter-rotating discs on the edge of the dial.

Amazingly, it’s almost suspiciously easy to read—the number below the city is the time there—but it needs a sensitive designer to manage the hierarchy of information delivered. Going monotone, as Chopard’s watch shows, is a beautifully effective way of doing just that.

It's actually based on the Time Traveler One launched back in 2016, but now with an added dose of modernity thanks to that monochrome color palette that extends to the 42mm ceramised titanium case (which has a hardness of 700 Vickers when 316L stainless steel has a hardness of 150 to 200 Vickers). On closer inspection, it's not black but myriad subtle shades of gray. This is the secret to the watch's legibility.

One the outside of the dial is a city disc, marked with 24 locations around the globe. The crown at 4 o’clock lets the user rotate this city disc. When the chosen city for the local time is set at the 12 o’clock position, you can determine the prevailing hour in all of those 24 locations simultaneously.

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TAG Heuer has just dropped three new 2022 Autavia models comprising two new chronograph models and this, a three-hand GMT model—a first for TAG's Autavia collection to mark the line's 60th year.

Fitted with an automatic movement that will keep running up to 50 hours after you've taken the watch off, the piece focuses on simplicity and legibility: numerals and hands coated with glow-in-the-dark Super-LumiNova on an uncluttered blue dial contained in a 42mm steel case that's water-resistant to 100 meters.

The addition of easily interchangeable straps is another boon, with traditional stainless-steel or leather straps as well as on-trend woven NATO bands, too.

Christopher Ward C63 Sealander GMT watch

Not all globe-trotting GMT watches cost the Earth. Christopher Ward's C63 Sealander GMT has a pleasingly classic style yet costs a fraction of the other pieces here. You get a round stainless steel 39mm case secure to 150 meters, a power reserve that extends to 56 hours, and this piece is the first from the brand to use its new automatic movement that not only adds the display of a second time zone (indicated by the large orange hand), but also allows for a slightly more precise GMT setting than the previous version.

It is available in black, white, green or blue polished lacquer dials, boasts an anti-shock system and is compatible with a range quick-change straps that includes this options made from recycled ocean plastic.

In the past, a criticism levied at Christopher Ward has been a tendency to add unnecessary information and clutter to its dials, as it did with its 2014 C900 Worldtimer, but here there are no such issues. It's smart and simple.

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The Best (and Most Discreet) Spy Camera Watches for Amateur Agents

By Jason Coles

Jason Coles

Contributor

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In the Ian Fleming books, James Bond wears a Rolex. On screen, he doesn’t. Since 1995, Bond has worn an OMEGA Seamaster. And it’s a mystery in Hollywood whether that run is the result of an arrangement or not. The costumers involved with the franchise are adamant that it wasn’t part of the initial consideration – OMEGAs are common among British ex-military types – but less clear on the current state of pay-for-play.

On the plus side, most real spy watches – timepieces that can be used for surveillance – cost considerably less than $TK. They tend to be useful for three types of people: creeps, reporters, and self-snoops. Being a creep is never a good look, but journalist and detective-sorts benefit from the ability to record (in public spaces). Self-snoops use watches and other gear to spy on themselves because, well, life is complicated and there’s too much to remember .

What the Experts Say

Related stories, the best motion detectors to prevent any threats from slipping by you, the best hidden cameras for capturing the true intentions of others.

So it’s about fun and dress-up. As such, they way these watches look matters.

“I look for a spy camera watch with a cleverly hidden or integrated lens into the watch face or band, making it difficult to detect even upon close inspection,” says Brandon King of Home Security Heroes.

Other experts pointed out that battery life on spy watches varies widely so it’s important to double check the specs.

Ligghig Mini Camera Watch Wristband – DVR Video Recorder Smart Bracelet

$47.69 $52.99

The Ligghig will never be mistaken for a Seamaster, but it’s small and has stellar storage (from 16GB to 64 GB) and impressive battery life. But the real standout feature here is the video quality. This video watch is the cream of the crop when it comes to features, cost, and the look too. The Ligghig can be used to record 30fps 1080p video footage. That’s not a feature film, but it’s high def enough that any documents recorded will be easily legible.

Sleuthtek Watch Camera

This may be the most stylish spy watch being sold at a reasonable price point. And it has both HD video quality and night vision. The issues here are around storage and battery life. The Sleuthtek has only 32GB of built-in storage.

Buloge Spy Camera Wristband

While this options doesn’t have an actual clock face on it, it is a fairly cheap, and it’s does a good job of looking like a fitness band. It also features HD video recording, and 1440p image capture, all of which can be activated with a single touch, making it very easy to use. It has a battery life of up to 120 minutes.

Wristcam Smart Dual-Camera Band for Apple Watch

Buying a whole new watch isn’t always ideal, so this special band can be a better fit. The Apple Watch doesn’t have a built in camera, but the Wristcam can be added to change that. The downside is that it makes the watch a bit chonky. The upside is that users can capture great video and take FaceTime calls on their wrist, which feels very, very Bond.

Frequently Asked Questions About Spy Cameras

What should i look for in a spy watch.

It depends on why you’re wearing one, but the obvious answer is discretion. It’s not cool to wear a video camera on your wrist. It’s considerably more fun to wear something subtle and then tell people about it.

What should I avoid buying?

Don’t buy a bulky watch. Just because G-Shocks are popular again doesn’t mean it’s cool to lug around an AV setup.

Are spy watches legal?

In the USA, it is legal to use hidden cameras in your home or business for security purposes, as long as the cameras are not placed in areas where people have a reasonable expectation of privacy, such as a bedroom. The lawyers we spoke with warned that spy watches can put users at legal risk because they go everywhere. Be sure to turn them off when you go to the bathroom!

Jason is a freelancer based in the United Kingdom who has written for the likes of The Inventory, TechRadar, Eurogamer, and many more. He's currently working as the editor of a Magic: The Gathering…

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Top Travel Watches for Your Next Vacation (2024)

W hether vacationing on land or by cruise, a reliable watch is a must-have for any traveler. However, finding that perfect travel watch that is versatile, aligned with your style, and durable can be challenging, especially when considering the risk of loss or theft for luxury watches.

I will help you explore five exceptional watches that meet the unique needs of the world traveler. They offer a blend of sophistication, functionality, and peace of mind and are available at various price points, between $95 and $4,900.

Disclosure: This page has affiliate links, meaning we may earn a small commission if you click the link and proceed with a purchase at no cost to you . Some of the watches were sent to us for purposes of this review. We recommend cruises, experiences, products, and services we have tested or personally use. As Amazon Associates, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Top 5 Travel Watches at Various Price Points

1. Norqain Neverest GMT
2. Benrus SEA LORD
3. Armitron Wave
4. Christopher Ward Aquitaine GMT
5. IWC Spitfire

Read about our favorite watch strap company and the safe options you should invest in for your home to protect your valuables when traveling.

My Firsthand Experience with Travel Watches as a Watch Enthusiast

Everyone has a cell phone in their pocket that acts as a camera and a watch. We realize that's a reality in the 21st century. But when traveling, I often find myself in situations where carrying a phone isn't feasible, especially during our various cruises. Yet I still need to know the time, especially so we return to the ship before it leaves a port.

Whether for water activities or simply a desire to disconnect and be text-free onboard , a dependable watch becomes a lifeline. We love well-designed watches, which is why we often visit whatever shops are onboard a cruise ship as soon as they open to consider buying a watch on a cruise .

The best watch must withstand the rigors of travel — from water and climate exposure to accidental bumps — while maintaining its elegance for evening dinners.

The watches we have selected to highlight have proven to be valuable companions. They ensure we never miss a scheduled spa treatment, when we must meet our guide for an excursion, making the tender times, or a ship's departure, all while enhancing our travel wardrobes.

Mikkel and I often wear pricier timepieces at home that we have invested in (yes, I'm proud to say I turned her into a watch enthusiast like me). But when we travel on land or by cruise, we wear watches that we will not be worried about someone in a foreign country following us to steal. And yes, that does happen, unfortunately, so you must keep this in mind if you're considering traveling wearing a Rolex.

1. NORQAIN Neverest GMT: For the Stylish Explorer

Price: $3,950

This is my top choice for an elegant, upscale travel watch that won't break the bank. I love the GMT function that keeps time in multiple time zones, the ability to dress it up or down, and its design. The brand is newer in the watch world; though it's high-quality with Swiss parts and Swiss movement, it remains a hidden gem. Robbers have targeted tourists for well-known watches like Rolex, but Norqain pieces are luxury watches that still fly under the radar. This works to your advantage while you travel.

This watch looks good during daily activities, when you're wearing shorts and a t-shirt — or whatever adventure cruise attire you wear daily, from the Caribbean to Alaska — but also looks great dressed up, like in a button-down shirt and dark pants, by night. Its details, including the criss-cross metal knurling on the side of the bezel and the Norqain logo on its dial, are appreciated by watch aficionados and novices.

You cannot beat the satisfaction you feel when looking at the watch's skeleton back (that's watch speak, for a see-through, open case back), where you can see some of the 28 rubies inside.

Another fun fact is that when you buy this watch, you're helping to support Nepal's local community. “10% of the earnings from the sales of NEVEREST timepieces are donated to the Butterfly Help Project in Nepal helping families of sherpas who have lost their lives in the Himalayan mountains and give their children access to education.”

Additional Features of the Norqain Neverest GMT

The NORQAIN Neverest GMT is not just a watch; it's an investment in quality and functionality. Its mechanical automatic movement, 70-hour power reserve, and dual time zone with jumping hour feature make it a reliable choice for travelers. The scratch-proof sapphire glass is anti-reflective and scratch-proof; we know firsthand how much durability matters in the watch you bring on vacation as adventure takes over and your carefree days and nights are spent exploring new destinations.

The flex fabric strap (shown in photos) adds a touch of fun and flair to its design, but the watch from Norqain also has the following straps available: a stainless steel bracelet, a green rubber NATO strap, and a black rubber strap inspired by the knurled bezel design.

With its detailed Swiss mechanical automatic movement and comfortable 41mm case size, this watch offers excellent value for those looking for a high-quality, travel-friendly timepiece with a unique design.

Extra Protection for Your Valuables at home: safes

Invest in a waterproof and fireproof safe to store your valuables at home. You can put your jewelry in it — watches included — and important documents like passports and birth certificates. We recommend SentrySafes .

2. Benrus SEA LORD: Rugged Elegance

Price: $595

The Benrus SEA LORD perfectly blends vintage charm and modern technology. Its 39.5mm size comfortably fits most wrists. Its high-quality rubber strap and water resistance up to 98 feet make it suitable for adventurous travels. The Super-LumiNova markers ensure low-light visibility, enhancing its utility and style.

The brand was founded in 1926 and almost immediately marketed to a travel audience. Benrus was steeped in adventure from the get-go, using the famous pilot Charles Lindbergh as its spokesperson in 1926. In 1929, Benrus was the official watch of National Air Transport, which became United Airlines.

The Sea Lord, in particular, was available throughout the 1960s-70s. This revitalized watch style has a vintage feel in a modern offering, which is a huge reason why I like it; I'm a vintage watch guy.

Additional Features

This Swiss-made watch features automatic movement with a 38-hour power reserve. It requires no battery and charges with wrist movement, making it ideal for traveling.

Barton Watch Bands

Our favorite third-party watch band company is Barton Watch Bands . We have purchased several of their bands, from rubber to canvas, NATO straps, and then some. Be sure to read the description and measure the millimeters for the size watch strap you need before purchasing.

3. Armitron Wave: The Eco-Conscious Traveler’s Choice

Founded in 1975, Armitron has been a mainstay in affordable watches for decades. Did you know that Armitron is the Official Timekeeper of the New York Yankees?

The Armitron Wave stands out for its recycled materials and sportiness. The brand's commitment to sustainability manifests itself in this watch, made from recycled ocean-bound plastic from Tide Ocean Material SA. This watch makes a statement in addition to being an affordable travel option. The watch's packaging is also made from sustainable materials.

It has water resistance of up to 165 feet (50 meters) and an easily adjustable and washable band. This low-cost watch is designed for eco-conscious travelers who value both form and function at a price of under $100. Mikkel has the teal Armitron Wave with white details, and I have the black one, though all options are unisex. It is also available in navy.

It's worth mentioning that the 40 mm dial size didn't comfortably fit our wrists. We recommend purchasing the watch, testing it out at home, and wearing it for a few hours before committing to see if it's comfortable on your body.

The watch comes in various fun colors, is battery-powered, and offers a simple design that is perfect for a day of activities.

4. Christopher Ward C65 Aquitaine GMT: The Globetrotter’s Dream

Price: $1,590

For those who prefer a larger watch for traveling, the Christopher Ward C65 Aquitaine GMT's 41mm case and 656 feet of water resistance make it a robust companion. Its automatic movement, date window, and additional GMT hand for a second time zone are perfect for keeping track of things at home while exploring new destinations.

I like that this watch is easy to read, thanks to its large hands and big round hour markers. The skeleton back is a rare addition to a watch under $1,600, revealing the attractive movements inside the timepiece. The watch comes on a bracelet, but you can swap the band to personalize it, as I do with many watches.

The stainless steel bracelet is designed for all-day comfort, and its elegant design can be dressed up for formal dinners, making it a versatile choice for your itinerary.

5. IWC Pilot's Watch Automatic Spitfire: The Ultimate Travel Companion

Price: $4,900

Inspired by WWII-era aviation history, the IWC Spitfire combines history and elegance. Its 39mm case size, easy-to-read hands, and Swiss automatic movement ensure reliability and style. Water-resistant up to 196 feet, it’s built for adventure yet sleek enough for formal events. It's also a brand name many people are familiar with and trust, from its long-standing reputable history, founded in 1868.

It's easy to find a reputable IWC boutique worldwide, especially in USA port cities coast to coast, whether you're cruising from the Port of Los Angeles or Miami.

The face isn't overly complicated; its beauty is in its clean elegance and simplicity, yet it still has a rugged feel. This watch matches any outfit, day or night.

The watch's adventurous look and date window feature make it a versatile option for travelers who demand functionality without compromising on style.

Five Best Travel Watches

Every traveler deserves a watch that's as reliable and stylish as they are. Whether you're a seasoned watch enthusiast or new to the world of luxury timepieces, our curated selection caters to every budget and need. From the sustainable Armitron Wave to the exquisite IWC Spitfire, each watch offers a blend of functionality, quality, and style, making them perfect for any journey.

Choose a travel watch that reflects your taste and accompanies you through every adventure, and you'll embark on your next journey with confidence and elegance. Remember, a watch is not just a tool; it's a part of your travels. Always read reviews and research before deciding, ensuring your travel watch is a companion you can rely on, no matter where your adventures take you.

In Search of the Perfect Travel Watch

By Felix Scholz

People who love watches love pigeon-holing them. One for diving, one for flying, one for racing your classic car around the track. In the lore of horology, these niche use cases have exceptionally clear cut and rigid criteria which, more often than not, bear no resemblance to reality.

One genre of watch that is a little more opaque is the travel watch. The people who are responsible for naming watches and writing the associated press release seem to have decided that the only real constant is to have a watch with more than one time zone.

Objectively this makes sense. After all, there are as many ways to travel as there are places to travel to. One man’s overland trek in a beat-up Land Cruiser is another woman’s transcontinental Gulfstream jaunt. Given such diversity, a one-watch-fits-all approach is clearly not going to cut it. Now it might be because I haven’t so much as caught a whiff of avgas in the last 24 months, but I’ve spent an unreasonably large amount of time pondering the pros and cons of the ideal frequent flying watch and have honed it down to a few key factors. So, let’s take a virtual trip and explore the nuts, bolts and bezels of what makes a perfect travel watch.

Oh, I almost forgot. Before we push back, there’s a bit of a pre-flight safety announcement to make, and that comes down to the fact that 99 percent of the time, it’s smarter, safer and all-round less stressful to travel only with the watch on your wrist — OK, maybe you’ve got something digital and plastic in your gym bag — but anything more and you’re asking for trouble. All you need is one good watch.

Convenience and Results

The first consideration for a travel watch and the factor from which all others flow is convenience. The watch you take with you — and I cannot stress this enough — needs to make your life easier. And immediately, we can see the subjectivity creeping in. Your watch should, broadly speaking, enhance your travel experience. Or, to put it another way, you don’t want to be worrying about your watch on the road. For most mere mortals, I’d make the bold suggestion that anything finicky — be it valuable vintage or highly complicated — should probably stay in the safe.

I don’t think I’m way out of line here, but for me, convenience while traveling comes down to three words: grab and go. After the numbing soul-drag of long haul flight and associated jet lag, I often struggle to remember my own name and the location of my passport. Any watch-related drama is very much unwanted. So for me, inconvenience includes (but is not limited to) impossible to read, possessing a fiddly crown, a fiddly buckle or crown, or being irritating in any way, shape or form.

Convenience, then, is the primary argument in favor of using a multi-time zone watch while traveling. It makes sense for a dual timer — you have your home and destination locked in, and you don’t need to try and work out time zones as you move through them. In a pinch, a watch with a 12-hour bezel makes a perfectly adequate GMT substitute. And while many purists seem to think the date display was invented by the dark lord himself, when you’re tracking multiple time zones, I’ve always found it pretty handy.

Grand Seiko’s latest automatic GMTs look the part and are built to last

If you’ve ever set the time in an airport lounge, you’ll likely understand just how great a modern caliber with quick-adjust hours is. Popping the crown out to the desired position and breezing through a bunch of hours without messing with the minutes makes changing the time idiot-proof, and in my book, that’s a good thing. On the other side of the fence, world timers are often billed as travel watches. And while I’m sure they work for some people, for my tired eyes, there’s just too much information packed on the dial for them to be optimal.

It should come as no surprise that Rolex’s GMT- Master, for many the ur-travel watch, comes equipped with all these bells and whistles. Makes sense really.

Designed explicitly with travel in mind, there’s a reason Rolex’s famous GMT-Master is a constant contender for “best travel watch”

Comfort is King

I know I said above that convenience is the primary consideration in a good travel watch, but you can make a strong argument for comfort. After all, if you’re wearing one watch for an extended period of time, those little niggles that you might overlook during occasional wear become amplified: the sharp edge of a clasp, the way a crown digs into your wrist on a certain angle. On the road, these details matter. Balance on the wrist also matters. Your deep diver might tick all the boxes below — indestructible, rock solid and more than up to the task — but say it’s 45mm across and 15mm tall, this brick of a watch might not be the one to take. In my experience, a height somewhere between 8 to 12 mm is the real sweet spot for a comfy travel watch. Not so slight that it feels insubstantial and not so massive that narrow doorways stress you out. In terms of material, steel is the default, but titanium and even bronze are solid options too.

The case is only part of the comfort conundrum; the strap matters too — specifically what it’s made out of. It might also be an idea to ditch the fine alligator strap; rubber and bracelets are your friend. Rubber especially, as it’s typically a more under-the-radar option than a perhaps blingy bracelet. Fabric is another great choice (and any form of single-pass strap offers additional security benefits, more on that in a second). Scrapes and sweat don’t stress rubber out, and scratches are part of the appeal of a steel bracelet.

Keep it Safe

Horror stories around watches and travel abound. From watches going missing at airport scanners to targeted — and sometimes violent — crime. It’s a wild world out there, and it never hurts to play it a little safe. If you typically wear a recognizably pricey piece, from Richard Mille down to your shinier Rolex pieces, consider whether or not that’s something you need to do, based on your destination. And, regardless of your watch, it doesn’t hurt to take a little security advice from Gandalf in Lord of the Rings: Keep it secret. Keep it safe. Not that we’re suggesting you entrust your watch to Elijah Wood and his fantasy friends, but having a sleeve you can use to discreetly cover your watch isn’t the worst idea in the world. In fact, most watch-related safety advice comes down to common sense. Don’t be flashy, don’t travel with anything you can’t afford to lose. Simple stuff, really, but worth it.

Another aspect of safety has nothing to do with ill-intent and everything to do with a poorly timed mechanical failure. If you’re really putting your watch through its paces, or just love redundancies, consider the humble NATO strap. Aside from dressing down any watch, the greatest advantage of this sort of strap is the fact that should a spring bar fail (hey, it happens), your watch is staying safe on your wrist.

Reliable and Rugged

The hypothetical scenario of the popping spring bar highlights another important factor in a travel watch — reliability. To really break it down, you need to think about the inside and the outside of your watch. For the mechanism, go with something that works. That vintage chronograph that hasn’t been serviced in the last generation and is full of “quirks” is not the watch you want to be relying on when you’re running late for the train. Instead, go for something that’s never steered you wrong.

In fact, travel is one place you can make a particularly strong argument for quartz. Say what you will about the so- called evils of the crystal oscillator, it outshines mechanical tech for both accuracy and reliability. In terms of the exterior elements — go for something you’re not afraid to knock about, or wear in a surprise rainstorm. Steel case, sapphire crystal, 100+ meters of water resistance. This is the sort of combination you should be considering.

Autodromo’s Group B ‘Safari’ is a stylish integrated alternative

Fun in the Sun

If by this point in the article you’ve come to the conclusion that the only watch you’re allowed to travel with is a G-Shock, that’s … kind of fair. Honestly, they make a great travel watch — especially if you have one with Bluetooth and the app, which means you don’t have to deal with pushing buttons. But also, I’m prepared to admit that a bunch of silicon chips wrapped in plastic might not be everyone’s idea of a good time, especially if your regular rotation includes some of Switzerland’s finest. Fun is as important as — if not more than — every other aspect on this list. In fact, they’re intermingled. Having had the privilege of wearing (borrowed) watches I will never be in a position to afford, I can tell you — it’s not as fun as it might seem on Instagram. It’s stressful and anxiety-inducing.

G-shock has a legendary reputation for tougness which is well-earned, and the GM 2100-IA adds some style

Luckily though, there’s a new breed of watches that do a very good job indeed of having real character and personality, while not being catastrophic if damaged. Really want that mid-century chronograph feel? Try Furlan Marri — they’re quartz, they’re cool, and they retail for a few hundred. Retro divers more your style? How about Baltic? The Aquascaphe is an outstanding watch, and it even comes in a GMT — perfect for travel. Want that integrated steel flex? Have a look at Autodromo. It comes packed with personality but without quite the same conspicuous silhouette.

Want to travel in vintage style without the drama? Try Furlan Marri

The three above examples are priced between a few hundred to a few thousand and are all less obvious, but still cool options. Sure, you can travel with your usual fare of Rolex, Omega and the like, but, just like travel, I find the best experiences are slightly off the beaten path.

Find Your Own Path

The dream of the ideal travel watch is precisely that — a glorious, if impossible, dream. No single watch will do all the things for all the people, but that doesn’t stop watch brands from trying their darnedest to make one, or convince us they’ve made one. And while your mileage may vary when it comes to my somewhat arbitrary criteria, I hope you find your perfect travel companion. Happy Trails!

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How to Pack and Travel with Your Watches

Let the watches you travel with enhance your memory-making and selfie-taking adventures.

By Zen Love

Next time you’re packing for a trip , consider the watch or watches you take with. If the itinerary includes the likes of, say, business as well as time on the beach, you might be taking more watches than the one on your wrist. Whatever your circumstances or reasons, here’s what to consider and how to travel better with your watches.

Choose which watches to take

Some watches, like GMTs and world timers , were originally designed specifically to help travelers manage different time zones. Those are great for business and the journey itself — and some are even water-resistant enough to function as dive watches — but also consider the types of activities and situations your trip might entail. The weather and climate are other factors that’ll affect what you wear — and how many layers of cuff your watch will need to fit under (if any).

Often, however, simply being in unfamiliar surroundings can make travelers vulnerable, and you might want to have the option of an inconspicuous, inexpensive watch on hand for, say, exploring a new city on foot. Something like a simple G-Shock is often a great choice for this kind of travel.

Protect and carry your watches easily

Watches are such small items that you can easily stuff a couple in one of your bag’s inner pockets. However, that usually works better for watches on straps than those with bracelets that might not be totally flexible. There are reasons that options like cases and rolls specifically meant for watches exist. Of course, they are meant to keep your watches from getting scratched and banged by other items, but they’ll also keep them organized.

These aren’t strictly necessary items, though — if you’re resourceful and on a budget, a pair of socks will do: roll up one and wrap the watch around it and then stuff it in the other. Done! Dopp kits are another discrete and convenient option. At the other end of the spectrum, there are even the likes of ~$13,000+, GPS-equipped, portable bolt-locking rolls encased in high-end leather from German safe maker Dottling .

Adapt a single watch for multiple roles

Sometimes you may even be able to get away with one versatile watch . One with a 12-hour bezel can be used to track a second time zone, and changing straps can dress the same watch up or down as appropriate for the time, place and company you’re in. Straps are super easy to carry, but be aware that a strap-changing tool may need to be kept in checked luggage.

Best-Stocking-Stuffers-for-Watch-Enthusiasts-gear-patrol-WW-Strap-Tool

Other good practices

Keep valuables on your person or in your carry-on, and keep your carry-on in sight while en route (as airport security announcements remind you). Always make use of the safe provided in most hotel rooms for any valuables like watches when you leave the room. If you’re traveling with anything fancy, it could be a good idea to get insurance, as watch warranties don’t cover theft or loss.

Most importantly, let the watches you take with enhance your memory-making and selfie-taking adventures.