A watch is an essential piece of equipment for any explorer, whether you are climbing up mountains, hiking through the jungle or diving around shipwrecks, a watch does more than just tell the time, it can keep you safe too. Check out our favourite mechanical watches by category for scuba diving, mountaineering, paragliding, and sailing. 

For most extreme sports, there are a range of strap-on computers to give you every single piece of information you could possibly need to keep you safe, but there is just one hiccup, and that’s the battery. If the battery dies on you, you end up with no information, which means if you are 30 meters under the water without knowing how much air you have left in your tank, or on the top of a mountain and oblivious to a blizzard heading your way, you are going to be in trouble. A mechanical watch is the best backup you can have. Mechanical sports watches also have the additional advantage of looking super cool too so you can wear them when you are out on the town too, impressing everyone with your adventurous style!

And if you aren’t adventurous at all and just like the sporty look then these watches are definitely going to up your style game!

Scuba Diving with the Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean 600M

 

The Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean 600M is made for the ocean, as its name would suggest. With an impressive 600 meters of water resistance, a blue ceramic unidirectional rotating divers’ bezel with a Liquidmetal diving scale, and extendable clasp to go over a wetsuit, it is a serious piece of equipment. It is photographed here at the America’s Cup, where nothing is left to chance!

Available here

Mountaineering with Norqain Adventure Sport Chrono 44

 

The Norqain brand was designed for adventure and its Adventure Sport series is one of the most robust in its line. This model that also goes under the nickname of #nosnownoshow was also made for the mountains with its Kevlar strap that includes a RECCO rescue technology chip in case you get caught in an avalanche. It is powered by an automatic chronograph movement that also indicates the date, and comes in a 44mm stainless steel case.

Available here

Paragliding with the Oris Big Crown Propilot

 

If your idea of adventure is taking to the skies, the Oris Big Crown Propilot could be the watch for you. It is the world’s first automatic mechanical watch that features a mechanical altimeter so you can check your altitude with a simple glance as you glide through the sky. This model comes in a 47mm stainless steel case and is paired with a nylon strap.

Available here

Sailing with the Panerai Luminor Regatta Chrono Flyback

 

Sailing is a sport where timing is essential, especially the countdown to the start. Panerai’s Luminor Regatta Chrono Flyback was made just for that with its flyback chronograph movement with second reset. It is also water resistant to 100 meters and comes in a  tough 47mm titanium case. The dial is also of particular note with its luminescent markings, orange touches, and striking blue second hand.

Available here