Sporty Watches for Runners

For the runners among us, wearing an accessory like a luxury watch might seem excessive – after all, many runners and other athletes opt for sport watches like an Apple Watch, a Garmin device, or even a FitBit. But believe it or not, luxury watches can be sporty too. In fact, some of the world’s most famous (and expensive!) watch brands – like Richard Mille and Rolex – have created watches inspired by and built for high-performance sports.

Even more traditional brands like Audemars Piguet and Patek Philippe have recently premiered sportier lines, such as the rugged Royal Oak Offshore collection or the Aquanaut that introduces rubber straps and large faces to support athletes in all different kinds of competitions. Today, let’s dive into the world of sporty luxury watches… because trust us, you can do better than a smartwatch.

The story of wristwatches begins with a convoluted history – many historians are unsure of the exact timeline of the wristwatch. However, the general consensus is that wrist watches debuted as a trend for women who did not have pockets in which to hold the then-popular pocket watch. By the early 1900s, however, wrist watches were becoming exceedingly popular – and the pocket watch was soon to be an antiquated piece of history.

Beginning in the 1940s, the new genre of “sport watches” began to boom. These watches continued to showcase decorative and aesthetic elements, but they also began to put utility first. A classic example? The Rolex Submariner, a diving watch launched in 1953. It was the first wrist watch to be waterproof to a depth of 100 meters (328 feet).

Come the 1970s, the world saw a revolution in sport watches with the onset of luxury watchmakers using stainless steel materials. The most notable players in this space at the time were Audemars Piguet, which premiered the classic steel Royal Oak line in 1972, and Patek Philippe, which introduced the ever-popular steel Nautilus in 1976.

Check out an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak or a Patek Philippe Nautilus now, however, and you probably will not find them very “sporty” looking. Changing trends over the 50+ years since these two watches were introduced led to “sporty” watches in the 21st century taking on a different meaning… plus, there are some new players in the sport watch space.

In 2001, new and innovative brand Richard Mille premiered their first watch, the RM 001 Tourbillon. From the get-go, Richard Mille watches have been inspired by high-performance sports – and still today, Richard Mille watches are often produced in collaboration with star athletes like Formula 1 racer Charles Leclerc and tennis great Rafael Nadal.

Now that we have a better understanding of how sporty watches have changed and developed over the past century, let’s dive into our favorite sporty watches of today for runners and other athletes alike…

Richard Mille watches are known across the horological world for their technological advancements and innovative materials. The RM 055 pays homage to pro golfer Bubba Watson’s impressive accomplishments on the green.

Here are some features of the RM 055 watch:

The Patek Philippe Aquanaut is often considered the sportier younger brother of the traditional Nautilus line. It takes inspiration from the shape and structure of the Nautilus while introducing sportier features like a rubber strap and exaggerated case sizes. This model offers an eye-catching orange rubber strap that lends itself to casual, athletic ensembles.

Here are some features of this unique Patek Philippe Aquanaut watch:

While Patek Philippe also makes the Aquanaut with additional bling, like diamond-set bezels, some athletes prefer minimal decoration or gemstones on their watches in order to allow for more high-performance wear.

This Richard Mille RM 11-03 is a limited edition collaboration with Formula 1 racing team McLaren. If you are looking for a sporty watch that showcases a connection to one of the most high-powered sports on earth, look no further than this elite watch that highlights innovative materials like Carbon TPT and black quartz. The self-winding RMAC3 caliber within is visible through the intricate skeletonized dial.

Here are some features of the RM 11-03 “McLaren” watch:

Like the Patek Philippe Aquanaut, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore is an offshoot of the original stainless steel sports watch line from its respective brand. The Royal Oak Offshore line also tends toward oversize faces and rubber straps, sometimes with the addition of extra complications to add to the watch’s functionality and appeal. For instance, this “Grand Prix” model features a 30-second counter among other complications. It is part of a limited run of just 650 pieces, making it a must-have watch for racing enthusiasts and others.

Here are some features of the unique Royal Oak Offshore “Grand Prix” watch:

This striking Richard Mille watch showcases a split seconds chronograph along with an eye-catching yellow rubber strap that is perfect for any sporty wearer who wants to add a pop of color into their ensemble. Like other Richard Mille watches, the RM 65-01 is crafted from only the highest quality materials, leading to a light and flexible silhouette that can withstand even extreme sports. The new and improved RMAC4 caliber elevates this watch to the next level.

Here are some features of the impressive RM 65-01 Split Seconds Chronograph watch:

We talked briefly about the Rolex Submariner earlier in this article, but we wanted to highlight it on our list of favorite sporty watches as well. If you are an athlete or sport-lover looking for a piece of history, a Rolex Submariner might just be the perfect fit. Some Rolex Submariner watches offer a date function while others do not – but no matter which look you prefer, these timepieces are purpose-built diving watches that have stood the test of time. They even have strong associations with Britain's favorite spy, the one and only James Bond.

Here are a few features of this Rolex Submariner watch, which pays homage to its 1953 predecessor:

For the athletes and sport-lovers in your life, you do not have to settle for the ultra-modern (and sometimes aesthetically unpleasant) silhouettes of everyday smartwatches. Instead, upgrade your watch game with a sporty timepiece that still exudes luxury and class. At Avi & Co., we have a broad selection of sporty watches to wear while you’re training and when you’re carbo-loading pasta at that fancy Italian restaurant.

Avi & Co. is a trusted secondary market watch reseller with three upscale boutiques, located in New York City, Aspen, and Miami. No matter where your home base is, we have a store near you where you can stop in and try on the luxury watches of your dreams. Our experienced customer support team can help you find the ideal watch for your lifestyle, athletic pursuits, and unique personal style.

So what are you waiting for? Schedule an appointment today to come visit us in person. When you fasten a luxurious timepiece onto your wrist, you will never want to give it back.