Most trips begin with being at the right place at the right time. From catching a train or plane to making sure you’re on schedule for when a museum or park opens having a reliable watch on your wrist is, well – a timeless tool.
Travel Watches Worthy of Your Time
While keeping accurate time is the top task of any travel watch worth your time. You'll find that with the uptick in smartwatches not only will you have the right digits on your arm, you'll also be able to pinpoint your location, tune in to music, and even pull up your travel itinerary all with a slap swipe on the wrist.
Whether your style leans traditional or to tech-savvy modern, the following seven watches have all the arrows pointing in the right direction to make your next travel adventure a time to remember.
Apple Watch Series 4 (GPS, 40mm)
The leader in the clubhouse when it comes to form and function, the Apple Watch is more than just a flashy tech accessory; it's a top-notch travel tool. The newest incarnation of Apple's watch series 4 features a 30% larger display, ECG heart monitor, and a gyroscope for fall detection. While some of those features might not translate to travel; the watch's GPS, sleep tracker, world clock functions will make your travels all the much easier. Tack those tools on top of apps that present your boarding pass, pull real-time weather, and quickly calculate currency exchanges, all on your wrist – and you'll be spared from fishing around in your purse or pocket looking for your phone at a moment’s notice.
Amazon User Review: “Recently changed careers which requires me to travel and work on projects more so I wanted something where I don't have to constantly carry my phone. The activity app motivates me to work out more and stay more active. I've been so in love with this watch I can only recommend this to others.”
Price: Starting at $349.99 on Amazon
Average Star Rating: 4.7
Citizen Men’s Eco-Drive Promaster Diver
A technical dive watch with all the style and simplicity to double as your everyday timepiece, the Citizen Men’s Eco-Drive Promaster ticks all the boxes for the overseas traveler – and undersea ones too. With water resistance to 200m/660ft, it’s a choice pick to pack along on all your trips including some scuba, snorkel, and swimming adventures. Its Eco-Drive technology means the watch is powered by light, so you’ll never need to open the factory-sealed case and pop in a new battery. Extra style points on the scuba tank display packaging it arrives in.
Amazon User Review: “This watch includes everything I wanted: a sleek sporty look, potentially something that Jason Bourne or James Bond would wear… The coolest part is, it will never need a battery and is powered by the sun.”
Price: Starting at $211.11 on Amazon
Average Star Rating: 4.7
Samsung Galaxy Smartwatch (42mm)
For all the Apple holdouts of which there are many, Samsung’s Galaxy is a fitting rival in the evolving arena of smartwatch options. Built to last the Galaxy watch can last for days without requiring a charge and claims military-grade durability. Beyond its physical construction, the Galaxy flexes its computing power with pinpoint GPS so you'll never feel lost arriving in a new destination. Samsung Pay to speed up payments and avoid foreign ATM fees. And heart monitoring specs to give you a realtime readout on how thrilling your trip actually is.
Amazon User Review: “This watch is amazing, I have never had a watch before so this is my first but you can do so much with it. Measure your stress levels quite accurately, be able to see how long/well you sleep, calories, steps, and lots lots more in regards to health/calories/fitness.”
Price: Starting at $109.99 on Amazon
Average Star Rating: 4.2
Casio Men’s Digital Watch
Consider this an international upgrade of the Casio Calculator Watch you had in high school. Highlighted with a World Time feature that allows all 31-time zone settings amongst 48 city code displays, this Casio Digital Watch will keep you on the hour anywhere on earth. All for under 20 bucks! Break it down, and you're paying about 50 cents per city setting and less than a dollar per time zone; making it a perfect choice for all the thrifty world travelers out there. The stainless steel variation runs about $7 more, but it's money well spent for the added style factor.
Amazon User Review: “I travel a lot, across many time zones, and I like being able to see local time and home time at a glance. Next, it's an absolute beater - at this price I don't really care what happens to it. I'm not concerned putting it in harm's way or wearing it in, shall we say, sketchy areas.”
Price: Starting at $19.60 on Amazon
Average Star Rating: 4.7
Casio Baby-G Analog-Digital Watch
Can’t decide between an analog or digital look? You won't have to with this travel-friendly dual version of Casio’s Women’s Baby-G watch series. For the unfamiliar, G-series watches provide extra protection from bangs and bumps accrued from an active lifestyle and travel calendar with a shock-resistant casing. In line with other Casio travel watches, this Baby-G is fitted a World Time feature allowing you to sync up with 29 time zones across the globe. Don't sleep on its five-alarm setting feature either!
Amazon User Review: “I have multiple Casio watches (they all still work) and won't buy anything else. I put them through a lot and they get a fair amount of hits (Mountaineering, hiking, rock climbing, traveling with heavy luggage hauls, etc.) I get compliments on the style and I'm happy with the robustness and longevity.”
Price: Starting at $88.18 on Amazon
Average Star Rating: 4.5
Fitbit Versa Lite Smartwatch
If you’re looking for an inexpensive fitness tracker and travel watch all tied up by one sleek strap – then the Fitbit Versa Lite will wrap around your wrist like a wonder. Working out on the road is a tough routine to keep up with, but Fitbit Versa Lite will keep you accountable on your trip after grabbing that Cinnabon on your way to the gate. Track your sleep to combat jetlag and connect the Versa to your smartphone’s GPS and track all the ground you’ve covered when exploring a new city.
Amazon User Review: “Best Fitbit watch I’ve ever had. It’s so much better than the blaze (which was the last watch I had). I love that it is waterproof up until 50 meters. Can’t wait to wear it while swimming. I love the brighter screen and the wrist band is so much more comfortable than the one that came on the Fitbit.”
Price: Starting at $185.79 on Amazon
Average Star Rating: 3.7
Timex Women’s Expedition Mini Watch
Searching for a slimline lightweight watch to become your new trusty travel companion? Look no further than the Timex Women’s Expedition Mini Watch. Don’t be fooled by its casual look, the Timex Expedition series is specifically tested to take on the elements. It’s water resistance to 165 feet, 8-year battery, and Indiglo night-light features will come in handy for globe trekkers getting in touch with the great outdoors. Available in three different color combinations to best suit your individual style.
Amazon User Review: “I have just ordered my second Expedition watch. My first one lasted for years, the first year on our boat traveling followed by 5 years living in the rainforest in Central America. At times, I would go for weeks without taking it off....in and out of the shower, the ocean and even the kitchen sink. It survived high altitudes and the incredible humidity and heat of the jungle and never lost time.”
Price: Starting at $36.53 on Amazon
Average Star Rating: 4.5
