Today's watches can be almost anything you want them to be. Some people might want a calculator. Others might like a watch that offers video games, a digital camera or even a cell phone. But an athlete wants functions that help him excel at a sport.
Functions
One of the basic functions that athletes want in their watches is a tachymeter. This is the outer scale bezel that is inscribed around the rim of the watch. This tool is used to compute speed based on the time traveled over a fixed distance. For example, you can use the tachymeter to figure out how fast you run the mile. Consider a runner going around a track. You start the chronograph when the runner passes the starting line. When he reaches the next mile, you stop the chronograph. The point on the tachymeter scale that is adjacent to the second hand of the watch indicates the speed in miles per hour.
There are also other functions that athletes want to consider - like divers who will use a rotating bezel function as a bottom timer and backup to computers when diving.
water-resistance
A watch's ability to withstand water is also important to many different kinds of athletes, such as divers or those involved in water sports. A watch marked as water-resistant, but without a depth indication, can only handle a splash of water. It cannot go under water. In order to consider a watch truly "water-resistant, " the watch needs to indicate the depth of water it can sustain - primarily expressed in meters. The following is an indication of a watch's ability to resist water:
? 30 meters (100 feet): This watch can withstand getting caught in the rain or a splash of water. Do not wear it swimming or diving.
? 50 meters (165 feet): You can wear this watch in the shower or even splashing about in the shallow end of a pool.
? 100 meters (330 feet): This watch can be worn swimming or snorkeling.
? 150 meters (500 feet): This watch will take you snorkeling and it meets ISO standards and can be worn for scuba diving.
? 200 meters (660 feet): Go deep with this watch. It is cleared for scuba diving.
Styles
While athletes look for certain functions to meet their needs, they also want a stylish watch that they think reflects their personality. Unfortunately, people often get a watch that meets their needs, but fails to reflect their style. Luckily, there are watches that do both.
Consider the Invicta men's Sea Spider quartz watch with a polyurethane bracelet and a round black dial that resembles a spider's web. Coming in a choice of a bright lime, red or yellow dials, the Sea Spider will really catch your eye. Its round silver-tone stainless steel case features easy-to-read Arabic numerals at all even hour positions on the bezel. You will find luminous Tritnite Arabic numerals at all hour positions, as well as Tritnite hour and minute hands. The black polyurethane strap fits adjusts up to a 9?- inch wrist, and secures with a deployant clasp.
For a watch that is a little more high-tech, check out Ebel's Swiss automatic black chronograph watch with a technofiber strap. This all-black timepiece features a black stainless steel hexagon-shaped case with a matching black technofiber strap. It's made with a Swiss automatic movement and has a chronograph and tachymeter scale on the outer flange. It also has the prerequisite screw-down crown and is water-resistant to 200 meters (660 feet).
For something different, consider Tag Heuer's Swiss automatic chronograph black dial with a rubber strap. If you are watch collector, this is a compelling addition to your collection. It features a black stainless steel case and a matching rubber strap made to look like embossed leather. The timepiece features a tachymeter surrounding the bezel and a black dial that shows off the chronograph subdials. It is all powered by a Swiss automatic movement. It is water-resistant to 100 meters (330 feet).
You will find Montblanc sport Swiss automatic watch to be a very striking timepiece, complete with its alligator strap. Montblanc, known for its legendary pens for more than 100 years, has also introduced some fine watches. This model features a stainless steel case with a diamond-like carbon coating. The automatic movement comes with chronograph functionality - all secured with a black alligator strap. This watch is water-resistant to 200 meters (660 feet).
The bottom line is that athletes can easily find a watch that offers all the functions they need - tachymeter, chronograph and water-resistance. But they can also find watches that do all that - and reflect their sense of style and fashion. Why not get both?
