Modern sporty collection
Luxury sport watches bridge the gap between tool watches and haute horlogerie. Models like the Nautilus and Royal Oak created the luxury sports watch category in the 1970s, proving that a steel watch could command gold-level prices through superior design and finishing.
Sport watch buyers should consider the integrated bracelet design (a hallmark of the category), water resistance adequate for daily wear (100m+), movement robustness including anti-magnetic properties, and overall case/bracelet finishing. The best examples feature hand-finished movements despite their sporty exterior.
The luxury sport watch is arguably the most versatile category in modern watchmaking. An Audemars Piguet Royal Oak or Patek Philippe Nautilus is appropriate with everything from shorts to a suit. This versatility drives both demand and resale values.
Zenith watches offer outstanding mechanical substance at competitive prices. Availability is good through authorized dealers, and discounts of 15-25% are achievable. The Chronomaster Sport (Rolex Daytona's spiritual sibling) and Defy Skyline represent the best current values in the lineup.
| Ref | Variant | Market Price | Retail | Own/Yr | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 95.9000.9004/78.M9000 | Skyline Steel/Blue | $5,500–$7,500 | $8,400 | $568/yr | 65 |