Editor’s Note
This piece introduces Rachael Taylor, a leading voice in jewellery journalism, whose expertise and historic role as the first female ambassador for The Goldsmiths’ Craft & Design Council underscore her influence in the industry.
Freelance Jewellery Journalist
Rachael Taylor is a British freelance jewellery journalist, author of six books on jewellery and watches, and contributor to global publications including The Financial Times. A sought-after speaker, consultant, and judge at prestigious jewellery awards, she made history in 2022 as the first female ambassador for The Goldsmiths’ Craft & Design Council. Originally from Scotland, she now lives in Brighton with her two sons.
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I’m Swapping My Everyday Watch for This Sportier Alternative—It’s Far Chicer Than a Whoop
Whether it’s watersports, sprinting or cycling that takes your fancy, these sports watches can all keep up
By
Rachael Taylor
Published
16 July 2026
In
Features
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(Image credit: Hublot)
Whether you are a tennis fan, a runner, a wild swimmer, or you are just looking for a way to accurately pace yourself on poolside margaritas, this summer stylish women everywhere are swapping their everyday timepieces for sportier watches that are every bit as chic as they are fun.
Choosing the right sports watch comes down to the activities you love. If you are a fan of speed or time-based sports, such as athletics, football or motorsports, then you might want to consider a chronograph that can give accurate timing. If watersports is more your vibe, seek out waterproof watches. Most contemporary sports watches will have you covered for a length of the pool, but if you are planning on some serious diving then look for a diver’s watch with greater functionalities to allow you to go deeper. And for sports such as tennis, golf or skateboarding, seek out a shock-proof timepiece.
Summer is also the time for travel. Even if you don’t consider yourself to be the sporty type, a good sports watch can be a great choice for holidays as they tend to be water resistant for beach or pool days, as well as robust enough to survive a sweat-inducing stroll around a market town. A rubber or fabric strap is far more forgiving in the heat than leather one. Stainless steel and ceramic bracelets are also good options.
Buying a sports watch is also a fun way to add a pop of colour to your wrist this summer. Opt for bright shades like pink, turquoise, green and yellow—or go all-white to show off your tan. Whatever your colour or sport of choice, forget the rule book, pile on your favourite bracelets and charms collected from your travels, and create a wrist stack that feels uniquely yours.
Scroll on for our edit of the best colourful sports watches for summer.
TAG HEUER
Formula 1 Solargraph
£1,650 at Tag Heuer
This pastel-pink watch, with design cues inspired by Formula 1 race cars and a super-light bi-directional TH-Polylight bezel, is a playful twist on sporty that is perfect for summer, with a comfy rubber strap and a quartz movement powered by the sun.
Bamford London
Mayfair 2.0 Pink – Off
£495 at Bamford
This Bamford chronograph is really eight watches in one, as it comes with four interchangeable snap-on case attachments (pink, black, white, and blue) and two straps (black rubber and pink-blue fabric).
Swatch
Mission to the Sun
£240 at Swatch
The Swatch Aurelia is designed to withstand water pressure up to 30 meters and the crisp white strap will sit nicely against a wrist of colourful friendship bracelets from your travels this summer.
Chopard
£7,710 at Chopard
When I think of the ultimate summer watch the Chopard Happy Sport watch with floating starfish and diamonds is the dream.
Breitling
Superocean Automatic 36
£6,150 at Breitling
Have no fear on off a boat with this Breitling watch strapped to your wrist, as this 36mm scuba-inspired diver’s watch—which has rainbow-hued indexes and a rubber strap—is water resistant to 300m, as well as shock-, sand- and saltwater-resistant.
Hublot
Big Bang Mint Green Ceramic 33 Mm
£12,200 at Hublot
There is no need to take this watch off when you hit the pool, as the mint-green ceramic Hublot model, with a sporty rubber strap, is waterproof to 100m.
BULGARI
Aluminium Watch
£3,080 at Bulgari
Perfect for showing off your tan, this white Bulgari automatic watch has a chunky 40mm sandblasted aluminium case, with a rubber bezel and bracelet, and an opaline dial.
CHANEL
J12 Watch Calibre 12.2 33mm
£6,600 at Chanel
With a silhouette inspired by racing yachts, Chanel’s iconic J12 sports watch is made from dark-blue ceramic that is seven times stronger than steel, and has a patented clasp that stays secure, even underwater.
IWC Schaffhausen
Ingenieur Automatic 35
£5,720 at Hermes
The Hermès Cut watch with rubber strap, in signature orange, is perfect for a busy summer filled with activities both on land and in the sea.
Casio
Casio 169pb Watch White/pink 45.9 Mm
£59.99
Once seen as the coolest wrist-watch money could by, Baby-Gs are slowing making a comeback and are perfect for the beach. You heard it here first.
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