BEST WATCHES FOR RUNNING – GO THE DISTANCE

Sometimes sports and horology entwine in the most interesting of ways. My mind immediately races (pun intended) to Rolex and their enduring heritage with motorsport. The luxury watch brand is almost synonymous with the timekeeping of Le Mans and an official sponsor for 30 years. In early 2013, Rolex became a Global Partner and Official Timepiece of Formula 1®, the pinnacle of motor sports. More info can be found here about Rolex partnerships. 

With regards to running, this is where the incursion of smartwatches has put traditional chronographs out to pasture. I do enjoy running although wouldn't go so far to brag about being called a runner. However, as it's a form of meditative cardio I enjoy greatly, only second to boxing, I have done some research into the best running watches on the market currently. Here are some research notes I'd like to share with you all. 

Garmin Forerunner® 55 

Lightweight and comfortable, this smartwatch is the perfect fit for running and for everyday life. Whether you’re running a 5K or sweating it out during HIIT sessions, experience the ultimate in comfort with this sporty silicone band.  This easy-to-use GPS smartwatch is designed for people of all skill levels to track their stats and chase their fitness goals. Monitor your overall health and wellness with wrist-based heart rate and more. With a very accessible price tag to boot, great for entry level runners just starting out in their fitness journey. 

Available through Garmin £180. 

TAG Heuer Connected

A new dimension in watchmaking, this cutting-edge TAG Heuer Connected watch pushes the boundaries of technology. Combining futuristic design features with nods to their watchmaking heritage, this smartwatch blends high-end materials with high-tech functions. You can track your distance, pace, and monitor your heart rate to maximise your training intensity on runs both indoors and outdoors. Reach new peaks. The new altimeter measures and records your altitude and provides more accurate cycling metrics. In the water, tracking your swimming performance allows you to measure laps completed, total distance, and interval breakdowns.  

I like the swimming functionality and the sleek design. Though that comes with a price tag. Available through TAG Heuer £1,550-£1,800.

Apple Watch Series 7

The stainless steel case is durable and polished to a shiny, mirror-like finish. The Milanese Loop is made from a smooth stainless steel mesh that’s fully magnetic, so it’s infinitely adjustable for a perfect fit. There are some rather out there straps you can get with this, but the Milanese looks the most luxurious and I would say the most versatile. I like the fact after your Apple Watch ships, you’ll receive an invitation to schedule a free one-to-one online session where you can cover the topics of your choice. 

Available through the Apple store £649. 

FITBIT Versa 3

Stay on top of your fitness goals with built-in GPS and get a Daily Readiness Score with Premium that tells you what your body's ready for. One of the persuadable features is the vibrate functions on Fitbits that enables you to set those early alarms without waking your partner. Perfect for the early birds who like to get their exercise done before the crack and get a march on the day.

Available now and on sale currently through FITBIT £180. 

HUAWEI WATCH GT Runner

Designed for speed and taking inspiration from the grille of a sports car, HUAWEI WATCH GT Runner features a hollowed-out lug build to allow for a more breathable, comfortable wearing experience. The all-new TruSeen™ 5.0+ hardware upgrade in HUAWEI WATCH GT Runner provides vastly improved heart-rate monitoring even for hard interval training. This happens to be an integral feature for me and others with heart conditions.  Not available to buy retail in the UK due to sanctions. However, you can pick one up on eBay for £250.