The 8 Best Fishing Watches
Special Honors
Rolex Yacht-Master 42 A welcome update to a line of timepieces that never really found its footing, this model features a kind of stealth wealth that's built to complement both the aft of a trawler and the deck of a mega-yacht. Its case is white gold, but its understated black face and sporty rubber strap would never give away its full elegance. Be prepared to spend a pretty penny to get your hands on this one. rolex.com
Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Undeniably one of the company's most capable dive models, this lineup offers 600 meters of water resistance, making it suitable for professional scuba excursions. Look for a model with a 24-hour GMT hand and a 60-minute timer bezel to combine classic diving features with the ability to track two time zones at once. omegawatches.com
Editor's Notes
September 27, 2019:
While our last list certainly showed off some excellent options for fishermen, it came up a little short in total selection, missing out on a couple of models that really ought to be considered. One is more of a budget model that cuts a few corners from the very capable Casio timepiece we've ranked at number one, and the other is an undeniably expensive option that offers style worthy of the high seas and a top-tier automatic movement, which is something you won't often see complicated by a tidal information. Out special honors section has taken on a pair of watches, as well, one each from some of the most rugged, water-resistant lines of Rolex and Omega.
Of course, tidal information is only so useful if you plan on doing most of your fishing on a lake, which is why it's important to consider where you like to drop a line before making a purchase. Inland fisherman would likely do better with a watch that can be used to measure barometric pressure, like our Casio at number one, so they can see at a glance when the weather starts to turn long before storm clouds roll in.
Beyond that, we made sure that everything here was at least water-resistant enough to endure the spray of the sea, while some of our models are even suitable for diving excursions. Make sure you pay heed to those specifications, though, and don't go swimming after the one that got away if your watch isn't built for it.