There’s a different rhythm when the skies turn grey—a rain-slicked tempo that soaks through cricket nets, turf pitches, and your local padel league (don’t pretend you haven’t Googled one yet). The monsoon might drench your commute, but it does little to slow down India’s sporting pulse. From damp football pitches to humid gym floors, the season demands gear that can handle the elements, and that includes what’s on your wrist.
Enter the sport watch with a fabric or rubber strap: built for grip, splash-resistance, and that quick towel-off after a downpour. These aren’t your dad’s crocodile leather dress pieces—they’re made to move, breathe, and keep up, whether you’re chasing personal bests or a post-match pint. Here are the best picks to weather the storm in style:
Ulysse Nardin Diver Hammerhead Shark
Ulysse Nardin doesn’t do understated divers,and following April’s release of the lightest dive watch ever, the new Hammerhead Shark leans deeper into the brand’s eccentric streak. Its 44mm blue PVD titanium case is bold but wearable, paired with a rubberised bezel and, yes, a hammerhead shark engraved directly on the dial. Part of a conservation-led series in partnership with amputee-turned-ocean activist Mike Coots, the watch is more than just a visual statement. The case features angular cuts, brushed finishes, and just enough theatrical flair to stand out from the usual retro-inspired dive crowd. Inside beats the in-house UN-150 chronograph movement with a 48-hour reserve, shielded beneath 300 metres of water resistance. It’s fitted with a pliant rubber strap that holds up well in sweaty, high-humidity terrain. If your idea of a summer beater includes surfboards, salt spray, and a splash of storytelling, this might be your apex predator.
Price: Rs 17.09 Lakh
TUDOR PELAGOS FXD CHRONO ‘PINK’
Tudor’s playful pink take on the FXD Chrono—created for the Giro d’Italia—is both a nod to the Maglia Rosa and a refreshing aside from the much-adored, rarely-found Black Bay Chrono ‘Pink’. Its 43mm titanium case features fixed spring bars and a bidirectional bezel, built tough for tactical use but reborn here for racing and riding. The matte black dial is accented by subtle pink chronograph hashmarks, while the engraved caseback commemorates the famed cycling event. The in-house Calibre MT5813 powers the watch with 70 hours of reserve, COSC accuracy, and column-wheel architecture. It’s also 200m water-resistant, pairing robustness with a sense of fun. The fabric strap, stitched with a central pink stripe, locks it into wrist with comfort—ready for everything from padel matches to pink gin sundowners. Only 300 pieces exist, making this a rare burst of colour in the Tudor timeline.
Price: Rs 4.78 Lakh (Est.)
G-SHOCK DW-5000R
Some watches evolve. Others endure. G-SHOCK’s DW-5000R is a modern reissue of the brand’s very first release from 1983, updated with sustainable materials and a few smart upgrades—but the toughness? Still uncompromised. The 43.2mm stainless-steel case wears surprisingly sleek thanks to its flat bezel design, while the iconic brick-textured dial pops with red, blue, and yellow—each colour paying homage to a core G-SHOCK trait. The screw-back case and resin strap have been re-engineered with bio-based materials, while a Super Illuminator LED backlight brings it up to speed for night runs or gym sessions. With its origins at Yamagata Casio’s “mother factory,” the DW-5000R isn’t just built tough—it’s also a no-brainer for anyone looking to round out their collection with an inexpensive, history-rich beater that can survive workouts, wall slams, and weekday chaos alike.
Price: Rs 14,995
IWC PILOT’S WATCH CHRONOGRAPH TOP GUN ‘LAKE TAHOE’
IWC’s Top Gun chronographs have long been staples for those who like their pilot’s watches bold, high-spec, and a little offbeat. The quietly-released Lake Tahoe edition ups the ante with a 44mm white ceramic case; equal parts snow-capped Sierra Nevada and spotless Navy dress whites. This isn’t your average cockpit instrument; with pushers in steel, a titanium caseback, and a textured white rubber strap to match, it’s purpose-built but playful. The matte black dial features luminous white indices and a day-date display, all powered by the in-house Calibre 69380—a column-wheel chronograph movement with a 46-hour reserve and soft iron inner shielding. Water-resistant to 60 metres, it’s not a diver, but it’s more than fit for humid training days, coastal drives, and power walks with a view. For those who like their sports watches sharp and just a bit showy, this one’s mission ready.
Price: Rs 11.48 lakh
FAVRE LEUBA CHIEF CHRONOGRAPH
Favre Leuba’s return to chronographs has been subtly building toward this: a modern reinterpretation of its ‘70s-era silhouettes wrapped in an undeniably urban package. The Chief Chronograph walks the line between heritage and refresh, with a cushion-shaped 41mm steel case that’s both sleek and substantial. The vertically brushed surfaces and polished edges elevate it well beyond vintage cosplay, while the sapphire caseback offers a peek at the mechanical movement within. On the dial, an ice-blue sunray finish plays off circular brushed sub-dials and a tachymeter scale—details that speak to motorsport roots but feel equally at home on a cricket boundary. The watch is water-resistant to 100 metres and features a bi-compax layout for easy legibility during workouts or time trials. It’s sold with a robust fabric strap that handles heat, humidity, and day-to-night shifts with ease. Altogether, a stylish sleeper that punches above its weight on both performance and aesthetics.
Price: Rs 10 Lakh (Appx.)
TAG HEUER CARRERA CHRONOGRAPH 44MM STEEL & CERAMIC
TAG Heuer’s Carrera line rarely sits still, but this 44mm steel and ceramic chronograph might just be its most balanced release in years. Dressed in forest green with a matching rubber strap, the watch draws from the brand’s sportier instincts rather than its retro DNA. There’s no faux vintage here—just bold applied indices, a functional ceramic bezel, and a date tucked neatly at 6. The steel case is hefty but wearable, with short lugs and a smooth deployant clasp keeping things in place during more physical pursuits. The Carrera’s engine is the in-house Calibre Heuer 02, offering an impressive 80-hour reserve and column-wheel operation for smooth pusher action. Whether you’re into boxing drills or track runs, it’s the kind of chronograph that makes precision timing feel intuitive, not intimidating. And with its vibrant dial and sporty proportions, it’s as much style statement as it is stopwatch.
Price: Rs 7.23 Lakh
DOXA SUB 200 STEEL BEZEL EDITION
While DOXA’s Sub 300 series tends to hog the limelight, the more accessible Sub 200 has quietly evolved into a versatile, vintage-leaning all-rounder. This year’s update swaps the sapphire bezels for polished steel inserts, toning down the visuals while cranking up everyday wearability. The 42mm case is delightfully wrist-friendly, especially with its 46mm lug-to-lug span and twisting lyre lugs that give off a ‘60s Seamaster vibe. Inside, you get an automatic Swiss movement with date, housed in a case rated to 200m water resistance. But the real fun lies in the colours—eight sunburst dial options from Doxa’s signature signal orange to aquamarine let you pick your mood. Paired with a soft, sculpted rubber strap, this is a sport watch that’s more than ready for padel tournaments, weekend dives, or a coastal holiday packing light.
Price: Rs 1.16 Lakh
