Throughout all sports today, watches are on the return, as some players eschew the buzz of connectivity for a light sports watch. Brands like Richard Mille are on point for offering the lightest, tech-iest wrist machines out there, while some top athletes embrace the function-forward aspect of Connected wristwear. Improving your swing might have nothing to do with your wristwear, but its functionality still makes it a vital accessory on the green, no matter the skills of your caddy.
With the help of JC Biver, the doyen of the Swiss watch industry, Norqain has emerged as a maker of tech-forward watches. The Wild One is greener than the most well-kept course, boasting a brawny look and name at odds with the measured tempo of 18 holes, yet it is a perfect companion for a day on the fairways. With a slim 42mm case and clear legibility, the Wild One features a unique shock-absorbing case construction made from the proprietary carbon-fibre composite Norteq. The green middle case is a rubber shock absorber that encases a titanium container for the mechanical movement, providing protection within its 12.3mm thickness. And with a weight of a mere 78 grams, your well-practised swing will not be affected.
Byrne is an independent watchmaker noted for its in-house tech-tastic complications and micro-industrial dial vibe. The brand’s take on a golf-focused watch incorporates a touch of humour and features a remarkably easy-to-read dial. Byrne’s trademark Gyro dial comes in a lustrous deep green, with a rotating surprise at each of its cardinal points: 3, 6, 9, and 12. One side of each cube is an engraved Roman numeral, while the other sides reveal micro art dedicated to the world of golf, including balls and clubs. All four swivel and click instantaneously into place at 12 o’clock, noon or midnight, or by twisting the crown if you need inspiration on the green.
Celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, Richard Mille could never be accused of looking anywhere but forward. And unlike most other brands, its connections with top athletes cross over into stress testing and quality control for its visionary, super-light wristwear. Aptly, Richard Mille just released the RM 55-01, and it feels like a spiritual descendant of the discontinued and Golf-connected RM 055 "Bubba Watson”. Its case lines are instantly recognizable as an RM, and its movement architecture is closely tied to the original RM 55. The RMUL4 movement powering the RM 55-01 is structurally similar to the RMUL2 found in the Bubba Watson RM 055. And the movement weighs under 5g — equivalent to one sheet of A4 paper.
The anti-luxury pick that earns its place by sheer conviction. Built originally for rangers and mountain rescue workers, the Rangeman GPR-H1000 brings GPS tracking, heart rate monitoring, VO2 max, altitude, barometric pressure, compass, tide graph and solar charging into a bio-resin case that could survive a building site. On the course it will outlast the bag, the buggy and probably the golfer. The MIP display reads cleanly in direct sunlight. Indestructible, unapologetically chunky, and oddly compelling.
Consider this the tech twist of this story, as the TAG Heuer Connected Golf Edition is a different kind of smartwatch. At a slim 42mm, TAG Heuer has crafted this edition of its Connected range like a mid-sized luxury watch, separating it from most big GPS-fitness trackers. Set within a black titanium case is TAG Heuer’s clear display, which in full colour will track your progress in real time as you try to improve your swing and aim. It’s like a compact caddie for the wrist, letting you know the distance for the next shot, and a club recommendation. The redesigned interface makes it easier to control the high-resolution 2D maps showing hazards and distances on more than 40,000 golf courses worldwide.