Best watches for overseas travel and domestic travel in Australia

Thanks to COVID, Australians have suffered over two years of lockdowns, closed airports and cancelled travel plans. But now, the skies are filled with planes taking people to their long-awaited holiday destinations. There’s never been a better time to explore for overseas travel. 

But what’s the most important possession of every experienced sightseer? Their travel watch. The right watch will make your overseas travel plans a breeze - for example, you can keep an eye on different time zones, access the internet or look classy dining out in some of the world’s finest restaurants.    

Founded in Adelaide, South Australia, Watch Frontier offers many high-quality watches at competitive prices for the everyday traveller  - stocking brands like Fossil, Armani and Citizen. Wherever you’re planning on going - whether it’s the bustling streets of New York or the serene rice fields of Vietnam - we've got what you're looking for.

We’re also proud to offer Afterpay and ZipPay for every timepiece in our range. Not sure if it’s the right watch for you? We offer free returns - so you can make your purchase with confidence, no matter which timepiece you choose.

So what are the best watches for overseas travel? We’ve pulled together our top picks for your next holiday.

What to look for in a travel watch

Comfort

When you’re hiking through the mountains of New Zealand or exploring the back alleys of Italy, the last thing you need is an uncomfortable watch. So choose a watch made from steel, bronze or titanium. These materials are both lightweight and gentle on your wrist. And opt for a watch height between 8 to 12mm - this makes it durable enough for everyday wear but not so large that you knock it on doors and walls. 

When it comes to comfy watches, straps matter. Not only are rubber straps lighter, but they’re also water resistant, scratch proof and hard-wearing. Alternatively, fabric or leather straps are also a good choice as they mould to the shape of your wrist.

Durability

Who has the time to worry about their watch when you’re trekking through the South African rainforests? Not you. That’s why you need a watch that can keep up with your rough and tumble overseas travel plans.   

Pick a watch with a quartz face. Not only is quartz virtually bomb-proof, but it protects your watch and keeps it reliable for years to come. And choose a watch with a steel case, sapphire crystal and a minimum of 100+ water resistance. This ensures that your timepiece will continue to look good and stay functional - whether you’re caught in another rainstorm in Paris or running with the bulls in Spain.

Extra features

The perfect travel watch is designed to make your life easier. Extra features such as Bluetooth connectivity, alarms, apps and weather forecast can turn a stressful holiday into a dream. 

A smartwatch can provide you with all the travel features you need to plan and navigate your next holiday. Most smartwatches include:

• Alerts and notifications
• Smart navigation
• Time-related extras such as alarms and stopwatches
• Physical activity trackers like pedometers
• Call and messaging capabilities 

At Watch Frontier, we offer a wide range of smartwatches to make planning your next trip easy. Check out our full range of smartwatches here.

Best watches for overseas travel

For the hybrid traveller 

Police Bromo Blue Chronograph Men's Watch PL15657JSBU/03P

With rugged good looks and a tough, yet functional exterior, the pl15657jsbu/03p is just as at home on the muddy terrains of Cambodia as it is at a lavish restaurant in Florence. 

Its unique navy blue colour and bold numbering make this timepiece perfect for the hybrid traveller - someone who loves to get dirty while hiking through the outback and still wants to look good hitting the town in the evenings. And thanks to its hardened mineral glass case, this watch will still look as new as the day you bought it - no matter what you throw at it.

Chuck in a few more features such as a 5 ATM water resistance, sturdy silicon straps and a long-lasting quartz battery, and you’ve got yourself the ultimate travel companion.

For the tech-savvy traveller

Reflex Active Series 5 Silver Mesh Smart Watch RA054015

Sporting Reflex Active’s signature style, the RA054015 features a generously-sized 1.3” touchscreen enclosed in a modern, sleek design. With a whole range of must-have overseas travel features - including a heart rate monitor, music playback and GPS connection - this smartwatch is just what you need to explore new cities and countries and look good while doing it.

And don’t panic about getting a flat battery. A quick two-hour recharging session is all you need to keep your RA054015 running for up to four days.  

Other features include:

• Weather updates
• Step counter
• Receive call notifications
• Sleep tracker
• Distance tracker
• Calorie counter
• Remote selfie camera
• Find phone feature
• Message notifications

For the luxury traveller

Bulova Classic Women's Watch 97L161

Travelling the world doesn’t have to be all mud and dirt - it can be luxury hotels and fine dining. And those looking for a high-class experience will need a high-class watch - that’s where the 97L161 comes in.

Inspired by Bulova’s classic design, the 97L161 is made from gold-tone stainless steel and cradles an elegant, delicate pearl white dial. Its flat sapphire crystal and slim quartz movement make this watch resilient to long travel hours and stylish enough for drinks at the hotel bar.

With a water resistance of 3 ATM and a case thickness of 5.5mm, not only is this timepiece exquisite, but it’s also practical and functional. Now you can enjoy that romantic kiss in the Moroccan rain without worrying about your watch. 

At Watch Frontier, we want to make the experience of buying a watch smooth, easy and stress-free. Couldn’t find the right travel watch for your next overseas travel adventure? There’s plenty more to choose from! Check out our full range here.