Thinking of Getting an Altimeter Watch? Here’s How it Works

You’ve strapped on a sleek and tech-savvy altimeter watch that knows how high you are — quite literally — ever thought how it manages to do that? Over the years, we’ve seen luxury watchmakers go above and beyond with their watches. From dive watches to sports ones, the list is practically endless. 

If you’ve been begging your friends to tag along on your hikes, but they just don’t seem to come around, an altimeter smartwatch can make just as good of an adventure companion. Here’s how these works of wonders work. 

What is an Altimeter Watch? 

In simple terms, an altimeter smartwatch is a multifunctional timekeeper that monitors different altitudes. This sort of watch is commonly referred to as an ‘ABC’ watch and consists of an altimeter, barometer, and compass. 

If you’re thinking your phone can do the same and more — we’ll stop you right there. Sure, a smartphone can measure the altitude for you, but it’s not always accurate or a reliable option. Especially when your batter runs out, or you’re stuck in the middle of nowhere with poor signals. 

If you ask us, the altimeter watch is built for the wild, the great outdoors. 

How Does An Altimeter Work On A Watch? 

The way this watch works is based on a simple phenomenon — the higher you go, the thinner the atmosphere around you and hence lower the air pressure. Altimeter watches use this atmospheric pressure to estimate your altitude. The good news is that some of the best altimeter watches can track altitude changes in increments as small as 3 feet! This makes them incredibly accurate in terms of readings. 

While these tech-savvy horology timekeepers are quite neat, they do require regular calibration. Ideally, every day. These calibrations require you to adjust your reference altitude, allowing it to account for changes in weather and atmospheric pressure. Google Earth comes in handy when you need to find your exact altitude at your current location. The downside, however, is that you may notice slight fluctuations in readings in varying weather conditions. 

An All-in-One Watch With Altimeter, Barometer, Compass And Thermometer

Girls, guys, whatever you identify as — why would you stop at an altimeter watch when you could have a watch that does it all? When it comes to getting the best altimeter watch, the world is quite literally your oyster. 

A lot of these watches come loaded with additional features such as a barometer (to track weather changes), a compass (for navigation), and a thermometer (to check the temperature at your current altitude). If you enjoy putting yourself in challenging situations, these all-in-one watches can serve as really great survival tools. 

What to Look for in an Altimeter Watch 

You’ll find plenty of barometric altimeter watches in the market, but how do you even begin to choose the ‘right’ one? Here’s some tips we’ve put together that’ll make the process a little easier (fingers crossed!)

Prioritise Durability 

This goes without saying, but when you’re out and about, you need a watch that’ll be able to handle everything nature throws its way. Ideally, you would want a watch that’s rugged and durable, with a sturdy case and a scratch-resistant face. Mineral glass and sapphire crystal are excellent choices. If you’re going to be skiing or mountain biking, make sure you pick one that’s shock-resistant as well. 

Check for Sizing and Fitting 

You’ll probably find this surprising, but unlike your average wristwatch, altimeter watches tend to be larger. Word of advice, before you set out to buy one, try it out at a local store to get a feel of its size and weight. 

However, despite its bulky size, most of these watches are designed to be comfortable for longer wears. If you’re going to be running or biking while you wear one, it’s a good idea to get a rubber or silicone strap which won’t weigh you down. 

Don’t Get Caught Short with Battery Life 

The best adventures often take you far from the nearest power outlet, so battery life is crucial. Some altimeter watches offer solar charging, which can be a great feature if you’re spending days off the grid. Check the battery life on both GPS and non-GPS modes, and consider how long you’ll need the watch to last between charges. The last thing you want is for your watch to die just when you need it most!

Special Features (You Can Probably Do Without) 

It's a good idea to think about any special features that might be important to you. Are you a data geek who loves to analyse your performance? Look for a watch that allows you to download and review your data. 

However, we have to warn you: not all of these features are compatible with every device — especially if you’re a Mac user.

Do You Need an Altimeter Watch?

We’re going to give it to you all straight — not everyone will find a barometric altimeter watch useful. Some of us can’t imagine spending 30 minutes in the middle of nowhere — let alone days! 

But, but. 

If you’re the sort of person who enjoys the outdoors, an altimeter watch is a gadget you probably didn’t realise you needed until now. When you’re miles away from the nearest cell tower and your phone’s down to 5 %, you’re going to need something you can rely on: aka an altimeter smartwatch. 

This sleek gadget is designed to tell you a lot more than just the time. It can measure your altitude, track the temperature and give you a heads-up on changing weather conditions by monitoring barometric pressure. Imagine if you’re in the middle of nowhere and the pressure suddenly starts plummeting, this could help make all the difference between a fun day out and getting caught in a downpour. 

Some of the Best Altimeter Watches We’ve Seen So Far

1. Garmin Fenix 6 Pro 

For those who want the very best of everything, the Garmin Fenix 6 Pro is the ultimate altimeter watch. It’s loaded with features, including detailed topographic mapping, GPS navigation, and a pulse oximeter.

When we say the durability of this watch is unmatched, we mean it. It’s also incredibly accurate, given it collects data from three different satellites (GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo). It’s a little on the pricier side, since it retails between $650 and $950, but it’s worth every penny if you’re someone who’ll make use of everything this watch has to offer. 

2. Casio ProTrek PRW3500-1

Okay, if you thought we forgot about you water-loving folks, you thought wrong. The Casio ProTrek PRW3500-1 has a resistance of up to 200 meters of water, so you can very well take it with you the next time you go snorkelling or diving. Or even the rain — if that’s how much water you’re willing to bear. 

This particular watch also features the Casio Triple Sense Vision 3 engine. What does this mean for you, you ask? Well, it just happens to be incredibly accurate and uses significantly less power! 

3. Suunto Core

We like to call the Suunto Core an all-rounder and you’ll agree with us on this. It’s a watch that does it all. Altimeter? It’s got it. Barometer? Check. Compass? You know it! The best part? You get all this without having to rob a bank! 

It’s packed with features like storm alerts, sunrise and sunset times for over 400 places — basically prepares you for the unexpected. 

4. Garmin Instinct Solar 

If you’re anything like us, you hate the constant worry that a draining batter life brings. The Garmin Instinct Solar keeps going as long as you do, all thanks to it’s solar charging. With features such as GPS navigation, heart monitoring and multiple sports modes, this altimeter watch is built to military standards. 

5. Tissot T-Touch Connect Solar 

Just because we’ve numbered the Tissot T-Touch Connect Solar at number five, doesn’t mean it’s not just as stylish and functional as the ones above. It’s got scratch-resistant sapphire glass, a titanium case, and is power on solar energy so you never have to worry about running out of juice. Ever again. 

It’s the priciest one out of the list (standing at $1,050, yikes!) but, it’s worth every penny if you ask us. 

To Buy or Not to Buy — Is An Altimeter Watch Worth it? 

We’ve raved plenty about the altimeter smartwatch — they’re durable (read: practically indestructable) and packed with plenty of great features. 

Let’s get real, though do you absolutely need one? Maybe. Maybe not. 

If you’re someone who enjoys spending their free time trekking or biking, the altimeter watch can be a complete game-changer. If you’re the occasional, once-in-a-blue-moon sort of hiker, this watch probably has little to offer. Especially since you can do all that and more with simpler tools and apps. Plus, do you really need to know your altitude at every given moment? 

Still not convinced? Why not explore our extensive range of premium-class, pre-loved, gently used luxury watches at Love Luxury in the meantime? We’ve got something for everyone (no, seriously, we mean it).