Given that an “adventure” doesn’t mean the same thing to all people, it would seem strange to define “adventure watch” with too narrow a meaning. After all, watches that are primed for SCUBA diving, or ones that are meant for the field, or ones that can tell the time in multiple zones simultaneously — all of these are meant to accompany their wearers in some pretty extreme situations, which is what adventure is. It’s braving the unfamiliar.
What follows are some of our favorite adventure watch stories of the year. The next time you have some of the unfamiliar on the horizon, consider strapping one of these on your wrist.

Seiko Launches a New Trio of All-Black Dive Watches
Black dials, black case coatings and vintage-inspired lume give these divers a stealthy edge.

Timex Releases Another Military-Inspired Field Watch
Featuring a classic dial, a 36mm case and two different straps options.

This Affordable Japanese Dive Watch Is Your New Gateway Into Collecting. And It’s Not a Seiko
Your new summer beater has arrived.

Citizen Teamed Up With a Japanese Bagmaker to Create an Old-School Field Watch
It features a classic case and dial but a modern movement.

Mystery Ranch Teams up with Timex to Make a Stealthy Field Watch
It’s a Japan exclusive, but you can still get your hands on one.

Doxa Is Reissuing a Rare Dive Watch and You Can Get a $500 Discount Right Now
You can get this heavy-hitting, (very) limited divers watch for under $2,000.

This Mechanical World Time Diver Is Just an Absurd Amount of Watch for $1,149
Another under-the-radar hit from Ball.

This American-Assembled Field Watch Is Like a Mechanical Shinola
A vintage-style timepiece from an Ohio-based watchmaker.

This Affordable Diver Is Slim and Simple Enough to Be Worn With a Suit
Rocking a minimal dial, a slim bezel and a hand-winding movement.

G-Shock’s New Watch Blurs the Line Between City Style and Field-Ready Ruggedness
A 52.4mm steel case and hard-wearing Cordura strap make this one tough timepiece.

A Group Of Watch Nerds Worked With Oris to Make a Beautiful Dive Watch for Charity
A deep gradient red dial isn’t the only reason to love this limited edition.

Alpina’s New Sub-$1,000 Travel Watch Is Built for Adventure
It boasts a travel-ready GMT complication and a 300-meter depth rating.

This Blacked-Out Timepiece Is How You Do A Minimalist Dive Watch The Right Way
It features a compact, DLC-coated case, a Seiko automatic movement and a unique dial configuration.

A Vintage French Dive Watch Is Reborn — and It Costs Less Than You Think
It’s basically a one-for-one remake of the original.

Weiss Updates and Refines Its Entry-Level Field Watch
Featuring a smaller case and a compact hand-wound movement the brand says is finished and assembled in the United States from Swiss parts.

These Stealthy New Dive Watches From Unimatic Look Fantastic
These four new U1 dive watches from Italian micro-brand Unimatic are stealthy, beautiful, and almost guaranteed to sell out quickly.

This Dive Watch Proves Bronze Cases and Blue Dials Belong Together
A handsome, well-finished watch that’s still water-resistant to 300 meters.

Zodiac’s Super Sea Wolf 68 Is A Celebration Of Dive Watch Heritage
This new watch from Zodiac brings a classic 1960s diver firmly into the 21st century.

A Fan-Favorite DOXA Dive Watch Makes a Return and You Can Get It at a Discount
DOXA’s fast-selling Aqua-Lung reissue is making a return with an understated dial color. Get in on the pre-order and you can save $400.

A New Take on Omega’s Underrated Field Watch Is Inspired By Your Pants
Featuring a dial and strap inspired by the texture of denim.

This Diver-Inspired Collab From Timex Is Highly Affordable
A 43mm watch designed with sneaker brand Greats.

This Thin Bronze Diver Is an Incredible Value for the Money
It even features a chronometer-grade movement with a 5-day power reserve.

This Kickstarter Watch Company Offers a Feature-Filled Diver at A Reasonable Price
And a dial inspired by a sea urchin skeleton. Really.

The Rado Tradition Captain Cook MKIII Is An Automatic Diver in Titanium
An updated take on a vintage model with modern proportions and a titanium case.

Ball Introduces Yet Another Watch That Looks Like It Could Withstand A Nuclear Strike
There are purpose-built tool watches, and then there are Ball watches. This is the latter.

Timex’s Aluminum Field Watch Now Comes in Four Conspicuous Colorways
Eschew the drab field watch look for bright neon.

An Experimental Watchmaker Releases a Funky Chronometer Dive Watch
Featuring a movement with silicon parts and unique design details.