The Best Luxury Sports Watches of 2023

We’re all well aware how the luxury sports watch segment has exploded over the past few years. To the point, sadly, where the usual suspects have become unavailable and often subject to speculation. Luckily, though, affordable alternatives have penetrated the market, and even independent watchmakers have stepped up to meet demand. Although the market has calmed down a bit, the luxury sports watch remains one of the most popular segments in the industry. We’ve gone through all the new entries that were released this year and have narrowed it down to what we think are the five Best Luxury Sports Watches of 2023.

From affordable entries to proper haute horlogerie watches, there’s something for everyone to enjoy when it comes to the luxury sports watch. The integrated sports watch design, pioneered by the late great Gerald Genta, hasn’t lost any of its appeal. On the contrary, the segment is booming with newcomers entering the fray. New collections often take a look at the 1970s for inspiration, the era that defined the essence of the luxury sports watch. So, without digressing, here is the selection of the MONOCHROME editorial team for you to enjoy!

Chopard Alpine Eagle 41 XPS Salmon

The Alpine Eagle is Chopard’s answer to what a luxury sports watch can be, and it’s inspired by the St. Moritz launched in the 1980s. Introduced in 2019, the Alpine Eagle collection has come into its own over the past few years with very interesting editions such as this Alpine Eagle 41 XPS Salmon. The 8mm thin Lucent Steel A223 case of this specific model makes for an ultra-comfortable watch on the wrist. And let’s be honest, the iris-like design is just amazing, especially in this gorgeous Monte Rosa Pink tone! Light dances across the dial and the white gold applied indices and hands. It also doesn’t hurt that it comes with the automatic L.U.C 96.40-L movement, driven by a solid gold micro-rotor, and finished to comply with the Poinçon de Genève requirements.

For more details on the gorgeous Chopard Alpine Eagle 41 XPS Salmon, please check our hands-on story here.

H. Moser & Cie Streamliner Small Seconds MicroRotor

H. Moser & Cie has never shied away from creating captivating, original watches to the point where they don’t even need a logo on the dial to be identified as a Moser watch. The Streamliner collection is a perfect example of this unique design philosophy. When introduced in 2020, it made a name for itself with a sleek and curvaceous design, gorgeous dials and ingenious complications typical of the brand. Since then, it has become a popular alternative to the usual suspects. This year’s Streamliner Small Seconds Microrotor was a real highlight for us, and our vote was unanimous. It is smaller and slimmer than before, has a beautifully crafted Grand Feu enamel blue dial, and, on top of that, a new micro-rotor movement! Best of all, it’s not limited (even though it’s not produced in large quantities) and it’s machined from stainless steel.

For more information on the cool H. Moser & Cie Streamliner Small Seconds MicroRotor, please check out our video review right here.

IWC Ingenieur Automatic 40

Speaking of Gerald Genta, IWC took a step back in time with the release of the new Ingenieur Automatic 40 collection. Although the Ingenieur dates back to the mid-1950s, it’s the 1976 Genta-designed version that inspired this long-awaited return. The new Ingenieur is a modern take on the classic one, with a barrel-shaped case, integrated bracelet and a textured dial. Available in stainless steel with silvery-white, black or aqua blue-coloured dials or monochromatic titanium (our top pick from the range!), it’s a very good watch overall. And yes, there was some criticism during the launch and it’s a touch expensive, but we feel IWC has nailed the design and has managed to capture the essence of the old Ingenieur. Plus, and this is not to be overlooked, it wears well.

For more information on the new IWC Ingenieur Automatic 40 collection, please head over to our review here (incl. video).

Louis Vuitton Tambour 2023

As the world’s most valuable luxury brand, Louis Vuitton knows a thing or two about design. Its Tambour watch collection has been around 20+ years already but for 2023, the brand has decided to completely redesign it. The result is a luxury sports watch that is still a Tambour by design but with a fresh appeal and some fascinating attributes. The barrel-shaped case, distinctive for the Tambour from day one, is still there, albeit much slimmer than before and now fitted to an integrated bracelet. This complete turnaround for the Tambour also incorporates a new micro-rotor movement made by La Fabrique du Temps and Le Cercle des Horlogers. The multi-level dials stand out thanks to bold indices and semi-openworked hands. All in all, the new Tambour is a seriously impressive luxury sports watch that will look just about perfect on anyone’s wrist.

For more details on the completely redesigned Louis Vuitton Tambour, please check out our video review here.

Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 35mm

The Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 collection is an immense success story for the brand, but one thing seemed to be missing from the range. Initially, it was presented in a 40mm size, but it wore a little larger due to the non-articulating first link of the bracelet. The smaller 35mm line that was introduced this year fixes that! Not only does it retain the stupidly good looks of the PRX, but it also delivers fresh colours. Next to the established colours in the 40mm range, you can also go for a mother-of-pearl dial or even a full gold look! Regardless of which one you prefer, the PRX Powermatic 80 35mm has boatloads of character and is an excellent value-for-money proposition. All boxes are ticked with this one at a level that’s impossible to ignore.

For more information on the very cool Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 35mm, please consult our hands-on introduction with a video.