The Best Integrated and Elegant Sports Watches of 2024
We're talking integrated bracelets and luxury sports watches, still a strong category in 2024.
Watches with an integrated design, elegant sports watches, luxury sports watches… Call them what you want, but we’re talking about one thing precisely: watches that play on the vibe created by the AP Royal Oak in 1972, watches with integrated bracelets and a combination of sporty elements and elegance. We’re all well aware that the luxury sports watch segment has exploded over the past few years. To the point where almost all brands had to have one in their collection. This year, we’ve seen the trend slowing down a bit… just a bit, as there were still plenty of elegant sports watches released – the most talked about being undoubtedly the Patek Philippe Cubitus. We’ve gone through all the new entries of this year and have narrowed it down to what we think are the five best in the game in 2024.
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar John Mayer
This QP version of the AP Royal Oak might not be the most revolutionary model of the year, but it is nevertheless an important watch for multiple reasons. For starters, it made a long-term relationship official between the Le Brassus-based manufacture and artist John Mayer, who’s been a collector of the brand for years. For the occasion, Audemars developed a new dial with an unprecedented crystal-like texture, somewhat reminiscent of the famous Tuscan dials. Second, it looks stunning in the metal and comes with everything we’ve always loved in the classic Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar. Last but certainly not least, this limited edition watch is the swan song of this particular movement, which is set to be replaced soon by (probably) a new engine based on the recent calibre 7121.
To discover more about the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar John Mayer, consult our hands-on article here.
Girard-Perregaux Laureato 38mm Sage Green
Born in 1975, the GP Laureato was one of the first watches to hit the then-fledgeling market of integrated elegant sports watches, soon after the RO Jumbo – by the way, the Laureato will celebrate its 50th anniversary next year, so there will probably be some cool things to come. This year, the brand played on the safe side with a new colour on the mid-size edition of the watch. Nothing spectacular, we admit, but still, this Laureato 38mm Sage Green is a very handsome edition. The compact steel case, with a refined in-house calibre GP03300 inside, gets a dial with a soft green colour, still with a clou de Paris embossed pattern and discreet gold touches. It looks good, feels good on the wrist and has undeniable charm in this size and colour combination.
To discover more about the Girard-Perregaux Laureato 38mm Sage Green, consult our hands-on article here.
IWC Ingenieur Automatic 40 Blue
IWC’s take on the integrated luxury sports watch now sports the most classic colour of the category, blue. Last year saw the return of the classic Genta-inspired Ingenieur watch, which made quite some noise with slight controversies regarding its price positioning and movement. That being said, the new Ingenieur 40 was and still is a beautiful watch, with a fine finish for the steel case and a detailed dial. Talking about this textured, soft-iron dial, we now have this classic but appealing dark blue colour in addition to the silver, black and aqua versions of last year. It is paired with a fully-brushed bracelet, and inside is the 5-day power reserve calibre 32111.
To discover more about the IWC Ingenieur Automatic 40 Blue, consult our hands-on article here.
Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda PF Micro-Rotor No Date
Released in 2021, the Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda PF collection – and specifically the Tonda PF Micro-Rotor – sounded the return of the brand to the forefront. A rather sartorial and delicate take on the luxury sports watch concept, it’s been seen in multiple variants, including the classic steel/grey model or the superb full-platinum edition here. This new version for 2024 attracts our attention for two main reasons. One, it has a no-date display that makes it even classier and clean. Second, its finely guilloché dial has a handsome soft gold colour that dramatically contrasts with the cold steel case and bracelet. Inside the case, there are no significant changes as it is still powered by the thin and well-decorated calibre PF703 micro-rotor.
To discover more about the Parmigiani Tonda PF Micro-Rotor No Date, consult our hands-on article here.
Tissot PRX 40 Powermatic 80 Forged Carbon
To complete this list of quite expensive models (to say the least), we move to the other side of the spectrum with a genuinely accessible model and one that packs a punch. While the Tissot PRX Collection needs little to no introduction anymore, the brand still has a trick or two under its sleeve, as this Forged Carbon edition of the PRX 40 Powermatic 80 proves. Exotic in material and looks, with its textured carbon shell (the inner case is made of steel) and dial, it retains everything that has made previous editions of the PRX a success: good proportions, good specs and style. But now, even lighter and bolder. It is worn on a black rubber strap, but we’ve tested it on colourful ones, too, and it works a charm.
To discover more about the Tissot PRX 40 Powermatic 80 Forged Carbon, consult our review with video here.
3 responses
The pink gold laureato with green or blue dial takes it for me. It isn’t in this list though…
laureato looks like the zenith
I was actually looking at the GP Laureato in blue or green, the Zenith Skyline in pink or Tiffany blue, or the IWC Ingenieur in blue.
I had a GP before and I know that is haute horlogerie.
I also had a Zenith, and I love the El Primero movement, but it’s not quite at the same level as a GP. Having said that, I am kind of between the GP and the Zenith (undecided).
I never had a IWC but I read the movement is basically a modified generic movement and not a true in-house design, and is instead made by ValFleurier. I think the IWC Ingenieur is beautiful but the movement is nothing special and IMO the movement is what dictates the price.