Can you play sports with a mechanical or automatic watch ?

A product of engineering and craftsmanship, the mechanical watch captivates with its authenticity. It's only natural to want to keep it with you when going for a run, a swim, or a workout. However, combining fine watchmaking with physical activity requires adhering to certain rules to preserve the precision of its movement without risking damage.

Is it really possible to wear an automatic watch during sports? It all depends on the chosen discipline, the resistance of the movement to shocks and the materials that make up the watch.

Mechanical watches and sports: what you need to know before training

Unlike a quartz movement, an automatic watch works thanks to a meticulous assembly of dozens of mechanical components: gears, rubies, mainspring and balance wheel oscillating at high frequency.

While modern automatic watches are equipped with effective shock-resistant systems, violent impacts or repeated vibrations (racquet sports, intense mountain biking, combat sports) can disrupt the balance spring or damage the pivots. On the other hand, for low-impact activities such as hiking, moderate running, sailing, or competitive swimming, a robust automatic watch is perfectly suitable, provided it meets these criteria:

• A Case made of 316L steel: As a benchmark alloy, 316L stainless steel offers excellent resistance to impacts, scratches and corrosion caused by perspiration.
  
• A scratch-resistant sapphire crystal: Essential for protecting against friction and splashes during outdoor activities.
  
• Proven water resistance (minimum 10 ATM to 30 ATM) with a secure crown: To prevent any water or sweat from seeping in.
  
• A Strap technique: THE leather If you're sensitive to humidity, opt for...waterproof rubber, nylon breathable or stainless steel.
  

Our automatic reference for sports: the Concordia GMT

Designed for exploration and demanding conditions, the Concordia GMT is our automatic watch designed for adventure and exertion.

Designed and assembled in France, it features a Japanese automatic movement Seiko NH34. This GMT caliber, renowned worldwide for its endurance and reliability, incorporates excellent resistance to everyday shocks. Its unidirectional rotating bezel allows you to time a sporting session or track a second time zone in an instant.

• Case : Made of 40.5mm diameter 316L stainless steel, offering a balanced and comfortable fit on the wrist.
  
• Extreme waterproofing: 30 ATM (300 meters) with screw-down crown, ready for swimming, freediving and intense water sports.
  
• Absolute readability: Luminescent indexes and hands treated with Super-LumiNova® for total visibility at night or underwater.
  
• Glass : Ultra-resistant, scratch-resistant sapphire.
  
• 5 dial variations: Tundra (textured white), Black, Blue, Sage, Bordeaux

Thanks to our quick-pump system, you can attach it to a... in seconds. Strap made of waterproof rubber, high-strength nylon or 316L steel depending on your discipline.

Do you play a high-impact sport? The Mécaquartz alternative (GR) & GRX)

For sports involving significant vibrations (tennis, golf, CrossFit, downhill mountain biking), even the best mechanical watch can reach its absorption limits. In this specific case, the Mecaquartz movement is the ideal solution: it combines the exceptional robustness of quartz against vibrations with the pleasure of a mechanical chronograph module.

GR Collection: Sporty endurance in brushed steel

Equipped with Case Made of brushed 316L steel (classic steel finish without PVD treatment), water-resistant to 100 meters and protected by a sapphire crystal, the GR line is ready for action:

• GR Mecaquartz: The ultimate action chronograph, impervious to repeated shocks and featuring an instant reset of the seconds hand.
  
• GR 24H: Powered by a Seiko quartz caliber with a smooth sweep second hand, for a continuous visual cadence without jerks.
  

GRX EVO-III: The stealthy black PVD version

For those seeking the same Mecaquartz technology in a tactical style, the GRX EVO-III dresses its Case 39 mm with a matte black PVD coating, limiting reflections and reinforcing its identity as an exploration watch.