Stop watches
Stopwatches for training and competitions
Stopwatch buying guide: choosing the right stopwatch for competitions and training at school and in clubs
On your marks, get set, go! Sports stopwatches show exactly who’s the fastest – whether swimming, running, rowing or cycling. You can choose between stopwatches for placing on a table, hanging up, wearing around the neck, or as wrist and finger watches. In addition to basic start/stop functions, modern stopwatches can record split times and count laps and lengths. But which functions do you really need? What really matters? In this buying guide, we show you what to look out for when purchasing a stopwatch.
- Digital or analogue? What types of stopwatches are there?
- Hand stopwatch vs. stopwatch with wrist strap
- Stopwatches for swimming: waterproof or splashproof?
- Stopwatches for children
- Stopwatches for lessons: Time Timer
- Buying criteria: many functions, easy handling
- Battery replacement, care tips and safety information
- Alternatives to classic stopwatches
1. Digital or analogue? What types of stopwatches are there?
You use stopwatches whenever you want to time a process – most often in sport. The main distinction is between analogue and digital. Mechanical stopwatches are analogue. This means that, as with a normal clock, the hand moves in one-second steps until it is stopped manually. Digital means that the time is shown in digits. Here, measurements accurate to one hundredth of a second are possible. Both digital and analogue sports stopwatches are suitable for training and competition.
2. Hand stopwatch vs. stopwatch with wrist strap
The advantages of stopwatches are obvious: they are small, handy and lightweight – they fit in any pocket. They are robust, withstand shocks when running or being dropped, and are very easy to use. Many coaches and PE teachers swear by traditional neck-strap stopwatches. This way, your hands stay free and the stopwatch is always ready to use. A favourite among athletes for decades: the crown stopwatch. It works without batteries and is the perfect stopwatch for PE teachers who only need start, stop and reset and can do without extra features. However, if you want to use your stopwatch for interval training or to store lap times, it should definitely offer additional functions such as countdown, alarm, lap count and lap/split times.
Wearing stopwatches on the wrist is particularly useful for runners and referees. Special referee watches ideally feature a large 3-line display that shows match time, stoppage time and current time simultaneously and remains easy to read during play.
3. Stopwatches for swimming: waterproof or splashproof?
Stopwatches used at the pool must at least be splashproof. If you want to wear your watch during swimming, a waterproof stopwatch is an absolute must. But what is the difference between splashproof and waterproof? Here’s what the different ratings mean:
- Splashproof: These watches can handle a few drops of water but should generally be kept away from water.
- Water-resistant 3 bar (3 ATM): Watches with this rating withstand splashes and sweat.
- Water-resistant 5 bar (5 ATM): These watches cope with handwashing, rain, washing up, showering, car washing, skiing and trekking.
- Water-resistant 10 bar (10 ATM): You can wear these watches while snorkelling and swimming.
- Water-resistant 20 bar (20 ATM): These watches are suitable for diving.
Good to know: If there is no water-resistance rating on a stopwatch, it is not protected against water.
4. Stopwatches for children
Kids love colour – and most children’s stopwatches come in fun, bright designs. Just as important as the look, however, are a large display and easy operation for small hands. Three buttons for start, stop and clear are enough. Our tip: Look out for children’s stopwatches with intuitive operation using colour-coded buttons: red – stop, green – start and yellow – clear!
5. Stopwatches for lessons: Time Timer
Timers are a great alternative to stopwatches in schools, in lessons and during therapy sessions. Unlike a stopwatch, where time is shown as moving hands or digits, a timer displays the remaining time visually. A coloured disc shows how the time counts down. The coloured area gradually shrinks. This allows everyone to see at a glance how much time is left – even those who cannot yet read a conventional clock. Both short and long periods become “tangible”. Timers are ideal wherever effective time management is important: in school exams and tests, for group activities and meetings, or in therapy.
6. Buying criteria: many functions, easy handling
When choosing the right stopwatch, make sure it is perfectly matched to your needs. For individual running sessions, a simple finger stopwatch may be the best solution. For timing at school sports days and athletics meets, you’ll need a stopwatch with plenty of memory. High-quality sports stopwatches store additional data and offer detailed analysis options. Stopwatches with an integrated printer – so-called printers – can even print results directly on site. Especially if you’re buying your stopwatch online, ask yourself beforehand: which functions do I really need?
- Start/stop
- Countdown
- Lap times (Lap)
- Split times (Split)
- Addition (partial distances without breaks)
- Pacer (metronome)
- Memory with analysis (maximum capacity varies)
- Date display
Conclusion: Our experience shows that the 3 most important buying criteria for stopwatches are an easy-to-read display, simple operation and comfortable handling.
7. Battery replacement, care tips and safety information
The most common question about stopwatches is: can I change the battery myself? Unfortunately, there is no universal answer – but in most cases, yes. Information on battery replacement can be found in your stopwatch’s user manual. In addition to instructions on how to open the battery compartment, the manual also includes many tips on servicing and caring for your stopwatch – depending on the type of watch.
One more note on wall-mounted stopwatches: For your safety, stopwatches used in sports halls should be fitted with safety glass.
8. Alternatives to classic stopwatches
In today’s world, new products appear every day and traditional devices are constantly improved. So there are now good alternatives to classic stopwatches, such as chronographs, activity trackers and smartphones.
Chronographs are wristwatches with an integrated stopwatch function. They are practical for recreational runners but cannot record the training performance of several athletes at once.
Activity trackers often offer many functions and a small, stylish display – not ideal if your main goal is simply to record lap and split times.
Online stopwatches or stopwatch apps for smartphones are free and can work quite well. On the sports field, however, they are only partially practical: your hands are not free when using a phone, and there is always the risk of it falling out of your pocket during exercise.
Good to know: Trends and gadgets aside – in competitions, real stopwatches are mandatory. Whenever accurate timing and performance comparison matter in PE lessons or club sports such as athletics, running or swimming, you’re best equipped with a classic stopwatch.
Whether for school sports days, athletics training at your club, swimming coaches or PE teachers: you’ll find every type of stopwatch for schools, clubs, therapy and competition here in the Sport-Thieme online shop.