Watch Wearing Wednesday: Sperry Topsider Skipper Watch

 Here's another older watch from my collection.  It's a Sperry Topsider Men's Quartz Watch that I first reviewed here back in 2016. I've got some new photos of it that show a little more detail. The thing that is cool about this watch is all the little details and hashmarks.  As is befitting a nautical brand, the watch successfully evokes the instruments of old mariners:  compasses, sextants, and the like.  On the downside, sometimes all those little markings and the date can be very hard to read.

Sperry Topsider Skipper Watch

The watch also has lots of little details like a logo on the strap buckle.  I also like how the stitching reminds me of lines on a sailboat.

Sperry Topsider Skipper Watch Strap and Buckle

The star on the crown is also an interesting detail.  I'm not sure what it's about, but it is a cool little detail.

Sperry Topsider Skipper Crown detail

The watch also has an etched caseback with the Sperry sailboat logo amid a sea of stainless steel waves.  It's the kind of detail that you appreciate over time.

Sperry Topsider Watch Caseback

The wave theme is continued from the dial.  Finally, the date window at 3 o'clock is round like a porthole.  It also mimics the stainless steel ring of the bezel.  I can't read the date without a magnifier, but still . . .

Sperry Topsider Skipper Watch face at an angle to show detail.

You can't find this watch on Amazon anymore.  That's something that makes it unique as well.  Over time, companies enter and exit the watch market, watch models come and go, and the uniqueness of watches surviving in a collection continues to grow.

Wristwatch Review - Men's Sperry Top-Sider Skipper Analog Watch

It's time to review the watch I've been wearing the most this year.  It's my Sperry Top-sider Skipper watch.  I like this watch because it has an interesting dial design and a wonderfully comfortable strap.  This men's watch is a great casual accessory for a night out on the town or just down to the local pizza joint.

Sperry Top-Sider Wristwatch

Sperry Skipper Watch Design

This watch made is in accordance with nautical visions of the same folks who make Sperry Top-Sider shoes.  The dial evokes the compass rose and perhaps--looking at the hour batons--the wheel of a tall ship.  The dial is especially interesting because it has a traditional date window--or porthole in this case--at 3 o'clock and a panoramic view of the exposed date card in the 7 to 10 o'clock positions.  You'll also notice the 24-hour time is shown on the inner circle of the dial.  It's a very cool look.  Unfortunately, those of us who are middle aged and above may find it difficult to read the date and other small markings on this somewhat busy dial.

Sperry Top-Sider Skipper Watch

While some of the descriptions on Amazon claim that the strap is calfskin, this watch most definitely has a silicone strap.  However, it is comfortable and well-made.  I really like the white stitching on the outer edges of the strap.  It adds to the watches nautical motif.  There is a small silhouette of a sail boat on the buckle for the strap.  It's a nice detail for a watch at this price point.

The Sperry Top-Sider has a Small Sperry Sail Boat Logo on the Buckle

Sperry Skipper Watch Proportions

The Sperry Skipper is a well-proportioned watch.  The case is 42 millimeters in diameter and a solid 12 millimeters thick.  It's quite simply not too big or too small.  I find that it stays easily centered on my wrist without trying to escape to one side or the other.  The watch strap is 22 millimeters wide and as you can see just fits my wrist.  I measured the strap as being 13/16 of an inch wide.  The strap length including the watch and excluding the buckle was 9 1/4 inches long.

Sperry Skipper Watch Construction

The Sperry Skipper watch is a well built watch.  It has a stainless steel case and caseback which provides 50 meters (165 feet) of water resistance.  The pliable silicone strap is waterproof and comfortable.  The dial is protected by a scratch resistant mineral crystals.  While this watch may not make it 20,000 leagues under the sea, it will certainly be fine for a typical boater.

Sperry Skipper Watch Recommendation

 Overall, I highly recommend the Sperry Topsider Skipper watch.  I wish that the markings and date portal were a tad larger, but the watch has a distinctive design that really sets it apart from many competitors in it's price range.