From classic sailing watches to the latest high-tech diving watch, perhaps no-one knows the ins and outs of a great timepiece quite like a superyacht owner. If you're looking for inspiration for your next investment why not heed the top picks of these experienced sailors...

Matty Zadnikar: Breitling x Bentley

“Breitling for Bentley B05 Unitime, because it’s very masculine, it has multiple time zones, which make it easy when you travel, and because I’m a Bentley ambassador,” says Matty Zadnikar, owner of 28.5 metre BenettiMister Z.

For Ömer Malaz, owner of 25.9 metre explorer yacht Minella, it has to be an "Audemars Piguet Grand Prix Carbon – it’s light, colourful and very masculine.”

“Apple Watch with cellular," says Bill Joy, owner of 58 metre Royal Huisman sailing yacht Ethereal. "I turn off all notifications, including for texts, and leave my iPhone behind, but am still reachable by phone calls for emergencies.”

A two-tone Rolex Oyster Perpetual is the pick of Sabina Nasser, owner of 42.7 metre Bina. "I ‘borrowed’ it from my mother a few years ago – it’s clear I won’t be giving it back to her but it still feels like I’m wearing something of hers, even though we live oceans apart. It makes us feel closer.”

“The one I wear 99 per cent of the time is a Skagen that cost me $79," says Milton Sender, owner of 26.4 metre catamaran WindQuest. "It’s light and it keeps the date and time. I had it cleaned recently, which cost more than the watch.”

“I’ve been wearing the same Rolex Submariner for years," says Slim Bouricha, former owner of 33.4 metre Heliad II (now Robbie Bobby). "It’s the only watch I wear.”

“My go-to watch on board is my Breitling Superocean Chronograph in blue,” says Reinout Oerlemans, owner of 31.1 metre Good Times.

“I’m very hard on a watch," admits Buddy Darby, owner of a 47 metre sailing yacht. "The one that stands up to the abuse best is a Panerai Regatta.”

“I use my steel watches during the day (Rolex Daytona, Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711, and Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 15202)," explains Guarav Burman, owner of 28.5 metre Prana. "In the evening, it’s an FP Journe, A Lange & Söhne or another Patek.”

“I wear a watch at night only. I have an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore because it’s chunky and understated," says Paul Goldstein, owner of La Cima III. "I also have a Parmigiani Pershing 115 watch that comes out of the safe from time to time.”

“At the moment I’m switching between a TAG Heuer Carrera and an Apple Watch,” explains Sebastian Vibe-Petersen, owner of 52 metre Q and 53.8 metre Parsifal III.

“I collect watches – I have 51 of them. My favourite is the Cartier Ballon Bleu, by far,” says Sieste Koopmans, former owner of 37 metre Zeepaard.

“My Hublot watch is waterproof and ideal for cruises and other activities on the water," recommends Murat Vargi, owner of 42 metre E&E. "I’ve been wearing it for years.”

Joaquin Folch-Rusiñol, owner of Buka says, “I wear the Breitling Emergency when on board, a 1981 Comex in the evening and a Swatch when swimming – because water and watches don’t mix well.”

“I rarely part with my Rolex Yacht-Master II; it is a true classic for all occasions,” says Bobby Genovese, owner of BG.

“I carry a pocket watch and have a drawer full. My favourite is a Patek Philippe 1920 Hunter,” advises Ted Andrew, owner of Nautor's Swan sailing yacht Song of the Sea.

Bruce Grossman, owner of 54 metre ISAForever One says, “I always travel with my favourites: Audemars Piguet, Bovet, Hublot and Bell & Ross.”