Table of Contents
- How to choose a referee soccer watch?
- The best soccer referee watches: 3 Options
- What about smartwatches for referees?
- Should soccer referees wear two watches?
- Recap: How to choose a referee soccer watch
If you’re looking for a referee soccer watch, you’ve come to the right place!
I’ve been a qualified soccer referee for 15 years now, and I enjoy refereeing grassroots soccer. Therefore, I have a pretty good idea about what to look for in a watch for a soccer referee, as well as what to avoid!
As a result, I’ve put together this helpful guide explaining how to choose a referee soccer watch, and I also introduce three specific watches that I would highly recommend to all referees looking for an affordable yet practical watch to officiate soccer matches.
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How to choose a referee soccer watch?
There are two main things to think about when choosing a referee soccer watch: practicality and comfort. Aside from these two things, you can get lost in the world of online watches if you focus on things like style and appearance! Let me explain why practicality and comfort are so important when buying a referee soccer watch:
Practicality
As a soccer referee, you need a watch that is reliable and easy to use. In other words, it needs to be practical, and it needs to serve your needs on the soccer field. If you have a complex watch with a whole host of settings, things can get confusing pretty quickly!
The last thing you need is to press the wrong button, and you lose track of time during the match that you’re refereeing! So, from a practical standpoint, you should look for a sports watch that has the following features:
- A clear and easy-to-read digital display.
- A stopwatch.
- A comfortable strap.
Honestly, that’s all you need to look for in a soccer watch! The more simple your watch is, the easier it is to focus on officiating the match, which is difficult enough at the best of times!
Comfort
I’ve touched upon it already, but you should ideally look for a referee watch strap that is comfortable, and plastic or leather will work well. For obvious reasons, avoid a chain-link-style watch strap, as it’s not ideal for running around a soccer field!
In my experience as a referee, I’ve also found that slimline watches are much more comfortable than bulkier watches, but perhaps that’s down to personal preference. Just bear in mind that you don’t want to be constantly fidgeting with or adjusting your watch throughout a game, so you should really opt for a soccer referee watch that is comfortable so it doesn’t cause you any issues when the match is underway.
The best soccer referee watches: 3 Options
So, now that I’ve covered the basics, I want to introduce you to three soccer referee watches that I either currently have or have worn in the past.
Casio F-108WH-1ACF
The first watch I purchased when I first became a soccer referee was a Casio F-108WH-1ACF, and it is, without a doubt, the best purchase I have made in terms of my referee gear!
It costs less than $20, is extremely easy to use, and is smart enough to wear away from the soccer field as well as on it.
You can easily start and stop the timer when you’re on the soccer field, and you shouldn’t have any issues when it comes to reading the display, even when the weather isn’t great.
In terms of price and durability, this watch from Casio is unbeatable, and it is my number one recommendation for a referee soccer watch.
Timex Ironman Watch
In addition to my trusty Casio, the other watch that I wear when refereeing soccer matches is this Timex Ironman watch. It’s got a slightly larger face than the Casio and a super comfortable resin strap that I love.
One of the reasons I went for this watch is because you can easily set a countdown timer, which is ideal for timing those 45-minute halves!
It’s available in grey or black, depending on your preference, and it’s another perfect option if you’re looking for an affordable soccer referee watch, given that it’s priced at $40.
Yunik ultra-thin sports watch
Like all good referees, I keep a spare digital watch in my kitbag, as you never know when one of your watches might stop working!
While I love my Casino and Timex watches, I wanted to try something slightly different for my spare, which is why I went with this ultra-thin watch from Yunik.
I love the classy stainless steel face on this Yunik watch, and the fact that it’s ultra-thin makes it extremely comfortable.
Although I don’t wear it as often as the Casio or Timex, I do sometimes mix things up and wear it from time to time. At $25, it’s available for a great price and is another referee soccer watch worth considering.
What about smartwatches for referees?
I happen to know several soccer referees that use smart watches when officiating soccer, but I personally don’t think it’s a good idea to wear them.
Primarily, this is because smartwatches come with a whole host of distractions, which can cause a lapse in concentration while out on the soccer field.
Given the fact that you can pick up a quality digital soccer referee’s watch for less than $25, I would highly recommend buying a watch that is specifically for your role as a match official.
The last thing you want is to be accused by either side of losing focus or being distracted by your smartwatch during a game of soccer, particularly when you’re meant to be in charge!
Should soccer referees wear two watches?
Yes – it’s always a good idea to wear two watches when officiating a soccer game. The first reason for this is that should one of your watches stop working, you have a backup to rely upon.
Secondly, it helps you keep time correctly. I leave one of my watches running throughout each half while I stop the other each time there is a lengthy stoppage in play to account for additional time at the end of each half.
This is a handy way to keep track of how much time you should add to each half, and it’s one of the main reasons why most soccer referees wear two watches during games.
Recap: How to choose a referee soccer watch
So, when choosing the best referee soccer watch, focus on comfort and practicality above all else. I have worn each of the three watches introduced above and highly recommend them to anyone looking for an affordable and practical referee soccer watch.
Drop a comment below if you have any more questions about choosing the best watch for soccer referees or if you have any recommendations to make!