Author
Graham Hiemstra
Photographer
Nixon
Presented by
It’s 5am and my alarm is blaring. Coffee first. With longboard in hand I wind down the stairwell of my fifth floor walkup. One train transfer and an hour later I’m in the water at Rockaway, paddling out to join the lineup of fellow New Yorkers. Then come the inevitable questions: When’s peak low tide? How about sunrise tomorrow? Can I sneak in another wave before I need to be out of the water and headed to work? The Nixon Rival surf watch has the answers, with plenty of style.
I’ll admit I’ve never been a watch guy. Vintage military watches have always been my go-to. Low tech. But getting back into surfing after a decade hiatus changed that—and after a few weeks of testing the Rival is now a natural part of my surf kit. Designed with a slim profile and soft silicone band, it fits easily and comfortably under a wetsuit. And with hardened mineral crystal and a custom, durable TR90 case made of #tide recycled ocean plastics, the sustainable Rival helps keep waves clean for future sessions.
The real story goes beyond the obvious benefit of keeping track of time while out surfing. Along with a high-contrast display, the Rival features pre-programmed tide info for 550 beaches around the world, plus past tide time with wave height coefficient and local sunrise/sunset data. A clever water-channeling pattern on the underside of the band helps prevent water from getting trapped against your skin, too.
A great staple for everyday wear, whether you’re surfing daily or mostly dreaming of it, the unisex Rival is available in matte black, spruce, and pink colorways.
Price: $125
Published 11-29-2022
