What watch does Tibo InShape wear? (yes, he wears one)
After presidential wrists, politicians’ watches and their more or less “republican” timepieces, it’s time for a change of scenery: here, we leave gilt behind for cast iron, protocol for protein, as part of our now-famous column “Who wears what”. Tibo InShape wears a watch that matches the size of his muscles (and his performance obsession) rather well, with its huge 51 mm case diameter.
Let’s be honest: on an athlete’s wrist, a “tool” watch often makes more sense than a “showcase” watch. A Rolex tells a story; Tibo InShape’s watch writes statistics. One sparks envy; the other mercilessly informs you that you slept like a sack of bricks and that your VO2 max isn’t what you think it is.
Why this is the right choice for Tibo InShape
Tibo InShape wears a Garmin epix Pro (Gen 2) Sapphire Edition. In light of its dimensions—and above all its philosophy—the epix Pro is designed as a training and adventure watch, not a piece of jewellery. It ticks exactly the boxes that suit a very regular sporting routine: serious GPS, mapping, training metrics, health sensors, and battery life that spares you the absolute absurdity of the “smart” watch that needs charging every night.
The choice of 51 mm isn’t incidental either: Garmin offers several sizes, but this one embraces an imposing presence. It’s the “big wrist” version—the one that doesn’t disappear under a cuff, and looks more like an instrument than an accessory. Given the circumference of my left wrist, his watch would probably be better suited to my ankle, like an electronic tag.
Garmin epix Pro (Gen 2) Sapphire Edition 51 mm: the “watch” spec sheet (sport edition)
At Montres Passion, we love calibres, escapements, jewels. Here, the “movement” is an electronic brain, and the king complication is the ability to follow you everywhere: gym, road, trail, bike, mountains. Still, I can put together a proper spec sheet, with clear reference points, just as I would for a Swiss automatic.
Key specifications
- Model: Garmin epix Pro (Gen 2) Sapphire Edition
- Diameter: 51 mm
- Display: AMOLED, 1.4″, 454 × 454 resolution
- Crystal: sapphire (enhanced scratch resistance)
- Bezel: depending on version, with titanium elements (Sapphire Edition)
- Water resistance: 10 ATM (100 m)
- Strap: typical width 26 mm (on the 51 mm format)
- Connectivity: Bluetooth, ANT+, Wi‑Fi
- Storage: up to 32 GB (music, data, mapping depending on use)
Battery life: the argument that silences quite a few “smartwatches”
Garmin claims very strong battery life on the 51 mm version, which makes sense: more case, more battery, fewer excuses.
- Smartwatch mode: up to 31 days
- Battery saver mode: up to 41 days
- GPS only: up to 82 hours
- All satellite systems: up to 62 hours
- All systems + multi-band: up to 38 hours
Obviously, as always, real-world battery life depends on usage (daily GPS, brightness, notifications, always-on display, music, etc.). But even in realistic conditions, it’s playing in a different league from most “lifestyle” connected watches.
What the Epix Pro can do—and why it makes sense for an athlete
The Garmin epix Pro (Gen 2) isn’t a watch “to tell the time”. It’s a watch to structure training, analyse effort, and sometimes stop you from lying to yourself. In short: it turns motivation into routine, and routine into exponential curves.
- Heart-rate tracking, effort metrics, training load, recovery
- Multiple sports: strength training, running, cycling, swimming, hiking, etc.
- Mapping and navigation (useful outdoors, when travelling, on the trail)
- Built-in LED torch (yes, it’s a gimmick—until the day it isn’t)
- “Health” sensors: sleep, stress, activity tracking, and everything that reminds you that good habits start outside the gym
In short, it’s not a watch that “looks expensive”. It’s a watch that looks disciplined. And that’s probably the most coherent image for someone whose job is to get people moving.
Price
The epix Pro Sapphire Edition sits at the top end of Garmin’s range. You’re looking at a budget of 650 euros. It’s not a luxury watch in the traditional horological sense, but it is a premium tool—and Garmin prices it accordingly.
And if we want to be cheeky, we could say it’s one of the rare watches at this price that actually gives you something back: not prestige, but data, better-calibrated training—and, sometimes, a small slap of humility.
This choice fits Tibo InShape’s personality particularly well: a passionate, humble man who could easily wear big Swiss timepieces he could afford both financially and in terms of wrist circumference (I can picture him with a Bell&Ross, a Panerai, or a large Santos de Cartier), but who settles for a highly advanced tool he genuinely needs. We’re a long way from GMK’s watch collection. His only ostentation, ultimately, is his body.
FAQ: Tibo InShape’s watch
What watch does Tibo InShape wear?
The watch identified here is a Garmin epix Pro (Gen 2) Sapphire Edition in 51 mm, a high-end multisport model designed for training and the outdoors.
Why choose the 51 mm version?
Because it offers a stronger presence on the wrist, a more generous display, and, generally, the best battery life in the range. It’s the “big wrist” version—logical for an athletic build.
Is it a “luxury watch”?
No, not in the horological sense (no mechanical movement, no artisanal finishing). However, it is a premium product in the world of multisport smartwatches, with sapphire crystal, mapping, advanced sensors and long battery life—all for 650 euros.
What is the battery life of the Garmin epix Pro 51 mm?
Garmin claims up to 31 days in smartwatch mode, and up to 82 hours in GPS-only mode, depending on settings and conditions of use.
