Scorching hot days, ice-cold drinks, and nights that never seem to cool down – for me that’s the essence of summer. And because this season that I love so much goes by so fast (especially for me in Germany), I try to fully enjoy it while it’s here. That includes having the perfect watch on my wrist. What makes a timepiece right for warm summer nights, and what are our favorite summer watches? Keep reading to find out!
What makes for the perfect summer watch?
Much like good summer outfits, a good summer watch needs to be bright and colorful. Of course, just like a little black dress, a little black watch always works – but nevertheless, my black pieces won’t see the light of day during the summer. Bright dials and straps add a summery touch and bring color into your day. And speaking of straps, I leave my elegant leather and sporty NATO straps at home in the summer. Instead, I opt for stainless steel bracelets, which stand up better to sweat and sunscreen and look great in the water. Rubber straps are also a good choice. Special materials like titanium for cases and bracelets are great for summer because they make a watch lighter and more pleasurable to wear.
This Summer’s Picks
First, a small disclaimer: Choosing a watch is a very personal process and ultimately depends on the wearer’s taste, wrist size, and budget. For that reason, I’ve put together a mix of different watches here for various occasions and budgets.
For Hot Days by the Pool: Panerai and TAG Heuer
This one will be a diving watch, for obvious reasons. Even if you don’t take full advantage of the water resistance of your diver at the pool or beach, it still comes in handy. Let’s turn first to my favorite for smaller wrists and more feminine tastes, the TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 300 Date with 36 mm case, ref. WBP231K.BA0618. Diamonds on jewelry and watches are usually a dealbreaker for me, but I love this design. The turquoise dial, diamond-studded indices, and black ceramic bezel work together perfectly.
The model’s automatic Calibre 5 has a 38-hour power reserve and is water-resistant up to 300 m (30 bar, 984 ft). The same is true of the 43-mm version. Both variants are available on Chrono24 for around $2,700.
Another model that combines style and function for the poolside is the Panerai Luminor Marina PAM01564. The typical cushion-shaped case (here 44 mm) and the bridge over the crown are eye-catching in themselves. And what’s contained inside is nothing to scoff at, either. The automatic movement boasts two barrels and a power reserve of up to three days – not a full pool vacation, but a solid spec nonetheless.
The case is water-resistant up to 300 m (30 bar, 984 ft), making it a reliable companion for summer. Its white dial seals the deal. A new model will cost you around $11,000, but you can find similar models like the PAM01316 with a blue dial on Chrono24 for as low as $6,500.
Traveling with Mido
For all you sun worshipers out there who are drawn to faraway places but want to keep an eye on your home time zone, a GMT or world time watch is probably your best bet. A colorful and stylish choice in the entry-level price segment is the Mido Ocean Star Decompression Worldtimer. It’s a fun wear that also houses great technology. The caliber 80 has a power reserve of up to 80 hours.
The 40.5-mm stainless steel case is water-resistant up to 200 m (20 bar, 656 ft). Together with the bright dial and blue bezel, the timepiece gives off a cool vintage charm. Along with the high-quality rubber strap, the special edition also comes with a Milanese bracelet. This watch can be your travel companion for approximately $1,500. On Chrono24, you’ll even find it for $1,300.
Sundowner with Rolex or Citizen
Now for a watch with a striking color design that will match the cocktail in your hand. It’s okay to be flashy in the evening, if you ask me! That’s why I’ve had my eye on the discontinued 41-mm Rolex Oyster Perpetual models from 2020 (ref. 124300), which come in colors like turquoise, coral red, candy pink, and green. But my absolute favorite is the version in eye-catching yellow. The watch is powered by the caliber 3230 with a power reserve of 70 hours. You can’t go wrong with this classic on an Oyster bracelet, but a discontinued model will cost you. While the list price for a current model in green is around $7,000, the object of my desire in yellow is going for upwards of $16,000 on Chrono24.
If you have your heart set on a splash of color but don’t want to spend that much, Citizen has something to offer. The Citizen Tsuyosa is an affordable alternative to the classic Rolex Datejust, and the version in sunny yellow (ref. NJ0150-81Z) with a 40-mm case, integrated bracelet, and 40 hour power reserve will fit in perfectly on a rooftop bar. With a list price of about $320, you’ll have plenty of money left over for the next round of cocktails.
For Sports Fans
This summer is a sports fan’s dream: Along with all the usual events of the season, the Olympics are happening in Paris. The world will be watching as star athletes give their all and compete for a coveted metal.
Omega will also take part in the Olympic Games, as its official timekeeper. So this list would hardly be complete without one of the Swiss brand’s Paris 2024 special editions. And I have to say, the Seamaster Diver 300M ref. 522.21.42.20.04.001 fits perfectly in this collection of watches for summer 2024. The 42-mm timepiece shines in stainless steel and Omega’s proprietary Moonshine Gold, and the white ceramic dial features the wave pattern typical of the Seamaster. You’ll find the logo of the Paris Summer Games on both the case back and the seconds hand.
The model is just as high-performing as the other watches in the series. The in-house caliber 8800 has a power reserve of 55 hours and is chronometer certified for the highest precision. All in all, it’s a great Seamaster variant that you can call your own for around $8,700.
