The 5 best summer watches

Tom Austin

If you live in the northern hemisphere, you’re smack bang in the middle of summer right now, and hopefully  enjoying the joyful vibes of July. Nothing tops off a sunshine season outfit than bright and colourful wristwatch, and whether you’re hiking through the hills, putting in some laps of the pool, or relaxing on the fairway, you’re going to need a solid timepiece not only to keep track of those long days, but also to do it in style. Here’s our list of the top 5 watches for summer this year.

Seiko SRPK35

Some of the watches in this list are for those who like to take their summer days easy, kicking back, soaking up some rays and working on that tan. Not the Seiko SRPK35, this watch is for the ones who seldom relax. New for 2023, the SRPK35 has all the details to appease the most hardcore of Seiko fans. The very wearable 38mm stainless-steel case, the bright and legible dial set, the functional unidirectional bezel and a brushed finish all over, to hide that scuff you earned while rock climbing. However if you’d prefer a NATO or rubber strap, they’re easily fitted due to the drilled lugs on the case. If you prefer your action a little wetter, the SRPK35 is water resistant to 100m, and for those who need it, studies suggest that orange dials are the most legible while at depth underwater. The case features drilled lugs, making fitting NATO’s and rubber straps a pleasure. The movement is typical Seiko 5, the day and date function, automatic calibre 4R36, featuring 24 jewels and a power reserve of 41hrs, not that you’ll put it down for that long of course. The watch is built like a tank and will last for as many summers as you can throw it at.

TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 200 Steel & Gold

Watches and Wonders 2023 saw TAG Heuer introduce their latest iterations of the Aquaracer, and a fresh departure from their previous design language. The TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 200 returns with an eye-catching, bi-metal finish, showcasing a stainless-steel and 18k gold configuration, this watch is sure to shine under the summer sun. Nicely sized at 40mm, the case is brushed stainless steel with some of the tidiest chamfers seen on a contemporary sports watch. The watch is built with TAG Heuer’s staple Calibre 5 movement, featuring a 38 hour power reserve and a subtle date function. The details such as the graduated smoky blue dial, golden hands and hour markers and, of course, that textured rubber strap with a comfort extension make this watch a perfect companion relaxing by the pool, on the golf course, or even at sea in its natural habitat by the beach bar.

Oris ProPilot X – Salmon Pink

Carved from titanium, the sharp Oris ProPilot X is a sports-focused pilot’s watch, and a perfect partner for anyone making the most of the summer sun. Especially so with the bright salmon pink dial, adding a splash of colour to the utility-style, blasted finish on the case and bracelet, which is also crafted in titanium and links up to the case in a stealthy, angular way. If the watch was black PVD finish, you’d be forgiven for thinking it’s an homage to the F117 Stealth Fighter. Inside the watch sits the Calibre 400 movement, which is an absolute workhorse, with -3/+5 seconds a day for timekeeping, a 10-year warranty, and a massive 120 hour (five-day) power reserve. The Oris ProPilot X is lightweight and functional and can take a beating, just what you need for a day at the beach. Or anything else, for that matter.

Omega Seamaster 150M Aqua Terra – Summer Blue

Omega recently unveiled their 75th anniversary collection of the Seamaster featuring a new colourway across the range, aptly called “Summer Blue”, and the Seamaster Aqua Terra 150M on the light blue rubber strap is arguably the summeriest of them all. The graduated blue dials get deeper and darker through the range as the depth rating increases, so with the Aqua Terra’s relatively shallow 150m water resistance, this one’s the lightest hue of the collection, matching that strap perfectly. Ideal for those summer dips in the pool. Everything else is typical Omega and standard Aqua Terra, with excellent build quality and finishing on the 41mm stainless-steel case. Apart from when you turn the watch over to reveal that Omega have ditched the exhibition caseback, for a stamped Seamaster logo version, depicting a trident-bearing Poseidon and two seahorses, just like Omega’s 1956 original. The Seamaster Aqua Terra has grown into an exceptionally functional casual-sports watch, with a dressy flair to suit any occasion.

Casio G-Shock GMA-S2100BS-7AER Bright Summer

We all know by now that the G-Shock “CasiOak” is legendary, and despite there being endless swathes of limited editions and colourway releases, G-Shock’s latest “Bright Summer” variation hits the spot for summer 2023. While there are plenty of different choices, the case and strap on our selection arrive in white resin, with colourful touches in the familiar octagonal bezel. The wildest part though is the dial, predominantly yellow, with dazzling multicoloured details it stands out as a real eye catcher. The “CasiOak” is also incredibly functional of course, with full calendar, multiple time zone, stopwatch and alarm functions. Naturally, the watch is water and shock-resistant, making it the perfect summer companion.