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Chalky brights and sexy sorbets – 5 of the best pastel watches of 2020 Chalky brights and sexy sorbets – 5 of the best pastel watches of 2020

Chalky brights and sexy sorbets – 5 of the best pastel watches of 2020

Thor Svaboe

It doesn’t matter whether you’re in Aussie summer or the Northern Hemisphere winter, whether locked down or suddenly released, we need colours in our lives more than ever this year. From bubblegum pink to baby blue, pastel-coloured watch dials never fail to turn heads and lift sagging spirits, and every man should be secure enough to rock a bright dial from time to time. Check out a few of our picks for the best pastel watches of 2020.

Rolex Oyster Perpetual ref. 126000 “Candy Pink” 

best pastel watches of 2020
Image: phillips.com

This is one of the freshest dials on a Rolex since the legendary lacquered Stella dials of the ’70s. In a perfect candy-floss pink, this offers a fresh pop of summer, brought to life by the traditional craftsmanship only the Crown can bestow on a sports watch in a classic case. The 904L steel that Rolex uses for its cases and oyster bracelet has a softer, warmer feel than the usual 316L, so whichever size you choose, this could easily become your daily watch of choice (if you’re bold enough). We love the sublime comfort of the 36mm case – just be aware that your partner will inevitably try to steal it. Price: $7850 AUD

Nomos Club Campus 38

Six special versions of the Club Campus 38 from Nomos came out this year in a collaboration with Cool Hunting, based on the rainbow Pride flag. And while there are some eye-popping bright colours here, I love the lickably sweet orange icicle flavour here, in a delectable two-tone finish with the recessed small seconds register. Originally envisaged to appeal to a younger college graduate buyer, the Club Campus is the sporty face of Nomos, and summer freshness is turned up to the max. The orange dial flaunts super-sharp lume-printed Arabic numerals, edged in a flash of red, with a charming “California” dial layout with Roman numerals on the bottom half. My favourite detail? The lighter orange recessed seconds register at 6, with purple printed numerals. Behind the Cool Hunting branded caseback you will find an exquisite hand-wound movement, the Alpha caliber, with a 43-hour power reserve. Sized at a very comfortable 38.5mm, the Club Campus comes on a casual fabric strap. Price: $1650 USD

Hublot Big Bang Millennial Pink, just don’t call it pink

Hublot Big Bang Millennial Pink

So what is this delicious colour? While certainly pink-ish, it’s almost chameleon-like colour at times offers the metallic sheen of aluminium (as in this picture). Our writer Fergus Nash explained its virile vitality in his review here and under different lighting the colour goes from candy pink to skin tone to a golden beige. A large watch at 42mm, it’s still eminently wearable thanks to Hublot’s superb Big Bang ergonomics, and that comfortable strap.  The movement is the HUB1280 UNICO — a slimmed-down automatic chronograph movement that you’ll find peeking out from beneath the dial. Ultimately though, it’s the combination that’s so intriguing – the tough and functional sports chronograph juxtaposed with the delicate colour to show once again why Hublot are the masters of fusion. Price: $29,200 AUD

Bamford Mayfair Sport

Bamford of London, previously the Rolex customiser of choice, is now known for cutting-edge projects in collaboration with major brands like Zenith, TAG Heuer and, ahem, Time+Tide. But Bamford also has their own reasonably priced GMT and Mayfair range of sports watches. The Mayfair Sport comes in F.R.E.S.H. popping colours, while toughness prevails in an innovative polymer case built around a steel core. With a bold, yet comfortable, 40mm x 15mm case and a soft rubber strap, this Miyota 2035 quartz-powered blue vision is ready for summer, while bright enough to cheer up the winter-bound parts of the world. Price: £292

Zodiac Super Sea Wolf 53 Compression Automatic

Zodiac

This might have sold out already if you’re unlucky, but Zodiac are masters of taking their well-known Sea Wolf classics and adding super fresh details. Here we have their 2020 rendition of the vintage Sea Wolf skin diver: pastel blue mineral crystal bezel insert and a sharp silver dial. The Super Sea Wolf 53 comes on a very comfortable jubilee-style bracelet, and the dial has great detail work. Skeletonised hands have the recognisable broad shovel ends, generous C3 Super-LumiNova lume, while the applied indices are bevelled and sit boldly on a silver sunray surface. This is a very useful everyday sports watch with added pizzazz, and the inherent trust of a 200m depth rating and a solid Swiss STP 1-11 automatic calibre. Price: $1295 USD