TRENDING

Felix Scholz

It’s nearly summer in the Northern Hemisphere; you can feel it coming. Time to work on your pre-tan and your wristpop. Hello summer, hello colour.

We thought we’d take the hassle out of matching your wrist to your short shorts and put together a list of the best watches for the season.

So with nothing more than some very loose summer focused criteria (no leather straps to get sweaty, decent water resistance, and a casual/fun vibe) we put together the magnificent seven of summer watches.

Omega Planet Ocean (Good Oceans edition)

 

Boring, right? But let it be. The Planet Ocean from Omega’s venerable Seamaster collection is the one you’re most likely to see out and about at beaches and BBQs this summer, and for good reason. It’s a genuine icon and one custom made for Summer. The orange bezel, sporty (yet flexible) dive watch styling, and the excellent coaxial movement make it an all round great performer and a no brainer on this list. Oh, and the 600m of water resistance means it will handle anything the surf beach can throw at it. The new Good Ocean variant adds a crisp, refreshing pop of blue to the dial. Aside from being cool and supporting a good cause, wearing this version means not having to have the exact same watch as your ex’s new partner.

Tudor Heritage Chronograph Blue

For years, Tudor has had a little brother complex, and who can blame them. Growing up under shadow of the Big Crown make it hard to make your mark on the watch world. But like an out of shape boxer in an inspirational movie Tudor has spent the last 25 years it’s been out of America beefing up and preparing for it’s triumphant return. And it didn’t disappoint – 2013 was marked with a slew of killer watches inspired by the brands long heritage. This stunning ’70s inspired blue and orange number is the most recent watch in this series. The colour palette, sporty good looks and nylon band make this a watch made for carefree summer days.

Audemars Royal Oak

Of all the watches on this list the Audermars Royal Oak may be the least colourful (though there’s something hypnotic and eternally lovely about the deep navy dial) but it’s without doubt the classiest. And the priciest, naturally. Designed by the renowned Gerald Genta the Royal Oak revolutionized the watch world with its unconventional design. But what was really shocking about this simple steel watch was that it cost more than similar watches in solid gold. Since 1972 the Royal Oak collection has grown, but for understated sports elegance (think loafers and polos) the original design is still the best.

Maurice Lacroix Pontos S

The Pontos S from Maurice Lacroix does everything right for your wrist at this time of year. It is a seriously underrated, underworn and unusual watch. It’s a diver’s chronograph – which you don’t see often because it’s hard to make a chronograph (used for measuring elapsed time) that can also manage serious water resistance. The Pontos S pulls this off, and manages to look good doing so. While the watch comes in a range of colourways, we think the orange is perfect for summer.

Panerai Luminor 1950 Regatta 3 Days Chrono Flyback 

 

Panerai don’t really do colour (or they didn’t until this sexy yachting tool watch). Really it’s a no brainer – with their focus on all things nautical (Panerai was born underwater, initially developed as a watch for Italian navy frogmen in WWII) a yachting timer was a natural fit. the Luminor 1950 Regatta is a welcome newcomer. The Titanium case and rubber strap make this watch instantly summer ready. The pops of colour on the dial and chronograph and countdown timer for yacht races (yacht optional) seal the deal. Panerai definitively prove that flair can, in fact, be manly.

Jaeger LeCoultre Deep Sea Vintage Chronograph

In the last few years Jaeger-LeCoultre has been raiding its back catalogue and releasing some amazing vintage reissues. The Deep Sea Vintage Chronograph is the latest (and greatest) of this series. It’s not a 1:1 reissue of an historic model, but rather a pick and mix of the best elements of new and vintage. The result is coolness incarnate. To complete the look pair this JLC with a vintage Porsche and linen suit.

Blancpain Bathyscape

The Blancpain Fifty Fathoms has a long and proud dive watch tradition, and the addition of the Bathyscape to the collection simultaneously plays homage to the streamlined military dive watches of the ’50s and ’60s while offering a modern look. The Bathyscape is a very understated luxury watch, with clean, almost tactical styling finished to an exceptionally high level. If you’re after a luxury watch that can do anything you need it to while it flying underneath the radar then this is the watch for you.

 And guys, don’t forget to slip, slop, slap.