20 Best Summer Watches From Affordable to Luxury
Of course, watches are essential in telling time and keeping us on track. They can also offer so many additional features, some lifesaving and some just fun, as we venture into specific activities. More and more watches are becoming statement pieces and exciting accessories to our daily lives. We want the piece to work well but also look well with our style. A piece can bring out a person’s personality and it’s cool to have a go to watch for all sorts of aspects in our day to day lives. Whether you’re looking for an everyday piece, a watch for the office, one to dress up or dress down a look, the possibilities are truly endless. To make it easier narrowing down what you need we put together a list of our favorite watches to accompany you this summer.
Oris Divers Sixty-Five Cotton Candy
Price: $2,550 USD; Case Size: 38mm; Water Resistance: 100m; Movement: Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire.
Pastels and light bright colors are always a great choice for the longer summer days. So, we love the dial options for the Oris Diver Sixty-Five Cotton Candy collection. Offered in a mint green, baby blue, and pink, you can interchange between a stainless steel bracelet or the recycled perlon strap to match the dial. At 38mm it’s also a great watch for men or women. The Divers Sixty-Five is the second of its kind in the Oris collection, as they are the new introduction of their Diver Sixty-Five watches of the 1960s. It’s a watch you can wear year-round and not just for a dive. They retail for $2,550 USD in the full steel version. For more in depth information, you can also check out our hands on review.
IWC Ingenieur 40
Price: $11,700 USD; Case Size: 40mm; Water Resistance: 100m; Movement: Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire.
The IWC Ingenieur features another fun-colored dial fit for summer. The green dial has aqua tones reminiscent of a seascape to get you in the mood for summer activities. The Ingenieur’s history dates back to the 1950s but it was Gerald Genta’s design of the Ingenieur from the 70s that put it on the map. This model reintroduces the aesthetic design that Genta is known for - Right at a time when Genta is really being highlighted industry wide. The sports watch will work well on a night out, or to dress up any look. The dial comes in cross hatch textured pattern that amps up the entire design language of the watch. It is available for $11,700 USD.
Rolex Submariner
Price: $9,100 USD; Case Size: 41mm; Water Resistance: 300m; Movement: Autimatic; Crystal: Sapphire.
The Rolex Submariner came on the scene in 1953 and at the time was the first dive watch to be water resistant up to 100m. Now, the Submariner can take you even deeper at its 300m water resistance. The iconic large hands and dial markers have set the tone for many Rolex pieces that followed the Submariner. When the Submariner was first introduced its main job was to support deep sea divers, but today Rolex has become as much of an elevated statement piece as a fully functioning tool watch. Rolex continues to grow and develop their technology to today’s more modern needs, so the pieces are still efficient for their job, but you don’t need to be an adventurer to appreciate or wear a Rolex. Add one to your summer collection starting at $9,100 USD.
Zodiac Super Sea Wolf Ceramic Compression Diver
Price: $1,795 USD; Case Size: 41mm; Water Resistance: 200m; Movement: Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire.
When you think of accessorizing for the summer it’s not just the colors of the piece that are important but also the materials. The sun in the end is hot and makes us all a little sweaty. The Zodiac Super Sea Wolf Ceramic is a great choice. The smooth ceramic case will feel gentle against your skin and the rubber strap won’t absorb any perspiration. It’s also great when the colors are bold and fun and this piece does a great job playing with colors. The white ceramic case accents the bright orange strap beautifully and the ivory sunray dial sits in the center of an orange ring with hands that compliment the whole piecee. The watches comes in Orange or Navy blue, but we find the Orange fits the season much better. It’s priced at $1,795 USD.
Tissot PRX Quartz Mint
Price: $395 USD; Case Size: 40mm; Water Resistance: 100m; Movement: Quartz; Crystal: Sapphire.
The mint dial is a fun choice for the Tissot PRX, especially for the summer. It will certainly pop on your wrist and is even though it's a fairly specific color, it'll match most anything. Tissot recently reintroduced their once popular PRX collection and have been met with a lot of success. So much so that they have it available in a 40mm and a 35mm with a variety of different dial colors, movement options, and configurations. The integrated bracelet adds a feel of luxury to this piece, and it tapers nicely around the wrist. It’s a great unisex option as well and for the price of $395 USD it’s hard to say no.
Tag Heuer Carrera Skipper
Price: $6,750 USD; Case Size: 39mm; Water Resistance: 100m; Movement: Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire.
Who doesn’t want to lounge on a boat all summer long? When you’re wearing the Tag Heuer Carrera Skipper, whether you’re on a boat or in the office, it will give you all the summer vibes. The large open dial appeals to the eye as do the gorgeous contrasting subdials. against the classic Carrera blue dial. The dominant color of the subdials is a light teal which gives nod to the color of the deck on the Intrepid. The Intrepid is America’s Cup boat which inspired the original Heuer Skipper from the 60s. If you do find yourself on a boat with this watch the additional colors of the subdials allow you to time for departure (red), and recall the boat’s rigging (green). Add it to your summer wardrobe for $6,750 USD.
Bulgari Aluminium Capri Edition
Price: $3,350 USD; Case Size: 40mm; Water Resistance: 100m; Movement: Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire.
Summer is about vacations and lounging around beautiful landscapes. You can do that anywhere with the Bulgari Aluminium Capri Edition. Bulgari dives into their Mediterranean heritage with this piece devoted to the island of Capri. The darker blue rubber bezel and bracelet sit nicely with the blue ombre dial. The dial channels the hues of the Mediterranean Sea, making anyone feel like they’re on vacation wherever you may be. This piece is a limited edition of just 1,000 pieces. It retails for $3,350 USD.
Bulova Devil Diver
Price: $750 USD; Case Size: 41mm; Water Resistance :200m; Movement: Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire.
We’ve featured a lot of light and bright colored pieces so far on this list, and although the Bulova Devil Diver features a black strap and mostly black bezel it’s still one of our top choices for a summer watch. The orange dial illuminates the dark hues of the piece, and we love that it’s a straightforward modern dive watch (at a great price). Bulova brings some vintage touches to the piece as it is inspired through older models of the Devil Diver from the 60s and 70s. The name of this piece might sound intimidating but earns its title for being water resistant to 666 ft. The price won’t intimidate you at $750 USD.
Maurice Lacroix AIKON Tide
Price: $750 USD; Case Size: 40mm; Water Resistance: 100m; Movement: Quartz; Crystal: Sapphire.
Maurice Lacroix’s Aikon Tide collection is very playful and offers an exciting array of colorways perfect for summer. You can choose from a combination of blues, greens, pinks, oranges, and yellows. The integrated rubber straps are a comfortable wear in hot weather or in the water. One of the best parts of this cool piece are the upcycled plastic cases, and we love a brand that keeps the environment in mind. The cases are made using plastic cleaned out of the oceans, so, when you’re rocking the Aikon Tide at the beach or a BBQ, you’d be glad that you helped play a part in a cleaner earth. The watch retails for $750 USD.
DOXA Sub 300 Aquamarine
Price: $2,450 USD; Case Size: 42.5mm; Water Resistance: 300m; Movement: Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire.
The Doxa Sub 300 Aquamarine is another collection of watches that offer a variety of vibrant colors. The bright colors are not only great for the summer but also beneficial when diving. allowing for better visibility underwater. Doxa has worked hard for many years ensuring the production of efficient and safe dive watches. The Sub collection was first launched in 1967 and was the first to feature a unidirectional bezel with dual scale for depth and dive time. The bold colored dials and their matching rubber straps makes this piece stand out and great for outdoor activities all summer long. It’s available for $2,450 USD.
Citizen Tsuyosa Sky Blue
Price: $450 USD; Case Size: 40mm; Water Resistance: 50m; Movement: Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire.
If you’re looking for an elegant sports watch this summer that won’t break the bank. the Citizen Tsuyosa is a perfect candidate. The contemporary sky-blue dial brings some modernity to this classic piece. The clean dial features a date window and the crown sits, slightly hidden at 4 o’clock. It even features an open caseback displaying the automatic movement. We think the sky blue is a great color for summer, but also one you can wear year round. If that’s not the color for you they also offer orange, green, black, and a navy blue. This watch is a perfect addition to your summer wear andretails for $450 USD.
NOMOS Club Campus 38 Cream Coral
Price: $1,650 USD; Case Size: 38mm; Water Resistance: 100m; Movement: Manual; Crystal: Sapphire.
On this list we are capturing all the shades of summer. We couldn’t do without the Cream Coral of the Nomos Club Campus 38. The Nomos is your everyday watch of the summer, and is a great watch to wear no matter what you’re doing. The minimal open dial displays a variation of Arabic and Roman numerals and markers, almost like a California dial. It’s playful and light and can really fit anyone’s style preferences. The grey strap brings more warmth and tones down the coral dial for those that might feel the color too unique or bold. The piece is also available in other colorways. The Cream Coral retails for $1,650 USD.
Brew Metric Steel Dial
Price: $450 USD; Case Size: 36mm; Water Resistance: 50m; Movement: Quartz; Crystal: Sapphire.
Brew’s motto is to take time and enjoy your coffee, while pausing throughout the day to unwind - Making them a great summer contender. Summer is all about relaxing, so why not do it with a Brew on your wrist? This retro watch features a 1970s structure with its square stainless steel case and integrated bracelet. The matching silver dial gives a monochromatic look with slight pops of color on the subdial hands. A fun feature of this metric chronograph measuring increments over a period of time, specifically for an espresso shot ranging from 25-35 seconds. At Brew, they take relaxation very seriously, so their timepieces match the effort. You can get one for $450 USD when it’s back in stock.
Laventure Sous-Marine II Steel/Cream
Price: Sold Out; Case Size: 40.5mm Water Resistance: 200 meters Movement: Automatic Crystal: Plexiglass.
The Sous-Marine II collection is inspired by the underwater adventures and tools of the 1960s. It is a beautiful, yet rugged piece that looks ready for any journey and we love the steel and cream colorway. The mint green rubber strap is a creative choice in complementing the cream sandwich dial and it all comes together with the steel case. The knurled bezel adds texture, functionality and is aesthetically pleasing with the overall style of this piece, and the sandwich dial certainly adds visual interest to the watch. The piece is now sold out, but we couldn’t leave it off of our summer list.
Blancpain Fifty Fathoms
Price: $15,300 USD; Case Size: 45mm; Water Resistance: 300m; Movement: Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire.
Obviously, Dive watches are always appropriate for a summer list and most of the ones we’ve featured on here have been full of color. The Blancpain Fifty Fathoms is an almost all black piece with some white details on the markers and numerals. We still love it, not just for summer but a year-round timepiece to fit any mood. The collection has a history that goes back 70 years to a time when dive watches first started hitting the market. Since then, the brand has worked closely with scientists, photographers, and underwater explorers in continuing to build their legacy as well as give back to the ocean creating a better environment. They do this by supporting various ocean conservation projects. It’s always an added plus when the watch you’re wearing is doing more than just telling time. The piece is available for $15,300 USD.
Huckberry x Unimatic U4S-HG "Sandstone"
Price: $1,057 USD; Case Size: 40mm; Water Resistance: 300m; Movement: Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire.
The Huckberry x Unimatic U4S-HG collection is a collaboration between Huckberry and Italian microbrand Unimatic. The pieces are inspired through different landscapes, with each color representing an aspect of environments around us. The Sandstone colorway features an orange rubber strap and orange gradient grené dial mimicking sandstone textures and color (that almost fades into a pure sand color). The piece is clean and minimal but certainly gives a welcome pop of color on your wrist. A great choice for those looking for a watch to get them through the long summer days. It retails for $1,057 USD.
Boldr Odyssey Freediver Citrus Orange
Price: $599 USD; Case Size: 40mm; Water Resistance: 300m; Movement: Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire.
If you’re in the market for a dive watch but not ready to splurge on a serious luxury watch, the Boldr Odyssey Freediver is an optimal choice. The bright orange dial and rubber strap make it fun and loud while the grey steel case brings subtlety to the piece. Boldr is a watch brand based out of Singapore and another one on our list that gives back to the people and environmental projects. They support ocean conservation as well as underserved communities. They also encourage open and honest feedback from their consumers so they can continue to do better and create products best for their market. The watch is limited to a 100 pieces and costs $599 USD.
Breitling SuperOcean Automatic 36
Price: $4,950 USD; Case Size: 36mm; Water Resistance: 300m; Movement: Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire.
The Breitling SuperOcean Automatic 36 in turquoise speaks volumes in its bright and bold colorway. The Super Ocean Collection was recently re-envisioned, and we love the bold colors brought to the otherwise fairly standard dive watch collection. The matching dial and rubber strap is perfect for summer as it will look great poolside, in the ocean, or out and about. The 36mm size makes it versatile for many wrist sizes so everyone can enjoy this Breitling. If the vibrancy of the turquoise isn’t for you the piece is also available in an all-white or orange colorway, which still fit the summer mold. They are available for $4,950 USD.
Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra 150m
Price: $7,000 USD; Case Size: 38mm; Water Resistance: 150m; Movement: Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire.
If you’re looking for more of a summer piece to wear out beyond the beach or pool, the Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra might be the piece for you. It’s a dressier option than some of the sport or dive watches featured on this list - Though, it was released in Mykonos, by the see, with color inspiration from the deep blue waters of the Greek Islands. The clean summer blue dial has a silvery gradient, and the indices mimic the hulls of a sailboat, which is beautifully done. A few shades lighter than the dial, the two blues complement each other well. Unfortunately, it is currently sold out online, but retailed for $7,000 USD.
Omega X Swatch MoonSwatch Mission to the Sun
Price: $270 USD; Case Size: 42mm; Water Resistance: 30m; Movement: Quartz; Crystal:
Across many of our lists we focus on Omega’s success with moon landings and creating pieces for epic journeys. For our summer list its only right that we talk about the Omega X Swatch MoonSwatch Mission to the Sun. The bright yellow Bioceramic case is bright and fun, and the watch is the only Moonswatch to feature a sunburst dial - Appropriate considering the influence. The white Velcro strap also makes it easy to throw on and take off as you switch between pieces. The Mission to the Sun retails for $270 USD.
