Discover what makes the perfect summer watch, according to nine collectors and industry insiders. From bold designs to water-ready builds, these are the wristwear essentials of the season.
Summer watches are a feeling. They’re less about specs and more about vibe. The best ones wear easy, catch light, and feel right in the heat, whether you’re poolside, on a plane, or out too late.
We asked nine collectors, creatives, and industry voices to share what makes the perfect summer watch. The responses landed somewhere between personal philosophy and pure instinct: bold dials, vintage charm, rubber straps, unexpected picks. Some are built to dive, others just to look good with a tan. All of them say something about how we want to feel when the sun’s out and the rules are off.
“For me, a great summer watch has to be comfortable, especially in the heat, and able to survive a dip in the pool, sea, jacuzzi, or just general sweat. Leather straps are a no. My go-to is rubber or a bracelet. It doesn’t hurt if it pops with a tan too. My summer banger is the Girard-Perregaux Laureato White Ceramic Bamford Edition, but I also get a lot of wear out of my Czapek Rattrapante Antarctique on white rubber.”
“The perfect summer watch isn’t just easy to wear; it should capture that sun-soaked, dreamlike feeling. I’m thinking bold colored stones, tropical dials, and a bit of extravagance in the bracelet design. It’s not just for the water, it’s for the mood.”
“A great summer watch should be fun, carefree, and at least somewhat water-resistant. No surprise the Patek Philippe Aquanaut tops the list for many. Try on that composite strap for the first time and you might never want to wear anything else. Summertime quickly becomes all the time.”
“For me, the perfect summer watch feels like a holiday on the wrist: easy, effortless, and a little indulgent. It should be on a bracelet, worn loose and carefree, with a touch of flair that reflects summer’s energy. Ideally, it’s water-friendly enough for a dip but still impactful enough to turn heads at sunset drinks. Summer’s the time to have fun with your accessories; it’s definitely not the season for subtlety.”
“What makes a great summer watch for me is adjustability in the heat and the ability to swim in it. That usually means rubber, perfect for hot weather, and a water resistance above 150 meters. I especially love wearing this one because it’s shock-resistant, so I can even golf in it.”
"One of my favorite summer watches this year is a 1950s Bulova Goddess of Time I got from my dear friend Chris. I love how dainty “grandma” watches like this feel: lived-in, romantic, quietly charming. It’s also such a nerdy joy to wear something that blends old-school glam, history, and femininity into such a cute little package. Safe to say, I’m obsessed."
Read Charity's Substack here.
"A summer watch should match your summer vibe. For me, the perfect piece is stylish, capable, and a little playful. And if you’ve got wrists like mine, you’ll want it on a strap or bracelet that can flex with the changing temperatures."
“To me, the perfect summer watch is two things: something that stands out and something that’s tough. It doesn’t have to be a diver, but it definitely needs to hold up against sweat, heat, and water, while still being the perfect companion for life on the Mediterranean. This Hublot from 2025 is a good example, but so are the Exaequo Melting Watch and the TAG Heuer F1.”
"The perfect summer watch moves with you, with ease and expression, from the water to a wedding, with a bracelet or strap that wears like second skin. Whether it’s a Patek Philippe Aquanaut Ref. 5167R or a mini Royal Oak Offshore, the real hallmark of a summer watch, or any watch, is that it feels entirely your own, wherever you take it."
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