Oris
Aquis Date ‘Taste Of Summer’
While the others look to their affiliations or back catalogues for inspiration, for the Aquis Date ‘Taste Of Summer’, Oris has chosen to look to the watermelon.
Namely, the red/green hues of the fruit’s flesh and skin, which have been successfully translated onto the dial and dive-bezel marks of the capsule collection’s two respective red and green-toned watches.
Combining whimsy with solid horological engineering, the Aquis Date is pressure rated to 300 metres, has a date complication, a 41-hour power reserve, and employs scratch-proof ceramic for the timing bezel.
Both models are equally tasty – just don’t try to eat them.
Breitling
Superocean Automatic 44
Diving headfirst into summer, this June saw Breitling release a new version of its Superocean Automatic 44 diver’s watch with a tonal rubber strap.
Drawing inspiration from a highly sought-after 1960s Superocean model from Breitling’s archives, the new iteration employs the OG’s signature oversized ‘paddle’ hour/minute hands and ‘lollipop’ seconds hand, set against a contrast stepped minute-scale chapter ring and stocky, lumed hour markers.
But it’s all about the turquoise. In CEO, Georges Kern’s opinion: “With summer upon us, our colourful new Superocean is your ultimate companion, whether you’re riding the waves or relaxing at a beachside dinner.”
Hublot
Big Bang Unico Pink Sapphire
Whether it’s ‘Millennial’ or ‘Barbie’, Hublot’s Big Bang Unico Pink Sapphire (alongside Tudor’s Black Bay Chrono Pink, more on which later) is a strong indication that popular culture’s pink trend has reached horology and is here to stay, at least for the foreseeable future.
Utilising Hublot’s industry-leading skill in producing coloured sapphire crystal cases – no mean feat – and a composite-resin skeletonised dial, the Pink Sapphire’s inner workings are easily visible.
Driven using an in-house Unico MHUB1280 calibre, with flyback function, dial-side column wheel system, and boasting no less than five patents, it’s plain to see why Hublot chose to make the movement plain to see.
Tudor
Black Bay Chrono Pink
Spawning a host of affectionate nicknames upon its release earlier this year, including ‘Pink Panda’ and ‘Pig Snout’, the Tudor Black Bay Chrono featuring a pink dial was conceived as a nod to Tudor brand ambassadors David Beckham (who’s Inter Miami CF team has pink as a team colour) and Taiwanese singer and musician Jay Chou (who sports pink on such a regular basis it’s become “his signature”, as Tudor put it).
So far spotted on the wrists of Mark Wahlberg and Erling Haaland, it’s fast becoming a horological smash hit.
The only problem is getting one, with Tudor itself formally stating, “only a small number of examples will be produced.”
IWC
Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar Top Gun Lake Tahoe
For those that wish to subscribe to a ‘summer white’ dress code, I direct your attention to IWC’s Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar Top Gun Lake Tahoe and its 46.5mm white ceramic case.
Supplied on a matching white rubber strap, it’s offset with a contrast black dial which readily displays the eponymous perpetual calendar and also moonphase complications.
Originally produced as a time-only aeronautic navigator’s piece, the Big Pilot has subsequently played host to a range of complications, but it’s the combination between the Big Pilot’s oversized case and a perpetual calendar’s pragmatic nature that marries up so well.
Tissot
Sideral S Powermatic 80
For the Sideral S Powermatic 80, Tissot has shone the spotlight on an overlooked collection from its past. Hailing from 1969, the Sideral line-up was aimed at a younger, more active demographic and, as such, featured fiberglass cases and a modernist design language.
Fiberglass being a common material in the construction of sailboat, you might say this watch was also designed for the yachting fraternity.
Updating the Sideral for today’s consumer, Tissot has retained a bold, vintage ‘sporty’ dial and strap design from its past, but substituted the fiberglass case for forged carbon.
It’s a solid contender for those looking for a vibrant summer timekeeper with heritage to boot.
Longines
Conquest Automatic Chronograph
A newly released update to Longines’ Conquest chronograph model, the Conquest L3.835.4.32.9 (to refer to it by its catchy full name) is presented with a subtle but summer-ready golden sun-ray dial and black rubber strap.
As a classically styled chronograph, the watch has a 3/6/9 o’clock sub-dial layout, screw-down pushers at 2 and 4 o’clock, and a ceramic tachymeter bezel.
Measuring in at a broad 42mm, it’s powered using a self winding-calibre with an ample 59 hours of power reserve.
To anyone looking for a timekeeper that’s capable of pulling ‘double duty’, this handsome watch is a respectable choice in the proverbial ‘beach to boardroom’ category.
Tag Heuer
Carrera Chronograph Skipper
Continuing the prevalent theme of throwback vintage watch design, TAG Heuer (née Heuer) has revived one of its most beloved historic designs: the ‘Skipper’ dial.
Intended, as its moniker suggests, for yacht racing, the Skipper’s design hallmark is a 15-minute chronograph sub-dial colour divided into five-minute increments to time the start of a regatta.
It’s found at the 3 o’clock position on the Carrera Chronograph Skipper, balanced against a 12-hour counter at 9 o’clock, with the running seconds neatly integrated at 6 o’clock.
This model is housed in a warm 18-carat 5N rose-gold 39mm case, TAG’s automatic in-house Heuer 02 movement powers the show.
Seiko
Seiko 5 Sports ‘Mikan Orange’ GMT SKX Re-Interpretation
With its balmy orange dial, 100-metre water resistance, and GMT complication, the Seiko 5 Sports ‘Mikan Orange’ GMT SKX Re-Interpretation immediately conjures up thoughts of travel to warm, tropical climes.
As indicated by the dial signature, an automatic manufacture Caliber 4R34 movement, lies within the watch; operating at a standard 3HZ frequency and with a power reserve of 41 hours, it’s a solid, workhorse of a movement.
And, in a move that’s brought joy to Seiko fanboys and girls the world over, its 43.5mm case – with an offset crown at 4 o’clock – is inspired by the brand’s hugely popular, discontinued, titular SKX collection.
Swatch
Neon Flash Arrow
One can always count on Swatch to turn the fun all the way up to 11, and it certainly does with the kaleidoscopic Neon Flash Arrow.
A continuation of a design debuted in 1991, the multicolour quartz-powered chronograph can measure elapsed time up to 1 hour and below to 1/10 of a second.
A date window can be found at 3 o’clock too, while a tachymeter scale encircles the dial. But, more than the practicalities, this watch is a statement that timekeeping can still be a boat-load of fun.
With watch-related crime now an unfortunate reality throughout Europe and beyond, the Neon Flash Arrow is a great complementary, or maybe even substitute, choice for those louche short-sleeved summer break days.
