The weather is starting to heat up down under, now is the perfect time to look at watches suited for the upcoming summer months.
Summer is fast approaching, and with it comes hot weather, days at the beach or pool, short sleeves and sweaty wrists. We have seen some fantastic watch releases this year, here we are going to showcase what we believe are the best options for your summer spending.
All watches featured on this list are pieces that we believe are suited to summer. That means, water resistant cases, water resistant bracelets or straps, and plenty of vibrant dials to really pop in the summer sun.
The Nomos club campus (Pride models)
We start with some of the most colourful watches released in 2020, the Nomos club campus Pride editions. These pieces feature the club lines signature California dial layouts, a mix of romans and Arabic numerals, and really go in heavy on that colourful pop.
Launched in collaboration with the LGBTQI+ community and charity organisation, the Trevor project, Nomos teamed up with design publication ‘Cool Hunting’ to release six separate dial variations, each with its own important messaging.
Manual winding the outstanding in house Alpha movement provides 43 hours of power reserve, the watch sits 38mm x 8.5mm on wrist, with a water resistance of 100m. Available in vibrants red, yellow, blue, orange, green and violet, the Nomos Club campus Pride editions are available for $2,060.00 AUD.
The Doxa Sub 300
A faithful but modern reincarnation of the brands dive watch from the 1960’s, Doxa provide another great colourful option in their Sub 300 range.
With six dial variants, each available on either a multi-link steel bracelet, or colour matched rubber strap, this 42.5mm diver is a great choice for summer 2020.
The dish like case shape hides its heft well, with an effective lug to lug of just 45mm, meaning this 42.5mm diver is wearable on wrists as small as 15cm.
The hero of the piece is without doubt the dials of the Sub 300, the signature orange, yellow and turquoise are certain to turn heads at the beach or poolside this summer.
Powered by the automatic calibre ETA 2824-2 with COSC certification, the Doxa Sub 300 is available for purchase for an RRP of $3950.00 AUD.
The Tudor Black Bay 58 Navy Blue
Perhaps the worst kept secret of watches in 2020, the Tudor Black Bay 58 blue came out with a fizzle but lands with a bang. One of the best watches of the year regardless of season, Tudor took an approach of not fixing what isn’t already broken in the 58 line.
Perfect proportions remain, top quality construction, and now featuring a gorgeous blue dial and bezel for 2020.
The Tudor Black Bay 58 blue is downright regal in its appearance, a watch fit for every occasion it can certainly handle anything summer can offer. The piece carries forwards the previous iterations specifications, with 200m of water resistance, 70 hours of power reserve and a five year warranty offered by the brand.
Whilst aesthetically, some may prefer the original black and guilt colourway, having the 58 now available in blue, makes it a real contender for summertime wear. With an RRP of $5000.00 AUD, the Tudor Black Bay 58 blue is available for purchase at your local Tudor authorised dealer.
The Longines Hydroconquest Green
In 2020 Longines expanded their range of Hydroconquest offerings to now offer a pair of green variants. Available in either 41mm or 43mm sizing, the new green Hydroconquests are available on either full steel bracelets, or a fantastic fitted green rubber strap with full deployant buckle.
Made for the ocean, the new watches feature 300m water resistance and have a dial packed with Supa-Luminova. Longines also deploy heavy usage of anti-reflective coating to the sapphire crystal, ensuring maximum legibility in bright sunlight.
The watch features the Longines calibre L888 automatic movement, giving it a rated power reserve of 64 hours. The Longines Hydroconquest green is a robust offering from a brand backed by the Swatch group, and is certainly one of the many reasons Longines should be on your radar over the coming months and years.
Available at your local authorised dealer for an RRP of $2,325.00 AUD.
The Breitling Superocean heritage 57
Another robust ocean faring offering released in time for summer 2020, the Breitling Superocean heritage 57 is one of the best heritage editions in recent memory.
Available in Black, Blue, two tone and of course rainbow variations, the piece is a modern interpretation of the classic 1957 Superocean release.
Breitling calibre B10 gives the watch 42 hours of power reserve, and its 42mm case offers 100m of water resistance.
On a cool mesh bracelet, evocative of its 1950’s heritage, the Superocean heritage 57 is available from $6,600.00 AUD.
The IWC Portugieser Yacht club chronograph
Picture this, its 33 degrees outside, you have a cold glass in hand, views of the water, decking underfoot and your enjoying a light lunch whilst gazing out at some of the most luxurious watercraft you have ever seen. If this is your vision of summer, then there is only one timepiece that should be adorning your wrist.
The IWC Portugieser Yacht club chronograph is the perfect amalgamation of sports and luxury in a wristwatch.
Rounding out at 44mm x 14.4mm the new Portugieser offers a substantial level of wrist presence. Dials of sunburst blue and sunburst silver only serve to add to the watches luxurious appeal, with the use of a minimalist bezel, the new Portugieser gives off the appearance of being all dial.
IWC further their commitment to their in-house movements and employ the use of their calibre 82835 automatic chronograph here. With 60m of water resistance, this piece may not be fit for the dive, but it is unrivalled on the deck.
Available for purchase at an RRP of $18,800.00 AUD.
The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak offshore chronograph
By far the biggest hitter on or list, the all new off shore chronograph offers three new distinctive colour variants to the collection.
Incorporating colourd ceramics to the dials and cases of the new offshore chronograph, Audemars Piguet now offer, blue, green and pink gold editions to the line. A vison of sturdy elegance, AP show off their signature Mega Tapisserie dial textures, as well as unrivalled levels of case finishing.
The use of bold Arabic numerals and tri register chronograph readouts, make for an imposing timepiece which sits 44mm across its case.
All three new models come with fitted rubber straps and feature 100m of water resistance.
The AP Royal Oak off shore chronograph is available for an RRP of $48,800.00 AUD.
