Summer Time: Five Hot Watches for Kicking Back

Jul 26, 2023

Summer is here, and we’re ready for fun-loving watches that are bold and beautiful without overcomplicating things. This season, it's all about sport watches, particularly dive models ready to take a dip whenever the mercury rises. Then, choose from a rainbow of bright colors that lighten the mood and refresh your wrist like a cooling summer breeze.

Here are the hottest timepieces of the summer.

Ulysse Nardin Diver X Skeleton Black

Ulysse Nardin dials up the wattage of its Diver X Skeleton Black (US$25,800) with yellow accents and an eye-popping yellow rubber strap. Limited to 175 pieces, the latest Diver X Skeleton is fitted with a concave unidirectional rotating bezel made of superlight and extra-tough black Carbonium. This carbon composite with a unique marbled look is made from the same fibers used in airplane fuselages and wings. Carbonium also has the added value of sustainability because it is made from offcuts of aircraft parts. And if the bright yellow strap is too flashy, you can opt for a black fabric R-STRAP made from upcycled fishing nets.

Sandblasted on the sides with satin-finished lugs, the 44mm titanium case is coated with black DLC, while the hands and indexes glow with white or yellow-tinted Super-LumiNova.

The automatic UN-371 movement has been redesigned and improved with the addition of an oscillating weight in the shape of Ulysse Nardin's signature X motif. There is also a barrel cover at 12 o’clock in black Carbonium to match the bezel. Under a domed sapphire crystal, the movement's tiered architecture with different finishes enhances light play through the movement and creates a sense of depth and dimension.

Hublot Big Bang Unico Summer Purple

Purple reigns this summer at Hublot, which launched Big Bang Unico Summer, limited to 200 pieces, in a fashionable hue rarely seen in the luxury watch market.

Following up on last year's turquoise summer model, the new amethyst-hued 42mm case is cut from lightweight anodized aluminum with a combination of satin and polished finishes. Hublot uses a special proprietary process to heighten scratch resistance and durability. The hands and indices are in the same shade of purple and light up after dark with touches of white Super-LumiNova.

But it's not just about the looks. Inside, the HUB1280 manufacture calibre is a serious, skeletonized column-wheel chronograph movement with a 72-hour power reserve.

And to complete the monochromatic look, the Big Bang Unico Summer Purple (US$22,000) comes with two straps—one Velcro style with matching stitching and a sports clasp and the second in the brand's signature natural rubber. Switch them up on a whim with the brand's patented tool-free One-Click system.

Oris Aquis Date Calibre 400 41.5mm Bi-Color

Oris added a splash of gold to its Aquis Date Calibre 400 41.5mm dive watch in forest green and deep blue versions with an 18-karat gold finish on the outer edges of the unidirectional rotating bezels and gold-colored hands and indexes. In addition, the green or blue ceramic bezels have golden minutes scales to balance the design.

Inside, the Calibre 400 automatic movement is endowed with enhanced anti-magnetism protection, water-resistance down to 300 meters, a stop-seconds function and a five-day power reserve, while delivering accuracy of -3/+5 seconds a day. An extended service interval of 10 years takes the hassle out of maintenance, and Oris offers a 10-year warranty when the watch is registered with MyOris.

Each version comes with your choice of a stainless-steel bracelet (US$4,600) or a matching-color rubber strap (US$4,400), and you can purchase alternate straps to change up the look with the brand's patented Quick Strap Change system.

Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Date

The vintage vibe is still going strong at Jaeger-LeCoultre, which introduced a new Polaris Date (US$9,200) with a special lacquered, double-gradient dial in deep green that emanates different hues depending on how the light hits it. A mix of opaline, grained, and sunray finishes define each dial segment, and Super-LumiNova hour markers and numerals in a shade of vanilla offer a nod to the first Memovox Polaris from 1968, which featured an alarm function that made it popular among the diving set.

The sapphire crystal case back reveals the next-generation automatic Calibre 899 movement—designed, produced, and assembled in house—with a date function, 70-hour power reserve and water resistance down to 200 meters. The rotating inner bezel, controlled by the crown at 2 o’clock, can be set to measure timing countdowns with precision, a key function for any dive watch.

The crisp, matte-finished 42mm stainless steel case is fitted with a complementary green rubber strap embossed with a Clous de Paris (hobnail) pattern. But you can easily switch it out for an alternate with the brand's Quick Change system.

Hermès H08 in Blue Titanium

Hermès is renowned for great design, but last year's H08 collection—envisioned by Philippe Delhotal, creative director of Hermès Horloger—was a showstopper. The eye-catching design exudes contemporary elegance with unique geometric lines that combine a squared-off, cushion-shaped case and a circular dial appointed with bold, stylized Arabic numerals.

The maison followed up this year with a summer-sporty H08 (US$7,300) in deep blue titanium topped with a black ceramic bezel and fitted with a screw-down crown. The sharp blue PVD-treated dial combines different textures and finishes with luminous white numerals and orange accents.

A blue rubber strap with a black DLC titanium buckle underscores its sporty spirit without detracting from its urbane and contemporary aesthetic, echoing the sophisticated world of Hermès men's ready-to-wear.