Last week, we started our series of articles on the best summer watches.
Each member of our WatchTested team has selected five favorite models for summer, covering price ranges from under €1,000 to limitless. Today, it's my turn, and I've prepared a selection of new and pre-owned watches.
Five Summer Watches for Different Budgets
Summer is not just about vacations (though we wish it were). It's also about warm weather and active leisure after work or on weekends. All these factors might 'demand' different watches. Or you might need one versatile model within a certain budget. Today, we'll look at five budgets: up to €1,000, up to €2,500, up to €5,000, up to €10,000, and beyond.
I usually take a two to three-week vacation in the summer. Vacation spots vary, but this year it's Italy. We're renting a cozy home for two weeks, and on our way back, we'll stop for a few days in Austria. We're driving (staying within the EU), so I can take as many watches as I want. I usually take one or two pairs, as I don't like leaving watches in hotels, apartments, or houses. During trips, we try to do different things, but the main goal is to relax and unwind – this is what vacation means to me. We enjoy good dinners (including barbecues), explore the surroundings, swim occasionally, and spend time with family outdoors.
Summer is Not Just a Vacation
However, summer lasts much longer than a three-week vacation. Luckily, I live near the beach, and it's one of the places I'll frequent during the summer - not only to refresh in the water and enjoy the sea breeze but also to visit beach clubs. Summer also offers opportunities to play golf, spend time in the garden reading, chatting, and barbecuing. Honestly, my first major purchase this summer is likely to be a new grill or kamado, not a watch. My old Weber grill has served its time, and it's time to upgrade to a new model or a kamado. I'd appreciate any advice on the choice in the comments.
Personal Summer Watch List
In any case, all summer activities require suitable wristwatches. There are many great options for different occasions and budgets. Remember, this is my personal list and choice; it doesn't claim to be universal. It reflects my preferences and the reasons why each model is here. I hope that characteristics are not the only criteria for choosing a watch. Watches should reflect your taste or style, have an interesting history or remind you of it (or someone), and ideally, evoke emotions. This is not related to price, but since everyone has a different budget and spending comfort level, I've chosen five watches in five price categories.
Up to €1,000: Hamilton Khaki Field 36mm
In the category up to €1,000, I chose the new Hamilton Khaki Field 36mm, priced around €675. These are mechanical watches with an 80-hour power reserve, a highly legible dial and hands, 100m water resistance, a fully matte case with a diameter of 36mm, and only 10.2mm thick. The watches are simple, functional, and affordable.
The model is based on military watches from the 1970s, so many elements make them perfect for everyday use (GADA watch). Today, most people prefer sapphire glass, but these watches feature acrylic, giving them a unique charm. This 'no-frills' Khaki Field Mechanical (ref. H69399930) is excellent for strolling the streets of Sirmione or barbecuing in a garden in a village on the western shore of Lake Garda. The main thing is not to worry about the watch's safety.
Even swimming in the pool won't harm these watches. The fabric strap will dry quickly under the Italian sun. My grandfather wore similar military watches for decades (he lost them in the late 1960s), so for me, it's a pleasant touch. His watches were much older, but the style was identical.
Up to €2,500 (approximately): Sinn 103 St Ty Hd
These are the watches I recently purchased and reviewed. Honestly, they are €90 over the budget, but nowadays this simply means skipping a couple of glasses of wine at a restaurant. The Sinn 103 St Ty Hd combines vintage style with modern features. Like the Hamilton, they are equipped with acrylic glass, which is not an issue for me, considering that serious sports watches had acrylic for decades.
The Sinn 103 offers 200m water resistance, which is convenient for the beach or pool. The main thing is to put the watch on a NATO strap or rubber band before diving. Especially in Italy, a country with a rich history of interest in watches, the vintage look can be a conversation starter. The color scheme - black and champagne with red accents - is attractive and well-readable. If you want a more modern option, Sinn has many models of the 103 in their catalog. The most basic version is the Sinn 103 St (€2,350), which is also among my favorites, along with the 103 St Ty Hd.
If I were into diving, I would choose the Sinn U50 (from €2,350), but it lacks the vintage charm of the 103 St Ty Hd. This mechanical chronograph with a pilot's bezel is perfect for barbecuing.
Up to €5,000: Omega Seamaster 300M Professional 2531.80
Not all watches need to be new. On the contrary, there are many worthy models on the secondary market. I've had several Seamaster 300M 2531.80 since 2000, but I kept changing them. Only during a vacation in Spain in 2018 did I realize that it's worth buying a good watch and keeping it forever. This realization came when I saw many people on vacation with the 300M on their wrists. Every time I saw them, I felt a slight envy.
These watches look superb, and the blue dial and bezel have aged well (sometimes with slight fading). The 2531.80 model is a thin and functional diver's watch with professional features. Inside is the Omega caliber 1120 (based on ETA 2892-A2), which was installed in all the brand's top three-handers in the 1990s. An interesting fact: the Seamaster 300M 2531.80 was the first new Omega watch I bought in the summer of 2000 as a student. Aside from studying, I worked in IT at a large publishing house. Back then, the price of €1,540 (about 3,400 guilders) was significant for a young person.
Today, on the secondary market, you can find options from €2,000, but I chose a model with a full set for €3,395. This early version with a tritium dial is in excellent condition. Since the budget is up to €5,000, I'm willing to pay a little extra to ensure the watch maintains its claimed 300m water resistance. This won't significantly increase the cost.
Up to €10,000: Rolex Sea-Dweller 16600
In the category up to €10,000, it's hard to imagine more reliable summer watches than the Rolex Sea-Dweller 16600. If you manage to find a Rolex GMT-Master 16710 in good condition for this amount, the choice would be tougher, but they are currently priced higher.
Previously, I would take a PloProf 1200M on vacation to Italy – also a great option, but it's heavy (279g) and bulky, especially in the heat. I've been frequently wearing the Rolex Sea-Dweller 16600 since 2003. I might even have old vacation photos with it.
In 2014, I traded my first Sea-Dweller 16600 for a GMT-Master 1675 from my birth year and wore it for several years. But the desire to get the Sea-Dweller back was stronger, and I accidentally found another 16600 of the same year (1996) and bought it again. Today, the Sea-Dweller 16600 can be found in the range of €8,000–9,000 in good condition, which leaves some money for water resistance testing and gasket replacement.
No Limits: Piaget Polo 79
In the category above €10,000, the choice is endless. Although I have watches in this price range, I found it more interesting to imagine the ideal luxury vacation watch. For me, that's a stay at a luxurious hotel like the Mandarin Oriental or Villa d’Este on Lake Como, or a villa with a lake view, arriving in a stylish Ferrari Testarossa/512 TR or 328.
I don't know where to put the luggage or, more importantly, the family in such cars, but let's leave the details aside. On the wrist – a Piaget Polo 79 in yellow gold. These are the perfect watches for warm summer evenings on Lake Como. I probably wouldn't barbecue on a Weber or Green Egg with them on, but again – details.
The Polo 79 debuted in 2024 and is based on the original Polo models with 'gadroon' from the late 1970s to early 1980s. The water resistance of 50m doesn't allow for silly activities like swimming or diving. Inside is the Piaget caliber 1200P1, making the case thickness only 7.45mm. The retail price of the Polo 79 is about €88,500. This is probably a bit more expensive than the cost of a three-week luxury vacation on Lake Como with the family.
Which watch would you choose for summer? And what are your plans for the season? Share in the comments.