Summer Watches for Men, Ladies & Unisex - WatchPilot Summer Edit

With blue skies and warmer days officially here to stay, the time has come to pack up your heavy winter coats and make room for a fresh capsule wardrobe to wear in town as much as on your upcoming summer holiday.

Among all the fashion trends that have emerged this summer, casual comfort has taken the runway by storm, subsequently turning our attention towards no-brainer, multitasking pieces to create the most effortless looks. But just because we’re settling for a relaxed aesthetic this season doesn’t mean we shouldn’t elevate our summer style with striking accessories, such as a statement watch to complement all our summer looks!

For us at WatchPilot, summertime is about relaxation as much as having fun, so whether you appreciate a pop of colour on your wrist or a vintage timepiece that holds meaning, here are the 6 watch trends that are bound to inspire your summer wardrobe. 

From Tiffany blue to classic navy tones, the blue dial trend continues to make a splash this season. Every watch brand has been jumping on this trend, which means no matter your budget, you are guaranteed to find the perfect blue summer watch that matches your style and price expectations.

Blue dials have always conquered the hearts of discerning watch wearers, but now more than ever, watchmakers are keen to explore the scope of possibilities available to them, whether it be by adding contemporary finishes to the pieces, or by experimenting with new shades meant to appeal to both genders. Egg blue dials have been put in the limelight, and so have light shades ranging from sky blue to striking ocean hues.

For a relaxed summer watch to wear by the water, Tissot’s unisex PRX watch, with its hypnotic blue dial and chic baton hands, will be a match made in heaven, while Baume & Mercier’s deep blue Riviera watch will add a touch of sophistication to any social event on the agenda. 

Tapping into one of the biggest watch trends of the year, household names from Cartier to TAG Heuer are all taking a step back into the past and retrieving retro designs from the 60s and the 70s at the request of today’s modern watch wearers. With quiet luxury dominating the fashion scene and consumers revealing a growing appetite for nostalgic jewellery, it is no wonder that vintage, minimalist watches are coming back in full swing.

Well-loved models, such as Cartier’s Tank Française, are regaining prestige among today’s luxury aficionados, but if a Cartier watch is not on the cards this summer, why not opt for a more affordable model with a similar design instead? Frederique Constant’s Art Deco Carree watch for ladies and Hamilton’s Classic Boulton collection for men perfectly express this nostalgic feel in sophisticated designs meant to be worn day and night. 

If there’s one thing we’ve learnt from this year’s Watch & Wonders Fair, it’s that the watch industry is always full of surprises. Just look at the Oris Kermit ProPilot X or at Rolex’s Emoji Day-Date Emoji Puzzle watch. While some watch connoisseurs may have been left puzzled (pun intended) by these unusual designs, we see these timepieces as an opportunity to stand out from the crowd and subvert expectations of what wristwatches should look like.

Granted, your boss might not particularly appreciate your Kermit watch during an important business meeting, which is why the summer period is the perfect time to add a playful piece to your collection. Simple white pieces featuring fun details and striking finishes, such as Swatch’s Majestic Ladies watch or the Sunray Glam Core, will go a long way to elevate any neutral look or flamboyant style moment. Additionally, for a tasty white watch with a colourful personality, have a look at Casio’s Baby G Haribo sports watch or take the candy theme to the next level with Swatch’s Caramellissima watch. 

Mixed metal watches have always been a chic classic on the wrist, especially silver and gold combinations, but what about silver and rose gold? If you want to stand out this summer but do not necessarily wish to invest in a candy-themed watch, then a sophisticated stainless-steel piece enhanced with soft rose touches is what you need.

Of course, it’s not just women who are falling for the rose gold/silver combo. After the tidal wave of men’s salmon watches we saw in recent years, there's no denying that salmon shades and soft pink hues are equally conquering the hearts of trendy men and women.

Among all the models present on our wish list, our current favourite would have to be this Roamer Rockshell Mark III Chrono boasting a mesmerising green dial (another popular dial trend to watch out for this season). For ladies, the Rotary Cambridge, with its sumptuous retro style, combines all the ingredients for a trendy summer watch, and we’re here for it. 

Just as watches start to become increasingly more unisex, the trend for smaller proportions is imposing itself this season, which means now is the time for you to put away your oversized dials and cases and opt for smaller, easy-to-wear pieces instead.

If smaller proportions are to become the next big thing, allow us to take you through some of our current favourite petite watches to stay on trend. Tissot’s small timepieces remain a fail-safe choice in our book thanks to their classic style and versatile use. From the elegant Bellissima collection to the T-Classic series, these timeless models are the ones you can safely invest in and wear on repeat, even when the season ends. Mondaine’s evo2 collection is also one to keep in mind. Beyond clean looks, we particularly appreciate the evo2’s Milanese mesh bracelet and the extra touch of comfort it adds to the wrist during hot, summer days.

This season, titanium watches are gaining momentum, and see why. Against warmer temperatures and recurrent heatwaves, opting for a lighter yet stronger metal such as titanium seems to be the way to go. Watchmakers have realised the potential of the fierce metal, so we wouldn’t be surprised if titanium watches begin to take over the watch market in the years to come.

Really, it is no wonder that titanium is deemed to be the titan of metals. Durable and resistant to corrosion, titanium can take on any challenge, whether on land or underwater. If you plan to explore the ocean this summer, look no further than Certina’s iconic DS Action Diver watches. Alternatively, if style and function are your top priorities, Tissot’s Gentleman watch offers comfort, elegance, and exceptional scratch resistance.