Yes, I know that this series is about summer watches, but is there anything like a typical summer watch? I think I’m against grain and call my pick a “holiday watch” instead. Preparing for the holidays is when I carefully select the clock (or clock) I want to bring.
G-Shock Riseman GW-9200-1er
I brought a G-Shock on my last holiday
My family had already had a “big holiday” in May when we visited South Africa. We flew to Cape Town and enjoyed a fantastic two weeks exploring the famous garden route. South Africa may not be safe in some areas, so I decided not to bring in expensive ones and instead took the Riseman from G-Shock. I bought this watch many years ago and didn’t wear it much. The G-Shock started working after charging in the sunlight and wore straight for 16 days. I didn’t mind reading the instruction manual, but in two weeks it was enough to learn how all the features work. The altimeter was just as great as its ability to track temperature (although I realized I had to take off my watch so that the thermometer could do the job).
But I also realized that it would not be easy to go that long without my beloved watch. When I came back, one of the first things I did was go (outside) safe and pick up some of my valuable possessions. Do you bring these on your (summer) holidays? It all depends on your destination. I felt it was very safe in South Africa, but I couldn’t wear an expensive watch there. However, it is not recommended to wear expensive watches in certain European cities.
So my list is based on holiday destinations that I tend to visit, not summer or particularly seasons. If it’s your shtick, you can wear colorful watches all year round. Looking at the destinations below, don’t forget to travel from Schiphol Airport (Amsterdam).
Destination: Florida, USA – Rolex GMT Master II (Tiger Iron)
The US was one of my favourite destinations, especially for holidays. My wife and I have not been together for a while, so we can’t wait to visit the West Coast or Florida. The national park is amazing. We meet many friendly people, have great steaks and burgers and can shop from time to time. And now we have a daughter to join us, so visiting one of the entertainment parks is a must. We aim to go there for a two-week holiday next year, but I can’t wait for too long as I was there on a private occasion.
But now I need to choose a clock that can accompany me on my trip to Florida. I have decided to choose a watch (for all destinations) that is newly released, currently in the brand’s catalogue.
Nostalgic memories of wearing the GMT-Master II
I brought my GMT-Master II in 2008 on one of my first trips to the US. I love the memories of wearing that watch on that holiday. The Pepsi bezel was wonderful and colorful, and the fourth hand helped me track the time of the house. They were still a few years before WhatsApp, when we had to call our families from time to time to give them an update.
I recently switched to Gold and Bicollar watches, so the new Rolex GMT Master II with a Tiger Iron dial appeals to me a lot. I love the distinctive dial, which consists of tiger eye, red jasper and hematite stones, which is particularly different to the other GMT Master II. I also learned from Michael Stockton that the gold Rolex pairs well with Florida.
Rolex GMT-Master II ref. The retail price of 126715CHNR-0002 is 51,250 euros. If you order this year, the 2033 holiday might be fine.
Destination: Tokyo, Japan – Tokyo Magnificent Lion Foldable SLGC009
I can’t wait to show my daughter Tokyo. What a beautiful city. There’s a lot to explore. I’ve been there a few times and it’s always been for work. I extended one trip with my wife and got several days of free time. It was a great experience and I hope to go back and see (and do) more. What watch is better to bring than Grand Seiko’s? Grand Seico with GMT features makes sense for the same reasons as the Rolex I chose.
However, the Grand Seiko release that really made a big impression on me this year was the Tokyo Lion’s foldable SLGC009. When I first opened the box, I thought it was too big and clunky, but when I got on my wrist I realized how well this 43mm watch was worn. In fact, having the spectacular Tokyo lion folding on the wrist reminded me a bit of the Ardmars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore concept from the early 2000s.
The rubber strap works perfectly in hot weather
The titanium case of this watch guarantees comfortable and light (still 139 grams) to wear, and the rubber strap is perfect for hot summer days in Tokyo. Grand Seiko’s Tentagraph SLGC009 is 200 meters resistant just in case. The movement of that high-beat (36,000VPH/5Hz) chronograph is a joy to admire through curved sapphire crystals in the caseback. Grand Seiko’s 9SC5 movement is also characterized by its double impulse escape. This escapement transfers energy indirectly through the pallet fork and directly from the escape wheel to the fleece pulling balance wheel.
As my colleague Rex stated in his hands-on article, the SLGC009 is a bold watch. I agree, but Tokyo, a cool and lively city, deserves a clock like this.
Grand Seiko’s Tokyo Lion Tentagraph SLGC009 will be available from August (still summer) and retails at 17,500 euros.
Destination: St. Tropez, France – Omega Seamaster Proprof 1200m Summer Blue
The holiday destination close to my home is St. Tropez in southern France. Coteur is a popular destination and I have been there on many occasions since I was a child. Of course, it can go from cheap to expensive, but St. Tropez falls into the latter category. Usually, you choose a campsite or hotel near Cannes and visit St. Tropez for a day. The drive can be long due to traffic congestion caused by people who are close to the distance, but have similar plans.
Like me, if you grew up watching films like Le Gendalme de Saint-Tropez and its sequels with actor Louis des Funces, there’s something mythical about it in that place. The perfect watch to wear when visiting the beaches of Cote Jua is the 1200m Omega sailor. I did so when I was there a few years ago, and for this article I chose the current summer blue edition, which Omega introduced in 2023. Omega has launched Seamaster, a summer blue collection on Mykonos, Greece, but the colours perfectly match the French Riviera.
Whether you’re soaking in the pool or going to the sea via a sandy beach, the 1200m Ploprof won’t disappoint you. With straps like blue rubber isofren, you’ll feel like a French comex diver who used the original Proprof before the market became available in the late 1960s (1971).
Better than the 1970s Ploprof
However, the Omega’s Ploprof 1200m Summer Blue moves undoubtedly better than the vintage caliber 1002 used in the 600m. Omega’s Modern Calibre 8912 is a certified master chronometer and maintains a great time.
I have been wearing the new summer blue edition for a while, but it’s more comfortable than the 1200m I own. But I prefer to have a shark mesh bracelet there. The good news is that a 1200m (2009–2019) bracelet fits, but the hues of the metal can vary slightly, as they fit in the case of O-Megasteel.
The Omega Seamaster Ploprof 1200m Summer Blue retails for 15,800 euros.
Or stick to G-Shock
All three of my choices are not cheap. On the contrary, they are expensive. But I also don’t believe in typical summer or seasonal watches. However, if you want something affordable and reliable that won’t attract the wrong crowd, I recommend the G-Shock Rangeman GW-9400-1. The one who accompanied me on my last holiday is similar to Riseman and has all the neat features. Riseman is no longer in production, and Rangeman, released in 2013, inherits some of its features. It costs only 299 euros.
After finishing this article, my wife and I decided to go to Denmark this summer. So this is a private destination on this list, but one of the four clocks does it. As it is within the EU, I might bring an additional watch. My trusty ploprof 1200m is in it.
