Time + tide
While seasonal watch novelties aren’t new, in 2025, the absolute bumper crop has seen the release of summer watches in 2025, with guards at every price that will compete with each other in a colorful, sporty, warm weather ready piece with each other at any price. As a publication of Australians (despite becoming increasingly global), it’s funny to see all these summer clocks falling while trembling in the winter…or maybe they’re just starting the clock heads into summers in the Southern Hemisphere. We asked Time+Tide Writing teams around the world to choose their favorite Summer 2025 watch. This is what we all chose.
Tom’s Pick: IWC Pilot Watch Automatic 41 Top Gun Lake Tahoe
This is one of the best summer watches of the year, but when it fell, it’s been flying under the radar up until now, you’d have thought it was in camouflage ceramic! The way IWC launched this watch was cool in its own right. It was released with a mysterious watch a few months ago and casually added to the pilot’s lineup of watches that have no fanfare or celebrations. He appeared out of nowhere like a cool guy who was easy to do at a party. The three of Lake Tahoe are not the most innovative works, but they don’t have to be. With its bright white ceramic it looks very cool and appears to be paired with a white rubber strap, but it is suitable for almost any summer outfit, especially if you are shaking a decent sun tan.
The already punchy black dial stands out even more on this watch, with the hand and time markers matching the monochromatic look. At 41mm, it’s another great example of a loud and fun balance with wrist presence and IWC doesn’t take things too seriously (similar to the new Sky Blue Miramer Ceramic). As a package, I think it’s the perfect summer combo.
Pietro’s Pick: Tudor Black Bay 54 Lagoon Blue
During the summer holidays, you may not need to formally dress like the working part of this year, and this should also be reflected in your watch. However, summer is a time when beach (or mountain) visits are more common, and you need a robust clock that can withstand it. The latest iteration of Black Bay 54 brings together these two aspects perfectly, giving an exciting twist to the already beloved model.
Certainly, the lagoon blue dial isn’t all that surprising given the recent releases of the pink and light blue maison, but it’s not just the color of the new dial compared to chronograph models with similar color treatments. There is a new sandy texture that adds to the summer charm, a fully polished steel bezel that exudes vintage inspiration, and a 5-link bracelet for a less modest look compared to the original 2023 model. After all, if the clock cannot shine during the summer, when is the right time?
Russell’s Pick: Hermetique Summer in the Baltic Sea
For me, summer is about being easy, relaxed and a little more expressive. Nothing released this year embodies quality more than the latest quartet of Hermetique’s summer collection, Baltotic. Yes, they may be four new dial colors on watches we already know and love, but the use of such bright shades and the way they all collide together screams summer to me.
Do I wear bright colors even during the summer? no. But I should be all about that summer by adding splashes here and there with your watch or pair of trainers. I’m based in London, so when winter hits, it’s all very dark, cold and gloomy, so I want a summer watch that will make the most of the proper sun we get for the three days. I also want to wear it safely when walking around central London. After purchasing from London Discovery Studios, I feel safe wearing any of these. But with enough shameless plugs, these watches add something so fun to your summer without worrying about wearing a mortgage on your wrist, and the last thing you want to do when the sun is out is worrying.
Alex’s Pick: H. Moser & cie. Effort small seconds concept pop
Australian summers are about living vibrantly and spending more time on the beach than at home. Moser’s new endeavor’s little seconds concept pop is my choice of classic take in a new era of stone dial trends that suit the warm climate atmosphere. Utilizing a small seconds of bright crystalline turquoise and bloody orange corals on the dial, the Concept Pop series stands out with a playful palette, but without logos and numbers, you can stay under the radar while you’re in the sun. The movement of the HMC 202 is also beautiful. While taking the watch to check the display case back, the tan of the partially skeletonized bridge, Moser’s signature double stripes, 18K solid gold rotors, and blinding watches shaped like a 38mm case will be revealed.
I’m the type who dips my toes into the Pacific Ocean, rather than being abused by currents. So the concept of 30m water resistance works well for me. Moser also knows he has released a pioneer spice-filled aqua trilogy.
Jamie’s Pick: Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Tech 45mm
This new, unlimited version of Blanpine’s 50 Fathom technology follows the exact same playbook, so I was able to easily choose Omega’s new orange diver 300m for my vote. Both watches show that small but meaningful changes can fundamentally change the feel of the watch, such as changing the straps. But I think Blancpain’s summer tweak is more interesting for this pair of Swatch groups. Because it goes beyond just another colorway.
Don’t believe it? All of the Blanpine marketing materials for this watch have revolved around a style statement that is “depth test, street approval, lifestyle-ready.” It’s also the fact that there’s a white rubber strap option alongside orange and black. What about that white strap, combined with FF Tech’s shiny “absolute black” dial and orange highlights? Like the orange, it’s a real statement. And that’s a statement we’re not used to seeing from things like Blanpine, even their ceramic watches. It’s a unique blend of the toughness and aesthetic playfulness of the right tool watch and it really speaks to me…it’s just such a fascinating design object.
Zach’s Picks: Hublot Big Bang Unico Summer 2025
I hate choosing Hublot to be somehow a hot take or a controversial cry, but the brand is in a great position to produce marquee novelties on summer themes. Material innovation and especially expertise in coloring such materials allows Hublot to curate summer appearances when other brands cannot be realized. It had a sneak peak with a 2025 42mm Big Bang Unico Summer watch and wonder, but it wasn’t released on the show. Having a gobstopper that boasts a boundary line directly from Willie Wonka, you’ll need to understand that while the chocolate factory on your wrist is not everyone’s preference, you’ll need to understand that the brand can make this flavor all with one watch.
What’s more, not only is the fact that brands can run Sky Blue, Orange and White ceramics all on one watch, but it’s a way to perfect the ceramics. The Hublot Big Bang Unico Ceramic Orange made the headline as the first watch with an orange ceramic case, but this case was run with a more typical satin brush and polished surface. Here, Hublot has microblasted ceramic finishes, which I think will be extremely difficult to achieve. It looks a bit of a toy, but the playful, childlike look is well combined with the summer vibe. Love it and hate it, it’s definitely a summer conversation starter on the wrist. Price: USD 31,300 (limited to 100 units)
Borna’s Pick: Casio G-Shock X Crocs Echo Wave
Keep your ceramic chrono and deep divers. What you really need this summer is an outfit upgrade. As the weather intensifies, it generally means light fabrics like linen, and enjoys it thoroughly during the winter. Thanks to Crocs and Casio, you can combine perhaps the best pound for pound value watch with a huge improvement in your personal style.
This avant-garde clock design not only comes with a cassioak pouch, but is also made from dark materials. This means that even if the small light on the cassioak goes out, you can still flip your legs and illuminate the dial. When it comes to wearing a watch on your ankles, there are several potentially useful scenarios to consider, but here you run your own imagination. I’ll leave these puppies in sport mode, thank you very much.
Honorable mention: Zenith X Time+Tide Defy Skyline Skeleton White Surfer Ceramic
Yeah, yeah, you probably saw this coming. This had to be included as an honorable mention. Of course, this is one of our favorite summer watches! The “White Surfer” was designed for summer watches. Certainly to be the ultimate summer style statement. Acres of refreshing white ceramic, a refreshing gradient blue openwork dial, rubber straps and surf-ready water-resistant options… It was really cool to see the white surfer owners sharing photos and videos enjoying their beach or summer cocktails in their hands. This is a clock that will make you want to feel the sea breeze and the sun on your skin.
