Holiday season is upon us but which watch should you take? The answer of course depends on the kind of holiday you love, but whether you’re an intrepid explorer, a keen diver, or simply prefer to relax on the beach – we’ve got the watch for you.
Holiday season is upon us which means some important packing decisions need to be made – such as which watch should I take? The answer of course depends on the kind of holiday you love, but whether you’re an intrepid explorer, a keen diver, or simply prefer to relax on the beach – we’ve got the watch for you.
The watch: Tudor Pelagos
For the serious diver...
The Pelagos really is the diver’s watch, with a staggering waterproof depth of up to 500 metres. It also features an automatic helium escape valve at 3 o’clock, so that gas can be released as you ascend from the deepest of depths.
It is a beautiful timepiece, with a striking black dial to match your wetsuit and white hands and hour markers for ease of reading. At 42mm and with a titanium bracelet it is a beast on the wrist. It also comes with Tudor’s patented extension system for extra comfort as well as an alternative rubber strap so you can mix the look up.
The watch: Rolex Explorer II
For the person who’s happier up mountain than in a beach bar...
As its name suggests, this timepiece is royalty among explorers. When Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay became the first people to reach the summit of Everest on 29 May 1953, Norgay was wearing an Explorer on his wrist.
The Explorer II is 42mm in size and made with Rolex’s signature Oystersteel stainless steel. The dial is white with black hands and hour markers for perfect legibility. It also features an extra orange 12-hour hand to show the time in another time-zone – perfect for the keen traveller.
If you’re really planning on pushing yourself, the Explorer II also has Rolex’s Paraflex shock absorber, which increases shock resistance by 50% and is waterproof to a depth of 100 metres.
Watch: Jaeger Le-Coultre Reverso Classic
For the beach lover...
Let’s face it, for some of us it isn’t a holiday if there isn’t a beach. If that sounds like you, then we’d recommend the Jaeger Le-Coultre Reverso Classic. This is a watch for people who like to relax in style. The classic is available on either a leather or stainless steel strap with an understated dial featuring a sunburst guilloché pattern and Arabic numerals. Of course, what makes the Reverso so special is its ability to flip the dial.
As well as being able to engrave the stainless steel side, this feature is particularly handy protection should you decide to make the perilous journey from your sun lounger to the bar. Flip it back for dinner to create a beautiful dress watch.
Watch: Rolex Yachtmaster II
For the sailing enthusiast who’s keen to test their sea legs...
If you’re spending your summer getaway on the deck of a high-performance yacht, then look no further than the Rolex Yachtmaster II. This watch is as beautiful as it is functional, as well as one of the most complicated mechanical watches.
Its size (a large 44mm) and clear dial make it extremely easy to read, perfect for situations when you can only afford a quick glance at your wrist. The dial features a mix of white, red and blue, giving it a real nautical feel and even has a 10-minute regatta timer for the most serious of sailors.
The timer sits in a blue semi-circle on the dial with the numbers one to 10 and can be activated by the pressing the pusher at the top of the watch. The Yachtmaster II is also waterproof to 100 metres, should you decide to moor up and take a dive.
Watch: Patek Philippe World Time ref. 5230
For when two time zones simply aren’t enough...
If a holiday for you means packing as much – countries, time zones, culture – in as possible then Patek Philippe’s World Time ref. 5230 understands you only too well. This exquisite timepiece features a staggering 24 different time zones – meaning you can keep track of time no matter where you are.
Being a Patek Philippe, it’s also an absolute beauty in either rose or white gold on a leather strap. What’s more the hands match the bezel and the central dial is made in an incredibly intricate guilloché dark grey.
Watch: Rolex Cosmograph Daytona
For those who love the open road...
Admit it, there’s a little bit of you that likes to imagine you’re Paul Newman, racing the legendary Florida track. And with a Rolex Cosmograph Daytona on your wrist, we say why not? If you’re planning a road trip this is the watch for you – built for speed, it features three sub-dials and a tachymeter scale on the bezel, allowing racing drivers to measure lap speed.
It’s also aesthetically striking, featuring an inverse colour palette, historically either white for the main dial and black for the sub-dials, or vice-versa.
And if your heading somewhere hot, then the new Rolex Oysterflex bracelet is a mix of standard steel bracelet and rubber strap, making it resistant to sweat. It also happens to be waterproof to 100 metres, should you find yourself planning a spot of diving along the way.