When the summer heat turns up, you need a watch that will keep up. If you’re wondering how to choose summer watches for traveling, ocean dives, or just having a drink by the pool, here are our top 7 choices for the best summer watches.
From affordable beaters to boutique divers and modern classics, we’ve rounded up the best watches for summer ranked by price, so there’s something for every wrist and budget.
1. Casio F108WHC-7A – The Ultimate Budget Summer Beater
Approx. $30 USD
The Casio F108 is light, durable, waterproof enough for splashes, and barely costs more than your sunscreen. The bold LCD display is easy to read under bright sun, and the resin case can take a beating. This is one of the best beach watches for men that you’ll wear more than you expect—and never worry about.
2. Timex Marlin Jet Automatic – Retro Summer Elegance
Approx. $320 USD
With its clean lines and vintage flair, the Timex Marlin Jet brings throwback style to your summer rotation. The dial feels straight out of the ’60s, and it packs an automatic movement. While perhaps not built for water, it makes up for it with coastal cocktail-hour charm. A timeless option among summertime watches, perfect for sunset dinners and rooftop hangs.
3. Seiko SSK005 – The Best Vacation Watch
Approx. $475 USD
Bright, bold, and ready for takeoff, the Seiko SSK005 is a great choice for summer travel. With its automatic GMT movement, it tracks a second time zone—ideal for international getaways. The orange dial adds a punch of personality, while the build quality ensures it’s more than just a pretty face. An eye-catching choice among summer watches that’s equal parts form and function.
4. Citizen Promaster Dive Automatic – Built for the Deep End
Approx. $625 USD
Definitely among the best summer watches for men, the ISO-certified Citizen Promaster Automatic dive watch is the definition of functional. The bold markers, durable case, and automatic movement make it one of the most dependable summer dive watches out there. Whether you’re headed to the lake, the reef, or the pool, it’s ready.
5. Baltic Aquascaphe Dual-Crown – Boutique Diver Vibes
Approx. $760 USD
Minimalist and monochromatic, the Dual-Crown by Baltic brings a touch of vintage European dive style. It has a compressor-style case and internal rotating bezel, giving it real retro diver charm—without shouting. Bonus: It wears slim enough to slide under a linen cuff at dinner. One of the best entries among beachy watches with legitimate tool-watch credibility.
6. Doxa Sub 300 – A Summer Icon
Approx. $3,100 USD
No list of the best summer watches is complete without the Doxa Sub 300. Famous for its unmistakable cushion case and bright dial options, this is a diver with heritage and toughness. COSC-certified and built like a tank, it’s a go-anywhere, dive-anything piece that turns heads and handles pressure—literally. A standout choice when it comes to beach watches for men, it delivers both summer fun and horological history.
7. Tudor Black Bay 54 – New Release
Approx. $5,500 USD
Meet the new king when it comes to the best luxury summer watches: the Tudor Black Bay 54 in lagoon blue. Inspired by the brand’s earliest divers, the 37mm case offers vintage proportions with modern specs. The lagoon blue dial is fun without feeling too flashy and the in-house movement delivers high-end performance. One of our new favorite beach watches for men, this is one worth checking out.
Whether you’re looking for something affordable, stylish, or built for the deep, these seven watches prove that summer style and functionality can go hand in hand. From digital Casios to luxury Tudors, each option brings something unique to the season.
And if you’re looking to level up your summer watch game without actually getting a new watch, our sailcloth and FKM rubber straps are the perfect choices when it comes to summer watch straps. These straps are perfect for adding a sportiness and all-weather durability to your watch.
And let us know below—what’s on your wrist this summer?
