Fratello Favorites: The Best Summer Watches At Three Different Price Points — Thomas’s Picks From Certina, Omega, And Zenith

It is that time of year again, though you would be hard-pressed to notice when looking out the window here in the Netherlands! In any case, summer is upon us, which means we are back with a new theme for our Fratello Favorites series. I get the honor of kicking off this round by sharing my favorite summer watches.

We have been handed one rule in picking our summer favorites. We have to pick one watch under €1,000, one under €10,000, and one with an unlimited budget. I’ll also take the liberty of adding a few bonus picks to fill out the gaps in these budget caps for good measure.

My take on great summer watches

Fratello Favorites articles are, by definition, subjective. Here, however, the definition of “summer watches” is too. One enthusiast’s idea of a perfect summer watch will differ from another’s. So let me kick things off with a quick overview of what I look for in a summer watch.

First, I prefer something I can take swimming (which, admittedly, I hardly ever do). To me, this means a water resistance rating of 100 meters or more. Also, I only wear steel bracelets and rubber straps during the warmer months.

Now, the above actually applies to almost all of my watches. To turn them summery, I prefer a little bit of color. That’s it. I don’t think this is too shocking as a definition for proper summer watches. Still, your mileage may vary, so it is good to have this context before checking out my picks. With that out of the way, let’s dive into it, starting with a sub-€1,000 option.

Thomas’s favorite summer watches — Sub-€1,000: Certina DS Super PH1000M

I love a good, bright-dialed dive watch. In fact, this is the first genre that springs to mind when I think of summer watches. The Certina DS Super PH1000M fits the category to a tee.

This is a 43.5mm tonneau-shaped diver with water resistance rated at a whopping 1,000 meters. That should suffice for my two-year-old’s backyard inflatable wading pool. I do like a little bit of overkill, you see. Under the hood, this is your typical modern Swatch Group watch driven by a Powermatic 80. Specs-wise, there is little to complain about here. Besides the ridiculous water resistance and the 80-hour power reserve, the build is solid too.

Yes, it is a big boy, for sure. However, the size perfectly suits the design. I wouldn’t even change the 14.15mm thickness. To me, this watch is just right as it is. The only question is: do I get the orange limited edition or the blue STC version? I could live with either one, but since the theme is summer watches, let’s go all in with orange. The Certina DS Super PH1000M comes in at CHF 975, neatly filling out my €1,000 budget.

Sub-€10,000: Omega Aqua Terra Shades

Admittedly, this is quite the jump in budget, but I will provide an honorable mention to bridge the gap later. If I could drop €10,000 on a new summer watch, I would look at the Omega Aqua Terra Shades. This is a watch I never really liked in photos, but I loved wearing it during a lengthy hands-on review. I know it is controversial. The pricing is odd, especially compared to the SMP 300, and the design is a little contrived.

To me, however, this watch perfectly demonstrates that watches aren’t very well represented by facts and figures. Even pictures only get you so far. Sometimes a watch just seems to melt onto your wrist, as if it wants to stay there. There is something about the clash of the sporty shape and the slightly more glamorous execution of the Shades version that rubs me just the right way. I have grown particularly fond of the blue-dial version.

This 38mm watch is priced at €7,300 and powered by the METAS-certified caliber 8800. You get a domed variation on the classical flat-link bracelet and a framed date window at 6 o’clock. I love the size, which I perceive as almost neutral. It isn’t large or small, and it sits just right on my 17.5cm wrist.

No budget: Zenith Defy Skyline White Ceramic

My third choice is the brand-new Zenith Defy Skyline Skeleton White Ceramic. I have always been a fan of the Defy Skyline range, especially on the included rubber straps. This is how I would wear this white ceramic mode as well, keeping the ceramic bracelet in the box. I think it just looks a lot better on white rubber.

What you get is a 41mm sports watch with an ultra-modern aesthetic. This Defy Skyline Skeleton houses the El Primero 3620 caliber with its high-beat pace of 36,000vph. Although that, in this case, will make for a very smoothly sweeping 10-second hand, it is the blue skeletonized dial that steals the show. It contrasts the stark white ceramic case in a way that I would love to see in bright sunlight.

Granted, I could have gone much higher-end with my infinite budget. Sometimes, though, you just have to follow your gut and go with your first instinct. Still, it would take a royal €18,300 to get this cool summer vibe on my forearm.

Thomas’s favorite summer watches — Honorable mentions

Let me add two honorable mentions if only to fill out the prescribed price segments a little bit. Let me start on the affordable end and mention a sub-€600 pick for my favorite summer watches. I would take the RZE Endeavour in medallion yellow for US$559. This watch offers ridiculous value with its hard-coated titanium case and bracelet and the automatic NH38 caliber inside. The textured yellow dial is all you need to turn a cloudy summer sunny.

Last but not least, let me add an imaginary sub-€5,000 category. This is a little more than an honorable mention as this would probably be where I would spend my money for real. I have, however, mentioned this watch several times before, so I will keep it short.

I am talking about the Doxa Sub 300 Carbon in Divingstar yellow. The classic Sub 300 shape executed in forged carbon and contrasted with the bright yellow dial is a big personal favorite. I would have it on the black rubber strap for €4,190.

My favorite summer watches

There we have it, folks — my five favorite summer watches for 2024. These are five watches I would happily own and wear. Would I stow them away all winter? Maybe…though that Zenith, with its cool colors, works as a winter-themed watch too.

What are your favorite summer watches at the moment? Let us know in the comments below!