Fratello Talks: Finding The Perfect Summer Watch

Tips, tricks, and a failproof method

July 11, 2024

comments 8

Hello, and welcome to a sunny and warm episode of Fratello Talks! This week, Nacho, Lex, and Daan discuss summer watches. More specifically, they look at the ways they go about picking their ideal watch for the season. Is there such a thing as a perfect summer watch? If there is, you can follow Daan’s method to find it. We also outline some categories, specs, and styles that make a watch ideal for the warm weather, active lifestyles, and water-based activities we often enjoy in the summer. Whether it’s a cheap and cheerful watch with which you can enjoy carefree days abroad or an action-ready piece with all the specs to take on sand, surf, and sun, if you follow our advice, you’ll have no trouble finding the perfect summer watch. But before you do so, let’s see what’s on the guys’ wrists this week.

Wrist check

We begin with Daan, who is wearing his pick for a near-perfect summer watch. It’s the Seiko SPB317J1, which quickly became a reliable summer beater when he picked it up in 2022. He’s still wearing it on a yellow Tropic-style strap, a combination he’ll likely stick to over the warmer months this year. It’s comfortable, colorful, and capable, and it covers all the bases.

Lex has not picked a watch that is necessarily his summer favorite (as a leather Bund strap is more a liability than a perk in hot weather). However, the Timor Heritage Field ATP, with its fresh, clean off-white dial, is not a bad pick. It could be quite a solid choice on a NATO strap or any slightly more water/sweatproof option.

Finally, Nacho has gone with his Zodiac Super Sea Wolf Skin 53. Two years ago, he spent his summer holidays in Spain and Portugal with this watch. And though his plans to take it diving fell through, he was still able to bring it along on all sorts of adventures, including hikes to remote beaches and snorkeling in the cold, choppy waters of the Atlantic. With a no-date dial, a reliable caliber, and a little bit of cheerful orange color on the dial, seconds hand, and bezel, it’s undoubtedly a solid summer option.

Fratello Talks: Finding The Perfect Summer Watch

It’s pretty self-explanatory. Summer presents a series of considerations regarding the watch you pick. In today’s episode, we discuss these and our individual preferences when it comes to a perfect summer watch. This includes Daan’s unique “three Cs” approach (which later turns into four Cs). Tune in, listen to the episode, and let us know in the comments below if you agree with our approach to finding a suitable watch for the summer. Be sure to get your watch’s water resistance tested, and double-check that the crown is properly screwed down before jumping into the pool!

And, as always, tune in next week for a new episode of Fratello Talks!

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Fratello Talks: Finding The Perfect Summer Watch

I really enjoyed the beginning of the show with the “three blind mice” stunt. A bit more humor always works, especially on this particular topic, and it’s funny that Daan failed his own test. I always travel with two watches, or even three, depending on the destination, and I go as cheap as G-Shock and as high as JLC Extreme World Timer. I recently had my old Marathon JSAR serviced, and since it’s got the Canadian Maple Leaf on the dial, it will most likely get some vacay wrist time, especially abroad. Now, if you want a really lazy summer watch, nothing spells “Dolce Far Niente,” better than a one-hander from MeisterSinger or Botta. Screw COSC in the summer; +/- 5 min is good enough for me!

I like Daan’s three C’s: Capability, Comfort and Color. Lex is right that Cheap is also part of the formula.

Similar to what I always say about dive watches: the perfect dive watch should be expendable. You shouldn’t feel obliged to dive after it if it’s lost and put yourself into a dangerous situation.

MB
MarkBu says:

Jul 11, 2024 at 10:18

Definitely agree with the 4 Cs. Why I may even get one of those new, G-Steel Casioaks with the colorful dials.

And C. Ward has just entered the chat…

By the way, I’d like to pair an orange Doxa with an Aperol Spritz. #doxaperol

Mido Decompression Timer Limited Edition is the perfect Summer watch

This was an enjoyable listen. I think the SPB313 version of the Seiko diver mentioned would be a perfect summer watch with that white dial. I also think nearly any Doxa would work, and I personally plan on getting a Doxa in the next year or two. I love the looks of the Tissot Sideral. The weight comment is concerning. I have never seen one in stock at my Tissot AD, unfortunately. I love the blue one with the kind of marbled look in the carbon. I am hoping my new summer watch will be here just in time for my vacation, the Jack Mason Strat-o-timer GMT U.S.A. edition.

This year, for a change, I am exclusively wearing a Casio G-Shock during these extra hot and humid Summer months. Now, whenever I get hot or sweaty, I just go to the WC and take my watch off and rinse my watch, and my wrist and forearm in cold soapy water. Love the freedom of not having to baby or worry about my watch. What more could one ask for in a Summer watch?