The Best Blue Dial Watches for Summer
Blue dial watches just seem perfect for summer. The color has been embraced by watchmakers for the last few years, probably because the hue manages to be both vivid and dignified at the same time, unlike ubiquitous black or white dials which generally feel staid. And while there is a multitude of blue options out there, these seven wear the color best.
Dollar for dollar, Citizen’s Promaster diver is one of the most well-rounded summer timepieces you can find. It has a solar-charged quartz movement (so no more battery changes) and is water-resistant to 200 meters. Naturally, a blue dial, bezel and rubber strap fit it perfectly.The Japanese-market SBDY013 is the same “Turtle” we know and love in the United States but has a stunning dial and bezel we don’t, unfortunately, get stateside. The dial is a shimmering gradient of black and deep blue, while the bezel is black with a blue count-up section for the 12 o’clock position to four o’clock.
Mercer Lexington Chronograph:
By making use of the Seagull ST1901, the Lexington manages to offer a mechanical chronograph without breaking the bank. A handsome reverse panda color scheme (with blue and silver standing in for black and white) makes for a handsome dial, and a bi-compax layout minimizes clutter. Best of all, the included leather rallye strap will breathe and allow you to wear it all summer.
Martenero Edgemere Reserve:
NYC-based Martenero’s original Edgemere brought a fun pop of color to the idea of a marine chronometer-inspired watch. The Edgermere Reserve further complicates things by adding a power reserve indicator and a 24-hour indicator, making for a sophisticated dial with numerous facets and textures.
Raven Venture II:
A dive watch with more than a little classic, 1950s/60s vintage Submariner vibe, the Venture II from Raven features a 42mm stainless steel case, a matching bracelet with two clasp options, a rotating, fully lumed dive bezel and in either matte black or steel and a Super LumiNova-coated dial. Thankfully, you don’t have to pay Rolex prices to get yourself into a Venture II.
Seiko Presage SPB075J1:
Seiko continues to add more captivating dial options to its growing Presage lineup, and the SPB075J1’s gorgeous shippo enamel dial is just the latest. The enamel is painted on a guilloche dial base, fired at 800 degrees Celcius, then polished to a beautiful sheen.
Sinn 556 I B:
While the 556 I B is ostensibly a field watch, its clean design, reserved case size and metallic blue dial give it a dignified look that can dress up, too. This being a Sinn, it’s still a tough timepiece and is rated water-resistant to 200 meters.
Squale 60 Atmos:
Back in the day, Squale was an Italian case maker, building cases for respected brands like Heuer and Blancpain. Today, the brand is now its own watch company, specializing in accessibly-priced divers. This 60 Atmos boasts a remarkable 600-meter depth rating and a season-appropriate cyan blue dial and bezel.
Oris Divers Sixty-Five:
Oris’s Divers Sixty-Five is a spot-on recreation of a classic diver the brand made during the 1960s. Its been released in a seemingly endless array of dial designs, but blue certainly seems to suit it well.
IWC Mark XVIII Le Petit Prince:
IWC’s blue-dialed Le Petit Prince editions have become something of a tradition for the watchmaker. The standard Mark XVIII is an austere tool watch, but the metallic blue dial of the special edition gives it a level of vibrancy that allows the timepiece to successfully toe the line between utilitarian and ornate.
Breitling Navitimer 8:
Though it shares the Navitimer name, this is not the iconic slide-rule pilot’s chronograph. Rather, it’s an ode to some of the simpler chronographs the watchmaker built during the 20th century, with a thin rotating bezel and a simple dial that looks incredibly handsome in blue with contrasting silver sub-dials.
