There are two kinds of people who grew up in LA: those who hate seasons and those for whom the novelty is timeless. I’m the latter, perhaps because my parents are from New England. I have memories of snowy Connecticut Christmases with my grandparents as well as Malibu summers. Now a New Yorker, I love throwing on my favorite peacoat for the first time each year as much as April’s inaugural shorts-weather day. Much in the same vein, I recently realized that I also could rotate my timepieces with the equinoxes and solstices.
As it turns out, the seasonal watch concept is quite common—and clever, if you think about it. It’s an organized way to ensure every piece in your collection gets its time in the sun (or snow). You have one less daily decision to make. And, you can seasonally categorize your models however you see fit. For example, you might choose an ocean-farer for summer, or maybe it’s more about wearing a lightweight, sweat-proof strap. Pastel dials for spring, perhaps?
For your consideration, here are some terrific watches for every season.
Summer Watches
Photo by Doxa
Doxa SUB 300
From relaxation to adventure, summer means different things to different people. Fortunately, there’s a variation for every mindset within the Doxa SUB 300 line. The Aquamarine SUB’s oceanic hue is perfect for the amphibious, whether you prefer deep-sea diving or meditating under a gentle waterfall. The vivid orange Professional SUB evokes the sun’s strength as beautifully as the Divingstar does its cheery brightness. Want something more neutral? The Caribbean combines sea and sun with its muted spruce blue dial and tangerine accents. Each colorway flaunts the iconic multi-floored case construction. This watch is robust but refined, classic but distinct.
Photo by Bulova
Bulova Devil Diver Oceanographer
Is there any season more carefree than summer? This Bulova Devil Diver sits on the fine line between happy-go-lucky and devil-may-care (it’s in the name, after all). Look how stunningly the cylindrical, almost gem-like index applications seem to float above that fiery dial. The fun visuals are met with serious construction, including ISO certification, 200 meters of water resistance, and the automatic Miyota 821D. Plus, the way the domed sapphire distorts the dial edges reminds me of looking at objects at the bottom of a swimming pool.
Photo by Mr. Jones
Mr. Jones A Perfectly Useless Afternoon
I have immediate respect for any brand that earnestly tries to bring the joy back into watches. Mr. Jones does us one better though; this watchmaker is also essentially an art collective. The delightfully irreverent A Perfectly Useless Afternoon was drawn up by illustrator Kristof Devos. The colors are hand-mixed, while the watches themselves are hand-assembled in London. To use as an actual timekeeper, follow the pool lounger to get the hour and the rubber ducky for the minute. Refreshingly, Devos wanted his piece to symbolize mastering the art of rest.
Winter Watches
Photo by Rolex
Rolex Explorer I or Explorer II Polar
As the descendant of the legendary Rolex that battled wind and snow to reach Mount Everest’s summit, the Explorer I possesses a triumphant Narnian pedigree. The icicle-sharp, standard-bearing design and chic black dial pair naturally with winter’s temperatures, as well as its sartorial palette. But wait, I haven’t forgotten about winter whites. By the time December rolls around, Labor Day is far enough away that blanched attire is no longer a faux pas. The Polar Explorer II’s white dial provides a season-appropriate elegance that balances out its athletic, brawny build.
Photo by Citizen
Citizen Super Titanium AQ4100-57B
Between its all-silver color scheme and the dial’s feather texturing, this Citizen Super Titanium has a downright frosty aesthetic. The watch face is inspired by the majestic eagle, but the abstracted, sterling-hued composition could easily be ice, freshly patinated by skate blades, or even an intimate look at a snowflake. Since this is Citizen, the AQ4100-57B is impressively spec-forward. Outside, the Super Titanium case and bracelet are five times harder than stainless steel, but half the weight. Inside, the scrupulously developed Caliber A060 movement is accurate within five seconds annually.
Photo by Swatch
Swatch Frozen Waterfall
From Swatch’s Power of Nature series, the cool tones and icy watch face of the Frozen Waterfall are inspired by a winter cascade. The overall palette is gentle. However, the dial’s silky shine exquisitely contrasts the soft, matte bioceramic case, like ice against powder snow. Meanwhile, the warm accents shimmer above the watch’s chilly blue complexion. This variance creates a fun, upbeat, and almost youthful look, especially when the green and orange hands are glowing in the dark.
Spring Watches
Photo by Seiko
Grand Seiko SBGA413G
This gorgeous watch runs on Grand Seiko’s innovative spring drive, and it’s taking every ounce of restraint in me not to make a season pun. So, I’ll just mention that this highly esteemed self-winding caliber allows the SBGA413G elite quartz-level accuracy but the torque of a mechanical. Inspired by Japan’s beloved cherry blossoms, this elegant timepiece combines harmonious design with quiet strength—what’s more Japanese than that? The sakura dial texturing and impeccable hand polishing sit on a construction of high-intensity titanium and boxed sapphire. Truly, you can wear this watch to an office job or when you’re chopping wood.
Photo by Frederique Constant
Frederique Constant Heart Beat Moonphase
Spring is la saison de l’amour, and there’s no watch complication more romantic than a moonphase. Set on a deep green guilloché background next to Roman numerals and Breguet hands, this Frederique Constant is verdant, courtly, and not overly whimsical. It isn’t just a pretty face, either. The open heart and exhibition caseback provide endless engagement for the horologically curious.
Photo by Casio
Casio G-Shock GMD-S5600NC-2
Pastels? For spring? Not groundbreaking, but certainly classic and always a good look. Seeing the emblematic G-Shock silhouette in such a happy, botanical colorway captivates me to no end. Moreover, this watch’s 200-meter water resistance can take you from April showers to May poolside. When guys tell me they don’t wear pastels, I remind them that they’re just lighter shades of the colors they wear every day. Sporting pastels doesn’t have to mean looking like an Easter egg. This watch proves that.
Fall Watches
Photo by Sinn
Sinn Hunting Watch 3006
Forest greens and earth tones are quintessentially fall hues, which is why the Sinn 3006 looks best with that handsomely rugged brown leather strap. It’s my current favorite chronograph because it’s unlike any other on the market. One of the subdials is for lunar stalking, composed partly of a moon symbol that glows in the dark. It’s a touch of enchantment in an otherwise pragmatic design language. As someone who grew up looking forward to autumn grouse hunts with my dad and brother, the watch’s theme is also close to my own heart.
Photo by Seiko
Seiko Presage Cocktail Time SRPB46
Transitioning from summer to autumn also means switching from white wines to warming whiskeys. Each colorway from the Presage Cocktail Time range is inspired by, well, a cocktail. For the SRPB46, it’s the timeless Manhattan. The rose gold case surrounding the gradient dial—reminiscent of scotch in crystal as the light hits it—makes the SRPB46 undeniably ritzy. Always giving you bang for your buck, Seiko equipped this dress watch with a viewable workhorse automatic that you operate using that swanky onion crown.
Photo by Celeste Watch
Celeste Bird Dog Watch
Few trees are as synonymous with fall foliage as maples. I’ve found most wooden timepieces to be quite fragile, but the handcrafted Celeste Bird Dog Watch reserves the maple for the dial, safely protected by a scratch-resistant sapphire. The charming autumn scene of a pup looking up at a bird in a leafless tree is framed by a dignified and noble big-crown silhouette.
