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.
The Q Timex
A great-looking throwback to the very beginning of the Quartz era, the Q Timex is available in multiple colorways, but originally came with a depe blue dial. It’s a striking, stainless steel-cased watch with quartz-powered day-date movement, blue dial with oversized, vintage-colored lume plots, a dual-color 12-hour bezel, and a period-correct woven stainless steel bracelet. It also features a functional battery hatch and a domed acrylic crystal — all for under $200.
Movement: Quartz
Case diameter: 38mm
Water resistance: 50m
Le Forban Sécurité Mer Malouine
You can argue whether all the resurrected brands and vintage reissues are good for the watch industry, but it’s hard to argue with an affordable dive watch in 39mm that looks this elegant. Add to that a touch of French charm and character, and the new Le Forban Sécurité Mer Malouine watch is a pretty attractive proposition at just ~$440.
Movement: Miyota 8215 automatic
Case diameter: 39mm
Water resistance: 150m
Luminox ICE-SAR 1000
The new version of the ICE-SAR 1000 with ice blue dial has specs consistent with those of the original models: a 46mm, ultra-lightweight Carbonox case, 200m of water resistance, sapphire crystal, a Ronda 515 quartz movement with date, and a stainless steel case back. Of course, as is the case with all Luminox models, the new LE is equipped with Luminox Lighting Technology (LLT) — tritium gas tubes — for the ultimate in nighttime visibility. A rotating, fully graduated dive-style bezel rounds out the feature set.
Movement:
Case diameter:
Water resistance:
Hamilton Khaki Navy Scuba Auto
Powered by the H-10 automatic movement with 80 hours of power reserve, the Khaki Navy Scuba features a perfectly sized 40mm stainless steel case, a sapphire crystal, a date window and 100m of water resistance. Grab it on a NATO strap, a rubber strap or an Oyster-style bracelet and hit the beach.
Movement: H-10 automatic (ETA base)
Case diameter: 40mm
Water resistance: 100m
Christopher Ward C60 Sapphire
The “sapphire” in question here actually doesn’t refer to the watch’s crystal, but to the dial itself — it too is crafted from sapphire just 0.6mm thick, allowing you to view the movement beneath. While skeletonized watches are common enough, and watches with transparent case backs are surely a dime a dozen, this slightly unconventional approach makes for a fun watch that you might otherwise not notice is sporting an unusual feature. Blue Super-LumiNova® and a whopping 600m of water resistance give it a summery feel.
Movement: Sellita SW200 automatic
Case diameter: 40mm
Water resistance: 600m
Doxa Sub 200 Caribbean
Doxa’s serious-diving-tool reputation lends some credibility to the Sub 200 with its relatively pared-down 200m of water-resistance. At 42mm wide in steel with a retro, “box-style” sapphire crystal, the Doxa Sub 200 is equipped with an ETA 2824-2 automatic movement that offers 38 hours of power reserve. Though it’s available in many different colors, this deep blue version is both summer-appropriate and versatile.
Movement: ETA 2824-2 automatic
Case diameter: 42mm
Water resistance: 200m
Ollech & Wajs Ocean Graph
Instantly reminiscent of the brand’s 1960s watches, the Ocean Graph features a decompression bezel for a unique look and the workhorse ETA 2824-2 — though here it’s been adjusted in five positions for further precision. The 39.56mm brushed steel case is water-resistant to an impressive 1,000 meters. With a prominent date wheel at 6 o’clock and a generous application of Super-LumiNova, the dial should be more than legible underwater.
Movement: ETA 2824-2 automatic
Case diameter: 39.56mm
Water resistance: 1,000m
Delman Cayman Worldtimer Automatic
Why settle for just a dive watch when you can have a world timer too? Delma’s new Cayman Worldtimer Automatic offers both in a single package, combining the water resistance and practical features meant for diving with a GMT complication and a bezel for tracking time zones around the world. It also looks the part for the adventurous world traveler, with some vintage inspiration thrown in for good measure.
Movement: ETA 2893 automaic
Case diameter: 42mm
Water resistance: 500m
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.
Movement: IWC 30110 automatic (ETA 2892-A2 base)
Case diameter: 40mm
Water resistance: 60m
Montblanc 1858 Geosphere
For $5,800, this 42mm-wide world timer displays the time in both hemispheres as represented by domed globe motifs — each turning opposite directions on the dial. Other elements like a 24-hour hand at 9 o’clock and rotating bezel all come together to offer plenty of useful information presented in an exceedingly elegant way. The new blue dial — including the globe’s continents — is amply lumed and glows for a striking effect in low light.
Movement: Montblanc MB 29.25 automatic (Sellita SW300-1 base)
Case diameter: 42mm
Water resistance: 100m
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.
Movement: Breitling B01 automatic
Case diameter: 43mm
Water resistance: 100m
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