Summer ☀️ Watch Trends 2025: Vibrant Dials and Affordable Luxury

Trends

7 Jun

Summer is a funny thing in the watch world. Half the industry wants to convince you it’s time to buy a titanium chrono that can survive a shipwreck, and the other half is busy making pastel dials and rubber straps that wouldn’t survive a strong gin and tonic. But this year, something in the middle is happening — and it’s good.

Summer 2025 is all about colour. Bright, unapologetic, confident colour. But what’s refreshing is that brands aren’t just slapping turquoise on any old model and calling it a day. We’re seeing thoughtful design, wearable proportions, and, good news, accessible pricing. There’s genuine value out there if you know where to look.

So whether you’re heading to Benadorm, the beer garden, or just the office in a short-sleeve shirt, here are three watches and three trends that capture the spirit of summer without draining your holiday fund.

Citizen Tsuyosa – Turquoise Done Right

Let’s start with the obvious one. The Citizen Tsuyosa — still impossible to pronounce but easy to wear and continues to ride high in 2025. It’s an integrated bracelet sports watch that looks like it should cost three times the price, especially in the turquoise dial version that’s been flying off shelves.

It’s not just the colour that works here, though that vivid blue-green is basically begging for sun. The whole design feels considered. The polished centre links catch the light just enough, the proportions hit the Goldilocks zone (not too big, not too slim), and the dial, while playful, still feels grown up.

Sure, the movement isn’t going to set any records. It’s a basic automatic with a slightly odd crown placement at 4 o’clock. But for under £300, it might be the most pound for pound (see what I did there) you can currently wear on your wrist.

Buy Citizen

Studio Underd0g Watermel0n – Playful, British, and Brilliant

There’s something so confidently daft about a watch called “Watermel0n” and yet, it works. Studio Underd0g, a UK based microbrand, burst onto the scene with its fresh designs and summer 2025 is the year their original chronograph becomes a cult classic.

The dial is split between deep green and pink, with seed-like black markers scattered in just the right places. It’s light-hearted without being a joke. And under the fun exterior is a solid meca-quartz movement, smart case finishing, and a surprising level of attention to detail. The sandwich-style case and clean lugs feel far more premium than the price tag suggests.

They’re limited-run pieces, so getting one requires either timing, luck, or both. But if you can find one, you’ll have one of the most talked about wrists in any beer garden this summer.

Buy Studio Underdog.

Seiko Presage Cocktail Time “Blue Moon” – Dressy with a Twist

Not every summer watch needs to scream “pool party.” Sometimes you want something that works for a smarter dinner or a wedding in the heat. That’s where the Seiko Presage “Blue Moon” comes in — part of the Cocktail Time range, and easily one of the most wearable dress watches under £500.

The dial is the standout: a rich, glossy navy with radiating texture that catches light like ripples in a whisky glass. Paired with slim indices and a sunburst finish, it walks that fine line between smart and expressive. It doesn’t shout, but it does sparkle.

There’s an in-house automatic movement under the bonnet (albeit an entry-level one), and the case feels slim enough to disappear under a cuff but stylish enough not to want to. If you’re after a grown up summer watch with just a hint of swagger, this is it.

Buy Seiko.

Colour, Confidence, and Clever Spending

The best thing about this year’s summer trend is that it isn’t all show and no substance. These bright, bold, and affordable watches aren’t just chasing Instagram likes. They’re well-built, thoughtfully designed, and genuinely wearable. Even the louder options feel like they’ve been made by people who actually wear watches, not just market them.

And at a time when everything seems to be getting more expensive, it’s encouraging to see brands doubling down on value. Whether it’s a microbrand with a sense of humour or a Japanese heavyweight reimagining vintage cool, summer 2025 proves that colour and quality don’t have to live at opposite ends of the price scale.

What about trends this summer?

Whether you’re poolside, commuting in the sunshine or heading to a rooftop bar, summer is the season to have a bit more fun with your accessories — and that definitely includes your watch. From playful colours to nostalgic nods, here are three of this year’s standout summer watch trends worth strapping on.

1. Clean, Colourful Dials Are In

Minimalist watch faces aren’t going anywhere, but this summer, they’re getting a seasonal update with fresh, vibrant colours. Think mint green, powder blue, coral, or sun-washed yellow — all with that clean Scandinavian-style layout.

The effect? A dial that feels both modern and relaxed, ideal for warm-weather styling. These watches look great peeking out from a white linen shirt or paired with a simple tee and chinos. Brands like Norqain and Mr Jones are leading the charge with pastel-toned designs that still feel grown-up.

2. Silicone Straps for a Quick Summer Switch-Up

If your everyday watch has a steel bracelet, now’s the perfect time to swap it out for something a bit more breathable. Enter: brightly coloured silicone straps.

Comfortable, water-resistant and cheap enough to collect in a few different shades, silicone straps let you take your favourite case and give it a whole new personality.

Go bold with orange, lime green or turquoise — or tone it down with navy or smoke grey. Perfect for beach days or sweaty commutes when you don’t want a heavy bracelet clinging to your wrist.

Check out the straps at www.strapcode.com.

3. Vintage Vibes on Brown Leather

On the flip side of the colour coin, vintage watches — particularly with warm-toned brown leather straps — are having a bit of a moment. There's something about the sun-softened patina of an old case matched with a rich, textured leather band that feels timeless and effortlessly cool.

Whether it’s a 1970s diver or a classic dress watch from your granddad’s drawer, pairing it with a supple brown strap gives it fresh summer wearability. Bonus points if the leather is lightly distressed or has contrast stitching for extra character.

Watches might be functional by design, but this summer’s trends are all about expression — swapping heavy for breezy, serious for playful, and rigid for relaxed. So whether you're switching straps, chasing colour or raiding vintage collections, there's no better time to let your watch do the talking.

Dan Swatton