Style / World of Watches (WOW)

Five Watches Across Various Water Resistance to Make a Splash This Summer

Regardless of the level of water resistance, here’s one watch across five depths to look good this summer from the Zenith DEFY Revival A3648 to the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Deepsea Yellow Gold.

Jun 03, 2024 | By Ben Kwok

As another season of summer and sun beckons. Indulge in a sporty selection for a horological companion this summer — across a range of water resistance levels (from 100m to 500m and beyond) and occasions.

3,900 Meters: Rolex Oyster Perpetual Deepsea Yellow Gold

Starting off strong with the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Deepsea Yellow Gold, arguably the most robust watch on this list. The Oyster Perpetual Rolex Deepsea is truly a diver’s best friend. The unidirectional rotatable bezel of the Rolex Deepsea enables divers to monitor their dive precisely and safely during decompression times. The triangular ‘zero’ marker of the graduation is visible in the dark thanks to an embedded capsule containing a luminescent material emitting a long-lasting blue glow. For legibility underwater, the dial features large Chromalight hour markers and hands, filled with luminescent material that emits a long-lasting blue glow for excellent legibility in dark conditions. Beyond the allure of the 18 ct yellow gold of the case and the Oyster bracelet, the watch sees hues of blues found in the compression ring, the dial and the Cerachrom bezel insert which are combined to create a subtle oceanic palette. Lastly, when it comes to wearability, the Oyster Perpetual Deepsea is equipped with an Oysterlock clasp, which prevents accidental opening and allows it to be worn comfortably over a diving suit. Not only are the Oyster Perpetual Deepsea’s bezel virtually scratchproof, but their colours are also of a rare intensity and are resistant to environmental effects. Thanks to its chemical composition, the high-tech ceramic is inert and cannot corrode.

500 Metres: Zenith DEFY Revival A3648

Zenith is blessed with a rich archive that acts as a near-bottomless well of inspiration, and they know it. From the re-release of classics such as the Chronomaster Original, to incorporating details from neo-vintage icons like the Rainbow Flyback, the Le Locle manufacture’s continued derivation of inspiration from its historical catalogue has reaped handsome rewards. The latest to get the Zenith revival treatment is the Zenith DEFY Revival A3648 — also the first vintage Zenith diver to experience it. The Revival A3648 retains plenty from its storied vintage predecessor — purists will be glad to note that the 600m depth rating, octagonal case shape and fourteen-sided bezel all return, as does the signature, bright orange-and-black dial and bezel. While the sharp angles of the case and bezel mark this as more a sophisticated embodiment of ruggedness than an expression of pure horological fun, the bright orange on the dial and bezel means this timepiece has a place on the wrist, beach- or pool-side with an ice-cold cup of exotic fruit juice on a side table.

300 Metres: Tissot Seastar

As far as tool watches go, there exist few manufactures that embody the values of resilience and ruggedness the way that Tissot does. Within the manufacture’s collection, none encapsulates the robust nature of Tissot’s timepieces than the Seastar, having been the timepiece of choice for many mountaineers and divers across its substantial history. Today, the Seastar still honours the ruggedness of its predecessors, whilst incorporating a sense of free-spirited, adventurous fun. In an extension of its Seastar 40mm line, five new models have been released, with the workhorse 80-hour power reserve Powermatic 80 movement at their ticking hearts. In terms of dial colours, Tissot’s offerings combine elements of sophistication with fun — the author’s favourite being the turquoise-dial ref. T120.807.11.091.00. A colour that conjures mental images of glistening Swiss lakes in the shadow of the Alps, the Seastar 40mm combines a rich, adventure-accented heritage with the soft, relaxed fun of a Swiss summer.

200 Metres: Tudor Black Bay 58 GMT

While most of the horological world anticipated the release of a red-and-black ‘Coke’ bezel on its big brother’s reference, Tudor instead surprised everybody, incorporating the cult-favourite colourway with its beloved Black Bay 58 and a GMT movement at this year’s Watches and Wonders (much to our delight). That being said, the ‘Coke’ bezel is just the icing on the cake. Coupled with the slightly reduced 39mm case size and COSC-certified GMT movement, the product is a Black Bay that possesses a more pronounced vintage look and feel, but that nevertheless retains everything that contemporary Tudor is fêted for. Given the  GMT movement on the Black Bay, its inclusion on this list is only logical — it makes the watch perfect for travel, especially across time zones. Finished with golden gilt touches on the 24-hour bezel, hour markers, and hands that are reminiscent of warm sunsets, the Black Bay 58 GMT combines a timeless, vintage summer aesthetic with peak travel functionality.

100 Metres: Vacheron Constantin Overseas Dual Time

With the sports watch with integrated bracelet trend not dying out anytime soon, Vacheron Constantin taps into the recently popularised green dial on pink gold combination for its adventure-ready Vacheron Constantin Overseas collection. While several complications span the newly released pieces, none embodies a summer holiday more so than the Vacheron Constantin Overseas Dual Time. Its dual time zone and day-night indicator complications allow the jetsetter to view home and local time in style be it by a sunkissed beach or bustling concrete jungle. Keeping in line with the sports watch theme, the Vacheron Constantin Overseas Dual Time is rated to 150m water resistance, allowing one to wear it for quick dips in the pool or acting as insurance against a sudden downpour. Two other leather and rubber straps in a dial-matching green shade accompany the watch should one wish to switch out the 18K 5N pink gold bracelet.

A version of this article was first seen on mens-folio.com.

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