Summer demands watches that handle pools, beaches, boat decks, and the occasional spontaneous swim. The wrong watch—leather strap, inadequate water resistance, delicate movement—becomes a liability. The right one becomes your carefree companion for the season.
Important: "Water resistant to 30m" does NOT mean you can swim with it. See our water resistance section below for what the ratings actually mean.
Understanding Water Resistance
Water resistance ratings are confusing by design:
• 30m/3ATM: Splash-proof only. No swimming.
• 50m/5ATM: Light swimming, no diving or water sports.
• 100m/10ATM: Swimming and snorkeling safe.
• 200m/20ATM: Recreational scuba diving.
• 300m+: Professional diving.
For beach and pool use, look for minimum 100m water resistance. Higher is better.
Best Budget Beach Watches (Under $300)
Casio G-Shock DW5600 — $55
The original G-Shock. 200m water resistance, shock-proof, solar-powered options available. Basically indestructible. Perfect for anything summer throws at you.
Water resistance: 200m | Best for: Surfing, hiking, any adventure
Seiko Prospex "Turtle" SRPE93 — $450
Genuine dive watch with 200m water resistance, automatic movement, and iconic cushion case. The silicone strap handles salt water beautifully.
Water resistance: 200m | Best for: Snorkeling, beach trips, dive watch enthusiasts
Timex Expedition North — $150-$200
Outdoor-focused design with 100m water resistance. Solar-powered options eliminate battery concerns. Rugged enough for adventure, clean enough for beach bars.
Water resistance: 100m | Best for: Casual beach wear, outdoor activities
Citizen Promaster Diver BN0150 — $200
ISO-certified dive watch with Eco-Drive solar movement. Never needs a battery, handles 200m depth, and offers serious capability at casual pricing.
Water resistance: 200m | Best for: Value-focused divers, solar enthusiasts
Mid-Range Summer Watches ($300-$1,500)
Seiko Prospex "Willard" SPB151 — $1,100
Captain Willard's watch from Apocalypse Now. The modern reissue offers 200m water resistance, automatic movement, and military-inspired aesthetics.
Water resistance: 200m | Best for: Watch enthusiasts, movie buffs
Christopher Ward C60 Trident — $1,000-$1,400
British microbrand offering Swiss movement, ceramic bezel, and 600m water resistance. Exceptional value with genuine dive capability.
Water resistance: 600m | Best for: Value seekers, dive enthusiasts
Tissot Seastar 1000 — $625-$875
Swiss dive watch with 300m water resistance, ceramic bezel, and helium escape valve. Serious specifications at Tissot's accessible pricing.
Water resistance: 300m | Best for: Swiss brand loyalists, serious swimmers
Luxury Summer Watches ($1,500+)
Tudor Pelagos — $4,475
Titanium construction makes it light and corrosion-resistant. 500m water resistance, in-house movement, helium escape valve. The ultimate do-everything summer watch.
Water resistance: 500m | Best for: Serious divers, titanium fans
Omega Seamaster Diver 300M — $5,500
James Bond's watch. 300m water resistance, Co-Axial Master Chronometer movement, ceramic bezel. Handles anything from yachts to actual diving.
Water resistance: 300m | Best for: Luxury buyers, Bond fans
Rolex Submariner — $9,100+
The definitive luxury dive watch. 300m water resistance, Oyster case, Cerachrom bezel. Yes, you can actually swim with your Submariner—it's designed for it.
Water resistance: 300m | Best for: Rolex collectors, statement makers
Best Summer Straps
Your everyday leather strap won't survive summer. Consider:
Rubber/Silicone Straps
Water-proof, quick-drying, comfortable in heat. Available for most watches with standard lug widths. Best choice for actual water activities.
NATO Straps
Nylon NATO straps dry quickly and come in endless colors. Easy to swap for different looks. Just remove the metal keeper if using in salt water frequently.
Perlon Straps
Woven nylon that's dressier than NATO but still water-friendly. Breathable in heat, quick-drying after swims.
Summer Watch Care Tips
Rinse After Salt Water: Salt corrodes metal and degrades gaskets. Rinse your watch with fresh water after ocean swimming.
Avoid Hot Tubs: Heat and chemicals stress gaskets. Even 200m-rated watches shouldn't hot tub regularly.
Don't Operate Pushers Wet: Chronograph pushers are water resistance weak points. Dry the watch before using them.
Check Gaskets Annually: Water resistance degrades over time. Have gaskets checked and replaced annually if you're a regular swimmer.
Skip the Sunscreen Application: Remove your watch before applying sunscreen. Chemicals can damage gaskets and coat crystal.
Summer Watch Philosophy: Consider a dedicated summer beater—something you won't worry about at the beach. Save your dress watch for fall. A $100 G-Shock delivers more summer joy than anxiously protecting a $10,000 dress watch.