7 exclusive summer watches to wear in summer 2025 – where elegance meets performance

The summer of 2025 is approaching with quick steps and we continue our series about watches that suit the summer. Now we have reached the segment, luxury or "no budget". For the style conscious the choice of watch is not just about keeping time, but about setting the tone. Sunny days, salt-sprayed evenings and relaxed dinners demand a timekeeper that combines the highest level of craftsmanship, design and function.

Text: Andreas Johansson

Here we present seven of the most exclusive watches to wear this summer, for you who do not compromise, and where the budget does not set any limits.

Read about 7 affordable summer watches here.

Patek Philippe Aquanaut 5168G – Sporty elegance in white gold

The Aquanaut 5168G is the perfect summer watch for anyone looking for something sporty but still sophisticated. The case in 18k white gold gives a subtle weight and exclusivity, while at the same time the matching blue rubber strap – the “tropic strap” – creates a casual, summery feeling. The 42.2 mm case gives a presence on the wrist without becoming overwhelming, and the automatic calibre 324 S C movement guarantees Swiss precision. The dial's pattern is a reminder of lines of longitude and gives a subtle depth under the reflection of the sun. With a water resistance of 30 metres it is ready for everything from beach life to yacht life. This is a watch that works just as well with a tailored linen shirt as with a piqué polo. Discreet enough to be worn daily, exclusive enough to impress but do not dive too deep. List price 591 000 SEK. 

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Diver – Colour and function in harmony

The Royal Oak Offshore Diver combines technical functionality with a strong visual presence, a diver's watch with a feeling for details. With a case of 42 mm in stainless steel or ceramic, it copes with a pressure of up to 300 metres under water, which makes it fully capable for all forms of summer adventure. AP's characteristic “Méga Tapisserie” pattern on the dial gives an expression of depth. The inner rotating dive ring is operated via a crown at 10 o'clock. The watch is driven by the calibre 4308 with a 60-hour power reserve. It is comfortable thanks to its rubber strap and wearable despite its powerful aesthetic. A strong summer favourite for anyone who loves performance without compromising on style. List price 26 500 CHF.

Richard Mille RM 67-02 – Ultralight for active summer days

The RM 67-02 is perhaps the most futuristic watch in this list and without doubt the lightest. The watch weighs only 32 grams thanks to its case in Carbon TPT, a high-tech material often used in Formula 1. This model is designed together with professional athletes, where every detail is optimised for movement, comfort and durability. The automatic movement is thinner than in many sports watches, but still powerful and beautifully decorated. The watch is water resistant to 60 metres. The strap is an integrated elastic composite material that sits like a second skin – perfect for heat, sweat and movement. The design is expressive but technical – with colours and details that signal performance rather than just status. An ideal watch for the active jet-setter – just as at home on the tennis court in Monte Carlo as snorkelling on the riviera. Cheapest on Ch24, 2.9 million SEK. 

Rolex Yacht-Master 42 in titanium – A new icon for the gentlemen of the sea

The Rolex Yacht-Master 42 in RLX Titanium marks a new era for the brand, discreet, light and built for active movements at sea. With a case in satin-finished titanium, which is both stronger and considerably lighter than steel, this is the most wearable Yacht-Master so far. The matte black bezel ring in ceramic contrasts nicely against the brushed metal finish. The watch is 42 mm large but feels neat thanks to the lightness of the material. It is water resistant to 100 metres and equipped with the calibre 3235 – a robust and precise movement with a 70-hour power reserve. The result is a watch that copes with both salt water and cocktails on the sun deck. The discreet design makes it a favourite among collectors – and an obvious summer watch for you who prefer functional luxury over bling. List price 180 400 SEK.

Cartier Santos Dumont Skeleton – Elegance in a transparent version

The Cartier Santos Skeleton is an iconic summer watch for you who are looking for something that unites classic design with contemporary boldness. The straight lines of the case, inspired by Parisian settings and aeroplane architecture, meet a modern skeleton movement where the numerals at the same time form parts of the watch's structure. This technical masterpiece is not only aesthetically striking, it shows Cartier's ability to create complex movements with extreme balance. The watch comes in steel or in various gold versions. Despite its open design the legibility is good thanks to "blued" hands and an elegant dial layout. This is no diver's watch, but it is perfect for summer dinners, rooftops, and late evenings with style. A world-class conversation starter. List price 31 000 Dollars. (the steel version). 

Hublot Big Bang Unico Rainbow – The maximalist's colour explosion

For anyone not satisfied with blending in, the Big Bang Unico Rainbow is the ultimate expression of summer's abundance. With sapphires, rubies and emeralds in all the colours of the rainbow set into both the bezel and the hour markers, this is a watch that literally glitters in the sun. The 45 mm case in rose gold or titanium houses an automatic chronograph movement with an open design – you see the movement's work in real time through the sapphire crystal. Despite its extravagant appearance this is a technically serious watch. The robust construction and comfortable rubber strap make it wearable even in summer heat. Hublot are masters at combining materials such as ceramic, gold and rubber in innovative ways – and the Rainbow is their most colourful example. Perfect for a pool party in Miami, a festival on Ibiza or just when you want to be seen. Perhaps not the editorial team's favourite, but perhaps it could suit someone who wants to be seen. List price 75 000 Euro. 

A. Lange & Söhne Odysseus White Gold – German engineering in a summer suit

The Odysseus in white gold is A. Lange & Söhne's first sports watch. The watch is 40.5 mm large, with a beautifully brushed case in solid white gold. What sets the Odysseus apart is its unique day and date display with double windows, as well as its complex but logical movement layout. Inside ticks the Lange calibre L155.1 DATOMATIC, an automatic movement with a 50-hour power reserve and meticulous German finishing. A blue dial, rubber strap and water resistance to 120 metres make it a fully functional summer watch – even if you would never dream of diving with it. It is luxurious without being loud, technical without being cold. A choice for the connoisseur who appreciates understated perfection – and who is happy to stand out with subtle elegance. Price on ch24 around 600 000 SEK.