From left: Breguet Tradition Tourbillon 7047PT, Hublot Big Bang Summer Multi-Coloured Ceramic Tourbillon, Rado True Round Open Heart, Panerai Submersible Navy SEALs PAM01738 and Blancpain Villeret Ultraplate
By now you would have heard about — and felt — the temperatures rising to meet summer’s peak. Across the northern hemisphere’s top vacation destinations, the mercury has been creeping higher and higher, such that even the siren song of sprawling out under a shady umbrella on a golden beach is sounding a little off-key.
That said, the season’s latest watch releases are well prepared to counter the incoming intensity: bright and breezy pieces suggesting attractive, mood-boosting colours; lighter and slighter proportions that feel great on the wrist; plus plenty of diving buddies as ready to jump into the cool water as you are. For those determined not to let the heat get to them, here are the tickers worth sticking with to help you savour every moment of the mid-year holidays.
Light work
This time last year, Hublot introduced a boldly saturated palette for its estival edition; in 2026, the maverick watchmaker goes softer, taking inspiration from the shifting shades of the Mediterranean. The new Big Bang Summer Multi-Coloured Ceramic Tourbillon renders the best-selling icon in a playful pastel suite, with a 44mm case sculpted from microblasted and polished pink and mint green ceramic, as well as a pale blue bezel and caseback. These chromatic elements are echoed in the dial, which flaunts an automatic tourbillon visible through transparent pink sapphire. Limited to 10 pieces.
Coast with the most
Compact, clean and colourful, the two seasonal Ahoi neomatik models from Nomos Glashütte embody an appropriately fresh energy as told through the manufacture’s signature finesse. This sky variation takes on a sleek blue dial reminiscent of a clear day, tinged with an orange seconds hand and green luminescence for a subtly sporty hint. With a 36.3mm by 9.1mm stainless steel case housing the slim yet powerful Calibre DUW 3001, it retains a refined dress watch sensibility without compromising precision — plus, the anti-reflective curved sapphire crystal ensures superb readability even in harsh light.
Something old, something new
Honouring the 225th anniversary of its founder’s invention of the tourbillon, Breguet unveils a unique work in the form of the Tradition Tourbillon 7047PT. This commemorative treatment dresses the design in vibrant cold shades in the bleu de France bridges and chain, sky-hued sandblasted mainplate, blue grand feu enamel dial and two-toned strap for a particularly athletic interpretation. The pièce de résistance is, naturally, the Movement 549: a constant-force mechanism paired with a tourbillon and fusee-chain system, a classic method for optimising rate regularity.
Fine trim
The Blancpain Villeret Ultraplate has received a makeover. In addition to pared-back dimensions measuring 38mm, the collection now includes two new editions. The first stars a sunburst salmon dial complemented by black-treated gold numerals and an anthracite strap, a perfect way to carry some sun with you into your evening soirées. For daytime wear though, this boutique exclusive (pictured) with a stainless steel case and 18-carat yellow gold Roman numerals on an aurous opaline dial, paired with an olive-green nubuck strap, is a true beauty.
Second skin
Bvlgari’s world record-breaking Octo Finissimo has always embodied fine watchmaking in both senses of the word — a monument to thinness, mechanical innovation and classic Italian aesthetics. Joining the family of perpetual calendar interpretations is a sleek new 40mm monochromatic blue design made from PVD-treated titanium. On the varnished dial, grey rhodium-plated indices provide understated contrast and surprising ease of readability despite the typical complexity of its complication. Topping off the ensemble is a steel crown for smooth adjustment, and a matching alligator leather strap for a seamless look.
Make a beeline
Following in the footsteps of its two flashy predecessors, the Yellow Black Bay by Tudor is every bit its family’s daring spirit — just with a little fine-tuning. A 39mm steel case that is now only 13.1mm thin surrounds a striking yellow face with black subdials and sub-counters, as well as a date display at 9 o’clock. Combine that with waterproofness of up to 200m and the COSC-certified Calibre MT5813’s 70-hour power reserve, and you get a trusty statement marvel for any occasion where you might like to make a splash.
Under pressure
Panerai’s Submersible Navy SEALs PAM01738 is just the high-precision, extreme-resistance tool for the waterbound adventurer. Fashioned from durable steel and black ceramic, this 44mm model offers an evolved iteration of the collection’s classic dial, using a shaded anthracite surface, a target-inspired small seconds counter at 9 o’clock and yellow accents for enhanced legibility while alluding to the Navy SEALs’ codes. Powering the tool is the P.980 calibre, featuring a three-day power reserve, traversing balance bridge and 50-bar water resistance for unwavering performance that can weather any submarine sport.
Sun-kissed
Rado makes a convincing argument for basking in the balmy rays with its limited-edition True Round Open Heart. This elegant creation comprises a pale pink openworked dial in a lucky “8” motif, a similar shade to its ceramic case and bracelet. Step outside, and the scintillating photochromatic surface reacts to ultraviolet light, giving the delicate dial a vivid magenta flush and letting its rose gold-coloured hands and indices pop. The sunray guilloché finish on the exposed Calibre R734 ties this expressive piece together.
This article first appeared on July 6, 2026 in The Edge Malaysia.
