Refined proportions, sleeker dimensions and a spanking new manufacture movement refresh Breitling’s Superocean Heritage line (Photo: Breitling)
Seasonal watches might not mean much for those living in tropical climates, but as summer rolls around in other parts of the world, the swarm of new timepieces that are resistant to sweat and humidity, comfortable on the wrist and can take an accidental knock or two, increases to our benefit. Whether it is an electric night out in town or a trip to the islands or mountains, these stylish but reliable watches will help you keep good time and excellent company.
Hublot Big Bang Unico Summer 2025
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The latest Big Bang Unico, dressed in hues that elicit thoughts of brilliant sunsets and aquamarine shores, is a prime example that maximalism is this season’s mantra. The watch is presented in a vibrant golden-hour orange case alongside a sky-blue bezel, both crafted in Hublot’s signature ultra-light and durable micro-blasted ceramic. From pool parties to deep waters, rest assured the timepiece is ready for every bold, spontaneous dive, thanks to its water resistance of up to 100m. An open heart reveals the in-house calibre Unico HUB1280, which supports the main hours, date and chronograph functions with a provision of up to 72 hours of power reserve. It comes with three interchangeable straps, in sky blue, dark blue or orange, to switch up your vacay look — a breeze thanks to the maison’s patented One-Click strap system.
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Refined proportions, sleeker dimensions and a spanking new manufacture movement refresh Breitling’s Superocean Heritage line. The face of the watch now sports a more balanced composition while the collection’s colours have been streamlined to a versatile black, blue and green palette, paired with a matching scratch-resistant ceramic-inlayed bezel. Selected models introduce responsibly sourced 18-carat red gold to the outer bezel and rotor but all come with either a thinner, more integrated mesh-metal or mesh-rubber bracelet.
The brand’s first three-hand calibre, B31, drives the automatic models in 44mm, 42mm and 40mm. Developed over four years, this COSC-certified chronometer offers 78-hour power reserve and a free-sprung balance wheel for superior precision. Meanwhile, the 42mm chronograph and 36mm timepiece house Breitling’s manufacture Calibre 01 and Calibre 10 respectively. American pro surfer and brand ambassador Kelly Slater co-designed the Superocean Heritage B31 Automatic 40, featuring a foliage pattern on the dial as a tribute to Hawaiian surf culture. This particular piece is limited to 500 units.
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Many would argue the Anatom was well ahead of its time when Rado introduced it in 1983. Sleek, slim with a retrofuturistic, yet ergonomic design, it is a timepiece that could very well be placed anywhere on the 20th to 21st century sliding scale. In conjunction with its 40th anniversary, the model was relaunched in 2023 with refined dimensions adapted to suit contemporary tastes. The collection has expanded over time, with a selection of full ceramic iterations — some bedecked with diamonds and others with gold coloured accents — launched this year. More recently, three new versions sporting bright and bold colours were added to the mix. Inspired by well-loved summer fruits, the watches in vibrant yellow, grapefruit red and lime green come with matching rubber straps that are UV-resistant. If you look closely under 12 o’clock, the anchor logo rotates with the movement of the watch — a Rado hallmark that never gets old.
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Bryan Adams is not the only one reminiscing about the Summer of ’69. That year, Girard-Perregaux introduced the Deep Diver, which featured an innovative bi-directional gyromatic system, a cushion-shaped case and 14-facet bezel — a design that foreshadowed the signature geometry later seen in the Laureato. Making its return in the brand’s Legacy Editions collection, the modern interpretation of the Deep Diver retains its funky retro charm with a bold aesthetic redolent of the 1971 edition. Crafted together with London-based customisation company Bamford Watch Department, the timepiece (limited to 350 units) boasts a distinctive dial that blends pops of blue, orange and white. Details such as the typography and rotating inner bezel — adjustable via the crown at 2 o’clock — emulate its predecessors.
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Zenith brings a stroke of lightning to two Defy Divers with the new Shadow sub-series in micro-blasted titanium. Designed for deep-sea exploration, the Defy Extreme Diver is equipped with a helium escape valve and is water-resistant up to an astounding 600m. The black ceramic unidirectional rotating bezel, markers and hands are illuminated by Super-LumiNova, ensuring legibility even at the darkest depths. The 42.5mm angular case houses an automatic El Primero three-hand movement with the date at 3 o’clock. The watch comes with three strap options: a black “cordura effect” rubber strap, micro-blasted titanium bracelet and black and yellow fabric strap. The Defy Revival Diver Shadow, its punchy little sibling, has the same water-resistant feature but comes in a 37mm octagonal case with more yellow accents, including on the 14-sided unidirectional rotating bezel. It is powered by the automatic Elite 670 movement, with the date at 4:30.
This article first appeared on June 23, 2025 in The Edge Malaysia.
