Fratello Favorites: The Best Summer Watches At Three Different Price Points — Balazs’ Picks From Casio, Ming, And Vacheron Constantin

Putting a list of three watches together sounds easier than it is. On the one hand, we have budget limitations—one watch should be €1,000 or less, the next should come in under €10,000, and the last could cost anything. Within those price points, the options are so vast that it’s genuinely a challenge to settle for just one. Then there’s the “summer watch” designation. What is a summer watch? Is it supposed to be a diver? Or are there any other criteria? These were the questions I went through when I put my list together. That said, I’m pretty happy with my picks, which I’d describe as an eclectic bunch. I mean, how often do you see Casio, Ming, and Vacheron Constantin side-by-side on the same list?

Some of the picks required less thought than others. Ultimately, I went with a watch I own, one I’d like to own, and one I’d be happy to own but which I’ll probably never have in my watch box. I guess you all can guess which one is which.

What makes a watch a summer watch?

Let me elaborate on my thought process before we dive into the watches—an excellent summer watch, in my opinion, needs three attributes. Number one, it should match everything I wear, from shorts and chinos to shorts and a T-shirt. Style, just like my preference for watches, is a subjective matter. Yet, to me, all three of my choices tick this box. I’d wear them to a formal event just as I would to the beach. Now that we have agreed on the first point let us look at the second one. A summer watch must have a strap/bracelet that is easy to clean. This means that leather is out of the question. I was never fond of leather straps in the summer, especially on a steamy July day. You sweat, your ice cream drips on you, and a leather strap will get funky quickly. Ideally, you want something you can just run under the tap and quickly dry off.

This leads us to my third and final request. I need the watch to have some form of water resistance. In my book, a summer watch is not necessarily a dive watch, although there are many similarities. But not everyone will necessarily spend all summer diving into the pool all day. However, due to the warm weather, I often wash my hands or try to cool myself down, which means getting in close contact with water. So, vintage chronographs on a leather strap, which would generally be my go-to pick any other time of year, are excluded from this list. Let’s see the ones that made the cut.

Sub-€1,000: Casio G-Shock GW-B5600-2

So, let’s start with the obvious choice. Those who follow me on Instagram or listen to the Fratello On Air podcast know that my travel watch is a simple Casio G-Shock I bought a good few years ago. The GW-B5600-2 has everything I need when traveling. It’s light, automatically switches between time zones (when synchronized with the phone), is inexpensive, and has that classic G-Shock look many of us love. “But a travel watch is not necessarily a summer watch, Balazs,” I hear you say. And you are right. Yet, as I travel a lot during the warm months of May to September, there’s a bit of an overlap. My summer watch in the sub-€1k category is the very watch I take on most of my trips: my Casio G-Shock GW-B5600-2.

At around €150, this is a budget-friendly, water-resistant (200m), illuminated awesomeness that anyone should be proud to wear. This G-Shock is classic, timeless, and a watch community favorite for its ruggedness, amongst other things. Lex put one on his list, albeit I must say, I love mine better. I could have picked a more expensive diver. Or an iconic Seiko 5, something from Baltic, or any other brand that shines in that price segment. Instead, I went with what I love and what I use on a regular basis. As I type this, I’m preparing for my trip to Italy in a few weeks. Can you guess what will be on my wrist? Yes, you are right: it’s the G-Shock.

Sub-€10,000: Ming 37.09 Bluefin

I was in my hotel room in London waiting for Mike to drop by a few months ago when I first heard of the Bluefin. We had agreed to meet up and record the podcast before heading to the next Time 4A Pint get-together when my phone pinged. He was texting me but not about his arrival time. Instead, he shot me a few press images of the Ming 37.09 Bluefin and asked me what I thought. I must admit the previous Ming diver was not my cup of tea. Then again, I love the brand’s overall design language; what it did to the 37.09 was the perfect outcome for me. Ming is not for everyone; I get it. Some criticize the brand, saying that its watches are all too similar. I hear you, and you are indeed correct. But it’s not a bad thing if you genuinely enjoy the aesthetic.

Though, as a side note, being a bit of a one-trick pony (which Ming is not, in my opinion) is not unheard of in the industry. Right, AP? Returning to the Bluefin, the double crown gave me vintage vibes, while the blue rubber strap and the dial design were a breath of fresh air among the other more standard timepieces. It won’t be a run-of-the-mill watch, with a price tag of CHF 4,950 and a limited production of 500 pieces. The 38mm size makes it easy to wear; the 600m water resistance makes it a capable diver. Inside beats a trusted Sellita-base caliber with a touch of that Ming magic. To me, it’s a tremendous all-around timepiece.

If budget was no issue: Vacheron Constantin Overseas Dual Time “Everest”

I must admit that Audemars Piguet or Patek Philippe always overshadowed Vacheron Constantin to me. I was aware of the brand and loved what I saw. But I’d go with AP or Patek before VC when it comes to taking my pick in this category. This has changed tremendously in recent years, thanks to many factors, such as personal connections and business decisions. I would not say that the former two got off the map; let’s say that Vacheron Constantin came up in my eyes. As someone who loves sporty watches, the Overseas was always my choice. Although, in the past, they still looked more classy than sporty. However, I’d rock their Overseas Dual Time Everest day and night, summer or winter, and every season.

To me, the Everest has the traditional Overseas DNA with a touch of “cool.” Where do I even begin? The 41mm case is lovely, not too large or small. The fact that the watch is titanium with a matching bezel adds to its sportiness. Lastly, the strap options are adequate and trendy; I dig that touch of orange on the dial and the strap. So much for the basics. Now, let’s look at some of its excellent complications. A date is not something I’d need for my vacation, but if the summer watch is to be worn in the office, it comes in handy indeed.

On the other hand, the AM/PM indicator and the second time zone are features I’d love to have on my holiday watch. The 18K gold-applied hour markers and the textured dial are just the icing on the cake. At around 30k (€31,200, to be exact), it is not a budget model but everything I’d need in my dream summer watch.

Let me know your thoughts on this and my other summer watch picks in the comments!