Summer Watches | It's as if you fell asleep on a beach and woke up 25 years later... | After Hours

What defines the perfect summer watch? Is it a rugged case, casual style, a screw-down crown; or just how it wears on the wrist? In this latest edition of After Hours, Armand Johnston, Brian Govberg, and Mike Manjos explore the category of versatile summer watches, shining a light on individual tastes, quirks, and varying degrees of angst when it comes to diving into a body of water while wearing a watch. Where do you fall on this topic? Do you dive right in or take a moment to carefully protect your watch on dry land?

The conversation opens with the bronze IWC Aquatimer Chronograph Edition “Expedition Charles Darwin” in hand, followed by another bronze favorite from Panerai; the Submersible Bronzo PAM 968. Rolex watches are inherently versatile, and two pieces make their way into this episode: a white gold GMT-Master II with its rich blue dial, and a vintage GMT-Master in yellow gold with a brown dial and perfectly aged bezel.

Next up is F.P. Journe’s Octa Sport with a 44mm titanium case, yellow-clad dial, and phenomenal lightness on the wrist. Don’t be deceived by the case size – according to the guys, this one wears like a 41. Do you have any watches that wear bigger or smaller than their diameters dictate? Let us know!

The exploration of summer wristwear continues with a few of our favorites from Tudor, including the Pelagos with its fantastic blue dial, a LHD version, and of course, the Heritage Chrono, which Manjos loves to wear with the matching belt. And it wouldn’t be a conversation about summer watches without mentioning the Japanese Seasons Special Editions from Grand Seiko, specifically the RIKKA Early Summer edition with its richly textured green dial.

What’s your favorite summer watch?

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[_joapa]

Aww man that pelagos just looks out of this world

[robertschmidt]

Man Kos’s laugh is hilarious but really enjoy the candid and genuine commentary you guys have. Great video—now let’s talk about that Octa Sport!

[throwingdartsandbreakinghearts]

I'll stick with my SKX in the water. Thanks

[douglassmith]

Love the way Brian's trying to be assertive & macho 🤣

[richardsmegma]

Aw, little Brian in his little chair!

[fpoynton]

Great watch enthusiast conversation as always. The FPJ dial is just a stunning knockout beauty. Each of these brands succeeds in integrating their history with a consistent statement about lifestyle and design - that is why they are each special, fun and interesting. Thanks guys - nice program. 👍

[incima]

Armand sold to me that #20 lhd - bang- for-buck the best watch in my collection! @branchjim

[-izv]

Dudes! Make this discussions longer!!! Love this format...

[masqueman]

"Italian Navy was terrible"... haha. This was so funny... and needed to be said. The Panerai's are "precision military-based watches" but many don't have minute-tick-marks... only 5-minute marks. Hilarious! (I am not I hater... I would love one... but still this is kinda silly)

[robertsullivan]

Just so everyone is aware Rado released a very nice Captain Cook in bronze this past spring in three colors a titanium caseback and 80 hour power reserve. $2, 600. USD. I picked up one and it's aging nicely.

[robertsullivan]

Thank you for making me feel great and oh so smart about my purchase of a Blue Pelagous. I love it and it feels fantastic on my wrist. But don't wear it to bed. It's like having a night light in your wrist.😁😁😁😁

[jumboJetPilot]

UN’s nautically themed watches have to be added into the mix! How about their cloisonné dial watches? Those are the types of watches you wear shoreside, in slacks and polo shirt, cocktail in hand at a small party with a beautiful view, in a warm locale.

[onealattnet]

Brian what’s with the Lange hate...? Great show guys! Fun watches.

[MTbone]

Guys saying 'it's so summery' in conversation Lol

[glennpowell]

OK guys I a little late but am going to put an elephant in the room for a future chew. Do AP offshore take their design cue off certain Casio g shock analogues or is it visa versa? To be honest why would you buy an offshore when a Casio looks cooler but has the same aesthetic? Over to you. Cheers, Len UK.Heads up.

[Nefville]

Brian, Tim has told me that your family has a collection of Pappy Van Winkle. I hope its the 20 & 23 year, anyways sometime you guys should bring it on a show and try it. As a native of Louisville KY and having lived less than half a block from the Pappy Van Winkle (not Buffalo Trace) office and knowing some of their family, not to mention being a collector, I'm well aware of how great the 20 & 23 are. You should let Tim try it. Live.

[jaimerivera]

They should’ve chose the picture of a yellow Ferrari at 11:11 with red “calipers”. Even better comparison!

[Jhnnyravo]

Just grab a Swatch Scuba and you’re set for the summer.

[TheVarskvlavtbichuna]

Hot pieces on the table, i rally want every dingle of them, fun show!

[ICYMIKE]

I think one of the biggest hang-ups toward Japanese Manufactured watches has to do with the old guard that fought in WWII and some of the racist sentiment that carried over to their children. Buying Japanese Made Denim, Sneakers, Cars, etc...Is all prestige for the most part, or means highest quality possible, and it will stand the test of time. I am a fan of Seiko and Grand Seiko. It seems that their design ethos is geared toward a crowd that is/was heavily infected by the soldiers in WWII and that is what is causing the disconnect.