Ultimate Summer Straps
It’s official; summer time is upon us. Not only does that mean boarding flights, sailing through vast oceans, or simply lounging poolside, it also means packing light for warmer climates, and that certainly applies to your watch too. On a hot summer’s day, you’re likely to give the metal bracelets and exotic leather straps a miss and opt for a more comfortable and practical option.
Patek Philippe had the right idea with their 2017 Basel World release, the Aquanaut 5186G. Not your typical sports watch, the Aquanaut is timeless in design with elegant touches throughout. The “jumbo” case is made out of 18K white gold and measures 42mm in diameter, the largest in the line. Inside, the watch is powered by the self-winding caliber 324 S C movement, visible through the sapphire crystal back-case. Front facing, the deep blue hue of the dial with embossed chequered pattern gradates to black as you near the edges and features the date in an aperture at 3 o’clock. The intensity of the blue beautifully contrasts with the Arabic numerals, also in white gold with Superluminova coating. The sporty chic timepiece is teamed with a perfectly matching “Tropical” strap in night blue, embossed with the Aquanaut pattern. Highly durable and made out of composite material, the strap is water resistant, as is the watch to 120 meters. Its material is resilient when it comes to wear and tear and to top it off; it is insensitive to UV radiation. Complete with an 18K white gold fold-over clasp, the Patek Philippe Aquanaut is a timeless, masculine timepiece, making for a highly functional travel companion.
For a fine sports watch you can wear every day while out and about on your summer break, the Vacheron Overseas Chronograph on rubber strap ticks all the right boxes when it comes to simplicity and comfort. The stainless steel case is teamed with an 18K 5N pink gold bezel and crown and houses Vacheron’s very own caliber 5200 movement. The date presents itself between 4 and 5 o’clock, while the small second’s mini dial sits at 9 o’clock, accompanied by the column-wheel chronograph 12 hour and 30-minute counters. Water resistant to 15 bar with approximately 52 hours of power reserve, the Vacheron Overseas Chronograph is a well-built and reliable watch for all leisure activities.
The ever-sporty and robust Rolex Cosmograph Daytona on Oysterflex bracelet will be sure to accommodate your travel needs. Its Rolex patented monobloc Cerachrom bezel in black is as sleek in design as it is in performance, having both anti-corrosive and UV-resistant properties. Its case is crafted from a block of solid 18K gold and waterproof to 100m, protecting the Cosmograph Daytona’s movement, Perpetual Calendar 4130. The strap, or rather the Oyesterflex bracelet, has been developed by Rolex with the goal of providing ease of wear and durability. Within lies a series of metal blades which are molded over with high-performance black elastomer, a material resistant to environmental effects. The result: a strap which maintains its structure and reliability as with a metal bracelet, while allowing for the flexibility and comfort afforded by rubber. Fitted with an Oysterlock safety clasp, this contemporary take on a classic ensures secure wear and peace of mind while enjoying your summer escapades.
