Summer is finally here, but the question is, what watch do you take on holiday? In the build up to your trip you will need to ask yourself, have I printed out my flight tickets, what time I need to get to the airport, and the all important question: is my passport still in date?

Nevertheless, deciding on what watch to take on holiday is still crucial. Whether you are venturing off to the Greek Isles to go diving, or you are travelling to the United States for a hike in the Rocky Mountains, finding the best watch to take on holiday can be a head-scratcher.

Here, we look at some of the core features of watches tailored to the type of holiday you are planning, along with a few recommendations. 

If your holiday involves swimming in the ocean, diving to the deepest depths, or simply lounging by the pool, choosing a watch with good water resistance is essential.

Most Swiss watches offer varying degrees of water resistance to protect their intricate movements and internal components from water damage and corrosion. Through the use of gaskets, seals, and precision-engineered cases, these watches are built to withstand different levels of moisture exposure, depending on their intended use.

Dive watches, in particular, are purpose-built for underwater exploration. They typically feature superior water resistance, excellent legibility in low-light conditions, and a unidirectional bezel to track dive time. Some even feature helium escape valves.

Many Swiss watchmakers have developed dedicated lines of dive watches, with some capable of withstanding depths of up to 1000m, for those who are built for adventure. A prime example is the new Pelagos Ultra from TUDOR.

OMEGA offers a variety of incredible dive watches, with the Seamaster collection made capable of great depths whilst also looking fantastic for those holiday pics.

Alongside this, Breitling have their Superocean collection which was born in the 1960s at the start of the scuba diving era. Both offer classic designs with high functionality, ensuring that these watches are perfect for taking on holiday, especially if you are taking them for a quick dip.

Continuing with the theme of adventure, if your holiday takes you off the beaten path, whether you are hiking along the rugged Spanish coast or trekking deep into the Amazon rainforest, you will need a timepiece that is as tough as your journey. You need something durable. Reliable. Purpose-built. Adventure watches are the perfect choice.

One watch that immediately stands out is the Breitling Emergency. Designed for real-world expeditions, the watch features a dual-frequency Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) capable of sending a distress signal directly from your wrist. This then triggers local search and rescue protocols in life-threatening situations. 

However, this is by no means an everyday timepiece. Due to the seriousness of its functionality, purchasing one of these watches requires completing a certified training course from Breitling to ensure proper use.

If you are drawn to this rugged style but don’t require a PLB, Breitling’s Aerospace B70 Orbiter is another exceptional choice. Built in honour of Bertrand Piccard and Brian Jones’ nonstop circumnavigation of the globe in a balloon in 1999, this timepiece combines heritage with high performance. Its titanium case has a superior strength-to-weight ratio and houses the COSC-certified Calibre B70, ensuring you are ready for adventure. 

Moreover, the watch also comes with a piece of living history, as each special edition contains a segment of the original balloon which can be seen through the open caseback.

Also, it is worth highlighting the TUDOR Pelagos collection. Though intended as being dive watches, their ultra-durable and lightweight titanium construction makes them excellent companions for land-based and sea-based expeditions. 

Are you going on a more relaxing holiday? A place to unwind? Or escaping for a distant city break? Then finding a stylish watch is also incredibly important. Style is very personal, especially when it comes to watches, so here are a few examples.

The Monaco Automatic 39mm from TAG Heuer is a modern-vintage classic. Its square case is an immediate head-turner and comes with a wealth of history. Worn on the wrist of Steve McQueen in the 1970s, the Monaco is stylish and rebellious, and as a two-subdial chronograph it is also built for performance. Both comfortable and lightweight, it's a great companion for going on holiday and for everyday wear, and the collection of these watches is something to marvel at. This is especially so if you are a racing fanatic.

Another option is the Speedmaster collection of watches from OMEGA. Forged through space exploration, Speedmasters' provide you with unparalleled precision and style. With a diverse range of watch models, there is definitely something that will catch your eye. OMEGA watches are the epitome of luxury, and the Speedmaster collection is no exception.

First launched in 2012, TUDOR's Black Bay collection has grown into a true icon of Swiss watchmaking. Through its continuous development, there is a Black Bay watch for every taste and occasion, including your Summer holiday. From timeless classics to sought-after special editions, TUDOR watches provide us with incredibly functional, yet stylish watches. Following their recent unveiling at Watches & Wonders in 2025, there is now the Black Bay 68, a larger model featuring their certified movements. 

Taking your timepiece on holiday is only natural. It is an extension of you. Therefore, it is important to take proper care of your watches. We advise that before you go you get some form of case whilst you are abroad. 

We offer a variety of incredible WOLF watch travel storage solutions to ensure that your timepiece is protected whilst you are away. More importantly, if your hotel room has a secure safe, if you are leaving your watches for the day, we advise storing it in there.

If you are looking for any additional advice, or would like to view some of the aforementioned watches, then we welcome you to our Southwest Watch Showrooms, located in Truro, Plymouth, Exeter, and Taunton. Here, one of our friendly team will help you with any query, and of course wish you the best for your holiday.