From Tag Heuer to Tudor — the best blue watches to buy now - The Times
From shimmering glacial tones to a greyer hue, light blue dials add depth and a quietly luxurious hit to the wrist. Icy and inviting, they were once the domain of exclusively high-end brands, but have now trickled down into many collections. Here are seven examples proving that frosty is the new hot.
Still cruising along some 63 years after launch, Tag Heuer’s Carrera collection, named after the legendary Carrera Panamericana road race in Mexico, is known for its clean lines and balanced proportions. The latest addition features a 41mm polished steel case framing a vivid ice-blue sunray dial, highlighted by silver-tone markers and hands, with a day-date at three o’clock. It’s driven by an in-house automatic movement with up to 80 hours’ power reserve. Limited edition, exclusively available through Watches of Switzerland, Goldsmiths and Mappin & Webb showrooms and online. £3,950; tagheuer.com
“The Crown’s” newest family, the Land-Dweller, includes a platinum model sporting a luminous ice-blue dial, a colour the brand reserves for watches made of the noble metal. Adorned with a honeycomb motif cut by a state-of-the-art laser, it has a Chromalight display, luminescent numerals, index hour markers and hands, making it highly legible in any situation. With Rolex’s signature fluted bezel, integrated Flat Jubilee bracelet with alternating polished and satin finishings, and date with cyclops lens, this 40mm horological heavyweight is a distinguished yet playfully modern piece. £57,100; rolex.com
Now called “an all-purpose sports watch”, Breitling’s Chronomat was originally created in 1984 for the Italian Frecce Tricolori jet team, who wanted a mechanical chronograph for their pilots and were looking for a watch that was both technically robust and also made for sleek off-duty wear. Breitling delivered and continues to add refined, contemporary versions, including this ice-blue dial, powered by the in-house B31 automatic movement and equipped with steel and platinum case, steel Rouleaux bracelet, rider tabs and “onion” crown. £7,450; breitling.com
A tribute to Omega’s maritime heritage since its first dive watch was released in 1932, the Aqua Terra’s dial has a teak pattern, is sun-brushed and varnished with a gradient finish. Available on a stainless-steel bracelet or rubber strap in Omega’s own “Summer Blue” shade, its hands are filled with a unique light blue Super-LumiNova for extra legibility. With a time-zone function and water resistance to 150m, the 41mm model is a Co-Axial Master Chronometer, for either professional water babies or dapper landlubbers. £6,000 on rubber strap; omegawatches.com
Touching the blue-grey edge of the spectrum, Patek Philippe’s annual calendar Ref 4946G has contemporary appeal, with its typically sophisticated, understated design belying the technical complexity within. Framed by the polished white gold 38mm case, the dial is subtly decorated by a double vertical and horizontal satin finish that recalls raw silk “shantung” fabrics. Showcasing the day, month and moon phase in sub dials, plus date in a small aperture, it’s paired with a calfskin leather strap with a denim pattern and contrasting white stitching. £49,350; patek.com
Designed by Gérald Genta for Audemars Piguet, when it was launched in 1972 the Royal Oak revolutionised traditional watchmaking with its hand-finished steel body, octagonal bezel with eight hexagonal screws, guilloché “Tapisserie” patterned dial and integrated bracelet. The collection now numbers more than 500 iterations, including this sleek 37mm model with pale-blue dial on steel bracelet, powered by a self-winding movement. £24,000; audemarspiguet.com
An often-overlooked collection from Tudor, the Royal has recently been overhauled. The new version is a well-proportioned steel sports-dressy wristwatch with a comfortable five-link integrated bracelet and a notched bezel, and an uncluttered dial design with either Roman numerals or — in this case — striking stick markers that bestow a modern character. There’s an in-house COSC-certified movement with an impressive 70-hour power reserve. It’s a handsome alternative to the many integrated sports watches out there. £2,680; tudorwatch.com
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