THE JOURNAL
When the sun shines and the humidity rises, watch fans know it’s time to switch up their wristwear. Steel bracelets get too hot and leather’s too sweaty (and prone to damage). Rubber’s OK, but even that can get a bit sticky now and then. Titanium has its advantages. It doesn’t conduct heat like steel and it’s nice and light, but it’s expensive and will still scratch. What you want is a fabric strap: comfortable, light, breathable, flexible, washable and, best of all, likely to add a splash of colour. We’ve picked out five watches that come on threads and make ideal poolside timepieces.
01. Bell & Ross BR 126
Best-known for its square-cased watches, Bell & Ross deserves more credit for its BR 126 Chronograph, a sleek, contemporary take on the pilot’s template. The aviator-style hands and two-register chronograph layout are nods to the established greats; the oversized numerals and dashes of bright orange put the brand’s own stamp on things. It comes on a black textile strap with orange trim to match; perfect if your “aviation” is the kind that comes with a hire car and holiday villa.
02. IWC Schaffhausen Pilot’s Chronograph Top Gun SFTI
Do Top Gun pilots take regular vacations like the rest of us? Who knows. Maybe they’ve just been grounded for buzzing the tower one time too many and feel like dressing down their service timepiece for a few games of beach volleyball, but want to be action ready, no matter what. IWC Schaffhausen’s Pilot’s Chronograph Top Gun SFTI seems to fit the bill. On khaki green hard-wearing fabric, it’s not above a little downtime with the boys.
03. Montblanc 1858 Geosphere Limited Edition
Heading off-grid? Montblanc’s 1858 Geosphere is inspired by vintage Minerva watches issued to explorers in the 1950s, and with its unique dual-hemisphere display will always let you keep tabs on time back home. The green Nato strap is woven by a specialist French firm that supplies Papal robes and haute couture labels, and as you’d expect, is one of the most comfortable on the market. Meanwhile the 42mm bronze case will slowly develop a patina that’s a lasting reminder of your adventures.
04. Panerai Submersible QuarantaQuattro
Green by name, green by nature is the intention behind this Verde Smeralda (Italian for emerald green) version of Panerai’s most-focused dive watch. With a 44mm case and bezel made from the brand’s proprietary alloy of partly recycled steel, which it calls eSteel, it is a step towards a more sustainable watchmaking model. The strap is also made from recycled PET plastic.
05. NOMOS Glashütte Club Neomatik
With its Siren Blue dial, the Club Neomatik is one of NOMOS’ most casual designs. You could wear it with a shirt and blazer if you absolutely insisted, but it’s tailor-made for shorts and a T-shirt. As such, it makes perfect sense that it would come on a pale grey pin-buckle fabric strap instead of the brand’s more traditional shell cordovan leather. The 37mm stainless steel watch is summer ready in other ways, too, with 200m water resistance.