Whether its a top diving watch in cerulean or a classic black tie piece in understated navy, there are few watches for which a chic nautical blue will not work. This elegant shade has long been a favourite of many timeless watchmakers, here is our pick of the best blue-hued timepieces to buy now...
Hublot Spirit of Big Bang Blue
The perfect timepiece for the upcoming Monaco Yacht Show, Hublot's Spirit of Big Bang Blue sports a hue inspired by the Mediterranean Sea and is crafted in vibrant microblasted and polished ceramic complemented by a blue alligator strap. Created in a limited edition of 100, its skeleton dial features further blue accents whilst making its HUB4700 movement visible for everyone to admire.
Case: Ceramic, 42mm
Strap: Alligator and rubber
Movement: Calibre HUB4700 self-winding
Waterproof: 100 metres
Price: POA, hublot.com
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph
One of the undisputed legends of modern horology, the Royal Oak was created by the late, great Gérald Genta in 1972. It was the first steel-cased luxury watch and the distinctive design, with its integrated strap and octagonal bezel, has evolved since. One of the most popular versions is this large-diameter Offshore chronograph with a blue Méga Tapisserie dial.
Case: Steel, 42mm
Strap: Rubber
Movement: Calibre 3126/3850 Manufacture self-winding
Waterproof: 100 metres
Price: £18,700, audemarspiguet.com
Bulgari Diagono Magnesium
Despite its propensity to burst into flames in the face of excessive friction, Bulgari chose light, corrosion-resistant magnesium for the cases of its new Diagono models. They also incorporate other high-tech materials such as Polyetheretherketone (PEEK), ceramic and a grained coating called Motorlac that enables the dial and parts of the case to be finished in attractive colours, including this delectable blue.
Case: Magnesium and PEEK, 41mm
Strap: Rubber
Movement: Calibre BVL 191 Solotempo automatic winding
Price: $3,900, bulgari.com
Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711/1A
Designed by the late Gérald Genta and launched in 1976, the simple, no-frills Nautilus, with blue-grey dial and steel case, remains one of the most coveted luxury sports watches. The distinctive “horned” case is said to have been inspired by a ship’s porthole, while the name comes from the famously watertight mollusc.
Case: Steel, 40mm
Strap: Steel
Movement: Calibre 324 S C self-wound
Waterproof: 120 metres
Price: £22,820, patek.com
Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra
Omega’s Seamaster has long been a favourite among yachting types, but this latest Aqua Terra version is particularly appealing thanks to its teak concept dial. On a practical front, the 41.5mm diameter watch is equipped with Omega’s impressively accurate Master Co-Axial self-winding movement, which is designed to withstand magnetic fields of up to 15,000 Gauss – more than any other watch on the market.
Case: Steel, 41.5mm
Strap: Steel
Movement: Calibre Omega 8500 self-winding
Waterproof: 150 metres
Price: £4,000, omegawatches.com
Panerai Luminor Due 3 Days Automatic
Panerai seldom strays far from the case designs used on its military dive models of the 1930s and 40s. But while the 45mm watch pictured here appears to be a classic Luminor, it’s actually a slimmed-down version that’s more suitable for daily wear. It’s made from lightweight, corrosion-proof titanium.
Case: Titanium, 45mm
Strap: Alligator
Movement: Calibre P.1000 hand-wound
Waterproof: 30 metres
Price: £9,600, panerai.com
Ulysse Nardin Marine Annual Calendar Chronomaster
Watch brands don’t come with better seagoing credentials than Ulysse Nardin; during the late 19th century, it supplied marine chronometers to more than 50 of the world’s navies. This 45mm chronometer-certified watch features an annual calendar movement with power reserve display.
Case: Steel, 43mm
Strap: Rubber or leather
Movement: Calibre UN-113 self-winding
Waterproof: 100 metres
Price: CHF12,900, ulysse-nardin.com
Breitling Superocean 44 Special
Although Breitling is associated with aviation, it has a long history of dive watch production too. This Superocean Special, with scratchproof ceramic bezel, can trace its lineage back to the 1950s, but modern materials and production methods enable the 44mm watch to remain watertight to 1,000 metres.
Case: Steel, 44mm
Strap: Steel
Movement: Calibre Breitling 17 self-winding
Waterproof: 1,000 metres
Price: £3,580, breitling.com
Jaquet Droz Grande Seconde Quantieme
Jaquet Droz was an 18th century watchmaker whose genius for micro mechanics proved especially popular in Asia. The figure of eight dial on this watch replicates that of an early JD pocket watch. Time is read from the upper circle, with running seconds and the date displayed in the lower one.
Case: Steel, 43mm
Strap: Alligator
Movement: Calibre Jaquet Droz 2660Q2 self-winding
Waterproof: 30 metres
Price: £7,400, jaquet-droz.com