Amidst spring’s awakening, make room in your collection for watches that are blooming with elegance and are as timely as the change of the season.

When that chill in the air starts to dissipate, there is only one thing for it – a new watch! The winter coat has been condemned to the back of the wardrobe and now it’s time to pick out some fresher colours to put the “spring” back into your step. Here at Watches World, we’ve rounded up some incredible watches for this season.

Although bold colours, patterns and florals are on trend for the lighter, fresher months, our chosen models are a little more universal. It means that you can enjoy these watches throughout the year, not just during spring. Let’s be real – when you invest in a luxury watch, you don’t want to limit it to a few weeks of the year. Moreover, you want the option to pair your spring attire with a fitting watch but one that can easily complement your outfit Monday through Sunday.  

What are watch trends saying this spring?

One of the key trends this spring is to experiment with colour, but maybe not in the way you’d think. The lighter and brighter seasons of the year normally reflect a need for bolder, more vibrant colours. This year, however, the colour palette for spring watches seems to be more subdued. Dark green and rich blue colours bring understated tones to any outfit. Although not entirely radical, they can transform your wrist with a pop of colour in quite a surprising way. Using muted tones with just a subtle hint of colour in the hands or a strap also has its advantages. You can pair these watches with pretty much any colour and still have the option to go more experimental with a block colour in a strap if you want to.

Minimalist dials are also a big trend this year and while it’s not certain how long a dial preference will stick around, likely, the simple and modern display of a minimalist watch will remain. They avoid being flashy, offering an architectural style that is both sober and professional at the same time. Covering everything from Max Bill’s inspired watches of the Bauhaus period to bold railway tracks – the minimalist watch is a favoured look amongst many luxury watch enthusiasts and is continuing to grow.

Fabric straps are an increasingly popular option for men’s watches and we’re likely to see more of them over the coming year or two. Material straps are a great way to add a less formal edge to your attire and are perfect for achieving the look of soldier’s watches used in World War II. If you like military watches and field watches, you’ll perhaps want to consider adding a material strap to your watch this season.

Women’s watches right now are all about the mesh-style bracelet. This trend pays homage to the 1970s when Milanese bracelets were the order of the day. The design of the Milanese bracelet originated in Milan, Italy and quickly became a desirable look, adding a dressy appeal to wristwatches and proving to be a great alternative to other strap options. This spring, women’s watches with Milanese bracelets are a great way to enjoy a more jewellery-like finish in a timepiece, elevating the wrist beautifully.

Blue dial watches, whether light blue or navy are a popular option amongst watch wearers this season. With so many options from Royal Blue to Air Force Blue, these shades are fitting for dive watches, capturing the hues of the ocean. But they also work well as a dress watch. With so many blue shades to pick from when it comes to choosing a watch this season, there is certainly a shade out there for everyone.

Lastly, silver-toned watches are back. In fact, did they ever really go away? This colour brings a universal elegance to any timepiece, whether for men or women. You can pair a silver dial with a leather strap or a stainless steel bracelet quite easily. Maybe even combine it with a luxurious two-tone watch in steel and gold? No matter how many times the silver dial has been done, it still prevails, offering clarity and purity, as well as a timeless aesthetic.

Whether you are keen on what the latest trends are saying about watches this season or not, the key thing to remember when investing in a new timepiece is to opt for a case size, material, strap and dial design that you’ll enjoy for years to come. Provided your watch is a universal colour, you can enjoy adding this seasonal watch to your collection with the view to use it all year through. To prove this, here are four of our favourite spring watches.

Rolex GMT-Master II watch reference 126710BLNR-0003

Rolex GMT-Master II watch reference 126710BLNR-0003

Considered the most famous of GMT complications, Rolex GMT-Master II watches are some of the most popular in the entire world. Within the collection, there are steel models, Rolesor editions, Everose iterations and white gold models, depending on how much you want to spend. Rolex GMT-Master II watches don’t come cheap but they do offer a great value proposition. The bezel of the GMT-Master II watches is what has made the collection so iconic and hugely sought after. The “Pepsi”, “Batman”, and “Coke” iterations are colour combinations that many enthusiasts have waited years to get their hands on. Since 2007, Rolex has been equipping the models with Cerachrom bezel inserts, a high-tech ceramic that defies the impact of colour fading and damage caused by scratches. What keeps each Rolex GMT-Master II watch ticking over is the superior technology of an in-house-made movement. Each calibre is chronometer-certified and must pass a series of tests before it earns the status of a “Superlative Chronometer”.

Above all, the Rolex GMT-Master II can track up to three different time zones at once and is an excellent investment option. It is likely to appreciate or hold its value at the very least. This Rolex GMT-Master II features a black dial surrounded by a black and blue Cerachrom bezel. Its legible arrow-tipped hand parades the dial once every 24 hours. In addition to this, its 24-hour bezel is bidirectionally rotating. Thanks to the use of a Chromalight display, the hour hands and markers can stand out against the richness of the black dial throughout the day and night.

Incorporating the blue elements considered on-trend for spring this year, the Rolex GMT-Master II watch is perfect for accompanying you on a spring vacation. Its Oystersteel case upholds a 100-meter water resistance and sits on the wrist at a diameter of 40mm. With the ability to jump the local time hour-by-hour via the winding crown, you can adapt to your new time zone without affecting the minute and second hands. Lastly, you get a corrosion-resistant Oyster bracelet that is both aesthetically and technically primed for everyday wear. The Oysterlock clasp prevents the bracelet from unlocking itself, whilst the Easylink extension link, developed by Rolex experts, can be increased by 5mm for added comfort.

Breitling Premier Chronograph Bentley British Racing watch reference AB0118A11L1X1

Breitling Premier Chronograph Bentley British Racing watch reference AB0118A11L1X1

The distinctively sporty look of the Breitling for Bentley range combines the highest level of horology with a dose of British elegance. The collection is known for its performance and its expertly developed chronographs, which Breitling’s catalogue is still largely weighted towards. The British car manufacturer and Breitling began working together in 2002. This partnership lasted up until 2019 and over that period, a long line of exquisite timepieces have come out of it. One of the most distinctive features of the Breitling for Bentley watches is the relief pattern on the bezel, evoking the grilles of a Bentley car. The collection is also notable for Breitling’s exclusive made-to-order Bentley Mulliner Tourbillon, where owners could choose their own case material and dial colour, not to mention a decorated wooden feature on the back. These high-end chronographs and world-time complications are powered by in-house movements, adding to their popularity.

This Breitling for Bentley watch is a great companion for the warmer months. Its deep green colour is impactful without being too distracting and its design can easily be worn throughout other months of the year too. Stick hour markers and straight hands have been chosen for this model. They are first treated with luminescent material before being placed against the rich tones of the British green dial. The 42mm model is crafted from polished stainless steel and has been fitted on a matching deep green leather band with a criss-cross pattern that echoes the leather seats of a Bentley car. The feature brings the entire message behind the design together – one of ultimate luxury and refinement.

Around the edge of the dial is a black tachymeter scale with red highlights that make it an ideal tool for measuring speed, based on distance. The chronograph sub-dials at 3 and 9 o’clock are also filled with a black colour. These denote the 30-minute function and the small seconds indicator. The chronograph dial, complete with a date window at 6 o’clock, is protected underneath a sapphire crystal glass front. It shields the display from scratches and denting. Inside the case of this Breitling for Bentley watch is an in-house chronograph movement. The Calibre B01 has been around since 2009 and has a column wheel and vertical clutch for improved mechanical performance. You can enjoy a full 70 hours of power reserve with this movement, meaning that you can alternate the watch with another favourite whenever the need arises. 

Frank Muller Vanguard V45 Backswing Golf watch reference V 45 C GOLF BC (BC)

Breitling Premier Chronograph Bentley British Racing watch reference AB0118A11L1X1

The Vanguard watch collection by Frank Muller may seem like quite an unusual choice for a spring watch, but its sporty character brings energy to the wrist, along with an unmissable design. The captivating shape of the Vanguard is instantly recognisable. Its clean lines lend themselves to a set of Arabic numeral hour markers that have been hand-brushed and hand-polished for an exquisite finish. The push-pieces for the chronograph versions flank the crown and lean closely into the case, defining its shape even more. In addition to this, the curved aspect of the case is enhanced further by a strap that is integrated into the case for an overall sleeker look.

Frank Muller is considered a leader in developing complication watches. Founded in Geneva, the business focused on in-house manufacture from the very beginning and prides itself on the plans, construction, design and execution of each watch from the initial pencil sketches right through to the boxing-up process. Above all, Franck Muller Vanguard watches are bold and daring, so if the idea of a sporty statement piece appeals to you, this watch for spring is a great option.

The Vanguard V45 Backswing Golf is made from grade 2 titanium, bringing a lightweight advantage to the wrist. A sapphire crystal glass top displays a stamped guilloche dial with a sun pattern adorned to its surface and a vibrant green and orange golfing score scale. The 44mm model is a confident and daring design that completes its look on a white leather hand-sewn band with contrast orange stitching up the sides and a unique golf ball-inspired pattern upon its surface. The watch is also powered by the Calibre FM 800 CGS, which provides a very useful 42-hour power reserve.

Cartier Ballon Bleu watch reference WSBB0061

Cartier Ballon Bleu watch reference WSBB0061

The Cartier Ballon Bleu watch collection brings an entirely new concept to the round watch. If you’ve not yet considered a watch from this collection and you love the thought of subtle refinement, the indulgent design of the Ballon Bleu de Cartier should hit all the right spots. Capturing the latest trends in colour, the blue dial of this watch is perfect for wearing throughout spring. Its fresh look is complemented by an effortlessly polished steel case and the richness of a blue cabochon sapphire-adorned crown. These features are characteristic of the Ballon Bleu watch collection, as are the blued steel sword-shaped hands and a beautifully textured dial.

The Ballon Bleu gives added volume to the traditional roundness of a case shape. Its doubly convex shape is accompanied by a winding crown integrated into the side of the case and a crown cap that sits under a metal hoop to protect the blue bubble. The innovative design was first released by Cartier in 2007, providing both men and women with a new take on the round case. Its design was inspired by a bubble floating atop the wrist and is still considered one of the brand’s most popular models. This 40mm men’s automatic Ballon Bleu watch is finished on a stainless steel link bracelet to create a jewellery-like finish against the wrist.