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8 Great White Watches You Can Finally Wear Now

Now that we've made it to Memorial Day, the time for white watches has come.

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Summer is here! And while the world certainly isn't back to "normal" yet, things are opening back up in the United States, vaccinations are being administered, and there is, for the first time in a hot minute, some optimism in the air. And you'll want a watch to match.

While no one really believes you can only wear white from Memorial Day to Labor Day, white is extra excellent in the summer months, especially in our current moment when we are all being seen in public for the first time in like a year.

Yours could be an all-white watch made of high-tech ceramic, something digital and fun for a day at the beach, or even just a classic model with a cheery white dial to give it some summer vibes. With that in mind, here are a few of our favorites white watches to help you tackle the warmer months ahead.


G-Shock GMAS2100-7A
White G-Shock watch

The price is right. I don't have a very sporty style (my look is more '70s bohemian meets '90s normcore), but the matte dial, seamlessly integrated into the strap, makes it feel like something I can wear every day. Now that the weather is getting warmer I find myself struggling to concentrate on work. I'm planning to use the watch's timer to give the Pomodoro Technique another try. —Daisy Alioto

The G-Schock GMAS2100-7A In White, $99


Zenith Defy Classic Skeleton In White Ceramic
White Zenith watch

Ceramic is cool. Literally. It's cool to touch, it's light on the wrist, and it's exceptionally scratch resistant. And in the hands of certain watch brands, it can be quite colorful, too. That was the case with Zenith, who in 2019 updated its entry-level Defy Classic range with a trio of watches in blue, black, and (my favorite) white ceramic cases. This one's paired with a matching white rubber strap and white accents on the skeletonized dial, and I can't think of another high-end white watch with as laid-back and casual of a vibe – just perfect for summer. —Logan Baker

Zenith Defy Classic Skeleton in White Ceramic, $7,900


Rolex Explorer II
White Rolex Explorer

Hey, what'd you expect me to pick? As a Canadian, I'm not even the type to celebrate Memorial Day, but Explorer II's crisp "polar" white dial has a charm that can easily bring our cultures together, be they in observance of Memorial Day, Victoria Day, or anything in between. One of the larger watches in the Rolex stable, the new-for-2021 Explorer II 226570 is 42mm wide and houses a local-jumping second time-zone display. This generation expands upon the original 1655, though the white dial wasn't first seen until the second generation of the Explorer II, the 16550. In its current form, you can still pick between a black or a white dial, but the white stands out among the usually conservative nature of Rolex's steel professional series watches. It's bright, casual, born of adventure, and more than capable of withstanding a jump in the pool or an errant splash of ranch dressing at the salad table. —James Stacey

The Rolex Explorer II, $8,550


Panerai Luminor Marina 44mm
Panerai watch

Panerai, as a brand, feels like it was made for an idealized version of summer, soaking up a Mediterranean climate with a bright and bitter Campari-based drink in hand. A white dial takes that summertime fantasy to a whole other level. What I love about this white-dialed Luminor Marina is its use of neutral tones: The grey numerals and markings peeking out from behind the top layer of the sandwich dial, the matching strap, the hands with lume darker than the dial. This is a watch I could very easily see myself wearing between Memorial Day and Labor Day, as I try to make the most of the season. —Jon Bues

The Panerai Luminor Marina 44mm (PAM01314), $8,100


IWC Ref. 3705 Fliegerchronograph
A white IWC watch

If you’re the sort of person who worries about someone having the same outfit at a ball, here’s a white summer watch just for you. In fact, it’s only for you because it’s literally one of a kind. This IWC ref. 3705 “Fliegerchronograph” in white ceramic is a one-off prototype, from 1992, that HODINKEE’s James Stacey spied at the 2019 SIHH. Something this rare isn’t just a flex at the pool; it’s a major flex at any gathering of hardcore watch nerds as well. —Jack Forster


BREDA Play (Illuminate)
A white BREDA watch

While not totally white, this watch is pure summer. It's white-ish during the day, while it absorbs light and then takes on a neon glow at night. The strap, bezel, and dial markings all turn bright glow-stick green in the dark – so if you're looking for a subtle nighttime glow, this is not the watch for you. The combo of the reasonable price point, Recycled Thermoplastic Polyurethane (fancy plastic) strap, and water resistance means you can take it for a swim and let cherry ice cream drip on this watch all summer long without a second thought. This watch is everything I want out of my summer – playful, easy-going, and a little unexpected. —Nora Taylor

Breda Play Illuminate, $100


Omega Speedmaster White Side of the Moon
White Omega Speedmaster

It's hard to make a 64-year-old icon feel fresh and contemporary, but the White Side of the Moon is genuinely unlike any Speedmaster that has ever come before. Nearly every visible component is made of white ceramic (or white crocodile leather, for the strap) and it's a blindingly bright take on the classic Moon Watch. It's not just the case, but the pushers, crown, and dial that are white ceramic, and the level of finishing Omega has achieved on the notably hard material is impressive. While the outside of this watch rightfully gets most of the attention, the nicely finished caliber 9300 inside looks absolutely incredible framed by all that white ceramic. If you're looking for a lighter, more summery take on the Speedy, this is for you. —Stephen Pulvirent

Omega Speedmaster White Side of the Moon, $12,000


Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar In White Ceramic
White Royal Oak watch

This isn't a six-figure watch, but it's pretty damn close. This AP QP is the epitome of luxury. Do AP designers have to make a case and bracelet of white ceramic? Of course they don't have to – but they can, and so they do, and so they did. This is the sort of watch spottable across a city block. It's appeared in the wild over recently – notably on the wrist of NBA star Draymond Green. If Memorial Day weekend is meant to kick off white-watch summer, I'm going with this one. If you need me, I'll be busking in the subway to fund the purchase. —Danny Milton


Shop Talk

The HODINKEE Shop is an Authorized Retailer of OMEGA, G-SHOCK, and Zenith watches; explore our collections right here.