When summer rolls around, it’s the perfect time to bring vibrant color back to your wrist with a fresh, eye-catching watch. Whether you’re hitting the beach, going on a tropical vacation, or simply looking to add some seasonal fun to your everyday style, a bright and playful summer watch can instantly elevate your look. From dive watches to casual automatics, these colorful timepieces combine style, durability, and affordability. Here are some of the best colorful summer watches under $1,000 that offer great value, standout designs, and reliable performance to keep you on time and in style all season long.

Studio Underd0g Watermel0n

Playful, pastel, and refreshingly different, the Watermelon dial is a true summer statement piece. Its vibrant pink and green hues immediately catch the eye, while the bi-compax layout and crisp detailing add surprising depth and sophistication. At 38.5mm, it strikes a perfect balance between boldness and wearability, making it a standout choice for those who want a watch as fun as the season itself.

• Case size: 38.5mm
• Movement: Hand-wound Seagull ST-1901
• Water resistance: 30m
• Price: $700
• View on Studio Underd0g

Why it’s great for summer: With its bright pink and green tones and textured dial, it captures the essence of summer fun. Light on the wrist and heavy on charm, it’s the perfect summer conversation starter.

Farer Aquamatic

The Farer Aquamatic lineup, especially the Freshwater and Nazaré models, brings a refined yet adventurous spirit to your summer rotation. With a sleek 38.5mm case and a bold splash of color, these watches balance classic dive watch elements with a modern, playful edge. Both offer solid 200m water resistance and a smooth Swiss Sellita SW220-1 automatic movement, making them reliable companions whether you’re exploring coastal trails or city streets.

• Case size: 38.5mm
• Movement: Swiss Made Sellita SW220-1
• Water resistance: 200m
• Price: $975
• View on Farer

Why they’re great for summer: The bright, fresh dials and robust dive specs make the Freshwater and Nazaré perfect for water adventures and sunny days alike, blending style and substance effortlessly.

Straton Yacht Racer Quartz

If you’re looking to channel retro yacht-club energy this summer, the Straton Yacht Racer has you covered. Its bold colorways and classic cushion case evoke the ’70s in the best way possible. It wears big but not bulky, and the punchy visual design ensures it doesn’t go unnoticed. Great for weekend trips, sunny drives, or any setting where you want to wear something with character. With a range of color combinations available, there’s something to suit every taste.

• Case size: 42mm
• Movement: Miyota 6S21 Quartz
• Water resistance: 100m
• Price: Around $319
• View on Straton

Why it’s great for summer: The vibrant colors and vintage-inspired design perfectly capture the carefree spirit of summer, making it a stylish companion for any casual outing or coastal adventure.

Citizen Tsuyosa

Affordable, automatic, and packed with personality. The Tsuyosa line offers bold colors like turquoise, yellow, and green, housed in a sporty case with integrated bracelet. At under $300, it punches well above its weight.

Looking for something even bolder? Check out our post on the latest Tsuyosa drops — the new purple and navy dials might be the best ones yet.

• Case size: 40mm
• Movement: Miyota 8210
• Water resistance: 50m
• Price: Around $400
• Availability and prices may vary by region

Why it’s great for summer: It’s bright, comfortable, and has a vintage-modern aesthetic that works from poolside to patio. The colorful dials shine in the sun, and it’s an easy grab-and-go piece.

Islander Northport

Long Island Watch’s house brand delivers again with this 40.5mm Northport diver, continuing their tradition of offering quality watches that punch above their weight. The seafoam green and white ripple dial version is especially striking, offering a breezy summer look paired with great specs. It’s a fresh, standout option for those who want a reliable diver that doesn’t blend into the crowd.

• Case size: 40.5mm
• Movement: Miyota 9015 Hi-Beat Automatic
• Water resistance: 200m
• Price: $429
• View on Long Island Watch (Get $25 off with this link)

Why it’s great for summer: The seafoam gradient ripple dial and sapphire bezel give it serious personality, while the slim profile and hi-beat movement offer comfort and performance. This one just screams beach days and endless sunshine.

Seiko SRPK

It’s always tough to pick just one Seiko — the brand has no shortage of colorful, summer-ready options. But for this list, I went with a classic from the 5 Sports line that nails both personality and reliability.

The SRPK33 features a minty-aqua dial while the SRPK75 comes in a vibrant orange coral. Both bring fresh dial tones at an affordable price — and since they’ve been out for a little while, you can often find them discounted. For around $200, they’re easily among the best-value Seiko divers you can grab this summer.

• Case size: 42.5mm
• Movement: Seiko 4R36 automatic
• Water resistance: 100m
• Price: Around $300
• Availability and prices may vary by region

Why they’re great for summer: Bold dial colors paired with Seiko’s well-known quality and style make these perfect summer daily beaters. Rugged enough for beach wear, fun enough for everyday looks.

Signum Cuda Miami

The Signum Cuda Miami is a vibrant splash of color that stands out effortlessly in the summer crowd. Its bold dial and sturdy 42.5mm case deliver both presence and practicality, powered by the reliable NH35 automatic movement. With 200m water resistance, it’s ready for everything from poolside hangouts to weekend beach escapes — all while keeping a fresh, energetic vibe that screams summer fun.

• Case size: 42.5mm
• Movement: NH35 automatic
• Water resistance: 200m
• Price: $399
• View on Signum Watch Co

Why it’s great for summer: Bright, bold, and built to handle water, the Cuda Miami perfectly matches sunny days and active lifestyles, making it a go-to colorful dive watch for the season.

Swatch x Blancpain Scuba Fifty Fathoms

Yes, it’s plastic. But it’s fun, bright, and full of character. These collabs come in various ocean-themed colors, each tied to a different sea. The new Green Abyss edition might be the most summer-ready one yet — we took a closer look at it in this post.

• Case size: 42.3mm
• Movement: Swatch Sistem51 automatic
• Water resistance: 91m
• Price: Around $400
• View on Swatch

Why it’s great for summer: Lightweight and splash-ready with a dive-style case and colorful identity. A fun seasonal watch that doesn’t take itself too seriously.

Bulova Devil Diver

A reissue of Bulova’s bold 1970s dive watch, the Devil Diver is known for its iconic cushion case, vintage vibes, and bold colorways like bright orange or vibrant green. The quirky name comes from its unique 666ft water resistance rating — a playful nod to dive watch lore that sets it apart. This chunky, retro-inspired timepiece brings classic style with modern reliability, making it a favorite for those who want something eye-catching yet functional.

• Case size: 44mm (wears smaller)
• Movement: Automatic (Miyota 821D)
• Water resistance: 200m (666ft)
• Price: Around $600
• View on Bulova

Why it’s great for summer:
With retro dive style, bright color options, and a chunky-cool presence, the Devil Diver stands out at the pool or beach. It’s bold, funky, and ready for summer adventures.

Summer is the perfect excuse to go bold with your watch game and add a splash of color to your collection. Whether you’re drawn to pastel chronographs, brightly colored dive watches, or something uniquely eye-catching in between, there are more fun and affordable options than ever under $1,000. These standout picks don’t just look great — they deliver excellent value, reliable movements, and serious personality to elevate your summer style. Ready to upgrade your wristwear? These colorful summer watches are built to keep up with all your sunny adventures.