As the temperature rises and plans for a break solidify, a trend is emerging among watch enthusiasts and casual wearers alike.
This summer, vintage “holiday watches” are experiencing a remarkable renaissance, with collectors and fashion-forward travellers seeking out timepieces that combine nostalgic charm with practical functionality.
From robust dive watches to slim dress pieces that transition effortlessly from beach to bistro, these classic timepieces are finding their way on to more wrists this season than they have in decades.
The concept of the holiday watch has evolved over generations. Historically, travellers would often select a secondary timepiece for their journeys, something reliable to withstand adventure, yet not so precious that its loss would be devastating.
Today, that practical approach has transformed into something more deliberate, with many enthusiasts specifically curating pieces that capture the essence of leisure time.
Vintage models collectors want now
The watch market is witnessing a return to intentionality as collectors and enthusiasts seek timepieces that were explicitly designed for the leisure lifestyle that blossomed in the 1950s and continued through the 1970s.
These pieces embody stories about a golden age of travel, representing a bygone era of exploration and discovery. The modern appeal lies partly in aesthetics, but equally in the robustness of these vintage designs.
Many holiday classics were built to withstand elements that contemporary watches protect against with electronic sensors and digital alerts. Their mechanical simplicity offers a comforting reliability, free from battery concerns or connectivity issues.
Leading this vintage revival are several distinctive categories that defined the holiday watch market during its golden era. Each represents a different approach to summer timekeeping, dominated by prestigious luxury brands.
The colourful GMT watches of the 1960s and 1970s, originally designed for pilots crossing time zones, have found new admirers for their ability to track home time while travelling.
The Rolex GMT-Master ref 1675 with its iconic “Pepsi” bezel and the Patek Philippe Nautilus Travel Time 5990 are commanding extraordinary premiums as collectors recognise their practical elegance. The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak GMT and vintage Jaeger-LeCoultre Memovox World Time models have similarly seen tremendous appreciation.
Dive watches represent another category experiencing renewed interest. The Blancpain Fifty Fathoms, arguably the first true modern dive watch, has become a coveted treasure.
Omega’s Seamaster 300 from the 1960s, the Rolex Submariner ref 5513 and Cartier’s rare Pasha Diver models have become hot commodities. Their water resistance, legibility and distinctive aesthetic make them perfect companions for coastal getaways.
Perhaps most interesting is the renewed interest in what collectors call “skindiver” watches, slimmer alternatives to professional diving equipment.
Vacheron Constantin’s Overseas predecessors, Piaget’s vintage Polo watches and the elegant Breguet Marine models represent the height of this category, with their ability to transition seamlessly from daytime adventures to evening soirees.
The distinctive feature of luxury holiday timepieces is their remarkable versatility. Fine holiday watches from houses such as Rolex or Patek Philippe can seamlessly transition from a morning yacht excursion to a Michelin-starred lunch and still feel appropriate at a gala dinner.
This versatility combined with prestige represents a tremendous value proposition for modern buyers who appreciate multifaceted luxury goods that perform across various settings.
From Instagram to investment
The vintage holiday watch trend has been amplified significantly by social media, where influencers showcase these exquisite timepieces against breathtaking backdrops.
Hashtags on Instagram such as #vintagevacation and #heritagehorology have created communities where these watches serve as entry points to broader discussions about travel, design and craftsmanship.
Sales frequently spike directly after certain influential collectors post photos from their break featuring these prestigious timepieces.
There’s an undeniable appeal in seeing these watches in their natural habitat, performing exactly the functions they were designed for half a century ago.
The visual nature of platforms such as Instagram perfectly showcases the aesthetic beauty of these mechanical marvels against idyllic holiday settings.
This visibility has introduced vintage watches to younger consumers, who might otherwise gravitate exclusively towards more contemporary designs.
The story and heritage behind these exquisite pieces offer something no brand-new watch can provide, regardless of price point. The revival of vintage holiday watches represents more than just a fashion statement; it speaks to a broader cultural shift towards targeted consumption and appreciation for craftsmanship that stands the test of time.
For serious collectors, these timepieces represent more than simply accessories – they are investments. Collectors frequently seek out rare models such as the Rolex “Red Submariner” ref 1680 and vintage Patek Philippe Calatravas for their portfolios.
When wearing a timepiece such as a vintage Cartier Tank or Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso that has served previous generations, owners develop a different relationship with the object. The experience transcends mere ownership, becoming both about heritage and personal legacy in a way that extends beyond a typical luxury purchase.
As the summer continues, the vintage holiday watch trend shows no signs of slowing down. In a world of smartwatches and disposable fashion, these enduring mechanical companions offer something increasingly precious – the luxury of time well spent.
Four reasons global stock markets are falling right now
There are many factors worrying investors right now and triggering a rush out of stock markets. Here are four of the biggest:
1. Rising US interest rates
The US Federal Reserve has increased interest rates three times this year in a bid to prevent its buoyant economy from overheating. They now stand at between 2 and 2.25 per cent and markets are pencilling in three more rises next year.
Kim Catechis, manager of the Legg Mason Martin Currie Global Emerging Markets Fund, says US inflation is rising and the Fed will continue to raise rates in 2019. “With inflationary pressures growing, an increasing number of corporates are guiding profitability expectations downwards for 2018 and 2019, citing the negative impact of rising costs.”
At the same time as rates are rising, central bankers in the US and Europe have been ending quantitative easing, bringing the era of cheap money to an end.
2. Stronger dollar
High US rates have driven up the value of the dollar and bond yields, and this is putting pressure on emerging market countries that took advantage of low interest rates to run up trillions in dollar-denominated debt. They have also suffered capital outflows as international investors have switched to the US, driving markets lower. Omar Negyal, portfolio manager of the JP Morgan Global Emerging Markets Income Trust, says this looks like a buying opportunity. “Despite short-term volatility we remain positive about long-term prospects and profitability for emerging markets.”
3. Global trade war
Ritu Vohora, investment director at fund manager M&G, says markets fear that US President Donald Trump’s spat with China will escalate into a full-blown global trade war, with both sides suffering. “The US economy is robust enough to absorb higher input costs now, but this may not be the case as tariffs escalate. However, with a host of factors hitting investor sentiment, this is becoming a stock picker’s market.”
4. Eurozone uncertainty
Europe faces two challenges right now in the shape of Brexit and the new populist government in eurozone member Italy.
Chris Beauchamp, chief market analyst at IG, which has offices in Dubai, says the stand-off between between Rome and Brussels threatens to become much more serious. "As with Brexit, neither side appears willing to step back from the edge, threatening more trouble down the line.”
The European economy may also be slowing, Mr Beauchamp warns. “A four-year low in eurozone manufacturing confidence highlights the fact that producers see a bumpy road ahead, with US-EU trade talks remaining a major question-mark for exporters.”
Temple numbers
Expected completion: 2022
Height: 24 meters
Ground floor banquet hall: 370 square metres to accommodate about 750 people
Ground floor multipurpose hall: 92 square metres for up to 200 people
First floor main Prayer Hall: 465 square metres to hold 1,500 people at a time
First floor terrace areas: 2,30 square metres
Temple will be spread over 6,900 square metres
Structure includes two basements, ground and first floor
Vidaamuyarchi
Director: Magizh Thirumeni
Stars: Ajith Kumar, Arjun Sarja, Trisha Krishnan, Regina Cassandra
Rating: 4/5
Results
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Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
SPECS
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Farage on Muslim Brotherhood
Nigel Farage told Reform's annual conference that the party will proscribe the Muslim Brotherhood if he becomes Prime Minister.
"We will stop dangerous organisations with links to terrorism operating in our country," he said. "Quite why we've been so gutless about this – both Labour and Conservative – I don't know.
“All across the Middle East, countries have banned and proscribed the Muslim Brotherhood as a dangerous organisation. We will do the very same.”
It is 10 years since a ground-breaking report into the Muslim Brotherhood by Sir John Jenkins.
Among the former diplomat's findings was an assessment that “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” has “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
The prime minister at the time, David Cameron, who commissioned the report, said membership or association with the Muslim Brotherhood was a "possible indicator of extremism" but it would not be banned.
