freitag favorites + summer watch guide

This weekend is one of the few this summer that we’re just a family of three at home. We’re loving all our visitors, and are excited about even more to come over the next few months, but it is nice to be just us and not have any real plans for the weekend. We’ll likely end up hiking again, but otherwise we’re plan free. Maybe I’ll even catch-up on more posts about our recent adventures. In the meantime, on to this week’s favorites.

One of my best friends and loyal readers is on the hunt for a new watch and requested a watch guide so this week’s freitag favorites is just for her. And, since Switzerland is home to watch-making, it is especially appropriate that I round up my time-keeping favorites in this space.

I’ve shared my some of my swiss watch-making-related experiences in the past when Martin and I visited Baselworld as well as Maurice Lacroix‘s factory a couple of years ago. In fact, my everyday work watch is still a Maurice Lacroix I stole from Martin and now claim as my own. When I’m home, I’m often just wear my Fitbit HR Charge, birthday Garmin (while running or hiking), or a Swatch around town.

Here are some of my other favorites . . .

luxe watches
These watches are my all-time favorite luxury watches. I have loved both styles for years. The Hermes double-wrap Cape Cod is simple but interesting with the double-wrapped band and now the Apple Watch version is fun (if quite a bit over-priced). The Cartier Ballon Bleu is now a modern classic, thanks to Kate Middleton.  I prefer the stainless or stainless/rose gold combo, but the leather-banded styles like this one in black is also nice.

1 // 2 // 3 // 4

mid-range watches
These watches are much more affordable, falling solidly under $250 (at least as long as Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale continues). My friend is a big fan of Skagen watches and their simple, modern Scandinavian design also appeals to me, so I’ve mostly included Skagen options for her below. I’m a big fan of the mix of rose gold details and leather, especially with darker faces as featured in watches #4 and #5 below. And maybe she’ll also want to keep an eye on Zurich time with the dual time zone feature in #5. 😉

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6

casual watches
This category is the most fun because these watches are perfect for summer; bright, wearable, budget-friendly, and fun for switching up every day. Swatch makes my favorite watches in this category. From my first Swatch watches as a kid, to the ones I have in rotation now, they have been fun and affordable for decades. In addition to the Swatch just featured on my wish-list this week, these are my favorites.

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6

I hope you’ve enjoyed seeing my faves and if you have any others you’d like to share, or other guides you want to see here, please let me know.

Schönes Wochenende!