With temperatures dropping well below zero and our small country of the Netherlands struggling with a thick layer of snow this past week, you can always count on us to keep you warm. And snow, ice and cold influence daily life not only in our small living space, but also in many other parts of the world. In watchmaking, the beauty of winter can often be a source of inspiration, and many brands take advantage of the cool season to offer us fascinating timepieces. With this in mind, here are six of the best “Polar” watches to combat the cold!
Rolex Explorer II 226570
First, an all-time classic: The Rolex Explorer II “Polar” Ref. 226570. With a history that dates back to the 1950s, it is the ultimate adventure watch from Rolex. The fixed bezel can be considered iconic, especially with the numerals filled in jet black. In contrast, the hour markers and hands are outlined in black and the GMT hand stands out with its bright orange finish. Housed in a 42mm case, the Caliber 3285 utilizes some of Rolex's latest innovations (minus the Dynapulse escapement) and delivers a whopping 70 hours of power. Equipped with an Oyster bracelet, the Explorer II costs 226570 10,300 euros.
For more information, visit Rolex.com.
Quick facts – 42 mm diameter – brushed Oystersteel case – fixed bezel with 24-hour scale – sapphire crystal with cyclops – solid case back – screw-down crown – 100 m water resistant – white lacquered dial – applied indices with black border – HMS hands with black border – orange GMT hand – Chromalight luminous inserts – caliber 3285, in-house automatic – 28,800 vibrations per hour – 70-hour power reserve – Superlative chronometer – Oyster bracelet with folding clasp – 10,300 euros
Tudor Black Bay Pro Polar
In keeping with the style of the Rolex Explorer II, Tudor offers a suitable and cheaper alternative with the Black Bay Pro Polar. This is again a real GMT with a fixed 24 hour bezel and an opal white dial, so the resemblance is more than obvious. But we're not complaining at all because the Black Bay Pro is a very capable watch. The case is 39 mm wide, it has a domed sapphire crystal, indices and hands with a black outline, a yellow GMT hand and a date. The automatic caliber MT5652, made with Kenissi, offers a running time of up to 70 hours. Worn on a fabric bracelet or a stainless steel bracelet, the Black Bay Pro Polar from Tudor is available in retail stores 4,080 euros And 4,410 euros.
For more information, visit TudorWatch.com.
Quick facts – 39 mm x 14.6 mm – brushed stainless steel – fixed 24-hour bezel – domed sapphire crystal – solid case back – screw-down crown – 200 m water resistant – opal white dial – applied indices and hands with SLN – beveled date window – MT5652 automatic, in-house with Kenissi – 28,800 vibrations per hour – 70 hour power reserve – silicon hairspring – three-link stainless steel bracelet with T-Fit folding clasp or fabric strap – 4,050 euros – 4,410 euros
IWC pilot chronograph TOP GUN Lake Tahoe
IWC Schaffhausen has long been successful with the TOP GUN pilot watch series and uses scratch-resistant ceramic to further improve the collection's tool-like properties. It's also a way to play with colors, as demonstrated by the ice-white TOP GUN Lake Tahoe Edition Pilot's Chronograph. With a 41mm diameter white ceramic case and a jet black dial with white markers and hands, it is an eminently legible chronograph. Power comes from the brand's 69380 caliber, which runs at a speed of 28,800 revolutions per hour and can store up to 46 hours of power. It comes on a white rubber strap with textile insert and costs 12,900 euros.
For more information, visit IWC.com.
Quick facts – 44.5 mm x 15.7 mm – white ceramic case – base, crown and pushers made of stainless steel – sapphire crystal – inner cage made of soft iron – screw-down crown – 60 m water resistant – black dial, black luminous hands – recessed sub-dials – day/date window – manufacture caliber 69380, automatic column wheel – 46 hour power reserve, 4 Hz frequency, day/date function – white rubber strap with steel folding clasp – limited annual production of 1,000 pieces – 12,900 euros
Longines Legend Diver 39mm White
Even though I wouldn't go diving in the sea at the moment (it's well below 0° where I live), the Longines Legend Diver 39mm White looks perfectly in keeping with the winter cold. The iconic supercharger-style dive watch has been downsized from 42mm to 39mm in 2023, with a black dial and is now available in a range of colors, including this “Polar” variant. The design is very familiar thanks to the double crown arrangement, internal rotating bezel and distinctively shaped hands. The L888.6 caliber offers a 72-hour power reserve and is fitted with a stainless steel Beads of Rice bracelet with folding clasp. The price is 3,800 euros.
For more information, visit Longines.com.
Quick facts – 39 mm x 12.7 mm – Stainless steel case, brushed and polished – Compressor-style construction – Dual crowns – Sapphire crystal – Solid case back – 300 m water resistance – White dial with black markers, numerals and hands with SLN – Crown-controlled inner rotating bezel – Caliber L888.6, automatic – 25,200 vibrations per hour – 72 hour power reserve – 7-row BoR bracelet with folding clasp – 3,750 euros
Earthen Co Summit
On the much cheaper side of the spectrum, we chose the Earthen Co. Summit, which is available at a very reasonable price $899. And mind you, this applies to an all-ceramic watch! We chose the “Whiteout” model with a white ceramic case and black dial to offer something of an alternative to the IWC, but two other options are also available. The size is pleasantly modest at 38 mm in diameter and 10 mm high and there is a Miyota 9039 automatic movement ticking inside. It comes with two interchangeable rubber canvas straps and is initially available in a run of 100 per color. Reorders follow.
For more information, visit Earthen-Co.com.
Quick facts – 38 mm x 10 mm – white ceramic case – oversized crown with colored ring – sapphire crystal – solid case back – 100 m water resistance – black dial with white numerals and markers – sword-shaped hands with white SLN inserts – Miyota 9039, automatic – 28,800 vibrations per hour – 42-hour power reserve – two interchangeable rubber-canvas straps – Pin buckle made of stainless steel – limited to 100 pieces per color in the first batch, replenishment will follow – $899
Urwerk UR-230 Polaris
If you want to go all out with your Polar watch experience, the aptly named Urwerk UR-230 Polaris is the perfect watch for you. It combines everything Urwerk has to offer and more, with an exclusive type of white ceramic developed specifically for the brand. The shape is just special and looks great in this all white design. Of course, the below-freezing UR-230 Polaris features the characteristic satellite walking hour and retrograde minute display, flanked by a double power reserve indicator and a winding status indicator. In keeping with the theme, it is worn on a white rubber strap with a Velcro fastener. Only 35 examples will be made and the quantity is massive 150,000 francsbefore tax.
For more information, visit Urwerk.com.
Quick facts – 44.81 mm x 53.55 mm x 18.38 mm – exclusive white ceramic for Urwerk – black DLC caseback and crown – sapphire crystal front and back – 30 m waterproof – wandering hour satellite display with retrograde minute hand – double power reserve indicator – winding status indicator (on/off) – caliber UR-7.30, in-house automatic – 28,800 vibrations per hour – 48 hour power reserve – integrated white rubber strap with Velcro fastener – limited to 35 pieces – 150,000 francs (excl. VAT)
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