The 15 Best Gifts for Watch Collectors, From Rolex and Patek to Must-Have Watch Books
If you’d like to give the gift of time this holiday season, consider one of the 15 watches, or watch-related gifts we’ve assembled below. If you’re thinking you might daudle and let things go up until the last minute, we recommend you don’t. Some of the time pieces are very hard to get, and some of the items that aren’t watches may suffer from short supply, as well.
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JLC Reverso Tribute Openworked Chronograph
How beautiful is this watch? The original “sports watch” created for polo players has come a long way from its origins as a one sided affair. This chronograph is offers a two-faced approach, with a lovely time only gold dial on one side and the openworked chrongraph dial shown here. If you can get your hands on one, it’ll be fresh, as this came out in mid November. $66,000
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Rolex DeepSea in Solid Yellow Gold
We’ve had this one on wrist, and it’s a monster—in the best possible way. Audacious, blingy, preposterous even, and yet somehow it just works like a great gold dive watch from the Crown. If you have a good relationship with your local authorize dealer—or any authorized dealer, really—then you’ll want to lean in fast to get this wrapped in time for the holidays. $54,200
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‘Oyster Perpetual Submariner: The Watch That Unlocked the Deep’
If a fully gold Rollie is beyond your budget, this book might fit the bill. It is the first Rolex-sanctioned book, here focusing for the first time on the Submariner, which is easily the most popular dive watch of all time. The publisher is sold out as of this writing, but they can still be found online, on platforms like Amazon and Target.
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Chopard Alpine Eagle Frozen Summit 41 and 33
We find it amusing that Chopard offers free shipping in time for the holidays on a watch that will cost you over a million dollars, from what we can tell. But, hey, every little bit counts. And if you’re going for it, just go all the way and get both the large and small for whomever in your family may want to rock an entirely frosted Alpine Eagle made from eithocal white gold and ethically sourced ice. Price upon request.
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Rapport of London Watch Box
There are watch boxes, and then there are the beautiful Rapport of London watch boxes, which are built like world-class backgammon boards. Strong metal hinges hold the tops in place, which is a bugbear for those familiar with those held up with strips of ribbon. Beautiful leather coverings, plush faux-suede interiors, firm locking mechaniisms—these are the real deal. Starting at $940
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Panerai Submersible Elux LAB-ID
Leave it to Panerai to turn luminescence into a mechanically powered feature—well, turn it back into one, as this is a revival of 20th-century technology that hadn’t been tried for decades. Regardless, this watch is one of the few truly innovative divers we’ve seen lately, and it’s sure to put a smile on the face of everyone’s inner child this holiday season. $96,300
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‘The Connoisseur’s Guide to Fine Timepieces’ by Assouline
When the head of one of our favorite watch dealers, European Watch Company, helps pen a book on fine timepieces, we take note. This one is full of classic and lesser-known watches that will provide many hours of repeated page turning. Really a must-have for any serious watch collector.
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Hublot Big Bang Ceramic 42 mm
A whopping 42 mm of super light ceramic with a killer rubber strap and anough of Hublot’s in-your-face aesthetic to either stop traffic (orange) or blend into the surroundings (greened out). Inside is the impressive Unico chronograph movement that will run with precision, take loads of abuse, and look really amazing through the skeletonized dial. $29,600
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Patek Philippe Ellipse 5738/1R in Rose Gold
The new Ellipse in rose gold with black sunray dial and mesh bracelet made of over 363 individual parts is one of our favorite releases of 2024, and our watch and jewelry editor, Paige Reddinger, chose the Ellipse as the best in show for Watches & Wonders this year. It’s a little larger than past versions at 34.5 mm across by 39.5 mm tall, but the mere 5.9 mm thickness makes this year’s Ellipse a dedicated dress watch. $60,097
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Cartier Tank Mini
Cartier’s Tank Mini set off quite the buzz when it debuted at Watches & Wonders this year. And it’s no wonder—the dimunutive watch, sized at just 24 mm by 16.5 mm, fits snugly into the current trend towards small dress watches. This isn’t the first tiny Tank that the brand has made, but it may be the most timely. Just ask Paul Mescal, who recently rocked the teensy piece to stellar effect on the red carpet. $6,900
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Patek Cubitus 5821/1A
It would be hard for us to overstate how much of an impact this watch has had since its release, and that was only a couple weeks ago. The Cubitus is Patek’s first new watch line in 25 years, and if you can get your hands on one, you’re definitely in the know. We highly recommend the all stainless-steel model with this lovely green dial, our favorite of the three new watches by a long shot. Uh, that green is perfect. $41,240
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‘100 Iconic Watches’ by TeNeues
This book is full of classics, the must-knows, and the icons of horology. TeNeues offers some lovely watch books, and this is their latest. While there are more than a few “best of” watch books out there, this one will prove thorough, lovely, and not so crazy expensie, to boot.
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Little Lange 1 30th Anniversary
Thirty years ago, A Lange & Sohne put a serious piece of horology on the map, and it hasn’t moved from its exhalted place since. We recommend the brand new “Little Lange 1” for its approachable size and absolutely goregous good looks. Lange only offers blue dials in one shade, and it only offers them for very special occasions. This specific model is limited to just 150 examples, so start making those phone calls to your local Lange dealer right away. Price upon request.
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A Stay at the Bürgenstock Hotel in Geneva, Switzerland
On Lake Lucerne resides the Bürgenstock Hotel, which puts you within striking distance of many of the most storied watch manufactures in Switzerland. Yes, watch tourism is a thing, and if you book up enough tours to fill your days, the Bürgenstock is the absolute perfect luxury accomodation for your mornings and evenings. We recommend going big, as in the Conetemporary Lake View Royal Suite.
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TAG Heuer Split-Second Chronograph
TAG Heuer has been going way upmarket lately, and they’re doing it with amazing movements that are among the most interesting released of late. This interpretation of the classic midcentury Monaco is truly a bleeding-edge take, and in titanium it won’t weigh so much either. Price upon request.
