Shopping for a great watch can be a daunting experience, so let us do the guesswork for you. Here we present some great gift watches for the holidays and beyond, no matter your budget.
Best Watches Under $1,000
Are there great gift watches to be found under $1,000? The answer is yes, absolutely! Many great brands offer high-quality watches in this price category. A solid choice is Baume & Mercier’s Classima collection. These classic, sleek watches are great for both office and weekend wear. Baume & Mercier has been in business since 1830, so they know a thing or two about making high-quality, top-notch timepieces.
For a sporty watch collector on your holiday gift list, Longines’ HydroConquest has a sturdy, athletic look without compromising on quality. As its name suggests, the HydroConquest is built for water activities, from sailing to scuba diving, but it’s also eminently wearable on dry land.
Seiko has been taking the watch world by storm in recent years, shaking its reputation for only creating digital watches. Watch insiders are flocking to the brand’s Grand Seiko timepieces, which have a classic yet modern appeal. Whether on a leather strap or a metal bracelet, the Grand Seiko will be a gift that keeps on giving.
Hamilton’s highly popular Khaki Field watches are a perfect gift for an adventurous guy. As the name suggests, some watches are khaki colored, evoking a safari holiday or a mountain climbing trip. But, there are also other colors to choose from. The off-the-beaten-path color of the Hamilton Khaki Field and its rugged look have stoked the watch’s popularity.
Best Watches Under $2,000
Many first-rate brand watches fit in the under-$2000 gift budget range, including Omega, TAG Heuer, and Breitling. These brands have earned their excellent watchmaking credentials for a good reason – they don’t skimp on quality, and the watches are built to last. The Omega Seamaster, for example, is an elegant, sturdy performance watch that James Bond wears in GoldenEye and subsequent 007 flicks. The version with a blue dial is stunning and sturdy.
Breitling first made a name for itself with pilot’s watches, and the Colt Skyracer is equally at home in the sky and at sea. With a water resistance of 100 meters (10 bar, 330 feet), this watch has a versatility that lets it go anywhere its owner may be. It’s an ideal gift, especially for a traveler, this holiday season.
NOMOS Glashütte’s watches are known for their innovative style. Their Ludwig and Tangente watches are great for creative types. NOMOS’ cool, sublime design make the watches a great gift. And the brand’s standout style sidesteps the norm while remaining subtle on the wrist.
Best Watches Under $10,000
If you have a budget of about $10,000 for your holiday gift, you have a multitude of amazing options, including those from top prestige brands like Rolex, Tudor, IWC, and Omega. Tudor, a Rolex sister company, produces top-notch watches that are great-looking and versatile. The Black Bay collection has soared in popularity recently, and it’s easy to see why. Options include the Black Bay Fifty-Eight, a classic steel diver with an eye-catching blue dial, and the Black Bay Chronograph with a stopwatch function.
Most watch collectors and aficionados believe that a no true watch collection is complete without at least one Rolex. The Rolex Datejust is an enduring “power” watch, one that’s often passed from generation to generation.
The legendary Rolex Submariner may be the most recognizable luxury watch in the world. Designed for diving and other vigorous water activities, this model has become a global icon as a daily wearer, making it a perfect holiday gift. With its strong black bezel and dark dial, this rugged classic is sure to even please those with the most selective tastes.
Consider also the IWC Pilot’s collection, built for precision both in the sky and on the ground. The IWC Big Pilot’s Watch features an oversized crown for setting the time and winding – a necessity for early pilots who had to wear gloves while in the air. The crown’s “onion” shape gives this watch its signature look.
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