31 Gifts for Watch Lovers (That Aren’t Watches)
As most enthusiasts will readily admit, the watch-collecting hobby is one that often defies reason. This means that buying a watch for someone with a full-blown watch obsession can be extremely tricky, from finding something that he likes (but doesn’t already own) to selecting the exact dial colour that he’s been coveting. This list of gifts for watch lovers is intended to streamline the process, allowing you to find the perfect gift without subjecting yourself to the intricacies of actually buying him a watch. Because, if we’re being honest, he’s probably just going to buy himself the watch he wants anyway.
Wolf Earth Watch Stand Box
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At a certain point in any collector’s journey, it’s time to upgrade from the nightstand or desk drawer to something altogether more sophisticated. This combination jewellery box and display, which is crafted out of apple leather in a rich shade of forest green, will allow him to admire his most precious timepieces while keeping them safely under glass. ($495 USD)
Citizen: The Essence of Time (Assouline)
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Citizen has spent the last century crafting timepieces that are both mechanically advanced and accessible. This 100th-anniversary coffee table book tells that story in loving detail, from the brand’s humble beginnings in Tokyo to the modern era of Promaster and Eco-Drive. ($275)
Rolex Oyster Submariner: The Watch the Unlocked the Deep (Wallpaper)
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Watch collectors love to debate, but there’s little to argue about the appeal of the Rolex Oyster Submariner. This groundbreaking book tells the story of how the Sub became one of the most important watches of all time, and is essential reading for any Rolex enthusiast. ($169)
Marathon Jumbo Analog Wall Clock
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No modern interior is complete without a stylish wall clock or, better yet, four of them – each set to a different timezone, command centre style. Marathon, a Canadian specialist in military-grade timekeeping, has the goods. ($85)
Chopard Classic Belt
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This august Swiss brand is best known for its sporty Alpine Eagle and elaborate L.U.C watches, but its oeuvre also extends to a curated range of small leather goods, including wallets, briefcases, and this timelessly elegant belt. It’s the next best thing to owning one of their elite timepieces, and a perfect accessory for those already in the club. ($735)
Cartier Santos de Cartier Money Clip
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Whether or not you make a habit of carrying cash, this retro-inspired two-tone money clip will make for an elegant way to hold credit cards, IDs, business cards, and other daily essentials. ($405)
Framed Vintage Bulova Ad
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In addition to airing the world’s first-ever radio ad, Bulova has a long and illustrious history of print advertising during the golden age of American magazines in the 1960s and 1970s. This framed example pays tribute to that legacy, as well as the charms of traditional watchmaking technology. ($325 USD at Analog: Shift)
Vintage Breitling Display Sign
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Every great watch brand is as famous for its iconography and marketing as for its contributions to horology. This patinated vintage sign, complete with the silhouette of a fighter aircraft, celebrates Breitling’s long-established identity as a go-to supplier of precision instruments for pilots of all stripes and makes the perfect addition to any man cave. ($2,846 at 1stDibs)
Hands of Time by Rebecca Struthers
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In the course of her work as an expert restorer of antique watches (and during her studies to become the first watchmaker in British history to earn a PhD in horology) Rebecca Struthers has spent a lot of time thinking about time. This book, which covers the history of timekeeping from Persian water clocks to the high-flying pilot’s watches of WWII, contains her collected musings, plus enough history and lore to delight anyone with a love of watches. ($43, hardcover)
Brunello Cucinelli Leather Watch Box
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At a certain point in every watch lover’s life, they reach a point when their ad-hoc methods of watch storage (the nightstand, the sock drawer, scattered across various surfaces in the home) are no longer adequate. At that point, something is needed that will both keep watches safe from falls, scratches, and dings and bestow an appropriate level of gravitas on these exquisite mechanical creations. This suede and velvet-lined case from the “King of Cashmere” Brunello Cucinelli is exactly that kind of piece ($2,995 at Harry Rosen)
Charles Simon Watch Stand
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Some watches are designed to simply tell time, and some elevate this function to the level of art. This elegant modern stand from Montreal-based luggage maker Charles Simon is minimal enough to not draw focus from a treasured timepiece, while enough of an objet in its own right to earn a place on any well-curated nightstand, coffee table, desk, or bookshelf. Consider it an easel for a watch lover’s favourite horological works. $590
Montblanc Meisterstück Legrand Ballpoint Pen
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Watch lovers’ interests tend to overlap into the worlds of other complex mechanical objects and expensive shiny things. If a vintage Ferrari isn’t in the cards this season, a Montblanc Meisterstück isn’t a bad alternative. An iconic design from a brand synonymous with writing instruments (and also, not coincidentally, a respected watchmaker) the platinum-coated Meisterstück will satisfy any watch lover’s jones for sleek, shiny, expensive objects at a far more accessible price than a classic sports car. $625
Omega Aqua Sailing Bracelet
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Omega has been the official watch of Agent 007 for decades, and the partnership has produced some coveted and collectible watches in recent years, including the Seamaster Diver 300M “No Time to Die” edition. This bracelet, which features a braided nylon and titanium colour scheme that pays homage to that Seamaster, is the perfect complement to any Bond-worthy look, and a sure-fire way to make a watch lover feel a little more like a secret agent any day of the week. ($650)
Chopard Alpine Eagle Sunglasses
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The Chopard Alpine Eagle is one of the most distinctive luxury sports watches in the game, with a 1970s-inspired case and a dial modelled after the textured eye of its namesake raptor. In addition to being an exquisite example of high-end Swiss watchmaking, it’s designed to accompany you from the slopes of Gstaad to a Michelin-starred dinner. These sunglasses, which are made to equally high standards, are imbued with the same blend of versatility, style, and 1970s decadence. ($890)
Berd Vay’e Watch Parts Sculptures
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Berd Vay’e appeared in the market some six or so years ago, rapidly becoming a watch industry favorite when it comes to horological sculpture. These clear cast resin pieces use a plethora of vintage watch parts, and are offered in several different shapes and sizes. Aside from the Horosphere seen here, there are also skulls, chess pieces, and even flat panels that can be hung on the wall. For those wanting to get extra nerdy, it is possible to commission a piece that only uses parts from a specific watch brand — expect to pay a premium for that. (from $3,500 USD)
Wolf Axis Triple Watch Winder
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Technically, the jury is still out on the absolute necessity for a watch winder — whether the wear of keeping a movement running is less problematic than a movement resting stagnant — but as a general rule having a winder for those automatic watches that don’t see the light of day often is a good thing. Wolf is a legacy brand in the space, and one that delivers quality winders housed in beautiful display units. ($1,719 USD)
Custom Watch Straps by Combat Straps
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I’m always floored by how often some watch lovers remain blissfully unaware of the plethora of high quality custom watch strap makers are in the market, let alone right here in Canada. Aaron Pimentel’s workshop — flying under the banner of Combat Straps — is a fantastic resource for all watch lovers. Have a material you love? A particular aesthetic you’d like to emulate? Aaron and his team can turn that into reality without skipping a beat, delivering a custom made (and custom fitted) watch strap that easily rivals if not beats any good strap from the industry’s biggest and best. ($165 – $285 depending on materials)
Döttling Legends Antique Safe
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This is the point at which we pull out all the stops. There are many makers of beautiful watch safes, but no one can really rival Döttling when it comes to their Legends series — a collection of antique bank safes that can be retrofitted as watch storage, humidors, or just about anything your heart desires. These statement pieces are entirely custom, so the sky is the limit so log as your pocketbook can handle it. (price upon request)
MB&F Clocks
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Desk and table clocks are anything but common these days, but few brands have mastered the executions better than the likes of MB&F. Often partnering with L’Epée 1839, the brand applies its outlandish vision of timekeeping to the designs, layering in varying degrees of retro and modern sci-fi elements, to keep things interesting. While not inexpensive (often coming in somewhere between 10,000 and 45,000 Swiss Francs), these clocks are a bargain when compared to the entry point for any of the brand’s watches. (prices vary)
Watch Art by Julie Kraulis
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Another local connection, Julie Kraulis has rapidly gained fame in horological circles with her incredibly detailed graphite drawings of some of the world’s most legendary watches. At present, her work can be acquired by commissioning originals, as well as by ordering prints of a select batch of work. It’s worth noting that she’s currently running a 20% off sale on prints for the holidays. (from $300)
Sea Time Book
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While we opted to highlight Sea Time — a compendium of watches tied to ocean faring ventures — the book is actually a part of Aaron Sigmond’s trilogy, which includes Drive Time, as well as Air Time. All three books chart the histories of the relationship between watchmaking and these three categories, all while highlighting both past and contemporary references along the way. (from $105)
Seiko Alarm Clocks
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Not all watch gifts need to be exorbitantly expensive, and for those with a soft spot for dive watches, these little Seiko alarm clocks will make for a great gift. The simple battery-powered units are reminiscent of the brand’s well-known “Tuna” dive watches, and are available in an assortment of colours at a modest sticker price. They can be tough to track down in Canada, so best to snag one when available. ($55)
Watch Repair Kit
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Much like doing surgery on yourself, undertaking DIY repairs on a fine timepiece (or even just opening it up to take a look inside) is rarely a good idea. That said, for those with an adventurous spirit – and hopefully a cheap watch to practice on – these Italian-made tools will get you started in fine form. ($1,105)
HSNY Watchmaking School
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On the topic of tinkering, if the person you’re shopping for has expressed an interest but has yet to learn any of the skills, then perhaps the perfect gift would be the Horological Society of New York’s Virtual Horological Tutoring, available in the form of small group theory classes and one-on-one tutoring. Students will learn the theoretical side of watchmaking in their award-winning classes from the comfort of their own home with 60-90 minute sessions, where a team of professional watchmakers walks through the disassembly and reassembly of a complete mechanical movement on live video. The first lesson comes free with an annual HSNY membership, and subsequent classes of increasing difficulty can be purchased thereafter. ($100 USD)
Panthère de Cartier Throw Blanket
You may not always feel like wearing your Tank or Santos around the house, but true Cartier fans will appreciate the timeless look of this cashmere and merino wool blanket draped across the back of a sofa.
$1,560 CAD
EBW Watch Roll
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The good folks at EBW are passionate about watches and spent years testing out the best watch rolls in the world before putting their accumulated wisdom into this Italian leather travel case. Made out of Italian leather and lined in suede, with a secure snap closure, this discreet case will keep your watches safe wherever your travels take you. ($249 USD)
Batmobile Desk Clock
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For anyone who was into cars and/or superheroes in the late 1980s, there was nothing cooler than the Batmobile from 1989’s Batman. Driven by Michael Keaton in the Tim Burton-directed film, it featured an afterburner and a couple of machine guns that pop out of the hood. This one doesn’t have any of that stuff, but what it does have is a mechanical Swiss clock movement with a 30-day power reserve and a “bat signal” winding key. ($29,900 USD)
Buben & Zorweg for Bugatti Grande Illusion Chiron Multifunction Safe
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Part sculpture, part safe, part clock, this spectacular piece is designed to appease the world’s most serious collectors, whether used for watches, supercar keys, or both. Weighing 215 kg, it unlocks using a biometric fingerprint sensor or transponder chip, which causes the safe and its contents to elegantly slide upwards. (Price on request)
A Man and His Watch by Matt Hranek
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Every watch tells a story, and this coffee table-worthy tome collects some of the best of them. Featuring interviews from race car drivers, chefs, artists and other men from all walks of life, Matt Hranek and photographer Stephen Lewis have assembled a stunning tribute to the love of horology. ($44)
Jaeger-LeCoultre x Marc Newson Atmos 568 Desk Clock
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A collaboration between one of the world’s most prestigious watch brands and one of the world’s most revered industrial designers, this work of horological art is powered by a virtually perpetual mechanical movement. Housed in a shapely Baccarat crystal case, this is a desk clock deserving of its own desk. ($36,900)
Patek Philippe Cufflinks
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It’s become quite obvious that getting your hands on a Patek Philippe Nautilus is entirely out of the question unless you want to pay an exuberant premium on the secondary market. While there are other less common and less hyped references out there, you can always settle for these stately yellow gold cufflinks for the time being. Hell, they’d even match well with one of the many elegant yellow gold Calatrava references available in the open market. ($4,900)
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