By Hyla Bauer
Looking for a perfect men’s watch gift but don’t know what to choose? This guide will help you select just the right watch to suit his personality.
The Athlete
An athletic man needs a watch that can accompany him on all his adventures. It has to be sturdy enough to endure activities above and below the water and withstand a knock or two.
The Seiko Prospex is a great holiday gift choice for a sporty guy. Its robust steel case and scratch-resistant crystal protect its inner workings. The watch also features a rotating bezel to aid in timing dives (or drives). You’ll find it on a sporty rubber strap or steel bracelet.
The TAG Heuer Aquaracer is another winner for your active guy. It’s tough enough to wear while surfing, skiing, and ziplining. The watch’s hands glow in the dark for easy readability during nighttime adventures. The TAG Heuer brand is known worldwide, and its reputation for quality craftsmanship is well-earned.
The Swiss brand Omega is nearly synonymous with adventure, and the Omega Seamaster is an enduring favorite. Omega is the official timekeeper of the Olympic Games and is the brand of choice for the greatest swimming champion of all time, Michael Phelps. That stamp of approval is well-deserved. The Omega Seamaster on a rubber strap is as reliable as they come in all sporting conditions, from trekking to tennis and, of course, swimming.
The Creative
The creative guy on your list will appreciate a watch that’s a bit out of the ordinary. He wants it to reflect his passion for design. This man is not afraid to wear something a little different.
Hermès is world-renowned for its impeccable dedication to quality and design. The brand that started out making horse saddles for well-heeled types now makes clothing, sought-after handbags, and great watches. For the creative man in your life, we recommend the Hermès Arceau with its smooth round case on a leather strap. The angled numerals on the dial hit just the right design note.
Another brand offering the highest quality and design is Bvlgari. The Italian brand is known for its unique design flair and an unflinching dedication to excellence in everything they create. The Bvlgari Assomia watch has a cool circle-within-a-square shape that will appeal to the creative type. The Assomia has a bold presence on the wrist without being overpowering.
The Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso’s design has an Art Deco vibe while being distinctly modern. The Reverso’s signature design lets the case slide on its base and flip over to the other side. The original model was conceived of in 1931 for polo players, whose watches were especially vulnerable to hard knocks. By flipping the case over, they could protect the crystal from harm. Flipping the watch is fun in and of itself and will fascinate a creatively-minded man.
The Businessman
If your guy gets suited up for the office, his watch needs to match his put-together style. Successful businessmen will gravitate toward the very top brands, and a holiday gift for him should reflect his status in the business world and beyond.
Many consider Patek Philippe the world’s best watch brand. Patek’s unwavering dedication to watchmaking excellence and the relative scarcity of their timepieces add to its desirability. The Patek Philippe Calatrava is the gold standard for watch collectors and connoisseurs. It’s elegant yet subtle and speaks volumes about the wearer.
Cartier’s Santos Dumont watch ticks all the right boxes for the businessman with style. Its square shape is elegant and refined and exudes confidence. The screws around the dial on the stainless steel version give it a slightly sporty touch. This watch will appeal to a man whose life outside of the office is as important as it is in the office.
A Rolex is another perfect gift choice. For the businessman, go for the Rolex Day-Date, which is more refined than the brand’s sportier models. As its name suggests, the Day-Date shows both the day of the week and the date at a glance. Compared to Rolex’s more robust watches, the Day-Date has a relatively thin case, which lets it slip under a shirt cuff with ease.
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