Christmas gifts for watch lovers

In recent years, Parmigiani has become the doyenne of quiet luxury, reimagining functions, such as second time-zones, with a wit that is often lacking in the wider watch world. This year it was the turn of the Toric collection to get a make-over, and it doesn’t disappoint. This is pared-back perfection. The muted colour palette is taken from Swiss polymath Le Corbusier’s Polychromie Architecturale – a selection of 63 shades that complement each other and can be used to transform interior spaces – while the dial is unaltered with just a small seconds adorning its textured surface. It’s ideal for anyone who needs a new name to add to their collection.

Watches of Switzerland, 47-51 Brompton Road, SW3 1DE

Dress-watch rules – thin, three hands max, precious-metal case – have somewhat gone by the wayside recently. On the red carpet, anything goes, from steel sports watches to bejewelled bracelet styles. However, there is something to be said for flirting with tradition, which is precisely what this Vacheron Constantin watch does. At 4.1mm it’s slim enough to slip elegantly under a cuff, the indices and hands are beautifully elongated, and the wonderfully ornate movement can be seen through the caseback. It isn’t flashy but it will certainly turn the most discerning of heads. A real timepiece for those in the know.

Theodore’s Collection, 172 Brompton Road, SW3 1HW

If you want to show someone that there is more to Rolex than a Submariner, this is the smart choice. The Air-King was first launched in 1945 as part of the “Air” series, a collection that celebrated the achievements of Britain’s Royal Air Force, alongside the now-defunct Air-Giant and Air-Tiger. It has gone through a number of iterations over the years, originally starting life as a 34mm sports/dress hybrid before finally settling on the retro-sporty aesthetic we see today. Like the ubiquitous Sub, it has Rolex’s patented Oysterlock clasp, is powered by the same Superlative Chronometer Calibre 3230, and its case and bracelet are crafted from the brand’s proprietary corrosive-resistant Oystersteel. In fact, the only thing it doesn’t share with the Sub is its dial design.

Rolex, 100 Knightsbridge, One Hyde Park, SW1X 7LJ

For the person who dreams of adventure but whose daily commute is the closest they get to any kind of danger, there is the Breitling Avenger Night Mission. Built for the toughest cockpits and office cubicles alike, Breitling has paired the 42mm black ceramic case version of this timepiece with a fashion-forward turquoise, bringing some flair to the serious functionality of the design. It still has 300m water resistance, easy-grip bezel and Breitling’s in-house Calibre 01, but all in a fancier new colourway. Perfect for the perilous mission that is safely navigating the office Christmas party.

Breitling, 57 Brompton Road, SW3 1DP


Words: Laura McCreddie-Doak