Yes, yes, Christmas is coming up yet again. Where did the year go? Why is time moving faster than ever? Am I having a breakdown? While I can’t answer any of those existential questions, I can make the gift-giving season a little less painful.
That’s because as the fine watch aficionado you are, you appreciate horology beyond simply what’s on your wrist. It also means you rub shoulders with other watch lovers, meaning that whatever is on your Christmas list to Santa is likely on theirs too. And we have a lot of ideas about what should be on that list.
So, whether you’re out of ideas to get that watch lover in your life or you’re dreading another pair of fake Rolex branded socks and need to put forward some alternatives, we have you covered. Here then is our 2025 Christmas Gift Guide for Watch Lovers.
Bravo Pool Party Watch Box, $270
Dark wood or dark leather, they’re generally your choices for a watch box, not exactly overflowing with personality. Well, Bravo’s signature upends that by jumping in at the colourful deep end with their Pool Party gradient watch box. The lovely blue outer box belies a cannonball splash of pastel colours inside, with the eight watch-holding cushions arrayed in the colours of retro pool floats. It’s not all about the colours, of course; the cushions are designed for a snug fit to stop your watches moving around in the box and the suede interior is soft enough to comfort even the most delicate of horological sensibilities. And hey, if it arrives Christmas Day with a couple of watches already inside, I doubt anyone would complain.
Available at Bravo.
Barrington 6-Watch Winder, £1,395
Watches scattered all over the place isn’t a good look, even if you know where they all are. Enter Barrington’s exceptionally made, accessibly priced six-watch winder. It has all the things you should have come to expect from the brand by now: individually adjustable winders, customisable to each watch; fingerprint access so none of your prized collectors’ pieces go missing again; and a sleek, modern look with lashings of performance-appropriate carbon fibre. Part practical necessity (for complications at least), part exhibition showcase, you could keep it in your bedroom for safekeeping — or on display to tastefully flex your six best pieces. Throughout November, buy any Barrington multi-winder and receive a free leather 3-watch roll (RRP £195) using the code ORACLENOV.
Available at Barrington.
Compendium 01, £35
If you’re looking for an engaging, diverse primer on the watch world, ranging from iconic references to the iconic people wearing them, look no further. Taken from a selection of articles penned by Ken Kessler across his 30-year career, Compendium 01 is an ode to watch culture, collecting and the fine mechanics of equally fine timepieces. You might assume, given that the 198-page coffee table book is published by Christopher Ward, that the British brand would feature aplenty. But while there is indeed a starring role for the Loco, the book is broader than that. If you know someone just dipping their toes into the heady world of horology, there could be no better primer than this.
Available to pre-order at Christopher Ward.
Eagle Eye Loupe X6 & Circle Light
If your giftee of choice prefers to get up close and personal with their patina, the Eagle Eye Loupe X6 will show it in more glorious detail than ever before. Using an array of five lenses, it shows detail like never before in a relatively compact package. Even better, it can be attached to both a ring light and universal phone adaptor. Even with smartphone cameras getting better than ever, the Eagle Eye Loupe X6 ensures that even the finest of finishes will show up crisp and precise on your next Instagram close-up. Loupe X6 €250, Circle Light €95.
Available at Eagle Eye Watches.
Vintage Watch Ad, from £35
We all know someone that regularly opines that watches used to be better. For that person, there’s Ad Patina — a collection of the greatest vintage watch ads ever put to print, proof positive that in true Mad Men style, advertising is art. That means plenty of ‘You’d Wear a Rolex’ taglines, but also niche pieces from lesser-known brands past and present. Some Swatch ads were even created by actual artists, offering a more accessible way to get a Keith Haring on your wall. If the gift-getter happens to own the watch in the ad, all the better.
Available at Adpatina.
Modalo Ambiente Single Watch Winder, £359
We all have that one watch in our collection we’re most proud of, and it’s that watch Modalo’s superlative AMBIENTE winder is designed for. Not only will it keep your perpetual calendar wound and in sync, but it’s the perfect display platform, with subtle interior illumination, a safety glass front and a luxury finish worthy of a grail watch. Available in several finishes, the macassar ebony with red interior combination is the winder equivalent of an elegantly upholstered chair in a private members’ club.
Available at Modalo.
“Time in Print” by Somlo, £180
A collaboration between Burlington Arcade vintage icon Somlo Antiques and photographer Sami Patrick, this series of macro shots illustrates the beauty of patina across various beautiful vintage models. In Patina 4, the underappreciated OMEGA Cosmic of the 1940s and ‘50s displays a flame-like flash of blue oxidation from copper in the rose gold case. There are eight different prints to choose from, each limited to 25 pieces, all showing off how a watch can age gracefully.
Available at Somlo.
Oyster Perpetual Datejust – A Watch That Made History, £100
If specificity is more what you’re after, the second in Rolex’s official history series is one for every collector’s library. Following the debut Submariner volume, Nicholas Faulkes now tackles the artier Datejust. This gorgeous coffee table book tracks the rise of Rolex’s first waterproof, automatic chronometer with a date window, from its 1945 inception to today via the famous faces that made it iconic. It might not be the most lusted-after Rolex line, but this book shows why it should be.
Available at Wallpaper.
Forstner Komfit JB Mesh Strap, £115
Mesh straps are comfortable, retro and oozing charm – and the version by bracelet specialist Forstner is one of the best around. Sanctioned by NASA, it looks and feels the part, without bending out of shape after wear. The sliding clasp means you don’t even need to know the recipient’s wrist size.
Available at Forstner.
Northstar Sailcloth Strap, from £65
Can’t decide between leather and rubber? Sailcloth bridges the gap. Balancing practicality and style, Northstar’s high-density weave gives comfort and flexibility without a painful break-in period. Reinforced stitching and pinholes prevent fraying, while a caoutchouc rubber backing keeps your wrist cool and dry. Available in many colours, but the black version suits nearly everything. Use code XMASTIME for 10% off.
Available at Northstar Straps.
Oracle Time Subscription
Well, we had to include this, didn’t we? After all, if you’re reading this, what better gift than spreading the joy of ten gorgeous print copies a year backed by member benefits? At £89.50 a year, it’s a bargain. Check out the full list of perks – brand discounts, event invites (most recently, an evening with King Seiko), giveaways with our OT Club membership.
