Don’t panic. Even though buying Christmas gifts can be a stressful ordeal, we’re here to take some of the weight off your shoulders. Seeing as Christmas is all about spending time with loved ones, why not give the gift of time this Christmas?

Double entendres aside, it’s obviously very important to make time for our friends and family over the festive season, but what’s better than waking up to a magnificent gift on Christmas morning, especially if it’s a beautifully crafted and timelessly functional wristwatch?

If you feel like making a statement with your gift this Christmas, this is the guide for you. We’ve curated a list of timepieces for you to consider this Christmas, with a distinct variety of styles for you to explore. From sporting watches to recreations of vintage timepieces from the 1960s, our list embraces the heterogeneity of the horological world and brings together multiple distinct styles. 

Frederique Constant - Moonphase 40mm FC-335MC4P6

£1,570.00 RRP.

Frederique Constant craft their classic wristwatches with microscopic attention to detail. Everything is considered, and nothing is left to chance. With innovation, quality, and design at the forefront of their production principles, each timepiece is hand-assembled and quality-controlled over a long period of time to ensure the highest possible standard of timekeeping.

When it comes to the Classic Moonphase timepiece pictured, the above clearly applies. The dial features a highly eccentric yet simple and refined design, fusing class with composed extravagance. The dial offers an open heart, giving the wearer a unique sneak peek at the movement within the case, and also features a date hand as well as the hypnotic presence of the moonphase.

The watch itself comes in a 40mm polished stainless steel case and sits comfortably on the wrist. It dwells on the slightly dressier side of the spectrum, and it goes without mentioning that it’s definitely a timepiece to keep for the most special of occasions, hence why it makes a spectacular gift this Christmas.

Seiko - Prospex ‘Alpinist’ 2020 SPB119J1

£650.00 RRP.

The Seiko Alpinist line was said to be discontinued in 2018, which sunk the hearts of watch enthusiasts everywhere. However, things changed when the new Seiko Alpinist 2020 models were announced as the upgrades of the old ones, which naturally reignited the excitement of the horology community. 

The Seiko Prospex Alpinist 2020 pays homage to the Alpinist collection first released in 1959 exclusively for the Japanese market. Designed for Japanese ‘Yama-otoko’  mountain men, to be reliable in treacherous terrain, the Alpinist range has long been known as a go-to watch for everyday wear, as well as being a top choice for classier getups. Hugely popular with many fans worldwide, the new 2020 designs are now available globally with an upgraded specification from their original inspiration. They now feature a longer power reserve of 70 hours and a hardy Sapphire crystal, easily warding off any scratches the watch face may encounter on the daily. 

The 2020 Seiko Alpinist range makes a great Christmas gift for its applicability in everyday use, all the while maintaining a classy and refined aesthetic, not to mention Seiko’s impeccable manufacturing standards.

Tudor - Heritage Black Bay Automatic 41mm M79230N-0009

£2,840.00 RRP

When it comes to diving watches, the Tudor Heritage Black Bay is an incredibly attractive option. Its understated vintage aesthetic adds an opulent elegance to the wearer’s wrist and comes in at an accessible price point given its spectacular movement. 

Clocking in with a power reserve of 70 hours and a self-winding mechanical movement, the Calibre MT5602 is Tudor’s first in-house Certified Chronometer movement, which was a huge step for the company. 

Tudor had previously only used ETA off-the-shelf movements, and so their development of an in-house calibre shows that they are willing to go above and beyond, offering a greater value proposition with their products. This shifted Tudor from a watch “assembler” to a watch “manufacturer”.

Everything about this watch beams heritage. The timepiece offers a highly acknowledging nod to the design language featured on vintage submariners, and its general lines, domed dial and crystal are all inspired by the first Tudor diving watches. 

It features the particularly prominent winding crown from the famous 7924 reference of 1958, aka the big crown, while its characteristic angular hands, known as snowflake, were borrowed from the Tudor watches used by the french national navy in the 1970s. 

If you know someone with a ticking fancy for vintage and history, consider the Tudor Heritage Black Bay as a perfect gift for them this Christmas.

Breitling - Navitimer 1 Automatic 41mm A17326211B1P1

£3,350.00 RRP

There isn’t a cloud of doubt surrounding Breitling’s reputation when it comes to manufacturing pilot watches. Founded in 1884, Breitling is one of the first brands that comes to mind whenever we think of aviation watches. 

The new Navitimer 1 Automatic 41 gives a brand new take on the original model, seamlessly weaving the historic appeal of a true icon with the refinement of a sophisticated, contemporary timepiece. 

The watch is distinctively classy and sits proudly on the wrist, featuring a meticulously crafted beaded bezel in a 41mm stainless steel case with a clean three-hand black dial. Powered by the Breitling Caliber 17, a COSC-certified chronometer, the movement offers a power reserve of 38 hours when fully wound. 

A convex, double-sided anti-reflection coated sapphire crystal covers the stylish dial, easily keeping scratches at bay. Not to mention, the hour markers, as well as the hour and minute hands, are coated with Super-LumiNova, a luminescent material ensuring excellent legibility in all lighting conditions. 

Proud, precise, and practical, the Breitling Navitimer 1 is an elegant reinvention of a timeless, legendary watch, and it makes for a truly thoughtful gift this Christmas.

The Oxbridge Watch - Bremont Airco Mach 2 BE-92AE Caliber

£3,295.00 RRP

Last, but certainly not least, is the highly exclusive and timelessly sentimental Oxbridge Watch. Officially and exclusively licensed by The University of Oxford and The University of Cambridge, the Oxbridge Watches are held in high regard by the weight of their sentiment alone. That and the peerless precision and innovation of Bremont’s manufacturing techniques. 

When it comes to searching for a watch that features sentimental value coupled with pioneering excellence, the journey ends comfortably at the Oxbridge Watch. Each Oxbridge Watch uses the Bremont AIRCO MACH 2 construction, featuring an immaculate 40mm polished stainless steel case with a sapphire crystal back. The elegantly polished hands are covered with Super-LumiNova for added readability, and the movement is the BE-92AE automatic chronometer with a 38 hour power reserve. 

Each Oxbridge Watch comes with its own unique serial number which comes printed on the case-back. As exclusive limited edition watches, only 100 of each model have been produced, meaning that the Oxbridge Watch is a piece of history. The provenance of your historical purchase is always traceable, as Bremont keep a record of all new watches, the serial number, and the purchaser, making this a perfect traceable heirloom to pass on to the next generation.

The Oxbridge Watches are available for both The University of Oxford and The University of Cambridge, featuring the University colours of each establishment, as well as their coat of arms. This means that with every check of the time, you will be reminded of the hour in the day, as well as all of the treasured memories you have accumulated throughout your time at University. 

The Oxbridge Watches are a perfect gift for any Oxbridge alumni, and they are one of the most unique and precious gifts you could give to a special someone this Christmas. Visit our website for more information on each watch and contact us for further details.