We are getting down to the days - just 4 until Christmas! If you are anything like me, then you still don’t have every gift purchased, let alone wrapped. Maybe you have your mom, your sister and your nieces covered but what about the men in your life?
To aid you just in the nick of time, I’ve compiled a list of sure-to-please, in-stock gifts to help you out NOW.
The Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle Small Seconds
If you have a man on your list who appreciates heritage and value, this dress watch is the way to go. What makes the Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle Small Seconds one of the best dress watches on the market is the company’s extensive 260-year history in the industry. Founded in 1755, Vacheron is one of horology’s founding fathers and are best known for developing the world’s very complication - a day and date dial. Since its founding, the brand has continued to push the boundaries of modern watch making, and while this piece may not look that complicated, there is a lot going on inside.
The Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle Small Seconds features a manually wound caliber 4400AS movement made in-house from 127 individual pieces. Not only does it bare the “Hallmark of Geneva” (the official seal of Switzerland) but it also boasts an impressive 65 hour power reserve. The movement is housed inside an 38mm 18k rose gold case and sits behind Vacheron’s signature silver opaline dial (that gives the watch a beautiful mixture of vintage and modern design). This piece also features a seconds complications and is finished with a brown alligator Mississippiensis strap with a ardillon buckle.
The IWC Big Pilot
For this history buff in your life, the IWC Big Pilot is a great purchase as it was inspired by wristwatches worn during World War II. Because accurate timing was pertinent to navigation, pilots were required to wear military issued instruments. Each pilot would receive a signal beep shortly after take off instructing him to set his watch to a previously agreed upon time thus insuring precise timing. With the inspiration coming from the company’s heritage time-only aviation pieces, IWC kept the design of this watch fairly uncomplicated.
The IWC Big Pilot features the brand’s automatic caliber 52610 movement with Pellaton automatic winding and a seven day power reserve. The timepiece also boasts a date subdial, soft-iron inner case for protection against magnetic fields and an oversized 46mm stainless steel case. We should also mention that this piece has been a fan favorite for years - even Michael Jordan was spotted in it while receiving the presidential medal of freedom in 2016.
The Bell & Ross BR 03-90
If you are looking for something that is a little more eccentric than our previous two suggestions, look no further than the Bell & Ross BR 03-90. Originally developed by two college students as a university project, Bell & Ross watches have become a staple staple for astronauts, pilots, deep sea divers and bomb disposal experts around the world. While the sophisticated square stainless steel case accented with an 18k rose gold bezel and crown may give the impress that this watch need special care, rest assured that it take a beating and keep on ticking.
The Bell & Ross BR 03-90 is powered by an automatic caliber 302 movement with a 42 hour power reserve (there is an indicator at 6 o’clock on the dial) and is water-resistant up to 100 meters. It also features an opaline dial with gold appliqué index and numerals as well as skeletonized hour and minute hands filled with superluminova (which glows in the dark). The timepiece is finished with a stamped calfskin strap and stain-polished steel pin buckle.
Still stuck on what to give this year? Visit one of our Shreve & Co. locations for a little extra help or book an appointment with one of our talented staff members online.
