Heads up: The holidays are here again, and you know what that means — time to go watch shopping.
If you happen to have some horological aficionados in your inner circle, then you’re in luck: We’ve scoured our inventory for some of the world’s coolest vintage dress watches, vintage tool watches, and pre-owned contemporary watches to gift the man in your life. Whether he’s into patinated divers or complicated chronographs; slim dress pieces or oversized wrist computers, we’ve got him — and you! — covered. And remember: What we’re showing off below is but a smattering of the timepieces available in our extensive vault. So if there’s something specific you’re looking for, don’t hesitate to drop us a line, or to make an appointment to stop by our NYC showroom in person.
Vintage Dress Watches
Pick up one of these elegant pieces to add a bit of pizazz to any outfit — but especially to a suit or tuxedo. If you’re feeling particularly classically inspired, opt for a thin model in precious metal.
Universal Genève Florentine ($1,950)
Universal Genève Florentine - IN THE SHOP
If you’re looking for a simple, handsome, and relatively accessible vintage dress watch, you could do much worse than this excellent Universal Genève from the 1970s. Measuring 34mm in yellow gold, it boasts a cool “Florentine”-style bezel and an awesome champagne dial.
Franck Muller Long Island 'Flamme' ($3,770)
Frank Muller Long Island 'Flamme' - IN THE SHOP
For some early-2000s inspo, turn to this Long Island ‘Flamme’ from Franck Muller. A handsome, Tank-like design held in a 26mm steel case, it features a stunning dial with exploded ‘Arabic’ numerals and a salmon guilloché dial center. Quartz-powered, it’s an unfussy modern classic.
Movado Curviplan Stainless Steel ($6,750)
Movado Curviplan Stainless Steel - IN THE SHOP
This spectacular Curviplan is a reminder of why Movado was once one the finest watchmakers in the world. Dating to the 1950s, it features a curvaceous and comfy steel case, a spectacular silvered dial with a gorgeous ‘sector’ layout, and the Calibre 510 hand-wound movement.
Vintage Tool Watches
Whether a diver or a chronograph, a field watch or a pilot’s watch, a tool watch is the perfect wrist companion for somebody who lives an adventure-filled life outdoors.
Yema Superman Diver ($2,750)
Yema Superman Diver - IN THE SHOP
Though this Besançon-based brand has been reconstituted to excellent effect, its vintage wares still remain highly desirable. Check out this Superman diver from the 1970s, for example: With its signature crown-locking device and ocean-blue dial, it’s a wildly cool everyday tool watch.
Tissot Navigator Yachting Chronograph 'Lemania' ($4,250)
Tissot Navigator Yachting Chronograph 'Lemania' - IN THE SHOP
This overlooked Ref. 45503 from Tissot incorporates everything you could ever want in a vintage tool watch: A chunky steel case, a matching bracelet, a killer dial, and a useful complication in the form of a dual-register chronograph with date, a central minutes counter, and a yachting function.
Philippe Watch Anti-Magnetic Chronograph 'Spillman' ($6,950)
Philippe Watch Anti-Magnetic Chronograph 'Spillman' - IN THE SHOP
Certain brands — even relatively unknown ones — were simply ahead of the curve. Case in point is this Philippe Watch Ref. 2501 chronograph: Housed in a waterproof 38mm Spillman case, it’s equipped with a spectacular multi-scale dial with just the right amount of patina.
Pre-Owned Contemporary Watches
If modern timepieces are more his thing, then you can’t go wrong with one of these pre-owned contemporary pieces from famed marques such as Tudor, Breitling, and Omega.
Tudor Black Bay Two-Tone 39 ($3,650)
Tudor Black Bay Two-Tone 39 - IN THE SHOP
Tudor’s time-only Black Bay watches are modern successors to classic references from the mid-20th century. This Ref. M79663 in two-tone stainless steel and gold is perfect for everyday wear: At 39mm and featuring a matching bracelet, it brings comfort and good looks to the table.
Breitling Avenger B01 Chronograph 44 ($5,950)
Breitling Avenger B01 Chronograph 44 - IN THE SHOP
Those with larger wrists or who prefer a heftier watch case would be well served by this Breitling Avenger B01 Chronograph: Clocking in at 44mm in stainless steel with a matching multi-link bracelet, it boasts a lovely tan dial with a triple-register chronograph readout, plus a useful dive-style bezel.
Omega Seamaster Professional 300 James Bond 60th Anniversary ($8,250)
Omega Seamaster Professional 300 James Bond 60th Anniversary - IN THE SHOP
Made in celebration of the 60th anniversary of James Bond, this handsome blue-dialed Seamaster Professional 300 mixes vintage and 90s inspiration in a single handsome package: A wave dial is present and accounted for, but so is a cool modern mesh bracelet.
