Dial it up: The best watch and jewellery gifts for men
Get him a gift that's for life, not just for Christmas
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Think all that glitters is just for the girls? Think again. While watches have always been a firm favourite when it comes to Christmas gifts for men, a recent explosion in men’s jewellery brands has also sent all manner of bracelets, necklaces and signet rings to the top of his wishlist.
But, of course, if you’re going to drop some serious cash you best make sure the gift you’re putting beneath the tree is something he’s truly going to treasure. Allow us to point you in the right direction with our edit of the best watch and jewellery gifts for men for Christmas 2023.
Jewellery For Him
Alighieri The Gilded Frame ring
It might never have occurred to you to turn to your favourite jewellery brands for gifts for the men in your life but, invest in the right pieces, and you might find their magpie tendencies are just as strong as yours. Alighieri, with its natural forms and less pristine and polished style, is a brilliant introductory brand for a man who might not be ready for serious bling just yet. With its textured finish and dark stones, this signet-inspired ring shows personality without being over the top.
Foundrae Crescent diamond bracelet
American jewellery brand Foundrae, meanwhile, takes a more personal approach to fine jewellery, presenting its pieces as modern heirlooms designed to transcend trends and be layered and stacked as their wearer invests in the symbols and talismans that resound with them. The designs are subtle, utilising quietly bold materials, such as lapis lazuli and enamel, set in 18 carat yellow gold. Think of them as the upgrade to that St Christopher he’s been wearing since he was a teenager.
Tateossian ammonite cufflinks
If you’re buying for a man who’s more of a traditionalist, cufflinks are always a crowd-pleaser – especially when they’re as unique as Tateossian’s fossilised ammonite designs. Set in sterling silver, each features an authentic ammonite fossil dating back millions of years. Absolute showstoppers.
Clocks & Colours Scorpion X chain necklace
The renaissance for men’s chains (thanks Paul Mescal) doesn’t look to be abating any time soon so, if he’s yet to get on board, this is the perfect gift. If bling isn’t really his thing, however, this vintage-inspired braided sterling silver design by Clocks & Colours is a more subdued alternative.
Watches For Him
Patek Philippe Rose Gold Skeleton Watch
There is, perhaps, no name quite so coveted among watch aficionados as Patek Philippe – and if you’re going to go all out on the brand why hold back when it comes to choosing the model? You only need look at Patek Philippe’s reference 5180/1R to know that this is a serious bit of horological kit. Crafted entirely in fine rose gold, its open design allows for unadulterated appreciation of an ultra-thin self-winding calibre 240 SQU skeleton movement. The movement features over 130 hours of hand engraving, and for the first time, Patek Philippe decorated the winding rotor with the engraved logo of the Patek Philippe Seal. In fact, it wouldn’t be hyperbole to say this is more miniature artwork than straightforward timepiece.
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar
A thoroughly contemporary update to a classic, Audemars Piguet’s Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar has been given a cobalt blue ceramic makeover with a Grande Tapisserie dial and subdials to match. Underneath, there’s a calibre 5134 self-winding movement powering complications including day, date, moon phase, month and leap years. Truly the watch for the man who has everything.
Speake-Marin One & Two Openworked Dual Time
Buying for a man who knows his moon phase from his minute repeater? If there is anything guaranteed to impress a true watch aficionado it’s an openworked dial. So-called for the absence of a dial plate, which allows the wearer (and admiring onlookers) the chance to observe the movement up close. Ideal for frequent flyers who need a watch suitable for everything from important business meetings to black tie events, Speake-Marin’s red gold Openworked Dual Time more than fits the bill.
Tag Heuer Connected Calibre E4
If he loves the aesthetics of a mechanical timepiece but can’t bear to go without the high-tech statistics afforded by a smartwatch, the clever folks over at Tag Heuer have created the perfect middle ground. Available in numerous iterations, some practically identical to its chronograph timepieces and others offering a sportier take, the Tag Heuer Connected smartwatch looks the part while still recording health and wellness stats and sports insights for everything from golf and running to swimming and cycling.
Chopard Alpine Eagle
Whether it’s to celebrate a promotion, a landmark birthday or just a very special Christmas, there is no gift quite so memorable as a man’s first mechanical watch. And, when it comes to a timepiece guaranteed to stand the test of time, Chopard’s Alpine Eagle is about as classic as they come. With a hard-wearing steel case and clean black sunburst dial, regardless of whether they wear it every day or save it for special occasions, this is a watch they’ll always be pleased to have in their collection.
