The EWC Holiday Gift Guide
Buyers Guides
It’s gifting season, and with the holidays almost upon us, it’s reasonable to assume that there might be a few people that still need to be crossed off your gift-giving to-do list. Whether it’s friends, family, coworkers, or perhaps a little gift for yourself, here are a few things to consider if you’ve still got a little last-minute shopping to do.
Watches for everyone on your list
Need a special gift for mom that combines classic style with modern solar technology? Look no further than this Cartier Tank Must Solarbeat. It has the immediately recognizable style of a classic Cartier Tank - always a crowd-pleaser - but is powered by a state-of-the-art photovoltaic quartz movement, which provides an astonishing 16-year battery life. (Yes, you read that right - years.) It draws its power through ambient light collected through dial perforations that are invisible to the naked eye. The dial features signature design details like Roman numerals and blued hands, easily recognizable to anyone who appreciates classic Cartier style.
Don’t want to leave dad hanging, but he already buys every watch he wants? Opt for this Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Table Clock. Whether he’s working in an office or wants a mantel clock handy while he’s tending to his latest hobby, the quartz movement ensures accuracy while the presence of the distinctive Royal Oak Offshore design will constantly draw his eye. These table clocks are rarely seen, so it also comes with some serious bragging rights amongst watch collectors.
What about something special for the collector in your life who wants to both see and hear a chiming complication in action? This Christopher Ward Bel Canto is the perfect choice. The watch chimes once at the top of the hour, and the chiming gong is visible on the dial side, so the wearer can both see and hear the watch in action. It also features a guilloché pattern on the Argento silver dial, providing a textural contrast to the tonal color of the Grade 5 titanium case.
And for those who want to give a special gift that will be worthy of handing down to the next generation as a future heirloom, consider this Patek Philippe Calatrava. In excellent condition, this vintage piece in 18K yellow gold has a silver-white dial with applied gold markers, gold hands, and a small seconds subdial. The smaller case size means it’ll fit elegantly on many wrists, and the classic vintage Patek styling makes it appealing as a subtly tasteful dress watch.
Books for the watch enthusiast
For the collector who wants a thorough look at watches told through the lens of the last 125 years, look no further than Time Machines: How Watches Shaped the Modern World, recently published by Gestalten. The reader will enjoy a chronological journey from 1900 through today, featuring a curated selection of 100 watches and stories that bring their history to life.
We would be remiss not to mention The Connoisseur’s Guide to Fine Timepieces, European Watch Company’s own compendium of over 150 exceptional timepieces, including rarities, complications, vintage timepieces, and other fantastic watches, with expert commentary.
If you need a book for the future collector in your life, take a look at V is for Vintage, a children’s book that you can read to your little ones to get them started on watch collecting early while reinforcing their growing familiarity with the alphabet. Who doesn’t want their kids to learn the ABCs - Accutron, Breguet, and crazing? (You’ll have to get the book for the definition of that last one!)
For slightly older kids, About Time: A Children’s Guide to the History and Science of Time by Rebecca Struthers and Alom Shaha will help children age 7-9 understand how clocks work and learn to tell time. Written by a science teacher and a renowned watchmaker and historian, the book provides both an education about the concepts of time and practical activities to help kids learn.
Accessories for every budget
Is there a traveler in your life who brings watches along on their journeys? The Watch Wallet 2 and The Puck from Discommon Goods will keep their watches securely protected from impacts and scratches while on the road. The Puck holds a single watch in a case with a supple Napa leather exterior and an interior made from compression-molded foam padding covered with incredibly soft microfiber, keeping the watch firmly in place while ensuring it remains scratch-free (at least until you take it out upon arrival). The Wallet holds watches, straps, a passport, and space for other essentials like a credit card and a phone, making it incredibly practical for the frequent traveler.
For the gift recipient who has every watch imaginable, perhaps some extra straps are in order. StrapHabit has a wide variety of straps in many styles and materials, such as practical FKM rubber for the sporty watch aficionado, leather for those who want a classic look, and even straps for specific watches like the Timex Q and Apple Watch. (We don’t judge those who double-wrist.) For those who not only have every watch but also every strap, they even have a watch bracelet removal and installation tool to make changing bracelets a breeze. And if you want to support a nonprofit while giving your holiday gifts this year, they also have a selection of straps in collaboration with charity partners.
For the collector who has literally everything except a safe place to store their watches, consider getting them a watch safe. Our guide to watch safes can provide plenty of guidance, but we can’t guarantee you’ll get any of those safes in time for holiday gift-giving. A card with a coupon good for one watch safe makes a great gift, however, and is much more likely to fit underneath the tree.
Make sure you check the order deadlines for each of these recommendations, and happy gifting!











