Wrist Review’s Watch Buyer’s Guide for Holidays 2015

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Group 4. $6,000 – $8,000

As we go higher on the price chain, stylistic timepieces get a whole new meaning and value. Every watch enthusiast simply wants a piece of these.

Chopard Mille Miglia GTS Power Control ref. 168566-3001

Chopard’s design is simply electric and it just subtly invokes the power of movement. The Chopard Mille Miglia GTS Power Control bears all the hallmarks of Chopard expertise and needless to say, it is definitely masculine. The stainless steel case is also water resistant and supported scratch-resistant sapphire crystal including the exhibition caseback. Its workhorse is a self-winding Chopard Calibre 01.08-C delivering staggering 60 hours of power reserve. On a black rubber strap, the watch looks darn sporty especially with the emblematic black matt dial with luminescent hands and hour-markers featuring power reserve indicator at the 9 and date at 3.

chopard.com

Price: US $6,640

Omega-Seamaster-300-SPECTRE-Limited-Edition-4

Omega Seamaster 300 Master Co-Axial Spectre Limited Edition

What makes the Omega Seamaster 300 Master Co-Axial Spectre Limited Edition interesting aside from the fact that James Bond aka Daniel Craig used it is its kick-ass design of course. Heck, this is Omega so yeah, it is definitely a work of art. This timepiece is based on the steel version of the 300 Master Co-Axial thus, we are getting a deep black dial. It also sports fancy aged lume applied on its hands and indices. For this model, the bezel is very striking with subtle clarity thanks in part to the back ceramic finish. You can enjoy this on a gray and black striped NATO strap. omegawatches.com

Price: US $6,300

Carl F. Bucherer Patravi ScubaTec ref. 00.10632.23.33.21

If you are looking for one of the best high-end divers watches then look no further because the Patravi ScubaTec from Carl F. Bucherer pretty much houses everything in one package for you. It sports a solid divers watch design philosophy with uncompromising engineering technologies. It is a beefier sports watch thanks to its massive stainless case with ceramic bezel and the toughest lug design there is. It runs on automatic CFB 1950.1 caliber packing 38 hours of power reserve. It also sports automatic helium valve and screw-down crown for stability and precision up to 500 meters underwater. carlfbucherer.com

Price: US $6,800

Perrelet Turbine Chronograph Titanium Dial Automatic

The Perrelet Turbine Chronograph Titanium Dial Automatic comes in a stainless steel case with a black rubber strap giving it a very sporty look. With one look you will definitely get the vibe of a high-end timepiece. But before you droll on its valuable characteristics, its fixed bezel seems counterintuitive in today’s standards. However, everything else is kick ass such as the titanium dial sporting silver-toned hands and indices. It also houses an automatic movement featuring a free spinning turbine rotor visible on the analog dial. Being a chronograph comes with more surprises which are easily seen on the sporty dial. perrelet.com

Price: US $7,850

Zenith Pilot Automatic Chronograph ref. 03.2410.4010/21.M2410

Stainless steel watches have never been this best thanks to the Zenith Pilot Automatic Chronograph. If you love the steel feel then look no further because this watch also comes in an elegant stainless steel mesh bracelet which I believe is perfect for any occasion. The design is subtle with all the neatness of a classic watch. Its steel bezel is perfectly accented by its powerful lugs and stylish crown and pushers. The fantastic black dial with silver-tone hands and Arabic numeral hour markers makes time reading a breeze. Its automatic movement also delivers 50 hours of power reserve which you can see through its exhibition caseback. zenith-watches.com

Price: US $7,900

Group 5. $8,000 – $10,000

As we go steeper in the price point, you just gonna love the watches. They are simply amazing and rightfully so.

Rolex-Submariner-116610LN

Rolex Submariner Date 116610LN

There is a common saying among horology enthusiasts that once you taste a Rolex specifically the Oyster Perpetual, it is simply hard to back out. Well, I don’t know about you but the Oyster Perpetual Submariner is indeed a fascinating watch to have. Its robust and functional design is simply iconic. Heck, a lot of new brands take the design from Rolex so it is typical to see the Submariner design anywhere. For this watch though the dial is distinct with large luminescent hour markers, graduated rotatable Cerachrom bezel and solid link Oyster bracelet. Moreover, it stays true to its original DNA way back in the 1953s. rolex.com

Price: US $8,550

Panerai Luminor GMT PAM00029

How about an elegant men’s watch with a sporty twist? You are darn right, the Panerai Luminor GMT is not your typical dress watch although its 44 mm case says it isn’t so. This is a classic with a clean design minus the overbearing crown. Its bezel is fixed but who cares since, for this caliber, it is just stylish. The date convex at the 3 looks fine as well as the skeletonized hands. There is a generous lume here for maximum clarity too against the beautiful black striped dial. It sports an automatic c.o.s.c movement which is typical of divers watch and yes this is water resistant up to 300 meters. panerai.com

Price: US $8,300

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Jaeger-LeCoultre Geophysic True Second ref. 8018420

This watch exemplifies simplicity and purity of design, after all, it stands true to its name. The sophistication is marvelous but also very on the eyes too. Its stainless steel case features clean cut lines with majestic round bezel and subtle crown. The lugs follow the Jaeger-LeCoultre traditions making for an exceptional comfort when worn over a leather strap. It is run by an automatic self-winding movement with 36 jewels and is more than enough for its main functions, date, hour, minute and true second. It has a silver grained dial with appliqued hour-markers. This will perfectly suit you for any dressed occasions. jaegerlecoultre.com

Price: US $9,050

Ulysse Nardin Maxi Marine Diver ref. 263-10-3/93

For a divers watch, the Ulysse Nardin Maxi Marine Diver begs to differ mainly because of its elaborate watery dial. As a Swiss Made Ulysse Nardin, of course, we get to have it in sweet stainless steel with a blue rubber strap that also comes with titanium accents. The main color of the watch is blue and it looks darn nice. The case is masculine with the powerful lugs and overbearing screw-down. The bezel is unidirectional steel with fantastic handling. It runs on automatic movement with 42 hours of power reserve. Just like most serious divers watches, the caseback is solid allowing you to have peace of mind even at 300 meters underwater. ulysse-nardin.com

Price: US $8,500

Chanel J12 Superleggera Chronograph ref. H3409

There is always something peculiar about all black watches, they just look like strikers of the night, however, they look very stylish too. The Chanel J12 Superleggera Chronograph sports black ceramic case and a black ceramic bracelet. That is a lot of ceramic material in there so yes this is a very tough watch that happens to be unisex too. The black dial with silver-toned hands looks fantastic and the sub-dials for the chronograph looks very sporty too. It runs on mechanical movement delivering 42 hours of power reserve. You are going to be thrilled knowing that this is a testament to authentic Swiss Made timepieces. chanel.com

Price: US $9,000

Group 6. $20,000-$30,000

These watches will certainly make your eyes water with amazement.

Breguet Chronograph XXII ref. 3810ST/92/SZ9

The Breguet Chronograph XXII looks stunning on a stainless steel case matched perfectly with stainless steel bracelet. Where it shines though is on its blemish free design philosophy. The watchmaker is non-compromising using top of the line quality for things like the unidirectional bezel and an in-house automatic movement, the Caliber 589 F capable of delivering 45 hours of power reserve. The black stylish dial is superb accented with luminous hands. The watch also features sub-dials at 9, 3, and 6. The date is somehow hidden at the 6 but no big deal. This is rather sporty which means you can go spelunking or even dive up to 100 meters. breguet.com

Price: US $21,600

Vacheron Constantin Overseas Chronograph ref. 49150/000A-9017

As we all agree, Vacheron Constantin never fails to deliver making the Overseas Chronograph a must have for business travelers. This luxury timepiece ensures that you are timely and very much punctual thus making your business meetings flow smoothly. It runs on the in-house Swiss Made automatic Vacheron Constantin Calibre 1137 delivering 40 hours of power reserve. The case is made of stainless steel material hardened with screw-down crown and solid caseback. Being a Vacheron means that you are going to enjoy world class quality and, of course, a very fantastic dial with three traditional sub-dials for the chronograph. vacheron-constantin.com

Price: US $20,000

1815

A. Lange & Söhne 1815 18k Rose Gold

This luxury brand is simply fascinating making simple themed watches so much fun to own. The A. Lange & Söhne 1815 18k Rose Gold runs on its own in-house automatic movement, therefore, it simply does not compromise. The design is simply majestic sporting clear cut lines on the pink gold case at 38.5 mm making it a perfect dress watch. However when it comes to its silver dial, it simply becomes quite sporty maybe because of its blue traditional AL hands. The Roman numeral hour markers are perfectly legible even at low light. The elegant discreet seconds subdial at 6 makes it, even more, functional and stylish. alange-soehne.com

Price: US $25,300

Patek-Philippe-Calatrava-Series-5127G-001-men-s

Patek Philippe Calatrava ref. 5127G-001

Patek Philippe makes no-nonsense luxury watches alright and if there is one thing I love so much about the brand, it is their design philosophy which never compromises on the tiniest detail. As such, the Patek Philippe Calatrava Opaline White Dial 18kt White Gold is definitely a work of art. Its 18k white gold case at mere 38 mm blends so well with any dress. However, the employ of quartz movement at this caliber seems different but with its luxurious materials, I don’t complain much. The opaline material dial is just perfect enabling perfect harmony with the silver-toned hands and the black leather strap. patek.com

Price: US $29,000

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Dual Time ref. 26120ST.OO.1220ST.01

If there is one thing I like so much about this watch, it has to do with its fantastic brush steel case, it looks rugged with a sporty twist. The trendy case is accented by its powerful bezel and seemingly hidden lugs plus its crown looks amazing too. However, your eyes will likely be guided immediately to the white guilloche dial with luminous hands. It sports four chronograph sub-dials: Power Reserve, AM/PM Indicator, 12 Hours, and Date Subdials. It is powered by the automatic Swiss Made AP Caliber 2329/2846 movement delivering 38 hours of power reserve. audemarspiguet.com

Price: US $22,000

Have a wonderful holiday season from all of us at the Wrist Review team. Make sure you share the love with everyone, be charitable and think of those who aren’t as fortunate. Let’s make it a good time for everyone!

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Jovan

JOVAN KRSTEVSKI – FOUNDER, PROPRIETOR & EXECUTIVE EDITOR

Watch collector, aficionado and an Event profile in the Swedish nightlife. He launched Watchgeek back in 2011, which is now known as WristReview and is one of the most widely read watch blogs on the Web. He quotes ’WristReview is a site to help people find, explore, discover and enjoy wristwatches.’  His passion jump started in his early teens when he was given his first mid-range wristwatch which was an Omega Seamaster. Since then he has always been in love with wristwatches! Besides WristReview, he also writes for a number of publications. Read his articles here