Holiday Gift Guide: Six Standout Watches From Westime
Westime is highlighting six of the most stylish and eye-catching watches for the holiday season.
The holidays are right around the corner, and Westime has you covered for those on your nice list. Some stocking stuffers are better than others, so swap the candy canes for some wrist candy and give your loved ones what they really want. To get you started, we’ve rounded up some of our favorites from our partner retailer Westime. Because after all, who wouldn’t be happy unwrapping a watch this holiday season?
Bulgari Octo Finissimo Chronograph GMT
When looking for the perfect watch this holiday season, why not consider a world record-setter? The new Bulgari Octo Finissimo Chronograph GMT smashed the world record for thinness, coming in at only 6.9mm. The result is an incredibly light watch that wears comfortably on the wrist. The artfully finished movement, only 3.3mm thick itself, is on full display through the sapphire caseback.
The Rome-based luxury watchmaker continues its success in combining micro-engineering with aesthetic originality. The sandblasted titanium case and bracelet, for example, add depth to the slim wonder, and the GMT movement is equipped to quickly adjust to new timezones - perfect for watch lovers on the go.
Chopard Alpine Eagle
Chopard adds their signature flair to the genre of blue dial, steel sports watches with the Alpine Eagle. A stylish mix of elegance and ruggedness, the Alpine Eagle features curated details that help this watch stand out from the competition. The dial, for example, features a textured swirl pattern that was specially designed to emulate the iris of an eagle. The Roman numeral hour markers add a slightly formal touch that helps this watch move seamlessly from work to weekend and back again. Finally, the seconds hand is in a distinctive feather shape, a cleverly thematic detail for this watch.
The sport-chic model comes in two sizes, Large (41mm) and Small (36mm), and offers a range of metal and colorway options. Whether you’re looking for classic stainless steel, 18-carat rose gold, two-tone combinations, Mother-of-Pearl dials, or diamond-set bezels, Chopard’s Alpine Eagle is sure to please nearly anyone on your holiday shopping list.
Zenith El Primero A386 Revival
One of the watch world’s most important pieces was brought back to life for its 50th anniversary. In 1969, Zenith’s El Primero became arguably the first automatic chronograph, a significant technological achievement for its time. The brand has created many versions of its famed chronograph over the years, but nothing quite compares to the original A386.
The anniversary edition released this year is a faithful revival of the 60’s classic, now reborn in white, yellow, and rose gold. The high-frequency chronograph features an integrated column wheel and a power reserve of 50 hours. Beyond its mechanical prowess, the A386 Revival is an attractive and respected chronograph that represents a timeless racing heritage.
Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Automatique
This year, Blancpain upgraded iconic pieces from its archives with contemporary watchmaking technology. The Fifty Fathoms Automatique was the first modern dive watch and established the diver genre that remains popular to this day. Released in 1953, the Fifty Fathoms was a collaboration between Blancpain and the French Combat Diving School. The watch defined many of the requisite components of a dive watch, including a unidirectional rotating bezel, an automatic movement, and a screw-down caseback.
This latest edition of the historic model features the venerable Caliber 1315 which uses over 227 components to achieve an impressive 120-hour power reserve. In addition to its handsome looks, the Fifty Fathoms remains true to its tool watch roots with a 45mm case and a water-resistance of 300m/1,000ft.
Hublot Unico Sang Bleu Ceramic Blue
In a daring departure from the typical brand ambassadorship, Hublot teamed up with world-renowned tattoo artist, Sang Bleu. Originally hailing from Lausanne, Switzerland, Sang Bleu (born Maxime Plescia-Büchi), made a name for himself with his geometric linework and skillful execution. He has even served as a creative consultant for artists like FKA Twigs and Kanye West.
Hublot’s Unico Sang Bleu Ceramic Blue is a melding of top-quality materials and bold shapes. The multi-stepped ceramic bezel is satin-finished and polished for a craftsman’s touch. And the dial, with its mandala of intersecting lines, features distinctive, luminescent triangles in place of the typical hour and minute hands. The watch is finished off with a bold, blue, calfskin strap adorned with the artist’s own designs.
Glashütte Original Sixties Panorama Date Annual Edition “Fiery Orange”
Add a touch of spice to any outfit or watch collection with the “Fiery Orange” edition of Glashütte Original’s Sixties Panorama Date series. The key feature here is the bold, domed, textured, sunray dial that practically jumps off the wrist. Look closer to see that the hour markers are not painted or applied, but actually laser-cut into the surface of the dial. The date window adds a bit of punch near the six o’clock position and the exhibition caseback - revealing the in-house caliber 39-47 - is the cherry on top of an already impressive watch.
(Photography by Liam O'Donnell)