02/14/2020

Valentine’s Day: Show Your Love With These His and Hers Watches For Under $5,000

You are probably familiar with the classic O. Henry story, The Gift of the Magi. In it, a young bride sells her hair to buy her husband a platinum watch chain, and the groom sells his watch to buy his wife a set of hair combs.

By Rhonda Riche

Editor-At-Large

While the point of this tale is to illustrate how much they love each other, we still have so many questions. Like, what was the economy like in the 1800s that the value of hair was equivalent to platinum? Or, that a watch was only worth a couple of combs? I want to get into a time machine now!

Fortunately, we live in the 21st century, and couples can avoid this conundrum by cooperating and coordinating with a pair of matching watches. Here are a few of our favorite combos.

IT TAKES TWO

When it comes to coordinating watches, simplicity is the key. This is why we like the elegant Corso collection from Citizen, an elegant three-hander with an unobtrusive date window. Our favorite pairing in this series features a two-tone stainless-steel case and bracelet with a deep blue dial. It’s also powered by Citizen’s Eco-Drive technology, so it will remain as faithful and true as your love.

Available in case sizes of 28mm and 40mm, both are priced at $260.

Citizen Corso Two Tone with blue dial

If you are looking for something less matchy-matchy, how about the minimalist Junghans Max Bill? The 34mm version of this Bauhaus inspired classic starts at around €624 (for a hand wound model) while the larger 38mm Max Bill Mega starts at €795. They come in a variety of dial and strap options, but the iconic design will ensure they will always look good together.

Junghans Max Bill Hand Winding

Junghans Max Bill Mega

SET PIECES

Looking for a Valentine’s Day present with more presence? Tank and tonneau-shaped timepieces are an easy way to up your match game.

Take, for example, the Longines Evidenza series. This accessibly priced automatic mechanical movement ranges in size from a 34.9 x 40mm to a 26 x 30.6mm case. You can also opt for steel bracelets or a handsome alligator strap. Either way, the collection has a sophisticated Art Deco feel.

Prices range from $2,250 to $3,175.

Longines Evidenza 26 x 30.6mm

Longines Evidenza 34.9 x 40mm

For modern lovers, the rectangular Rado Ceramica comes in many sizes but only one color — black. For maximum impact, we’re fond of the Ceramica with gold hands and markers. The smallest version of this style is a 22.9 x 31.7mm quartz model priced at $2,100. And the biggest bang for your buck is a 30.0 x 41.7mm automatic, which goes for $2,500.

Rado Ceramica with gold hands

CONSCIOUS COUPLINGS

Most his and hers watches tend toward the formal. But there are also great sportier options available in the luxury watch word. And if you want to make a bigger splash this Valentine’s Day, you can still get a classic combo without blowing the family nest egg.

The Pilot’s family of timepieces from IWC represents terrific value. The blue-dialed Pilot’s Automatic 36 and the slightly more rugged 40mm Pilot’s Watch Mark XVIII Edition “Le Petit Prince” both start at $4,150.

IWC Pilot’s Automatic 36

IWC Pilot Mark XVIII Edition “Le Petit Prince”

Pilot’s Watch Mark XVIII Edition “Le Petit Prince”

Or you can opt for a super sporty, black dialed TAG Heuer Monaco Caliber 9 in 37mm for $1,750, and a slightly larger 39mm Caliber 12 Chronograph, which is only a hair over our budget at $5,400.

TAG Heuer Monaco Caliber 9 - 37mm

TAG Heuer Monaco Caliber 12 - 39mm

GENDER FLUID

As this new decade begins, consider forgoing the notion of his and hers. Instead, opt for something more androgynous. Take, for instance, the Galop d'Hermes watch. Created by Ini Archibong to have a unisex appeal, this equestrian-styled timepiece was introduced at SIHH 2019. While it might lean more to the feminine in its design, in its simplest stainless-steel iteration, the Galop is perfectly proportioned for men with slender wrists. Measuring in at 40.8 x 26mm, it has an interesting opaline center with a grained silvered dial and a Barenia calfskin strap. And it costs only $3,650.

Hermès Galop

For a unisex watch that skews more to the masculine, there’s the Gucci Grip. Inspired by old school direct read timepieces, this collection (which premiered at Baselworld 2019) is perfect for personalization. Plus, you can still coordinate with your partner while choosing from a wide array of sizes (35mm to 38mm), finishes, colors, straps, and bracelets. And ranging from $1,650 to $1,900, the price is also very enticing.