Stuck for Christmas inspiration? Keep up-to-date with our weekly Christmas list, showcasing all timepieces naughty and nice. T minus 17 days people.
Have you hit play on the Christmas tunes yet? Have you had a mince pie? We might’ve been playing ‘Deck the Halls’ since Halloween was over but it’s volume on full from here on out. There are two types of person when it comes to Christmas, those that plan in advance with gifts wrapped and ribboned by November, or those who are frantically scrambling together pages of a 3 month-old newsletter as wrapping paper. That shoe definitely fits.
To raise the hype for the holiday season, we’ve put together a weekly wish list of all things naughty and nice. The criteria? £ or £££££, subtle or daring. It’s up to you, or Santa that is. A selection amongst the TNH team, discover the favorite models on our wish list this Christmas from Oris to Richard Mille, as selected by the TNH team: Scarlett Baker, Michel Jeannot and Nina Rosa. Please, Santa.
NICE: Gucci Grip
The world might be talking about House of Gucci right now, be it good or bad, but if you’re looking for an unwavering Gucci constant that promises no other accents than gold goodness, then the Gucci Grip is for you. Taking inspiration from the world of skateboarding, the name a nod to the way rider’s sneakers stick to the gripping tape on a skateboard, the yellow gold PVD model offers subtle glamor with a little edge. With three windows to display the hour, minute and date, you’ll have no trouble working out the time with this GG engraved model. Plus, it’ll arrive in a special edition floral jacquard packaging, with a velvet pillow to protect the product – and sleep on too. Embodying the rich heritage of the House and its dedication to spotlight new adventures, this timepiece really is a reflection of the father, the son, and the House of Gucci.
Price: $1,800
NAUGHTY: Richard Mille RM 07-03 Marshmalllow
If there’s ever a time in the year for candy – and no it’s not Halloween – it’s Christmas. Sipping on Bailey’s Hot Chocolate and chomping on candy cane’s would be complete with Richard Mille’s bonbon model model. Housed in a lavender pink TZP ceramic, the caseband is made of gem-set 5N red gold with set pillars (pink sapphires, citrine and tsavorite stones). The dial is in grade 5 titanium and 5N red gold, hand enamelled. This playful iteration comes from the brand’s development of how tinted ceramic perform when layering materials like Carbon TPT® and Quartz TPT® and constant improvements to the setting of coloured gemstones. While it might be incredibly hard to get your hands on and you might have to do some serious graft with the Candyman to get your hands on it, at least this Christmas you won’t have to worry about your teeth rotting.
Price: On request
NICE: Oris Aquis Date Upcycle
Whether it’s greenwashing or sincere ecological awareness, watchmaking manufacturers have (almost) all launched this year awareness-raising operations. But Oris didn’t wait until 2021 given the brand’s ongoing “Change for Better” program in various projects to raise awareness and safeguard the planet. This year, the brand is also officially climate neutral, certified by the independent climate action experts ClimatePartner. To celebrate the beginning of this new chapter, Oris launched the Aquis Date Upcycle, a version of their high-performance diver’s watch with a colourful dial made of recycled PET plastic. As well as to show how plastic can be recycled and then upcycled to become a piece of luxury watchmaking art, the vision behind the watch is to encourage people all over the world to take part in clean-up days. In view of its dial, each one different from the other, this unique watch is also an excellent way to stimulate the passage from awareness to action.
Price: $2,300
NAUGHTY: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Black Panther Flying Tourbillon
It surprised both good and bad responses, but it did not leave anyone indifferent. In fact, this is exactly what Audemars Piguet was looking for by unveiling the first fruit of its collaboration with Marvel last April. Available in a limited edition of 250 pieces, the Royal Oak Concept Black Panther Flying Tourbillon was the buzz from its launch to the arms of many celebrities (how did they get it?) who, de facto, promoted this watch already entirely pre-sold. As every time a watch goes off the beaten path in the watchmaking landscape, the Royal Oak Marvel has made purists cringe at the same time that it has enthused many fans of the brand to finally ignite social networks. And the auction for one of the watches sold by Christie’s was sold for some $480,000 USD! In its original version, the Royal Oak Concept Flying Tourbillon remains an exceptional piece. The Marvel Limited Edition “Black Panther” will be remembered above all as a great communication operation.
Price: $176,000
NICE: Hermès H08
Modern and timeless at the same time, this men’s watch besides its sharp design expresses robustness and delicacy, in a balanced contrast of materials and finishing. Its sporting allure mixes lines, with its circular dial framed by a case with softened edges, in mineral materials and tones. I like its elegant, enigmatic black, grey and anthracite tones, highlighted by the titanium, rubber or webbing bracelets. At once rigorous and sensual, robust, and sensitive – like the ideal man (haha) – this watch is plural, reflecting the masculine universe of Hermès, orchestrated by the designer Véronique Nichanian for 30 years. If you are looking for a Christmas gift for a modern and stylish guy, look no further, you have found the perfect fit!
Price: $5,475
NAUGHTY: Louis Vuitton Tambour Carpe Diem
At first sight, it impresses. When you get closer, it fascinates. This unique pink gold watch with automata took two years of development. A true Louis Vuitton’s 21st century technical and stylistic interpretation of ‘jacquemart’ – automata striking the hours on church bell towers – that combines a skull-shaped hand-wound movement (LV 525 Caliber, 426 components), with the subversive art theme of the Vanitas. Here, the automaton is truly functional: it indicates the time on demand, without hands, by pressing a reptile-shaped push-piece on the case’s side, giving life to the snake and the skull. In addition to the automata mechanism, the watch features three more complications: a jumping hour, a retrograde minute, and a power reserve display. Lasting 16 seconds, the snake’s head lifts to reveal the hour aperture, the tail oscillates towards the minutes, Monogram Flowers appear in the eye, and the skull laughs revealing the words “Carpe Diem” – seize the day. For this Vanitas sophisticated and modern aesthetic, Louis Vuitton has entrusted skilled Swiss craftsmen: Anita Porchet for the enamel and miniature painting, and Dick Steenman for the engraving.
Price: $459,000
