We at Watch Advice have put together some of the best luxury watches in a range of price categories to suit everyone’s budget for this Christmas!
Christmas is just under two weeks away! And with that, it means the tradition of sharing gifts is also just around the corner. What better way to say that you care than giving the gift of time. Giving the gift of a timepiece says that you took the time to go out and buy something that would mean a lot to the other person. It is something that takes thoughtful consideration to be able to know that special person and what kind of watch they would like to wear.
In the fast-paced lives, many of us live, giving the gift of a timepiece can be a gentle reminder to slow down and enjoy life’s precious moments. Timepieces are also a way of commemorating those special moments in our lives. As the watch will be with the wearer for many years, they will be reminded of the moment from time to time when they look at the watch.
In many cultures, giving a watch as a gift is seen as a very positive gesture, symbolising prosperity and success. A watch, especially a finely crafted one, often signifies status and achievement. By giving a watch, you are wishing the recipient prosperity, success, and accomplishments in their future endeavours.
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With so many different timepieces with varying styles available in the world of horology, it can be daunting to know what to look for. At Watch Advice, we have gathered to pick out our current favourite timepieces in various price categories to suit different budgets. Read through the list below, as it may inspire you with just the watch you’re looking for!
Champsg’s Christmas Watch Selection
Under AUD $5,000 Category – Baume & Mercier Riviera GMT
Read our review of the Baume & Mercier Riviera GMT here!
The under 5k category is a competitive price bracket, and many watches from many brands are available at this price. For me, Baume Mercier gets the pick for the “GMT Travel time”, one of the most valuable complications one can have on a watch. 42mm in size, the Silver Motif dial is a showstopper and comes alive outdoors. With a quick strap change system that can change looks within seconds, it is a great companion to have during the hot summer months in Australia.
Reference: M0A10658 (Silver dial/steel bracelet)
Australian Recommended Retail Price: AUD $4,950 (Silver/steel bracelet)
Availability: Both variants are available now through Authorised Dealers and Retailers and at www.baume-et-mercier.com
Under AUD $10,000 Category – TAG Heuer Carrera “Glassbox”
Read our review of the TAG Heuer Carrera “Glassbox” here!
One of my favourite releases this year is the Carrera Glassbox Chronograph. The design of the sapphire crystal allows the brand to display the “Tachymeter scale” uniquely, whereas traditionally, it’s shown on a flat surface, the outer edge of the dial. The case size is 39mm, which is the perfect size for most watch enthusiasts, so that’s a big plus.
The new generation TAG TH02-00 Calibre movement produces 80 hours of power reserve, perfect for weekend activities. All this for 9,350 AUD makes the new Glassbox Carrera an excellent selection for the competitive 10K price range!
Reference: CBS2210.FC6534 (Black Dial) / CBS2212.FC6535 (Blue Dial)
Australian Recommended Retail Price: AUD $9,350
Availability: Available now through all TAG Heuer boutiques, authorised dealers and online at tagheuer.com
Under AUD $20,000 Category – Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Date
Polaris collection has always been overlooked as part of Jaeger-Lecoultre, and the new generation Polaris collection has been such a hit for the brand. Especially the time and date variant. Priced at 17,900 AUD and housed in a diver case, this 42mm case wears great on the wrist, especially with the rubber strap.
Powered by in-house calibre 899, producing 70 hours of power reserve and with 200m water resistance, this will be a great daily watch for our upcoming summer!
Reference: Q906868J
Australian Recommended Retail Price: AUD $17,900
Availability: Available now through all Jaeger-LeCoultre boutiques, authorised dealers and online at Jaeger-LeCoultre.com
Under AUD $50,000 Category – Cartier Santos-Dumont Skeleton Watch
When it comes to dress watches, Cartier almost always comes to mind as one of the top three brands to pick. Released earlier in the year is the all-new elegant and refined Santos Dumont Skeleton, which comes in three variants. Unlike other Santos Dumont varieties, the Skeleton model is offered only in large sizes.
This watch has many things to admire, from the high-end finishing and detailed micro-rotor, which creates a great wrist presence when worn. With a case size of 31mm and 8mm in thickness and powered by calibre MC 2629, producing 46 hours of power reserve, this watch is great for those dinner dates and quietly impress your watch mates.
Reference: WHSA0032
Australian Recommended Retail Price: AUD $50,500
Availability: Available now through all Cartier boutiques, authorised dealers and online at Cartier.com.au
Matt’s Christmas Watch Selection
Under AUD $5,000 Category – Tissot Sideral S
Read the full in-depth review on the Tissot Sideral S here!
Perfect summer watch with the rubber strap and carbon case. It’s something a little different to what you usually see and the rubber strap is super comfortable, so it’s perfect for the beach and summer activities over the Christmas period. Plus, it’s well under the $5k price point at $1665 and with an 80hr power reserve, you can’t go wrong!
Reference: T145_407_97_057_00 (Yellow)
Australian Recommended Retail Price: AUD $1,635
Availability: Available online at tissotwatches.com, Tissot Boutiques and Authorised Dealers now.
Under AUD $10,000 Category – Omega Seamaster Diver Summer Blue
Sitting just under the $10k mark on the blue rubber strap (the best combination, in my opinion) at $9,850 it’s the perfect watch for this Christmas as you not only get a good-looking, summery piece with the Summer Blue dial, bezel and blue lume, but you also get the solid engineering of Omega, the 8800 calibre which is reliable and accurate. Plus you won’t see many of them around. Yet…
Reference: 210.32.42.20.03.002
Australian Recommended Retail Price: AUD $9,850 (Rubber strap)
Availability: Available online at Omegawatches.com, Omega Boutiques and Authorised Dealers now.
Under AUD $20,000 Category – TAG Heuer Chronosprint x Porsche
Read the hands on in-depth review of the TAG Heuer Chronosprint x Porsche here!
It’s a great looking piece that has a great story behind it with both the Carrera and Porsche in general. The unique movement with the way the second-hand goes from 0-9.1s and then slows down is a cool party trick, and at 42mm, it’s not big, but not small. It stands out on the wrist and bridges the gap between sports and dress.
Reference: CBS2011.FC6529 (Steel)
Australian Recommended Retail Price: AUD $13,350 (Steel)
Availability: Available now through all TAG Heuer boutiques, authorised dealers and online at tagheuer.com
Under AUD $50,000 Category – Chopard Alpine Eagle 41 In Ethical Rose Gold & Lucent Steel
The Chopard Alpine Eagle in Rose Gold and Lucent Steel was a surprise package for us this year as it was one watch that we were expecting to love but did. The size is perfect at 40mm, and the bracelet with the smaller centre link in rose gold looks the business. And you really can’t get a better dial than the stunning galvanic Iris of the Eagle dial. At a tad over $35,000 it’s a great pick this Christmas.
Reference: 298600-6001
Australian Recommended Retail Price: AUD $35,300
Availability: Available through Chopard Boutiques. For more info, head to chopard.com
Sam’s Christmas Watch Selection
Under AUD $5,000 Category – Tissot PRX Automatic Chronograph
Read our hands on in-depth review of the TIssot PRX Automatic Chronograph here!
One of the best bang for your buck-timepieces is the Tissot PRX. The chronograph edition in the PRX line offers everything the standard 3-hander model did but with a slightly larger dial at 42mm to accommodate for the chronograph counters.
The chronograph model is offered in 3 different colour options, but I feel that the blue dial with contrasting white sub-dials stands out the most. The watch’s build quality and finish are excellent, retaining that sleek shine the PRX is loved for.
Reference: T137.427.11.041.00
Australian Recommended Retail Price: AUD $3,050
Availability: Available through Tissot Boutiques and authorised dealers. For more info, head to Tissot.com
Under AUD $10,000 Category – Tudor Black Bay Heritage 41 Burgundy
Read our full in-depth review of the Tudor Black Hay Heritage 41 Burgundy here!
Tudor’s Black Bay Heritage 41 in burgundy is a watch that’s hard to overlook in the under AUD $10,000 category. Matt gave the watch a 9/10 rating in his review, and I can see why. The watch features the iconic Black Bay dial design, now with a burgundy anodised aluminium disc for the bezel.
I like the 5-link stainless steel bracelet on this piece as it gives it more character. The T-fit clasp also allows micro-adjustments of the bracelet, so you can wear it exactly how you like.
Reference: M7941A1A0RU-0003
Australian Recommended Retail Price: AUD $6,530
Availability: Available at Authorised Dealers, Tudor Boutiques or online at Tudor.com
Under AUD $20,000 Category – Omega Seamaster Diver 300M
Omega’s Seasmaster Diver 300M is one of Omega’s classic diver models. This variant features the iconic wave pattern on the dial, exclusively designed for the 300M collection. The timepiece has a very monochrome look, which allows the white details of the watch, such as bezel inscriptions, hour indices, hands, and dial inscriptions, to really stand out.
The Omega Seamaster Diver 300M also comes with a black rubber strap, which is perfect for those hot Australian summer days!
Reference: 210.92.44.20.01.001
Australian Recommended Retail Price: AUD $14,775
Availability: Available through Omega Boutiques and authorised dealers. For more info, head to Omega.com.au
Under AUD $50,000 Category – Girard-Perregaux Laureato Absolute Chronograph 8Tech
Read our thoughts on this stunning Laureato Absolute 8Tech here!
In the under AUD $50,000 category, many unique timepieces are on offer. It was hard to choose as there are great watches on offer with different features and technicalities from many of the top brands like Vacheron Constantin, Hublot, Breitling IWC etc.
However, I decided on Girard-Perregaux and their latest Laureato Absolute Chronograph 8Tech. This latest version of the Laureato Absolute Chronograph features a case made from “non-braided and pre-impregnated carbon fibres“.
Combined with titanium, the watch is extremely light and offers an individualistic look on each timepiece thanks to the carbon fibre. A timepiece with all three components of aesthetics, wearability and mechanical prowess makes not only a great daily watch, but the perfect gift!
