Have you started your holiday shopping? If not, then The Time Bum is here to remind you that you had better get moving. I know, it’s not even Thanksgiving yet, but those presents aren’t going to buy themselves, and if you wait too long, you might end up giving your watch-loving loved ones a big box of procrastination. Lucky for you, I have already scoured the globe (from my desk) and populated my annual Holiday Gift Guide with the ideal gifts for watch enthusiasts and everyone else on your list. Santa Bum does not get paid to promote any of these items. I just like them.
Casio LRW200H ($26)
You probably have a kid somewhere on your gift list, if not yours, then a niece, nephew, or otherwise. Kids need analog watches for two good reasons: to tell the time and to allow us to indoctrinate the next generation to love real watches before Apple kills the industry. If you are shopping for a little one who is at least 6 years old, I’d recommend the Casio LRW200H. I documented why I think this is the best watch for kids in my earlier review. In short, it looks cool, it’s tough (100m water resistance!), and kids love it. Better still, it’s cheap. You can get one for just $26 on Amazon.
Rareform Blake Tote ($55)
Rareform is a California company that takes printed vinyl advertisements from roadside billboards and turns them into useful, everyday items in their Los Angeles and Nashville factories. They make a point of eliminating recognizable words and items so the finished product is not an ad in and of itself. The results are colorful and durable, and each one is unique. Rareform claims to have repurposed over 300,000, or 80% of all the billboards in the United States. Products include backpacks, bags, coolers, and small accessories. I recommend the 20″ Blake Tote because it is large enough to be useful while also showing off its funky design.
Canvas Lamp ($172)
I resisted the ring light for years, but when I saw the Canvas, I gave in. It is designed like a classic architect’s adjustable lamp. It has a broad, heavy base, and the lighting element is large enough to be useful. A clamp keeps your phone secure when shooting, and it’s okay, but upgrading to the optional Magesafe Mount ($32) makes a world of difference. I have mine right on my desk and use it for everyday tasks, watch photos (of course), and making myself look fabulous on Zoom calls. Several colors, sizes, and accessories are available at shopcanvas.co.
Vintage Military Watches, A Guide for the Collector, by Zaf Basha ($199)
As I said in my review, I don’t buy many reference books these days, but this one was irresistible and worth every penny. Author Zaf Basha is a trusted vintage watch dealer and an expert in World War Two and post-war military watches. The book focuses on watches issued by 14 nations from World War Two through the early 1990s. It is organized by country, with the watches broken out by military service as appropriate. Basha exhaustively researched these watches, authenticating, cataloging, and photographing all but one of the nearly 300 covered. He also included 270 pages of original requisitions from the United States, France, and the United Kingdom, many of which were not previously available. Vintage Military Watches is hardbound, and its 624 pages are on glossy, heavyweight stock. You can order it directly from ClassicWatch.com for $199.
Avel & Men Ploumanac’h Travel Roll ($217)
I only recently discovered the French artisans at Avel & Men, and their outstanding sailcloth straps. Those straps would make nice gifts, but today, I’m recommending their range of watch rolls and pouches. Every watch nerd needs a travel roll so we can safely carry our beloved timepieces to meetups, servicing, and on travel when we inevitably bring more than any sane person would require. I’m a fan of the €199 ($217 US) 3-pocket Ploumanac’h roll in buttery leather.
Nodus Sector Deep ($599) and Unity ($700)
I’ve long admired California’s Nodus Watches, and this year, I reviewed two very different and remarkably satisfying models: the burly Sector Deep, and the elegant Unity. Which do I recommend for a gift? That depends on who you are buying for. The Sector Deep is a 42mm tool watch rated for 500m water resistance and a Seiko NH35. It looks like it wants to lead its army to glorious victory.
The 36.5mm Unity is smart and sporty, with a Miyota 9015, rich color, and striking details. Both feature Super-LuminNova and the proprietary NodeX quick adjustment clasp. I assume you all know your audiences, so choose accordingly. The Sector Deep is $599, and the Unity is $700. Whichever you pick, your recipient will be getting a top-quality watch that they will cherish for years to come.
Stella Ellis GMT ($1,285)
I really fell for Stella’s watches when I tried on a Felix in Gotham Gold at the 2021 Watches & Whiskey event in Maryland. The brand has a distinctive aesthetic that offers a bold, modern take on traditional design elements, creating a satisfying synergy of New York City design and Swiss manufacture. You can still buy a Felix ($985) and its sibling, the Breslin ($1,085), but my recommendation for this holiday is the new Stella Ellis GMT. I got to see it at the recent Wind-up NYC, and it is every bit as fabulous as the brand’s previous models. Inside the beautifully finished 41.5mm case is a Sellita SW-330 automatic movement with a GMT function. The dial deftly incorporates a 24-hour track and fourth hand into Stella’s signature layout and adds a new, stunning sunburst texture. Color choices are classic Black or a stunning and seasonally appropriate Ice Blue. The is $1,285 at stellawatchcompany.com.
