Tis the season. And by now you’ve probably been walloped over the head by 82,000 gift guides. So what’s a few more? Instead of doing a highly generalized, throw-everything-against-the-digital-wall gift guide, we’ll be breaking it up by category. Gifts for the guys who suit up a lot. Or the rugged type. Or the guy who’s really into shoes. Etc. We’ll cover all those, and hopefully a few more in the coming days.
Toddy Gear SmartCloths – $9.99
Microfiber cleaning cloths that can, depending on the pattern, also double as a pocket square. Smudges on watch crystals happen, and a Toddy Gear cloth is a great way to clean your watch face. Unlike thinner cleaning cloths (like the ones that come with some sunglasses), these are thicker and more substantial. One side is for cleaning, the other is for polishing. Much easier to use and makes the job much faster. Their true intended purpose is for smartphones/tablets/laptops, but they work just fine on watch crystals too.
Watch Repair Kit – $18.99
Maybe not jewelry shop quality in terms of the tools, but still, not bad either for the minimal price. Comes with spring bars too, and those tiny jewelers screw drivers also come in handy when it comes to sunglasses.
Maratac Silicone Watch Strap w/ Deployant Buckle – $18
Perfect for putting on an old, somewhat forgotten sport watch. Flexible Silicone strap that you cut to the desired length, and connects with a satisfying snap thanks to its deployant (or deployment, whatever you want to call it, I don’t care) clasp. Multiple colors available for 20mm. Great for the guy who doesn’t like stainless steel bands, but wants something that can handle sweat and water and… whatever else you can throw at it.
Watch Box / Watch Organizer – $29.77
Give that watch collection a home, as opposed to having timepieces strewn about, loose, ready to be knocked onto the floor. This particular model is solid wood with a felt bottom, so even if it does slide around a little, it won’t go scratching up whatever it sits on. There are tons of options out there. Just read the reviews before you dive in.
A Man and his Watch – $31.50
Multiple things can be true. This book is, at times, insufferably silly (they’re just wristwatches) yet it’s also incredibly cool. A huge hit this year with the style community at large, it’s a coffee table book that explores individual time pieces, their owners, and the stories behind them.
A nice “Beater” Watch
- Casio Diver – $44.23 w/ After Market NATO Strap – $17.49
- Seiko SNK809 – $80ish (note that water resistance is not good on this line of Seikos)
- Timex Brass Case Field Expedition Chrono – $50ish
Dependable, good looking enough, and the type of thing you take with you on a quick trip or wear on the weekends when you’re knocking about, and don’t want to risk damage to a prized timepiece. If this thing does get a scratch in the crystal or somehow gets dropped in a lake and goes to hell? It won’t cause the tears to flow. Suggested picks above should cover most price points.
A nice Leather Strap (NATO style especially)
There are leather NATO straps, and then there are leather NATO straps. You’re looking for the latter. The fun thing about a really nice leather NATO, is that if you’ve got more than one, they can be super easy to swap out. (No spring bar tool needed!) Shown above (and image credit to them) is the Horween Color #8 Military Strap from Worn & Wound. Made in the USA. Cost is $65.
Watch Luggage
- Worn & Wound USA Made 2-Watch Horween CXL #8 & Harris Tweed Pouch – $99
- 3 Watch Leatherette Roll – $15.60
- Single Watch “Watchpod” – $13.98
Y’know what also works? Shoving your watch down into a shoe and then stuffing extra socks on top of it. But… there is a risk of leather to leather stink transfer. And then it might rattle about, fall out, etc. But neither of those are really likely scenarios. So, watch luggage is inherently a bit fussy. But some guys don’t want to take the risk.
A Rugged, Dependable, Automatic watch
- Glycine Combat Sub – $399 w/ CMGL50
- Maratac Pilot Watch – $275 ($450) currently sold out?
- Seiko Turtle – $259
- Seiko Samurai – $315
- Orient Mako USA – $262.50 w/ DAPPERED30 ($375 )
Usually a diver or a field style, these get worn a LOT in our current smart-casual to more casual culture. Make it a rugged, go-anywhere, do-anything watch, and it can double as a nicer alternative to the “beater” watches already suggested.
A Cool Clock, or, some other Clock-like Instrument
- French Style Pendulum Ornamental Cloche Clock – $59 FINAL ($95) they say it’s ornamental only, but it does wind and keep time… it just doesn’t keep time well.
- Best Made Co Brass Weather Station – $178
- Dual Time Dashboard-Style Table or Wall Clock – $94.95
- 1950s Flight Dial Inspired Desk Clock – $59 FINAL ($79)
Clocks. Thermometers. Barometers. All items that provide us information of which we could easily find on our phone. But your phone also tells the time. So… if he’s a watch wearer, perhaps he pursues other avenues than smartphones to get this kind of info.
A trip to the Prime Meridian & the Royal Observatory and National Maritime Museum in Greenwich
Prices obviously vary on this one depending on how far you have to go and how long you’re gonna stay. London is not a cheap place to stay either. But John Harrison and his Marine Chronometer(s) changed the world. The H4 is a must see (if it’s currently on display?) for the true fan of time pieces. Also worth picking up in addition (or, if the trip is way too expensive than instead of) would be this book on Harrison’s quest to solve the Longitude Problem. Big thanks to Aaron K. for the tip!
His “Grail” Watch
For the extra, extra nice. Chances are he’s mentioned what he has his eye on. Also, get it insured. This takes some planning. Maybe this is a few years down the line and saving/smart decisions will have to be made. But, well, for the ladies… how much did that engagement ring cost again?