Throwback Sundays: Six Watch Recommendations for Valentine’s Day Gift, from Our Archives

Valentine’s Day, which falls on 14 February, is a day when lovers come together to celebrate their love and relationship with each other.

There are many stories that explains the reason behind the commemoration of this special day. One of them is the story of Saint Valentine, in which he was imprisoned for helping soldiers to perform wedding ceremonies in situations when marriage was not allowed. Just before his execution, it was said that he helped to heal the daughter of his jailer (Asterius), and he signed off his farewell letter with the words “Your Valentine”. Of course, there are many other accounts that can explain why we commemorate this particular occasion. But we shall save that for another day.

Now, for many, buying gifts for the other half is an important tasks during Valentine’s Day. Some would argue that it is critical. If you have not bought anything just yet, then it is perhaps time to start searching for a present before it is too late. But fret not. If your partner is a watch collector, we have come up with several suggestions that you might want to consider. After all, no collectors will say no to another watch, especially if it is something that is given by a special person in their heart.

So, what have we selected? Let’s find out!

For Her: Jaquet Droz Petite Heure Minute Astorite

 

 

One of the recent new launches that have caught our attention (and just in time for Valentine’s Day) is Jaquet Droz’s Petite Heure Minute Astorite.

The watch is a visual spectacle. The highlight of the timepiece is the pink gemstone dial, which is produced from Astorite stone. The stone gives off a rather pleasant pink hue, with the black and gold inclusions combining together to give the watch a rather simple yet stunning effect. On top of that, both the lugs and bezel of this 35mm pink gold watch is exquisitely set with diamonds, which makes the watch even more luxurious.

Powered by the self-winding Jaquet Droz 2653 P movement, the watch offers a decent power reserve of around 60 hours. The movement is finished nicely as well, which enhances the desirability of the timepiece. The watch retails at S$52,000, and it will only be limited to 28 pieces. Available now.

For Her: Jaeger LeCoultre Rendez-Vous Sonatina

 

 

The Rendez-Vous collection from Jaeger LeCoultre is an interesting one. This is one of the rare collections where the manufacturer fit haute horlogerie complications into female timepieces, instead of simply focusing on the aesthetics of the watches alone. The end result, as we have seen, is rather spectacular.

Owing to the popularity of the Rendez-Vous, Jaeger LeCoultre had launched several new models in SIHH this year. This includes the Rendez-Vous Sonatina, a timepiece that is fitted with a chiming reminder function. Although its function is similar to the Memovox, but the Sonatina performs its aural duty much more discreetly. After all a ladies’ watch needs to be demure.

Besides its functions, the Sonatina is a stunning watch to behold. The watch comes with multiple dial and case variations, and each of them has its own unique design elements. Our personal favourite is the white gold model, with an enchanting purple dial. As seen from the picture above, the dial gives off different colours under different lighting conditions. It is certainly amazing.

The 35mm watch retails at S$42,500 onwards, and we reckon that this will be the perfect gift for any female watch collectors who enjoys fine watchmaking. This one will have to be a promissory note, as the watch will only be available later in the year.

 

For Her: Christophe Claret Layla

 

 

There are not many watchmakers out there that produce their watches like how Christophe Claret does it. Combining both technical and visual spectacles, the Frenchman is one of the few watchmakers that excites.

The Layla, based on the Margot collection, is an intriguing ladies’ timepiece that features some interesting mechanical bits. The showpiece lies in the middle of the dial, in which a petal or two will disappear every time the pusher at 2 o’clock is activated. It alludes to the question: “Does he love me?”. In addition to the disappearing petals, there is also distinctive chime whenever the user presses the pusher.

Another highlight of the timepiece is its grandioso aesthetics. It features baguette diamonds on both the dials and the lugs, as well as numerous precious gems on both the dial and the self-winding rotor at the back. To top it off, the watch is also fitted with a gorgeous pink mother-of-pearl dial, with engraved verses penned by the Arab poet, Qays Al Mulawwah.

In short, this 42.5mm timepiece is a perfect gift for Valentine’s Day. It is captivating, and certainly very romantic as well. The watch is available in many variations, the Layla above is priced at CHF 288,000 (approximately S$408,100), limited to 20 pieces and available now.

 

For Him: L. U. Chopard GMT One

 

 

For someone who is constantly travelling, a world timer or a dual time-zone watch is something that it would be nice to have. This allows them to keep track of timing in both home and destination, without having to frequently adjust between multiple time zones.

The L. U. Chopard GMT One, which was launched last year, is one of the latest watches that is equipped with this function. What we particularly like about this piece is both its design and functionality – it is very clean and legible, and the second time zone can be adjusted independently via the crown at the 4 o’clock position.

The watch is fitted with Chopard’s new in-house movement: the L.U.C 01.10-L. It is a self-winding chronometer, with a date function and a power reserve of around 60 hours. The finishing is pretty neat as well. Finally, the 42mm is available in both steel and rose gold, and prices start at S$13,630 onwards, available now.

 

For Him: Rolex Daytona Cosmograph

 

 

You can never really go wrong with a Rolex, so they say. Especially if it is the latest and most sought-after piece like the new Daytona Cosmograph.

The new Daytona is something that many watch collectors have been looking forward to, considering that the previous two generations of the ever-popular chronograph looks pretty much the same over the last few decades. The latest model, which was launched in Baselworld last year, is now equipped with a new ceramic bezel. Granted, many aspects of the watch still look the same, but there are also subtle improvements such as the contrasting black sub-dial ring for the white dial model, as well as better accuracy to meet the new Rolex chronometer standard.

While the Daytona retails at CHF 11,800 (approximately S$16,720), and is available now, expect to pay a premium over the retail price for such a highly-demanded model. It is surely a welcomed addition to any watch collection, and we are certain that your partner will definitely be ecstatic.

 

For Him: IWC Pilot’s Watch Mark 18 “Le Petit Prince” Edition

 

 

The Pilot’s Watch is something that many gentlemen have a soft-spot for. It represents a childhood dream – after all, most of the boys aspired to be a pilot during one stage of their lives.

One particular timepiece from this genre that we really like is the IWC Mark 18 “Le Petit Prince” edition. We like its classic dial layout, and its legibility. But one thing that stood out from the rest of the Pilot’s Watches is its alluring sunburst blue dial, which is the hallmark of the “Le Petit Prince” watches in IWC. Not only does the dial gives off a different shade of blue under different lighting conditions, but it provides a good contrast against the white hands and numerals as well.

The 40mm timepiece utilises the reliable self-winding ETA 2892 based movement, which features a date indicator and a decent power reserve of 42 hours. In addition, it is fitted with a soft-iron inner case to protect against magnetic fields too.

Overall, this is another fine timepiece to have in a collection. The watch retails at S$6,250, and it comes with a brown calfskin strap, made specially by Santoni. Available now.

 

Concluding Thoughts

 

In this week’s article, we have covered six different watches – three for each gender. Interestingly, for the ladies, the timepieces that we have selected are mechanical watches. This shows the changing preferences of women collectors. They are no longer satisfied with quartz watches that are adorned with diamonds, but they rather prefer nice mechanical watches (sometimes with the diamonds. Of course!). The JLC Rendez-Vous collection is an excellent example, in is available with numerous models featuring different complications.

As for the men’ watches, our choices are pretty much diverse. Hence, we have different watches, covering different themes such as aviation and motor racing. Each of them are excellent, and they are certainly wonderful pieces to add into one’s watch collection.

Now that you’ve seen our choices, what are some of the watches that you think we have missed out? Let us know in the comments section below, and here’s wishing everyone a splendid Valentine’s Day!