It’s the most wonderful time of the year (as the song goes) if you are a watch lover. If you are lucky you may be bought a watch-related Christmas present from friends or family or you can just treat yourself to something you always wanted. Perhaps you are seeking inspiration for the watch lover in your life? Whatever your purchasing criteria we are here to help. The four elves who make up the staff of the WatchGecko Magazine have been combing through the stock room in search of gifts for every budget.
Stuck on what to get? Our WatchGecko Gift Cards make the ideal present to use on any products on our site!
Richard’s Choices
Formex REEF Automatic Chronometer - Silver Dial / Steel Bezel - £1,790
I’ll come clean. I think the REEF is probably one of the finest watches on the market today and we are lucky to sell it. Back in December 2020, the REEF surprised us all as it fundamentally redesigned the dive watch and turned the genre on its head. Two years later Formex still delight with new designs and dials. One of the latest is the striking silver REEF which seems to include every metallic colour tone possible. The high-end spec is still there, of course, swappable bezel, Super-LumiNova BGW9 and a self-winding Chronometer-certified Sellita SW300 movement. All other Formex REEFS have a unique scratch-resistant Zirconium oxide ceramic bezel but this “steel on steel” look really excites me. Go on, it's Christmas. If you can’t spoil yourself now, when can you?
Set of 5 WatchGecko Signature NATO Straps - £96
For the person who loves to swap out their watch straps to give their timepiece a new lease of life we recommend this NATO strap set by WatchGecko. As part of their Signature collection of straps you'll get a lot of durability and style for a very affordable price. Each nylon NATO strap is designed to suit a wide variety of styles and colourways and come with brushed stainless steel hardware and a compact recyclable aluminium tin for storage (no need to wrap this gift!).
WatchGecko Genuine Leather Rectangular Watch Roll - £48
I have travelled the world with a watch roll. Literally. It’s the same one which says Geckota on it and externally it looks like it has been used as a ground mat in the Kalahari. These are great tools in your travel armoury as you can carry multiple watches or just one and multiple straps. They roll into a secure package and are especially ideal if you want to keep expensive watches in your hand luggage or a hotel safe. The current WatchGecko roll is a spin on the classic. It is available in four colours and in a new rectangular shape for transporting 2 watches and 4 straps or tools.
Sara’s Choices
Geckota Sea Hunter Automatic Diver’s Watch - £499
My top watch choice is the Geckota Sea Hunter Automatic Diver’s watch. For anyone looking for a robust yet refined style of a classic dive watch, this is a must. With a love for getting in the sea, I need something that is hard-wearing but also looks good every day and the Sea Hunter ticks all the boxes. With a water resistance of up to 200mtrs, I’ll have no worries taking this one out on a paddleboard. It oozes vintage style and its dial is clear with easy-to-read indices plus a date window. And for just £499 it makes a very affordable all-around diver.
Geckota Genuine Leather watch Box – Tan Crazy Horse - £38
An obvious go-to for every watch nerd out there. Keep your watch safe in this stylish watch case made from genuine leather which is perfect for protecting your watch on a weekend away. The outer case is strong and fitted with double press studs for secure closure whilst the interior is padded with a velvet-like fabric and an ample removable pillow to protect your watch from any scratches. The ideal thoughtful and affordable gift for any watch lover this Christmas!
WatchGecko Cleaning Cloth - £4
Another top choice of mine must be the WatchGecko Cleaning Cloth. It is an absolute staple for any watch lover. Using extra-fine microfibres, this incredibly soft cloth ensures that no surface is scratched or damaged whilst cleaning the crystal. You wouldn’t catch any of the team here at WatchGecko using anything else but this cloth to clean our precious timepieces and for good reason. A definite stocking staple.
Fabian’s Choices
Elliot Brown Canford RNLI Special Edition - £385
A tough watch should be in every adventurer’s itinerary, whether it's climbing up the summit of a mountain or travelling with hand luggage, the Elliot Brown Canford RNLI Special Edition makes the ideal gift for that outdoorsy person in your life. And as it’s the season of giving back, each watch sold donates £35 to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) charity.
Built using marine-grade stainless steel and waterproofed to 200 meters, this watch can handle all the knocks you can throw at it, while a Ronda 715 quartz movement with an EOL indicator makes this a reliable tool watch with a 3-year battery life.
The caseback features the original rope and anchor design and the dial has small white and blue circular indexes positioned outside the hour batons, as a subtle reference to the white and blue boat hooks carried by every RNLI offshore vessel.
Legibility is also not an issue thanks to the supremely bright and long-lasting Super-LumiNova coated dial and bezel markers, ideal for campers!
Alkin Model 2 - £415
If you’re after a sporty watch this Christmas that looks and performs great from daily desk-diving to more demanding adventures, we suggest the Alkin Model 2. The dial has a distilled minimalistic appeal that blends the classic style of super-compressors with a sleek and clean aesthetic.
Perfect for everyday wear, the 41mm brushed stainless-steel case gives this diver a presence on the wrist without feeling too bulky thanks to the short lugs. While its tough dual-crown construction, Super Lumi-Nova lume, impressive 42-hour power reserve and 300-meter water resistance mean the Alkin Model 2 can keep up with any adventure.
WatchGecko Hatherley Handmade Leather Watch Strap - £98
The WatchGecko Hatherley leather watch strap makes the ideal gift for any watch lover looking to class up their look. The strap is made completely by hand by an independent local workshop in Cheltenham near the WatchGecko HQ, using only traditional techniques which is evident in the fine craftsmanship of the strap's stitching and finishing. The leather used to create each strap has been sourced from the world-famous Baladassi Carlo tannery in Tuscany, which specialise in 100% pure vegetable tanned leather produced on shoulders, making the strap incredibly supple and rich in colour.
Travel Spring Bar Tool - £28
Every watch lover needs a spring bar tool in their kit. The Travel Spring Bar Tool makes the ideal gift thanks to its compact, travel-friendly size for easy strap changes on the go.
This spring bar tool can change any type of strap, benefitting from fork and pin end pieces that can be safely stored within the tool - perfect for carrying in pockets or bags without the risk of scratching anything you may be carrying with you.
Anthony's Choices
Sinn 356 Flieger - £2,090
Christmas is meant to be all about indulging yourself, isn’t it? So the first thing on my list is something that I’ve really, really wanted (with all the intensity of a Spice Girl on song) for a long time. Something that was launched in the same year as their hit ‘Wannabe’ in fact. And that’s the classic Sinn 356 Flieger watch, presented in 1996 by Sinn as an evolution of the 256 pilot’s chronograph. Thankfully, it’s something that’s set to last much longer than the fame of your average girl band, courtesy of the solid Sellita SW500 self-winding chronograph movement. Most of all, it’s the classic aesthetic of this watch that appeals, with a dial that’s on the intriguing side of busy, and those exquisite syringe hands, which are my very favourite detail. I had the good fortune to borrow one a couple of years ago and was instantly smitten. With this on your wrist, you feel like a flying ace even when travelling on Ryanair. Which makes it the perfect Christmas gift.
Vintage Yema Polymac Superman diver - £1,385
I’ll admit it: I’m a sucker for a vintage watch. In fact, they suit my lifestyle perfectly, as I’m rarely on time for anything anyway. Over the years I’ve amassed quite a collection but there’s always room for one more – which is why I’m continually drawn to a sometimes less-frequented corner of the WatchGecko website: the vintage section. And if you’re quick, you might be able to get your hands on this classic Yema Polymac Superman, before I do. It’s got a wonderful 1960s vibe and patina, and it’s historically important as it set the tone for all the Superman models that were to follow (which you can still buy now). The 39mm size is ideal, and inside you’ll find an original ETA 2452 movement, all wrapped up within a steel case and typically period high-domed crystal. Just don’t expect to go diving in it….
Geckota three-piece leather watch case - £58
There’s something uniquely appealing about the feel of leather. But before anybody starts worrying that this article is heading in a questionable direction, let me hastily add that I’m talking about the Geckota three-watch case: a chunky brick of leather that’s the perfect way to protect your watches when travelling – or just keep them in when you are at home. It’s the indestructible feel of this case that does it for me; like it’s ready to travel the world with you. The quality is fantastic, with a soft velvet-like interior and padded cushions, while there’s a sturdy zip to keep your precious possessions safe and secured at all times. An ideal Christmas stocking filler.
