Watch lovers are a hard-to-shop-for crowd. With so many luxury goods on the market this time of year, it can be difficult to discriminate what is worth your time and what isn’t. We teamed up with our colleagues at our sister publication Surface, America’s leading publication on contemporary design, to see what they’re hoping to find under the tree this year. In the following pages, you will find everything from sweaters and sunglasses to bar carts and picnic trunks.
Happy Holidays from Watch Journal!
Rather than joining the hordes of resolutionaries at the local gym in January, consider gifting yourself an elegant, German-made dumbbell set. Whereas most fitness equipment deserves to be stashed in the basement or in a hallway closet, away from the view of guests, this oiled walnut and ground stainless steel set with matching stand is like a sculpture you’ll want to leave out on display and actually end up using. —Jonathan Bues, Watch Journal Editor-in-Chief
Understated and sleek, this bar cart is yet another reason—aside from the biting winter air—to stay in for a drink. While the cart’s veneer pminate panels lend a retro vibe, the steel frame adds a touch of modernity. It’s a surefire way to win over the aspiring bartender in your life. —Nate Storey, Surface Media Travel Editor
Everyone loves a good picnic. In today’s uber-trotting, insta-snapping world, there’s not enough time for relaxation. After a morning prepping the perfect meal, my partner and I love to go to Central Park on weekends and people watch. This Goyard hamper turns it into a luxurious pleasure. The contrast in colors, the accessories, everything about it screams “family heirloom.” Now I just need to get my hands on one! —Michael Fragoso, Surface Media Marketing Manager
Finished in brandy casks for nearly two years and then batched together, this Woodford Reserve whiskey from the Master’s Collection is in keeping with the distillery’s heritage of innovation and craftsmanship. Flavors of dried fruit and toasted hazelnuts complement a crisp caramel finish in this red ochre liquor—perfect for a nightcap on a cold winter night. —Kristin Barnes, Surface Media Director Brand Partnerships, Wine and Spirits
Ping pong has long been one of my favorite pastimes. I have fond memories of sneaking out of school early to hang out in a friend’s garage, where we would spend hours rallying back and forth. In New York, my busy lifestyle and the lack of space has me behind my desk more than behind the baseline, but if I were to pick up a paddle again, it would have to be behind Restoration Hardware’s elegant black steel and wood table. With the proper lighting and paddles, this setup toes the line between classy and competitive. —Logan Baker, Watch Journal Assistant Editor
Set the mood indoors or out with this berry-scented candle from Parisian fragrance master Diptyque. First-class waxes, dual wicks, and up to 150 hours of burn time make this candle a long-lasting gift. Each scent has a dedicated color code of tissue paper, so be sure to have it wrapped in the Diptyque signature. —James Vincent, Surface Media Studio Manager
Argentinian-born designer Marcelo Burlon wholly encapsulates the concept of duality in this Yin/Yang inspired blanket. Composed of felted wool, this jacquard throw is great for cozying up for a night of Netflix and chill, or as an on-the-go shield from the elements.—Antwan Duncan, Surface Media Digital Director
Holiday travels and the cutting winter air leave my skin dry and drawn. This light La Prairie lotion moisturizes my face without coating it in a dense film. The main ingredient, caviar water, restores elasticity and firmness while minimizing pores. A little goes a long way, so after you cleanse and tone, apply a dab to your face and treat yourself to a long winter’s nap. —Katie Reed, Watch Journal Publisher
When the late jeweler Jean Schlumberger joined Tiffany & Co. in 1956, he infused the brand with the whimsical style that guided him through his years designing jewelry for Elsa Schiaparelli. Fine sheets of gold are coated in layers of translucent enamel to achieve unparalleled richness. Decorated with crosses, bands, and leaves fashioned from gold and dotted with brilliant cut diamonds, Schlumberger’s vibrant bracelets add sensuousness to the wrist. —Shyam Patel, Surface Media Editorial Assistant
After discovering SALT’s Bridges sunglasses, I was instantly infatuated with this California-based eyewear company. Handcrafted in Japan, these sunnies are the most comfortable specs I’ve ever worn. The slim titanium framework is lightweight and extremely flexible, and for someone whose wardrobe is 99 percent black, I love how the matte-finish sits against its silver mirrored lenses—not to mention they match everything I own.—Maranda Janky, Surface Media Editorial Assistant