10 Expert Tips For Gifting Luxury Watches This Christmas

With Christmas right around the corner, it’s time you get our Christmas gifts sorted. Gifting is a wonderful way to express gratitude to people who are special to us. Regardless of how much is spent, it is always the thought that counts.

Buying a luxury watch for someone can be as rewarding as overwhelming. Luxury watches aren’t just sophisticated pieces and status symbols but also deeply personal. They are one of the very few gifts that, if loved, will be worn almost every day of the year. That is why you need to think about many things before picking one.

But before we get into the details, let’s appreciate how luxury watches make a stellar Christmas present. These are not just accessories but sentimental assets, with many owners even passing down their watches to the next generation. Whether you’re planning to buy men’s luxury watches or luxury watches for women, rest assured that the receiver will be elated!

To get things right, you must consider a few things to ensure your lavish purchase is suitable and fully appreciated.

Start by asking the following questions to yourself:

1. Is a luxury watch the right choice for the giftee?

A luxury watch is a timeless Christmas gift option. But is the giftee at a suitable age to understand the sentimental and monetary value of a luxury watch, or will they appreciate it more after a couple of years? Gifting luxury watches may not be suitable for young adults because they aren’t quite ready to manage the item properly and may break or damage the timepiece in some situations.

However, if you’re confident the recipient will maintain the watch carefully, buying someone their first luxury watch this Christmas can be a wonderful moment. Alternatively, if you own a collection, consider passing down a luxury watch as a family heirloom for more meaning and thoughtfulness.

The age of the receiver plays a key role in gifting a luxury watch. For example, an elderly person might not be comfortable with all the functions and settings. Consider giving them a watch with larger numbers for easy readability or something with simpler functions for fewer setting changes. A durable strap is a good choice, as it requires less maintenance.

2. Do they prefer luxury gifting?

An ideal luxury watch owner understands and appreciates the timepiece and will enjoy wearing it rather than storing it away in a locker or drawer. On the other hand, a recipient who doesn’t own any other luxury item may be too anxious about losing or breaking it. If giving an expensive timepiece is likely to cause them stress over joy, it is probably a good idea to gift something subtle.

Additionally, many people aren’t quite impressed with a luxury gift and may also take it as an insult or feel embarrassed if they’re unable to provide a gift of the same value.

3. Can they maintain a luxury watch?

A luxury watch isn’t just a one-time investment. While you may be making the upfront payment, there are other long-term fees like professional services, insurance and repair. If the receiver isn’t willing to pay for such expenses, the watch will feel more like a burden and not something to be happy about. Plus, the watch will lose its quality and value due to a lack of maintenance. Of course, you can foot the bill yourself, but that’s a different story altogether.

Therefore, if the giftee cannot properly care for the luxury watch due to age or mobility, consider gifting something else.

4. Is the recipient a watch collector?

If the recipient is already an avid watch collector, it’s important to note a few things. Do they have any specific watch preferences, like dress watches or chronographs, or do they prefer luxury watches with gemstones? Many watch lovers have high standards when it comes to their collections, and it’s important to check what they already own to avoid doubling the same.

Another consideration is the price bracket. If the person you’re gifting collects watches with high price brackets, an entry-level watch may seem irrelevant to them. However, on the brighter side, they’ll always appreciate the gesture.

5. Do you know the recipient well enough?

Most people buy luxury watches as Christmas gifts for family members, close friends, or romantic partners. However, some might generously present a luxury timepiece if money is not a barrier.

But what if the giftee is not someone you’ve known for a long time or aren’t particularly close to? In such a case, a luxury watch may seem inappropriate or excessive as a Christmas present. Luxury watches are symbolic and mean different things to different people. So, if the nature of your relationship with the receiver isn’t that mature, it may not be suitable to gift one right now.

These are all the questions you must ask yourself before splurging on one. But if you’re confident that a luxury watch is the perfect Christmas gift for your loved one, here are the important points to consider when finding the most fitting timepiece.

Tips To Pick The Perfect Luxury Watch For Christmas Gifting

1. Pay attention to their existing collection

When buying someone a luxury watch, you most certainly want it to complement their style, meet their preference and fit well. So, it’s imperative you check their wrist size or the design of the watch they already own to get an idea.

If the receiver doesn’t own any watches, look for jewellery instead. Do they prefer minimalist or maximalist designs, or what is their preferred metal, etc.? The motive here is to get an idea of their taste or likings. For instance, the Cartier Love Bracelet is an iconic design that will cater to any taste or style preference. A rose gold Cartier Love bracelet will be well-suited if they prefer rose gold.

Cartier also produces minimal watches, like the Cartier Tank or the Cartier Ballon Bleu. For something more glam, the Patek Philippe Annual Calendar Moonphase or the Rolex Datejust 36 diamond dial make excellent choices.

Also, look for the colour they prefer and match it with the dial.

2. Keep their lifestyle & profession in mind

We can never overstate the importance of considering the recipient’s lifestyle, profession and day-to-day activities when choosing something as valuable as a luxury watch. Luxury watches come with various features and functions, and the one you pick should strictly depend on the receiver’s needs and preferences.

For instance, many prefer pilot watches like a Rolex GMT-Master or a diver watch like a Rolex Submariner. In contrast, others appreciate something dressy and minimalist, such as the Patek Philippe Calatrava, which is best suited. The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak is ideal for those with active professions. 

If the recipient is someone who likely won’t wear the watch daily to prevent damage and save it for special occasions, a dinner watch is preferable. If you are looking for something iconic and significant this Christmas, the Rolex Daytona ‘Paul Newman’ is the ultimate wristpiece.

Regardless of what you buy, it’s important to consider the recipient’s profession and lifestyle to ensure the watch is practical and meaningful.

3. Find their favourite luxury watch brand

The luxury watch brand you choose for Christmas gifting also plays a significant role here. It’s important to consider the giftee’s preference and how familiar the recipient is with owning watches. If you’re gifting someone their first luxury watch, an entry-level timepiece from brands like Omega, Rolex or TAG Heuer will do the work. You’ll find plenty of designs with durable materials.

Similarly, if you’re buying for someone who is a collector, you may want to invest in a top-notch brand like Audemars Piguet and Patek Philippe, provided it’s within your range.  

We generally recommend gifting Cartier and Rolex watches as both are iconic watch brands, offering well-known models with strong resale value.

4. Consider adding a personal touch

While luxury watches themselves speak volumes, why not add the ultimate personal gesture by engraving the watch? Having the luxury watch engraved adds more meaning to it. However, engraving the watch has some negative implications as well:

• It might not suit someone who prefers a clean and classic aesthetic
• It may reduce the luxury watch’s resale value
• Engraving is a permanent alteration, and you can’t undo it even if you aren’t happy with the result
• If situations change, the message might not make as much sense or seem inappropriate

However, if you’re confident about engraving, we recommend considering the following things:

• Don’t forget to double-check the spelling
• Use a classic font that complements the watch’s style
• Choose to engrave a meaningful message that resonates with your relationship rather than sounding cliché or some trend-based

Note: Engraving often takes three to eight working days, so buy now, as you don’t want the gift to be ready late. 

Always buy from authorised watch dealers

This is a no-brainer. The most important thing is to buy the luxury watch from a reputable source. Whether buying for yourself or planning to gift someone, ensure you buy luxury watches from an authorised and reputable watch dealer.

While buying pre-owned luxury watches often provides more affordable prices for iconic watch models, it’s important to be careful. 

Here are a few signs that say if a watch is real or fake:

• The style and font of the writing on the watch differ from the original model
• The brand name is incorrect
• The year of manufacture and serial number differs from the one presented on the brand’s site
• The watch feels light-weighted

To avoid uncertainties and ensure you’re buying a genuine watch, check the collection of pre-owned luxury watches at The Luxury Hut. Our professionals verify the authenticity of luxury watches before presenting them for sale so you can shop confidently. Ideally, a used watch should come with the original box and papers, but this isn’t always the case for various reasons.

It’s also important to check the watch’s condition before buying and ensure it is well-maintained and shows no signs of damage, such as excessive scratching, cracked glass, rust, etc. If purchasing the watch online, ask for videos and images of the timepiece from all angles.

However, buying from an authorised seller is the best way to ensure the legitimacy of the watch.

Lastly..

A luxury watch is an extremely generous and thoughtful gift, but it’s also a valuable investment, necessitating careful use and regular maintenance. Therefore, if you’re planning to gift someone one, make sure you pay attention to all the tips mentioned here to make it a truly special Christmas present. Merry Christmas shopping!