Dear readers,
As much as the holiday season is a time of joy, it can also be a period of immense stress. Setting aside the typical family dynamics that get most of the attention, workers in almost every industry are presented with increased deadlines and elevated sales goals to cap off the year. This is coupled with inflation (in the United States) being at its worst in 40 years, and the act of gift purchasing is not something that many of us look upon positively.
Thus, this year at the Watch Clicker, I will bring you a series of gifts for the mechanically inclined person in your life, but with a twist. As costs surge in every sector, looking for the least expensive products that don’t fall apart as soon as you use them would be easy. Instead, I will bring you products that will make a lasting impact and impression. This means the products will not be stocking stuffers but meaningful gifts built to last. The last thing that anyone would like to do during this era is throw their money away on items that will be discarded.
This doesn’t mean that every product will be expensive, for the value of your money will be the primary focus. These guides will also provide reviews of these products so that you can make the most informed decision about spending your hard-earned money.
I look forward to bringing you this gift guide this season as retailers start their discount blitzes.
For this year’s holiday gift guide, I gave you full reviews of watches you could consider gifts for that special person in your life. We first started with the Bulova Hack, the perfect mechanical watch for someone just beginning to show an interest in all things mechanical. I then highlighted the wonderful StrapHabit x Brodinkee “Men Wear Pink” strap that donates all its proceeds towards cancer research while providing a comfortable and durable wearing experience. Next, I reviewed the Vero Forest Service Workhorses, the most unique watches one can buy before venturing into the realm of haute horologie and spending six figures. Lastly, I presented an in-depth review of the LŌCĪ PCH Mechanical, one of the best options for an entry-level luxury watch for those with wrists larger than 6.75 inches. This brings us to our final article in the series, which will round out other gift ideas for the mechanical watch enthusiast. First, we will start with the best watch for all wrist sizes, including those smaller than 6.75 inches.
The Nodus Unity – The best entry-level luxury watch for all wrist sizes
Will wrote a comprehensive review of the Nodus Unity in April of 2023. I have had the good fortune of having the pink dial variant since its launch. It is the best alternative to the Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra on the market. Upon closer inspection, the Unity is so much more, as it incorporates a unique and matching bezel and dial, making it a legitimate contender to many offerings from Grand Seiko regarding the wearing experience.
The Unity’s finishing is stellar, with only a slight sharpness on the crown. At a robust 36mm, the watch can be dressy for larger wrists or sporty for those with more diminutive frames. The dial is just too good to pass up, and if you find yourself looking for a watch that will always keep your heart singing, then look no further than the Nodus Unity.
The Nodus Unity can be purchased here and costs $625 USD
Marathon Wall Clocks: The best wall clocks for all environments
Marathon is known for its timepieces, which are issued to militaries worldwide. I wrote an in-depth and long-term review of their flagship model, the Chronograph Search and Rescue, and even updated it with an entire section on how it performed under various dive settings.
However, today, we are highlighting their analog wall clocks, focusing on the 10- and 12-inch models. When looking for a wall clock, most consumers are limited to clocks made by nameless brands or Seiko’s offerings if they want a sweeping seconds hand.
Marathon’s clocks are superior due to their build quality, more rigorous quality control given that they are expected to be in environments that civilians would rather never experience, and very reasonable price.
The 10-inch model’s legibility is perfect, and it is available in both black and white. This clock is perfect for residential and smaller office spaces as it blends in with everything perfectly. Marathon even offers a discount if you buy multiple clocks at once.
The 12-inch model is quite possibly the best wall clock in the world. It has a soft and subdued backlight, which uses a separate battery. This blacklight does not cast a glow onto the environment it is in and only illuminates the dial in a calming shade of orange. Due to its more significant casing, the quartz sweeping hand movement is better damped in the larger model, making this clock nearly silent. This casing and its large bezel came in handy several times for me in the past. I used sticker tabs to mark off elapsed medication time intervals and other significant events for patients and loved ones. This model is also available in either a white or black dial. On top of being offered at a discounted rate if multiple are purchased, all of Marathon’s offerings are on sale for the holiday season and often throughout the year.
The 10 and 12-inch models covered here retail for $25 and $80 USD and can be purchased here.
Temporal Goods Rigid Case: Best single storage solution for a beloved timepiece
I wrote a comprehensive review of the Rigid Case by Temporal Goods a couple of years ago, and it is still the best solution for storing your watch safely. Since writing that review, my Rigid Case has been with me nearly every day as I switch watches between my Seamaster and my X-33. It has been with me on trips abroad and fits perfectly in my work bag.
Its construction could not be better. The carbon fiber finishing, hand-finished by the brand’s founder himself, has yet to show a single blemish. The microsuede interior has also not deteriorated in the slightest.
Of all the products on this list, the Rigid Case has been used the most, drastically improving my ability to appreciate my watch collection. This case offers world-class peace of mind, and I plead with those of you with more delicate vintage pieces to consider investing in it.
The wonderful Temporal Goods Rigid case can be purchased here for $200 USD
HasNOBounds GlobeTrekker Watch Roll: The best multi-storage watch solution
The market is flooded with watch rolls, so finding you the perfect example required something special. The quality of the leather and the craftsmanship of these rolls exceed one’s expectations for the price they are being offered, and there is a good reason for this. The company is headed by Kristine Lam, who has years of experience in textiles and furniture making. She brings this expertise to her watch accessory offerings. The goatskin leather chosen is incredibly firm yet supple, and the color of my Navy variant is stunning.
In the three months I have had this watch roll, it has safely transported watches while never aging. The stitching is impressive, but the stub used to close the roll is easily the highlight. Over the years, I have had these stubs fall off on many watch rolls, some more expensive than this one, and this stub is not going anywhere.
Inside, you will be treated to a care appropriate for your most treasured timepieces. The crystals of the watches are protected by a highly luxurious cloth made of Alcantara. This is highly unusual at this price range, for most of you may know of the material from the interiors of the highest-end Porsches. Not only does the Alcantara act as a cleaning cloth, but it is robust enough to protect your timepieces while not deteriorating itself. To keep the case backs of your watches safe, HasNOBounds has included three leather bracelet protectors. These protectors are not just an afterthought either. The leather and stitching are just as excellent as the rest of the watch roll. Lastly, the two tool minders are incredibly useful, and the zipper-enclosed pouch is perfect for spare straps or warranty cards if you are traveling abroad.
The GlobeTrekker Watch Roll can be purchased here for $169.00 USD
HasNOBounds Leather Straps: The best two-piece leather straps
Mrs. Lam’s mastery of textiles and leather also translates incredibly well to the brand’s watch straps. Most straps now have quick-release spring bars, but not all spring bars are alike in quality. These are strong, easily controlled, and smooth in operation.
The various leather options by HasNOBounds must be seen to be believed. The graining, stitching, and color consistency all look like OEM strap options for many luxury brands.
My favorites are the Lagoon strap in Leather Babele Natural and the Leather Crazy Cow in the stunning color of Pin Needle. When on their site, know that their terminology for padded straps is Plateau and unpadded is Lagoon. Rich and luxurious, these straps are offered in many sizes and will quickly transform any watch easily.
These straps can be purchased here for an average price of $69.00 USD
StrapHabit Ribbed Pass-Through FKM Rubber Watch Straps: The best strap for a sports watch
Nick Lehner at StrapHabit does not do things by half measures. His efforts resulted in the best rubber NATO/Pass Through strap ever made. I have over a decade of experience using various custom rubber straps for my many diving exposure suits, and these straps are engineered to a level that no one else has ever come close to.
First, the quality of the ribbing is astounding, and it will resist wear. What makes these the best pass-through straps ever made is their adjustable hardware. One can choose the sizing of the minders and between the single or double pass-through options.
Over the years, I have preferred rubber Natos on my daily-worn watch, the Omega Seamaster 300. This is because they are easy to clean and resistant to disinfectants and staining. If you or a loved one works in the medical field, is a first responder, or is in the service industry, these straps will significantly improve the quality of their life, as they will never have to worry about their strap while working hard.
Lastly, these revolutionary straps are available in five colors with both silver and black colored hardware.
These straps can be purchased here for $60.00 CDN
“Hands of Time: A Watchmaker’s History” by Dr. Rebecca Struthers – the best book on the history of horology
Earlier this year, I wrote a review of this amazing book and was so impressed that I bought several copies as gifts for good friends. I even managed to track down several signed copies from across the Atlantic.
What makes Hands of Time a magnificent book is not only the topic but also how it was written. Dr. Rebecca Struthers uses her personal history as a watchmaker to bring hundreds of years of history to life. A talented watchmaker, historian, writer, and storyteller, Dr. Struthers also enlisted the help of her husband, Craig, with some of the most charming illustrations I have ever seen. He is such a good artist that I am waiting to hear about an art exhibition featuring his work one day.
This is an incredibly easy book to read. You will find yourself getting lost in its pages while also wanting to add several watches with different complications to your collection. For instance, I purchased a moon-phase timepiece because of this book.
Now that this gift guide has reached 2000 words written, I will stop here. I had so many other gift ideas that had to be left out, but there is always next year. We at the Watch Clicker genuinely wish you a happy holiday season and a new year filled with good health and opportunities.
Sincerely,
Furry Wrist Abroad
