The holidays are upon us, and you know what that means.
That’s right! The hour has arrived to begin thinking about the husbands, boyfriends, fathers, brothers, and others in your life who deserve the gift of time. Whether you’re looking for a svelte vintage dress watch or a modern, chunky, pre-owned dive watch, Analog:Shift has the goods. And if you need a bit of inspiration, we’re more than happy to provide it: The offerings below are but a small smattering of the vast cache of excellent timepieces we keep on offer in our vault. Want to see a wealth of options in person as you shop for your loved one? Get in contact with us to make an appointment for our Manhattan showroom, where we’d be more than happy to show you around. For now, here are a few of our favorite dress, tool, and modern pre-owned watches that are sure to impress this holiday season.
Vintage Dress Watches
Perfect for the man who needs a slim, unobtrusive — or wildly obtrusive, depending upon his taste! — timepiece for those more formal occasions.
Omega Dress Watch Diamond ($2,750)
Omega Dress Watch Diamond - IN THE SHOP
While it’s possible to find sub-40mm vintage Omega dress watches all day long, it’s much tougher to find them with diamond indices. This gorgeous 35mm example from the 1970s not only has ‘em, but it’s also cased in white gold, making it a perfect black-tie accessory.
Vacheron Constantin 'Disco Volante' Dress Watch ($4,850)
Vacheron Constantin 'Disco Volante' Dress Watch - IN THE SHOP
The value inherent in vintage Vacheron Constantin dress watches is tremendous — this, after all, is a member of the horological ‘Holy Trinity.’ Particularly so with this incredible ‘Disco Volante’ (“flying saucer”) from the ‘60s — with its thin case and hand-wound movement, really is that good.
Piaget White Gold 'Asprey' Dress Watch ($7,850)
Piaget White Gold 'Asprey' Dress Watch - IN THE SHOP
A vintage, ultra-thin Piaget with a white gold case, a matching ‘bark’-finish bracelet, a gorgeous grey sunburst dial, and a retailer signature on the caseback from one of the world’s most famed jewelers? All for under $10,000? You read that right. No wonder Piaget is so hot these days.
Vintage Tool Watches
Ideal for the guy who favors utility and the beauty of a well-made object, these timepieces from decades past are ideal for the diver, driver, or frequent traveler.
Seiko Navigator Timer ($1,400)
Seiko Navigator Timer - IN THE SHOP
This ‘70s-era beauty has everything you need in a dual-time watch and nothing you don’t: a 38.5mm steel tonneau-shaped case; a rotating 24-hour bezel; a bright-red GMT hand for easy identification; an automatic movement; and a jangly steel bracelet. And the price is right!
LeJour Chronograph ($3,250)
LeJour Chronograph - IN THE SHOP
The ‘60s were an incredible time for chronograph design. Take this LeJour as a case in point: It’s got both a triple-register chronograph display plus a rotating dive bezel. Powered by a hand-wound Valjoux movement, it looks sporty and handsome on a black leather rallye strap.
Longines Super Compressor 'Jumbo' Diver ($6,950)
Longines Super Compressor 'Jumbo' Diver - IN THE SHOP
‘Super Compressor’ dive watches — those whose waterproofness increases the deeper one dives — may have been outdone by the screw-down crown and caseback, but vintage ‘jumbo’ models such as these Longines Ref. 7150-1 are still some of the coolest vintage divers around.
Contemporary Pre-Owned Watches
Would your loved one prefer something a bit more modern? That’s where contemporary pre-owned pieces from some of our favorite brands come into play.
Tudor Prince Date ($2,185)
Tudor Prince Date - IN THE SHOP
Looking for a clean, simple, well-made watch that’s perfect for everyday wear? This bulletproof, automatic Tudor Prince Date — with its matching steel bracelet and handsome white dial — is just the ticket. A picture of legibility, it’s the type of classic design that’ll still look great in 2074.
Omega Speedmaster Professional ($5,850)
Omega Speedmaster Professional - IN THE SHOP
Every self-respecting man needs an Omega Speedmaster in his collection. (Or so we tell ourselves!) If you’re gonna buy one — which we do recommend — try a Ref. 3590.50 from the ‘90s, like this one. It’s the perfect combination of ‘60s looks and modern features.
Breguet Serpentine Triple Calendar Moonphase ($15,850)
Breguet Serpentine Triple Calendar Moonphase - IN THE SHOP
It’s an open secret that Breguet’s neo-vintage watches offer stunning value considering their complications and workmanship. This particular piece packs both a triple-calendar with moonphase and guilloché dial into a 36mm yellow gold case. Insane!
