The truly amazing Group ABTW Vacation 2014 Wonderland Solution Santa Anti Reward Guideline Observe Giving Try things out.

In search of a last-minute gift help guide to help you choose a watch for a buddy or loved one? Then keep on walkin', 'cause this ain't that. There are watches and "gifts" in this article, but this isn't a "gift guide" where we just show you some watch stars with this 12 months, and tell you that which we think you should buy. We feel that isn't really completely realistic and rarely useful in real world. Instead, we decided it may be fun to do a "Fantasy" Secret Santa this current year, with all our team members, and do a proper-life, real-watches (meaning relatively available), real men and women (with fantasy money), watch "gifting" exchange, and view what the results are. Our hope will be supply anecdotal understanding of the thought procedure, some wisdom about watches (and gifting), and perhaps some entertainment. We've all been there. We want to talk about with a loved one exactly the same joy we knowledge for a watch we love. We would like that person to feel that good about something that we also love and then share that feeling with them as a positive bond. It's the feeling we would like to give, more than the "thing" itself. That appears to drive most sincere gift-giving in general. The challenge here, then, will be choose something which has a great shot at attaining watch bonding bliss. We thought we'd conduct an experiment. Watches are subtle and evoke a difficult response; choosing a watch to wear is definitely a personal experience. So, choosing one for somebody else naturally introduces brand new amounts of complexity and potential problems. In the end, could it be simply a 50/50 hit-or-miss coin-toss-crap-shoot, or even though you understand them well, are you able to really be sure that you are providing them with something they will truly enjoy? Let's discover away! I put every aBlogtoWatch staff member's name into a big fluffy Santa cap (okay, a randomizer I found online), and randomly drew names to pair each team member with another for whom they would anonymously choose a view from 2014. I then informed each individual who these people were "shopping" for, and provided them a deadline to choose a "gift" and talk about why they chose that watch for the person. we then informed each recipient what their watch had been, and gave them a deadline to create about their "gift." And hilarity ensued. At the time of publication, no one knows the identification of the key Santa, nor the reasons behind their Santa's choice. I'm on-the-fence about whether bribery is an option, but more often than not, I'll be taking these Secret Santa identities with me to my grave. Will it end up being a group-building experience? Or will it drive us further aside than our house lands have actually currently flung us? So here it is, in no particular purchase, the unvarnished truth. Many choices were perfect hits. Various other instances, it can seem that great watches are perhaps not gifted, these are generally re-gifted. 1. Zenith El Primero: Original 1969 I decided on the Zenith El Primero Original 1969. As the normal choice for James would be a vintage watch, we are adhering to more recent fare and so I think the El Primero Original 1969 is just right. If, just like me, you check analogshift.com daily, you'll realize that James likes steel sport watches (often chronographs) with notable movements, timeless appeal and a splash of color (who doesn't?). The Zenith El Primero Original 1969 offers all of that and much more. Rocking a legendary Zenith El Primero 400 automatic chronograph movement that works at a silky smooth 36,000 vph, the initial 1969 has the chops to back up its severe yet sporting look. As an extra nod to James' vintage tastes, I've opted for the Original 1969 version that features both a 38 mm situation while the classic Zenith tri-color dial. May possibly not be vintage, but I believe it is the next best thing. It seems my reputation as ABTW’s resident "vintage guy" is well known amongst my colleagues! Although We easily enjoy the possibilities to have fun with interesting brand new timepieces, the bulk of timepieces during my personal collection come from the past. Fortunately in my situation, there are lots of great modern watches on the market that not merely take their design cues from historical designs, but they are truly reissues of this originals – as evidenced by the sublime Zenith El Primero Original 1969 presented to me this year by my Secret Santa. Initially launched in – you guessed it – 1969, the first El Primero (guide A386) had been one of many world’s first automatic chronographs, and perhaps the most advanced. Featuring a hi-beat movement with 36,000 vph and a stunning tri-color layout in the subsidiary registers, the world’s first El Primero features gone on in order to become a truly collectible timepiece, and it is the historical basis for an entire line of contemporary chronographs for Zenith. In my experience, this modern version is every bit as excellent as the true original of nearly five decades ago, and features the same case dimensions and dial design of the ’69 model. Zenith is, in my experience, probably the most misunderstood contemporary manufactures, and provides a superlative product for a relatively meager sum. A386s can be pretty difficult to come by (think me, I’ve looked), therefore the Original 1969 is a really fantastic alternative I’d be proud to possess and wear. 2. Omega Seamaster 300 Co-Axial we decided the Omega Seamaster 300 for Kenny because his analog preferences mirror my personal; we value history, form-follows-function design, and our belongings are a real representation of your preferences. As a man who prefers three pedals to two, and mechanical movements with analog displays to quart electronic, I thought that Kenny would appreciate the heritage-inspired design of the Seamaster 300, an adequately modernized type of the storied professional diver from Omega. In addition to its killer vintage looks, the Seamaster 300 functions a number of contemporary design elements, such as the ceramic outer bezel plus the brilliant Co-Axial movement – features I believe would attract to Kenny’s equal desire for modern technical gadgetry and horology. I became pleasantly amazed that the Omega Seamster 300 Co-Axial was chosen in my situation since it is my favorite watch that Omega released this current year. The vintage-inspired design is just fantastic, and then there is a cool Master Co-Axial movement which is very anti-magnetic and uses silicon components to improve timekeeping and reliability. As well as course there is a beautifully crafted bracelet that has a micro-adjustment feature. All in all, I think the Seamaster Co-Axial is actually great view and I’m really happy to receive it as a gift. 3. A. Lange & Sohne Richard Lange Perpetual Calendar "Terraluna" I chose the A.Lange & Sohne Richard Lange Perpetual Calendar for David because I think it is the coolest launch from the German powerhouse this present year. Not only does it look great, it also has many really nifty features, such to be able to use the back of the watch to inform which an element of the world is receiving light. I think these are qualities he would appreciate in a watch. The Lange Terraluna is a delightful choose that I have liked for a lot of reasons: to put it simply, it possibly is considered the most complicated watch ever made by one of many best brands in high-end watchmaking. Odds are I'd wear it "inside out" utilizing the motion and therefore great moon phase facing up. 4. 1987 Rolex Day Date, Blue Tiffany Dial Victor is a father of two, and all that hard work definitely deserves an excellent silver Rolex Day Date! I chose this particular watch (shown) from a more recent auction as it looks great on a NATO band (that I think Victor prefers) as well as the Tiffany dial is a neat anomaly in Rolex history. It's got substance and style, without having to be showy or vulgar. Respect the classics, guy. The Rolex Day-Date is the height of Rolex, and the Tiffany & Co. dial is the height of all Day-Dates. On a NATO rather than solid gold bracelet, it changes from ostentatious to whispering, "I'm putting on the best and do not give a damn." I experienced never prior to considered myself a gold-watch-person, but seeing this combination, I would gladly wear this daily. As a go-go-80s guy, this might be awesome. Awesome to the max. 5. Romain Jerome Batman-DNA Watch Why I opted this Romain Jerome Batman-DNA for Patrick Kansa: because underneath the veneer associated with family-man-tech-geek-watch-nerd in fact lies the superhero that defends his hometown of Gotham (i.e., Chicago)... Seriously, this might be a man, coming from a tech background, who likes his complications rendered impeccably, but who wants to fly under the radar. As Batman is known for his radar manipulation, what far better to match his rubber underwear? And really, this watch touches the kid in most of us while still proving adult, elegant, and horologically insane. Whenever I got word of what my gift selection was, I frankly was not all that surprised - in some ways, I am pretty predictable. If you have a glance at my author bio, you'll see right in there that I'm an avowed Bat-fan. So, whenever word emerged for the reason that it would be the Romain Jerome Batman DNA watch as my selection, I took it in gleeful stride. To be sure, it can have been a much cooler watch had there been some actual "DNA" from a Batmobile in the mix, but it seems which was not within the cards. As far as Batsymbol watches go, this a person is pretty sweet. The dial it self calls to mind the "broken skyline" that has been found in movie promotions, in addition to look associated with watch as soon as the luminant is going is simple cool (though, again, the fanboy in me wonders if a yellow tinted lume would not have been more appropriate). That every said, should one of these somehow actually land on my wrist (and I am fairly certain that won't be occurring), it could be truly valued. At minimum, until it got locked away in a safe awaiting enough time to begin paying for educational costs for the kids! Since this is all make-believe, though, I will say this – the individual who made this selection was spot-on. 6. Bulova Accutron II Spaceview Watch Whenever I was first informed I would be selecting a watch for Mark, this is actually the only view that came to mind. We chose this watch for Mark Carson since there is one thing about it I believed would invoke fond nostalgia for whatever he had been doing into the '70s, because the original is really so iconic (not saying I have always been of sufficient age to remember this, this will be anonymous, right?). We personally love the updated look and cool geek-out factor this watch presents and when I see it, it does remind me of this look of his own watches he makes. My very first idea was "just what have the elves place into Santa's pipe?" Why would St. Nick have chosen a quartz watch for me personally of all of the people? Then I had to step as well as consider the knowledge associated with present. Most likely, We have enough mechanical watches (of my personal design), so really how often do We dare get caught putting on someone else's mechanical watch? But quartz is yet another matter. All of us have actually some, and sometimes they are nevertheless the view of choice. For instance, until recently, my "go to the movies watch" was a back-lit quartz piece. If you want a grab and go watch, quartz is difficult to beat. And some features (timers, alarms, compass, heat, etc.) can simply be located on quartz watches (or mechanical ones starting at well above my pay grade). Generally there will be a location for some quartz watches during my view package. Back whenever I had been a youthful guy during the early 70s, the view brands commonly understood were Timex and Bulova. I experienced also heard of Omega and Longines, but that has been about it. And Bulova had been considered a Cadillac, to Timex being the Chevy regarding the watch world. I recall seeing the tuning fork Accutron on television. Bulova had done a beneficial work of developing a buzz (pun intended) all over Accutron. It had been high technology, precise, and very cool. Not your father's watch! I wanted one, easy as that. After a bit, At long last decided to go to a jewelry store to buy one, however the salesman told me that there was clearly this even newer, much more accurate watch which used a quartz crystal. I wondered why anyone would put a rock (OK, mineral) in a view and just how that would do anything useful. The tuning fork, I could kind of understand. I wound up using the quartz view, using it on faith that this was even newer tech. But I usually considered the original Accutron a lost love. Fast forward too many years, and I can now have my cake and consume it too. The newest Bulova Accutron II Spaceview features the same visual appeal given that original Spaceview but with a Precisionist movement you will be proud to put on. With a sweeping moments hand, uber-accuracy, while the retro high-tech look for the 70s, what's to not ever love? I'm with Ariel, as he reviewed the Accutron II in that my personal favorite reference would be the one utilizing the gold toned face and brown leather strap. Comprehensive retro, however a classic combination. Additionally the case shape reminds me associated with rotor of a Mazda rotary engine - that was additionally high tech engineering all over same time as the original Accutron. The best gifts are those you do not expect, but are happily amazed and pleased to receive. So, thanks Santa, you understand me much better than I'm sure myself sometimes. 7. ​Panerai Luminor Marina 8 Days Titanio I opted the Panerai Luminor Marina 8 Days Titanio watch for Zen, as it is a really cool, stylish, and versatile watch. Since Zen is our copy editor, We felt that a watch with a bold dial sporting really clear luminescent indices is essential with regards to beating night time deadlines. In addition, copy modifying can be rather time-consuming, and thus, the 8 day energy reserve ensures winding only once a week. I got the Panerai Luminor Marina 8 Days Titanio (PAM 00564) from my Secret Santa, and it also is uncannily close to a bull's attention in my situation. In reality, it was just in the past couple times that I experienced identified a tremendously similar Panerai Luminor Marina as one I needed to go try on. He knows when I'm sleeping, awake, and is monitoring my online searches? Anyway, well done, Key Santa! While not a budget option for many people, a Panerai is, perhaps, a secure choice as a guy's gift, as they are masculine, classic, and appear to match (or enhance!) a wide range of personalities, lifestyles, and designs of gown. While as a gift choice, it will not seem to say anything about me in person, that versatility is famously part of Panerai's character and charm. There are numerous small differences among Panerai designs, but I particularly like the Luminor situations, top guards, and their 300 meter water resistance. The PAM 00564 may more be a safe choice, because titanium renders what exactly is a big and chunky (44mm wide) case lighter and much more wearable. Thank you, Secret Santa, for judging us to have been good this present year! 8. Heuer Carrera 2447 SN I spent lots of time thinking as to what watch to get for Ariel. Exactly what do you realy obtain the guy whom writes the book from the world's most expensive watches when cost is not a object? It ends up, you forget about cost completely. Simply because you can afford everything doesn't mean something exorbitant is the best choice. We considered several things I knew he would like, but in the long run, settled on this Heuer 2447 with the Silver dial and black sub dials. It's tasteful, it's a timeless design, and it is something which TAG Heuer probably ought to remake with as couple of changes as you possibly can, when they had a feeling of their history. Ariel appreciates a watch's good heritage along with any of us, and even though he generally shies away from vintage pursuits, this is certainly among the best pre-TAG acquisition Heuers. Ariel should have the best, and that's what I decided to go with for him. A vintage Heuer Carrera? What a fascinating selection for me. It is not something I would personally have actively sought off myself but I am actually satisfied with this choice, as it's something I've always desired. I even recall writing that, in my experience, the design of the original circa 1963 Carrera 2447 was something which the TAG Heuer of today should remake. Actually, they type of did, using the TAG Heuer Carrera CH80, however it ends up that for a few business reasons TAG Heuer decided to put a hold on the production of the CH80 movements - that have a tri-compax chronograph layout quite similar to this associated with movement when you look at the 1960s Carrera 2447 models. I am not a vintage watch kinda guy, but pieces such as this appearance modern even today - so would I wear it? I experienced the luck of talking with Jack Heuer, who was accountable for the original launch of the Carrera collection when you look at the 1960s. Under his leadership, Heuer was an element of the quickly evolving and highly competitive chronograph watch market that dedicated to the world of automobile racing. Jack said he wanted the Carrera to be simple, but additionally modern. The angular lines from the Carrera situation stay intact today - a testament to the care put into the look and feel for the view over 50 years back. Although the original Carrera has a manually wound movement and case this is certainly smaller compared to I prefer, it offers a look and heritage which have survived well today. The attractive yet no-nonsense look does define plenty of my watch taste, and I can't help but feel that allure associated with the timepiece's tale. Whoever chose this in my situation is informing me which they understand my tastes, and also appears to be offering a subtle sign that despite my fascination with wild timepieces, I look best when wearing something classic with a very good tale behind it. Therefore kudos to them! I always did just like me "panda-dial watches." 9. Artya Son Of Sound Black At first, whenever I was handed Matt's name, I became at a bit of a loss. He is the most recent member of our regular contributors, and so I was not really that familiar by what he might like. The only saving grace was that he is a well-known music writer, thus I knew that has been the path to take. With Artya releasing the all-black Son of Sound this present year, the die had been cast - a guitar-inspired watch when it comes to musically-inclined view fan. I'm hoping this is just a cruel and unusual laugh! I believe I am being stereotyped as a result of the reality that I talk about music for a living for Rolling Stone, New York Times, etc., and occasionally have actually a music-themed story in ABTW such as this TW Steel piece and this IWC brand ambassador interview. Personally, I find this ArtyA watch a monstrosity. There are lots of clever details - the tuning-pegs-as-crown is types of inspired, I admit, and bizarrely I style of like the Union Jack model - and clearly the finishing is carefully and loving crafted. However, the movement is a good one (7750), but nothing special (maybe because We reviewed a 7750-based watch, the Vulcain Aviator Instrument, I'm getting stereotyped. Worst of all of the, truly, are the visual clichés abounding here, signifying the musical link – musical notes, f-holes, ersatz anarchy symbol re-purposed, Macca-esque Hoftner bass-shaped case etc.- which anyone who actually is into music would abhor (there's a good reason why Mick Jagger likes classic Heuers and plunge watches, Aloe Blacc reps IWC, and Miles Davis wore Breitlings). It's like "hey, dude, I talk about NOMOS, too, remember?" I tend actually to the timeless in my choices. Well, okay, I have a yen for '70s styling more than most - situation in point, this Omega Bullhead - however if I was going to place a music-themed novelty timepiece on my Christmas list, it would ultimately be something more subtle in its symbolism, and refined and sophisticated with its design, such as the sublime Oris John Coltrane. Actually, you can easily look ahead to my breakdown of the Oris John Coltrane in coming days/weeks - proof that hopes and dreams really do become a reality! If I happened to be likely to spend the $20,000 or so that the ArtyA asks on something else, my shopping case would end up a lot more like this: an Omega Dark Side of this Moon, the Oris John Coltrane, the Nomos Zürich Weltzeit nachtblau, and a Maurice Lacroix Pontos S Diver - well, give and take a contemporary Ploprof or Milgauss... Hey, it's just rock-and-roll... 10. Van Cleef & Arpels Butterfly Symphony Poetic Complications I chose this watch in an effort to pique the interest of a number of facets of Kristin’s personality and tastes (as far as I'm sure them… I really could be way off here). I don’t think that Kristin requires the ultimate in practicality from a watch and would value the blend of artistry and craftsmanship into the Van Cleef & Arpels. To not have her Watch Nerd card revoked, the double-retrograde movement should satisfy any mechanical wants. The Butterfly Symphony Poetic Complications certainly isn’t most people’s idea of an everyday watch, but could certainly enhance an unique occasion with design to spare. I'm a huge fan of the double-retrograde motion and also to have butterflies included thoughtfully into that play, well, I believe I have to explain. I'm an admirer of a lot of masculine watches and movements as a result of my work right here for more than 5 years, and I would put on many of them myself in a heartbeat. Most women's watches with lots of diamonds are not really my thing, only because I feel those pieces usually rely so greatly from the diamonds with their appeal and I also find that to be superfluous filler. I'd rather sport an URWERK as a daily wear than choose a shallow, diamondy mother of pearl piece. There are a few exceptions, nonetheless they need to have something different truly cool going for them for me to get an actual rush from it. I like watches. I'm an engineer. And, I'm a woman with an extensive artistic background and inclinations. Cajoling those things into harmony for a view, I can't always escape the diamonds, as this is a reality of what exactly is produced when it comes to luxury women's market. One example of a watch ladled with diamonds I actually loved from this year, however, is the Patek Philippe 4968 Diamond Ribbon Ladies Watch (I simply like to drink it). My favorite women's watch with this year is the Christophe Claret Margot Watch, more for the movement, than the message as I've never ever really hinged my total happiness or the outcome of my life on whether he loves me or otherwise not, but I suppose it can be an enjoyable game to relax and play from time to time - I would wish to customize the messages for the complication. But let's you will need to come full circle here... If I had to choose a favorite watch with this year, it can hands-down be a Van Cleef & Arpels, the jaw-dropping Midnight Planetarium Poetic Complication Watch. Not merely does it talk to my room, science, engineering and view geekiness, however it is freaking stunning. I do not even care you need to figure away how exactly to tell enough time, as that fact lends it self to an over-the-top complexity this is certainly thrilling in my situation. I saw it and almost cried. Missing Uranus, Neptune, and (sigh) Pluto, forgiven. So, while only a few Van Cleef & Arpels watches in fact touch or move me, there are a couple that actually do. The Butterfly Symphony is regarded as them. Why? Ends up, it isn't for the stereotypical reasons that ladies and girls are attracted to butterflies. It's for a reason I'm not sure the real Santa Claus could guess. I was raised in south-central Kentucky, where there are lots of caves. I was about five when we lived in crushing poverty (my dad was a teacher) in a rotting house in addition to a cave - there were many, numerous holes when you look at the backyard, about the dimensions of my person fist, for which you could lower a 50-foot garden hose down and never see it again. Next to this perpetually collapsing backyard and bordering a big, menacing forest, was a giant, seemingly endless briar patch (I was convinced it was the only Brer Rabbit begged not to ever be thrown into). Briar spots have thistles, and thistles have crazy-looking, fragrant, colorful flowers. During the night, there were bats EVERYWHERE, rushing up through the holes within the ground, screeching and traveling around into the yard, appropriate outside my window. I became so paralyzed with fear, we often would not sleep until an hour or more before dawn. After the sun rose, the bats retreated and slowly, the butterflies advanced until there were butterflies EVERYWHERE, fluttering around the thistles bursting with color within the golden, rising sun, and spilling into the yard, filling it right as much as my window. At five-years-old, we believed that something of a magical metamorphosis took place while I slept - that each and every dawn, bats became butterflies. When I first saw this watch, I thought the peace that the sight of these advancing butterflies brought me from very long ago, wash over me. For some reason I can't guess, other butterfly pieces have not really reminded me of that. I really would you like to thank my Secret Santa, as this was the greatest "present" I've had in a number of years. 11. Tissot T-Touch Expert w-Titanium Bracelet I select the Tissot T-Touch Expert because of the titanium bracelet. It must do well for his love of tech and motorsports. I do appreciate variety within the watches that I actually own and I can’t say that We have every other quite just like the Tissot T-Touch Expert. Not too I’m a mechanical snob or purist by any stretch for the imagination, though my interests typically follow those lines, so something like this wouldn’t necessarily be on my radar. However, We have always been additionally a bit of a techy and surely appreciate what’s taking place in Tissot’s successful T-Touch line. I don’t think I would purchase the T-Touch Professional for myself but would probably ensure that it stays around if gifted for me. 12. Glashütte Original Seventies Chronograph Panorama Date - Blue Dial Matt is a designer, makes his own watch straps, pocket squares, and other accessories, and he is known to have a unique approach to style. It might be intimidating to select a view for a person of the profile, as choosing a watch for somebody else is hard to start with. However, when selecting a present, one inevitably decides something he himself likes. So according to Matt's stated predilection for watches with a '70s aesthetic and obvious leaning toward classic designs, I chose one which more-or-less fit that description among watches that I myself like a lot. A square-cased view like this Glashütte Original could be looked at a risky option, and then he would be likely to place one of his own straps upon it anyhow, but I am hoping he likes it just as much as I really do. Although this is (or "would be," rather) a tremendously generous gift, it can make for rather an awkward real-life situation. Everyone loves seventies watches, square/Jedi cases and German design sensibilities, but I'm not a fan for this watch. It's the strap and lug situation, along with something different I can't quite identify that puts me off... Agh! I mean, I would personally totally know the idea was here, and heck, it's a completely logical option! But no, I'd need to find a way to quietly turn this into a 1980s Heuer Lemania Silverstone. Because of this, I really could honour the idea of the gift, yet still enjoy looking down at my wrist. I'd also need to hope my key Santa never notices, and I'd probably barf-cry nervously every morning for 30 days before ABTW meetings. 13. Grand Seiko SBGE015 Initially of all of the, I occur to have some insider information that James is a significant Seiko and Grand Seiko fan, but I am not sure he would think to put $7,000 into one. If he did, it would certainly be something like the Grand Seiko SBGE015, featuring its lightweight titanium case and slightly showy gold-tone hour markers and hands. What watch lover can resist the reliability and precision of a Spring Drive movement together with detailed excellence of Grand Seiko products. The dial is extremely legible and classy, even though the utility for the watch is something James will be able to comprehend for quite some time to come. While the Grand Seiko SBGE015 is undoubtedly a lovely view, I think I've got to call this one a small miss. This is basically the boutique version of the SBGE001 and it is differentiated because of the usage of gold markers and fingers and, for my wrist, I think the standard version is a cleaner look. Furthermore, at 43.5 mm the SBGE015 is big and is the biggest watch within my humble stable. Having not experienced one in person, I'm not sure exactly how it would suit my wrist, but I assume that it would feel large. Grand Seiko is first-rate with regards to quality, technology, and completing, and I do love a GMT, so I can start to see the reasoning behind my key Santa's choice. While it may not be my first choice, or even my first choose for a Grand Seiko, the SBGE015 is a hell of a view, and I'm flattered that someone from the ABTW team thought I deserved something so good. 14. Omega Constellation Co-Axial 35 mm Omega makes beautiful tool watches. The Constellation line is elegant, streamlined and striking and it will last a lengthy, long time. We have a new old stock Constellation through the 1960s that still runs. It's am amazing line. Thanks for "gifting" me a mechanical watch and an Omega Co-Axial, no less - for if it was in fact a quartz movement, even encrusted in diamonds, I would have been utterly disappointed. Needless to say, I do love a diamond or two, and thus, had been quite pleased to notice the 12 diamond markers. So far as the reliability goes, well, my entire life is very hectic at the best - commuting, working, etc., I usually appear to be racing the clock, and questioning the speed from which time rushes by; nevertheless, with the Omega Constellation I will relax knowing - thanks to its chronometer certification - that my present keeps perfect time. Along with its really beautiful and stylish gold and steel combo, I am able to wear this watch just about anywhere. we must add that the Omega Co-Axial movement has held my admiration so long as I can remember and also to be "gifted" a timepiece of such caliber is truly an honor. 15. F.P. Journe Chronomètre Optimum we chose this watch for John because because I think it is technically impressive and interesting, and however it doesn't seem like a robot turd - even though the Rebellion T1000 arrived as a close second as my choose (maybe the following year...) This F.P. Journe is very elegant but would also make for a great daily use - perhaps something a person wouldn't kick up out of bed for eating crackers. F.P Journe is my personal favorite watch company, bar none. It's married to tradition but looks like something from outer space. I'd take any of their watches, but this one is classic and complex at the same time. It appears to be like something that could have emerge from a French watchmaker's store in 1799. 16. Omega Aqua Terra 15'000 Gauss For 2014, one view grew on me more than any other individuals. And this watch was not even released in 2014 but in the previous year; it's the Omega Aqua Terra >15'000 Gauss, the so-called Omega 'bumblebee.' It inherits this nickname because of the black and yellow stripped seconds hand that is meant to represent a hazard/caution yellow tape line, but mostly to remind us that this really is an unique watch with a brand new technology that is bound to shake the watch industry. At $6,600, this view is certainly not expensive within the scheme of costs of current mechanical watches from Omega or its competitors. Nevertheless, we still would choose it because the view to buy for two reasons. Initially, as an engineer, it speaks to me as it represents the current epitome of watchmaking technology in the past decade. The reason is simple: it's the first really anti-magnetic watch (others merely were resistant to little magnets). Plus, the distinctive bumblebee seconds hand gives it a unique style that matches its purpose. 2nd, Omega made good on its promise to begin releasing the core technology when you look at the Aqua Terra >15,000 guass in all its lines using the Master-Co-Axial moniker. These double reasons simply make this Aqua Terra one of many couple of watches that I believe is supposed to be talked about 10, 20, or three decades from now, like we today discuss the Rolex Milgauss or even the IWC Ingenieur or even the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak. These watches transcended the times, as performs this one from Omega. Not all of our team celebrates Christmas, and these names could just as easily have been drawn from the cap of Harry Hanukkah or even the pasta bowl associated with Great Flying Spaghetti Monster. Whatever holiday you embrace, we desire you the best for the vacations from our family members to yours. Happy Holidays!