The shift from a $5,000 to $10,000 and $10,000 to $20,000 watch-buying budget opens the doors to some of the most incredible watches that you can buy. These watches often represent the very best of their respective ateliers, all of which are designed and created to perform to the nth degree.
In this Christmas watch buying guide, I've put together a handful of tremendously impressive watches that truly are the doorway to a completely different realm of watchmaking, including pieces from Breguet, Rolex, Blancpain and Girard-Perregaux.
Breguet Marine Chronograph
The Breguet Marine Chronograph is an obscure model from the maison, but it's a piece that is absolutely extraordinary and presents in the finest of fashions. For the astute Christmas gift-giver.
Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Chronograph Moonphase
Blancpain's Fifty Fathoms Chronograph Moonphase is full of information, from its day-month apertures to the moon phase and flyback chronograph. A great Christmas gift for the horologically inclined.
Girard-Perregaux Laureato
A longstanding legend in the world of stainless steel sports watches, the Girard-Perregaux Laureato might lack the popularity of the Royal Oak and the Nautilus, but it still represents some extremely sound watchmaking and is a definite stocking-filler winner.
Rolex GMT-Master II
Categorised by its black and blue bezel, as well as its jubilee bracelet, the Rolex GMT-Master II needs little to no introduction. Hard to find, the Rolex GMT-Master II isn't going to disappoint come Christmas morning.
Breitling Super Chronomat 4 Year Calendar
Not a perpetual calendar, but close enough at this price point, the Breitling Super Chronomat 4 Year Calendar is one of the brand's most impressive watches to date. With a dial filled to the brim with information and indicators, the Breitling Super Chronomat 4 Year Calendar is a tech-aficionados dream!
Rolex Sea-Dweller
The Rolex Sea-Dweller is another bona fide Christmas gift winner. The beefed-up version of the Submariner, the Rolex Sea-Dweller is many a collector's go-to daily wearer. Doubt the Christmas stocking will be able to hold it up. Best to wrap it and put it under the tree.
Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Chronograph
A piece that needs to be seen and handled in the metal to fully appreciate, the Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Chronograph is a wonderful bit of kit that looks and feels far more expensive than it actually is. Who doesn't love a little bang-for-your-buck during Christmas?
IWC Big Pilot's Heritage
Easily one of the best Big Pilot models, the IWC Big Pilot's Heritage is one cool customer. It weighs next to nothing thanks to its titanium case, the IWC Big Pilot's Heritage also houses one of the maison's most interesting calibres, the manually wound 59215. For the aviation-inspired come this Christmas.
Breitling Navitimer Rattrapante
Last, but most certainly not least, is the Breitling Navitimer Rattrapante. Like the Polaris Chronograph, the Breitling Navitimer Rattrapante needs to be seen in the metal to appreciate. Its heft indicates that there is something more underneath the hood, and the sumptuous action of the rattrapante complication is absolutely intoxifying, borderline addictive. A Christmas present for the watch enthusiast who loves the complicated side of horology.
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