Giving the Gift of Time With Citizen Watch Group
Well, ’tis the season again, isn’t it? Halls to be decked, trees to be trimmed, and the perpetual challenge of finding the perfect gifts for friends, family, and that spectacular significant other. The Citizen Watch Group portfolio is never short of options; between Citizen, Bulova, Alpina, Frederique Constant, and others, the offering covers an extensive range of styles and price ranges. As we’ve done in years past, we’ve gone ahead and narrowed down a selection of our favourites that any self-professed watch lover would happily receive this holiday season.
Frederique Constant Highlife Worldtimer Manufacture
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Perhaps for the perpertual traveler in your life, this Worldtimer reference from Frederique Constant is one of very few watches offering this complication in a value-forward package. All manufactured in-house by the brand, the sporty reference featured a quick-change strap system that allows its owner to alternate between its leather or rubber straps, and its steel bracelet with ease. ($5,995)
Bulova Lunar Pilot
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The history of the Bulova Lunar Pilot is an interesting, as the original variant managed to find its way into space at the same time as the industry’s other famed Moonwatch. Recently reissued in this silver and blue variation, the Lunar Pilot is fitted with Bulova’s proprietary high precision quartz movement, resonating at a frequency of 262khz for unparalleled accuracy. The watch is paired with a matching 3-link silver-tone stainless steel bracelet with a push-button deployant clasp and a fitted leather strap, both of which feature an easy release system for quick changes. A modern interpretation of a historic timepiece, the Bulova Lunar Pilot is the ideal watch for today’s explorer. ($1,195)
Citizen Tsuki-yomi A-T
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When breakthrough technology and spectacular design meet, the Tsuki-yomi A-T is a fresh arrival from Citizen this past year. It’s the world’s first moonphase watch combined with atomic timekeeping innovation from Citizen. Its dial texture replicates the moon’s surface, and a window at 6 o’clock displays the current moon phase. Its case measures 43mm in diameter, crafted from Super Titanium™. In addition to its time and moonphase complications it also displays world time in 24 time zones, a perpetual calendar. Powered by Citizen’s proprietary Eco-Drive technology, it relies on light-powered vitality without ever needing a battery. ($1,095)
Alpina Alpiner Extreme Regulator Automatic Limited Edition
We love a good tool watch, and this is precisely where Alpina excels. True to the brand’s DNA, the Alpiner collection presents strong and sturdy watches that can resist the toughest conditions whilst remaining pure and easy to wear. In the case of the Extreme Regulator Automatic, Alpina delivers a watch with an unorthodox time display that still manages to feel well-suited to the tool watch category. Rather than displaying hours and minutes on centralized hands, the hours are isolated in a separate subdial, allowing the running minutes to dominate the time display. ($3,495)
Frederique Constant Manufacture Classic Tourbillon
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It takes quite a bit of nerve for a value focused brand to take on building a high level in-house manufacture tourbillon, and that’s just what Frederique Constant has done — quite well, I might add. The Classic Tourbillon Manufacture honours the finest traditions of watchmaking art right down to the very last detail, with the visible tourbillon at 6 o’clock revealing all the Geneva-based firm’s watchmaking prowess. 39mm across and 10.99mm thick, it delivers a classic dress watch fit, with finishing and detail work that’s worthy of high praise. ($19,995)
Citizen Series8 GMT
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Functional and practical, modern and sporty – this new Citizen Series8 GMT is the perfect companion from daily wear to spirited travel. The reimagined Citizen Series8 collection of mechanical watches features contemporary designs and high-performance automatic movements. In essence the series is a significant step up from what many usually expect from the brand in terms of overall fit and finish. A 41mm stainless steel case frames the look, with an integrated three-link stainless steel bracelet. Its dial also boasts a charming grid texture, with a pattern reminiscent of a basket-weave design. ($2,295)
Accutron Spaceview 2020 Electrostatic
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With the Spaceview 2020, time has just changed — again. What sets Accutron apart, as much back in the ’60s as in the present day, is the brand’s exploration of new movement types. This luxury watch re-imagines what a timepiece can be with a proprietary electrostatic movement, unique to the Accutron line. Its intricately engineered motor and turbine system generates power rather than relying on a battery or oscillating weight and mainspring. ($4,995)
Frederique Constant Highlife Limited Edition Chronograph
It’s no secret we’re a fan of the Highlife collection, but this panda-dial chronograph may be our favourite of them all. Many details have been designed to make the Highlife Chronograph Automatic subtle yet stylish. The chronograph counters have an inward curved collar, offering a more precise reading of the chronograph indications. On the back, the case features an anti-reflective sapphire crystal that allows you to admire the automatic movement and its chronograph module — including its column wheel located at 3 o’clock. ($4,995)
