From a duo of Oyster Perpetuals in Turquoise, travel watches from Patek Philippe, a pair of streamlined titanium Royal Oak Offshores and a Pièce Unique from Richard Mille, our Valentine's Day Gift Guide offers up a spectacular range of watches for your special someone — or yourself!
With the season of love upon us and the world gradually opening up to regular travel again, it's a good time to whisk yourself and your special someone away for a romantic getaway. While picking your destination might be a tough decision, how about picking the watches you'll wear? Don't worry, we've got you covered — here are some of our favourite watches to give (and receive!) this Valentine's Day...
Patek Philippe Nautilus Travel Time Chronograph Ref.5990/1A
So if you've decided to travel abroad and escape the rigmarole of life at home, you'll probably need watches to tell the time at the place you are, and also the time back home. While it's nice to forget about the goings-on at home, it isn't always the most practical decisions, in steps the Patek Philippe Nautilus Travel Time Ref.5990.
Released in 2014 and just recently discontinued, the Nautilus Travel Time ref. 5990/1A is perhaps the most capable Nautilus references to emerge from Patek Philippe's hallowed halls, thanks to its eponymous dual-time function and chronograph. Featuring a skeletonized hour hand linked to one of the two AM/PM indicators on either side of the dial at 3 and 9 o'clock and a 60-minute chronograph counter at 6 o'clock, the Ref.5990 can display two timezones; meaning it can be the perfect travel companion this Valentine's Day. Of course, its 60-minute chronograph function can be put to good use to rustle up that surprise breakfast in bed for your partner, and if that's not worth its spot on your wrist, what is?
Featuring a beautiful grey dial with the Nautilus' signature horizontal engraving, the Ref.5990's symmetrical dial design creates a beautiful aesthetic as its pointer date subdial and chronograph display mirror one another at 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock, respectively. Featuring the legendary stainless steel construction that catapulted the Nautilus to its dizzying heights, the Ref.5990 is not just stunning but practical as well.
– Aaron Voyles, Contributing Editor
Patek Philippe World Time New York 2017 Limited Edition Ref.7130
While our men's pick is somewhat subtle in its design, our ladies watch of choice for this year's Valentine's Day is anything but restrained, with the New York limited edition Patek Philippe World Time Ref. 7130 coming out on top. Taking the Ref. 5990's travel time complication to a whole new level, the Ref. 7130 is a World Timer that can display the time in any of the 24 cities mentioned around the dial's stunning silver periphery, making it one of the most desirable travel watches.
Launched in 2017 as a limited edition of 75 pieces, the 36mm white gold Ref. 7130G sports an incredible two-tone silver and blue dial with the New York skyline engraved within its blue opaline centre. While its dial is already more lavish than the Ref. 5990's, the Ref. 7130G takes its white gold construction to the next level with 62 flawless rare white Top Wesselton diamonds (~0.82 carat) set within its bezel and 27 diamonds (~0.21 carat) set within the buckle, securing its shiny blue alligator leather strap to the wearer's wrist.
Topped off with a lavishly finished automatic Cal. 240 HU movement that can be enjoyed through its sapphire crystal caseback, the Ref.7130G reminds one of its exclusivity with "PATEK PHILIPPE NEW YORK 2017" inscribed across its sapphire crystal caseback.
– Aaron Voyles
The Rolex Oyster Perpetual in Turquoise
You needn't be a watch nerd to know what kind of effect a certain “blue” has had on collectors recently. A special edition of the most desired luxury sports watch in steel, the Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711 Tiffany Blue, has blown up the Internet over the last few months, and it is a ‘unicorn’ you may never be able to get your hands on. However, we have another watch (yes, in that same hue of blue) that’s equally timeless and sought-after as the grail watch from Patek Philippe.
There is nothing not to love about a classic Rolex Oyster, especially when it comes with a Turquoise blue dial. Introduced in 2020 along with a slew of colourful dials – Coral red, Candy pink, Green and Yellow – this Oyster Perpetual is a modern reinterpretation of Rolex’s iconic Stella dials from the 1970s. The case and bracelet are made from 904L, which is far superior to the 316L steel used by a lot of brands these days. The watch is powered by the in-house 3230 movement, which packs all the remarkable Rolex technologies like the Chronergy escapement, Parachrom hairspring and Paraflex shock absorbers.
Ever since Patek Philippe rolled out the super-limited 5711 Tiffany, the prices for this particular Oyster Perpetual have gone through the roof; elevating its status to one of the most coveted models in the collection.The good news is that we have not just one but two sizes (31 mm and 41mm) available for this model at Wristcheck, so if you are all for a ‘his and hers'’ set of Rolex OPs in blue, this is your chance! Might we say, if you want to have just one classic, everyday wear watch in your wardrobe, this should be it!
– Neha S. Bajpai, Media Director, Wristcheck
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Extra-Thin 'Jumbo’ Reference 15202 in Yellow Gold
If you are looking for the best modern Royal Oak with a touch of vintage, this is the watch for you.The classic yellow gold Jumbo with a cool blue dial was introduced in 2017 and now that Audemars Piguet is not making any more of these 15202s (powered by the legendary calibre 2121), this watch has become even more special. Although AP did make a yellow gold watch before this one hit the market four years ago, this was the first yellow gold Jumbo with a blue dial. For history buffs, here is another nugget – since the launch of the OG Ref. 5402 in 1972, this was the first Royal Oak in yellow gold to have the AP logo at 6 o’clock.
The traditional blue tapisserie dial is encased in a beautifully crafted 39mm case that showcases Audemars Piguet’s exceptional skills in bevelling and finishing. The integrated bracelet has always been one of the highlights of this watch with a timeless appeal for collectors across generations.
So if you want to give your loved one a stunning timepiece that has been historically significant in more ways than one, the Ref. 15202BA is the perfect option.
– Neha S. Bajpai
Richard Mille RM026 Tourbillon Serpent Unique Piece
While Richard Mille is well known for creating masterpieces for the wrist, packed with impressive materials and technology, their watches are mainly targeted at male collectors. With the RM026 Tourbillon Serpent, Richard Mille proves that it hasn’t forgotten the brand’s ladies’ clientele, and is willing to go above and beyond with extremely beautiful and well-crafted timepieces.
Part of a series of 15 unique pieces, the RM026 Tourbillon Serpent takes inspiration from the eternal themes of nature, Gaia, and the passage of time – and features an 18k white gold case that is beautifully gem-set. On the dial, each unique piece showcases two coupled snake-like creatures twisting around the tourbillon caliber while simultaneously holding it in place. This particular example features an 18k yellow gold snake encrusted with rubies and diamonds, and an emerald and diamond encrusted 18k white gold snake with a red coral tongue. The shimmering effect of the high-grade diamonds creates a magnificent presence on the wrist that is rarely matched by any other timepiece. This is further enhanced by an alluring contrast created by the black diamonds set on the middle case. All in all, the watch is set with 1067 stones, weighing a total of 8.31 carats. All diamonds on this exquisite timepiece are certified to be of V VS F/G quality.
Impressive from the front, the watch is equally magnificent in its construction and movement design. Richard Mille cases have always been extremely difficult to produce, as their tripartite tonneau-shaped cases are fully curved, which makes them very comfortable to wear. Ultimate precision is required to assemble the bezel and caseback with the middle case. The specific case of the RM026 requires many operations including stamping, milling and tooling. The baseplate of the watch is made of pure Black Onyx which is considered to be a charm-stone against spells. Black Onyx also symbolizes equilibrium and inspiration.
Extremely technical, impressive and beautiful, this unique piece of the RM026 will surely be a perfect watch for a female collector looking to impress.
– Kevin Cureau, Watch Specialist, Wristcheck
Patek Philippe Nautilus Ref. 7010R-011 (Tiffany-Signed Dial)
You can’t really go wrong with this gorgeous Nautilus in Rose Gold — with a little something-something extra on the dial.
Sporting the Nautilus’ typical porthole-inspired case in 32mm of rose gold, its bezel comes adorned with 46 diamonds that catch the light, for lack of a better term, rather deliciously.
Its classic horizontally-embossed dial comes with a coveted Tiffany & Co. stamp, which exudes major ‘if you know, you know' energy. To put things into perspective, it is estimated that less than 1%25 of Patek Philippe’s are Tiffany-signed — so these are pretty rare to come by, to say the least.
The watch is fitted on a shiny, golden-beige alligator strap that wraps snugly around the wrist, and elevates it beyond the category of sport — equally befitting date nights too. It’s essentially the perfect transitory day-to-night timepiece, and in my opinion, the ideal Valentine’s Day gift.
V Day
– Jasmine Bastable, Marketing Manager, Wristcheck
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Chronographs in Titanium
The pairing of these two Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Chronographs might seem like an odd one for Valentine’s Day, but at Wristcheck we offer watches for a wide range of collectors and believe that there are some couples out there searching for stronger looking timepieces.
The first watch is the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph Ref. 26400IO. On the face of it, the watch looks bold and commanding with its large 44mm case but don’t let it fool you, this piece also embodies a lighter side to its personality - its case is made of titanium. Featuring a monochromatic black ceramic octagonal bezel, pushpieces and screw-down crown to match its "Méga Tapisserie" grey dial, this wonderful watch flawlessly merges style with substance. The only touch of colour can be found in the subdials with red chronograph hands, the colour of love; and why wouldn’t you love this piece? The comforting presence on the wrist, lightness of the body and functional utility contribute to the perfect package for a watch, that's not only meant to look good but also perform well when needed.
Lightness is the main theme here as we look at the other Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph, the Ref. 26480TI, also cased in titanium but downsized to a more wearable 42mm case. The thinner case profile, measuring only 12.8mm, also matches the wearability of the smaller case. One will notice the horizontal dial layout and a new set of semi-skeletonized hands that are in contrast to the previous Royal Oak Offshore we mentioned. This difference can help set the pair apart, should a couple decide to match the two together.
With no compromises made on looks or functionality, these two Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Chronographs represent the perfect way to showcase strength, beauty and style on two wrists at a time.
– Kevin Cureau
Patek Philippe Calatrava China Edition (Ladies 31mm & Mens 41mm)
While the previous two travel watches that we have covered here might be fantastic companions for you and your loved one, they certainly aren't a matching set. So, we have tasked ourselves with picking a pair of timepieces that should undoubtedly fit that bill this Valentine's Day, the Patek Philippe Calatrava China Edition Ladies and Men's editions – the Ref. 4897G and the Ref.6000G, respectively.
To celebrate its 10th anniversary in the Chinese market in 2015, Patek Philippe released four stunning variants of the Calatrava for both men and women. Dubbed the China Edition, these four models offered the brand's exquisite craftsmanship to a select few, with just ten pieces offered in both white gold and rose gold for the women's reference, the Ref. 4897, and 25 examples offered in both white gold and rose gold for the men's reference 6000G. Offered as the perfect matching Valentine's set, we have the men's ref. 6000G-013 and the matching women's ref. 4897G-011.
Crafted out of white gold with matching silver dials, these incredibly rare timepieces are perhaps the perfect his and hers duo with embossed casebacks featuring an outline of China's map with Beijing and Shanghai marked with the Yangtze and Yellow rivers in blue. Encircling the map on both casebacks are engraved commemorative inscriptions that highlight the exclusivity of these watches.
In a somewhat similar design language as the Ref. 5990 and Ref. 7130G from earlier, our men's option is more subdued in its aesthetic with a subtle red date pointer hand providing its largest point of contrast, compared to the Ref. 4897G's stunning diamond-set bezel dazzling above its lavishly engraved dial. This duo of incredible timepieces exudes Patek Philippe's ability to create timepieces with both understated design motifs (as seen in the case of the Ref.6000G and Ref.5990) as well as opulent details (as seen in the Ref.4897G and Ref.7130G).
– Aaron Voyles
The Le Triptyque Louis Erard x Alain Silberstein
One of the most uplifting sets of watches introduced last year, the whimsical Le Triptyque presents a cheerful design in a trio of dependable timepieces that would make your loved ones smile every time they have one of these on their wrist.
Made in collaboration with Parisian architect-turned-watch-designer Alain Silberstein, this set includes the playful La Semaine, Erard’s signature Le Régulateur and the Le Chrono Monopoussoir. Silberstein’s trademark Bauhaus style aesthetics can be seen in the 40mm titanium cases framed by vertical sidebars. The matte black dials with funky hands showcase a delightful presentation of various functions on the three models. While the regulator features the hours and running seconds on separate sub-dials, the La Semaine presents a small face in an oval aperture above the date window at 6 o’clock. As the days progress from Monday to Friday, the “Smileday” indicator changes from sad on Mondays to happy on Fridays.The highlight of the trio is the top of the line monopusher chronograph, which features a 30-minute register at 12 o'clock and is controlled by a bright red button on the crown.
All three watches have a see-through caseback that gives a glimpse of the simple yet reliable Sellita or ETA movement. The ultra-light timepieces come on a fuss-free nylon strap and are water-resistant up to 100m. This trio is delivered in a presentation box, limited to 78 sets.
– Neha S. Bajpai
Patek Philippe Calatrava Pilot Travel Time (42mm and 38mm)
V Day
The ability to track several time zones on a wristwatch is one of the most useful complications available on the market. While the current world situation doesn’t allow for easy travel like before, a dual time or world-time timepiece can connect us emotionally to the many places we’ve been or want to go back to. Surprisingly, there aren’t many options for couples to buy a pair of matching travel watches, but the ones we have here are perhaps the most stylish choices available.
The Patek Philippe Calatrava Pilot Travel Time was first released in 2015 in a large 42mm white gold case as the Ref. 5524G, and then later released in a smaller 37.5mm size as Ref. 7234. Initially, the design took most collectors by surprise as it was very different from what they were used to seeing from Patek Philippe, but the Genevan Maison does have a history of making military watches in the 1930s to be worn by pilots. Several of these military watches can now be seen inside the Patek Philippe Museum and they served as the inspiration for the creation of the Ref. 5524 and Ref. 7234.
The dial is clearly legible with large and bright Arabic hour markers filled with Superluminova, and these stand out against the blue varnished surface of the dial. Other useful information include a date at 6 o’clock and the local and home day/night indication in apertures. The pushers on the left side of the case allow an easy adjustment of the local time but they are secured by safety locks to avoid unintentional adjustment of the local hour hand.
Many people chase the “hype” by looking to own an Aquanaut Travel Time Ref. 5164 or a Nautilus Travel Time Chronograph Ref. 5990, but the Calatrava Pilot Travel Time is an underrated gem in Patek Philippe’s lineup of travel watches. The watch will cost you a fraction of what the other two refrences are currently going for in the secondary market. Moreover, the movement powering this watch is the exact same that appears in the two other models. The added bonus here is that there are two sizes available, should you want to have matching Patek Philippe travel watches with your special someone.
– Kevin Cureau
All of the above watches are available on Wristcheck.
