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[Written by RANDY LAI]
12 UNEKUAL Approved Last-Minute Christmas Gift Ideas
Our team curates the ultimate holiday season wishlist for 2025: replete with stocking stuffers, distinguished garments and, naturally, a few presents fit for serious watch collectors.
Hermès HAC 40 ‘Coup De Soleil’
We’d wager that the UNEKUAL collector’s appetite for objects of distinction doesn’t extend solely to watches. For those who are as fastidious about distinguished leather goods as they are doré dials, Hermès’s HAC is one hell of a statement bag to give – or receive.
The 40cm-long size makes for an excellent daily carry, on the road or in the office, and has been a focal point for Véronique Nichanian (the maison’s recently retired menswear director) for many years.
This particular version, from Spring 2024, offers a subtle twist on the classical gold togo formula – with the bag’s front side decorated using a coup de soleil (“sunburn”) effect in the shape of a clochette. At last: the sumptuous tan line that this iconic bag deserves.
UNEKUAL x Charles Simon Watch Roll
Let’s be honest: the addition of a watch roll to any horology-themed Christmas gift guide is all but essential. Like a quality springbar (see below) it’s an accessory that always comes in handy.
In this product vertical, we’ve always been big fans of Montreal accessories firm Charles Simon. The company, which continues to make the vast majority of its product lineup in Canada, has produced a custom watch roll for UNEKUAL over the last few years (read more here).
Loosely based on the best-selling ‘Theo’ design, our version is a fitting way to store your favourite Cartier shape watch or in-line perpetual calendar while in transit. Plus, the devilishly clever pop-out construction (think Russian nesting dolls) means the roll can also function as a makeshift display.
Jacques Solovière ‘Rasmus’ Derbies
Noted for their distinctively ‘folded’ uppers, the shoes of Parisian firm Jacques Solovière are compelling evidence that classic footwear needn’t necessarily be boring. If you’re headed to Verbier or Niseko this winter season, chances are you’ve already got the basics covered: but what about casualwear?
Jacques Solovière’s ‘Rasmus’ takes a pinch of inspiration from the alpine-inspired footwear of heritage labels like Diemme, but remixes that into a style that packs lighter and nails the balance on contemporary detailing. Loafer-like comfort meets hiking boot hardware.
The marron glace colourway (in calfsuede) is new for this season – one which Alexia Aubert, the brand’s Lead Designer, describes as a “silhouette to show footwear lovers that a winter boot can be durable and stylish without being heavy”.
'The Impossible Collection of Watches'
Originally written by Nick Foulkes in 2014, this second edition of The Impossible Collection has been updated to include 100 influential watches that, together, tell the story of “one of the most exciting and dynamic periods in human history”.
Given Foulkes’ previous, officially sanctioned biographical work with Patek, it’s unsurprising that the maison crops up on multiple occasions in this tome: with individual catalogue essay-style writeups dedicated to such remarkable references as the Ref. 2523 HU and Ref. 97975 (better known as the world’s earliest perpetual calendar wristwatch).
As part of Assouline’s Ultimate Collection, this volume comes as standard in a protective rubber clamshell; whereas the individual pages themselves are hand-bound, with imagery applied using hand-tipped colour plates.
Truly, a gift idea that embodies the phrase “wholly unnecessary and eminently desirable”.
Patek Philippe Ellipse Ref. 3848G ‘Lapis Lazuli’
We spend so much time celebrating the laundry list of technical achievements at Patek during the mid-century that we tend to forget one of the brand’s most radical breaks with tradition was an exercise in design – the Golden Ellipse.
The family of divinely proportioned watches was first introduced in 1968. Roughly a decade in, Patek created the Ref. 3848: now considered one of the archetypal Ellipse references, characterised by an ultra-thin profile and unerringly simple time-only design. Lovers of shape watches will recognise that the present example is a bit of a double-whammy: combining the lesser seen metal of white gold, with a dial crafted out of lapis lazuli.
Though semi-precious stone dials were all the rage during the ‘70s, it goes without saying that the number which have survived (in objectively good condition) is few and far between. Shorn of all superfluous details – down to the absence of hour markers – this 3848 presents a vivid study in blue for its lucky recipient.
Atelier Tamago Ostrich Leather Watch Strap
A watch strap? For Christmas gifting? Not exactly revolutionary, we know – yet still worth recommending in the case of Atelier Tamago. The company’s Japanese workshop employs a range of handmade techniques that are non-negotiable for fine leather goods. Each strap is made using the durability-enhancing saddle stitch technique, with double-sided edges, toolless spring bars, and a comfortable zermatt lining.
For something slightly more inspired than the average swift calfskin number, consider this claret-red strap crafted in ostrich leather. The latter, sourced from South Africa, has a subtly striated texture; along with raised quill-like patterns that make for a watch strap that is properly scratch-resistant.
Suntory Hibiki 21YO Whisky
Since 1989, nobody has ever been disappointed to receive a bottle of Hibiki whisky. It’s a bold assertion, but one we think most whisky nerds would stand by. Suntory’s globally lauded, premium blend – made with a secret composition of whiskies from its three main distilleries – has it all. Even moreso when the exact age-statement in question is Hibiki 21.
Notorious for having been crowned the ‘World’s Best Blended Whisky’ in 2014, the individual components used to make Hibiki 21 are worth closer examination. There’s the distinct, sea-salty smoke of peated Hakushu whisky, sherried malt spirit from Yamazaki, and a subtly spicy note that comes from ageing in mizunara – a rare genus of Japanese oak that Suntory occasionally uses to make casks for its most desirable bottles.
Even if all this talk of malt and grain is a bit boring, it’s difficult to deny that the Hibiki bottle is a straight-up beautiful object to have on the backbar. Its 24 faceted surfaces, brilliant and jewel-like, embody the 24 sekki (“seasons”) in the Japanese lunisolar calendar; while the label is fashioned out of washi paper decorated with gilt lettering.
€872 at thewhiskyexchange.com
Informale WS50 Work Shirt
In an era of opaque dress codes, and an increasingly widespread aversion to formality, Informale’s WS50 looks to be a strong sartorial stopgap. The Melbourne-made label, which specialises in “tailored casualwear”, has riffed on the classic European work shirt: enhancing that familiar silhouette with generous chest pockets, a covered placket, and reinforced double-row stitching.
Informale offers the WS50 in 300g moleskin – a plush cotton fabric that will wear gracefully over time – in three colourways. Surprise surprise: the navy is the most versatile. Style it with Japanese denim, or if you spend a lot of time in the air, with your go-to pair of sweats.
An excellent gifting option for those in need of a smart, low-effort layer suited to being worn three quarters of the year. As recommended by our Australia contributor, Borna Bošnjak.
€267 at informale.com.au
Patek Philippe Nautilus Ref. 3700/1A ‘Dash Dial’
As collectors well know, the Ref. 3700 – ergo, the inaugural generation of Patek’s Nautilus – is celebrating its 50th anniversary next year. And what better way to ring in half a century of the iconic Genta design than with your own personal example?
Of all the variants on the standard 3700, notwithstanding the exception of the coveted doré dial, the ‘dash’ is the one that gets us most excited. Named for the lines running around the watch’s minute track – as opposed to the dots utilised for later dials – any ‘dash dial’ Nautilus is already a rare bird.
The present example takes things a step further: incorporating a double-signature which references Beyer, the famed Swiss retailer that has worked with Patek since 1842. Striking tropical patina and a case in good, honest condition round out the offering.
In the pantheon of gifts touted as being “too good to share”, this is right up there.
POA at unekual.com
Il Poggio Monsanto Chianti Classico 2004
When you’re headed to the annual family gathering, on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, it’s never a bad idea to turn up with champagne; or a bottle of something dark, distilled, and lengthily wood-aged.
Still, if you have the (somewhat dubious) pleasure of entertaining friends and relatives who spend far too much time on Vivino, step outside the box with a Tuscan red – from the venerable producers at Castello di Monsanto.
Family-owned and operated for three generations, the Monsanto clan were some of the earliest pioneers in the Chianti Classico region of progressive, viticulture-focused winemaking. The winery’s house style is generally described as “full-framed” and “rustic”. In the riserva, these characteristics mingle with a fine spine of acidity and silky tannins: giving off flavours of orange cake, dark cherries and tobacco smoke.
Given chianti’s formidable ageing potential, this Riserva has just entered into its first phase of drinkability. Equally, we’d have no problem recommending it as a gift for someone with an extensive cellar: tell them to lay it down for 10 to 12 years, then get back to you.
£166 at bbr.com
Craighill ‘Lark’ Knife
The ultimate fidget spinner for grownups – from Brooklyn-based objet firm, Craighill.
For most, carting a full-sized pocket knife around in daily life may feel a bit like overkill. Craighill responded to that dilemma by building the aptly titled ‘Lark’: a miniature alternative that incorporates a (satisfyingly tactile) flipper mechanism and keyring eyelet for added functionality.
In line with the brand’s other edged accessories, the Lark feels reassuringly solid in the hand – thanks in large part to the Sandvik-made 12C27 steel used for its blade. Typified by superior corrosion resistance and an edge that stays sharper for a longer duration, it will make short work of packaging, DIY, or even the bistecca you’ve just forgotten to carve this holiday season.
$78 at craighill.co
Bergeon 6767-F Springbar Tool
Every holiday season, we invariably end up recommending some sort of springbar tool from Bergeon. Chances are, next year will be no different – why mess with a sure thing?
Established in Switzerland in 1791, the company is the reigning champ when it comes to precision tools favoured by watchmakers and jewellers. Assuming you’re buying for the typical collector at home, grappling with drilled lugs and pin-set bracelets, go straight to buying a 6767-F and call it a day.
Made out of tempered steel, with a forked tip on one side and a solid fine-point (for adjusting bracelets) on the other; it’s also a charming double act when gifted alongside a fresh strap.
US$30 (approx) at bergeon.swiss
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