Hands on heart
Yes chaps, it’s time to think about Valentine’s again – and we have the perfect gift to set her ticking
If you wear a wristwatch, a recent statistic puts the number of times you check the time at 88 times a day. So if you think about it, that could be 88 times a day your beloved is reminded of how great you are.
Therefore, with Valentine’s Day on the horizon, the notion of a gift that ticks should be dawning on our more generous gentleman reader. But how on earth to shop for the sophisticated woman in your life – especially with more and more women’s watches being self-purchased these days? Lynn Schroeder from Bond Street’s plushly appointed watch and jewellery boutique Wempe is on hand to provide some crucial pointers when it comes to bowling her over. Firstly, Schroeder advises, find out if she cares whether it’s mechanical or quartz. “While men love the ceremony of winding a watch every morning, some women would rather just throw it on, safe in the knowledge it’ll always be telling the right time.”
Next, work out what she wants the watch for. Schroeder advises that you know how to answer the two questions sales staff always ask: “Does she want an everyday watch or one for the evening? Will she play sport or swim in it?”
“Know her metal preference, too,” Schroeder adds. “If she wears a lot of silver or white gold, the idea of a yellow or rose gold watch could be anathema.
“The best tip, though,” Schroeder adds with a wink. “If in doubt, make sure you ask for a gift receipt!”
PATEK PHILIPPE TWENTY-4 REF. 4910
“The Twenty-4 is an absolute all-rounder,” says Schroeder, “She’ll want to wear it constantly, and be reminded of you constantly! It’s so practical, it can double as day and eveningwear. Plus, the cachet of Patek means she’ll be bowled over by your generosity.”
£6,780, patek.com
WEMPE ZEITMASTER GLASHÜTTE
“This is so well priced for such a well-made watch, made in Wempe’s very own atelier in Glashütte in fact,” says Wempe’s Lynn Schroeder, referring to the home of Germany’s finest watchmaking. “We’re not a fashion brand, we have been in the business 135 years, so what you’re getting is a quartz watch but with all the hallmarks of a finely-crafted timepiece. And a very pretty leather strap, too, unlike anything else on the market.”
£1,200, wempe.de
JAEGER-LECOULTRE RENDEZ-VOUS
“Just amazing value for the money, considering the complicated in-house movement inside, combined with mother-of-pearl dial and a sprinkling of diamonds. Plus, of course, the moonphase is so appropriate to Valentine’s Day – so very romantic!”
£6,650, jaeger-lecoultre.com