The 2025 WatchTime (Non-Watch) Holiday Gift Guide

With the holiday season here, the annual search for thoughtful gifts continues in earnest. And while adding another watch to your own collection— or someone else’s— is always tempting, some of the most rewarding gifts exist just outside the watch box. From objects that complement daily wear to items rooted in craftsmanship, design, and storytelling, non-watch gifts can offer a different kind of longevity and meaning.

Of course, one gift that never goes out of style is a subscription to WatchTime Magazine itself, arriving year-round with in-depth coverage, expert insight, and a lasting connection to fine watchmaking. That said, for this year’s holiday guide, the WatchTime team has put together a curated selection of pieces we genuinely enjoy and would happily give ourselves. Some are practical, others personal, and a few simply stood out over the course of the year. None are watches— but all feel at home in the broader world of horology.

Shinola Slim Bifold Wallet, Natural Grain Leather

Zen Love, Senior Editor

Watch enthusiasts should probably give Shinola and its horological efforts a bit more attention. But they (and others) also shouldn’t overlook the brand’s excellent leather products. Experience with one of their bags converted me, and an upgrade to my wallet game with one of their slim, natural-grain bifold options has been in my sights ever since. “Evergreen” tickled my fancy, but you can’t go wrong with any color thereof.

Take my word for it: what might at first seem a little pricey suddenly seems like a value play as soon as you touch it. Hand-sewn from American-sourced leather, minimal and unfussy design allows the quality of Shinola’s leather construction and materials to take center stage. And that’s exactly the kind of thing that makes you appreciate a product that you interact with every day. The name and brand story further imbue it with character and even a little element of I-Y-K-Y-K.

Price: $225

To learn more, click here. 

Marco Bicego Lunaria 18K Yellow Gold Wrap Ring with Diamond Pavé

Sara Orlando Seifert, Publisher

WatchTime recently partnered with Zadok Jewelers in Houston for a watch collector event, and amongst all of the amazing timepieces I discovered a new jewelry brand, Marco Bicego. This Italian luxury brand specializes in 18k gold pieces that are unique and exquisite. The ring I fell in love with is inspired by the Lunaria collection’s signature leaf motif; this 18K yellow gold band ring combines sculptural curves with radiant detail. Its surface is hand-engraved using the Florentine “bulino” technique and framed with a contrasting polished gold edge. A pavé diamond band adds delicate brilliance, blending Italian craftsmanship with refined elegance.

Price: $4,550

To learn more, click here. 

The Rolex Legacy by James Dowling

Martin Green, Editor-at-Large

For my ever-growing watch library, I am always on the lookout for catalogs and books. A favorite from this year is James Dowling's book called The Rolex Legacy. He walks through 120 years of the brand's history in just as many watches. With decades of experience collecting, studying, and writing about the brand, Dowling knows what he is talking about and pens it all down in an easy-to-read, entertaining, and straightforward style that lacks the usual sugar coating that often comes with writing about famous brands.

His selection of watches is refreshing, from the obvious classics, like the “Paul Newman” Daytona, to far more obscure Rolex models. That also makes this book such a pleasure to read, as Dowling has made it accessible to the starting collector but equally interesting to the seasoned industry insider.

At 336 pages, it is quite a substantial book, and there is a nice flow between the text and the images, many of which are full-page. This also allows readers to examine the details of the watches without needing a loupe. It has a luxurious feel thanks to nice-quality paper and a slipcase. At $75, it is relatively affordable, as the prices of many watch books have skyrocketed to easily twice this price. A nice book to enjoy while recovering from the holidays, and it might even inspire some New Year's resolutions.

Price: $75

To learn more, click here. 

Dinh Van Le Cube Diamant Small Bracelet

Minda Larsen, Event Director

Although I don’t own a lot of fine jewelry, when I find something I like, I go for it! Especially if it’s a piece I can wear every day, and it pairs well with my watches. At a recent event with Zadok Jewelers, this Dinh Van bracelet caught my eye and I can’t stop hoping I find it in my stocking this holiday. (This piece seems to be sold out on the Zadok website, but is available elsewhere, and they also have larger and more sparkly styles.)

I love the wraparound style that fits any wrist and is simple enough for every day and elegant enough for an evening out. It also looks lovely with my gold watches. Dinh Van is a French jewelry brand renowned for its minimalist and avant-garde designs that challenge traditional notions of luxury. This piece is from the 1970s by Jean Dinh Van, a former designer for Cartier.

Price: $5,150

To learn more, click here. 

Montblanc Meisterstück White Collection

Sabine Zwettler, Contributor

Montblanc’s new Meisterstück White Collection lands just in time for the holidays— and if you’re looking for a gift that feels meaningful without trying too hard, this one is a clear standout. The Maison’s most iconic writing instrument gets a fresh, quietly elegant twist, trading its classic deep black for a serene white resin inspired by the Montblanc emblem itself. The look is crisp, modern, and effortlessly refined— perfect for anyone who appreciates objects that speak softly yet carry undeniable presence.

Available as a fountain pen, rollerball, or ballpoint in the familiar Classique size, the Meisterstück White keeps all the hallmarks that have made the Meisterstück a companion to writers and thinkers since 1924: meticulously crafted components, platinum-coated details, and— for the fountain pen— a rhodium-coated 14K gold nib shaped and finished by hand in Hamburg, Germany.

It’s a gift that feels personal and purposeful, a reminder that even in a fast-moving world, there’s still beauty in the written word— and in the tools that help us leave our mark.

Price: $575

To learn more, click here. 

Piaget Rose Bracelet

Dara Hinshaw, Managing Editor

This Piaget Rose Bracelet caught my eye with its delicate simplicity. Elegantly fashioned in 18k rose gold, a single brilliant-cut diamond (≈ 0.01 ct.) shines at the heart of the rose and provides the focus for the finely crafted openwork petals that surround it. This bracelet is an interpretation of the rose named for Yves Piaget in 1982, when the winning rose of the International Rose Competition was given his name. A bountiful rose with 80 petals, it inspired the maison to honor it with a jewelry collection 30 years later.

Piaget Rose jewelry captures the brilliance of a flower in full bloom. The shapes are generous and exquisitely detailed. The collection's rings, necklaces, bracelets, and earrings are designed to be worn alone or layered together. Available in rose gold, white gold, or pavé diamond designs.

Price: $1,330

To learn more, click here. 

Storyworth

Caleb Anderson, Contributor

If you haven’t heard of it, Storyworth is a pretty straightforward way of collecting stories about someone’s life. Once a week, the person participating in it will receive a question by email and write back whenever they feel like it, with the responses lightly edited and printed in a bound, physical book to keep at the end.

Earlier this year, my 90-year-old grandfather was gifted it by his kids. He’s a natural storyteller if there ever was one, and every week he looked forward to sitting down and writing about some of the more interesting moments from his life. It was something that felt special and engaging to him in the moment, and ultimately has yielded something extremely meaningful to the rest of the family in return.

Seeing how much he enjoyed it, we decided to gift Storyworth to my grandmother as well. Her experience was different. She wasn’t particularly interested in doing it every week and eventually got a little bored with the routine. So while it isn’t for everyone, those who would appreciate it, really will. 

As mentioned, at the end of a year of writing, you’re left with a bound book collecting each of those weekly responses. Lightly edited for typos and clarity and designed into something unique, the final result preserves your loved one’s words and perspective largely as they were written. For the right person, that ends up being a surprisingly meaningful thing to have. 

Price: Starts at $84

To learn more, click here. 

And to purchase or gift a subscription of WatchTime Magazine, click here.