Perpetual Picks: Our Holiday Favorites

Perpetual Picks: Our Holiday Favorites

As the holiday season approaches, the search for the perfect gift can often lead to the timeless elegance of luxury watches. A watch is more than just a functional accessory; it is a symbol of sophistication, a cherished memory, and a lasting token of affection. With the warmest wishes for a joyous holiday season and a happy new year, the Perpetual Team leaves you with one more gift - a selection of exceptional watches for all the watch enthusiasts on your list.

Patek Philippe World Time Ref. 5230G New York 2017 Limited Edition

Chris Youe, Perpetual London

Growing up, the ultimate film to watch this time of year was Home Alone 2. As I’m writing from the viewing room at the New York auction the day after the city switched on the Rockefeller lights, it’s hard not to be reminded of how well this town celebrates ‘the holidays.’

With that in mind, my pick of the season must be the limited edition Patek Philippe 5230G-010, Patek’s love letter to the Big Apple, produced in only 300 pieces. With the iconic skyline etched across the dial and a comfortable 38.5mm white gold case, it’s low-key, hard to find, and simply a gorgeous example of one of Patek’s signature complications.

F.P.Journe Quantième Perpétuel

Jonathan Siu, Perpetual Hong Kong

Introduced in 2013, the F.P. Journe Quantième Perpétuel quickly became one of the most anticipated collections in the world of haute horlogerie. This remarkable timepiece garnered significant attention for its innovative design and engineering prowess. With the instantaneous jump mechanism and big windows display, the F.P. Journe Quantième Perpétuel endows a sophisticated complication with a unique aesthetic.

F.P.Journe Quantième Perpétuel

The watch features a distinctive design that sets it apart from other perpetual calendars. It offers exceptional readability with a clean dial and large apertures: two for Month and Day at 12 o’clock, and located at 6 o’clock are the two windows for the Date, a specificity of F.P. Journe watches ensuring that information is easily accessible. While the leap year counter is placed in the center of the dial, the result is a watch that displays a lot of information, but with low visual density, making it legible and practical at the same time.

The boutique-exclusive blue dial is what makes this presented model extra special. Paired with a full platinum bracelet, the watch is contemporary yet timeless, with unrivalled elegance. In "Like New" condition, this example we have comes complete with Warranty Card, Presentation Box, and Outer Packaging.

IWC “Le Petit Prince” Perpetual Calendar Chronograph

Jacky Lam, Perpetual London

IWC “Le Petit Prince” Perpetual Calendar Chronograph. Price: £17,500

If there is only one watch I could ever wear, it would be the IWC “Le Petit Prince” Perpetual Calendar Chronograph. For the next 76 years, this watch would not just tell the time; it would openly display the year, month, date and even moon phases, accurately in an analogue fashion until 31 December 2100. Unlike the adult world, it asks no hidden calculations, making it the perfect Xmas gift to someone (or myself), as a reminder to perpetually stay true to oneself.

Cartier Santos Dumont ‘Les Flaneurs’

Antonia Fodor, Perpetual London

In these cold, dark winter days, something that is sure to brighten one’s day is the brilliant green, emerald dial of the Cartier Santos Dumont ‘Les Flaneurs’. The green cabochon and emerald sun-burst dial prompts images of snow dusted pine trees, whilst the sight of a brilliant red Cartier box would incite a smile on anyone’s face on Christmas Day. The rhodium Chinese indices that adorn this limited edition truly elevate this Santos Dumont, and the French name ‘Les Flaneurs’ given to this exclusive group of Cartier collectors who collaborated in the creation of this watch, is also a reminder to take in the joyous sights of the city during this time of celebration, and to maybe take some more time to relish in the festivities.

Cartier Santos Dumont ‘Les Flaneurs’

A limited edition of only 50 pieces, this watch is rare, beautiful, and even has an adorable four-leaf clover on the back, ensuring some good luck to ring in the new year.

A. Lange & Söhne Saxonia Mother-of-Pearl

Aylin Illel, Perpetual London

A. Lange & Söhne Saxonia with mother-of-pearl dial. Price: £18,500

The A. Lange & Söhne Saxonia has a captivating mother of pearl dial with perfect balance and elegance. As the MOP dial coquettes/flirts with the light, it expresses itself in different colours and textures. The bezel is crowned with beautiful diamonds making it a chic choice for whatever the occasion might be… As an architect, I always find myself incredibly impressed by the symmetry and perfect geometry that A. Lange & Söhne encapsulates in its designs. I believe this watch is a perfect gift and one that will not age with time. The timeless elegance and sparkle that Saxonia has, makes it a distinctive design beyond any fashionable trend that is rather temporary.

A. Lange & Söhne Datograph

Clement Finet, Perpetual Gstaad

The Lange Datograph is without a doubt one of my all-time favourite watches, so it’s always a delight for me to have one in stock. The Datograph, has become a true “classic” over the years, but believe an old-timer like me, it’s introduction in 1999 literally caught everybody off guard… How dare this young manufacture (only 4 years after its official “revival”) design, launch and produce a totally new integrated chronograph of this quality? Unthinkable, but they did and with incredible brio.

A. Lange & Söhne Datograph

This incredible feat not only finished to put Lange on the map, but it also pushed all the “big boys” back to work. In that, this watch is a milestone. And if you are not yet convinced, listen to this. For those of us who know Philippe Dufour back in the early-mid 2000, often we would always ask him: So, what’s coming up next after this (first) batch of Simplicity? A chronograph perhaps?! To which he would respond: A chronograph, what for? I’m already wearing the ultimate chronograph! I’ll let you guess what watch he was wearing…

Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Perpetual Calendar Traditionnelle

Jonathan Siu, Perpetual Hong Kong

Presenting the Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle Perpetual Calendar Skeleton Ref. 43172/000P-9236, a horological masterpiece that embodies the perfect synergy of precision, innovation, and sophistication. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, this extraordinary timepiece is a testament to Vacheron Constantin’s unrivaled expertise in haute horology.

Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Perpetual Calendar Traditionnelle

The 43172/000P-9236 features a 39mm platinum case that exudes timeless charm and refinement. The Skeleton Dial reveals the intricate mechanisms of the watch, showcases the mesmerizing view of the perpetual calendar which seamlessly displays the day, date, month, and 48-month leap year indications, ensuring that the watch remains accurate even during leap years. This extraordinary feat of engineering means that you will never need to adjust the calendar until the year 2100.

The 43172/000P-9236 is a symbol of Vacheron Constantin’s heritage and legacy, representing its pinnacle of mechanical watchmaking. Well-preserved and in very good condition, this reference is accompanied by its Vacheron Constantin Certificate of Origin and Guarantee Certificate, Geneva Seal Certificate, instruction manual, presentation box and outer packaging.

All the watches mentioned are available for immediate purchase in their respective Perpetual boutique locations. Please contact Perpetual@phillips.com for more information, or browse additional offerings here.


About Phillips In Association With Bacs & Russo

The team of specialists at PHILLIPS Watches is dedicated to an uncompromised approach to quality, transparency, and client service. Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo holds the world record for the most successful watch auction, with its Geneva Watch Auction: XIV having realized $74.5 million in 2021. Over the course of 2021 and 2022, the company sold 100% of the watches offered, a first in the industry, resulting in the highest annual total in history across all the auction houses at $227 million.

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