Welcome to our series highlighting the exceptional watches available through Perpetual, Phillips’ boutique service offering immediate access to the world’s rarest and most desirable timepieces. You can view all currently available watches by stopping in at our London headquarters at 30 Berkeley Square, or by visiting Phillips Perpetual online. Our new "Buy Now" button makes acquiring the watch of your dreams easier than ever.As the holidays approach, finding the right gift often means turning to the timeless appeal of a great watch.
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 that spirit in mind, the Perpetual team shares one final gift: a curated selection of exceptional watches for every enthusiast on your list.
Patek Philippe Annual Calendar Chronograph Ref. 5960P-016
Chris Youé, Global Sales Director, Perpetual London
The first time I saw this model, it was featured on the cover of 00/24 magazine. I was in my early 20s, and at first I didn’t recognise it as a Patek. It was the first watch from the brand that I thought was actually cool.
The anthracite dial, sporty aesthetic, and nested chronograph counters ticked a lot of boxes in 2006, and the fact that it was Patek’s first automatic chronograph felt super interesting, too. Now, while Patek did produce a large number of 5960s over the next 15 years, for the final year of platinum and rose gold production, they created the model with a glossy black dial and matching date discs, to borrow from Lange's nomenclature, a "Darth."
Cool case, cool complication, cool dial, one-year production, and comfy on the wrist, what’s not to like?
Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar Ref. 5970
Clément Finet, Senior Specialist, Perpetual Gstaad
Earlier this month at the New York Watch Auction: XIII, for the first time in horological history, independents (F.P.Journe and Philippe Dufour) took the top ten positions of a major watch auction. An incredible feat, something I thought I would never see in my lifetime. Definitely food for thought for any astute collector…
Now, does this mean Patek and Audemars are done? Certainly not! Although my love of independents has grown over the years, my admiration for the classic brands and their historical masterpieces has not faded one bit, and my choice for this season – a Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar Ref. 5970 – perfectly reflects that.
F.P. Journe LineSport Centigraphe in Rose Gold
Jonathan Siu, Specialist, Perpetual Hong Kong
For this year’s Christmas holiday pick, the F.P. Journe LineSport Centigraphe in rose gold feels like a perfect choice for anyone who loves serious watchmaking but doesn’t want something overly formal. The contrast between the rich gold and the sporty aesthetic of the LineSport collection gives it a versatile character – you could wear it with a winter sweater or a dinner jacket, and it would look equally at home.
The Centigraphe is F.P. Journe’s take on the chronograph. The dial is very busy but legible, all driven by a manually wound movement that’s unmistakably Journe in its architecture and finishing. The sensation of starting and stopping the chronograph with the ergonomic rocker at 2 o’clock is uniquely satisfying – decisive yet smooth.
All of this makes the rose gold CT2 a standout Christmas choice: it’s festive, rare, and a daily reminder that true luxury is as much about engineering as it is about shine.
Omega Speedmaster Gifted by Paul Newman & Carl Haas
Jacky Lam, Business Manager, Perpetual London
Seasons pass, and the jingle bells ring; it's the time of year when we rejoice and gift our loved ones something truly special. This Omega Speedmaster "CART" would probably be in my Buy-Now shopping cart.
Not an ordinary Speedy, this very example was gifted by Paul Newman to his Newman/Haas Racing team mechanic, Mr. Bill Mann, in 1997. Newman requires no introduction; we are all familiar with the weight this name carries in the world of watch collecting. But what intrigued me is the true racing pedigree behind this watch.
Co-founded and owned by the legendary Paul Newman, the Newman/Haas team was very successful in the CART series, securing two Driver's Championships in the '90s. Bill must have done an incredible job keeping the open-wheeler not just track-worthy, but podium-worthy. Thousands of hours of tuning and hard work, all while this watch was strapped to his wrist. The adrenaline, the engine roar, and the high and lows inside the garage - this watch has seen it all.
In a world increasingly obsessed with numbers, I prefer a storyteller. A watch that not only tells time but hums a bit of history.
De Bethune DB25 in Rose Gold
Antonia Fodor, Social Media Manager, Perpetual London
A watch that stands out as a perfecting gifting option this holiday season would be the De Bethune DB25 in rose gold. Though this brand adheres to the tastes of a more niche group of watch collectors – the adventurous, bold and not scared to stand out, the DB25 is a much more palatable, easier-to-wear product offering, which naturally appeals to a much wider group.
The smaller size of the watch, at 40mm, makes it much more wearable, and helps translate such a bold and different brand to the tastes of many. The Roman Numerals are elegant and refined, and always a favourite of mine, whilst the rose gold case just wears so beautifully.
Despite these very classic elements, the watch nevertheless retains that avant-garde feeling which De Bethune is known and loved for: between the integrated, hollowed lugs which give wonderful feeling around the wrist, and those blued hands – reflecting and changing in the light to give either this bright blue beam or almost black glint.
Futuristic yet classic – this DB25 would be anyone’s happiness under the Christmas Tree.
F.P. Journe Chronomètre à Résonance RQ 40mm in Platinum
Aylin Illel, Product Photographer and Content Creator, Perpetual London
Ancient Roman Architect Vitruvius, in his influential book De Architectura, defined the essential qualities of good building design as: Firmitas (solidity/strength), Utilitas (usefulness/commodity), Venustas (beauty/delight). This became foundational for Western architectural theory.
Perhaps little did he know then that all the above qualities would be perfectly present and visible in the watchmaking process and in its primary design principles. The F.P. Journe Chronomètre à Résonance embodies all the qualities of great design and even surpasses them. This horological masterpiece introduces a new movement architecture, complemented by two striking dials. The left dial displays 24-hour time, while the right dial shows 12-hour time. The blued steel hands reveal their true colour as light hits them – becoming vibrantly alive as the blue hues appear, disappear, and reappear. During this festive season, I can think of no better gift!
The Chronomètre à Résonance is a most interesting horological "art" piece. The architectural components of the movement are revealed through its caseback. One is captivated by the synchronicity of the two beating hearts of the watch. With this watch, ‘time’ is architecturally sculpted, and its strength rests in its absolute and resolute timelessness.
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.
Phillips PERPETUAL offers a boutique experience to clients for both the sale and purchase of fine and rare watches, in London’s Berkeley Square, Hong Kong's Pedder Arcade, and the Gstaad Palace, in Switzerland.
Visit Phillips PERPETUAL /
30 Berkeley Square, London, United Kingdom, W1J 6EX (map)
Monday through Friday, 10:00 AM – 17:30 PM
Contact & Consignment Enquiries /
00 44 207 901 7916
perpetual@phillips.com
@phillipsperpetual