Just in time for the year-end holidays, Global Traveler presents a curated selection of distinctive timepieces that combine refined elegance with lasting appeal. Below are notable offerings from three respected watchmakers — LVMH, Richemont and Swatch — to inspire your holiday gift list.
LVMH
LVMH’s watchmaking division emphasizes craftsmanship, creativity and individuality. Its portfolio balances complementary strengths: TAG Heuer’s global recognition, Hublot’s cutting-edge innovation, Zenith’s long-standing expertise and Dior’s artistic vision. Together, these maisons produce watches that blend tradition with modern design.
TAG Heuer recently unveiled the TAG Heuer Carrera – Heuer 01, the first model in a new refined collection. The Carrera – Heuer 01 reimagines the classic Carrera with a fresh aesthetic and technical updates, including a 12-part case construction and a redesigned caliber. Priced from approximately $5,100, the Heuer 01 highlights the movement with exposed chronograph controls, an openwork date disc and a transparent sapphire caseback that reveals a bold red column wheel and a skeleton chronograph bridge.
Also from TAG Heuer, the new TAG Heuer Connected — a Swiss smartwatch powered by Intel technology and Android Wear — is scheduled to launch on Nov. 9.
Richemont
Richemont brings together some of the most prestigious names in luxury watchmaking, including Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Piaget, Vacheron Constantin, Jaeger-LeCoultre, IWC Schaffhausen, Panerai and Montblanc. Each Maison contributes its distinct heritage and expertise to the group’s collective strength.
Montblanc’s latest additions to the 1858 collection pay homage to the brand’s historical roots while offering contemporary interpretations. Inspired by the legendary Minerva watches produced since 1858, the new 1858 Chronograph Tachymeter and 1858 Small Second models revive early 20th-century design cues with a modern sensibility.
The Montblanc 1858 Chronograph Tachymeter features a striking black dial, classic hands, the Montblanc emblem at 12 o’clock and a notched crown. Crafted in-house and available in 18k red gold, this limited edition is capped at 100 pieces and starts at about $33,000. The 1858 Small Second watches offer variations with a vintage-modern aesthetic, with prices beginning around $3,000, appealing to collectors who appreciate period-inspired design executed with contemporary refinement.
Swatch
For travelers and design lovers, Swatch offers playful yet stylish options. The Swatch Art Special THIS IS MY MAP, created by artist Soonja Han, is the second Swatch Club watch released this year. The vibrant design spreads a multicolored map from the dial across the bezel and onto the strap, creating a cohesive global motif.
Offered at an accessible price of $120, the Swatch Art Special arrives in distinctive packaging: a round box decorated with the same multicolored map and accompanied by a set of five circular colored cards, making it a fun and thoughtful gift for the world traveler.