From Patek Philippe and Hublot to Rolex and Vacheron Constantin, Haute Time has compiled the best timepieces to gift this season.

With the Tiffany Blue Patek Philippe Nautilus fetching $6.5 million at auction in December of last year, it is safe to say that this iconic model is hotter than ever. This passion also causes an even broader interest in the history of the Nautilus. This includes many exquisite and often rare models like this Reference 3800/1, which Patek Philippe made just before the turn of the Millenium in 1999.

It is great to see that women's watches are becoming more and more the focus of many watch brands. Serious efforts are made to create the most marvelous timepieces, catering to women's trends, styles, and interests. Complex movements are more the rule than an exception, making them also far more interesting from a horological perspective. While diamonds are optional, many still feature them, even on sports watches, as they provide a dash of glamour to daily life.

2021 wasn't how many of us would have expected it to be. As the Covid-19 pandemic continued, it offered many challenges to all of us. Where some businesses lingered because of it, others thrived. Despite very few events, many of the watch brands did well, not in the least because of the fantastic new models they launched. These are among Haute Time's favorites:

No other designer has left such a mark on the industry as Gérald Genta. He was the man that gave us two of the most important stainless steel sports watches in history, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak and the Patek Philippe Nautilus. As a true creative force, it didn't stop there, as he also worked for various other brands, designing icon after icon. A decade after his death, we get a rare glimpse into his archive as Sotheby's is auctioning one hundred of his original designs, including those of the Nautilus and the Royal Oak.

While Patek Philippe is a manufacture rooted in history and tradition, it didn't become one of the most renowned brands by lack of innovation. Instead, the brand offers innovation on its own terms, focusing on advancing traditional watchmaking with better and more stable performance. The new Ref.5750 Advanced Research Minute Repeater is a watch that has exactly those qualities. It was developed by Patek Philippe's Advanced Research department, which was established in 2005 with the aim of finding and applying new materials, concepts, and technologies to further perfect Patek Philippe's offerings.

In 2001, one of the greatest museums for watch enthusiasts opened its doors in Geneva, Switzerland. It was the vision of Philippe Stern, father of Thierry Stern, the current President of Patek Philippe, a position he held himself at the time. What makes this museum so incredible is the submerging experience that it offers. This starts with the building, located at the heart of Geneva, dating from 1919-1920, and restored meticulously.

Only Watch has always been a charity with a unique approach. They fund research to find a cure for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy by organizing a biennial auction for which the world's leading watch manufacturers donate a piece unique. This weekend, Christie's auctioned the 53 creations in a packed Palexpo in Geneva, raising CHF 30 million, over 32 million US dollars.

In 2016, Patek Philippe delighted the world with the reference 5930G-010, a watch that combined a world time function with a flyback chronograph. Featuring a blue dial and white gold case, it became an instant favorite of the brand's connoisseurs with a passion for its more complex creations. Last week Patek Philippe introduced a new version that raises the bar to an even higher level, combining a platinum case with a green dial and details.

Patek Philippe's history is a constant stream of highlights, particularly when looking at their more complicated pieces. The brand invented the annual calendar, but not before making its mark on one of the most coveted complications available, the perpetual calendar. The reference 3974 holds a special place in this, as it was the very first perpetual calendar with a minute repeater, powered by an automatic movement.

Complications are great, but a combination of them is even better. The Ref.5905 Annual Calendar Chronograph delivers just that, in a way only Patek Philippe can do. With its first annual calendar introduced in 1996, the brand is actually the inventor of this complication. As it only needs manual adjusting every February of each year, it is less complex and expensive than a perpetual calendar, but far more convenient than a regular one. Ref.5905 also taps into the long-standing tradition at Patek Philippe to merge a calendar complication with a chronograph. No wonder that it quickly amassed its own share of admirers.

Based upon the so-called "Golden Ratio" made the Patek Philippe Golden Ellipse quite stir at the watch fair in Basel, Switzerland, when it was introduced there in 1968. Ancient Greek mathematicians already concluded that applying the ratio of 1 / 1.6181 resulted in great beauty, whether it was in architecture or art. The Golden Ellipse proved that this was also true in watches. Ever since its introduction, it has been a staple in the collection of Patek Philippe with a loyal following. Today the watch still looks as elegant and stylish as it did when it was first launched, and one can only conclude that it has a timeless sense of beauty. That doesn't mean that Patek Philippe leaves it as it is, as the watch is also a perfect canvas to create something extraordinary, like the reference 5738/51G.

In the previous eight editions of Only Watch, a total of 70 million euros was raised to support the fight against Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. This plays a vital role in finding a cure for this terrible disease. For watch brands, it is an opportunity to do good and showcase their abilities. This works two ways, as it results in truly unique watches that are so tempting that they will only raise more money for the cause. Yesterday we showed you already some of our favorites, and today we do that again, as also the following ones are too good to pass up:

There is nothing quite like owning, and wearing, a watch that was made nearly a century ago. In particular, when this watch is from Patek Philippe. In the early 1920s, the brand has just started the production of wrist chronographs, and this specific watch from 1924 is a perfect example of their lasting beauty. It was part of a production run of just 27 pieces, all equipped with a single-button chronograph movement. Sixteen of them were fitted with a so-called officers-case with double hinges.

The days that the Aquanaut collection stood in the shadow of its famous sibling, the Nautilus, have been long gone. With its powerful yet elegant lines, the Aquanaut acquired many fans, and Patek Philippe delighted them recently with new additions to the collection.

The world of exclusive watches is in constant motion. One who is in particular aware of that is Edouard Caumon, US Country Manager at Watchfinder & Co. Haute Time sat down with him to discuss how they ensure that their clients get the most value for their money and the best experience. We also touch on the subject of which brands are on the rise and how taking away gender as a search option leads to discovering exciting new watches.