Cool Hunting

Looking for a watch for yourself or for a gift? Here are three watches that are at the top of my list this holiday season.

ToyWatch (above left) brings fun back to the lower end of the market. These watches are both functional and stylish and come in a range of colors and fabrications. One of my favorites is the 4005-GR, a 44mm watch featuring a black dial, green bezel and green nylon strap. Designed in Italy, it features a Miyota Quartz movement and is water resistant up to 100 feet. Best of all it retails for only $175. Buy it online from Active Endeavors and enter "coolhunting" in the discount field to get 20% off of the watch (and all of your other purchases).

Bell&Ross makes excellent watches and I'm happy with the several I own. One of my new favorites is the Type Demineur (above center), which was designed for France's bomb squad. The 39mm stainless steel watch is antimagnetic (bien sûr) and features a seven ruby ETA 955.612 quartz movement. The face is available in white or black, and is covered by an anti-glare sapphire crystal, rotating bezel, and is powered by a seven year battery. It is water resistant to 200m. The Type Demineur has a msrp of around $1,500. Check out the Bell&Ross site for authorized dealers.

Those of you who have been saving for the right watch, have a rich loved one or are expecting a Wall Street sized bonus should consider the drool-worthy new Patek Philippe Nautilus (above right). Available in a few different styles, some reissued from the 1970s, the 5980/1A features Patek's new self-winding, column-wheel-controlled caliber 28-250 C automatic chronograph movement. This model has a new 44mm case and features a chronograph with an unusual monocounter with both 12 hour and 60 minute hands at the 6 o'clock position. It has a sapphire crystal, stainless steel case and bracelet (other metals are available) and is water resistant to 120m. Of course nothing from Patek is for those on a budget, and the Nautilus 5980/1A is no exception with a MSRP of $32,500. Check out the Patek Philippe site for authorized dealers.